February 2024

arm. You E F at. e W

February 2024| Volume 117, Number 2

Merced County Farm News

Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act

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By: Nicole Silveira, Merced County District Attorney

istrict Attorney’s across California are focused on bringing accountability back to our state. Since Prop 47 was passed in 2014, we have seen a rise in homelessness, theft, mental illness and drug addiction. Our quality of life is suffering and those that need help are not getting the assistance they need. To combat these issues, I am supporting the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act. The initiative is currently in the qualification process and needs support to reach voters in November. The act would accomplish three things. One, it would make retail theft priorable again, creating felony convictions for repeat offenders regardless of the dollar amount of the stolen property. Two, it creates a new class of crime, which is a treatment mandated felony. Under this act if someone has two hard drug possession convictions, their third conviction results in mandatory treatment or jail. Three, the act recognizes fentanyl as the deadly poison that it is by imposing stiffer penalties and creating a pathway for prosecutors to charge murder when someone knowingly sells fentanyl and a person dies as result of that fentanyl. It’s time to bring accountability back to California and improve quality of life in Merced County. You can learn more about the initiative at www.casafecommunities.com.

Merced County Farm Bureau has the petition available to sign during business hours 646 S State Highway 59, Merced Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

INSIDE:

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Proposed Bylaw Amendment & Nominating Committee Recommendations

Spring Fair 20 Save the Date 11 MCFB Beer Booth 106th Annual Meeting

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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from the

Director's Desk Breanne Vandenberg

ast month I provided information involving the county’s potential action to create an additional exemption within the Groundwater Mining and Export Ordinance. To briefly cover the topic again, the exemption would allow for a water transfer from one subbasin to another subbasin as long as both subbasins are within the county jurisdiction and both GSAs agree to the transfer. After much discussion in the board chambers and with members of the public, the supervisors elected to table the matter for one year or until all Groundwater Sustainability Plans within the county have been approved by the state, whichever comes first. The county has also stressed the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies to be prepared for this and to create policies to be able to tackle this sooner rather than later. I would encourage you to call our office for more information and/or attend your

local GSA meetings to gain a better understanding of the conversation.

I want to thank those members in the Le Grand area that came to our Coffee Talk featuring District Attorney Nicole Silveira, Sheriff Vern Warnke and Ag Crimes team made up of Detective Nicole Pekarek, Detective TJ Griffin, and Investigations Supervisor Jay Struble. Our agencies have been great about working with us and I hope our membership has found them helpful.

Thus far we have covered ag theft, Owner Applied Numbers (OAN), the Rural Crime School, mail theft, illegal dumping, fentanyl abuse, etc. You can see that while we absolutely cover ag issues, items that are not directly tied to agriculture are discussed. For those in the Gustine area, please ensure that Thursday, February 29 is on your calendar for our next Coffee Talk. The event will begin at 9am at the Henry

Miller Plaza Library.

The recent container recycling events held by the Merced County Ag Commissioner brought 19,825 containers from 26 growers. This is a combined amount between the events held in Los Banos and Merced in January. We appreciate the effort by Ag Commissioner Runyon and team and look forward to bringing more events like this to our membership.

MCFB is continuing to gear up for our Annual Meeting and we’d love to see you! We are thrilled that California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass will be our keynote speaker.

This event is our largest fundraiser which allows our organization to make donations and hold various events and workshops for our members. Tickets can be purchased for $65 per person or $520 for a table of 8 through our website or in our office.

Merced County Agricultural Crimes Team Get your Owner Applied Number (OAN) today! When stolen equipment is recovered, if it has been numbered, the rightful owner can be notified.

Contact Jay or TJ to get your OAN, or for help applying your OAN to personal property!

To obtain your own OAN, visit www.crcptf.org/oan-info

Call for assistance with Owner Applied Numbers (OAN) and Rural Crime Issues

Nicole Pekarek Merced County District Attorney's Office Ag Crimes Investigator Cell: (209) 777-0411 Email: Nicole.Pekarek@countyofmerced.com

TJ Griffin Merced County Sheriff's Office Ag Crimes Detective Cell: (209) 906-0090 Email: thomas.griffin@countyofmerced.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 industry agriculture for future generations and the security of our nation.

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

from the

burgeoning and wildly profitable environmental testing, consulting, and reporting industry. It can also be considerably powerful for those in that industry who have established the right connections and learned how to work it to their profitable advantage. In fact, it’s a pretty fair assumption that the “environmental industry” itself is behind much of the additional red tape and requirements being continually thrust upon those who are trying to navigate the regulatory labyrinth of environmental compliance.

It’s not surprising that our public universities are churning out a steady stream of environmental science graduates every year, most of whom are destined for jobs with public agencies, regulatory agencies, compliance departments at large corporations, or private sector testing, analysis, and consulting companies.

This may come across as arguable to some, but in my opinion the entire “environmental industry” has been exploited and expanded into quite a racket. Most of us are familiar with CEQA requirements, EIR’s and the like, and those are just the tip of the environmental iceberg. Surely much of it is warranted, but I’ve made some observations about this racket that bother me. I’ve observed that regardless of the type or scope of project proposed, no matter how much testing, observing, or reporting is required…ultimately and with only a few glaring exceptions, most projects eventually get built or approved anyway. Once of course the most important aspect of all gets completed: the paperwork! This is true of both private and public projects. I’ve watched large housing developments all over this county and state get permitted when and where they never should have been without major roadway, storm drainage, water, and sanitary

President's Corner Joe Sansoni

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mong the plethora of frustrating things that farmers and ranchers have to deal with and comply with (especially here in CA), environmental regulations are routinely at the top of the list. It is certainly understandable and agreeable that they exist for good reason, for the most part, and that we all have a shared obligation to consider, preserve and protect our environment, its resources, and its wildlife. Environmental regulation affects just about every industry or business in one way or another…some much more so than others. Many of the regulations and requirements do make sense and are easy to understand and justify. Granted, we can’t allow blatant or egregious misuse, mismanagement, or contamination of the environment or its inhabitants…including its human inhabitants…to be tolerated without justifiable penalty. Some aspects of it, however, leaves me scratching my head and wondering where the logical or necessary basis for them are rooted.

