Merced County
-Advocating for agriculture since 19174th Annual Agribee
By: Denelle Garcia, Farm News Editor
On April 11th, excited, studious local fourth & fifth grade students traveled to Mainzer Theater to compete in Merced County Farm Bureau’s fourth annual Agribee. The program, developed by Butte County Farm Bureau, is a spelling bee contest focused on the spelling and defining of agriculturally related words. We had 42 students particpate this year!
We are thrilled to see this program continue to grow each year and are so proud of the students effort put into studying for the contest. The participating elementary schools were Ballico, Plainsburg, El Nido, Chenoweth and Washington. For the beginning rounds, the students had to either define or spell the word correctly to move on to the next round. After multiple competitive rounds we determined our top two students: James Rough; Chenoweth 5th grader and Ansar Nazmetdinov;
Chenoweth 5th grader. These two students had to now both define and spell two words correctly to win the contest. After a tough final round, Ansar Nazmetdinov won the contest by accurately spelling and defining “bluetongue” and “apiculture”. Second place was awarded to James Rough. First place received an iPad and second place received a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
The program offers a fun opportunity for students to learn about agriculture and its vast components as they prepare for the contest by studying over 450 words. MCFB would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: American AgCredit, Fluetsch & Busby Insurance, Mainzer, El Capitan Hotel, Chance Land & Cattle, Ed & Nancy Silva, Double G Farms, Live Oak Farms, Palazzo Farming, CWA Merced and Keith Heupel. We would also like to thank our two judges for the event: Julie Giampaoli and Miss Merced County, Cassandra Valdez, plus our
host Sean Runyon, Merced County Ag Commissioner. Lastly, a very special thank you to the Mainzer Theatre, Kassie Nguyen and her team for the use of the Mainzer facilities and aid in the
coordination of the event. Again, we are so honored to have growing participation in Agribee and we hope to see it expand to more school districts in the coming years!
April is upon us and Spring is in full swing. As we are preparing for a new crop year your Farm Bureau has been busy representing and defending Merced County Agriculture. Many students in 4-H and FFA are busy preparing for the first fair of the season in the Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos. There was an interesting article that came out in AgAlert highlighting the failure of overtime legislation that was passed by California State Legislature. Our administration in Washington has been working at a dizzying pace and it is interesting watching the different reactions.
Your county farm bureau has been working hard for us. We recently hosted the “Agribee” at the Mainzer Theater in Downtown Merced. The Agribee is a spelling competition were 4th and 5th graders from Merced County Schools compete by spelling or defining agriculture related words. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers that helped with this event, students that competed and prepared and the teachers
that helped make this a great event. Congratulations to our first-place winner Ansar Nazhemetdinov, from Chenoweth Elementary, who won an iPad. Our secondplace winner, taking home a $100 Barnes and Noble gift card, was James Rough, also from Chenoweth Elementary. Again, thank you to everyone that attended and worked hard to make it a success.
Many of us are busy planting summer crops like corn and cotton, transplanting crops like tomatoes and peppers, harvesting winter crops, growing permanent crops like almonds or tending to, and caring for livestock, there is plenty to keep us busy. Many young 4-H and FFA members are busy getting ready to compete at spring and summer fairs around the area. The fair season is kicked off by the Merced County Spring Fair held in Los Banos in May. Good luck to all the competitors who have been putting in hard work preparing for these fairs. Seeing the effort put in by these young competitors reassures us that the future is bright.
I will again mention the
latest battle that Merced Irrigation District is fighting that will affect us all. It is a new proposed regulation from the State Water Resources Control Board related to FERC relicensing. I went into this in greater detail in my March article. If these demands are not met, control of the dam and water would be turned over to the state. The impacts of the implementation of these regulations would be devastating. This does not only harm agriculture but also residential water and quality of that water. MID has proposed a “Healthy Rivers and Landscape Program,” as an alternative. We can all help by spreading the word and contacting our elected officials and expressing our concerns, in the form of letters, e-mails, and phone calls. We need to stand up, the alternative will be devastating!
Unless you have been living under a rock in a field, you have for sure heard of, or have seen the trade negotiations at the federal level. I will not go into it in much depth but in my opinion, I see two beneficial outcomes to our agriculture
economy. Many countries place tariffs, and have for many years, on US grown and manufactured goods. This has put our exported ag products at a severe disadvantage. The positive effect will be our exported U.S. grown products become more competitive when countries open their trade negotiations as it relates to tariffs. This would also decrease the amount of goods in the short term that we will be importing, thus increasing demand for domestically grown and made goods. In the recent issue of AgAlert there was an article that reported on the effect of AB 1066, a law that was passed by the California Legislature in 2016. According to a study conducted by a U.C. Berkley professor, the net result of this laws implementation is a loss of $100.00 weekly to the average farmworker, the exact group this law was purported to help. On a side note, this was the exact result that the bills opponents, including State and County Farm Bureaus, argued would happen. In typical
See 'President' Page 17
Paradox canker disease in walnut
Bulleted summary:
• Paradox canker disease reported from about 2007
• Typically impacts less than one percent of overall orchard, through higher percentage has been reported
• Symptoms look similar to Phytophthora other than when removing exterior wood as cankers look lobed at margins for paradox canker disease while margins are irregular for Phytophthora
• Cause for paradox canker disease is
Symptoms from Phytophthora canker (top) and paradox canker disease (bottom). Note lobed margin for paradox canker disease (bottom-right). Photos adapted from article by Mohamed T. Nouri, Jaime Ott, and Greg T. Browne on the San Joaquin Valley Trees and Vines website (https://www.sjvtandv.com/blog/phytophthora-root-andcrown-rot-amp-paradox-canker-disease-in-walnuts).
