By Craig W. Anderson
San Joaquin Farm Bureau is assisting Stockton East Water District (SEWD) with the application process and application workshops for the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Project
(SWEEP) Block Grant program. Also involved in this program to conserve and use San Joaquin County’s water more efficiently are the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) and the North
MORE THAN 200 FARMERS, farm workers, applicators and pest control advisors took advantage of recent free Spray Safe training to refresh themselves on regulations and best management practices.
Unlike some programs designed for growers or PCAs, this one targeted workers and supervisors who oversee pesticide applications, said Joe Valente, who chairs the Spray Safe committee.
“The reason it originally got started was a Kern County bus got sprayed,” he said. “The ag commissioner said we needed to be proactive. In-
Acampo
Joe Salazar, Chair
Joe Petersen
Charlie Starr
Calla Nile Garden
Tim Weststeyn, Chair
Bruce Oosterkamp
David Phippen
Bryan Van Groningen
Collegeville
Chester Murphy, Chair
Kent Norman
Les Strojan
Escalon
Caleb Gervase, Chair
Katie Veenstra
Paul Voortman
Lafayette
Richard Rodriguez, Chair
Stanton Lange
Daniel Meza
Alfred Nicolini
Linden
Nick Ferrari, Chair
James Chinchiolo
Donald Drake
Jim Ferrari
Steven Galvin
Roberts Union
Nick Mussi, Chair
Patrick Drury
David Strecker
Tracy
Joe Bacchetti, Chair
Phil Martin
Pete Reece, Jr.
Victor
Nick Bokides, Chair
John Anagnos
Kelton Fleming
Officers
Andrew Watkins, President
Les Strojan, First Vice President
James Chinchiolo, Second Vice President
Directors at Large
Phil Brumley
Jean Cabral, Emeritas
Jim Connolly
Karen Cultrera
Herman Doornenbal, Jr.
Joe Ferrari
Brad Goehring
Jack Hamm
Bob Hesseltine
Jim Larkin
Joe Luis
Mike Luis
Steve Moore
Jerry Robinson
Jake Samuel
Paul Sanguinetti
Dave Simpson
Ken Vogel
Darrell Voortman
Kenny Watkins Advisory
Jenna Swenson, Farm Service Agency
Sonya Miller, NRCS/USDA
Krista McCoon, SJ CWA
Kamal Bagri, Ag Commissioner
Sheriff Pat Withrow, Sheriff’s Dept
Brent Holtz, UC Cooperative Extension
Staff
Andrew Genasci, Executive Director
Kobi Perry, Program Director
Jessica Coit, Membership Coordinator
By Andrew Watkins, SJFB President
JUST A YEAR AGO we welcomed Andrew Genasci as the SJFB Executive Director. In just a year’s time, Andrew has made tremendous strides to help lead our organization to a new beginning for our county Farm Bureau. In the late summer of last year, Andrew and the Membership Committee hosted a Grill and Chill barbeque event that brought our members, neighbors and government representatives together. He has also recently completed his time in the Cal Ag Leadership Program class of 52. He began his 17-month pro-
gram in October of 2022 and has since attended many seminars, tours workshops as well as a 14- day international travel seminar. We look forward to seeing more of the wisdom you inherited from this program set into motion at SJFB. Thank you, Andrew, and keep up the good work.
Just two years ago, Kobi Perry settled into her role of the program director. She has recently submitted her resignation letter and worked her final day with SJFB on Feb. 22. Kobi led several programs for agricultural education for the SJFB Foun-
dation for Agricultural Education and the SJFB Agricultural Education Committee. Kobi worked diligently to reintroduce historic programs and events that have been paused due to the COVID pandemic. We were happy to see the return of the Wine Tasting Fundraiser, Ag in the Classroom and even Natalie the Cow back in action throughout the county. She also organized planning meetings and training seminars on behalf of the Rural Health and Safety
See Watkins, page 11
2024 IS OFF TO A BUSY START here at the San Joaquin Farm Bureau office! February has been packed full of meetings, trainings and Farm Center dinners. Class 52 of the California Ag Leadership Program finished our 17 months of the program in mid-February and while I will miss the time spent with my fellow students, it will be nice to get the time back into my schedule! On top of that, your staff has been keeping pace with local events around the county and continues to be involved in the issues that impact our farmers, ranchers and dairymen. We submitted comments on the PG&E Lodi-Lockeford 220kV line alignment expressing our concerns with the alignment that was selected and asking
that the California Public Utilities Commission consider changing the project to limit the impact on our members. First Vice President Les Strojan attended a public meeting on the Pacific Gateway Project to support our members who are
President, Andrew Watkins
First Vice President, Les Strojan
fighting against this leapfrog development in the south county.
I was also able to join Supervisor Robert Rickman at a press conference in Tracy
See Genasci, page 11
Second Vice President, James Chinchiolo
Executive Director/Publisher, Andrew Genasci Editor/Production, Kevin Swartzendruber Advertising Agency, AOS, (916) 961-9999
Produced by Exclamation Point Communications for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation, 3290 Ad Art Road, Stockton, CA 95215, (209) 931-4931.
San Joaquin Farm Bureau News, publication number 185-880, is published monthly. The subscription price to San Joaquin Farm Bureau members is included in the membership dues of $325 for agricultural members, $100 for associate members, or $450 for business members. Business member step-up levels with increased benefits are $750, $1,500, $3,000 and $6,000. Non-profit periodical postage paid at Stockton, CA. Postmaster: Send changes to 3290 N. Ad Art Road, Stockton, 95215.
SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE continues to revive its agricultural programs, focusing on classes that provide students with an essential education while giving them skills needed by local industry. The college is currently advertising for a full-time associate professor of plant science/viticulture as well as one to teach ag business full-time. Both are expected to come on board July 1. At the same time,
the ag department is building up its pool of adjunct instructors who teach part time.
For the 2025-26 school year, the college plans to advertise for a full-time associate professor of animal science/ regenerative grazing.
In addition, the culinary arts and diesel mechanics programs will be brought under the ag umbrella.
The changes won’t happen overnight and are part of a deliberate, focused rebuilding effort, said Tina Candelo-Mize, a
horticulture professor who’s been at Delta for six years.
“We have a really big vision, but we want to take on small bits of it to do it
right, to do it effectively, and then take on the next bit,” she said.
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To accomplish that, Candelo-Mize said the new hires will be part of the collaborative approach that’s been built with an emphasis on communication and transparency.
The transformation is supported by Pedro Méndez, Delta College instructional dean-applied sciences, who came on board about five months ago. He oversees transfer and career pathways for agriculture, business and law, and trades.
Méndez brings a unique perspective, having grown up in the Patterson area where his father was a farm manager for about 38 years. He also held various administrative positions at Modesto Junior College for about 30 years before joining Delta College.
Compared to Stanislaus County, he said San Joaquin County has a more diverse crop mix as well as the ag industry as a whole. As such, Méndez said Delta College shouldn’t try to mimic MJC’s ag program. Instead, he envisioned Delta developing unique curriculum that will
attract students and complement the local ag industry.
“As we try to reestablish and innovate the ag program, we have to identify those areas that make us unique where we can bring something different to our students,” he said.
Phil Brumley, who grows walnuts and
almonds near Escalon, said community colleges are important since they allow students to complete their first two years of college with less expense than going away to a four-year school. And having a strong two-year program close to home is essential.
“Ag is still the No. 1 industry in San
Joaquin County, and the ability of our kids to further their education with an ag emphasis is important for those returning to the farm and those going into other industries that are related to farming,” said Brumley, who sits on the San Joaquin
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Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education board.
Donald Drake, manager of Delta College’s Manteca farm, agreed. A Delta College alum, he finished his last two years of college at California State University, Fresno, before returning to San Joaquin County.
“It gives students the education and the opportunity to have higher wage positions in the county,” he said. “Let’s educate them here to keep them here.”
A local program for local needs
Delta’s ag program development is guided by a large steering committee representing the diverse local industry. Not only does the curriculum have to meet state standards, but it also has to produce skilled students to fill local industry needs, Drake said.
Based partly on industry input, the college added viticulture to the plant science instructor’s job description. That person, in turn, will help develop viticulture and enology programs.
Drake said the same held true with the previous animal science position being updated to include regenerative grazing, a practice gaining popularity locally.
Also in the works is what he described as “the taste of San Joaquin.” Drake plans to pull out 20 acres of old almond trees at the Manteca farm, replacing them with olives for oil. Ten acres of alfalfa will be removed and replanted with cherries. The goal is to give students more hands-on experience with commodities grown in the county.
Bringing in the culinary arts programs will allow for more of a farm-to-fork approach, he said, pointing to the Stockton campus’ Mustang Gardens. Plant propagation classes, for example, start vegetable transplants in the school’s on-campus greenhouses. Plant science classes then tend the crops as they grow. Once harvested, the bounty will be used by culinary students as fresh ingredients.
In the meantime, Drake said, he and Candelo-Mize have increased public outreach and are trying to reconnect with high school ag teachers. One of the most recent efforts was the ag expo
held at the Manteca campus where about 100 Stagg High School students from Stockton spent a day learning about agriculture.
The four separate hands-on activities included a farm tour, agronomy, equipment and plant grafting. They were all led by Delta College students.
Drake sits on the Manteca Unified School District’s ag advisory committee, and he and Candelo-Mize split time on Bear Creek High School’s ag advisory committee in Stockton. Candelo-Mize said she also hoped to return to Merrill F West High School’s ag advisory committee in Tracy.
Although Candelo-Mize admitted they still have a long way to go, she said she liked what she has seen so far.
“I feel very optimistic about it,” said Candelo-Mize, also a Delta alum. “We have really strong industry interest in those programs, and I think we have a strong connection with the community.”
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stead of waiting for a problem, we needed to be ahead of the game.”
Now in its 14th year, the San Joaquin County Spray Safe program is a collaborative effort among the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner’ Office, Percissi Ag Services and Cal Ag Safety. SJFB Executive Director Andrew Genasci said his board felt the program was important enough to allocate staff time to help with it.
As he has done in the past, Valente, a Lodi-area winegrape vineyard manager, brought about two dozen workers to the half-day educational session at the Cabral Ag Center in Stockton.
“It’s just really to remind people what’s going on,” Valente said. “This is more targeted for the people who are overseeing the spraying, and again, it’s just to be proactive and try to prevent problems
before things happen.”
Lodi-area winegrape grower Bruce Fry brought six workers to provide a refresher.
“We’ve been supporting (Spray Safe) since it started,” he said. “It’s just another perspective. They hear from growers, from the ag commissioner and I thought the really interesting one was hearing from the beekeeper.”
He was referring to a presentation by Mark Allen, a PCA and owner of Bee Honest Farms in Sacramento County. Allen discussed how bees pollinate crops, their biology and habits, and pesticide safety around them.
Although Fry only has winegrapes, he said the information was useful because nearby cherry orchards rely on beehives for pollination.
