July 2023

arm. You E F at. e W

July 2023 | Volume 116, Number 7

Merced County Farm News California, manufacturers strike deal over zero-emission trucks

By: Rachel Becker, San Francisco Chronicle

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uly 6, 2023 - California and major truck manufacturers announced a deal Thursday that would avoid a legal battle over the state’s landmark mandate phasing out diesel big rigs and other trucks.

In return, the Air Resources Board will relax some near-term requirements for trucks to reduce emissions of a key ingredient of smog to more closely align with new federal standards.

“It’s great to have them not suing and not helping others in lawsuits,” said Steven Cliff, the air board’s executive officer. “But more important is we ensure that we’re getting the actual reduction benefits associated with the rules.”

The powerful Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association as well as 10 manufacturers — including Cummins Inc., Daimler Truck North America, Volvo Group North America and Navistar Inc. — signed on to the deal.

“Both (the California Air Resources Board) and we realized that, through

these discussions, there was an opportunity for CARB to realign with the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) starting in 2027. And that’s really what led to our sitting down and coming to this agreement,” said Jed Mandel, president of the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association.

Starting in 2036, no new fossil-fueled medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks will be sold in California under a regulation approved by the air board in April. All new models instead will have to be zeroemissions. Large trucking companies also must convert existing fleets to zero-

emission electric or hydrogen models by 2042.

While manufacturers are now supporting California’s rules, trucking companies have vigorously opposed them, saying zero-emission big rigs can cost more than twice the cost of a diesel truck, take hours to charge, can’t travel the range that many companies need to transport cargo and lack a sufficient statewide network of charging stations.

A top executive of the trucking industry had predicted economic chaos and dysfunction and said the mandate is likely to “fail pretty spectacularly.”

Assemblywoman Soria named Chair of Assembly Agriculture Committee By: Esmerelda Soria, Assemblywoman, District 27

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uly 3, 2023 SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced) was appointed Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee

by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister).

Assemblywoman Soria is honored to Chair the Assembly Agriculture Committee and oversee the state’s $50 billion agriculture industry.

Assemblywoman Soria represents Assembly District 27, a largely

INSIDE:

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Flower Thrips and Odd Almond Foliar and Stem Growth

agricultural district, in the heart of the Central Valley. The Central Valley supplies 8% of U.S. agricultural output, and produces 25% of the nation's food, including 40% of the nation's fruits, nuts, and other table foods.

“I’m grateful to Speaker Rivas for entrusting me with the important work of this committee,” said Assemblywoman Soria. “As the daughter of first-generation immigrants and farmworkers, I worked alongside my parents in the Central Valley agricultural fields, and understand the importance of supporting both our agricultural industry and workers.”

As Chair of the 11-member

County 14-15 Merced YF&R Updates

Assembly Agriculture Committee, Assemblywoman Soria will lead the legislative decision-making process on a wide variety of issues including agricultural commissions, agricultural commodities, Department of Food and Agriculture, expositions and fairs, farmers markets, food access, food labeling, livestock and poultry, dairy products, pest management, veterinarians, and more.

“I hold a deep connection with California agriculture,” said Assemblywoman Soria. “I pledge to continually engage with and bring the voices of farmers and farmworkers to the State Capitol.”

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FARM2U Day

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

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from the

Director's Desk Breanne Vandenberg

ne of the pillars of our organization, and one of the biggest benefits of being a member, is our ability to connect with elected and bureaucratic departments during times of need. This has been on display this past week through our efforts in aiding cotton growers and PCAs in explaining the issues that have arisen with lygus and whitefly.

Increasing numbers of lygus has continued to dwindle crop retention.

It should also be noted that statewide acreage has already been impacted due to the reforming of Tulare Lake within Kings County.

Lygus comes on early in cotton development. It impacts the crop by stinging the developing square (undeveloped fruit before the bloom stage) which in turn kills the growth, shedding the square. Lygus also seems to come on stronger during wet years due to the nutritional material that is

present. While much of the concern to date has been on lygus, whitefly brings an equal level of concern but occurs later in the year when bolls open. The pest produces a honeydew which is where you may have heard the term “sticky cotton,” creating enormous issues during the ginning process.