unknown though theories currently favor biological pathogens
• Disease can be transferred from diseased wood, so current recommendation is to remove infected trees without spreading any of the diseased tissue in the orchard
Knowing what is impacting trees within an orchard is important as it helps determine what (if anything) can be done when balancing resources and time. This article provides a summary of current understanding with paradox canker disease which is a relatively less understood disease. However, anything mentioned in article are limited to where this disease has been identified and studied.
Paradox canker disease was first reported around 2007. Typically, it only impacts about one percent of the trees within an orchard thought it has been reported up to about four percent. Noticeable symptoms occur in trees eight to 12 years since planting and can kill a tree within one to two years. A challenge with paradox canker disease is identification as symptoms are similar to Phytophthora. Externally for both paradox canker disease and Phytophthora, symptomatic tree leaves wilt and turn yellow eventually leading to defoliation. Wet lesions at the base also formed with both paradox canker disease and Phytophthora.
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Figure 1.
Figure 2. Photos of exposed paradox canker with margin at soil line (left), canker on exterior and no discoloration on interior wood (middle), and canker margin exposed and stopping at graft union (right). Top are of original photos and bottom includes red polygon to show approximate area of canker. Original photos from Greg T. Brown.
BIOCHAR BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA ORCHARDS
APRIL 30TH, 2025 FROM 9AM TO 1PM
PACIFIC FARMING COMPANY 24220 AVE. 13 ¾, MADERA CA 93637
A free workshop about the benefits of using biochar in orchards to improve soil health. Learn best practices for handling and applying biochar. Hear about AFT's field trial with Pacific Farming Company. Lunch will be served.
Speakers include:
•AFT, Paul Lum, Harol Gonzalez Gallardo, and Anel Trujillo
•UC Merced, Rebecca Ryals, PhD & Evelyn Perez-Agredano Pacific Farming Company, Matt Angell
TO REGISTER CONTACT: Paul Lum: plum@farmland.org or Harol Gonzalez: hgonzalezgallardo@farmland.org
American Farmland Trust
Walnut
continued from page 3
The main difference with in-field identification is after removing the exterior wood, the canker margin for paradox canker disease is more lobed while Phytophthora are more irregular (Figure 1). Additional notes from in-field identification of paradox canker disease are that cankers’ lower margins align with the soil line, discoloration is only present on the outer layer and not in the interior wood, and, when reached, the canker stops at the graft union (Figure 2). Determining the cause of paradox canker disease have been explored through laboratory methods and sequencing, but have not identified a specific biological pathogen. However, all methods are not equal and normally are designed to identify specific and known biological pathogens like Phytophthora or cherry leafroll virus. Future plans are to test alternative causes. While abiotic causes (e.g., salinity, wet-feet, herbicide damage, etc.) have not been ruled out, in-field test tend to favor a biological pathogen being the root cause. These tests included taking diseased wood at the margin of a canker and moving them to an uninfected tree. Later observations showed similar symptoms to paradox canker disease around the transmitted disease wood on the originally uninfected tree. This tends to favor a biological cause over an abiotic cause. Regardless, currently the actual cause is unknown but is associated with walnut trees on Paradox rootstock, hence the name of paradox canker disease. Whenever a cause is
identified it then comes down to what can be done, if anything. As the disease typically only seems to impact about one percent of the orchard it may favor a “let it ride” approach to do nothing. However, current understanding shows paradox canker disease impacts orchard within the early stages of production (i.e., around eight to 12
years since planting) and it can be transmitted from infected wood. Given this and a lot of unknowns with current understanding, recommendations are to remove infected trees without spreading any of the diseased tissue in the orchard. For example, when dragging out a pulled tree try to lift the crown and root area and drag the canopy on the ground
Let’s talk about
versus the other way around, though admittedly this is easier said than done.
Some items referenced include articles written by Mohamed T. Nouri (former Orchard Systems Advisor), Jaime Ott (Orchard Systems Advisor), and Greg T. Browne (USDA), as well as referencing presentations and knowledge from Greg T. Browne.
ATV safety
Having
In 2023, 19% of deaths in off-highway vehicle (OHV) accidents were children under 16, with only 2% wearing helmets.1 This alarming statistic prompted Nationwide to launch the Let’s Champion Rider SafetySM campaign, providing tips and resources for effective safety discussions and protection for young riders.
