Lake County News & Reviews July/August 2014
Volume 91 - Issue 4
Celebration 2014 Highlights Local Farmers join for an evening of family, friends, food, and fun!
Left to Right, Top to Bottom: 1)Three generations of Van Eck men. The Van Ecks generously hosted our event. 2)The Johnson family and their newest addition enjoying the evening. 3)Swinging isn’t just for the kids! 4) Annette Hopkins receiving her Ag Appreciation Award from LCFB President Dave Rosenthal. 5)The Lake County Winery Association Ladies pictured during the Wine Social 6)Director Beau Moore’s daughter enjoying a dessert auction treat 7) New Executive Director Allison Tucker socializing during the event with Pat Scully.
Article on Page 6 Special points of interest: NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CELEBRATION 2014 RECAP IRRIGATED LANDS PROGRAM OUTSTANDING YOUTH IN AG
Lake County News & Reviews
Page 2 ď ˇ July/August 2014
Meet Our New Executive Director,
Allison Tucker
Hello from your new Executive Director! My name is Allison Tucker, and I joined the Farm Bureau team in July to serve you, as members and concerned citizens for the agriculture industry in Lake County. I was raised in a small town called Ono outside of Redding, California, and graduated from Arizona State University (GO SUN DEVILS!) with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. I have deep roots in the agriculture industry, growing up on a cattle ranch and being constantly involved in the 4-H and FFA. I am currently working on my Masters of Science in Agriculture Education at CSU Chico. I look forward to serving all of you throughout the years to come!
Lake County Farm Bureau’s Mission Statement Lake County Farm Bureau strives to protect, promote, and enhance the agricultural industry in Lake County and beyond, through political involvement, education, information and services.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Agriculture Members
Associate Members
Walt Christenson Clover Valley Vineyards
Michael Dominguez Brock Falkenburg Carol Mansfield Tri County Scrap Metals
Collegiate Members John Avelon, Jr.
Volume 91 - Issue 4 Lake County Farm Bureau 2014/2015 Board of Directors OFFICERS President Dave Rosenthal 1st Vice President Keith Brandt 2nd Vice President Robert Gayaldo Treasurer Monica Rosenthal Past President Craig Shannon DIRECTORS District 1 David Rosenthal Monica Rosenthal District 2 Craig Shannon District 3 Glenn Benjamin District 4 Dave Mostin Pat Scully District 5 Paul Lauenroth Rob Suenram At Large Diane Henderson Jeff Lyon Keith Brandt Terry Dereniuk Robert Gayaldo Gary Wielen Beau Moore Greg Panella Daniel Suenram Field Representative Gary Sack District Director Peter Bradford, Mendocino County YF&R District 18 Representative Brodie McCarthy Advisory Members Steve Hajik, Ag Commissioner Rachel Elkins, Farm Advisor Executive Director Allison Tucker Summer Intern Blair Brookes Lake County Farm Bureau 65 Soda Bay Road Lakeport, CA 95453 Phone: (707) 263-0911 Fax: (707) 263-1101 Email: lcfarmbureau@sbcglobal.net Website: www.lakecofb.com The Lake County Farm Bureau Board of Directors meets regularly
the second Wednesday of each month. Contact the office for times and locations.
