Farm Grown Announces Scholarship for HS Seniors

**Know an outstanding high school senior?**

We want them to apply to Farm Grown Schlarship

In partnership with Gar Tootelian, Inc., the Grizzlies Community Fund is proud to announce the inaugural Gar & Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation Farm Grown Scholarship. We are pleased to award $1,500 to outstanding high school seniors who will be pursuing a degree in an agriculturally-related field.

The winner will receive $1,000 towards college tuition; an honorable mention finalist will receive $500.

See the Grizzlies Community Fund at website for more information and to download the application (due April 1).

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:53-07:00March 4th, 2014|

Snow Survey Presses State to Retrench and Reinforce

As we already know, calendar year 2013 closed as the driest year in recorded history for many areas of California, and current conditions suggest no change in sight for 2014.

And, California is experiencing the first zero allocation announcement for all customers of the State Water Project (SWP) in the 54-year history of the project.

According to California Department of Water Resources’ (CDWR) third snow survey of the season on February 27, twenty-nine public water agencies buy water from the SWP for delivery to 25 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland, revealing a continuation of California’s precipitation deficit during the state’s third consecutive dry water year (October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014). And, the statewide snowpack water equivalent was 6 inches, or only 24 percent of the average for the date.

The snowpack, “California’s largest reservoir”, typically issues about a third of the water used by the state’s cities and farms. And, California’s major reservoirs, themselves, are dangerously low.

A CDWR statement issued yesterday evaluating the snow survey findings, called the results, “an improvement from the previous survey on January 30 that found the snowpack’s water content at 12 percent of average for late January.”

According to CDPR, although it is difficult to quantify an exact amount of precipitation that would alleviate the current drought conditions, it is highly unlikely given historic patterns of the remainder of the rainy season that the drought will end this water year. There just isn’t enough time for precipitation to accumulate at an acceptable rate to alleviate drought conditions or the anticipated impacts to drought-stricken communities.

SWP’s principal reservoir, Lake Oroville in Butte County, is at only 39 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity; Shasta Lake north of Redding, California’s and the (federal) Central Valley Project’s (CVP) largest reservoir, is at 38 percent of its 4.5 million acre-foot capacity; and San Luis Reservoir, a important SWP and CVP reservoir , is at 33 percent of its 2 million acre-foot capacity.

What’s being done about it? When Governor Brown declared a drought State of Emergency in January, he directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages. CAL FIRE recently announced it hired 125 additional firefighters to help address the increased fire threat due to drought conditions, the California Department of Public Health identified and offered assistance to communities at risk of severe drinking water shortages and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife restricted fishing on some waterways due to low water flows worsened by the drought.

Also in January, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture also released the California Water Action Plan, which will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems and improve the resilience of our infrastructure.

Governor Brown has called on all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 20 percent and the Save Our Water campaign has announced four new public service announcements that encourage residents to conserve. Last December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California’s preparedness for water scarcity. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:53-07:00March 4th, 2014|

UCCE on YouTube: Drought Mitigation in Livestock Production

UCCE’s Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center has posted the entire January 29^th seminar, “Drought Mitigation in Livestock Production” on YouTube. To access all 14 seminar videos, visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/ucsfrec?feature=watch.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:53-07:00March 4th, 2014|

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross talks with students at Chico State

Source: Excerpted from Heather Hacking, ChicoER News; posted by CDFA

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross spoke to students at the California State University, Chico Farm on Tuesday.

Ross was in Chico as guest speaker at the Chico Rotary Club and she toured the University Farm before meeting with students and local ag leaders.

“We need to reconnect farmers with consumers and create an ag-literate populace,” said Ross.

One student asked about a recent proposal by the governor to eliminate grant funding for FFA agriculture education.

Ross said students can send a powerful message; those in the FFA blue jackets can and should stand up at school board meetings and talk about the importance of investing in youth.

“What about conflicting messages that come from various sectors of agriculture?” asked Dave Daley, an instructor at Chico State.

Ross said there is room for many different segments of the food industry — organic and conventional and all the variations in between.

“Consumers want assurance that they have a choice,” said Ross. “Having many different markets also provides opportunities for producers.”

For students wondering which direction to go with after college, Ross encouraged young people to consider careers with CDFA and USDA.

“Many people are at retirement age,” Ross said. “A fresh workforce is welcome.”

“CDFA Secretary Karen Ross talks with students at CSU Chico” -ChicoER News

For any ag producers, it’s important to be able to communicate and to clearly express themselves through writing, she added.

The stories of the farm cannot be told in 140 characters, the length of one Twitter entry, and the ability to communicate science to non-farmers will become increasingly important.

Ross also noted that farming has always included adaptation; as the world population increases and open land decreases, improvements to farming will continue.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00March 4th, 2014|

“The Fight for Water” screens at Columbia College in Sonora, California

The award-winning documentary, “The Fight for Water: A Farm Worker Struggle”, has been invited to screen at 5:40 pm, Saturday, March 8th at Columbia College’s Dogwood Theatre in Sonora, California, as part of the “Official Selection” at this year’s Back to Nature Film Fest Series.