Regardless of the multitude and diversity of conversations that can be explored on the topic, there have been voluminous and detailed environmental compliance demands placed upon all industries and all levels of government (by higher levels of government or else by agencies of their own creation). One of the most significant byproducts that has been created by all this especially over the past 2-3 decades has been a

Page 3 infrastructure upgrades being required first and foremost, and paid for primarily by the developers who profited from the projects! For example, developments of hundreds of homes have been approved and built in an area where every single one has to have its own well and septic tank…all within a short distance of each other. There are environmental regulations that stipulate for minimum distances between them, sure, but when wells go dry and new ones need drilling, of course variances have to be allowed, so there goes out the window the whole reason for having them in the first place.

They are required to install toilets that only use 1.2 gallons per flush instead of the old 2 ½. “We will use less than half the water” they excitedly claim! With zero consideration of the fact that now a lot of the time a person has to flush the new toilet 2 or 3 times to get the same stuff down and therefore their net water usage actually goes up. From a practical environmental perspective… totally not sustainable! There’s that popular buzzword again that I dislike so much…not because I’m not a champion for sustainability because I actually am, but too often I see it thrown around and used to justify a lot of things that either don’t make a great deal of common sense or aren’t that well thought out to begin with. I’ve observed and talked to environmental consultants doing “bird studies” in trees on and near my property to determine - for a state permitting requirement - whether or not a new gas station should be permitted almost 4 miles away as the crow flies in an entirely different area in the city limits. Didn’t make any sense to me, and regardless of what they did or didn’t find, the station got built, along with another one across the street that likely required the exact same study also be done in duplicate. But then in the same general area where those same hundreds of homes and large businesses were allowed to be built and therefore creating a huge additional demand for power, a solar project proposed for a farmer’s field down the road gets shot down because “it’s not a consistent or historical use of the land.” Oh…but the houses and shopping center where there used to also be all farms somehow is?

The difference is the deep pockets of massive corporations and well-heeled developers who can put up the money to pay for the “environmental” studies and associated legal and permitting work to get whatever the hell they want pushed through and done. But the “environmental” requirements and

paperwork of course all got completed, so that means it’s all hunky dory and good for the environment, I guess.

That’s the narrative we are all expected to buy into, anyway.

Meanwhile, we can’t get much-needed water reservoirs built or certain bridges on existing roads rebuilt or widened due to “environmental concerns,” even when they ultimately would provide a multitude of positive benefits to our environment once completed. We couldn’t get permits from DFW to clean creeks and flood control waterways that entire cities and communities depend on for safety because of “environmental” concerns.

A crane company wasn’t allowed to operate or move a million-dollar crane on a construction site because an endangered bird built a nest on the mast while it was idle over the weekend, therefore is forced to eat massive losses in potential income and productivity (yes, that is a real story). The extreme environmentalists spend a lot of money, time and efforts wrapping state and federal regulators and their agencies around their fingers to push their ideologies and narratives. On the other side of that pendulum are the developers and environmental consulting industry spending a lot of money, time and efforts to convince the same regulators and agencies that they’ve done their due diligence.

To me, it’s reminiscent of the kind of things that went on during Prohibition in the 1920’s and 30’s. The law was the law, and everyone was supposed to comply. But as long as the right paperwork was filed, the right amount of money exchanged hands between the right people, and the ones who weren’t well connected were publicly made examples of to show that the rules were being enforced, then the people with the power and influence and money got to do whatever they wanted in the end! Like the words of Boss Tweed, the famous Democratic political boss from New York City in the mid 1800’s, “The appearance of the law must be upheld – especially when it's being broken!” In my opinion that statement is as relevant and applicable today as it ever was. I’m all about being environmentally conscious and responsible, but I doubt we will ever really see the day when common sense and the greater good of the whole is factored in, and efforts truly made across the board to minimize the greed and pushing of flawed narratives in this over-regulation-created industry.

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Scholarship Opportunities Do you know a student who is headed for a vocational/trade school or college? Maybe you know of a current college student looking to continue their education in Ag? CCID offers three types of scholarships to assist students pursuing their educational goals. The James O’Banion Scholarship is for graduating seniors enrolling into a vocational or trade school and the Water Awareness Scholarship is for seniors enrolling in an accredited university, college, or community college and both are due March 22, 2024. The Redfern Ranches Scholarship helps fund those continuing their studies for a career in Ag and is due April 26, 2024. For eligibility requirements and applications, please visit www.ccidwater.org/ scholarships

Merced County Farm News Published monhtly by Merced County Farm Bureau Phone (209) 723-3001 Fax (209) 722-3814 646 S. Hwy 59, Merced CA 95341 Email: dflake@mercedfarmbureau.org

(USPS 339-500)

Entered as Second Class matter, Jan. 20, 1948 at the US Post Office in Merced, CA. Subscription is included in membership. Singles issues are 50 cents. Merced County Farm News is printed by Wesco Graphics, 410 E. Grant Line Road, Suite B, Tracy, CA 95376 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Merced County Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 1232, Merced, CA 95341; telephone (209) 723-3001; FAX (209) 722-3814. Merced County Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products advertised in Merced County Farm News, nor does Farm Bureau assume responsibility for statements or expressions of opinion other than in editorials or in articles showing authorship by an officer, director or employee of the Merced County Farm Bureau or its affiliates.