July/August 2014 ď ˇ Page 3
Lake County News & Reviews Your Guide to Understanding:
THE IRRIGATED LANDS REGULATORY PROGRAM The Lake County Farm Bureau (LCFB) serves as the Lake County Farm Bureau Education Corporation to administer the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program on behalf of the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition for the benefit of LCFB members. This is a program that requires all owners or managers of agricultural lands to register any and all irrigated parcels or parcels affected by storm water runoff. Soon the program will also cover groundwater. Why was the Irrigated lands Regulatory Program created? Background The Porter-Colgne Water Quality Control Act adopted in 1969 established the State Water Resource Control Board which established 9 Regional Water Quality Control Boards. The Mission of the State Water Resources Control Board is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources, and to ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations. The Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) is a State Water Resources Control Board Program developed to prevent agricultural discharges from impairing the waters that receive these discharges. ILRP does the following: It regulates all discharges from irrigated agricultural lands. It regulates discharges of waste to waters of the state. It applies to any person discharging or proposing to discharge waste that could affect the quality of water of the state. It includes irrigation and storm water runoff from ag lands. ILRP History 2003 – Regional Board adopted Conditional Waiver for discharges from irrigated ag lands; surface water protection program only 2003 – Lake County Agricultural Watershed Group established as a member of the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition 2006 Conditional Waiver was extended 2011 – Direction from Regional Board to develop LONG TERM IRRIGATED LANDS REGULATORY PROGRAM including requirements to protect surface and groundwater.
Continued on page 5 under ILRP…
Page 4 July/August 2014
ILRP
Volume 91 - Issue 4
Agency Line Up State Water Resources Control Board 9 Regional Boards REGION 5 – Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition Lake-Napa Subwatershed Group Lake County Agricultural Lands Watershed Group Current Grower Responsibility to Participate in Lake County Agricultural Watershed Group Enroll irrigated acreage Provide basic information Pay annual dues Implement Best Management Practices Manage nutrients, pesticides & herbicides Reduce potential for erosion Lake County Agricultural Watershed Group Responsibility Participate at the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition level Assist participants with questions Create annual invoices Provide payments to Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition Provide outreach and education to participants Advocate for participants Future Grower Responsibility under NEW LONG TERM Irrigated Lands Program The protection of groundwater will be included Prepare Farm Evaluations Prepare Sediment and Erosion Control Plans which include irrigation and storm water runoff from ag lands Prepare certified Nitrogen Management Plans Prepare for an increase in program fees Lake County Agricultural Watershed Group Future Responsibility Hold workshops for participants to learn how to complete new reports Assist in development of Sediment Discharge and Erosion Assessment Report Assist in development of Groundwater Quality Assessment Report Record extensive participant data Aggregate data for submission to Regional Board Lake County is one of 12 sub watersheds whose growers receive coverage under the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition’s (SVWQC) Coalition Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge. Participation in a SVWQC is not required, but growers who discharge to surface water are required to have coverage. A grower/rancher Irrigating their property could comply by completing all elements (sampling and analysis of surface water, filing of monthly quarterly, and annual reports, etc.) with the Regional Board directly. The California Farm Bureau Federation estimated in 2002 that cost to be around $7,000-15,000 annually. We encourage you to join the Lake County Farm Bureau Watershed Program. LCFB members receive a discount administration fee -- $67 verses $150. Please contact the LCFB office if you have any questions about ILRP or if you are already enrolled and need to make changes to your registration information. We are also available to assist you with enrollment in the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Lake County Farm Bureau – 707-263-0911
July/August 2014 Page 5
