April 2024 Farm News

By: California Farm Bureau

California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass commented on the release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s updated California Water Plan.

Farm

California Farm Bureau responds to governor’s updated water plan

“Farm Bureau congratulates Gov. Newsom and his administration on the update of California Water Plan 2023, the latest iteration of a long-term strategy that has guided our state’s water management approach for nearly 70 years,” Douglass said. “We’re

encouraged that the plan highlights infrastructure projects to capture, store and convey water supplies. We’re also pleased that it seeks to reduce permitting burdens for projects that support water resilience, including through groundwater recharge and habitat restoration.”

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.

California enjoys healthy water supply, but battles over its uses continue to fester

By: Dan Walters, CalMatters

California’s major reservoirs are nearly full thanks to two wet winters, the Sierra snowpack is deeper than usual and the state is likely to receive even more rain and snow this spring.

After years of drought, California’s water supply is the healthiest it’s been in the 21st century. Nevertheless, the state’s age-old jousting over water use priorities continues and may become more intense as climate change affects the amount of water available.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom strapped on snowshoes to accompany state water officials as they measured the Sierra snowpack near Lake Tahoe and declared that it’s well over 100% of average.

The event was streamed online and Newsom used it to warn Californians that the state’s water future is uncertain and unveil an update of the state’s master water plan.

“You can take a deep breath this year, but don’t quadruple the amount of time in your shower,” Newsom advised, “then consider that this time next year, we may be at a different place.”

The water plan must be revised every five years and the new version dwells on “resilience” – making the water systems less vulnerable to climate change – and “equity.” It notes that “for more than 95 percent of Californians, safe, reliable, and affordable water is perceived to be a daily guarantee, but for approximately 1 million Californians, there is a persistent

struggle to access water fit for human consumption.”

“These extremes are becoming the new reality, and that new reality requires a new approach,” Newsom said, adding, “I’ll remind all of you the water system in California was designed for a world that no longer exists.”

The updated plan describes itself as a “call to action, an all-hands-ondeck endeavor, in which everyone has a role – state agencies and departments with water, regulatory, and climate responsibilities; regional water and resource managers and stewards at every scale across water sectors; and individual Californians.”

It assumes that California will build two major projects: the Sites Reservoir on the west side of the Sacramento Valley to bank 1.5 million acre-feet of water during high precipitation years, and a 45-mile-long tunnel that would carry water from the Sacramento River to the head of the California Aqueduct near Tracy, bypassing the SacramentoSan Joaquin Delta.

“We’re seeing real progress,” Newsom said of the $16 billion project. “My goal is to get that permitted by the time you kick me out.” Newsom described it as “foundational (and) critical if we’re going to address the

issue of climate change. It is a climate project. It is one of the most important projects this state can advance.”

Environmental groups contend that the tunnel would deprive the Delta of flows needed to maintain water quality for wildlife. Its future is linked to persuading – or compelling – farmers to reduce their diversions from the San Joaquin River and its tributaries, thereby allowing more water to flow through the Delta.

Environmentalists are pressing the state Water Resources Control Board to mandate reductions by updating Delta water quality standards, but that effort collides with historic water rights. Newsom wants diversions to be reduced through “voluntary agreements” rather than by decrees that would lead to legal battles.

The new water plan dances around the issue, endorsing the concept of voluntary agreements but declaring that the water board needs “increased capacity to halt water diversions when the flows in streams diminish (and) modernize the water rights system in a manner that respects water right priorities and aligns with current public values and needs.”

Within those vague words lies what could be a monumental battle.

from the Director's Desk

Breanne Vandenberg

Thank you to all who supported our Annual Dinner this past month.

During the meeting, members were presented with a proposed bylaw amendment that was developed to amend our district boundaries. The amendment passed allowing for our organization to be adjusted from eight districts to four. In addition, each district will now be represented by 3 directors as opposed to 2. I also want to thank Louie Bandoni and Joe Sansoni for their dedicated time and effort to our organization. Thrilled to work alongside our new president, Dave Barroso!

This election season will bring on a localized battle for a fellow agriculture county. Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), an international animal activist group, has qualified a ballot measure for the November 2024 election that is specific to Sonoma County. As Dave mentioned in his column, impacts to other counties will be a ripple effect that will be catastrophic.

The measure, titled “Prohibition on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” carries a goal to eliminate

animal agriculture. A Confined Animal Facility Operation (CAFO) is a facility designation by EPA that follows regulations and oversight of the protection for environmental resources. Facilities of this nature confine livestock or poultry for 45 days with animal units being considered. For our local agricultural operations, confinement can be defined as having clean, dry bedding, housing, and food during the winter months.

As presented, the ballot measure has three objectives:

1. Require all CAFOs in Sonoma County to be closed within a threeyear period.

2. Closure of the CAFOs would be completed by the County Agricultural Commissioner.

3. Sonoma County would be charged with training the former CAFO employees with new skills as their current jobs have become obsolete. As you can see, this has damaging impacts on Sonoma County agriculture. In many instances, voters signed their name to the qualifying ballot without

looking into the full details of the proposal. It doesn’t help that proponents of the measure state that this will not affect family farms. Our local concern rests on the idea if they are successful in Sonoma, they can be successful here as well. MCFB has made a pledge of $5,000 to support their efforts.

Sonoma County has established a website with more information and details on how you can help. You can find it at www. sonomacountyfamilyfarmersalliance. com.