Growers and PCAs have been working around the clock to find materials that will eliminate the lygus, or at least maintain it for the year, but many products have been found ineffective. This has unfortunately led to more spray events than one would make in a season. Ultimately this becomes more costly on many levels outside of the cost of purchasing supplementary products. This also leads to more being placed on the environment, more concern for time and energy of employees, and worry if the crop will make it to harvest. The same story may be said for whitefly at season’s end.

For the above reasons, we joined with the Dos Palos Cotton Gin in requesting a meeting with our elected officials to detail the concerns. A wide range of speakers and guests were present to speak on the issue however most notable were the representatives from the elected offices of Congressman John Duarte, Senator Anna Caballero and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria.

Our end goal was education on the issue at hand, ensuring we have products that will work for our growers at a better rate.

We plan to continue the conversation over the growing season and hope to have a solution sooner rather than later.

We appreciate everyone who took the time to join the call during a busy season. This is one of the many ways your local Farm Bureau works for the membership. Please reach out to our office with any issue you may have.

UC Merced Library Completes its UCANR Film Preservation Project By: Rebecca Gourevitch, UC Merced Library

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his Spring, the UC Merced Library concluded its multi-year project to preserve, digitize, and make accessible films produced by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR). When the Library began accepting materials from UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices around the state (local CEs under UCANR’s umbrella), archivists uncovered items that described and visualized the professional activities of farm advisors and home demonstration agents over the course of the twentieth century.

Formats found in the archive vary greatly (i.e.: pamphlets, newsletters, annual reports, photographs, negatives), but much of the materials fall under categories of either paper or photographic materials. So, when in 2019 the Library acquired several boxes of 16mm film reels from the UCANR statewide office, the California Agricultural Resources Archive (CARA) processing team was confronted with a new— but exciting— challenge.

Although many of the reel cans contained titles and other transcriptions, learning the exact content of each film required digitization. Even more significantly, the films were in bad shape. A strong smell of vinegar

emanated from the boxes (a telltale sign of vinegar syndrome which occurs when the cellulose acetate reels decompose producing acetic acid) and many of the reels were concaved or brittle. Once vinegar syndrome begins it is irreversible and the films suffer embrittlement, shrinkage, and bubbling. If its effects go too far, it becomes impossible to play the media or complete a digital transfer.

Confronted with this urgency, the Library received funding from UCANR and Project CERES (a preservation grant from the United States Agricultural Information Network (USAIN)) to digitize the films. CARA’s Project Archivist spoke with Dawn Aveline, Director of Preservation Programs at Preservation Technologies, about their audiovisual laboratory MediaPreserve. Dawn conveyed that even though our materials were in various states of deterioration, they would be able to examine and likely digitize the decomposing reels.

In total, we sent MediaPreserve eighty-seven reels for digitization and forty-nine films were identified. The reels along with their corresponding digital files were sent back to the Library. The digitized films are now available to view on Calisphere and the originals will be placed in our freezer for long term storage.

Dating from 1953 to 1979, the films, produced by UCCE personnel and collaborators, reflect UCANR activities

like the 4-H youth development program, food and nutrition education, irrigation, rangeland management, the ag industry animals, and adolescent health. They reflect changes in public awareness about environmental and health concerns, and were produced as communication tools, representing valuable audiovisual documentation of those changes. For example, in the film You are what you eat, 1962, from a UCCE series called the Homemaker’s Notebook, nutritionist Marion Tate addresses the viewers about the importance of good nutrition practices for all ages. The films in the Homemaker’s Notebook series provide a historical lens for understanding the prevailing nutrition recommendations and food education practices of that time. It also reveals other societal norms of the early 1960s like clothing, interior design, and the family dynamics including the performance of gender roles.

Another film titled Operation Fire Stop, visualizes a “one-year operational study to provide the Fire Services with new aids for massfire prevention.” (opening credits of operation film). In the film, the narrator describes several of the measures undertaken by Fire Stop collaborators such as the use of the use of grass plots for test burns, weather balloons to measure wind drifts and weather patterns, ignition pattern tests, and fire retarding chemicals. The narrator also

conveys that “complete film records were made of each and every test.”