Lake County News & Reviews Celebration 2014: This year’s Annual Celebration and Love of the Land Dinner was a memorable and enjoyable evening for all involved. Taking place on July 17th at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center, Lake County Farmers, Ranchers, Community members, and Agricultural Supporters joined together for this year’s social, dinner, meeting, and fundraiser. The Lake County Winery Association generously hosted the wine social prior to the delicious tri-tip dinner prepared by the Kelseyville FFA. The Kelseyville Boy Scout Troop #45 presented the colors before the meeting was called to order. President Dave Rosenthal ran the business portion of the meeting and announced the individuals who would be serving on the Board of Directors. (The complete list of our recently appointed LCFB leaders can be seen on page three) Highlights of the night included the presentation of the Ag Appreciation award to Annette Hopkins. An active member of the California Women for Agriculture, Annette was the founder of the Lake County AgVenture program. She has been a true asset to the agricultural community in this county and beyond. Also, new President’s Club member Shirley Campbell was awarded for her dedication to the Farm Bureau Organization. Scholarship recipients Lindee Jones and Ian Seevers were in attendance and were given awards for their academic achievements. Rebecca Pachie , from Middletown, was also a recipient of our Spring 2014 Scholarships. Though not in attendance, outgoing Executive Director Claudia Street and retiring President Marc Hooper were honored for their service to LCFB. The high point of the evening was the introduction of new Executive Director Allison Tucker. Tucker shared a few words with the attendees, showing both her passion for agriculture and her dedication to the farming community. Throughout the evening, she was able to meet many valuable members of the community. When the meeting adjourned, the dessert auction began. Generous bidders fought over delicious cakes, pies, and other sweet treats. The auction brought in roughly $3,000 to be awarded to future Farm Bureau scholars. The evening was made possible by a record number of generous sponsors and supporters (see complete list to the right). The Lake County Farm Bureau Directors and Staff would like to thank all of the generous volunteers and supportive members who were in attendance that evening. It is the members that keep this organization running, and for that we are incredibly thankful. Page 6 July/August 2014
THANK YOU to our SPONSORS for generously supporting our Annual CELEBRATION DIAMOND SPONSORS Bella Vista Farming Calpine Corporation Six Sigma Winery Cole Creek Equestrian Center PLATINUM SPONSORS Dunken Pumps Duarte Nursery American Ag Credit Yokayo Wine Company Scully Packing Company State Compensation Insurance Fund Lincoln-Leavitt Insurance Agency Sutter Lakeside Hospital GOLD SPONSORS: The Pear Doctor Savings Bank of Mendocino County Cold Creek Compost Bob Bartley Pump, Inc. Henderson and Rohner Orchards Lake County Rodeo Association Ag Unlimited Umpqua Bank *UCC Rentals *Lake County Winery Association. SILVER SPONSORS: North Lake Medical Pharmacy RB Pest Control Braito’s Marina Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina Big Valley Properties Bengard Marketing. *denotes in-kind sponsors
We appreciate you!
Volume 91 - Issue 4 Free Seminar Shows Employers How to Find and Fix Workplace Hazards State Fund will hold a free local seminar in October to prevent costly injuries by encouraging employers and supervisors to find and fix workplace hazards. Some hazards are easy to spot; many are hidden. Not taking action can result in damaged equipment or injured workers. This workshop will teach participants to perform site analysis and hazard mapping so they will be able to recognize, document, and correct workplace hazards. The seminar will take place at the following date and time: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. State Fund Regional Office 6000 State Farm Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Registration deadline: October 12, 2014 Registration and continental breakfast begin at 9:30 a.m. The presentations begin at 10:00 a.m. This seminar is part of the State Fund Employer Education Series offered throughout California on a variety of workers’ compensation topics. Established in 1914 by the state legislature State Fund has operated for 100 years, is California’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance, and a vital asset to California businesses. State Fund supports California’s entrepreneurial spirit and plays a stabilizing role in the economy by providing fairly priced workers’ compensation insurance making California workplaces safe, and restoring injured workers.