Merced County Farm Bureau’s Mission Statement

Merced County Farm Bureau is an independent, nongovernmental, grassroots organization that advocates for the men and women who provide food, fiber, and nursery products for our community, state, and nation.

Merced County Farm Bureau exists for the purpose of improving the ability of individuals engaged in production

agriculture to utilize California resources to produce food and fiber in the most profitable, efficient and responsible manner possible, guaranteeing our nation a domestic food supply.

Merced County Farm Bureau supports policies and legislation that promote and protect our Country’s number one industryagriculture for future generations and the security of our nation.

from the President's Corner

Dave Barroso

Greetings Merced County Farm Bureau Members. I am your new 2024-2026 County President. I would like to take the opportunity to first introduce myself. I am the proud father of two awesome kids, Andrew (6) and Lauren (8) and with my wonderful wife of 10 years Jamie, we enjoy running the kids to softball, baseball and soccer practices and games, and stepping up to coach when the need arises. We also enjoy camping when we can find the time, and spending time with family. I am a 44year resident of Merced County, being born at the old Mercy Hospital on M and Bear Creek. I attended Plainsburg Elementary through 8th grade before moving on to Golden Valley High School as part of the first freshman class at a brand-new school. I played football all four years, and a member of the wrestling team for one. I was also an active member of the Merced/ Golden Valley FFA, serving as a chapter officer and receiving my American FFA Degree. I attended Merced Junior College before transferring to Fresno State and earning a B.S. in Animal Science. After graduating from Fresno, I returned home to join my dad, uncle and brother on our family dairy that was started by my family in 1972. Not long after that my uncle retired and I was

brought in as a partner along with my parents and older

brother Mark. I have served as a member of your Board of Directors since 2012. During this time, I have served as a state delegate and attended many IACs at the state level. In 2018 I joined the executive committee and that has brought me to this point. I also have the privilege of serving on the Plainsburg Union Elementary School Board of Trustees, Golden Valley FFA Ag Advisory Committee and California Dairies Inc. sub-committees. My involvement with MCFB has taught me so much, and I hope these

experiences have helped prepare me to take on the responsibility of serving as your County President. I have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors under the leadership of great presidents, and only hope that I have learned from their great examples. I have had the chance to interact with CAFB officers and staff and other members from throughout the state and feel that this gives me a perspective that will benefit this great county organization. This county is blessed to have the great staff that MCFB does, that works tirelessly behind the scenes. I would like to thank them and all those that helped put on a great Annual Meeting, it’s no small task and they pull it off seamlessly.

As we enter an election year, things are going to get busy and interesting. As President Douglass informed us at our Annual Meeting, your Farm Bureau is supporting a ballot proposition that will give taxpayers a say on tax increases. Local control, what a concept! It has yet to be given a proposition number, however the title for the ballot proposition is The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act. Stay tuned to your Farm News or Ag Alert for information as the campaign

gets going. Another issue of concern to all of us in agriculture and specifically in animal agriculture is what is taking place in Sonoma County. Extreme animal rights activists have successfully qualified an ordinance for the November Election that will end all animal agriculture in Sonoma County. Your state board and county board has elected to aid in this fight. You may wonder how an ordinance in Sonoma County affects us in Merced County, and why we should be involved. If these activists are successful, they will not stop there, it will spread and needs to be quashed before it begins. These are just a few items, along with all the offices up for election that we as Farm Bureau members need to be involved with and informed on as they arise.

We as members and supporters need to take it upon ourselves to remain involved, informed and active. This is a noble industry that deserves it. I have often heard that if you put ten farmers in a room, you will get twelve different opinions, as true as that might be, we all can agree that we want to see agriculture survive and flourish. Don’t ever hesitate to contact myself, your board of directors, or the office if we can help with an issue. Until next month!

Alexxis Rudich

Project Assistant/ESJ Grower Relations Board of Directors

Pres: David Barroso 652-6437

1st VP: Tim Lohman 988-3545

2nd VP: Dante Migliazzo 769-9525

Sect/Treas: Matt Jasso 270-1981

Past Pres: Joe Sansoni 761-9284

District 1

Tony Neves ............................. 587-1682

Joe Maiorino 564-6791

District 2

Mike Davis 387-4151

Bob Vandenberg 704-5568

District 3

Chad Perry 675-4474

Jesse Penick 678-8887

District 4

Jean Okuye 756-2421

Galen Miyamoto 761-5366

District 5

Brent Chipponeri 652-3473

John Van Ruler .......................648-3877

District 6

John Johnston 489-8462

Bill Arnold. 761-0542

District 7

Gino Pedretti III 756-1612

Tom Roduner 769-9353

District 8

Julie S. Giampaoli 201-8434

Joe Scoto 761-0489

Directors at Large

Bob Giampaoli 769-4973

Eric Harcksen 620-1953

Michael Serrano 485-1935

Tom Murphy 353-2700

Nic Marchini 769-1883

Alan Sano 559-905-1240

Scott Dias 617-9216

Mariposa County Farm Bureau Staff

Danette Toso Executive Director

Board of Directors

Pres: Kelly Williams 376-2408

1st VP: Elnora George 376-2419

2nd VP: Carla Kelly 742-6862

Directors

Abel Lopez 376-2208

James Palmer 374-3470

Walter Palmer Jr 374-3470

Trevor Lee Smith 769-9969

Danette Toso 376-2304

Tony Toso 376-2304

Jordan Cory .................... 765-401-4078

Jay Mahil CFBF Director - District 9

David Macedo CFBF Field Representative

Pierce Hanning Merced County YF&R Chair

Pierce Hanning YF&R State Committee - District 9

State FFA Leadership Conference Closing Session

SBy: California FFA

ACRAMENTO, Calif.

— Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and supporters from across the state of California returned to the Golden 1 Center for the closing session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference in Sacramento.

The annual State Star Awards were handed out, and the winner will go on to compete at the national level. The winners are as follows:

State Star in Agriscience: Liam Joy, St. Helena FFA

State Star in Agribusiness: Trevor Wright, Hollister FFA

State Star in Agriculture

Placement: Morelia Vierya, Madera

State Star Farmer: Emma Woods, Gustine FFA

Conference Ambassadors, Courtesy Corps, and Press Corps members were also acknowledged for their assistance and efforts in helping make State FFA Conference successful.

State FFA President, Austin Bell reflected on his year of service during his retiring address and shared the three pillars that have been a driving force throughout his journey: community, faith, and agriculture. Bell encouraged members to discover their own pillars of purpose.

“We all need something to live for,” Bell said. “There is something greater in this life to serve; we have to live with purpose.”

Members heard one last performance by State FFA Talent Winner, Caiden Wallace of Porterville FFA.

Following the recognition of Past

State Officers, the 2023-2024 officer team was honored and retired their state officer jackets after their year of service. State FFA Advisor, Hugh Mooney, thanked members of state staff and told stories about each officer.

Students from Kingsburg, Turlock Christian, Hilmar, Santa Maria, and O’Neals Minarets were elected by delegates to serve as 2024-25 State FFA Officers and properly installed into their offices. The officer team is as follows:

President: Camille Zavala

Vice President: John Dein

Secretary: Gianna Gonzalez

Treasurer: Melissa Lua-Duarte

Reporter: Carlos Nunez

Sentinel: Joshua Wolford

The 97th California FFA State Leadership Conference is set to take place in Sacramento, California on April 3-6, 2025.

Gianna Gonzalez from Hilmar FFA elected as 2024-25 State FFA Secretary

April Almond Tasks: Highlighting Nitrogen Fertilizer Schedule

from the Farm Advisor

Cameron Zuber Orchard Crops

While nitrogen fertilizer applications should have started in March, preferably, a few questions regarding it have been received so highlighting it in April’s almond tasks seemed appropriate. Check the end for bulleted-list for other tasks that can be performed in April.

Nitrogen is one of the more important nutrients applied for tree nut crops within agriculture as growth and productivity of both the tree and nut depend on the availability and uptake of nitrogen. Due to this and as many forms of nitrogen applied are fairly mobile in soils “spoon feeding” nitrogen through the growing seasons is a tactic applied by many almond growers.

For producing almond orchards, the amount of nitrogen applied each year should be based on the previous year’s yield. Nitrogen recommendations for younger orchards are calculated differently. Dr. Patrick Brown’s group with the University of California, Davis currently recommends applying 68 pounds of nitrogen for every 1000 pounds of almond kernel harvested per acre for producing orchards. This amount is then adjusted based on leaf and water analysis which determine nitrogen availability and other sources.

Once the total amount of annual nitrogen is determined, it then comes down to how big of a spoon to use when “spoon feeding” almonds. Most (approximately 80%) of the nitrogen

is used between bloom and mid-June, so Dr. Brown’s group recommends delivering nitrogen at four different timings and amounts through the growing season:

• February or preferably March (20% of total annual nitrogen input)

• April (30% of total annual nitrogen input)

• June (30% of total annual nitrogen input)

• September or October (20% of total annual nitrogen input)

This timing has shown to increased nitrogen use efficiency. However, many growers have used smaller spoons by injecting small amounts of nitrogen liquid fertilizers many more times than the four timings above. Regardless of spoon size, it is recommended to add most of the nitrogen from March to June by many and smaller applications (with a little reserved for September or October) versus fewer and larger applications.

Checklist for other April almond tasks:

• Think about when to start irrigation using either plant- or soil- based monitoring. Start of irrigation may be different each year as it is based on the amount of rain from fall and winter.

• Monitor for weeds to see how postharvest and winter weed treatments performed and adjust mowing or herbicide plans accordingly. Mow or treat before weeds get above four to five inches high.

• If performing early leaf sampling, do so 35 to 45 days after full bloom.

• Consider foliar applications of nitrogen, potassium and other micronutrients based on deficiencies seen from prior sampling or observations.

• If not already started in March, start trapping for ground squirrels. April is not an ideal time for fumigation as it is better typically earlier in year nor bait treatments as it is better typical mid-year. More resources here http://www.groundsquirrelbmp. com/.

• April is good time to monitor for gophers as they are actively burrowing and feeding. One method for monitoring is to make sure the mounds are active by leveling them and checking later to see if mounds were repaired.

• While very rare for north San Joaquin Valley, April freezes have been known to occur and can damage young nuts so continue to keep an eye on freezes.

• Insect and mites:

• Monitor for leaffooted bug as presence may cause excessive dropped nuts. Treat if needed.

• Monitor for shoot strikes due to peach twig borer and treat (typically in May) if needed.

• Begin monitoring for webspinning mites as threshold can be reached in April with warm springs. Do not mistake apple leafhopper damage as mite

damage they can look similar.

• Navelorange worm traps should have been placed in March, so continue or start monitoring them.