Let’s work together to help save lives and teach everyone to ride like a champion. Learn more at Nationwide.com/ATVsafety
Merced College Agriculture Leading Innovation, Workforce Development, and Sustainable Growth”
By: Cody Jacobsen, Director of Ag Innovation, Merced College
MERCED, CA —
Merced College is setting the stage for the future of agriculture in the Central Valley through a series of transformative projects that will elevate workforce development, innovation, and hands-on learning for students. With the groundbreaking for the AgTEC Innovation Center set for April 17, 2025, and completion scheduled for mid-2026, alongside the development of advanced farm facilities and a stateof-the-art plant science and horticulture complex, Merced College is poised to become a regional hub for agricultural education and innovation.
AgTEC Innovation Center: A One-of-a-Kind Facility for Value-Added Product Development
The AgTEC Innovation Center, funded through the Fresno-Merced Future of Food (F3) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBRC) grant, is a one-ofa-kind facility designed to train the next generation of agricultural professionals. This cutting-edge center will provide students with handson experience in valueadded product development, allowing them to work with a variety of agricultural products and develop marketready goods.
The facility will be equipped with industrystandard equipment,
including:
• Optical Sorters –Ensuring precision in identifying and grading agricultural products.
• Packaging Systems –Preparing products for commercial distribution and export.
• Industry-Aligned Sanitation Rooms –Meeting the highest food safety standards with designated areas for hand washing, boot washing, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Our vision is to prepare a workforce that is not only skilled but also equipped to adapt to the evolving demands of the agricultural industry,” said Merced College President Chris Vitelli. “The AgTEC Innovation Center is a gamechanger for our students and the region. This facility will allow us to offer hands-on training that mirrors realworld agricultural processing environments and opens doors for innovation in valueadded product development.”
The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for April 17, 2025, will mark a significant milestone in the college’s commitment to enhancing the region’s agricultural workforce. The facility is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with all processing equipment installed and ready for student use shortly after.
Farm Advancement Project: Supporting Entrepreneurship and Workforce Growth
Merced College’s Farm Advancement Project is another critical component of the institution’s strategic vision. The instructional farm is being developed to support workforce and entrepreneurship programs, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience with both permanent and annual crops.
The project includes the addition of 20 acres of permanent crops, featuring a diverse selection of almonds, stone fruit, citrus, and table grapes. These crops will provide real-world training opportunities in orchard management, vineyard operations, pest management, and irrigation practices.
In addition to permanent crops, the farm will include annual crops such as peppers, sweet corn, tomatoes, and other rotational crops, allowing students to engage with a variety of production systems. These crops will enhance the educational experience by providing training in crop management, harvesting techniques, and pest and disease control.
“The farm is an essential part of our commitment to innovation and workforce development,” said Cody Jacobsen, Director of Ag Innovation at Merced College. “This project will give our students the opportunity to engage with real-world agricultural practices, preparing them to excel in careers that support the Central Valley’s dynamic ag sector. With the addition of 20 acres of permanent
crops and a diverse range of annual crops, we’re giving students hands-on experience in the management and production of some of California’s most important commodities.”
The farm will also serve as a testing ground for emerging technologies, including advancements in ag robotics, irrigation management, and pest control, ensuring that Merced College students stay ahead of industry trends.
New Plant Science and Horticulture Facilities: Modernizing Ag Education
In addition to the AgTEC Innovation Center and the farm advancements, Merced College is investing in a state-of-the-art plant science and horticulture facility that will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in plant propagation, soil science, pest management, and sustainable agriculture.
The new facility, located on 2 acres, will feature:
• A 140x40 commercial greenhouse equipped to support large-scale plant propagation and research.
• Two 100x20 poly greenhouses to facilitate small-scale research, seedling development, and crop trials.
• A covered potting area to allow for year-round activities, protecting plants and materials from environmental elements.
• A shade house to support nursery operations and
Merced College
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protect delicate plants during the acclimatization process.
• A shop for equipment maintenance that will ensure the proper upkeep of farm and greenhouse equipment, enhancing student learning in equipment maintenance and operations.
Construction is already underway, and the project is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2025, allowing students to take advantage of these new facilities for the upcoming academic year.
“This facility is a key investment in the future of agricultural education,” said Bryan Tassey, Dean of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Merced College. “It will give our students real-world experience with commercial greenhouse operations, propagation techniques, and the management of a variety of horticultural crops. These advanced facilities will ensure that our students graduate with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to meet the demands of the industry.”
AgTEC: Building a Skilled Agricultural Workforce
At the core of these initiatives is the AgTEC (Agriculture Technology and Education Center) program, which is revolutionizing workforce development through CompetencyBased Education (CBE) and targeted efforts to upskill the Central Valley’s farm labor population. The AgTEC program is designed to be completed at the student’s own pace, allowing flexibility for working adults.
The program requires
students to master 14 core skills that are essential for success in modern agricultural operations. These competencies include:
• Digital Literacy –Understanding and using modern ag technology.
• Equipment Operation, Configuration, and Troubleshooting –Ensuring proficiency with industry-standard machinery.