July/August 2014 Page 7
Support these Businesses
ACCOUNTING Carpenter & Carpenter, CPA Joan Sturges, CPA Peggy Campbell, CPA Richard Morhar, CPA AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES AG Unlimited Bob Bartley Pump, Inc. Central Valley Builder’s Supply Cold Creek Compost Davebilt Company Lakeshore Feed & Grain Mendocino County Farm Supply Rainbow Ag Services Scott’s Tanks Stokes Ladders AGRI-TOURS Eleven Roses Ranch ASSOCIATIONS Allied Grape Growers California Women for Agriculture Lake County Cattlemen’s Association
Lake County Fair Lake County Farmers’ Finest Lake County Winery Association Lake County Chamber of Commerce Lake County Horse Council AUTOMOTIVE Bob’s Auto Repair Clearlake Machine Shop Joe’s Place Automotive Kathy Fowler Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge Lakeport Tire & Auto Schnabl’s Auto Body & Radiator Tire Pros BEEKEEPING L+J Bee Ranch
707/263-5691 707/279-1188 707/263-9017 707/279-8032 707/279-4654 707/279-2304 707/963-3622 707/485-5966 707/263-5270 707/994-9335 707/462-1492 707/279-0550 800/662-4165 707/279-4306 707/998-4471 559/276-0210 707/279-0412 707/994-9335 707/263-6181 707/263-6076 707/357-5237 707/263-5092 707/279-1903 707/279-1463 707/994-6212 707/275-2031 707/263-0500 707/263-5422 707/279-4292 707/994-9097 415/264-0353
CHRISTMAS TREES Elk Mountain Christmas Tree Farm President’s Club Member Business Support Member
707/275-2075
CONSTRUCTION All Phase Electric All Temps Air Conditioning & Heating Big Valley Electric Central Valley Builders Charlie McNabb Painting Conser Land Surveying Granite Construction Jonas Heating & Cooling Lucerne Roofing North Coast Barns Shore Side Electric
707/349-0694 707/263-1528 707/279-2430 707/963-3622 707/278-0507 707/263-5512 707/467-4110 707/994-6535 707/263-4200 707/355-2276 707/279-9248
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Granite Construction Hiatt Construction Kelseyville Lumber Lake County Electric Supply, Inc. S-Bar-S Rock Quarry Wright Construction DAIRY
707/467-4110 707/245-6860 707/279-4297 707/263-7002 707/279-9376 707/987-9227
Yerba Santa Dairy
707/263-8131
FARM & RANCH EQUIPMENT Rainbow Ag Services West Cal Tractor Wilson Repair Service
707/279-0550 707/584-9111 707/263-3667
FARM/RANCH MANAGEMENT Bella Vista Farming Co. FINANCIAL SERVICES American Ag Credit, FLCA Lake Loan & Investment/Larry Cathey Strong Financial Services Savings Bank of Mendocino County Umpqua Bank FOOD PROCESSING Adobe Creek Packing Ellis Ranch Chacewater Wine & Olive Mill Lake County Walnut Lauenroth Walnut Dryer Maryka Orchards Scully Packing Co. FUEL DEALERS Amerigas Eel River Energy INSURANCE
707/279-4220 707/462-6531 707/279-4238 707/262-1880 707/263-7102 707/262-3342 707/279-4204 707/994-3225 707/279-2995 707/279-1200 707/279-8561 707/279-4200 707/263-7327 707/263-5438 707/994-6535
Allied Insurance Loraine Metzinger Lincoln-Leavitt Insurance Lunas Insurance NorCoast Life Insurance
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707/263-5639 707/263-7162 707/263-5601 707/263-1945
LIVESTOCK
that Support Agriculture !!