• While too late to mow and destroy mummy nuts on ground for navelorange worm, it is not too late to flail mow for newly discovered carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncates). If performed, be sure to use flail mower and not a disc as beetles can survived in soil if mummy is just pushed into soil by disc and not destroyed.

• Diseases:

• Monitor for gumming on trees as this may be an indicator of disease or other issues.

• If late rain events are expected consider timing sprays for postbloom diseases.

• Continue or start monitoring for Alternaria, anthracnose, bacterial spot, scab, shot hole, and rust and treat as necessary.

Thanks to Brent Holtz (Farm Advisor) for his wealth of previous articles in Pacific Nut Producers which helped inform these tasks. Additional thanks to Phoebe Gordon (Orchard Crops Farm Advisor) and Luke Milliron (Orchard Systems Advisor) whose oneminute orchard tasks challenges on the Growing the Valley Podcast, as well as the authors of the UC Cooperative Extension Sacramento Valley Almond Production Calendar which further informed this article.

Atwater FFA Earns Recognition During State Leadership Convention in Sacramento

By: Atwater FFA

Sixty Atwater High School agriculture students and FFA members joined over 7,000 high school students, advisors and guests at the largest annual statewide Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) conference in California. The California FFA Leadership Conference was held in Sacramento and attracts young agricultural leaders from 356 chapters from throughout California. The conference encourages students to develop personal and team leadership skills, discover agricultural careers, establish lasting friendships and strive for success.

In addition to the various leadership components throughout the convention, various California agriculture students were recognized for various state awards associated with leadership, public speaking, agriculture projects, and

industry-related skills. Atwater High School senior Jacqueline Velazquez was recognized as the California State FFA Proficiency winner in Nursery Operations which involves owning the enterprise or working for a business that provides experience in growing, marketing, and selling ornamental plants, vegetable starter plants, shrubs and/or tree production for the purpose of transplanting or propagation. Atwater High School senior Caden Hultgren was recognized as the California State FFA Proficiency winner in Beef Production Entrepreneurship in which the student owns the enterprise or business that uses the best management practices available to efficiently produce beef. Both students move onto the national finals. Other state finalists recognized were Atwater High School senior Alden Hansard in Agricultural Mechanics Repair/Maintenance Placement, Atwater

High School senior Hannah Slate in Swine Production Entrepreneurship, and Atwater High School senior Rebekah Villalobos in Specialty Crop Production. The Atwater FFA Novice Parliamentary Procedure team placed 4th overall in the state championship finals. The novice team members include Gianna Fragulia, Ailene Solorio, Liesl Schwartz, Laurel Peterson, Grace Agungis, Maria Avalos, Iker Chargoy and Gannon Gossman. The advanced team advanced to the state finals with a team comprised of Hailey Herforth, Grant Williamson, Alexa Bracamontes, Bryce Nickerson, Alany Guzman, Ella Boyenga, Giszelle Avila, and Katie Medeiros. The Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies. FFA students throughout California participate in various parliamentary procedure contests where students

demonstrate their public speaking, understanding, and implementation of skills.

Atwater High School senior Jacqueline Velazquez was recognized with the Willey Family Horticulture scholarship. The conference also included an agriculture-related career, trade school, college, and university trade show, various leadership workshops, and guest speakers.

“The conference is a highlight for students who attend in terms of encouragement, motivation, and the exploration of personal, academic, and career related opportunities in one’s future,” said Atwater High School agriculture instructor and FFA advisor Shelby Fishman. “The opportunity to experience this is a tremendous investment in a young person’s life.”

For more information on the Atwater High School Agriculture Department and Atwater FFA, please log on the website www.AtwaterFFA.org .

Atwater High School FFA senior Caden Hukltgren and FFA advisor Shelby Fishman celebrate Caden's FFA State Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency award as he moves on as a National FFA finalist.

The Atwater High School Novice Parli Pro team of Gannon Gossman, Laurel Peterson, Gianna Fragulia, Grace Agungis, Maria Avalos, Iker Chargoy and Maddie Zittel (coach) placed 4th overall in the state FFA finals.

Herbicide maker, opponents square off over EPA paraquat stance

By: Steve Davies, Agripulse

The long-running dispute over EPA’s approval of paraquat has entered a new phase as the manufacturer of the popular herbicide and several opponents of its use on farm fields filed comments about a preliminary paper that EPA submitted in a court challenge of its action.

EPA reiterates in a 63-page document released Jan. 30 its previous conclusion that there is not enough evidence to link exposure to the herbicide to the development of Parkinson’s disease in humans.

The paper titled, “EPA’s Preliminary Supplemental Consideration of Certain Issues in Support of its Interim Registration Review Decision for Paraquat,” also defends the agency’s cost-benefit analysis for paraquat, sold under the trade name Gramoxone and several others.

The supplemental document was prepared as the result of a suit filed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals brought by farmworker organizations, environmental groups and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research seeking to overturn the registration. Thousands of lawsuits that claim paraquat caused Parkinson’s disease have been consolidated in federal court in Illinois.

Asked about the litigation, Syngenta maintained its longstanding position that “paraquat is safe when used as directed” and rejected the challengers’ claims of "a causal link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease because it is not supported by scientific evidence.”

On the other side, the Unified Parkinson’s Advisory Council said in comments that “the link between Parkinson’s disease and paraquat has been identified and replicated across numerous epidemiologic studies. These studies have looked at different groups of people and utilized varied analysis methods, and far outnumber the number of studies finding no association between exposure to the herbicide and the risk of developing the disease.”