Joe Del Bosque

Presented by the college’s Forestry & Natural Resources Club and the ITSA Film Festival, the screening will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker.

The film documents the impact of a federal decision on people living in a Central Valley farming community in the Spring of 2009 when their water supply was cut off and they staged a march to fight for their water.

The film proudly tells the humble story of Joe Del Bosque, who came from parents who were migrant farmworkers to become a farmer and a major Ag leader in the California Central Valley.

He was recently thrown into national spotlight when President Barack Obama visited his farm on February 14, 2014 to address the current drought in California.

Hollywood actor Paul Rodriguez, who helped organize the March for Water in the style of Cesar Chavez, and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are also featured in the film.

The documentary film, which serves as a cautionary tale and precursor to the current drought in California, has screened at over 10 film festivals, winning accolades and worldwide recognition. The film was produced by Juan Carlos Oseguera, 40, a San Francisco State University alumnus who has been a published film critic and an accomplished producer of several award-winning short films.

It recently received the Best Documentary award at the 2013 International Monarch Film Festival and at the 2013 Viña de Oro Fresno International Film Festival. The film also received runner-up honors for Best Documentary in Cinematography and for Best Political Documentary Film at the 2013 Action on Film International Film Festival, where it also received a nomination for Excellence in Filmmaking.

“People should see this film,” stated Lois Henry, a newspaper columnist who reviewed the film for The Bakersfield Californian. “It’s important that we understand that perspective of what the ‘Water Wars’ mean on a really, really human scale.”

This is Oseguera’s first feature-length film.

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Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00March 4th, 2014|

EPA Updates Pesticide Registration Info on Web

EPA has created a new area on its website containing all of its information on Pesticide Registration. Pulling from existing material, the new pesticide registration area is designed to help users find what they need easily and quickly.

Under clearly defined topic headings, visitors to this new Web area will have easy access to information on:

Pesticide registration
Fees and fee waivers
How to register a pesticide
Types of registrations under pesticide laws
Types of pesticides that can be registered
Registration forms and guidance documents

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA regulates all pesticides that are sold and distributed in the United States.

The term “pesticides” includes pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, antimicrobial products, biopesticides, and other substances used to control a wide variety of pests.

A pesticide product is defined as a pesticide in the particular form (including composition, packaging, and labeling) in which the pesticide is, or is intended to be, distributed or sold and includes any physical apparatus used to deliver or apply the pesticide if distributed or sold with the pesticide.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00March 1st, 2014|

March is National Nutrition Month, California Agriculture Rules!

National Nutrition Month (NNM) this year focuses on following the Dietary Guidelines recommendations by combining taste and nutrition to create healthy meals. Consumer research confirms that taste tops nutrition as the main reason why one food is purchased over another. While social, emotional and health factors also play a role, the foods people enjoy are likely the ones they eat most.

NNM is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. NNM also promotes the Academy and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information.

University of California Cooperative Extension – Imperial County is ready for NNM’s theme this year, “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.” Eating right can be challenging as healthy foods are often misunderstood to be bland, flavorless, boring, and not worth the time, but this isn’t always true! Eating right can be delicious, flavorful, quick, and easy, and enjoyable.

California Walnuts wants to help consumers defend health all year round, and especially during National Nutrition Month. Their message is including whole foods like walnuts as part of a healthy diet can provide valuable nutrition that defend against diseases. The Natural Defender’s Toolkit has a variety of components that can be used to track personal health and learn more about nutrition.

The BMI Chart allows people to find their BMI value based on height and weight. The Cholesterol Tracker allows people to track cholesterol levels after every doctor’s visit, along with exercise and diet goals. The Medicine Tracker aids folks in keeping track of medications. And, finally, the Personal Prevention Record helps defend people’s health against many preventable diseases. Use the forms in the Natural Defenders Toolkit, complete with nutrition tips from experts, to help people get started on a path towards wellness today.

The California Cling Peach Board suggests as we continue on through the month, we want to make sure we maintain a strong emphasis on the importance of nutrition.

California Strawberry Commission urges, “Just Add Strawberries for National Nutrition Month.”

Melissa Tamargo, on the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Blog, says to choose fresh foods that are naturally low in sodium such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs and milk.

UC California Agricultural Tourism Directory instructs us to read the Nutrition Facts label to choose low-sodium foods and look for terms like “no added salt.”

The Hass Avocado Board tells us to celebrate National Nutrition Month with an avocado-focused menu. Avocados make a great dip for chips and veggies or a flavorful sandwich spread. For creative ideas on how to add Fresh Hass Avocados to menu, stop by AvocadoCentral.com/avocado-foodservice.

Why not celebrate National Nutrition Month by taste-testing different varieties of the same crop, as suggested by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. Try some pears, for instance. After all, according to the CDFA, California provides us with more than 400 choices!

Author: Melissa Tamargo

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00March 1st, 2014|

League of Women Voters to Host Ag Issues Seminars

The League of Women voters will host two seminars focusing on current issues in agriculture during the month of March.