The Spray Safe program varies from year to year, and the subject matter is guided by a committee comprising farmers and applicators. Among the members are Valente, his son Gary Valente, specialty crop grower Richard Rodriguez, and Eddie Lucchesi, a grower with wal-
nuts and cherries near Lodi and corn in the Delta,
Lucchesi, also retired manager of San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control, said sometimes people grow used to doing a task a certain way and
lose track of workplace safety. The Spray Safe program provides a gentle reminder of best practices.
“The biggest part is to make sure our
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employers are kept up to date on the rules and regulations for pesticides,” he said. “It’s a good practice to always have an annual meeting that will rejuvenate the mind and make sure you don’t get caught in a rut.”
Multiple perspectives
Jake Samuel, who wears several hats, provided a number of different perspectives. He is CEO of Sunrise Fresh, which dries and packages cherries and other fruit. He also grows cherries, walnuts and almonds with his brother near Linden and has a private applicators license. In addition, he and his brother custom farm for others, so they’re considered a pest control business and Samuel has a qualified applicators license.
One of his big take-home messages was to provide regular employee training, such as tailgate sessions, and document everything.
“It’s not just the annual pesticide safety training, but it’s monthly and weekly,”
Samuel said. “I also use Cal Ag Safety. My guys don’t want to hear from me all the time. It’s nice to hear a different voice and see different faces. I use them on a monthly basis.”
In their operation, he said mixing is where accidents are most likely to occur. And safety glasses are one piece of personal protective equipment workers tend to lose or not wear.
Instead of warning them they could put their eyes out, Samuel said he liked to tell them that he cared about them.
“They are there for them to save their eyes,” he said. “Be mindful of your surroundings – that’s the biggest thing I always continue to drill into them.”
Other items Samuel touched on were safe pesticide storage, safety binders, and first aid and decontamination kits.
Many of the pesticide best application practices also play into food safety. Samuel said they use Agrian online software to double-check pesticide recommendations and electronically report their pesticide use to the ag commissioner. That same
Jake Samuel, who grows walnuts, cherries and almonds with his brother near Linden, discussed his unique perspective on applying pesticides safely. He and his brother also custom farm, so they’re considered a pest control business and are required to have a qualified applicators license. In addition, he is CEO of Sunrise Fresh, which dries and packages cherries and other fruit
data can easily be transferred into food safety reports.
The Spray Safe program also met the required training growers within the San Joaquin County and Delta Water Quality Coalition must take annually to comply with the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Coalition Executive Director Mike Wackman reviewed pesticide exceedances found during surface sampling within the watershed in the 2022-23 water year.
The most common ones were pyrethroid insecticides. Because they can also adhere to sediment and have a long halflife, Wackman said managing sediment runoff is important. Among the mitigation measures are settling ponds, and buffer zones and vegetative filter strips between fields and waterways.
To help reduce the chances of finding pesticides in surface waters, he recommended following good spray management practices, such as turning off booms before the turn-row and pointing nozzles away from waterways.
Fall
San Joaquin Water Conservation District (NSJWCD).
The program will have $5 million available for San Joaquin County block grants.
“The new block grant format is good for our growers in San Joaquin County because the entire $5 million in funding will be spent in our county with no
matching funds required,” said SJFB Executive Director Andrew Genasci.
“We’re here to help and we want to have this program here.”
He added that the county’s program won’t be competing with the entire state as did past grant programs.
“This program is good for the irrigation and conservation districts which are also involved,” Genasci said. “It will help the shift to surface water from groundwater when needed. There is no downside to this block grant program.”
While programs similar to SWEEP have been around for “quite a few years, the current version is the first block grant type and it attracted a full SEWD boardroom for the first of three application and Q&A workshops,” said SJFB Membership Coordinator Jessica Coit. “Our members are happy that the county is funded and Farm Bureau is a Technical Assistance Provider [TAP]. We can help with the application process.”
The SWEEP program invites eligible applicants to use state funds on projects
that will conserve and use water more efficiently while also conserving energy, increase the production of renewable energy, reduce the impacts of climate change, help farmers craft additional on-farm improvements and bring about other benefits that will contribute to sustainability.
SEWD General Manager Justin Hopkins said the process is “going great and we’re looking forward to using the $5 million in the county to help growers with balancing groundwater and surface water use to reach sustainability.”
Grant applications can be approved for up to $200,000 full funding on farm improvements. The process will provide the water districts with the money which will then be released to the county for distribution to the grant applicants.
The application determines the amount of the grant and, said SJFB Second Vice President James Chinchiolo. “It is important that every aspect of costs be included in the application. Take inflation into account; applicants need to work with suppliers to cover all detail and be certain there are no hidden costs.”
“It’s a good program; our tax dollars coming back to us here in the San Joaquin County.”
The more we can be local the better,” Hopkins said, “The more we can be local, the better. Some projects may require permits resulting in delays and we encourage growers to apply as soon as possible if permits are involved.” The SWEEP application timeframe runs until January 2026.
The first application due date is May 15. All of the documents should be reviewed including the necessary attachments.
The applications can be submitted in one of three ways. Email the application and attachments to sweep@sewd.net . Hand deliver a hard copy of the application and attachments to Stockton East Water District at 6767 East Main St. Stockton, CA 95215.
Mail a hard copy of application and attachments to Stockton East Water District, PO Box 5157, Stockton, CA 95205
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Workshops were held in February providing information on the grant program, an overview of the application process, and connection with the primary point of contacts for the application and grant administration.
