Merced County Fair Board Announces Retirement of CEO Teresa Burrola
Longtime Fair employee turned CEO will retire
after the 2025 Fair, leaving an enduring legacy
By: Merced County Fair
MERCED, CALIFORNIA, December 20, 2024
– The Merced County Fair Board announced that Teresa Burrola will retire July 1, 2025 after 27 years with the Fair, including nine as CEO. The 2025 Merced County Fair will be the last with Teresa at the helm, concluding a tenure in which she oversaw significant changes from major capital improvements to expanded entertainment and events, and skillfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to lead the Merced County Fair and work alongside our incredible Board and staff,” said Teresa
Burrola, CEO of the Merced County Fair. “Almost a decade ago as I took on this role, I committed to putting ideas into action, improving our Fair for the community, and making it something they could be proud of. With the support of my team and Board, we have accomplished a lot with more plans for the future. I am so proud that the Merced County Fair is in a strong position to succeed having navigated unprecedented events to only emerge stronger and more resolute to be here for generations to come – serving the community in times of need and, of course, in times of celebration!”
Teresa’s near-decade of leadership as CEO of the Merced County Fair has resulted in many notable achievements:
• Aligned the Fair’s marketing efforts under one new team to elevate the profile of the annual Fair in 2016, and debuted a vibrant new Fair corporate logo.
• Brought Hispanic entertainment back to the annual Fair in 2016, along with new shows in the Grandstand.
• Established the annual Pre-Party to kick off the Fair season and raise funds to support the Merced County Fair. In the 9
years since its launch, the event has grown to nearly 400 attendees.
• Successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which shut down the Fair and most fairground operations. Pivoted to hold drive-thru food events to sustain some Fair operations, as well as provide the community with a safe way to enjoy a bit of the Fair tradition they missed.
See 'Fair' Page 5
As I sit here and write my first article of 2025 allow me to take this opportunity to wish all of the members of this great organization a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! Hopefully everyone enjoyed and took full advantage of the holiday season. Although things slow down around the office a little, your county Farm Bureau has remained busy promoting and protecting Merced County agriculture. Merced County Farm Bureau hosted our first ever Ag Summitt in Los Banos and Merced. This new year will bring a lot of change, we will see the 119th congress start implementing their agenda, although with the slimmest of Republican majorities, as well as a Republican led senate and Executive branch. We are also witnessing some of the most devastating wildfires as they are destroying a large part of Southern California. Prior to President Trump being inaugurated, our supermajority Democrat leaders in Sacramento decided to hold a special session to “Trump Proof” California, at the same time Los Angeles
was being devastated. Most Dairy Farmers in our area are recovering from bird flu and still addressing the long term affects.
The 119th Congress has been sworn in and is led with the slimmest of Republican majorities. Congratulations to Congressman Gray for being appointed to the House Agriculture committee. Some of the big issues that will hopefully be addressed are the farm bill, border security and immigration. The Senate is also under republican leadership. We are optimistically looking for positive results that benefit agriculture and our way of life. I would also like to congratulate Merced County Sheriffs Posse for being invited to ride in President Trumps’ inaugural parade. It is a huge honor for them and our county.
As we watch multiple wildfires ravage Southern California, we are reminded how cruel life can be at times. We are keeping all those affected by these fires and those working to protect people and property in our thoughts and prayers. Its amazing to see all the different
departments that send personnel and equipment to assist in fighting these fires, including Merced City Fire Department. Although we will find out more details as time passes, a few things are obvious, Los Angeles and Southern California were woefully unprepared. It also shows the lack of leadership that plagues this state. Let’s not forget that as these fires are raging, our elected representatives in Sacramento are holding special sessions on how to “Trump Proof” California. (See previous statement about lack of leadership.)