• Technical Reading –Interpreting manuals, schematics, and safety protocols.
• Interpersonal Skills – Enhancing communication and teamwork in a diverse workforce.
• Food Safety –Implementing sanitation and safety protocols in processing environments.
• Basic Safety –Understanding workplace hazards and adhering to safety standards.
• Industry Communication – Developing the ability to effectively communicate with supervisors, co-workers, and clients.
• Other Essential Competencies – Covering a broad range of skills to ensure that students are wellrounded and job-ready. Students must demonstrate mastery of each skill before moving on to the next, ensuring they develop a strong foundation of knowledge and
technical expertise. One of the most impactful aspects of the AgTEC program is that it is free for students, removing financial barriers and making high-quality education and skill development accessible to all.
“AgTEC is not just about offering certificates and degrees,” Jacobsen emphasized. “It’s about building a pipeline of talent that is prepared to meet the challenges of modern agriculture. With support from our industry partners and the Binational of Central California, we are ensuring that our students receive the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. The fact that the program is free and selfpaced makes it even more accessible to the farm labor population we are aiming to serve.”
The program offers a 12unit Ag Systems Certificate that allows farm laborers to upskill and advance in their careers.
A Regional Hub for Agricultural Innovation
With these combined efforts, Merced College is creating a thriving ecosystem that brings
together education, research, and industry. The institution’s focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced agricultural technology is paving the way for the Central Valley to maintain its position as a global leader in agriculture.
“We are not just building facilities — we are building the future of agriculture,” President Vitelli said. “Merced College is committed to supporting our region by preparing a skilled workforce, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in the heart of California’s agricultural powerhouse.”
As these projects move forward, Merced College remains focused on its mission to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience necessary to thrive in an ever-changing agricultural landscape. The future of agriculture in the Central Valley is bright, and Merced College is leading the way.
For more information, contact Cody Jacobsen, Director of Ag Innovation, at cody.jacobsen@mccd.edu or (209) 384-6397.
By: Kamila Mendoza, Merced FFA Chapter Reporter
The Merced FFA chapter has once again proven that leadership, service, and dedication do cooperate hand in hand. At the 20242025 California State FFA Conference these outstanding students didn’t just show up for the community but they stepped up, performing a lasting impact through star worthy service! From winning the honorable Star Website Award to receiving a National Chapter Recognition putting hard work and dedication to shine. But their contributions didn’t stop there. Several Merced FFA members took the stage as part of the Courtesy Corps volunteering their time and energy to ensure the success of the conference, helping its operations, and giving back to the FFA organization at a statewide level! Their achievements are evidence of the power of service, leadership, and community, setting the meaning of FFA high for members across California!
The Merced FFA Chapter, represented by Kamila Mendoza, the Merced FFA Website Editor, and Madyson Wilhelm, co-editor played an important role in representing the Merced FFA Chapter at the 2024-2025 California State FFA Conference! Their dedication, creativity, and passion for digital storytelling helped the chapter earn the honorable Star Website Award! The Star Website award is an award given to the chapter that excels in their chapter website
Star Service
that's full of information and creativity as well as a presentation given on top of it! Kamila and Madyson devoted countless hours to crafting a website that not only showcased the chapter’s achievements but also served as an informational resource for the members and the community. Their efforts extended beyond simply maintaining the website but creating a platform that reflected the heart of Merced FFA allowing members, supporters, and leaders to stay informed and involved! By using their talents to give back they left a long lasting impact on the chapter proving that leadership comes in many forms!. Their achievement is an example to the power of dedication and teamwork setting an inspiring example for FFA members!
The Merced FFA chapter also proudly earned National Chapter Recognition thanks to the hard work of Preslee Hunter! Preslee Hunter filled out an application highlighting the chapter’s dedication to leadership, agricultural education, community service, its activities, and all of its hard work. This achievement
allowed Merced FFA to display their commitment in many different forms! To add on to this honor several Merced FFA members served in Courtesy Corps at the California State FFA Conference! There they volunteered their time to assist with the event operations and to ensure a successful and splendid experience to all attendees of the conference! Their dedication to giving back on a statewide level did not go unrecognized, reflecting the true spirit of FFA!
Proudly to say The Merced FFA chapter showed their commitment to leadership, service, and excellence at the
2024-2025 California State FFA Conference! Their hard work was recognized with the Star Website Award, thanks to the dedication of Kamila Mendoza and Madyson Wilhelm, who created an engaging and informative website that highlighted the chapter! As Well as Preslee Hunter’s efforts through the National Chapter Recognition, showing Merced FFA’s dedication to agricultural education, leadership, and community service! On top of all of that several members stepped up to serve in Courtesy Corps ensuring that the 20242025 California State FFA Conference was a success!