Merced County Farm Bureau Staff

Mariposa County Farm Bureau Staff Danette Toso Executive Director

Breanne Vandenberg Executive Director Lorraine Passadori Program Director Board of Directors Denelle Flake Farm News Editor/Project Specialist Pres: Kelly Williams................ 376-2408 1st VP: Elnora George............ 376-2419 Alexxis Rudich Project Assistant/ESJ Grower Relations 2nd VP: Carla Kelly.................742-6862 Directors Abel Lopez...............................376-2208 Board of Directors Pres: Joe Sansoni...................761-9284 James Palmer......................... 374-3470 1st VP: David Barroso............652-6437 Walter Palmer Jr...................... 374-3470 2nd VP: Tim Lohman............. 988-3545 Trevor Lee Smith.....................769-9969 Sec/Treas: Dante Migliazzo...769-9525 Danette Toso...........................376-2304 Past Pres: Eric Harcksen....... 620-1953 Tony Toso.................................376-2304 Jordan Cory.....................765-401-4078 District 1 Matt Jasso...............................270-1981 Joe Maiorino............................564-6791 District 2 Mike Davis............................... 387-4151 Bob Vandenberg.................... 704-5568 District 3 Chad Perry............................... 675-4474 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 Giampaoli...................... 201-8434 Joe Scoto.................................761-0489 Directors at Large Bob Giampaoli 769-4973 Louie Bandoni 761-0625 Michael Serrano 485-1935 Jesse Penick 678-8887 Tom Murphy 353-2700 Nic Marchini 769-1883 Alan Sano 559-905-1240

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

Stay Connected with MCFB Follow us on instagram @merced_farm_bureau Like us on Facebook Merced County Farm Bureau Join our mailing list by emailing info@mercedfarmbureau.org

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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Scan below to learn more or search “Almond Journey” wherever you get your podcasts.

Have You Heard the Almond Journey Podcast?

ABC’s Almond Journey Podcast channel houses several types of content. Stay up to date on regulatory issues, learn from your peers and gain insights into how your assessment dollars are utilized to drive global demand for California almonds.

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Lloyd "Bob" Weaver Published by Merced Sun Star on Jan. 14, 2024

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twater, California - Longtime Atwater resident Bob Weaver passed away unexpectedly at home on December 11. He wore many hats during his 96 years as a husband, father and civic leader, and will be remembered fondly as a generous "people person" with a positive outlook. He was an almond grower, an elementary school principal and administrator, president and board member at Bloss Memorial Hospital, served on the Atwater Fruit Exchange and represented district hospitals in California, among other responsibilities and achievements. He possessed a zest for life, and was always challenging himself.

He married Etta Kirby of Visalia in 1950, a college co-ed. They raised six children in Esparto, Stockton, Escalon and Atwater, making lasting friendships along the way. They enjoyed their grandchildren and expanding family.

They were also world travelers and California backroads enthusiasts.

Born in Dinuba, California in 1927, Bob was the seventh of eight children.

A child of the Depression, the family raised grapes, figs and various crops to scrape by. He graduated from Dinuba High School in 1945, then joined the US Navy. Bob served with four older brothers during World War II, though the war ended while Bob was in basic training. He was stationed on Treasure Island in San Francisco and on Guam.

Bob attended Visalia College, and

Ernest Gomes Pinheiro Published by Merced Sun Star from Jan. 26 to Jan. 30, 2024

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twater, California - Ernest (Ernie) G. Pinheiro, passed away on January 17th, 2024.

He was born on September 14th, 1946, to Ernest & Mary Pinheiro, and grew up in Atwater, CA, graduating from Livingston High School.

In his early 20's, Ernie was drafted into the United States Army where he served 2 years. He went on to work for Merced Irrigation District for 25+ years where he eventually retired from. As a pastime after retirement, he found a love for bowling and joined a bowling team in Atwater. Throughout his adult life he had a passion for farming, specifically sweet potatoes & almonds. He loved his sidekicks "Jack & Pennie" – his labrador retrievers, who loved to go for rides with him around the orchards in the ranger.

He was a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, never missing a game.

Ernie was a simple man with a heart of gold! He loved his family and friends and would help them out whenever he could; he always saw the good in people. He was always appreciative of anything anyone did for him, it didn't take much to make him happy. He was the heart of his family and will be dearly

missed by all that knew him.

Ernie is survived by his wife of almost 11 years, Theresa Pimentel Pinheiro, stepdaughter Nicole Eason (Chewy Lopez), son Anthony Pinheiro (Shanell), sisters Marilyn Gould (Loy), June Sequiera (Dave) and Elaine Garca.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren who were his pride and joy and many nieces and nephews.

Ernie is proceeded in death by his parents, Ernest & Mary Pinheiro, sister Kathleen Rose Pinheiro and his late wife Linda Pinheiro, whom he was married to for almost 30 years and his brother-inlaw Richard Garcia.

A viewing will be held at Ivers & Alcorn Funeral home in Merced, California on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 from 5-7pm; a Rosary will begin at 10am on January 31st, 2024 at Saint Judes Roman Catholic Church in Livingston, California with the Funeral Mass to immediately follow. There will be a private burial for family only. A gathering to celebrate the wonderful life of Ernie will follow at The VFW Hall in Atwater, doors will be open at 11am.

We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Father Harvey for officiating the mass and graveside prayers.

then utilizing the GI Bill, he graduated from Santa Barbara College of the University of California with a degree and post-graduate work in education.

He is survived by his younger brother Richard of Bakersfield, six children-Ellen Williams (Jan), Pam Landolina (Vince), Mari, Rob, Bruce, and Brett (Kim)--10 grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and two great-greatgrandchildren. His wife of 71 years, Etta, passed away in 2022.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, February 3 at 11am at Merced Golf & Country Club, 6333 Golf Road. The family suggests charitable contributions to Blue Diamond Growers Scholarship Foundation or Merced County Farm Bureau Scholarship & Education Fund.

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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LB Fairgrounds Manager Guy Gary Has Passed Away

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By: The Westside Express

os Banos Fairgrounds Manager Guy Gary passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, Jan. 13, at his Los Banos home.

According to Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, “Right now it appears to have been a medical event. The official cause is pending autopsy.”

Gary was born and raised in Los

Banos, graduating from Los Banos High School in 1990. While attending school he worked mowing lawns and helping care for sheep owned by local businessman Marion Santos. As a freshman in high school Gary’s ag teachers convinced him to show a lamb at the spring fair, also known as the May Day Fair. He did and his decades-long career in agriculture began.

“I enjoyed it and as it ends up, my career was in livestock and then it just led from there,” Gary told the Westside Express in May 2022, when he was selected to be the Los Banos Fair manager.

After graduating from California State University, Fresno with a degree in agricultural education, Gary went to work as a quality assurance representative for Zacky Farms.

He was soon promoted to hatchery superintendent and held that job for three years.

The State of California’s Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch was Gary’s next career move. There he worked as a livestock inspector, senior livestock inspector and most recently as environmental scientist.