Please reach out to one of the following contacts with questions regarding the SWEEP block application or grant process:
• San Joaquin Farm Bureau, Jessica Coit, Email: jessica@sjfb.org, (209) 931-4931
• Stockton East Water District, Kent Norman, Email: sweep@sewd.net, (209) 444-3123
• North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, Steve Schwabauer, Email: steve@nsjwcd.com, (209) 368-2101
• South San Joaquin Irrigation Dis-
trict, Julie Vrieling, Email: Julie.vrieling@ssjid.gov, (209) 249-4600
• UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Brady E. Holder, Email: beholder@ucanr.edu, (559) 646-6541
Documents
• SWEEP Block Grant Application, (/files/aba684846/)
• SWEEP Block Grant Application Checklist (/files/ld9adlfd3/SWEEP+ Block+Grant+Application+Checklist. pdf)
• SWEEP Block Grant Funding Information (/files/3ffd22/SWEEP+Bloc k+Grant+Funding+Information.pdf)
• Irrigation Water Savings Assessment Tools (/files/c43a88226/Irrigation+W ater+Savings+Assessment+Tool.xlsx)
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Tool, (/files/13d9c2e06/Greenh ouse+Gas+Emission+Reduction+To ol.xlsx)
• Budget Template (/files/d7c213992/ Budget+Template.xlsx)
THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION Of Resource Conservation Districts hosted their annual High School Speak-Off Contest in December in Sacramento. Collette Hansen, a Linden 16-year-old, competed and took second place in the statewide contest. Each contestant created a three to five-minute speech explaining how Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) could facilitate groundwater recharge.
Miss Hansen talked about her family’s pond that naturally recharges. She described the benefits to ground water from recharging efforts and how landowners can partner with RCD’s to create effective projects.
Miss Hansen represented the San Joaquin RCD at the regional level where
she won the contest making her eligible to complete at the state level. She was awarded $300 cash at the regional contest and $200 cash at the state contest.
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Committee. As our members can agree, it sure is nice to have safety trainings back up in running and in person. Kobi, thank you for your dedication to SJFB and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Farm Center meetings are underway. We will visit each part of our county to meet and share a meal with our Farm Centers and members. Getting involved with your local Farm Center is the best way to stay up to date. At these meetings, Farm Center directors are appointed to represent at the SJFB board of directors.
Back in February, the Roberts Union Farm Center met for coffee and doughnuts to discuss current events, gain a pulse check on membership and financials, as well as hear from the Sherriff’s Department AgNet. The Tracy Farm Center met the same day for a steak dinner at the Moose Lodge. Chairman Joe Bacchetti organized the night and the center heard Supervisor
Rickman speak as well as the Sherriff’s Department AgNet.
The Rural Health and Safety Committee has been planning many important training courses for the spring and summer months. Upcoming first is the TBD Trainings. Other trainings can be found on the calendar below. Please contact the office for more information.
The SWEEP Block Grant is available once again for local farmers. Stockton East Water District (SEWD), South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) and North San Joaquin Water Conservation District (NSJWCD) are pleased to administer the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Project Block Grant (SWEEP Block Grant). The objective of this funding opportunity is to invite eligible applicants to utilize state funds on projects that seek to conserve and use water more efficiently, conserve energy, increase the production of renewable energy, mitigate climate change impacts, enable farmers to make additional on-farm improvements, and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability.
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to speak about how the increases in rates by PG&E are impacting our members’ ability to operate here in the county and provide the quality food for which we are known.
Your staff also helped to put on another successful Spray Safe event, with nearly 200 attendees and 3½ hours of continuing education.
Jessica and I have also been attending open houses for SEWD, NSJWCD and SSJID to talk about the SWEEP block grants. If you, or any of your neighbors are considering applying for these grants and have any questions, please reach out to us! We are happy to help you with the application.
February and March are filled with our Farm Center meetings. They are a wonderful time to meet with members that we may not usually see throughout the year. I enjoy meeting with members across the
county and having time not only to discuss the issues that they are facing but to also talk about what your Farm Bureau is doing. A big thank you to all the members and guests who have been able to join us so far and I look forward to seeing many more of you at the meetings this month!
It was not all good news though. I am sad to report that Kobi Perry, our program coordinator for the past year and a half, has announced that she will be leaving the San Joaquin Farm Bureau. Kobi was excellent to work with, a superb presenter at every AgVenture and it showed how she enjoyed working with students. Anyone who has worked with Kobi knows that she will be missed and difficult to replace. Good luck, Kobi!
As always, thank you for being a member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau. It is our pleasure to work for you throughout the county and we look forward to seeing you at a Farm Center meeting!
Visit us at www.sjfb.org
AG Wildlife Management, in operation for 23 years, specializes in wildlife control services across California, particularly in San Joaquin County. The business is licensed and insured and conducts operations with proper permits from Fish and Wildlife, including depredation permits for night work using thermals, lights, and night vision equipment.
Each property is covered with insurance worth one to two million dollars. The Department of Water Resources provides subvention funds, covering 75% of contracts. The business handles approximately 200-hour contracts for larger properties, legally dealing with various nuisance animals, such as beavers, nutria, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and wild pigs.
Noteworthy projects include McDonald Island, Coney, Brookside Island, Upper and Lower Jones Tract, Roberts Island, and Union Island, with some ranchers retaining services for 23 consecutive years. The services benefit landowners by safeguarding investments, preventing damage to drip lines, levies, orchards, and reducing costs associated with repairs and labor.
Regular communication with authorities and a clean record underscore the professionalism and reliability of AG Wildlife Management.
I BEGAN MY TIME with San Joaquin Farm Bureau back in March of 2022. I was very pregnant and awaiting the birth of our first child. My husband and I welcomed our son, Carter, in May and our lives have been forever changed for the better.