Big Valley Sheep Farm
707/245-5318
Cole Creek Equestrian Center Cow Mountain Kiko Goats Keithly Ranches Oak Rose Ranch Seevers Ranch American Shetland Ponies Roush Performance Horses Williams Equine Enterprises
707/279-0915 707/262-1577 707/279-4044 707/275-8052 707/349-1994 707/263-7177 707/972-0602
MEDICAL SERVICES Jameson Chiropractic Kirk Andrus, MD MARKETING Allied Grape Growers Bengard Marketing Inc. Constellation Brands NURSERIES Bailey’s Nursery Duarte Nursery Jaguar Gardens Nursery Spring Thyme Nursery Star Gardens Suchan Nursery (walnuts only) PEST CONTROL Bat Control Specialist California Exterminators Alliance Pestmaster Services RB Pest Control Weed Tech Wildlife Pest Management PRODUCE & WINE OUTLETS (RETAIL) Adamson Ranch Bullion Creek Vineyards Clover Creek Family Farm Dietmar Renker/Renker Farms Hanson Ranch Farmstand Rancho de la Fuente Seely’s Farm Stand Sky Hoyt Specialty Grower REAL ESTATE Big Valley Properties Gary Olson Anna Macomber Coldwell Banker Keith Petterson Noble Realty RESTAURANTS & WINE BARS Focused on Wine Lake County Wine Studio Saw Shop Gallery Bistro
707/263-3124 707/279-1888 559/276-7021 707/263-1990 530/681-2749 707/279-9168 800/472-3833 707/995-5218 707/262-0920 707/987-0998 707/275-2461 888/409-7378 707/277-9103 707/275-3333 707/263-5245 707/998-1318 888/409-7378 707/350-1925 707/987-9244 707/275-9315 707/279-4409 707/279-4761 707/263-3160 707/275-2353 707/279-0859
707/279-2790 707/279-2790
RETAIL Lakeport Furniture & Design Braito’s Riviera Foods and Marin SERVICES AirKayaks.com Allied Information Networking Blair Landscaping & Maintenance Chapel of the Lakes Cow Mountain Kiko Goats Don Reynolds Water Truck Dunken Pumps, Inc. Ellis Ranch/Topsoil Compost Keithly Transportation Lauenroth Trucking Renfro’s Animal Inn Nick Voegtly Safety & Loss Control The Pear Doctor Tire Pros
Tony Braito, Marine Surveyor UCC Rental & RV VETERINARY SERVICES Tim N. Strong, D.V.M. WINERIES Beckstoffer Vineyards-Red Hills Brassfield Estate Winery Ceago Vinegarden Chacewater Wine & Olive Mill Eden Crest Winery Gregory Graham Winery Hawk & Horse Vineyards Langtry Estates & Vineyards Laujor Estates Kendall Jackson Winery Mt. Konocti Winery Moore Family Winery Noggle Vineyards Rosa de Oro Shannon Ridge Six Sigma Winery Sol Rouge Winery Steele Wines Trinchero Family Estates Wildhurst Winery
707/263-5145 707/279-4868 707/998-0135 707/279-0302 707/995-2645 707/263-0357 707/262-1577 707/263-3783 707/263-4486 707/994-7520 707/279-1312 707/279-8561 707/279-1606 707/349-7233 707/279-4335 707/994-9097 707/277-9512 707/263-6488 707/263-8100 707/279-1003 707/998-1895 707/274-1462 707/279-2995 707/279-2987 707/995-3500 707/942-4600 707/987-2385 707/279-2146 707/263-9333 707/279-4213 707/279-9279 707/998-0319 707/279-0483 707/998-9656 707/994-5663 707/279-9000 707/279-9475 707/963-3104 707/279-4302
707/349-0174 707/275-0115 707/279-2112 707/275-8030 707/278-0129
July/August 2014 Page 9
4-H Standout Works on Emerald Star Project
Article by Morgan Hayes Hi, my name is Morgan Hayes. I am 12 years old and this is my 8th year in 4-H. I am working on my Emerald Star Leadership Project. The title of my project is Horse Blanket Roundup. My goal is to collect 25 new or gently used horse blankets to donate to Lake County Animal Care and Control for the horses to receive. The blankets will go home with the adopted horse. To help with my project monetary donations or gently used blanket may be dropped off at the 4-H office at 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport or contact me to make arrangements for your donation at 707-9949123. On behalf of the horses and myself thank you!
4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 263-6838 Page 10 July/August 2014
Blue Jacket Bonanza’s purpose is to provide FFA students with their own blue corduroy jacket when they can’t purchase their own because of financial constraints. Lake County Farm Bureau’s application is now open! All applications are due by October 1st. Please talk to your FFA Advisor or school counselor for more information.
