Knowing Your Buyer is Goal of Farmer

California Farmer Finds Market in Food Service

By Tim Hammerich, the AgInformation Network of the West

How can more farmers get to know the people who ultimately buy their products?

Michael Bosworth is a 5th generation California Rice Farmer in Rio Oso. His curiosity about where his rice was going lead to him selling rice to high end restaurants in Sacramento. When that seemed to be taking off, he launched Next Generation Foods. The company now supplies food service customers all throughout Northern California with a variety of local foods.

“We also work a lot with the other farmers. We have an olive oil producer, we have a couple of vinegar suppliers,” said Bosworth. “We have a great organic farmer named Ed Sills, and he does organic popcorn. We sell a lot of that to the Golden One Center, which is the sports arena in Sacramento that the Sacramento Kings play at. So we’re their exclusive popcorn supplier for them, and they really value local food.”

When asked for advice on how other farmers may better understand their consumers, Bosworth had an interesting and practical piece of advice.

“I would really encourage any grower or any participant in agriculture to go to a food show. You know, farm shows are great. It’s good to learn about what you’re doing on your farm, but it’s really, really good to learn about what’s happening after the product leaves your farm,” he said.

To learn more about Michael’s direct food distribution company, visit www.NextGenFoods.com.

California Ag Today2020-01-14T19:15:09-08:00January 15th, 2020|

Hemp Pavilion At World Ag Expo

World Ag Expo Adds Hemp Pavilion, International Ag Focus

By Tim Hammerich, Ag Information Network

The World Ag Expo in Tulare is just about a month away. Marketing Manager Jennifer Fawkes says the annual gathering is a great place for agriculture to show off its latest technology, and for the general public to better understand where their food comes from.

“Some of it’s new and some of it’s, of course, the stuff that we’re always excited about: steak sandwiches, cool tractors, new trucks, new technology, and just different things to help any operation in any way they can think of,” said Fawkes.

“But it’s also the new things. We have a hemp pavilion that is one of the hot topics in ag, so we decided it’s time to dedicate some space for that now that it’s really legal and legal federally,” she said. “We want to make sure that people have access to great education and new information. We’re also excited, we have a little bit of a refocus on international starting this year. We’re doing a lot of work with you as commercial service to do some matchmaking. So if there’s folks out there that need some help with any international trade or buying from someone internationally, we’ve got help for you,” said Fawkes.

With 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, there is almost certainly something for everyone. Buy tickets online in advance for a $3 discount using the code WAE20 or just show up and purchase them at the door. The event is rain or shine February 11th – 13th.

California Ag Today2020-01-13T07:56:43-08:00January 13th, 2020|

Western Growers Tech Center and Concentric Power Co-Host Forum

Discussing Energy Independence with California’s Growers Jan. 27

Industry innovators and government experts will share ways to safeguard energy supply in an era of bankrupt utilities and public safety power shutoffs

The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) and Concentric Power Inc., an energy technology company deploying power solutions for some of the country’s largest grower-shippers, will co-host the first-ever Salinas Valley Energy Forum to help growers and fresh food providers from California’s agricultural regions maintain productivity and improve profitability through energy independence. The Salinas Valley Energy Forum will be held at the Taylor Farms Curious Classroom on January 27, 2020, from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The Forum will provide insights into how the region’s agricultural industry can overcome the instability in energy availability, reliability and pricing currently threatening California and beyond. The Forum will feature a panel of experts representing energy developers, government agencies and solution providers including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Monterey County Farm Bureau, the City of Gonzales, Schneider Electric and Concentric Power.

“Energy is a huge part of farming. In fact, everything done after harvest requires power,” said Dennis Donohue, director of the WGCIT. “Our members provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, so it’s critically important we help them navigate the energy challenges currently facing the state.”

Following historic fire seasons that have bankrupted California’s largest energy utility and led to widespread Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) last Fall, unreliable and unstable energy is a major disruption to the agriculture industry. The cost of energy for ag companies is also unpredictable, having risen nearly 20 percent since the beginning of 2018 within the PG&E service territory.