I resigned from SJFB, and my final day was on Feb. 22. Although this decision is bittersweet for me and my professional life, I have made the decision to stay home with our son. I look forward
to the blessings this opportunity will bring my family and me. I have greatly enjoyed being a part of the Farm Bureau family and have always been so honored to help advocate for agriculture through the commendable work with Farm Bureau. I am incredibly gracious to have worked with our members on numerous accounts and activities. I am very humbled to have witnessed the dedication, sacrifice and volunteerism of our SJFB members and
county agriculturalists alike. I am grateful to have worked with SJFB’s Foundation for Agricultural Education, The Agricultural Education Committee and the Rural Health and Safety Committee, as well as serving on the AgVenture Committee and the various programs SJFB partners with AgVenture on.
The SJFB Foundation and Ag Education Committee work together to promote agriculture in the classroom at various levels. 2022 was the year to bring all the programs back since the COVID pandemic. We implemented the Poster and Photo Contest to promote the message of Food, Fiber and Fun in agriculture. We worked on community awareness and participated in the WOW Museum’s National Farmer’s Day as well as farmer markets’ ag nights.
Ag in the Classroom returned, and we had the best volunteer chauffeur, Dave Simpson, to help teach our county’s teachers about agriculture in San Joaquin County as we toured numerous operations over three days. The teachers appreciated being connected with countless free lesson plans at LearnAboutAg. org. Programs like our Foundation Grant provide funds to FFA chapters, 4H clubs and Grange clubs to support their efforts to instill in our students a foundation for agricultural education. Since the inception of our scholarship program, we have provided over $600,000 in scholarships to local students who are studying in preparation for a career in an agriculture related field.
Throughout my time as the program director, I was lucky enough to be part
of so many wonderful programs. My favorite programs were working with our county’s youth to help promote and teach agricultural topics. Students throughout the county really enjoyed learning how to “milk” Natalie the Cow, getting their hands dirty to test their own farming skills, and daring to taste something new. The students’ curiosity and excitement to learn about where their food comes from and having the ability to get involved with making a meal is something I will always cherish and challenge my own children to know.
The Rural Health & Safety Committee is committed to coordinating free or reduced trainings for members. These trainings ensure they are up-to-date and in compliance with the ever-changing regulations as well as informed on any programs that may help your operation. Most noteworthy in 2023 was the work the committee made to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. The various trainers and SJFB members became a wealth of knowledge and I appreciate your help in my learning journey. As always let the staff know what trainings you need.
Serving as the program director has given me a platform to learn more about our county’s agriculture, our local government, our water systems, and to get to know the wonderful people behind the scenes of what keeps ag and its educational efforts moving forward. I look forward to continuing to volunteer and continuing to always advocate for agriculture. Thank you to our members for believing in the future of agriculture and uniting your voice to protect and promote it!
In the 20000 block of S North Ripon Road, unknown suspects broke the window of an almond shaker and stole stereo, damaged ignition and cut wires inside. The victim did not have an estimate of damage.
In the 2100 block of E Eleventh Street, unknown suspects stole a 5 Star black dump trailer from behind locked gate. Plate on trailer is 4VN3148 and is valued at $9,500.
In the 8000 block of S Manthey Road, unknown suspects stole a 2015 Cat 430F2 backhoe valued at $90,000 from behind a locked gate.
In the 5000 block of E French Camp Road, an unknown suspect stole a 330-gallon plastic tote with metal cage and a pump. Inside the tote was approximately 80 gallons of concentrated chlorine. The total loss is estimated at $2,700.
In the 6000 block of W Eight Mile Road, unknown suspects stole a 2022
Club Car UTV, red in color from a barn. Copper wire
In the 26000 blockk of S Union Road, unknown suspects stole approximately 250 feet of copper wire from an irrigation pump. The loss is estimated at $5,500.
Commodity/livestock theft and other related cases
In the 14000 blockk of W Grant Lane Road, unknown suspects stole 24 bales of hay valued at $200.
Recovered property
In the 22000 block of S Union Road, an unoccupied chevy truck was located in the field. Vehicle was stolen out of Livermore and returned to victim.
A yellow fuel wagon was recovered in Tracy and returned to the victim.
Please report any and all suspicious activity. For non-emergency reports 24 hours a day, you can call (209) 4684400. In the event of an emergency, call 911.
We encourage you to contact your elected officials regarding issues facing agriculture in SJ County. Go to sjfb.org for information on how to reach them.
Be sure to subscribe to the Friday Review e-newsletter to get the latest updates. To sign up, call the SJFB office at (209) 9314931 or email jessica@sjfb.org.
THANK YOU TO SAN JOAQUIN FARM BUREAU AG MEMBERS WHO “STEPPED UP”
Thank you to our San Joaquin Farm Bureau Agricultural Members who have stepped up. Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization whose purpose is to devote time and resources to promoting and protecting agriculture in our county, state, and nation. The “Step Up Plan” is designed for members to be able to pick their dues level based on their Annual Gross Income to increase their support of agriculture and help us increase our efforts in fighting for agriculture. Business Members also have a Step Up Plan. The Step Up Plan is outlined on our website. Contact our office at (209) 931-4931 to “Step Up” your membership today.
Acampo Farm Center
• Lamar Creekside Vineyards
• Mahil Farms
• Brent Newport
• Nestor Enterprises
• S&R Egg Ranch Co.
• Nuss Farms Inc.