On December 18th Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency for H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu). Although those of us dealing with bird flu in our livestock understand that pasteurization prevents bird flu transmission through dairy products, it would have been nice for the governor to mention that in his declaration. Ag is volatile enough without our highest-ranking government official omitting the fact that our food supply is safe. Most producers in our area that were diagnosed with
bird flu are on the tail end of it, or completely clear of it and fully recovered. Many producers are waiting to see what the long turn effects, if any, there will be. It is concerning o see how fast and easy bird flu spread across the dairy industry. Due to concerns with bird flu, on January 9th the state veterinarian banned all dairy and poultry shows. This is unfortunate to all the young exhibitors that were looking forward to showing at local fairs.
A huge Thank you to everyone who participated in and attended our Ag. Summit events held in Los Banos in December and Merced in January. Please remember and mark your calendars for our annual meeting on March 6th. Details to follow!
As we are beginning 2025, we should expect things to get busy, but rest-assured that Farm Bureau will keep us informed and they will represent agriculture and fight for our way of life. As always please feel free to reach out to myself, the office or any of your board members if we can be of any assistance. Until next month!
Fair
continued from page 12
Shifted to a virtual livestock auction in 2020 to ensure 4-H and FFA students were able to sell their animal projects, then a hybrid in-person and virtual show in 2021.
• Prior to COVID-19 in 2019, the Fair earned $398,273 in rental income. After navigating the negative impact of COVID-19 on the overall fairground’s operations in 2020 and 2021, the Fair is now back to normal operating conditions and have managed to grow its rental program to $480,691 in 2024, continuing to service the community with affordable rental options for events.
• Assisted with emergency response services at the fairgrounds, which served as the fire camp and staging site for Cal Fire during the Detweiler Fire in 2017 and Oak Fire in 2022, as well as an emergency evacuation center for the residents of Planada and Merced during the tragic floods of 2022, among other emergencies.
• Expanded community programs such as the annual food drive with the Merced County Food Bank, which has collected over 30,000 lbs. of food for those in need in the community.
• Collaborated with the Fair’s sponsorship team to bring in Valley Children’s Healthcare as the presenting sponsor of the Fair in 2022, providing free admission for all kids 12 and under and making the Fair more
affordable for families to enjoy.
• Championed, oversaw and secured funding for the following capital improvement projects:
• New emergency lighting in Grandstands in 2017.
• Remodeled the Lodge in 2018 for year-round rentals and established it as the Friends of the Fair Hospitality Lounge during the annual Fair. Friends of the Fair are currently adding restrooms to the building.
• New cell tower on the grounds in 2018.
• Completed a $455,000 underground water main system project in 2018.
• Tree removal and replanting of Sequoia redwoods along Martin Luther King Jr. Way for safety and beautification in 2019.
• New roofs on the Administration and El Captain buildings in 2023, a $161,040 project.
• New nearly $1 million HVAC system in the Pavilion Building in 2023.
• Secured a $5 million Fairgrounds Resilience Center grant in 2023 to upgrade Yosemite Hall with a large commercial kitchen, HVAC system, and new entrance, along with a new roof for the Pavilion building.
"Teresa Burrola’s leadership has been transformative for the Merced County Fair. Over her nearly three decades with the Fair, including nine as CEO, she has left a lasting mark through her dedication, creative vision, and passion
for our community. Her legacy of growth, innovation, and resilience will continue to inspire us for years to come. The Merced County Fair will always be grateful for Teresa’s service and the strong foundation she has built,” said Luis Lara, President of the Merced County Fair Board of Directors.
Teresa grew up in Sonora and moved to Merced at 14. After graduating from Merced High School in 1978, Teresa started working at Farmers Insurance, where she was employed for 19 years. When her office closed in 1998, she switched industries and went to work at the Merced County Fair as a temporary office technician. She was hired full- time later in 1998 by then-CEO Cheryl Davidson, and was promoted to business assistant in 2002. Teresa worked for four different CEOs (Cheryl Davidson, Robin Hauck, Pat Kress and
Tom Musser) before being named as Merced County Fair CEO in 2015. Teresa will join her husband, Chris, in retirement, enjoying some much-anticipated travel and spending quality time with their grandchildren.