Volume 91 - Issue 4
Local FFA Member Succeeds Statewide Our outstanding FFA member this issue is Jared Smith of the Kelseyville FFA Chapter. Jared, an incoming Junior, has a variety of agricultural experiences and successes. Growing up on his family’s vineyard, Jared developed a love for agricultural life at an early age. His many years serving as an officer of the Big Valley 4-H Club prepared him for a successful FFA career in High School. Upon entering high school, Jared was quickly involved, attending conferences, joining committees, and entering competitions. By the end of his first year of FFA, Jared was a newly elected officer at the Chapter and Section Levels. Over the years, he has attended a variety of conferences including the Greenhand Leadership Conference, State Conference, and National Convention. He also raises livestock including swine, dairy cattle, and sheep. One of Jared’s talents is public speaking. He has made it to the State Finals for speaking competitions both his Freshman and Junior year. Jared was recently Here Jared is pictured at our Annual Meeting elected as a Vice President of the North Coast Region. This area with his mother Jill Jensen and grandfather Milton Heath; a spreads from Del Norte to Dixon, encompassing 32 FFA Chapfamily of Farm Bureau Members! ters. This is indeed a huge accomplishment and responsibility; however Jared is fit for the job. He will serve Kelseyville as Chapter Vice President this year as well. Way to go Jared!
Free Ag Education for Elementary Age Students Farm Academy LIVE is a FREE interactive video conferencing program built to meet the Common Core State Standards for grades 3-4.Visit http:// farmacademy.org/ July/August 2014 Page 11
Lake County News & Reviews A Special Thank You to the following Lake County Farm Bureau Members for taking their memberships to another level! PRESIDENT’S CLUB Ag Unlimited, A Division of the Lyman Group Bella Vista Farming Company Lincoln Leavitt Insurance Agency Rosenthal Vineyards Scully Packing Company
BUSINESS SUPPORT MEMBERS Allied Grape Growers Beckstoffer Vineyards - Red Hills Bengard Marketing Central Valley Builders Constellation Brands Lake County Chamber of Commerce Lake County Fair Lake County Horse Council Lake County Winery Association Lakeport Furniture & Design Lawrence Boardman Roberts Bridge Vineyard Savings Bank of Mendocino County Umpqua Bank Page 12 July/August 2014
Meet the LCFB Board Members Dave Rosenthal: This issue’s featured Board Member is our president, Dave Rosenthal. A member of the Lake County Farm Bureau since 1999, Dave has selflessly served our organization for many years. David and his family began growing grapes in 1972, commuting on weekends and holidays to the wine country, rejuvenating a 35 year-old abandoned vineyard. He continues working with his family operations to this day, as well as tending 20 acres of his own grapes in Lake County with his wife Monica. Dave currently works at Yokayo Wine Company as the General Manager and Director of Winemaking. Before this, he was the Director of Winemaking and General Manager at Redwood Valley Cellars, a custom crush winery in Mendocino County. He also served as a winemaker at Konocti Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery in Carneros. Dave is a hard worker who is passionate about agriculture, making him a true asset to the Lake County Farm Bureau! Keith Brandt: Keith Brandt, our 1st Vice President, is another valuable member of the Board of Directors. Keith comes from an agricultural background and has managed an avocado and citrus ranch for the past 35 years with his parents. He is a certified Arborist and as well as holds a qualified applicators license. Keith also has another talent and passion besides farming; he is a very talented horseman. Keith has been driving draft horses since 1997 and has shown competitively since 1998. He has shown all the major draft horse breeds (Belgian, Clydesdale, Shire, Percheron) as well as heavy horse (Friesian) and draft pony (Halflinger). He has shown under harness and halter for Long Acre Shires of Cody Wyoming, Sun Down Acres Belgian of Lockwood California, The Overdraft Ranch of Redlands California, as well as his own team of Percherons for 12 years. Keith especially enjoys training junior drivers, sharing his passion with young equine enthusiasts. Keith has been a faithful member of the Board and we are truly blessed to have him!