His area of responsibility spanned 17 counties and resulted in him having to drive about 4,000 miles a month.

Gary felt in May 2022 it was time for a new challenge and believed he had found it as manager of the spring fair.

“I see my friends’ kids coming through the fair. Now you see a wave of grandkids coming through, and the history and support that’s here,” Gary

told the Westside Express in May 2022.

“Everyone I’ve talked to has said to me, ‘whatever you need.’ I’ve received a lot of support.”

Gary’s mother, Loretta Gary, once worked at España’s Southwest Bar and Grill and also owned a shoe store called Retta G’s Shoe Store in Los Banos.

Gary also volunteered as an Our Lady of Fatima 4H consultant and leader for numerous years. He has helped transport FFA student’s animals to the fair for many seasons.

“This fair is home,” he said in May 2022. “For the past 35 years I’ve been involved in livestock with my children and we’ve been to fairs in Chowchilla, Merced, Arizona Nationals, Cow Palace, State Fair and others. We travel the circuit, but nothing has the feeling like this.” Gary said. “We would pull in here on Monday and the week would go by so fast that you didn’t want it to end.

This truly is my dream job.”

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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Atwater FFA Students Qualify for Regional Speaking Finals

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By: Atwater FFA

he Atwater High School FFA joined over 200 FFA speaking contestants, representing fifteen high school and one middle school agriculture programs throughout Merced and Mariposa counties at the annual Merced-Mariposa FFA Public Speaking Sectional Finals at Merced College January 27th. The top three individual finalists in each speaking contest (24 total) advance to the state’s regional finals in March.

Atwater High School agriculture students Ayde Renteria (1st overall) and Angel Contreras (3rd overall) qualified for the regional finals in the Spanish FFA Creed (Gold Division) contest. Atwater High School freshman agriculture student Gannon Gossman (3rd overall) qualified for the regional finals with Maria Avalos placing 8th overall in the final round. The FFA Creed and FFA Spanish Creed (contest is spoken entirely in Spanish) event 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. The event is just one opportunity where FFA members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner. Members boost their selfconfidence and earn recognition. Other Atwater High School agriculture students who competed in the section finals included Rebekah Villalobos (Spanish Creed),Gianna Fragulia (Creed), and Iker Chargoy (Creed).

Atwater High School agriculture student Hallie Billings placed 3rd overall with Alexa Bracamontes and Alany Guzman also competing in the sectional Extemporaneous Speaking contest. Hallie’s placing qualifies her for the upcoming regional finals.

Contestants are presented with a choice of three questions related to agricultural current events and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question.

Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from local-specific issues to national-world concerns relating to agriculture.

Atwater High School agriculture student Yahaira Carrillo qualified for

regionals with a 3rd place finish with Brianna Duran-Robles (5th overall), Kayleigh Trindade (8th overall), and Zoe Jolly competing in the Job Interview contest. The Job Interview contest involves students completing a cover letter, resume, job application, and panel interview. This event emphasizes developing, practicing, and demonstrating skills needed when seeking employment.

Atwater High School agriculture program student(s) Grace Agundis, Katelynn Medeiros, and Parklyn Reed participated in the Impromptu speaking contest. The impromptu speech is given without any preparation, any notes or other additional materials; it is a spontaneous reaction to an agriculture-related topic at hand which may introduce an interesting turn to the discussion.

Atwater High School agriculture program’s Ella Boyenga competed in the sectional Prepared Public Speaking finals. The contest for all participants involves a 6-8 minute speech on an agriculture related topic/issue, a written manuscript which is scored, and a question and answer period between the contestant and judges following the speech.

The “Super Saturday” event held each year at Merced College is also geared towards scoring students in the Merced and Mariposa counties on various FFA State Degree applications and FFA Proficiency Awards. Atwater FFA had fourteen students approved for their state degrees and had six students submit applications for FFA Proficiency awards highlighting their work-related, business agriculture projects.

Atwater High School FFA also had agriculture students Abigail Rogers, Callie Sanders, Fatima Soto, Jasmine Monge, Jocelyn Renteria , Kimberly Valdovinos, Laurel Peterson, Lyra Barton, Marvin Vasquez-Velazquez, Nicole De Leon, Sebastian Parra, Valeria Calderon, Viviana Roach, and Vyonnie Chavez-Quinteros help assist with the organization and facilitation of the various speaking contests.

“Being a good communicator is one of the foundations of success towards personal and career development,” says Atwater FFA Advisor Maddie Zittel.

“Our agriculture program is very proud of our students’ efforts, participation, courage, and enthusiasm in this event!”

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 students and Job Interview contest participants Brianna Duran (4th overall), Yahaira Carrillo-Robles (3rd overall and regional qualifier), and Kayleigh Trindade gather together following the Merced-Mariposa FFA Sectional Public Speaking contest held at Merced College

Atwater High School agriculture students and FFA Creed contest participants Maria Avalos (6th overall) and Gannon (3rd overall and regional finals qualifier) gather together following the Merced-Mariposa FFA Sectional Public Speaking contest held at El Capitan High School.

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

ABC’s of Winter Cereal Forages: Yield vs Quality By: Ed DePeters – UC Davis Animal Science & Jennifer Heguy – UCCE Dairy Farm Advisor

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pring and winter cereal forage harvest are quickly approaching.

Winter cereals are often the foundation of dry cow and replacement heifer diets. Depending on its quality, cereal silage can also be a component in lactating cow diets.

Work out of the University of Minnesota Extension demonstrated increased forage yield as winter rye matured from vegetative stages to flowering (Figure 1). As forage matured, digestibility decreased.

Harvesting winter cereals with a focus on forage quality is challenging.

Variable rains in March and April complicate when forages can be harvested. Typically, winter cereals are harvested with more consideration for forage yield than forage quality, but quality should not be overlooked completely. This may be increasingly important as water restrictions reduce California’s ability to produce yearround forage.

Many factors affect forage quality.

Important factors include plant species, variety, grain development, and plant maturity at harvest. With most forage plants, forage quality decreases with advancing plant maturity. A decrease in crude protein and an increase in fiber leads to decreased digestibility and therefore a decrease in energy content.