“Teresa’s passion for the Fair and the community, coupled with her drive to get things done, made her such an effective and enjoyable leader,” said Mark Erreca, Board Member and Board President in 2015 when Teresa was hired. “Thank you, Teresa, for all your years of service to our Fair, and unwavering leadership through some difficult times for the fair industry. We are in a better place as a Fair and fairground because of you. Looking forward to making your last Fair the best Merced County Fair yet!”
The Merced County Fair Board will share more details regarding the CEO Search in the weeks ahead.
REGENERATIVE TREE REGENERATIVE TREE
NUT FIELD DAY NUT FIELD DAY
JANUARY 21-22,
2025
Join us for an interactive field day that will offer farmers at every level the opportunity to learn from practitioners on the ground, get the latest information from researchers, ask questions of each other, and connect with folks committed to growing a food system that is healthy for our land and communities
The Field Day represents an inflection point for acceptance of Regenerative Ag in the almond industry. The day was a huge success, with real data, real-life stories of success, and real demonstrations of orchard benefits.
The 2024 Almond Field Day attracted 250+ registrants!
WEDNESDAY | 8:30 am - 3 pm
TUESDAY FIELD DAY | 8:30am-4:30pm
Tour and explore the orchards with demonstrations
Connect and gain insight through farmer-to-farmer panels
Learn from regenerative consultants helping in almonds, pistachios and walnuts
Deepen your knowledge about cover crop management
Enjoy meaningful conversation over a nourishing and delicious lunch
Engage with businesses that can help on your regenerative journey during the trade show
REGISTER AT:
https://bit.ly/regen-almonds
This will be a participatory conversation, in which John will engage in-depth with questions from the audience to help them solve real problems on their farm Attendees should come prepared with questions they’d like John to answer
Benina Montes will lead a field walk in the morning
John Kempf will present after the field walk
Senior Agronomist Pedro Rioseco Escudero of Advancing Eco Agriculture will be presenting after lunch, contributing his substantial experience implementing regenerative practices in California.
John Kempf will spend the remainder of the afternoon answering audience questions
LLOCATION OCATION
Burroughs Family Orchards 22323 E Monte Vista Ave
Snelling, CA
Statement by the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley on Protecting Smelt Over People: Delta Pumping Curtailments Hurt California Communities
By: Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley
January 16, 2024
The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley calls on state and federal leaders to avoid water supply cuts that provide uncertain short-term benefits in favor of a long-term solution for the endangered delta smelt.
State Water Project 2025 allocations are currently at just 15%. Despite above average reservoir levels, an exceptionally dry January and no promise of wetter conditions in the coming months is a reminder that drought is always on the horizon.
State and federal water regulators are now requiring that export pumping be reduced, and an estimated 12,000-20,000 acre-feet of water will be lost over the next 3-4 days to protect the endangered delta smelt, predominantly as a result of high winds in the Delta. The regulations will affect most water users in California by reducing available water supplies in the short term but are likely to provide no long-term benefit to the species at the same time that water could be used for other purposes, such as providing additional resiliency for critical water supplies used to fight wildfires in Southern
California or balancing water supply in regions that supply our nation’s food.
While short term benefits can be attributed to water supply curtailments, such as helping some delta smelt survive into June, the effects of climate change have raised the temperature of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to a point where most credible science indicates that no delta smelt survive the hotter temperatures now
experienced annually in the region.
The requirement by state and federal agencies to curtail delta pumping due to turbidity concerns tied to the delta smelt creates devastating consequences for California’s communities without addressing the questions over temperature and the ability of delta smelt to survive through the summer. These decisions impact millions of
Californians, jeopardizing agriculture, food security, and jobs while contributing little to the long-term survivability of the species.
It's time to stop advancing bad water management and improve system operations in a way that meaningfully balances benefits to listed species like the delta smelt and California's people, emergency response, food supply, and communities.
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Processing tomatoes may have a challenging curly top year.