Calla-Nile Farm Center
• 2Q Farming Inc
• Manuel Azevedo
• David Boersma
• Bourbeau Enterprises
• Brocchini Farms Inc
• Cardoza Bros
• Central Valley Welding Mechanical Inc
• Double O Farming Inc.
• Jenkins Poultry
• Joseph Gomes
• David Kamper
• Eileen Kuil
• Ioppini Farms
• Edward Machado
• Phippen Bros
• Roorda Ranches Inc
• SJC Office of Education
• SKS Enterprise Inc
• John Van Duyn
• Bryan Van Groningen
• Van Till Farms
• Michael Weststeyn Farming
Collegeville Farm Center
• Nomellini Farms Inc
• Prins Dairy LP
• Paul Sanguinetti
• Grant Thompson
• Thompson Ranch
• Triple S Farming LLC
Escalon Farm Center
• A&A Cattle Co
• Adrian Ranch
• Bert Ballatore
• Bavaro Farming Company Inc
• Lealon Brumley
• Phillip Brumley
• Gary De Vries
• Herman Doornenbal Jr
• Larry Fredricks
• G&E Te Velde Orchards MLLC
• Caleb Gervase
• River Bend Orchards
• Roche Bros Inc
• Stagnaro Farms Inc
• Glenn Van Ruler
• Vander Schaaf Dairy
• Veenstra Farming
• Paul Voortman
• Wagner Dairy
Lafayette Farm Center
• All State Packers
• Chardon Farms Inc
• Joe Cotta & Son
• Graffigna Fruit Co
• Rob Kammerer
• Lange Twins Partnership
• Matthew Lauchland
• Joe Marchesotti Co., Inc.
• Lima Ranch
• Diego Olagaray
• Joe Olagaray
• Rodney Schatz
• Van Diemen Farms
• Bronson Van Wyck
• Watanabe Bros, Inc.
• Keith Watts Vineyards
Linden Farm Center
• 5 Star Farm Management Inc
• A&A Dasso Farms
• Bella Vista Ranch
• Greg Busalacchi
• Camera Brothers
• D&L Farms Inc.
• J&A Solari Inc.
• Jasbir S Gill Family Limited Partnership
• FFD Orchards
• Ferrari Farms Inc
• Lagorio Properties LP
• Ray Lagorio
• Lodi Farming Inc
• Panella Trucking LLC
• Peter Boysen Realty
• Precision Irrigation Mgt
• Purviance Drillers Inc
• R&A Miller Inc
• RDJ Farms Inc
• Waterloo Orchards Inc
• Richard Zolezzi
Roberts-Union Farm Center
• Cubiburu Livestock
• Mark Lewis
• El Dorado Farms Inc
• Marca Bella Farms, Inc
• D&A Farms
• Zuckerman-Heritage Inc
Tracy Farm Center
• California Masterplant
• GloriAnn Farms Inc
• Mizuno Farms Inc
• Michael Petz
• Greg Pombo
• Reece Farms
• Hal Robertson
• Thomsen Farms Inc
• Yamasaki Farms
Victor Farm Center
• John Kautz Farms
• R. Lawson Enterprises
• Vink Custom Farming Inc.
$7,500 SUPPORT LEVEL
American Ag Credit
Jacob DeBoer
2345 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton, CA 95206
www.agloan.com (209) 944-7478
Nationwide Insurance
Find a Farm Certified Agent: www.nationwide.com/cfbf (800) 255-9913
ACCOUNTANTS
Bowman & Company
Gary R. Daniel (209) 473-1040
Croce, Sanguinetti & Vander Veen Inc.
Pauline Sanguinetti (209) 938-1010
ASSOCIATIONS
California Farmland Trust
Charlotte Mitchell (916) 544-2712
Lodi District Grape Growers Association
Amy Blagg (209) 339-8246
Lodi Woodbridge Winegrape Commission
Stuart Spencer (209) 367-4727
San Joaquin County Historical Society
Phillip Merlo (209) 331-2055
San Joaquin Valley Hay Growers
Rick Staas (209) 835-1662
ATTORNEYS
Herum, Crabtree, Suntag
Steve Herum (209) 472-7700
John Herrick Attorney at Law
John H. Herrick (209) 956-0150
Nomellini, Grilli & Mcdaniel Professional Law Corp.
Dante John Nomellini (209) 465-5883
AUCTIONS
Mulrooney Auctions Co.
James P. Mulrooney (209) 366-0600
$1,500 SUPPORT LEVEL
Delicato Vineyards
Marie Mathews
12001 S Highway 99, Manteca, CA 95336-8499
www.delicato.com (209) 824-3600
Pacific Gas & Electric
Dylan George 4040 N W Lane, Stockton, CA 95204
www.pge.com (209) 932-6515
Ralph Hayes & Son Inc.
Eric Hayes 20177 S. MacArthus Dr., Tracy, CA 95304 www.hayesandson.com (209) 835-4914
AUTO PARTS/SERVICE
Clutch & Brake Xchange James Hitchock (209) 466-9049
CHEMICALS
Mid Valley Agricultural Services Inc. (209) 851-3200
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck
Christopher H. Neudeck (209) 946-0268 Offfice (209) 481-0316 Mobile
COMMODITY PACKING/ MKTG
A Sambado & Sons Inc.
Lawrence Sambado (209) 931-2568
Delta Packing Co of Lodi Inc. Annamarie Costamagna (209) 334-1023
M&R Co Reynolds Packing Co.