“Technological advancements, business models, regulation changes and the low cost of capital have made energy independence a viable option,” said Brian Curtis, Concentric Power’s founder and CEO. “Many organizations simply don’t know that it can pencil out both economically and technically. With power shutoffs now happening year-round and utility rates continuing to rise, ag and other fresh food producers are finding that status quo is no longer an option.”

The Forum will be led by moderator Matthew Willis, vice president of product and business development at Concentric Power, and will feature Concentric Power’s Curtis along with Rick Sturtevant, state energy coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Norm Groot, executive director at the Monterey County Farm Bureau; Rene Mendez, city manager for the City of Gonzales; and Gregg Morasca, vice president of strategic customers at Schneider Electric.

Forum attendees will learn:

What is happening across the state from an energy perspective

Local power options and solutions

How to execute energy projects at little to no upfront cost

How to invest in sustainable infrastructure

How Salinas Valley cities are improving and promoting economic development

California Ag Today2020-01-10T11:46:46-08:00January 10th, 2020|

Rice Farming Agriculture on Youtube

Rice Farming TV Gets The Views

By Tim Hammerich with the AgInformation Network

According to YouTube, 1 billion hours of video are watched on their platform every day. This has created an opportunity for some farmers to invite viewers in to see how their food is grown.

One of my favorites is called Rice Farming TV, created by 3rd Generation Gridley Rice Farmer Matthew Sligar. Matthew discovered that he really enjoyed the film making process, and always found striking images he wanted to capture around his farm in Northern California. As he started sharing his videos, he kept getting asked questions from the viewing public.

“For example, what’s the difference between white and brown rice? It’s the same rice plant. It’s just milled differently. So a lot of people would ask me, “what do you farm? White or Brown rice? And the answer is both. And that always kind of took people by surprise, and I thought, wow, people are interested in the rice industry,”said Sliger. “They don’t maybe know that much in terms of how it’s produced. In fact, a lot of people, even in California, don’t know that rice is grown in California. So there’s this public education, this storytelling, this filming, the visual storytelling. All this together kind of led me to start Rice Farming TV.”

The channel, which now has over 32,000 subscribers, shares Matthew’s day-to-day life on the farm. It also serves as a platform to answer questions about issues such as water, the nutrition of rice, wildlife conservation, and rural living.

When asked how other farmers might create similar platforms themselves, Sligar says he considers film making his art form, but any form of expression online or not, can be an effective tool to connect about agriculture.

California Ag Today2020-01-09T18:02:25-08:00January 9th, 2020|

Ag Leadership That Make a Difference

Ag Leadership Applications for Class 51 Now Available

The Ag Leadership Program, operated by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF), is considered to be one of the premier leadership development experiences in the United States. More than 1,300 men and women have participated in the program and are influential leaders and active volunteers in agriculture, communities, government, business and other areas.

The 17-month program includes approximately 55 days of formal program activities. Four partner universities—Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State and UC Davis—deliver comprehensive, diverse and high-impact curriculum designed to improve leadership skills. As a valuable extension to the monthly seminars, fellows participate in national and international travel seminars and receive individualized leadership development coaching.

CALF invests approximately $55,000 per fellow to participate in the Ag Leadership Program. The costs are underwritten by individual and industry donations. Candidates are strongly encouraged to talk with Ag Leadership alumni about the program and to attend a regional recruitment event.

Detailed program information and the phase one application are available at www.agleaders.org.

California Ag Today2020-01-08T10:41:57-08:00January 8th, 2020|

Improving Winegrape Quality Will Improve Prices For Growers

Improving Central SJV Winegrape Quality

By Tim Hammerich with the Ag Information Network

Frank Saviez has been growing quality winegrapes in the Central Valley for more than 40 years. Looking ahead, though, he sees a future in which valley growers can command more of a premium for their grapes.