Paraquat registrant Syngenta said in comments to EPA on April 1 that current label mitigations are sufficient “to support the continued registration of paraquat dichloride and the safety of its registered use patterns.” The company called “fundamentally sound” EPA’s conclusions about paraquat’s risks and benefits, “which were reached through the science-based risk assessment process and set forth in the final interim decision as well as EPA’s supplemental document.”

On its website, EPA says a “thorough review of the best available science” has found no “clear link between paraquat exposure from labeled uses and adverse health outcomes such as Parkinson’s disease and cancer.”

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and farmworker and environmental groups dispute that finding. The foundation has protested EPA’s failure to consider 40 studies that it submitted in August, months before the latest document was issued. EPA has said it will consider those studies before it releases its final document in January 2025.

The Unified Parkinson’s Advisory Council, which includes the Michael J. Fox foundation, called on EPA in its latest comments “to reconsider its interim registration review decision and revisit the flawed evaluation, which greatly minimizes the risks posed to the U.S. population by the continued use of paraquat.”

line is unsupported by data and in direct contradiction to expert agencies within the U.S. government,” CBD said.

“The U.S. will now be competing for the Thai soybean market with major soybean suppliers like Brazil (which has banned paraquat, and will have no trade barrier),” CBD said. “A Thai importer would likely just import soybeans from Brazil rather than incur the expense of testing a U.S. product. This expense will fall directly to U.S. suppliers if they want to maintain this export market and those costs will likely be passed on to U.S. soybean growers.”

Syngenta didn't address EPA’s analysis of trade impact but emphasized the benefits of paraquat. “EPA has rightly recognized that paraquat has certain important advantages over alternative herbicides, which can make it a preferred choice for weed control in a wide range of crops as well as in specific agricultural scenarios,” Syngenta said.

In 2022, the appeals court allowed EPA to hold the matter in abeyance while it reanalyzed issues including Parkinson’s, respiratory and dermal exposure and costs and benefits of using paraquat.

The council and others also raised the issue of impacts on U.S. growers from the trade effects of EPA’s decision. The Center for Biological Diversity questioned EPA’s analysis of the impact of Thailand’s Maximum Residue Limit for paraquat, which is “essentially zero.”

Syngenta also cited EPA’s conclusion that “paraquat has high benefits for numerous crops and crop groups

“EPA’s assumption that Thai importers will bear all the costs to secure a paraquat-free supply

including artichoke, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, bulb vegetables, cucurbits, alfalfa, orchards and vineyards, but lower benefits for other uses including grains, tomato, and pastureland.”

Syngenta contends that the “preplant burndown use of paraquat to clear fields of weeds prior to planting is a high benefit regardless of the crop planted.”

EPA’s Jan. 30 document says that it is considering a ban on “raker and tramper harvesting activities and requiring an enclosed cab for all groundboom applications of paraquat.” A groundboom is an applicator attached to a tractor with several nozzles only inches above the treated plant.

Syngenta said that “a requirement to use an enclosed [tractor] cab for groundboom application regardless of acres treated would not be feasible for many growers and would essentially remove paraquat as a key tool for many small farm operations for several reasons,” including the cost of retrofitting or replacement and maintenance and repairs.

California progressives forced to play defense as state faces huge budget deficits

By: Dan Walters, CalMatters

Acouple of years ago, California’s left-leaning interest groups –those seeking a more expansive array of social and medical services to benefit workers and the state’s large population of low-income residents –seemed to be making a breakthrough after decades of frustration.

With Gov. Gavin Newsom bragging about a nearly $100 billion state budget surplus, progressive coalitions gained footholds on some long-sought priorities, such as medical coverage for undocumented immigrants, income supports for the working poor and more expansive care and education for preschool children.

That was then and this is now.

The state now faces a monumental budget deficit, in part because the state committed portions of a supposed surplus that never materialized. While Newsom so far has pegged the deficit at $38 billion, state revenues continue to lag behind forecasts and the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, says it could top $70 billion.

Moreover, both Newsom’s budget department and Petek are warning that annual deficits in the $30 billion range are likely for several years to come.

The harsh fiscal reality not only may doom expansion of the programmatic gains that those on the left championed, but imperil their very existence just as the additional benefits begin kicking in.

In short, it’s crunch time for California’s progressive activists.

The state’s much-changed financial circumstances are reflected in a legislative agenda issued recently by the Building the California Dream Alliance, a coalition of dozens of progressive organizations. Were the state enjoying the huge budget surpluses that Newsom erroneously proclaimed two years ago, the coalition would be proposing new or expanded programs.

Instead, all but a couple of the 28 items on its new agenda would not cost the state budget anything, but rather would affect policies in the private economy, in schools, in courts and in medical care.

One example: Senate Bill 1446 would make it more difficult for retailers to reduce their staffs by installing self-

checkout systems.

Meanwhile, another progressive organization, the California Budget and Policy Center, staged a webinar on Tuesday to beat the drums for raising taxes to avoid reductions in social and medical services this year and in following years when additional deficits are anticipated.

The organization says it wants “a California for all where everyone has access to economic opportunity, housing, health care, and other basic needs is possible,” adding that “policymakers can achieve this vision by advancing fairer taxation to prevent cuts when there’s a budget shortfall like

today and build a truly just and equitable California for all.”

However, when it came to specifics, the webinar’s panel dwelled on raising corporate income taxes by eliminating or reducing some loopholes that the Legislature provided in past years, such as the tax credit for research and development. Panel members also revived a corporate tax overhaul that state Senate leadership proposed last year, but failed to gain any traction.