Jeremy Hjelmstad (209) 369-2725
Travaille And Phippen
Dave Phippen (209) 599-6111
COMMUNICATIONS
unWired Broadband
Mark Peterson (559) 753-0386
CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION
Delo Electric
Steve Delatorre (209) 368-1117
Ford Construction Co. (209) 333-1116
Tom Mayo Construction
Tom D. Mayo (209) 943-6248
$1,500 SUPPORT LEVEL CONT.
Travaille & Phippen
Dave Phippen
12700 E Graves Rd., Manteca, CA 95336
www.tapalmonds.com (209) 599-6111
$750 SUPPORT LEVEL
A Sambado & Sons, Inc. (209) 931-2568
Anteris Agronomics LLC (209) 900-3270
Big Valley Tractor & Bobcat Central, Inc. (209) 762-6413
GAR Bennett LLC (559) 480-3029
CONSULTING
Cal Ag Safety
Ann Curtoni Lial (209) 351-0321
Precessi Ag Services Inc.
Paul Precessi (209) 670-9072
CUSTOM HARVESTING
M2 Farming
Nick Mussi (209) 969-3333
EDUCATION
San Joaquin Delta Community College (209) 954-5151
FARMS
A&B Koster
William M. Koster (209) 836-4690
Ag West Inc
Mike Berg (209) 888-5455
AM Farms
Paul Marchini (209) 462-1185
Bert Bacchetti Farms Inc.
Mark Bacchetti (209) 835-2224
HRM Farms Inc.
Glenn Burgin (209) 465-8413
IDC Farms Inc.
Mike Conrad (209) 894-6408
Lavagnino Orchards
Ruani Lavagnino (209) 931-6728
Lucadeira Farms
Richard Marcucci (209) 481-3641
Kludt Oil & Propane (209) 368-0634 • (209) 466-8969
Mid Valley Agricultural Services Inc. (209) 851-3200
Morrill Industries (209) 838-2550
Outdoor Sportsman Inc (209) 957-4867
Van De Pol Enterprises (209) 944-9115
Van Groningen & Sons Inc. (209) 982-5248
V V Enterprises (209) 599-7776
FARMS CONT
Peterson Family Vineyards
James Peterson (209) 368-8102
Vaccarezza Bros (209) 887-3163
Van Groningen & Sons Inc
Dan Van Groningen (209) 982-5248
Van Groningen Orchards
Mark Van Groningen (209) 599-4944
Van Laar Farms
James Van Laar (209) 599-3613
FARM HARDWARE & SUPPLY
BG Agri Sales & Service
Anthony Da Valle (209) 931-7650
Discount Ag Parts
Jim Allen (209) 239-5802
FARM HARDWARE & SUPPLY CONT.
J. Milano Company
Gary Milano (209) 944-0902
PBM Supply & Manufacturing
Barry Jones (530) 345-1334
Stanislaus Farm Supply
Joey Gonsalves (209) 538-7070
Zylstra Auto & Hardware
Tim A. Zylstra (209) 887-3626
FERTILIZERS & SOIL AMENDMENTS
Brown Sand, Inc.
Robert Brown (209) 234-1500
Ralph Hayes & Son Inc.
Eric Hayes (209) 835-4914 F
San Joaquin Sulphur Company
Janet Chandler (209) 368-6676
FINANCIAL
American AgCredit
Marc Busalacchi (800) 659-FARM
Bank of Stockton
Jim Nemmers (209) 249-2201
Central Valley Community Bank
Rick Shaeffer (559) 323-3493
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Daniel Meza (209) 334-1101 FUEL DISTRIBUTORS
Campora Propane Services
Todd Spicer (209) 466-8611
George W Lowry Inc.
Richard A. Lowry (209) 545-0791
Kludt Oil & Propane
Aron Kludt (209) 368-0634, (209) 466-8969
Valley Pacific Petroleum Service, Inc.
Rob Goodman (209) 948-9412
Van De Pol Enterprises
Tom Van De Pol (209) 944-9115
Van Unen Miersma Propane Inc
Jerry Behlen (209) 823-1315
AL Gilbert Company
Jay Gilbert (209) 847-1721
Baglietto Seeds (209) 466-0433
Escalon Feed & Supply
Ken Van Gorkum (209) 838-3326
M & M Feed Service
Terry Mulder (209) 531-3353
Phil O’Connell Grain Co.
Tim Grunsky (209) 465-5871
Triple P Feeds
Dallas C. Paul (209) 333-2808
V-V Enterprises
Dave C. Van Vliet (209) 599-7776
Altamont Insurance Brokers
Dan Simonich (209) 835-6395
Big Valley Insurance
Bill R. Crawford (209) 835-5253 (209) 365-9600
Dan Van Vuren Insurance Agency Inc.
Dan Van Vuren (209) 484-5578
Sanguinetti & Company Insurance Brokers
Karen Sanguinetti (209) 954-1000
S J Frerichs and Son Insurance Agency Inc.
Mindy Bogetti (209) 835-1764
The Zenith
Sandy Fiack (559) 260-6499
Todd Garibaldi Insurance Agency
Todd R. Garibaldi (209) 334-3030
Vander Beek Crop Insurance
Patti Velasquez (209) 838-8164
Wever Insurance
Don Wever (209) 599-2161
Abbey Water Well Service, Inc.
Steve Watson (209) 887-2990
Laurel Ag & Water
Conrad Correa (209) 993-9689
Moorman’s Water Systems Inc.
Larry Moorman (209) 931-3210
REAL ESTATE
Morrill Industries, Inc.
Ken Morrill (209) 838-2550
Pacific Southwest Irrigation Corp.
Jim Clare (209) 986-0099
LABORATORY/TESTING
Anteris Agronomics LLC
Kion Kashefi (209) 900-3270
Fruit Growers Laboratory, Inc.