For alfalfa hay, the California System uses acid detergent fiber (ADF) to measure quality. As ADF increases, alfalfa forage quality decreases. The relationship between maturity and fiber composition is not as straightforward for cereals.

Early work at UC Davis included

a commercial winter forage mix containing oats, barley, wheat, and vetch harvested for hay. Forage was harvested at four stages of maturity based on the stage of maturity of the oats: bloom (flower), milk, soft dough, and hard dough. As maturity advanced protein and fiber both decreased (Table 1).

Wait! We just said that with advancing maturity fiber of the plant increases.

The complication with cereal forage is that as the plant matures and starts to set seed, the seed head becomes a larger proportion of the harvested weight.

Because of this, as a proportion of the total plant dry matter, fiber declines.

What is important to measure with

is indigestible and because it chemically associates with fiber (cellulose and hemicellulose), lignin decreases fiber digestibility by the rumen microbes.

In the lab (in vitro using rumen fluid), digestibility of dry matter decreased with advancing maturity. These four differing cereal forages were fed to sheep to measure digestibility (in vivo).

As maturity increased, digestibility of fiber decreased and the overall impact was decreased energy digestibility (Table 2). Lignin content was highly correlated with digestibility. As lignin content increased, forage digestibility decreased. Fiber content was not related to a decrease in digestibility.

and wheat the last. These differences in species maturity will impact forage quality of the forage mix harvested.

Check with your seed representative to learn what the maturity times are of each component in the forage mix so you can better determine if this will meet your quality goals.

Take Home Message: As cereal forage matures, forage quality (digestibility and energy content) decreases, but dry matter yield increases. Fiber composition alone is not an adequate predictor of forage quality for cereal forages; lignin is an important chemical constituent to measure. Cereal silage harvest decisions should reflect your goals for forage yield and forage

cereal forages in addition to fiber is lignin. As the plant matures, the lignin content of the stems increases. Lignin helps the plant to stand upright. Lignin

One consideration for cereal mixes is that the different cereal species do not always mature at the same time.

Barley is often the first to boot stage

quality. This will likely depend on what other sources of forages or fibrous byproducts you have available.

References: DePeters, E.J. et al. (1989). A nutritional evaluation of mixed winter cereals with vetch utilized as silage or hay. Journal of Dairy Science. 72: 3247-3254. https://www. journalofdairyscience.org/article/S00220302(89)79484-4/pdf Sheaffer, C. et al. (2022, December 12). Winter rye forage yield and nutritive value. University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Crop News. https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn. edu/2022/12/winter-rye-forage-yieldand-nutritive.html

Figure 1. Winter rye forage yield and digestibility by growth stage (figures from UMN article)

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

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Minimum Wage, Salary and Overtime Changed on January 1

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By: FELS

enate Bill 3 (Leno, 2016) set in Labor Code section 1182.12 tiered increases in California’s minimum wage over the next several years, capping out in predesignated increases in 2022. Starting on January 1, 2023, and each January 1 thereafter, the minimum wage is adjusted annually for increases (capped at 3.5%) in the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.

Accordingly, in 2024, the minimum wage for non-exempt employees is $16.00 per hour. Further, per Labor Code section 515, the minimum salary for exempt employees will rise to $66,560 in 2024 ($5,547 per month or $1,280 per work-week).

Additionally, as of January 1, small employers (25 or fewer employees) will have to pay their non-exempt ag employees one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked after 8.5 hours in a workday or after 45

hours in a workweek under Labor Code section 860.

As of January 1, 2022, large employers were required to pay overtime premiums on the same basis as employers of non-ag employers: timeand-half for hours worked after eight and up to 12 in a workday or after 40 in a workweek. Hours worked after 12 in a workday are compensable at twice the employee’s regular rate of pay.

And for decades, all work performed by non-exempt employees in California

on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek has been compensable at premium rates: time-and-a-half for the first eight hours, and double time for hours worked beyond eight.

Irrigators and sheepherders lost their overtime exemptions if employed by a large employer on January 1, 2019, and by a small employer on January 1, 2022, respectively.

The below chart provided by California Farm Bureau offers a comprehensive look at all the changes.

Increases in Minimum Wage 1 Increases in Minimum Salary of Exempt Executive, Administrative, or Professional Employees 2 Phase In of Overtime Thresholds for Non-Exempt Agricultural Employees 3 Employers with 26 or more employees Employers with 25 or fewer employees at any time during a pay period (“large employers”) at all times during a pay period (“small employers”)

2017

Minimum Wage ($/hour) 10.50

Maximum hours/workday at regular rate 10

Maximum hours/workweek at regular rate N/A

Minimum Exempt Employee Salary ($/wk / yr) 840 / 43,680

Minimum Wage ($/hour) 10

Maximum hours/workday at regular rate 10

Maximum hours/workweek at regular rate N/A

Minimum Exempt Employee Salary ($/wk / yr) 800 / 41,600

2018

11

10

N/A

880 / 45,760

10.50

10

N/A

840 / 43,680

2019

12

9.5

55

960 / 49,920

11

10

N/A

880 / 45,760

2020

13

9

50

1,040 / 54,080

12

10

N/A

960 / 49,920

2021

14

8.5

45

1,120 / 58,240

13

10

N/A

1,040 / 54,080

2022

15

8*

40

1,200 / 62,400

14

9.5

55

1,120 / 58,240

2023

15.50

8*

40

1,240 / 64,480

15.50

9.0

50

1,240 / 64,480

2024

16

8*

40

1,280 / 66,560

16

8.5

45

1,280 / 66,560

2025

16↑

8*

40

1,280↑ / 66,560↑

16↑

8*

40

1,280↑ / 66,560↑

Year

*Double time after 12 hours ↑Starting on 1/1/23 and each January 1 thereafter, the minimum wage is adjusted annually for increases (capped at 3.5%) in the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).4 Premium Pay Rates: The overtime premium rate is 1½ times an employee’s regular rate of pay, except it is double an employee’s regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond 12 in a workday starting on 1/1/22 for employees of large employers and 1/1/25 for employees of small employers.

7th-Day Overtime: A nonexempt employee must be compensated at a rate that is not less than • 1½ times the employee’s regular rate of pay for the first 8 hours worked on the 7th day of work in a workweek.