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) adopted regulations in 2024 to limit neonicotinoid pesticide product use in the production of certain agricultural commodities, including tomatoes. The new regulations apply to soil and foliar applications of products containing clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. These are the active ingredients found in the systemic insecticides Belay, Venom, Admire Pro/Wrangler/ Macho, and Platinum. To mitigate these identified risks to pollinators, these new regulations have crop-specific rate and application timing restrictions. For tomatoes, these products cannot be applied after the 3rd true leaf stage, which typically occurs in the first two weeks after transplanting. Older transplants may already be at 3 true leaves before they are even stuck in the ground. These materials are used to control many soft bodied sucking insects, like aphids, whiteflies, and leafhoppers. All these insects are good vectors of virus diseases like alfalfa mosaic, spotted wilt, and curly top, which are the main virus disease problems we have in tomatoes in Merced County. Furthermore, the systemic
insecticides imidacloprid and thiamethoxam are also some of the most effective methods to control curly top when they are chemigated directly into the drip system. A common recommendation would be to use imidacloprid at transplanting followed by an application of thiamethoxam about one month later. This combo treatment essentially protects the plants for the first 60 days by limiting the amount of feeding by leafhoppers.
Foliar insecticides have not been found to be that effective on leafhoppers. This insect does not really like tomatoes – when they feed they are more passing through the crop in search of weeds and other crops more to their liking. They are especially fond of sugar beets, for example.
So when DPR announced last year the new regulations on the use of the neonics, they were also significantly limiting the control options available to growers to control curly top virus in tomatoes. And curly top is not a minor disease, depending on where the fields are located. The insect tends to migrate out of the Coastal Range in the spring as the grasses and weeds dry down, so higher pressure can usually be found along the I-5 corridor in Merced
County south all the way to Kern. Fields with 8% or more curly top infection will usually have a significant loss in yield.
However, winter precipitation can have a big impact on the leafhoppers. In general, wet winters tend to reduce leafhopper counts migrating to the Valley, while also lowering the prevalence of leafhoppers infected with the curly top virus. This happened in 2023 and 2024 growing seasons: in both years California was blessed with above average precipitation in the proceeding winter. Curly top was very low everywhere, and certainly did not have a big impact on crop production.
But dry winters, and especially winters that start wet in December with ample rain followed by a dry January through March, have just the opposite effect: the foothills dry up early, which causes the leafhopper populations to both explode in numbers as well as migrate early to the Valley. History has shown us that this usually results in a bad curly top year. And unfortunately for Merced tomato growers, the winter of 2024/25 is shaping up to be just this: December rains followed by very little rain for the rest of the winter or spring.
My prediction right now is that we will have a bad curly top year again, which would only be exasperated by the new DPR regs limiting the use of neonic insecticides. In 2024, the Agriculture Commissioners in Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern all made emergency declarations during the growing season which temporarily suspended the DPR regs and allowed tomato growers to continue to use neonic insecticides according to label guidelines. Because 2024 was such a low curly top year, it is difficult to say how much of an impact this had on virus infection, but it’s safe to say that this should probably be done again in 2025. The long-term precipitation outlook calls for more dry weather for central California.
Figure 1. Tomatoes infected with curly top have stunted growth and purple leaves. Marble sized fruit prematurely. Early infections before flowering cause plant death.
Thomas Gradziel, Ph.D. - Update on New UC Davis Processing Peach Varieties and Breeding Selections
Jhalendra Rijal, Ph.D. - IPM of Major Peach Pests Including Stink Bugs, Thrips, and Oriental Fruit Moth
Jim Adaskaveg, Ph.D. - Update on Diseases of Peach in California
Raymond Mireles - High Spring Temperature Impact on Peach Fruit Size and Development
Wednesday, February 5th 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 State Hwy 59, Merced, CA 95341
Free to attend Coffee and snacks provided CE Requested: 1 hour DPR 2 hour CCA
Thank you to the support from
If questions, please contact Cameron Zuber at cazuber@ucanr.edu or (209) 385-7403
Photo from R. Duncan
State bans poultry, dairy at county fairs due to bird flu. Details on Stanislaus, others
By: John Holland, The Modesto Bee
The state has barred poultry and dairy cattle from county fairs in response to the bird flu outbreak.