Michael Ostrom (800) 440-7821
LABOR CONTRACTOR
Alfaro Farm Labor Contractor
Sergio Alfaro (209) 531-6786
Premium Employment Services
Jesse Alderete, III (800) 581-5540
LAND PREPARATION
G&F Ag Services, Inc.
Randy Fondse (209) 599-8911
Kromann & Company
Rodney P. Kromann, Jr. (209) 581-1775
Kuil Brothers Ag Service
Matthew D. Kuil (209) 599-4960
MACHINE SERVICES
Ag Industrial Manufacturing
Bob Ford (209) 369-1994
Tuff Boy Sales, inc
Martin Harris (209) 858-4131
MEDIA/RADIO
“105.9, the Bull”
Robert La Rue (209) 948-5786
NURSERIES
Burchell Nursery
Tom Burchell (209) 845-8733
Casa Cristal Nursery Inc
John Moso (661) 792-6468
Dave Wilson Nursery
Robert Woolley (209) 874-1821
Duarte Nursery
Alex Duarte (209) 531-0351
PEST MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Outdoor Sportsman
Eric Johnson (209) 957-4867PROCESSING
PROCESSING
Avanti Nut Company
Pete Katzakian (209) 931-3743
DeRuosi Nut
Dean Penero (209) 838-8307
Musco Family Olive Company
Ben Gibbons (209) 836-4600
Pearl Crop Inc.
Ulash Turkhan (209) 808-7575
ShellPro Inc. (209) 727-0707
Stanislaus Food Products
Paul Busalacchi (209) 548-3514 PU
Sunrise Fresh LLC
Jake Samuel (209) 932-0192
The Morning Star Company
Alissa Dillon (209) 826-7100
REAL ESTATE
Bokides - Hesseltine Real Estate Co.
Robert Hesseltine (209) 334-3045
Peter Boysen Realty
Pete Boysen (209) 351-2150
Petersen & Company
Agricultural Real Estate
Joe Petersen (209) 210-8010
Reeve Associates Real Estate
Gary Reeve (209) 835-2002
Wagner Land Company
Charles Wagner (209) 942-4146
RESTAURANTS
De Vinci’s Corporation
Chris Trotter (209) 887-2121
Koes Bar (209) 329-2366
RETAIL
Orchard and Vineyard Supply (209) 368-8595
SOLAR
Chico Electric
Norm Neilsen (530) 891-6749
SPREADING SERVICES
Gary Bohnet (209) 369-6993, (209) 481-1349
STEEL BUILDINGS
Fabri Steel West Inc.
John M. Arizcuren (800) 411-4215
Roland Construction
Jim A. Hoagland (209) 462-2687
STEAM CLEANERS
Hotsy Pacific
Jim O’Connell (800) 640-1227
TIRES
Les Schwab Tire Center-Lodi
Gary Holm (209) 334-3961
Lodi Tire Service
Kenneth A. Lung (209) 369-1985
Belkorp Ag, LLC
John Gilligan (209) 538-3831
Big Valley Tractor & Bobcat Central, Inc.
Don Franzia (209) 762-6413
Evolution Equipment Services Inc.
Marti Sporleder (209) 810-5796
Garton Tractor
Austin Knott (209) 948-5401
J M Equipment Co, Inc.
Edward Henriques (209) 466-0707
Pape´ Machinery
Brian A. Heavey (209) 983-8122
Western Square Industries
Trygue Mikkelsen (209) 944-0921
TRANSPLANTERS/PLUG PLANTER
Pro Plant LLC
Skip Wilbur (209) 969-7547
TRANSPORTATION
Antonini Bros. Inc.
Joseph Antonini (209) 466-9041
G3 Enterprises
Ethan Jones (800) 321-8747
Hammer Trucking
Michael J. Staples (209) 481-1567
Silva Trucking
Dave Silva (209) 982-1114
UTILITIES
PG&E
Debbie McCaffrey (209) 932-2566
VEHICLES
Chase Chevrolet
Paul Correia (209) 475-6740
Interstate Truck Center
Rick Coslett (209) 944-5821
Sanborn Chevrolet, Inc. Kini Sanborn (209) 334-5000 EMENT
VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
Arbor Vineyards
Larry P. Mettler (209) 339-0525
K.G. Vineyard Management, LLC
Ben Kolber (209) 367-8996
R-N-R Vineyard, Inc. Russell Machado (209) 327-3165
WATER
Oakdale Irrigation District
Steve Knell (209) 847-0341
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Peter Rietkerk (209) 249-4600
Stockton East Water District
Scot Moody (209) 948-0333
Woodbridge Irrigation District
Anders Christensen (209) 625-8438
WINERIES
Bokisch Vineyards
Markus Bokisch (209) 334-4338
Constellation Wines US, Inc.
Paul Dismukes (209) 369-5861
Delicato Vineyards
Marie Mathews (209) 824-3600
Jahant Vineyards LLC
Kevin Phillips (209) 368-7384
The Lucas Winery
David Lucas (209) 368-2006
Michael David Vineyards
Michael J. Phillips (209) 368-7384
St. Amant Winery
Barbara S. Spencer (209) 367-0646
Our first priority is a clean, sustainable future for our community and the delicate surrounding habitat of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. With major initiatives to help reduce emissions, enhance water quality, and other comprehensive wildlife protection programs, we continuously partner with our community to help keep our environment safe for a cleaner, greener future for all. Together, we are the Port of Stockton.
(888) 598-4697
portofstockton.com/anchoring-unity