“We want to make sure revenues are part of the conversation,” the organization’s tax analyst, Kayla Kitson, said. “We have options.”

Corporate taxes are just a fifth of the

state’s general fund revenues, and even doubling them would fall way short of covering the budget deficit. The big money is to be found in personal income taxes.

Newsom, however, has repeatedly rejected tax increases as a remedy –which is why the Senate corporate tax hike didn’t move last year – and a business-backed measure on the November ballot would make increasing state and local taxes even more difficult.

In the absence of a tax increase of some kind, direct or indirect reductions in the programs that progressives and their legislative allies cherish would seem to be inevitable.

Renee Barroso

December 29, 1947 - March 3, 2024

Renata, (Renee) Barroso was born on December 28, 1947, in San Cassiano, Lucca, Italy, to Giovanni and Giuseppina Girolami. In 1961, Renee, her sister Giovanna and mother moved to San Francisco to reunite with her father. Renee attended Balboa High School. In 1963 Renee met Joe Barroso, the love of her life and were married on March 6, 1965.

Renee dedicated herself to being Joe's wife. She learned Portuguese and was instantly accepted as a member of the larger Barroso Family. Joe and Renee started their family in San Mateo where they welcomed two children, Julie and Mark. Renee sacrificed tirelessly to provide for their growing family.

In 1969, Renee, Joe, her sister and brother in-law Dominic, ventured into the dairy business in Atwater, CA. The following year, they moved to the Dairy on Le Grand Road. Here they welcomed two more children, Nancy and David. Renee supported her husband and children, creating a loving, nurturing and welcoming home for her family and friends.

Renee faced life’s challenges with faith and hard work. Renee was devoted to praying the rosary and attending Mass, but if not able to attend in person, she would not miss watching it on tv. Renee’s love for her family was unconditional as was her unwavering commitment to ensuring everyone was

well taken care of before herself. She was always the last to sit down and enjoy the meal she took all day preparing.

Renee had a heart of gold, was steadfast, and resilient. Her joy extended beyond just feeding you; she made sure there was enough for you to take home. From her Gravy,, Polenta with Chicken Stew, Homemade Bread to Biscotti, Renee's cooking was a heartfelt gesture that blessed everyone with happy hearts and satisfied bellies. Genuine, courageous, loving, kind, smart, stubborn, humble, and compassionate, Renee was a loving teacher, role model, and friend to many. She will be deeply missed but her memory will live on in

the legacy she leaves behind.

Renee was preceded in death by her father, Giovanni Girolami, mother and stepfather Giuseppina and Joseph Ramorino and the love of her life whom she deeply missed, Joe Barroso. She is survived by her children, Julie Barroso, Mark (Kris) Barroso, Nancy Barroso & Jesus Campos, David (Jamie) Barroso, grandchildren, Vanessa Barroso, Jody (Megan) Miller, Nicolas Barroso, Mark Barroso Jr., Kendra Barroso, Leah Campos, Lauren & Andrew Barroso, great-grandchildren, Tristan Barroso, Noelle & Atticus Miller, sister Giovanna (Dominic) Barroso, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and Godchildren

Explained: The senior rights to California's water and balancing access to safe drinking water

By: Monica Woods, ABC10

SACRAMENTO, Calif — Water access in California has seen growing scrutiny as the climate shifts from more extreme dry to wet swings. This results in increasing yearto-year uncertainty for both commercial and residential water availability.

One area getting more attention from an ethical and practical application is the system of water rights, which first took shape in the late 1800s.

Cody Phillips with the California Coastkeeper Alliance, a nonprofit focused on providing safe water for all Californians, says the right to water in the state really started with the gold rush. He says people would stake a claim to water the same way they would come out and claim land to mine.

It could happen in a couple of ways, starting with owning land next to a river, which gives them access to water. If you claimed the land first, you got senior water rights. If you claimed it last, you got junior water rights.

Phillips says junior water right holders can't take water until the most senior water right holders have used everything they need. This has led to a powerful and polarizing system, elevating the status of having senior water rights.

More than 100 years later, access to water today boils down to those rights. Outside of the ethical part of taking water from the indigenous people, California looks vastly different in both population and climate than it did over a century ago. In 1880, the population in California was just under 870,000 people. Today, it's almost 40 million. In a state with wild swings from wet to dry years, it can create uncertainty and conflict over who should have the first right to water flowing through the state.

Mitchell Yerxa, of River Vista Farms, is a fifth-generation farmer in Colusa County just north of Sacramento. His family holds senior water rights. They grow over a dozen different crops - one of which is tomatoes, which go to the largest cannery in the world. Mitchell says if you buy a bottle of Heinz ketchup, a portion of more than likely came from their farm.

To get this to the table, they need water. In theory, the senior water rights

the Yerxa family have held for decades gives them unlimited access to water flowing down the Sacramento River. During drought years, there is big pushback to limit this allowance to provide a more equitable distribution of water throughout the state.

Mitchell says for them, taking any water from the river comes with careful consideration, especially since they pay for every bit of the water they use. On average, the Yerxa family says they use about 20-30% of the water they have access to. Mitchell says it's just like any other resource used in day-to-day life: you're not going to run your kitchen sink or your bathtub or shower, unless you're utilizing those resources.

Over 90% of farms in California are still family-owned. Each generation faces more pressure to put food on America’s table using the same soil, same roads and even similar crops all with less water.