• Double the employee’s regular rate of pay for hours worked over 8 on the 7th day of work in a workweek.

Exemptions: Irrigators, sheepherders, and commercial fishing vessel crew members lost their overtime-exempt status and became entitled to be compensated for overtime work as shown above on 1/1/19 if employed by a large employer and on 1/1/22 if employed by a small employer.

Exemptions remain for an employer’s parent, spouse, or child, certain salaried managers, and drivers whose hours of service are limited by regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation or California Highway Patrol.

Cal. Labor Code § 1182.12.

Cal. Labor Code § 515, subd. (a)—Salary must be equivalent to at least 2 times the CA minimum wage for employment of 40 hours per week.

3 Cal. Labor Code §§ 860-862; Industrial Welfare Commission Order No. 14-2001 (rev. 01-2019).

4 Cal. Labor Code § 1182.12, subd. (c).

Rev. 8/23 1 2

Page 14

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

California Farm Bureau-Sponsored Bill Targets Health and Economic Impacts of Wildfire Smoke across California

S

By: California Farm Bureau

ACRAMENTO – Over the past five years, California has experienced unprecedented wildfire activity that has devastated nearly ten million acres across the state. Wildfire smoke has poured in from hundreds of miles away, severely impacting air quality around regions unaffected by the wildfire itself. This is a direct result of years of mismanaged forest and wildland strategies that have created a new reality for California – one in which wildfires burn faster and hotter than ever before, presenting grave dangers to the environment and residents. As a result, many people suffered from health and economic impacts as they have been forced to shelter in place, with businesses and schools shutting down, and other daily

operations coming to a halt.

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s Senate Bill 945 (The Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act) would allow state agencies to track and monitor air pollution, population exposure, and cases of adverse health outcomes due to wildfire smoke. Using the compiled data, the appropriate agencies would be able to facilitate future research efforts to better understand the negative impacts of wildfire smoke on the environment and California’s population. Currently, there is insufficient data by the state and medical community on these health impacts.

“Ensuring the well-being of our communities means understanding the true impact of wildfire smoke. Our bill aims to unveil the impacts on our population, emphasizing the urgent need to address forest health for a resilient

bringing on respiratory illnesses to pregnancy complications -- across the state’s population.” It is essential that we work with our environmental partners to create and maintain a resilient California, where informed research guides our actions, and a commitment to forest health becomes the foundation for a safer, cleaner, and brighter future for all.

Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.3 million Farm Bureau members.

and healthier California,” Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil stated. The California Council of Science and Technology recently published a report stating that improving the health of California’s forests not only reduces the risk of wildfire, it can also benefit people’s health.

Shannon Douglass, President of the California Farm Bureau, weighed in on the significance of the bill saying, “Farming and ranching communities have been hit directly by wildfire smoke. At a time when state and federal governments, including private landowners, are making substantial investments to mitigate wildfire hazards in our forests and woodlands, it is imperative that policy makers understand how neglecting to invest in our wildfire-prone communities can impact health outcomes -- from

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Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Page 15

New Bill to Streamline Groundwater Recharge By: Brad Hooker, Agripulse

A

ssemblymember Esmeralda Soria of Fresno has filed a measure to streamline environmental permitting for floodmanaged aquifer recharge, or FloodMAR. The legislation would grant temporary diversions for excess flood

flows when a stream or river has reached flood monitor or flood stage.

The Merced Irrigation District is supporting the bill. Deputy General Manager Hicham ElTal said it would help the district achieve groundwater sustainability for the benefit of urban and ag users alike.

Soria noted that the storms currently saturating the state present

an opportunity for on-farm recharge.

“AB 2060 represents a common-sense step forward to both fighting floods and recharging our aquifer,” she said.

Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, told AgriPulse recently that the organization has been pushing for cleanup legislation on groundwater recharge. Last year the Legislature amended state code relating

to recharge when it passed a massive public resources trailer bill.

While the new language removed permitting requirements for excess flows, it did not thoroughly define such conditions, according to Pierre. This can lead to issues when considering the diverse and inconsistent hydrology across California’s landscape, particularly with small streams.

California needs to invest $20B more every year to meet its carbon neutrality goal carbon neutrality. Most recently, the Newsom administration accelerated the new report on climate financing state’s climate targets by enacting sales estimates California is falling bans on new gas cars and diesel trucks. short by more than $20 billion The report is the first of its kind to annually to meet its 2045 carbon assess the state of climate financing in neutrality goal. It recommends shifting California. According to CPI, the aim is more of the cost to the private sector to to build more data on future investment fund the energy transition. needs and to inform policymakers and The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), private sector actors in their efforts a not-for-profit research organization, to “identify opportunities, establish produced the report in partnership priorities, measure progress and develop with the Strategic Growth Council, an coordinated plans to meet the scale of the interagency committee led by several climate challenge, including for budgets, of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s cabinet regulations, tapping into federal funding secretaries, and with help from the and investment plans.” state’s Infrastructure and Economic The report factored in the “substantial Development Bank, known as I-Bank. progress” that California has already According to the report, the state achieved. It included $51.4 billion that needs an average of $62 billion in Gov. Gavin Newsom had set aside for a annual spending through 2035 to stay seven-year climate spending package— on track—though the cost could run as though he has since trimmed that to $48 high as $83 billion. Half of that would billion and is likely to cut it further. support zero-emission vehicles, while the The Legislative Analyst’s Office rest focuses on agriculture and land use reported last week that January tax as well as energy, buildings and general revenues indicate the state is already infrastructure. After 2035, California falling short of the governor’s admittedly must spend up to $110 billion each optimistic budget forecast. Factoring year, mostly for transitioning residents in those numbers, Jason Sisney, and businesses to ZEVs. Private sector budget director for Assembly Speaker finance, such as Californians purchasing Robert Rivas’ office, estimates that the new ZEVs, currently accounts for 77% combined tax collections across agencies of the spending. will likely amount to about $6 billion To fill the gaps, the government must less than Newsom’s estimate. lean further into private spending to The CPI report accounts for a 26% support energy infrastructure and ZEVs, annual growth rate in investments from while also maximizing federal grants the time Newsom took office in 2019 to and loans and any local bond proceeds 2022, primarily from the private sector. that could boost public transit and energy The state is also lined up to receive $41.9 conservation, according to the report. billion over the next five years in federal California has enacted numerous spending from the Inflation Reduction climate policies over the last two decades Act and the Infrastructure Investment that have established the foundation for and Jobs Act. State investments,

By: Brad Hooker, Agripulse

A

combined with private and federal dollars, amounted to about $39 billion in annual spending—filling just two-thirds of the actual need.