The Stanislaus County Fair holds out hope the order will be lifted in time for its July 11-20 run. Nearby counties had various reactions to the ban, which affects thousands of young members of 4-H and FFA.
State Veterinarian Annette Jones announced her order in a Jan. 10 news release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. She said it will remain in effect “until further notice” but did not suggest a timeline.
This avian influenza strain has sickened mainly chickens and turkeys at large farms around the nation since it emerged 2022. Farmers must euthanize all of their birds and start over with new flocks. The virus turned up in dairy cattle last March, prompting quarantines and other steps. It then moved on to humans, including a Stanislaus County resident reported to have mild symptoms in December.
The disease tends to spread where people have close contract with poultry and dairy animals. The CDFA urges them to not move the livestock, to wear masks and other protective gear, and to wash their hands.
Can other livestock still come to fairs?
The county-fair order does
not affect beef cattle, which are raised with less close contact than dairy. It also exempts swine, sheep, goats and rabbits. This last category has its own threat from rabbit hemorrhagic disease, which has prompted vaccines for wild and domestic animals.
Stanislaus fair participants spend several months raising livestock for judging and auctions at the Turlock grounds. The site also has carnival rides, concerts, motorsports, craft contests and many other attractions.
The Stanislaus fair outlined its bird flu plans in a Facebook post by Kassi Laughlin, livestock and competitive events manager.
“To make sure our exhibitors have the ability to still show if the ban is lifted, we have decided at this time not to officially cancel our shows,” she said. “This does not mean that there may not
be a time prior to the start of the fair that we will not have any choice but to cancel.”
Laughlin noted that one entry deadline is soon, Feb. 18 for replacement heifers. They are females raised to be part of cattle herds. More details on all livestock are at www.stancofair.com.
What about Merced, San Joaquin and others?
The Merced and San Joaquin county fairs have not announced any contingency plans like in Stanislaus. San Joaquin will run from May 30 to June 1. Merced will be June 4-8.
The Northern San Joaquin Valley is one of the nation’s top producers of milk, poultry and chicken eggs. These farms have long had measures for responding to disease outbreaks.
The Mother Lode Fair announced it will not have poultry or dairy cattle during
its June 27-30 run in Sonora. Tuolumne County has a prominent turkey producer, Diestel Family Ranch, and plenty of grazing land for beef cattle.
“The Mother Lode Fair’s concern is for public safety as well as the health of our local commercial poultry flocks,” its website said. “This decision has been made early enough to hopefully allow our poultry exhibitors to join another project of interest ...”
Calaveras County will have no poultry or dairy cattle shows during its May 15-18 fair in Angels Camp. It has rangeland like its neighbor to the south but no dairy or poultry industries.
Calaveras does have a fair event that is truly unique: a frog-jumping contest inspired by a Mark Twain short story. Bird flu does not infect the amphibians, so the show will go on. From small farms to large commercial
Calif. farm groups aren’t tired of winning
By: Tim Hearden, Western Farm Press
In his first campaign, President-elect Donald Trump famously promised Americans they’d win so much they’d get tired of winning. In reality, political victories are fleeting in a country as evenly divided as the U.S. And for farmers in an urban-centric state like California, victories are all the rarer and sweeter.
Nonetheless, agriculture industry leaders in the Golden State kicked off 2025 by savoring their recent wins. Among them was California Farm Bureau president Shannon Douglass, who heralded last year’s resounding defeat of Measure J, a Sonoma County ballot measure that would have phased out large dairy and poultry farms in the county within three years.
“We recognized that something like this in Sonoma County could easily be replicated” in other counties and states, Douglass told members during the CFB’s 106th Annual Meeting in Monterey in December. Farm Bureau offices at the local and state levels worked for more than a year to defeat the measure.
“Not only were they successful, they were extremely successful,” Douglass said, noting that voters rejected the measure by roughly 85% to 15%.
A frequent CFB ally, the California Cattlemen’s Association, is boasting on its website of a string of 2024 victories. Among them:
Securing renewed funding for the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s WolfLivestock Compensation Program in the current fiscal year’s budget despite a deficit.