To face those shortages, they are turning to more efficient irrigation like drip tape and recycling. The Yerxa family has a system taking excess water from one field and feeding to another, which results in each field picking up tail water and utilizing it for the next crop.

But even with the best intentions, there’s just not enough water to serve California, even though the state declared water as a basic human right.

In 2012, Governor Brown signed a law declaring every person in the state must have access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water. Yet today, there are still over a million people exposed to illegal contaminants in their water.

Susana De Anda, cofounder of the Community Water Center, is part of a group working toward sustainable solutions for communities disconnected from a safe water supply.

She says many lowincome and disadvantaged

communities don’t have rights to surface water and must turn to groundwater, which is stored underground and can contain high levels of contaminants.

In the small town of Seville in Tulare County, high levels of toxins from leaky septic tanks, agricultural runoff and animal manure can seep into their water supply for the community and school.

Susana says solutions like treating water and bottled water are too expensive, so a more affordable option is connecting two smaller communities to a safer and more secure water supply.

Projects like this are funded in part by the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund through Senate Bill 200 passed in 2019. It provides $130 million per year to develop sustainable solutions for small systems to have safe drinking water.

Susana says the bottom line is the crisis exists because of poor water planning and lack of funding. Instead of pointing fingers of who is at fault, they are working toward a solution. Many of the communities they are assisting with are farmworker communities, part of the agriculture fabric.

Subject: Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome Entry Requirements for Importing Dairy Breed Cattle in California

1. ORDER

All dairy breed cattle originating from any state(s) where Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome** has, or have been diagnosed, must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection(CVI) and signed by an accredited veterinarian within seven (7) days of transport that includes the following statement:

"All animals identified on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) have been inspected and do not originate from a premises with a confirmed detection of Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome** or that is currently under investigation as a suspect premises."

** Signs of Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome in cattle include:

• Drop in milk production

• Loss of appetite

• Changes in manure consistency

2. PURPOSE

• Thickened or colostrum-like milk

• Low-grade fever

In an attempt to mitigate potential transmission from affected premises and dairy cattle to susceptible livestock in California, the duration of time that CVls for dairy cattle are valid from date of veterinary inspection originating from any state that has a confirmed, or presumptive diagnosis of Bovine Associated Influenza A (H5N1) Syndrome** shall be reduced to 7 days.

3. AUTHORITY

3 CCR § 830.2. General Requirements.

3 CCR § 830.3. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

3 CCR § 831.4. Documentation Required for Cattle and Bison Moving into California.

3 CCR § 830. Definitions

4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This order is effective immediately

Respectfully,

Annette Jones, D.V.M.

Veterinarian and Director

From small farms to large commercial operations, the INSURICA Agriculture Experts have grown up in agricultural communities.

We’ve designed insurance programs to provide broad and flexible coverage for both your personal and business needs. Tom

from the Mariposa CFB Danette Toso

The highly controversial $20.00 minimum wage rate has gone into effect here in our once golden state. The increase in entrylevel fast-food positions surely has our high school and college kids doing a happy dance and plotting how they’ll be spending their windfall. In reality, we are just passing the buck, and spinning our wheels. What on earth could go wrong with this “brilliant” idea?

With the increased labor costs, employers will most definitely begin cutting jobs or reducing hours for these workers. Higher labor costs can move employers to replace workers with machines, which could lead to

Passing the Buck

long-term unemployment for lowskilled workers. Increased labor costs will lead to higher prices for goods and services, specifically affecting those on fixed incomes. Small businesses, in particular, may be less likely to hire new employees, impacting job creation and economic growth, and could lead to closures or layoffs. Higher wages might discourage employees from pursuing higher education or training if they can earn a comfortable living without additional skills or qualifications. I foresee many more negatives than positives with this substantial increase in minimum wage, I don’t see how it’s sustainable.

On the other hand, maybe Californians will become healthier by eating at home more often. It’s much more cost effective to have meals at home, hopefully made from scratch with quality ingredients. For those crazy busy people, meal prepping, cooking ahead and freezing, and crockpot dinners are an excellent way of eating healthier and saving time and money. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out within the next year or two.

I will not be passing the buck, I will continue to prepare for what’s ahead, save money, eat as healthy as possible, and spread the word about the importance of agriculture. As

always, I encourage farmers, ranchers and conservators to invite friends, neighbors and family members to join

the collective voice of the Farm Bureau. Together, we can make our organization stronger than ever, one member at a time.

2024 Bud Swift Memorial Carcass Contest

The 2024 Bud Swift Memorial Carcass Contest is sponsored by the Mariposa County Farm Bureau and Merced/Mariposa Cattlemen’s Association

The rules for the Contest are as follows:

Contestants must be a member of 4-H, Independent Youth, or FFA

Required ownership of animal is 120 days

• The initial weigh-in will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 9:00 am at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. The animals will be weighed, ear tagged and photographed with the exhibitor.

The second and final weigh-in will be held when animals are checked in at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds at the Jr. Livestock show and auction. A final photograph will be taken after the judging of the market/showmanship classes.

There are two equally weighted parts of this contest that will be evaluated for the final placing.

The Carcass Grid System

The carcass portion of the contest centers on the industry standard for producing beef. The carcasses are evaluated on fat thickness, intramuscular fat, and muscling in determining the quality and yield grade.

Rate of Gain

The time period for the Rate of Gain component will begin May 11, 2024 and will conclude at the second weigh-in at the Mariposa County Fair.