“The variety of grapes and the tonnages that are grown here are generally geared into the $5 to $10 bottle of wine. And when you analyze that and what the wineries want to pay for those varieties, it limits your ability to produce quality wine grapes,” said Saviez. “To do that you have to reduce the tonnage per acre to get a quality of grapes that you can make wine that would sell rather than $5 to $10, but $10 to $20.”

Saviez has worked with Fresno State and others to plant varieties that show promise for performing well under central valley conditions. He’s explored varieties such as albarino, chono, vermentino, shiraz, malbec, and teraldego. All with the goal of providing higher quality options to central valley growers in the future.

Saviez…”I have planted several varieties with the goal in mind to be in a position to influence the long term goals of grape growers in the central valley.”

Saviez hopes introducing new premium varieties will move prices up to the $400 – $600 per ton range seen in other areas.

California Ag Today2020-01-06T20:41:24-08:00January 8th, 2020|

Whole Orchard Recycling

Whole Almond Orchard Recyling is A Next Generation Farming Practice

By Tim Hammerich with California Ag Today

The Almond Board of California recently announced their $5.9 million investment into next-generation farming practices. The Board is exploring some of these initiatives as they offer insights into challenges faced by California growers.

Josette Lewis, Director of Agricultural Affairs for the Almond Board of California, says one area these investments have really paid off recently has been in something called whole orchard recycling.

“This is when an orchard gets to the end of its life and the trees are taken out. They’re chipped and deep-ripped into the soil, and then disced over to put that entire orchard biomass, which is a huge amount of woody material, down into the soil…

“We’ve been doing research for quite a number of years that shows that that can improve soil quality: things like water holding capacity, and soil organic matter. It does not seem to pose a particular problem for replant disease or soil-borne pathogens. But very importantly, that research this last year paid off in terms of the California Department of Food and Agriculture has decided to include whole orchard recycling in their healthy soils incentive program.”

Lewis says this incentive program will provide dollars to help growers with the costs of recycling their orchards, which also gives them this benefit of healthier soils long term.

California Ag Today2020-01-06T20:25:08-08:00January 7th, 2020|

San Bernardino County HLB Quarantine Boundaries May Expand

CDFA Proposes Expansion of HLB Quarantine Boundaries for San Bernardino County

Effective January 6, 2020, the Department is expanding the San Bernardino County Quarantine Boundary. A map of the proposed boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/hlb/regulation.html#maps.

Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3439. Pursuant to Title 3 CCR section 3439 any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

Additionally effective January 6, 2020, the Department is expanding the ACP Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 boundary in the San Bernardino County, Montclair area to mirror the recent expansion of the HLB quarantine area. A map of the proposed boundary can be found at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/go/acp-quarantine#maps

Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3435. Pursuant to Title 3 CCR section 3435, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

Process to Appeal the Proposed Expanded/Changed Boundary

The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated Quarantine Boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

Mail Appeals to:

CDFA – Pest Exclusion

1220 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:00:35-07:00January 6th, 2020|

Almond Board Funds Big Projects For Future of Farming

One Big Project is Navel Orangeworm Control

By Tim Hammerich, Ag Information Network

The Almond Board of California recently announced an investment of $5.9 million in 85 independent research projects exploring next-generation farming practices. We will be exploring some of these initiatives this week, as they offer insights into challenges faced by California growers.

Josette Lewis, Director of Agricultural Affairs for the Almond Board of California, says one area of focus is the almond producers largest pest.

“Some significant investments in the area of navel orangeworm that affects everything from farmer management in the orchard during the growing season to cost at the handler level to sort out nuts that have been damaged by insects to our exporters who may face questions around aflatoxin and checks at export markets that could be very costly if aflatoxin rates, which are often associated with navel orangeworm, are found,”said Lewis.

“We continue to invest in integrated pest management systems or navel orangeworm,”she said. “We’re very excited to validate the value proposition of use of mating disruption as a new tool. And then also this year made a historic investment in looking at the use of sterile insect technology for navel orangeworm, which would be a powerful new IPM tool.”