Killing legislation to subsidize “alternative protein” research and development.
Advancing a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that streamlines the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s contracting ability to speed up large-scale prescribed fires.
Defeating legislation that would have imposed significant costs on ranchers by requiring routine inspections of what could
be considered standard-size gates.
Enshrining the environmental benefits of livestock grazing in state climate-smart policies advanced by agencies such as the California Natural Resources Agency and Air Resources Board.
“You’re never tired of winning, and of course there’s always defense that could be played in the industry,” CCA vice president of government affairs Kirk Wilbur told Farm Press.
“There are always challenges that our members face … We try to chip away at some of those challenges every year.”
There’s much more work to be done to make California
more of a farm-friendly state. As Douglass noted recently, the state has lost more than 7,000 farms and fallowed nearly 1.5 million acres in the past five years, while costs increased more than $150,000 per farm in the same period.
The victories in 2024 demonstrate what can happen when farmers get together and speak with one voice. Ag may not have the political clout that it used to, but it still has enough to gain the attention of policymakers and other Californians. It’s important for food producers to use these groups as a platform to voice your opinions. And you’ll never get tired of winning.
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California abandons diesel truck ban and 3 other clean-air rules before Trump is sworn in
By: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters
California has decided to abandon its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives because the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to allow the state to implement them.
State officials have long considered the rules regulating diesel vehicles essential to cleaning up California’s severe air pollution and combating climate change.
The withdrawal comes after the Biden administration recently approved the California Air Resources Board’s mandate phasing out new gas-powered cars by 2035, but had not yet approved other waivers for four diesel vehicle standards that the state has adopted.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has threatened to revoke or challenge all zero-emission vehicle rules and California’s other clean-air standards. By withdrawing its requests for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval, the Newsom administration is signaling a dramatic step back as the state recalibrates in anticipation of the new Trump era.
“California has withdrawn its pending waiver and authorization requests that U.S. EPA has not yet acted on,” Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph said
in a statement. “While we are disappointed that U.S. EPA was unable to act on all the requests in time, the withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California’s programs to protect public health and the climate, and has said will continue to oppose those programs.”
Environmentalists were distressed, saying it puts communities at risk and dismantles key programs.
“To meet basic standards for healthy air, California has to shift to zero-emissions trucks and trains in the coming years. Diesel is one of the most dangerous kinds of air pollution for human health, and California’s diesel problem is big enough to cast its own shadow,”
Paul Cort, director of the group Earthjustice’s Right To Zero campaign, said in a statement. The group called on “Governor (Gavin) Newsom, state legislators, and our air quality regulators to join us — to clean up our freight system and fix the mess EPA’s inaction has created.”
California’s Advanced Clean Fleet rule, which phases out diesel trucks, was one of the most far-reaching and controversial rules that California has enacted in recent years to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. It would have ended the sale of new fossil-fuel trucks in 2036 and required large trucking companies to
convert their medium and heavy-duty fleets to electric or hydrogen models by 2042.
The truck fleet rule was approved in 2022 after years of analysis, public hearings and discussions with industries and experts. It would have ended diesel’s stronghold on goods movement in the state, with potentially profound effects on the state’s environment and economy.
Trucking companies had already sued the state to stop the measure, saying electric and hydrogen big rigs are not practical for long-haul uses and that it would destroy the state’s economy.
“The California Trucking Association has consistently stated the Advanced Clean Fleets Rule was unachievable,” Eric Sauer, chief executive of the association, said in a statement. He said the industry would work with the state air board and EPA “to further reduce emissions in a technologically feasible and cost-effective manner. that preserves our State and the Nation’s critical supply chain.”
Diesel exhaust has been linked to cancer and contains fine particles that can trigger asthma and heart attacks as well as gases that form smog. Low-income, disadvantaged communities of color near ports, freeways and warehouses, especially in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, have long complained about noxious and dangerous diesel exhaust.