GROUNDWATER BILLS WILL CAUSE HARM, FARM LEADER SAYS
Volume 91 - Issue 4
August 29, 2014
Passage of three groundwater-regulation bills by the California Legislature—Assembly Bill 1739 and Senate Bills 1168 and 1319—threatens to enact a number of negative consequences for family farmers, ranchers and other landowners, according to the California Farm Bureau Federation. CFBF President Paul Wenger said Farm Bureau has always encouraged the proper management of groundwater, “but doing that job efficiently and effectively should have been a priority.”
“Instead,” Wenger said, “the Legislature took the ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach, rushing these bills through and creating a massive new regulatory program in the final days of the legislative session.” Farmers, ranchers and other landowners in California will be left to pick up the pieces, Wenger said, dealing with the consequences of the legislation for years to come. “The bills would allow for groundwater to be monopolized to the detriment of urban water users and farmers— including people who have not created an overdraft problem but who could need access to groundwater in the future,” he said. “The same agencies that have been hamstrung by conflicting missions and statutory mandates—including environmental restrictions of questionable value—will now control all water decisions.” In addition, the bills reach beyond efforts to balance inflows and outflows of groundwater basins, creating requirements that will lead to confusion and litigation, Wenger said.
“Farm Bureau and other opponents have been able to take some of the edge off of this legislation. It now includes protections for water rights and other provisions that could lessen its detrimental impact. For that, we must thank those in the Capitol who helped rein in some of the proposals’ worst overreaches and the legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, who voted against the bills,” he said. “But making this significant of a change in water law—arguably the most significant in more than 100 years—and doing so without the necessary deliberation, or even a policy hearing, shows how susceptible to flaws this legislation could prove to be,” he said, adding that Farm Bureau will ask Gov. Brown to veto it. “True resolution to California groundwater problems will come through measures that this legislation does not address, such as a streamlined adjudication process and the recognition of groundwater recharge as a beneficial use of water,” Wenger concluded. “Most importantly, California must improve its surface water supplies. All the fees and fines in the world won’t heal our aquifers unless California builds additional storage and improves management of surface water in order to reduce demand on groundwater.”
The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 78,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.
For more information contact Dave Kranz at 916561-5550 or at news@cfbf.com
July/August 2014 Page 13
Lake County Farm Bureau
Volume 91 - Issue 3
VOTER GUIDE
2014 GENERAL ELECTION The Lake County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors adopted the following recommendations on countywide ballot measures and officials that will be before the Lake County voters in the November Election. YES
NO
Measure O Medical Marijuana Control Act
Repeals any then-existing County regulations, and establishes new regulations regarding size, location and manner in which medical marijuana may be cultivated in unincorporated areas of Lake County.
WANTED 20 ACRES FOR SOLAR FARM We are Lake County residents seeking distressed, non-productive land to purchase or lease with purchase option.
Measure P The Freedom to Garden Human Rights Restoration Act of 2014
Initiative which seeks to permit marijuana growers to grow an unlimited amount of plants in any location. Gives marijuana growers all legal rights to grow, and prevents local communities and neighborhoods from establishing any standards for residential marijuana cultivation. Measure S Healthy Lake Tax Will impose an additional sales tax of 0.5 percent for 10 years in order to fund the eradication of weeds, algae and invasive mussels from Clear Lake, the restoration of wetlands in the county and the improvement of water quality.
Please contact: Lee Kosla (415) 990-0165 lee@colemko.com
ENDORSED CANDIDATES
JIM STEELE
DISTRICT 3 COUNTY SUPERVISOR Former college professor, retired biologist and professionally registered forester, and current small business owner. Steele is a non partisan, long term resident of Lake County.
JEFF SMITH
DISTRICT 2 COUNTY SUPERVISOR Strong supporter of Lake County agriculture and Lake County Supervisor for the past 16 years. Smith is a republican, and long term resident of Lake County. July/August 2014 ď ˇ Page 15
Lake County News & Reviews
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