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:05:01-07:00January 6th, 2020|

Chlorpyrifos Sales Will End in Feb.

Agreement Reached to End Sale of Chlorpyrifos in California by February 2020

The California Environmental Protection Agency announced today that virtually all use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos in California will end next year following an agreement between the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and pesticide manufacturers to withdraw their products.

“For years, environmental justice advocates have fought to get the harmful pesticide chlorpyrifos out of our communities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Thanks to their tenacity and the work of countless others, this will now occur faster than originally envisioned. This is a big win for children, workers and public health in California.”

“The swift end to the sale of chlorpyrifos protects vulnerable communities by taking a harmful pesticide off the market,” said California Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld. “This agreement avoids a protracted legal process while providing a clear timeline for California farmers as we look toward developing alternative pest management practices.”

Earlier this year, DPR announced it was acting to ban use of chlorpyrifos by canceling the pesticide’s product registrations. The decision follows mounting evidence, PDF that chlorpyrifos is associated with serious health effects in children and other sensitive populations at lower levels of exposure than previously understood, including impaired brain and neurological development.

At the same time, DPR and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) have established a cross-sector working group to identify, evaluate and recommend safer, more sustainable pest management alternatives to chlorpyrifos. It will hold its first meeting this month and will hold three public workshops beginning in January.

The agreement with Dow AgroSciences and other companies means that use of chlorpyrifos will end sooner than anticipated had the companies pursued administrative hearings and potential appeals process, which could have taken up to two years. Under the settlement, the companies agreed that:

All sales of chlorpyrifos products to growers in California will end on Feb. 6, 2020.
Growers will no longer be allowed to possess or use chlorpyrifos products in California after Dec. 31, 2020.
Until then, all uses must comply with existing restrictions, including a ban on aerial spraying, quarter-mile buffer zones and limiting use to crop-pest combinations that lack alternatives. DPR will support aggressive enforcement of these restrictions.

To ensure consistency for growers and for enforcement purposes, DPR is applying the terms and deadlines in the settlements to seven other companies that are not part of the settlement agreement but are subject to DPR’s cancellation orders.

A few products that apply chlorpyrifos in granular form, representing less than one percent of agricultural use of chlorpyrifos, will be allowed to remain on the market. These products are not associated with detrimental health effects. DPR will continue to monitor for any exposures associated with these products.

The development of safe, more sustainable alternatives to chlorpyrifos is being supported through the current state budget, which appropriates more than $5 million in grant funding for the purpose.

DPR will award more than $2.1 million in grants to fund projects that identify, develop, and implement safer, practical, and sustainable pest management alternatives to chlorpyrifos.
CDFA will award approximately $2 million in grants to expand outreach about innovative, biologically integrated farming systems that reduce chemical insecticide inputs. Crops that have used chlorpyrifos will be a priority.
CDFA will also fund approximately $1.5 million in research to develop alternatives to chlorpyrifos that provide safer, more sustainable pest management solutions.

Quick facts:

Chlorpyrifos is used to control pests on a variety of crops, including alfalfa, almonds, citrus, cotton, grapes and walnuts. It has declined in use over the past decade as California growers have shifted to safer alternatives.
Use of the pesticide dropped more than 50 percent from two million pounds in 2005 to just over 900,000 pounds in 2017.
In 2015, DPR designated chlorpyrifos as a “restricted material” that requires a permit from the county agricultural commissioner for its application. In addition, application of chlorpyrifos must be recommended by a licensed pest control advisor and supervised by a licensed certified applicator.
Following DPR’s designation of chlorpyrifos as a toxic air contaminant in 2018, DPR recommended that county agricultural commissioners apply additional permit restrictions, including a ban on aerial spraying, quarter-mile buffer zones and limiting use to crop-pest combinations that lack alternatives.

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California Ag Today2020-01-02T17:41:57-08:00January 3rd, 2020|