“That means help from the private sector,” said Newsom in a statement accompanying the report. “Investment in climate action is not just good for our communities, it’s good for business too.”

The administration hopes to catalyze private investment by matching funding and reducing regulatory barriers, such as streamlining project permits and accelerating interconnections for the electric grid.

“Mobilizing the private sector and leveraging federal dollars are critical to closing that gap,” said Bella Tonkonogy, who leads CPI's U.S.-based team.

“Especially in light of budget constraints, California will need to strategically deploy public funds—state and federal— in ways that scale up private sector investment from its current levels.”

The Strategic Growth Council hosted a two-day conference last week to identify some of the opportunities ahead for private capital.

The report offers little detail for agriculture, but does indicate that the natural and working lands sector needs more than $10 billion in annual climate investments over the next 10 years, accounting for 17% of the overall share.

The new money would help to restore wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, implement sustainable agricultural practices and support urban tree canopies, for example.

Nearly $300 million more is needed each year to reduce methane emissions from livestock, waste and natural gas production.

The researchers considered alternative proteins as climate-friendly investments, noting that much of the venture funding from 2019 to 2021 came from large investments in plant-based foods. The sector matched—or even surpassed— transportation and energy for this type of funding. The following year energy investments nearly doubled those in agriculture and land use.

Alternative proteins was a segment that “completely let us down” in 2021, according to Walt Duflock, vice president of innovation at the Western Growers Association, who spoke at the annual conference for the California Association of Pest Control Advisers in October.

He explained that foodtech startups like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods gathered a large share of the market before “things fell off a cliff” and they began chasing a pile of money that is now half the size it was in 2021.

In a statement to Agri-Pulse, Duflock added that it would take $10 billion alone to retire all the diesel tractors and replace them with zero-emission models and called it “a trainwreck for growers and the grid.” Grants for reducing methane and sequestering carbon would push it “way past $10 billion probably for each” of the areas.

The report calls for more research into private investment in agriculture and other industries.

To decarbonize buildings, the state needs another $6.7 billion annually, even after venture capital investments increased eightfold from 2018 to 2022.

ZEV trucks and buses will need more See 'Carbon' Page 16

Page 16

Carbon

development for new technologies and to pair that with requirements, such as continued from page 15 the industry-wide mandate envisioned as the regulatory backstop in Senate Bill 1383. That would put the burden on than $7 billion per year. private investment for combating climate The energy sector is short $13.4 change. billion. About a third of that would But he recognized the delicate address transmission bottlenecks and balancing act of policymaking. Imposing interconnection delays. Rooftop solar such costs on small dairy farmers would accounts for 20% of the energy need, likely force them to downsize their which runs counter to decisions by the herds, leading to more cows leaving California Public Utilities Commission California and creating more emissions to cut net energy metering benefits for in other states. residential and on-farm projects.

“You can't just come in with a CPI also factored investments by [regulatory] stick because you'll just county. Climate financing spreads chase everyone out of the state,” he relatively evenly per capita across counties, which means the areas with the said. “So you might have to substitute worst pollution, such as the San Joaquin some public funding to come up with Valley, are not receiving a higher rate of a solution that's going to benefit the climate but also not be too costly.” investments.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross knows Kern County dominated Central that adding up the total dollars needed Valley investments, averaging about $2 billion annually, while Yuba County has for the energy transition can seem taken in just $31 million. Tulare County overwhelming.

“Everyone acknowledges these led per capita financing, spending more transitions come at cost,” she said in an than $4,000 per resident on average. interview with Agri-Pulse. “But they The report recommends the state also can improve efficiencies, and develop a comprehensive roadmap most importantly they can be part for closing the investment gap in each of the solution.” sector, while removing barriers to For farmers considering such investment and creating more incentives investments, the choice is not for the transition. It also calls for a simple decision of good or tracking the impacts that new policies bad, she explained. They have have on climate finance and to pivot as to consider the business case, needed. such as the value of improving The researchers urge the state efficiencies or reducing input government to maximize its relatively costs. Some are already adopting scarce dollars by prioritizing programs climate-smart practices in that catalyze investment from private response to upstream consumer and federal partners, with an emphasis on socioeconomic priorities. It could, for demand and find incentives through higher premiums or example, prioritize its spending on less carbon credits, she added. commercially viable technologies or on “I don't know that anybody in transmission infrastructure. any position has the checkbook From the perspective of agricultural available to fund it all now,” she economics, more opportunity lies in said. “But we've got 20 years to reducing emissions than sequestering get there.” carbon. Aaron Smith, a UC Davis Ross called incentive programs professor in agricultural economics, “absolutely critical” in facilitating explained to Agri-Pulse that incentive that adoption. She estimated programs have been successful in the administration has spent reducing methane emissions at dairies nearly $1 billion over the past and more could be done with reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from fertilizer. decade on programs for climatesmart agriculture. It started with But he was skeptical of the science SWEEP—which helps farmers behind incentivizing cover crops or reduced tillage to store carbon in the soil. upgrade irrigation equipment— and now includes grants for Smith has examined the costs and healthy soils, alternative manure benefits of dairy digesters for capturing management practices, pollinator and repurposing methane as fuel. He habitat, sustainable land argued that crediting digesters in the conservation, food processing Low Carbon Fuel Standard serves to efficiency, phasing out open offload the cost to consumers who fill burning, and upgrading engines up their tanks with gasoline or diesel. through FARMER grants. The He preferred to see the state instead fact that many of those programs put public money into research and

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024 are oversubscribed tells Ross that “farmers are very interested in this.”

With the report’s recommendations for removing regulatory barriers, Ross pointed out that Newsom has often shared frustration over the time it takes to complete infrastructure projects in California and has pushed for removing roadblocks without sacrificing environmental protections or public safety.