Merced FFA was awarded Star Website at the 2024-2025 California State FFA Confernce
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Carson Borba Atwater FFA MCFB Scholarship
Brianna Duran-Robles Atwater FFA Farm Workers’ Children Scholarship
Nic Presto Atwater FFA MCFB Scholarship
Matthew Dillsaver Buhach Colony FFA MCFB Scholarship
Anabelle Silva Delhi FFA MCFB Scholarship
Kylie Hurd Dos Palos FFA MCFB Scholarship
Ariana Cienfuegos El Capitan FFA MCFB Scholarship
Yosselin Moreno El Capitan FFA Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
Adrian Soto
El Capitan FFA
Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
Hailie Avery Golden Valley FFA MCFB Scholarship
Golden Valley FFA Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
Ashlynn Roduner Golden Valley FFA Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
2025 Scholarship Recipients
Anthony Hernandez Merced FFA Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
Kamila Mendoza Merced FFA YF&R & Farm Workers’ Children Scholarship
Maisen Priddell Merced FFA MCFB Scholarship
Shania De Jarnett
Stanislaus State YF&R Scholarship
Brody Leo
Stone Ridge Christian FFA MCFB Scholarship
Ella Fredriks
Stone Ridge Christian FFA
Arthur R. Nutcher Scholarship
Golden Valley FFA Assists with Farm Safety Day
By: Golden Valley FFA
On March 27th and April 2nd, Golden Valley FFA was proud to assist in one of our favorite local events, Farm Safety Day. This day is a guide for young local students on how to safely conduct themselves in an agricultural environment, like working with tractors or in a mechanic shop.
We had multiple students attend this event, one being Yuritzi Olvera. She was quite excited to participate in this community service event; here is what she thought about it, "This event was a valuable learning experience
but also gave us a chance to be more involved with not only our community but also communities that surround ours. Students like Ayden Chew, Branyon Bliss, Azlynn Figueroa, and myself assisted in explaining the safety of chemicals and firearms while working closely with Veteran Mike, who led the lecture. I appreciate being able to participate in this and look forward to more opportunities." It's very valuable to Golden Valley FFA that our students enjoy serving their community. We're so happy Yuritzi enjoyed her time at Farm Safety Day!
At this event we also had
students who spent the day with the elementary students as they toured them around to the different farm safety stations. One of our tour guides, Gregory Hennegan, wrote down his experience at the event, “At Farm Safety Day I had an amazing time; the group of kids I was leading was very outgoing, and they treated everybody with the utmost respect. Not only was I able to talk to kids of the newer generation, but I got to see their inputs on agriculture and why we need it. I was able to relate to many of them. I
remember working with my parents in the agricultural industry, growing up on the family farm, similar to how these young students do as well. I am thankful for this experience, and I can't wait for the Farm Safety Days next year!”
We are glad to have had our students have such a positive reaction to the Farm Safety Days! We hope this experience encourages their passions in agriculture and does so with the safety lessons they have learned. Way to showcase the FFA motto and Learning to Do!
Atwater High Ag Students Earn State Awards and Qualify for National Finals
By: Marissa Vargas, Atwater FFA
Over 7,000 high school students, advisors, and guests attended the largest annual statewide Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) conference in Sacramento, California April 1st – 6th. The event attracts young agricultural leaders from 368 chapters throughout California and focuses on leadership development, career exploration, and the future of agriculture.
Various state FFA awards and speaking competitions took place with Atwater High School FFA’s Yatziri Suarez placing 1st overall in the state’s Spanish FFA Creed contest, earning her a trip to the National FFA Finals in October. The FFA Spanish Creed contest is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions on the meaning and purpose of the FFA Creed, which is spoken entirely in Spanish.
Students throughout the state were also recognized in various Agricultural Proficiency Awards that honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Atwater High School agriculture student Alden Hansard placed 1st overall in the state for the Agricultural Mechanics Repair / Maintenance Placement. Alden Hansard was also recognized with
the State Star in Agriculture Placement for his work experience at Diamond J Farming, where he focused on equipment repair and maintenance. Atwater High School agriculture student Dylan Cardey placed 1st overall for the Small Animal Production and Care proficiency award. Atwater High School agriculture student Rebekah Villalobos placed 1st overall for the Specialty Crop Production proficiency. Atwater High School agriculture students Travis Medina (Specialty Animal Production) and Carson Borba (Goat Production), were recognized on stage as top three finalists in the state. The first-place award winners from each state’s FFA Star and proficiency categories will submit their projects or applications to the National FFA Organization, with the top four state applicants competing at the National FFA Finals in October.
“With over 100,000 high school agriculture students throughout the state of California, to have the skills, effort, and accomplishments of our students recognized at the highest level and moving on to national award recognition is certainly a highlight our school, district, community, and local agriculture industry are so proud of,” said Atwater High School FFA advisor Shelby Fishman.
For more information on the Atwater High School Agriculture Department and Atwater FFA, please log on the website www. AtwaterFFA.org .
Atwater High School agriculture student and FFA member Yatziri Suarez placed 1st overall in the California State FFA Spanish Creed contest and will be representing her school, community, and the state at the National FFA Finals in Indianapolis, Indiana, in October.
Atwater High School 2024 agriculture/FFA graduate Alden Hansard was recognized in Sacramento as the state's top Agricultural Mechanics Repair / Maintenance Placement award winner and also received the FFA State Star Agriculture Placement award and will now compete as a National FFA finalist.