The overall project winner is determined by taking 50% from the results of the carcass grid system and 50% of the Rate of Gain results. These two components are blended to determine the overall winners.

Contest Placing and Monies

Carcass Grid System Contest

1st $200.00 2nd $150.00 3rd $100.00 4th $50.00

Overall Carcass Score

1st $200.00 Plus Jacket/Vest 2nd $150.00 Plus Jacket/Vest 3rd $100.00 4th $50.00

Please contact the Mariposa Farm Bureau office at (209) 742-5875 or email mcfarmbureau@sti.net for more information.

Merced County Business Member Directory

Businesses Supporting the Farm Bureau

To be included in the directory, join Merced County Farm Bureau as a business member by calling 723-3001.

REPAIRS & SERVICES

Arrowhead Field Repair 658-5250

Cab Air Systems 551-3301

SS Blue 722-2583

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Mid Cal Pipeline & Utilities, INC 383-7473

M-Mig Construction, Inc. 724-9488

FARM EQUIPMENT

Garton Tractor, Inc. 726-4600

Holt Ag Solutions ............................... 723-2021

Kirby Manufacturing ......................... 723-0778

Laird Mfg LLC 722-4145

N&S Tractor 383-5888

REAL ESTATE

Flanagan Realty 723-4337 (Merced)

Flanagan Realty (559) 665-1313 (Chowchilla) Property Team 769-4698

Dick Templeton Property Team 761-4441

Valley Real Estate Sales, Inc. ........... 854-1000

GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS

Blue Diamond Growers ........... (559) 474-2996

California Farmland Trust ....... (916) 544-2712

California Sweet Potato Council ....... 385-7403

California Women for Agriculture 723-5878

Central CA Irrigation District 826-1421

Cortez Growers Association 632-3118

Dos Palos Co-op Gin 387-4151

Gustine Drainage District ................ 854-6782

Hilltop Ranch Inc. ...............................874-1875

Livingston Farmers Assoc 394-7941

Merced Boosters 761-0815

Merced Irrigation District 722-5761

Merced College Ag Division 384-6250

Turlock Irrigation District 883-8205

UCCE Merced ..................................... 385-7403

Water & Land Solutions .................... 677-4700

FARM SERVICES

A-Bar Ag Enterprises ........................ 826-2636

Agri-Valley Consulting 769-2357

Caddy Shack Rodent Servc.....(559) 363-3315

Cal Ag Safety 351-0321

Cal Corn Growers Inc. (559) 665-5775

Chipponeri Electric 634-4616

Dutch Door Dairy ............................... 648-2166

Farm Management Inc. .................... 667-1011

Farm(x) (559)608-4410

GAR Bennett (559) 480-3029

J & F Fertilizer Custom Spreading & Compost ............................................................495-1964

La Follette Enterprises, Inc. 632-1385

Mass Energy Works. ................ (530) 710-8545

Mid Valley Ag Service 394-7981

Silva & Sons Custom Spreading 667-2566

Stone Family Spreading 756-1491

The Pollination Connection ..... (877) 970-BEES (2337)

WTS McCabe LLC 854-6818

FOOD PROCESSING

A V Thomas Produce ......................... 394-7514

Del Rio Nut Company ........................ 394-7945

The Morning Star Company 826-8000

Minturn Huller Co-op (559) 665-1185

Parreira Almond Processing Co. ....... 826-1262

Sensient Natural Ingredients (800) 558-9892

Yosemite Farms 383-3411

HARVESTING & HAULING

Bertuccio Hay 761-6247

Castillo Brothers Hay......................... 392-3817

Diamond J Farms 564-0870

Minturn Huller Co-op (559) 665-1185

Northern Merced Hulling 667-2308

Wallace & Son ................................... 382-0131

IRRIGATION, WELLS, & SEPTIC

Allison Sierra, Inc. 966-4082

Agri-Valley Irrigation 384-8494

IJ Larsen Pumps ............................... 634-7276

Pacific Southwest Irrigation 460-0450

Precision Aqua 756-2025

Quality Well Drillers 357-0675

Rain for Rent/Westside Pump (559) 693-4315

San Luis Pump Company. 383-0464

Shannon Pump Company 723-3904

SWAN Systems (661) 335-2649

INSECT & WEED CONTROL

Environmental Spraying Service ..... 667-1038

Malm Ag Pest Management 392-6905

Star Creek Land 704-1790

FARM SUPPLIES

Ag Flag .............................................. 357-3424

American River Ag 385-9553

Cal Farm Service 358-1554

Kellogs Supply 722-1501

Livingston True Value ........................ 394-7949

Marfab 826-6700

Pacific Bay Equipment (800) 640-1227

Stanislaus Farm Supply 723-0704

FUEL SERVICES

Amarants Propane Service 358-2257

Hunt & Sons, Inc. (916) 383-4868

Pazin & Myers Inc .............................. 725-2050

Western States Petroleum Assoc. (661) 321-0884

Valley Pacific Petroleum .................... 948-9412

Van De Pol Petroleum 667-0236 INSURANCE Barlocker Insurance

Central

SPRING FAIR BEER BOOTH

MAY

1-5

MCFB STAFF AND DIRECTORS WILL BE

SERVING BEER AT THE 2024 SPRING FAIR IN LOS BANOS. MAKE SURE TO COME SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY FARM BUREAU!

WANT YOUR COMPANY LOGO DISPLAYED IN OUR BOOTH?

BEER BOOTH SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR MORE INFO, (209) 723-3001

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