Ross acknowledged a need “to just be smarter about our regulations” to avoid conflicts or unnecessary slowdowns for projects and “make this system work faster and better for all stakeholders.”

Jeana Cadby, director of environment and climate at Western Growers, emphasized that grower buy-in is critical for adopting climate-smart practices. She told Agri-Pulse that farmers are acutely aware of climate change—not just with more extreme droughts and flooding, but with an unprecedented surge in

insects and disease recently. While many are interested in climate grants and the industry has already invested heavily in sustainability initiatives, most farmers are racing to address the biggest issues at hand, whether it is food safety, pesticides or water issues, she explained.

“How do you navigate all of this to figure out what the priorities are?” she said. “What do you need to maybe move more staff to, or even figure out if you have the staff to address some of these things?”

Along with the high cost of transitioning to new practices, a lot of groundwork is needed to determine best practices for the many specialty crops grown in California.

“It's really nuanced, and it's not plug and play,” she said. “There's so much research that needs to be done to really make sure we can continue to produce fresh and affordable food for consumers.”

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Page 17

Page 18

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Unintended Consequences

from the

Mariposa CFB Danette Toso

A

s we welcome the new year with a lot of hope and a little trepidation, we are mindful of lessons learned from years past. With a new year, comes new laws, rules and regulations supposedly meant to improve our lives and the wellbeing of our livestock. Many times, I wonder who and what our lawmakers are trying to support. California’s Proposition 12 has hit us smack in the face as we prepare for the Mariposa County Farm Bureau Annual Rib

Dinner.

The dinner is to be held in Hornitos, March 23rd and I have been contacting vendors trying to secure at least 700 pounds of pork spareribs. Several of the calls I have made, I’ve gotten the same answer. “Due to the passing of proposition 12, pork prices have gone through the roof, and we can’t guarantee that we can fill your order.”

California Proposition 12, was passed in 2018, designed to create new standards for the confinement of farm animals, including veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens. While the proposition gathered support for its intent to improve the welfare of animals, it has also faced criticism and backlash.

The proposition presents complex requirements for the housing conditions of various farm animals, creating a complicated regulatory outline that can be challenging for farmers and businesses to implement.

Critics argue that the lack of clarity in the language could lead to unintended consequences, making it difficult for farmers to comply and enforce the regulations. It also imposes significant financial burdens on farmers. The

costs related to upgrading facilities to meet the new standards can be extremely expensive, possibly forcing some to close or downsize. Critics argue that this economic stress may result in job losses and negatively impact local economies reliant on agriculture.

There has been a significant rise in food prices because of the increased production costs associated with complying with the new regulations.

Farmers, faced with the need to invest in new infrastructure and technologies are forced to pass these expenses onto consumers. This has contributed

to higher prices for meat, eggs, and other agricultural products. While the intention to improve the living conditions of farm animals is admirable, the negative issues surrounding the proposition raise legitimate concerns about its implementation and potential consequences.

We are feeling these unintended consequences, but we will not give up, we will not be deterred, we will have our dinner one way or another. As always, I encourage you 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.

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Mariposa County Business Member Directory Businesses Supporting the Farm Bureau

To be included in the directory, join Mariposa County Farm Bureau as a business member by calling 742-5875.

AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

HARDWARE STORES

REAL ESTATE

Gallaway Feed and Supply..................374-3331 Mariposa Feed & Supply...................966-3326 Bootjack Equipment Rental & Feed.. 966-3545

Coast Hardware.................................. 966-2527 Foster Ace Hardware .........................966-2692

Cathey's Valley Real Estate................ 742-2121

ASSOCIATIONS 35-A District Agriculture Assn........... 966-2432 Mariposa Chamber of Commerce..... 966-2456 Mariposa County Farm Advisor......... 966-2417 Mariposa County Farm Bureau......... 742-5875

CONSTRUCTION Bucks Construction............................ 878-3702 Tobey Guenthart Construction.......... 374-3334

FINANCIAL SERVICES Inter-County Title Company................966-3653 Yosemite Bank....................................966-5444

MEDICAL Mariposa Physical Therapy................ 742-7242

MISCELLANEOUS Allison Sierra Inc................................966-4082 Happy Burger Diner ........................... 966-2719 Mariposa Friends of the Fairgrounds Foundation..................... 742-4680 Hugh A. Yamshon Ranch Mariposa Gun Works......................... 742-5444 Miners Roadhouse 14.......................966-2444 Pony Expresso....................................966-5053

SERVICES Chases Foothill Petroleun.................. 966-3314 Edward Lien & Toso Ag Appraisers...634-9484 Palmer Tractor ....................................374-3470 Ranch Fence, Inc................................ 966-5914 Valley Pacific Petroleum..................... 948-9412 Yosemite Glass & Window Inc...........966-3292

WINERIES Mount Bullion Vineyard...................... 377-8450 Rauch Ranch Vineyard & Winery.......742-7162

Support Farm Bureau Member Businesses

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024

Page 19

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.....................................854-6325

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 ................................529-2020 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

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 ..........................383-0220 Fluetsch & Busby Insurance ............. 722-1541 Rico, Pfitzer, Pires and Associates ...854-2000 Walter Mortensen Insurance ............ 353-2700 Western Valley Insurance .................826-5667 Winton Ireland Insurance .................394-7925

FINANCIAL SERVICES Alice B. Contreras CPA ......................722-6778 American Ag Credit ........384-1050/826-0320 Central Valley Community Bank........725-2820 Farmers & Merchants Bank.............. 626-4100 Grimbleby Coleman CPAs.................. 527-4220 Yosemite Farm Credit ........................ 383-1116

MISCELLANEOUS The Hat Source................................... 357-3424 Merced County Fair............................722-1506 Merced County Nut Festival.............. 761-8279 P. B. Iyer, M.D......................................854-1120 Sunset Pool Service........................... 286-7665

FARM SUPPLIES

BUSSINESS SUPPORT FARMERS

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

DCB Farming LLC GS Farms J&J O'Banion Ranch, LLC Live Oak Farms Migliazzo Farms

Page 20

Merced County Farm News • February 16, 2024