Rollins overhauls, renames climatesmart commodities initiative
By: Steve Davies & Rebekah Alvey, Agripulse
Agriculture Secretary
Brooke Rollins is renaming and changing the rules of a $3.1 billion program testing the ability of a variety of conservation practices to produce climate-smart commodities.
A USDA release said the Trump administration was canceling the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program, which it called a “Biden-era climate slush fund,” but said it would allow projects to continue if they can show that “a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers."
Participants had sought to persuade Rollins to keep the program in place, arguing that it was benefiting small farmers.
“We continue to support farmers and encourage partners to ensure their projects are farmer-focused or re-apply to continue work that is aligned with the priorities of this administration,” says USDA’s press release, issued today.
The renamed Advancing Markets for Producers initiative will be aligned “with current Trump administration priorities,” USDA’s release says. Specifically, the release said:
• A minimum of 65% of federal funds must go to producers.
• Grant recipients must have enrolled at least one producer as of Dec. 31, 2024.
• Grant recipients must have made a payment to
at least one producer as of Dec. 31, 2024.
Funds for the PCSC, which involves more than 130 projects funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, have been frozen while the administration reviews the program.
The PCSC “was largely built to advance the green new scam at the[nongovernmental organizations], not American farmers,” Rollins said in the release.
“The concerns of farmers took a back seat during the Biden administration,” Rollins continued. “During my short time as secretary, I have heard directly from our farmers that many of the USDA partnerships are overburdened by red tape, have ambiguous goals, and require complex reporting that push farmers onto the sidelines. We are correcting these mistakes and redirecting our efforts to set our farmers up for an unprecedented era of prosperity.”
Robert Bonnie, who managed the development of the initiative as USDA's undersecretary for farm production and
conservation in the Biden administration, welcomed the department's decision to allow projects to continue under modified rules.
“I’m pleased Secretary Rollins has agreed to extend Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities, largely intact albeit under another name. Don’t let the bombastic statement fool you, Secretary Rollins learned from producers just how popular and effective this program is," he told Agri-Pulse.
Asked about the impact of the new rules, Bonnie said, "USDA placed a high priority on money going to farmers when we approved the projects. I’m concerned about smaller, innovative
projects that may have higher administrative costs."
Several project sponsors contacted by Agri-Pulse Monday said they needed more information about USDA plans for the initiative before they could comment.
Based on a previous AgriPulse analysis of 82 PCSC projects with $5 million or more in overall funding, 19 of them would meet the threshold for providing at least 65% of federal funds to producers.
Two of the 82 projects did not include information on the total producer incentives, and the remaining 61 projects would not appear to meet the 65% threshold, based on the
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SUMMARY
SB 628 would increase overtime hours for agricultural workers, increasing their take home pay, and alleviating the financial pressures felt throughout rural California. The bill would achieve this by creating a payroll tax credit to reimburse agricultural employers for overtime wages paid to their agricultural employees. Overtime wages means the difference between the employees’ overtime rate of pay and their regular rate of pay.
EXISTING LAW
AB 1066 was approved in 2016 and required that farm workers receive overtime wages for overtime hours. The law was built on an assumption that employers would keep providing the same amount of overtime hours to be worked. However, data has shown that agricultural employers could not afford to pay those wages. Consequently, those overtime hours were reduced substantially.
PROBLEM
In passing AB 1066 (Gonzalez) in 2016, the Legislature intended, “to provide any person employed in an agricultural occupation in California . . . with an opportunity to earn overtime compensation under the same standards as millions of other Californians.”
But, according to a 2023 study by the University of California at Berkeley, California farmworkers earn less money since the “Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016” became law. The study concluded, “This early evidence suggests that the law may not be benefiting the workers they aim to protect.”
The reality is that the agricultural industry is suffering, and agricultural employers simply cannot afford to pay overtime. Consequently, under current law, overtime hours are a thing of the past for most
Office of Senator Shannon Grove, Room 7150 Page 1
agricultural employers. This was predicted in 2016, but lawmakers ignored the warning or thought the industry was exaggerating
California is not unique in this problem. To address this, other states have already acted to help agricultural employees earn more overtime. Oregon created a refundable personal or corporate income tax credit for employers based on wages paid as overtime pay to agricultural workers for calendar years 2023 through 2028. Additionally, New York created a tax credit through 2032 that is based on the eligible overtime agricultural businesses pay.
THE SOLUTION
SB 628 would establish a payroll tax credit allowing agricultural employers to offset the cost of overtime wages paid to their agricultural employees. Specifically, it applies to overtime wages paid to agricultural employees in an agricultural occupation under Wage Order 14.
The bill follows the model created by the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program. Additionally, this proposal has built in accountability as the tax credit dollars are directly tied to overtime wages paid.
The measure will additionally help increase available overtime hours for farm workers, boosting their takehome pay, and supporting much-needed financial stability in rural California.