The first seminar, “Agriculture’s Economic Health,” is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 5.

Panelists include Paul Betancourt, grower; Jerry Prieto, former Fresno County agricultural commissioner; Dr. Daniel Sumner, UC Davis agriculture economist; and Jeff Yasui, USDA Risk Management.

The second seminar, “From Animal Management to Food Safety,” will take place Wednesday, March 19. Panelists include Bill Griffin, Fresno County Department of Agriculture; Charlene McLaughlin, a bovine veterinarian; Kiel Schmidt, organic farmer; and Paul Wenger, California Farm Bureau Federation president.

Each seminar will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC), 1555 Van Ness, Fresno.

The seminars are free and open to the public. Participants should bring lunch; a snack and beverage will be provided. Relevant articles can be found at http://fresno.ca.lwvnet.org/.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00March 1st, 2014|

USDA’s Final WIC and United Fresh’s Response

Today, USDA finalized changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to further improve the nutrition and health of the nation’s low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children.

The changes – which increase access to fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy – are based on the latest nutrition science. Today’s announcement marks the completion of the first comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages since 1980.

Along with a more than 30 percent increase in the dollar amount for children’s fruits and vegetables purchases, the changes also:

expand whole grain options available to participants,
provide yogurt as a partial milk substitute for children and women,
allow parents of older infants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables instead of jarred infant food if they choose, and;
give states and local WIC agencies more flexibility to meet the nutritional and cultural needs of WIC participants.

Over 8.5 million participants receive WIC benefits each month. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified changes to the WIC food packages as a contributing factor in the decline in obesity rates among low-income preschoolers in many States.

United Fresh Produce Association President & CEO Tom Stenzel issued this statement Today in response to USDA’s publication of the Final Rule on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Revisions to the WIC Food Package:

We applaud USDA’s emphasis on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant and breastfeeding women, and their infants and young children who participate in the WIC program. The final rule increases the cash-value of the fruit and vegetable vouchers for children to $8 per month; allows WIC mothers to receive a voucher for fresh fruits and vegetables instead of jarred baby foods for their infants; and allows WIC mothers to add cash (split tender) at check out to their fruit and vegetable vouchers to maximize their purchases. All of these provisions will increase fruit and vegetable consumption among WIC mothers and their young children.

Our only disappointment is that we continue to believe that WIC vouchers should include all fresh fruits and vegetables, without added fats, sugar or sodium, including fresh white potatoes.

For more than a decade, United Fresh has been a leading advocate for including fruits and vegetables in the WIC food packages. United played a leadership role in urging USDA and Congress to update WIC food packages to include fruits and vegetables, and has worked with the National WIC Association and advocates to increase the value of the fruit and vegetable vouchers for mothers and children.

The CDC has recently recognized the important role that the WIC Program’s nutrition education and food package changes that added healthy items like fruits and vegetables has played in decreasing childhood obesity by 43 percent among 2-5 year olds.

Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association serves companies at the forefront of the global fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

United Fresh and its members work year-round to make a difference for the produce industry by driving policies that increase consumption of fresh produce, shaping critical legislative and regulatory action, providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, and developing educational programs and business opportunities to assist member companies in growing successful businesses.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00February 28th, 2014|

California Association of Agricultural Labor (CAAL) Conference

The California Association of Agricultural Labor (CAAL) is hosting the CAAL Conference on March 15, 2014 with the following agenda:

Department of Labor (DOL): Transportation

Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE): Piece rate

New: Mandatory Rest Breaks Compensation and Record Keeping

OSHA: Safety Training

Anthony Raimondo

Other: Health Care Reform

Guest speakers will include:

Anthony Raimondo, Partner, McCormick Barstow LLP, Fresno, has been representing and counseling employers with strategic planning, day-to-day workplace issues, turning back union organizing campaigns, and negotiating favorable contracts. Mr. Raimondo is the primary labor and employment resource for California’s Western United Dairymen.

Gil Molina

Gilbert (Gil) S. Molina, a highly respected bi-lingual resource, trainer and labor consultant in Fresno, has 31 years of federal service as an investigator within the U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division, Internal Revenue Service and the United States Navy. As CEO for CAAL, Molina’s goal is to create training and options for the Farm Labor Contractors and their foremen.

Mark Saltzman, Saltzman Financial & Insurance Services, has been working in the insurance industry since 1977. His firm has partnered with United Agribusiness League and Western Growers to offer some of the best medical plans available to the agriculture industry today.

Mark Saltzman and son, Kevin

The Conference begins at 8 am with breakfast; the meeting begins at 9 am. It takes place at 1444 Fulton Street in Fresno. Spanish translation is available.

CAAL Members – Free

Non-members – $25

RSVP by phoning 559-513-8562 (English) or 559-905-7638 (Spanish).

CAAL’s mission is to create a favorable business environment for its members; foster and maintain good government relations on behalf of its clients; and educate, train, and certify the farm labor industry on all relevant regulations impacting agricultural business. This organization represents over 60,000 employees.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:54-07:00February 28th, 2014|