The state withdrew three other measures regulating emissions from dieselpowered locomotives, commercial harbor craft and refrigeration unit engines that are hauled by trucks and rail cars.
Under the railroad rule, only locomotives less than 23 years old would have been allowed in California beginning in 2030, unless they were zero emissions. The rule also limited how long they could idle. People living in communities with trains and rail yards have long complained that the emissions are making them sick. Railroads said no viable zero-emission locomotive technology and infrastructure exists yet so the rule’s “timeline is impossible,” and that it would prematurely retire viable equipment and disrupt goods movement.
Under the Clean Air Act, Congress more than a half-century ago granted California the unique ability to set its own aggressive emission standards for cars, trucks and other vehicles because of its severe smog. But the federal EPA must grant California a waiver to implement them.
For decades, the EPA has granted California the waivers. Only one waiver was initially denied — a 2008 rule setting greenhouse gas emission standards for cars — and that decision was quickly reversed and the See 'Diesel Truck Ban' Page 16
Diesel
Truck
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waiver granted.
But when Trump was last in office, his administration took aim at the state’s special status to enact stricter rules — one of the more significant environmental clashes of the first Trump era. The Biden administration in 2022 reversed those efforts.
California air-quality officials have been waiting for years for the Biden administration’s EPA to approve the last four rules, hoping that time wouldn’t run out. But the EPA failed to act in time.
Randolph told CalMatters that Biden’s EPA had informed California that it did not have time to complete the four waivers, prompting the air board to withdraw them.
“Once we knew that, we realized that we needed to deploy an offensive strategy to make sure that we maintained control of the waivers, and so we pulled them back,” Randolph said. “The Trump administration has not indicated a lot of support for our clean air and climate strategy, right? So our concern was that if we leave them hanging out there, we don’t know what they’re going to do with them. So we thought it would be better to maintain control.”
What’s more, Randolph said litigation will be increasingly likely under the incoming Trump administration so it was time to “protect and defend the work that we’ve already done.” Some business groups have already sued to try to block the mandate banning sales of gas-powered cars in 2035.
“We know there’s going to be a lot of litigation in the
offing, whether it’s entities suing us, or us going on the offense and trying to protect our ability to move forward to address both air quality and climate change,” she said.
California may have to suspend any future rulemaking for vehicles over the next four years of the Trump administration and rely instead on voluntary agreements with engine manufacturers, trucking companies, railroads and other industries.
“The California Air Resources Board is assessing its option to continue its progress as part of its commitment to move forward the important work of improving the state’s air quality and reducing harmful pollutants that contribute to poor health outcomes and worsen climate change,” Randolph said in the statement.
industry had cited the high costs of zero-emission vehicles, limited charging and fueling infrastructure, and the financial burden on small operators.
Some provisions, for drayage trucks that serve ports, were supposed to be implemented already, but the air board put them on hold pending the outcome of the Biden administration’s approval.
Some companies,
including Pepsi, have already rolled out electric and hydrogen fleets. Amazon has deployed 50 heavy-duty electric trucks in Southern California as well as hundreds of electric vans nationally. Sales of zero-emissions trucks have increased despite no deadlines kicking in. In 2023, one out of every six medium and heavy-duty trucks sold in the state — more than 18,000 — were zero emissions.
“It’s clear that the public health, air quality, and climate challenges that California faces require urgent action. We are ready and committed to continuing the important work of building a clean air future.”
The truck fleet rule would have affected about 1.8 million medium and heavy-duty trucks on California roads, including delivery trucks used by FedEx, UPS and Amazon. The trucking
Golden State Dairy Management @ the World Ag Expo
Join us for University of California Research Updates at the Farm Show in Tulare!
CEUs Requested: ARPAS, CCA & CDFA-INMP
Visit our website for more info.