CONTACT: Mark Reeder mark.reeder@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4012
SB 628 (Grove)
Overtime Payroll Tax Credit
President
continued from page 2
Sacramento bureaucratic fashion there is an attempt to pass a bipartisan bill, senate bill 628, which is supported by many ag groups, including Farm Bureau. The law, if passed, would extend a tax credit to agriculture employers that give overtime hours to their employees. One would think that the easier solution would be to repeal AB 1066, but what do I know.
If anyone finds themselves at the Merced County Spring Fair make sure to stop by the Merced County Farm Bureaus’ beer booth located near the grandstands. As always feel free to contact myself, the Farm Bureau Office, or any of your Board of Directors if we can help in any way. Until next month!
Rollins
continued from page 15 contract agreements.
The information was listed on budget narratives in the agreements for each project that was published by USDA. The website with those agreements and other information about the program is no longer available as part of a Trump administration scrub of climate-related information from federal websites.
The amount of federal funds used for producer incentives varies projectto-project. Additionally, the ways some project sponsors offered payments varied, with some offering payments for implementing practices while others offered funds for the emission reductions associated with practices.
Some projects analyzed by Agri-Pulse also utilized nonfederal funds to incentivize producers.
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CDFA Awards $24.82 Million From California Climate Investments for Methane Emission Reduction Projects on Dairy and Livestock Farms
By: CDFA, Morning Ag Clips
SACRAMENTO, Calif.
– CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is pleased to announce $24.82 million in grant funding to 30 methane emission reduction projects across the state. These new projects, part of the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) and the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an estimated 121,546 metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually, which is equivalent to removing over 28,350 cars from the road for a year. The programs are part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
This grant round is funding 25 projects in the AMMP with $17.42 million, with $6.67 million proposed in matching funds. Five projects are receiving awards from the DDRDP, totaling $7.40 million in grant funding, with $37.28 million in matching funds.
“Supporting dairy and livestock producers in their drive to implement climate
smart and environmentally protective practices while continuing to provide nutritious, local food for California is more important now than ever,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “These grants enable farmers to put solutions into practice much sooner than when might normally be feasible. Each new cohort added to the growing list of successfully implemented projects funded by AMMP and DDRDP represents important progress towards the State’s methane emission reduction targets as 2030 approaches.”
Dairy manure produces methane when it decomposes in a liquid environment free of oxygen.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming, and it can be at least 25 times more potent than
CO2 when emitted to the atmosphere.
Dairy digesters can capture methane emissions from stored manure and use them to produce renewable energy such as electricity, renewable natural gas (RNG), or hydrogen. Alternative manure management practices such as dry scrape manure collection or solid separation of flush water can keep more manure in a dry form and help to significantly decrease methane emissions.
Implementing these projects can also provide other important co-benefits such as reducing odor and
certain air pollutants like reactive organic gases (ROG) or nitrogen oxides (NOx), improving management of nutrients and protecting groundwater, and producing compost from manure solids that can be recycled as fertilizer and animal bedding.
Together, AMMP and DDRDP have funded 338 projects over the life of the programs, going back to 2015. In total, these projects will reduce an estimated 2,838,107 metric tons of GHG annually, which is equivalent to removing over 660,000 cars from the road for a year.
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Mariposa County is no stranger to wildfires. Over the years, the increasing frequency and intensity of these fires have pushed local officials, firefighters, and land stewards to reconsider one of the oldest tools in fire management toolkit: prescriptive burning.
Prescriptive burning, also known as controlled or prescribed burning, is the intentional, carefully planned use of fire under specific environmental conditions to achieve ecological or hazardreduction goals. Conducted by trained professionals, these burns are executed with permits, safety measures, and contingency plans in place. Rather than letting fire be solely a destructive force, prescriptive burning works with it as a regenerative one. This practice mimics natural fire cycles that have historically shaped California’s ecosystems, clearing underbrush, returning nutrients to the soil, and encouraging the growth of fire-adapted native species.
In Mariposa and surrounding regions, the use of fire as a land management tool is far from new. For generations, Indigenous groups like the Southern Sierra Miwuk have used cultural burning practices to maintain healthy landscapes. These traditional burns not only reduced wildfire risk but also promoted the growth of plants used
Let’s Burn it!
for food, medicine, and basketry. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the value of these ancestral practices. Collaborations between local tribes, government agencies, and conservation groups are helping to integrate cultural knowledge into modern fire management strategies.
The terrain in Mariposa County is rugged, forested, and often choked with overgrown brush and invasive grasses. Decades of fire suppression policies have allowed fuel loads to build to dangerous levels, creating a tinderbox effect during California’s increasingly hot and dry summers. Prescriptive
burning offers a proactive approach. By reducing this excess vegetation under safe conditions, fire agencies can lower the intensity and spread of future wildfires. This method is significantly more cost-effective than emergency fire suppression, and it helps preserve valuable resources, including homes, wildlife habitat, and water sources.