Tuesday, February 11th
Seminar Trailer 2
Hot Topics, 11:30 am
Beef x dairy crossbred cattle in the feedlot:
Performance & carcass characteristics
Brooke Latack, UCCE Livestock Advisor
Byproduct usage in California dairy rations
Jennifer Heguy, UCCE Dairy Advisor
How feed additives can help the dairy industry be part of a climate solution
Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis & UC ANR
Agronomic Crop Management, 12:30 pm
Weed management in small grains
Jorge Angeles, UCCE Weed Management Advisor
Chickweed herbicide resistance in small grain forages & alfalfa
Nicholas Clark, UCCE Agronomy Advisor
Website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/CAdairyconference/
Tuesday, February 11th
Seminar Trailer 2
Manure & Pest Management, 1:30 pm
Managing compost bedded pack barns for success in California
Randi Black, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Bird’s eye view of manure nitrogen management in California
Deanne Meyer, UC Davis & UC ANR
Use of botanical oils to reduce biting fly activity
Alec Gerry, UC Riverside & UC ANR
Wednesday, February 12th
Seminar Trailer 2
Herd Health, 1:30 pm
Impacts of colostrum management on calf health & growth during the preweaning period
Betsy Karle, UCCE Dairy Advisor
Naval disease: The silent killer
Noelia Silva-del-Rio, UC Davis & UC ANR
Improving health management on the dairy: New tools for on-farm training of farmworkers
Richard Pereira, UC Davis
You’ll find it in the Almond Almanac, a year-end annual report that provides a comprehensive look at the California Almond industry. You’ll find current and historical facts about almond production, shipment, and consumption. For almond farmers and processors, this is your annual accounting of how your investment in the Almond Board of California is leveraged to build long-term demand for California almonds around the world The Almanac can be used year-long as a knowledgeable and credible source of statistical information about the industry
Bird Flu
As the horrors of Covid and all of the mayhem it caused has become a distant memory, the Bird Flu appears to be rearing its ugly head. The CDC states that Avian influenza is caused by influenza A viruses, which are classified into subtypes based on two proteins on the surface of the virus: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). These subtypes are numbered, and strains like H5N1 and H7N9 have garnered significant attention due to their potential to infect humans and cause severe illness.
Avian influenza has been circulating in both wild and domestic bird populations, with new strains such as H5N8, H5N6, and H5N2 emerging. While these variants have occasionally affected humans, the number of cases remains relatively low. For instance, while H5N8 has caused significant outbreaks among poultry in several countries, human cases have been rare, and most infections have been limited to those in direct contact with infected birds. Symptoms of bird flu in people may include eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis), mild fever (temperature of 100ºF [37.8ºC] or greater) or feeling feverish, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, muscle or body aches, headaches,
and fatigue. Eye redness has been the predominant symptom among recent U.S. cases of avian influenza A(H5) virus infection. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
So far, there’s no evidence that H5N1 is spreading person-to-person, although one dairy worker in Texas who worked closely with infected cattle had a mild infection and developed conjunctivitis in April of 2024. In December, health officials said that a patient in Louisiana with a severe case of bird flu had died, the first reported human death from the disease in the U.S. The patient marked the country’s first severe case of H5N1 avian influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The Louisiana Department of Health said that the patient, who was older than 65 and reported to have underlying medical conditions, had been hospitalized, “after exposure to a combination of a noncommercial backyard flock and wild birds.”
Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a State of Emergency in California due to Avian Influenza. Governor Newsom stated that, “This proclamation is a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak. Building
on California’s testing and monitoring system — the largest in the nation — we are committed to further protecting public health, supporting our agriculture industry, and ensuring that Californians have access to accurate, up-to-date information. While the risk to the public remains low, we will continue to take all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this virus.”
With emergency proclamations and public fear, there are always those who seek to take advantage of the situation. Mariposa County Agricultural Commissioner Monica Nielsen advises that anyone
claiming to be from the FDA, CDFA, or USDA requests access to your property, it is important to obtain their business card and verify their identity. You can do this by calling the number listed on the card to confirm that they are indeed representatives of the agency they claim to represent. This simple step helps ensure that the public is protected from potential fraud and that all interactions are legitimate. The public can also contact the Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 209-966-2075 for assistance. If the public has poultry and it does become sick, report it to the CDFA Sick Bird Hot Line at 1-866-922-2473.
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