In the past few years, the Mariposa County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and the Mariposa County Resource Conservation District have expanded their use of prescriptive burns. Efforts often focus on areas near communities, known as the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where the threat to
life and property is greatest. One successful burn near the community of Jerseydale in 2023 cleared nearly 300 acres of hazardous fuels without incident. Residents reported clearer views, more wildlife activity, and a renewed sense of safety in the months that followed.
In Mariposa, the reembrace of prescriptive burning marks a return to harmony with the land. It’s a practice that blends modern science with ancient wisdom, safety with sustainability. As California adapts to its fiery future, communities like Mariposa are lighting the way—carefully, deliberately, and with a clear vision of stewardship and renewal.
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 (209) 723-3001.
Farm Equipment
Garton Tractor, Inc........................(209) 726-4600
Kirby Manufacturing......................(209) 723-0778
N&S Tractor.....................................(209) 383-5888
Holt Ag Solutions.............................(209) 723-2021
Real Estate
Flanagan Realty................................(209) 723-4337
Keller Williams Property Team....(209) 769-4698
Dick Templeton Property Team...(209) 761-4441
Groups & Organizations
California Farmland Trust...............(916) 544-2712
California Sweetpotato Council.(209) 385-7403
Hilltop Ranch Inc................................(209) 874-1875
Merced Boosters..............................(209) 761-0815
Turlock Irrigation District.............(209) 883-8205
UCCE Merced...................................(209) 385-7403
Water & Land Solutions..................(209) 677-4700
Farm Services
Agri-Valley Consulting...................(209) 769-2357
Cal Ag Safety....................................(209) 351-0321
Dutch Door Dairy............................(209) 648-2166
GAR Bennett....................................(559) 480-3029
J&F Fertilizer.....................................(209) 495-1964
Mid Valley Ag Service.....................(209) 394-7981
Stone Family Spreading..................(209) 756-1491
WTS McCabe LLC............................(209) 854-6818
Construction Contractors
M-Mig Construction, Inc...............(209) 724-9488
Repairs & Services
Arrowhead Field Repair LLC.......(209) 658-5250
Cab Air Systems.............................(209) 551-3301
SS Blue...............................................(209) 722-2583
Food Processing
Del Rio Nut Company.....................(209) 394-7945
Sensient Natural Ingredients......(800) 558-9892 Harvesting & Hauling
Wallace & Son..................................(209) 382-0131
Irrigation,
Wells & Septic
Allison Sierra, Inc............................(209) 966-4082
IJ Larsen Pumps...............................(209) 634-7276
Pacific Southwest Irrigation......(209) 460-0450
Precision Aqua.................................(209) 756-2025
Quality Well Drillers........................(209) 357-0675
Rain for Rent.....................................(559) 693-4315
San Luis Pump Company..............(209) 383-0464
SWAN Systems................................(661) 335-2649
Farm Supplies
American River Ag..........................(209) 385-9553
Cal Farm Service..............................(209) 358-1554
Kellogg Supply...................................(209) 722-1501
Livingston True Value......................(209) 394-7949
Marfab...............................................(209) 826-6700
Pacific Bay Equipment...................(800) 640-1227
Stanislaus Farm Supply.................(209) 723-0704
Fuel Services
Amarants Propane Service...........(209) 358-2257
Hunt & Sons, Inc................................(916) 383-4868
Pazin & Myers, Inc............................(209) 725-2050
Western States Petroleum Assoc.. (661) 321-0884
Valley Pacific Petroleum................(209) 948-9412
Insurance
Barlocker Insurance......................(209) 383-0220
Fluetsch & Busby Insurance...........(209) 722-1541
InterWest Insurance........................(209) 723-9181
Rico, Pitzer, Pires & Associates.(209) 854-2000
Walter Mortensen Insurance......(209) 353-2700
Winton Ireland Insurance..............(209) 394-7925
Financial Services
Alice B. Contreras CPA..................(209) 722-6778
American Ag Credit Merced.......(209) 384-1050
American Ag Credit Los Banos..(209) 826-0320
Central Valley Community Bank.(209) 725-2820
Farmers & Merchants Bank.........(209) 626-4118
Grimbleby Coleman CPAs............(209) 527-4220
Yosemite Farm Credit Merced....(209) 383-1116
Yosemite Farm Credit Los Banos.. (209) 827-3885 Miscellaneous Sunset Pool Service........................(209) 286-7665
Ensz (Solar) .....................(209) 204-0702
Resources Corp ...........(661) 421-3515
Business Support Farmers DCB Farming, LLC
Mariposa County Business Member Directory
Farm Supplies
Mariposa Feed & Supply...............(209) 966-3326
Mariposa County Farm Bureau....(209) 742-5875
35-A District Agriculture Assn....(209) 966-2432
Mariposa County Ag Commissioner..(209) 966-2075
Allison Sierra, Inc............................(209) 966-4082
Chases Foothill Petroleum............(209) 966-3314
Edward Lien & Toso Ag Appraisers... (209) 634-9484 Rain for Rent......................................(559) 693-4315
Ranch Fence, Inc..............................(209) 966-5914
Valley Pacific Petroleum...............(209) 948-9412
966-2527
966-5444
966-2719