Modern irrigation equipment, shares clips from different irrigation equipment demonstrations to showcase modern implementations to distribute, utilize, and conserve water. The construction of canals is illustrated by the film’s visuals and discussed by the narrator; providing viewers with an understanding of how California waterways—still visible in our landscapes— were developed.

In September of 2022, UC Merced Library opened a photography exhibit, A Century of Impact in California's Counties: Highlights from the University of California Cooperative archive. Still shots from the digitized UCANR films made up several of the exhibit’s images, signifying the range of audiovisual materials used by UCCE to disseminate information about agriculture and rural living.

In closing the exhibit, the Library hosted an event in May 2023, with local UCCE specialists, UC Merced extension specialists, and others who conduct work about agriculture, climate, and related topics. Guests learned about the Library’s endeavor to process collections from the UC Cooperative Extension archive and were presented with methods to access the materials online for research and teaching considerations.

We look forward to more opportunities to share resources from the UC Cooperative Extension Archive!

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

from the

active management of it. I complained about the fact that there is a mentality among many of these regulators that is devoid of reason and common sense. Another area where this mentality has really reared its ugly head is in the arena of “green energy.”

Whether from the lawmakers themselves, their agencies and leaders, or from the activists who put relentless pressure on them all the time, there is a strong and constant push for green energy projects and goals. Conceptually, this is completely acceptable. It is of course great that strides and developments in methods and technology are being made all the time. One of the most beautiful things about a free market economy is that there is always motivation to come up with better ways and better products. It never has to be mandated to become mainstream… you just let the technology develop and people and companies will adopt it and find ways to utilize it to the maximum degree possible. But…interestingly… mandating these goals is exactly what our regulators and lawmakers are constantly trying to do! Even when the technology or capability to mass produce it or economically produce it doesn’t even exist yet. It’s really a very backwards way of thinking and acting… and that has become a very mainstream way of thinking in our society these days, especially by our politicians and their influencers.

There are a plethora of falsehoods and ironies that plague the Green Energy Movement, and a whole lot of blindness and ignorance on the part of the zealots who push it relentlessly on everyone else. A recent example would be Governor Newsom and the State of California pushing for a ban on all gas powered equipment

President's Corner Joe Sansoni

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t has been a pretty mild summer so far, but as I write this, I know that is about to change. Several days of triple digit temperatures are heading our way… it’s going to truly feel like summertime for sure! I hope that all farmers, workers and their families are able to get through the days of extreme heat safely and comfortably.

In last month’s article I wrote about the unfortunate lack of collaboration and compromise from our state and various regulatory agencies.

The reasons for their lack of cooperation or effort towards mutual stewardship with landowners is often rooted in a very aggressive stance on environmental policy…by aggressive I mean they are often vehemently opposed to any and all human manipulation or constructive management of our land, resources, and infrastructure, thinking that we should in fact do the least possible of these things in the belief that somehow that is better for our environment than

Page 3 under 25HP by 2024, as well as on all new gas powered cars by 2035.

Of course, the motivation for this is to help clean up the air and lessen dependence on fossil fuels. However, there seems to be little to zero concern on their part for all the environmental downsides of replacing gas powered equipment and cars with electric ones… such as the need to mine more elements needed to manufacture the batteries, the need for more plastic components to package batteries for small equipment such as chainsaws and power pruners (producing plastics requires a lot of crude oil), the future need to dispose of or recycle said batteries, and of course the need to constantly recharge them which places more demand on an already overburdened electric grid.

Of course one of the reasons for the overburdened electric grid is the lack of any new water reservoirs that could produce extra energy…because for whatever reason, the State Water Board doesn’t consider hydro-electric power “renewable!” So the next best solution is wind generation…which only works efficiently in certain areas and in certain conditions, and by the way, unknown to many “environmentalists” also cause a huge amount of loss of life in bird populations, some which are threatened.

That particular ugly downside of wind generation gets conveniently left out of the reporting narrative of course, because the people who push for it are afraid of being labeled as hypocritical.

As does the need for more elements to be mined for battery production.

Ironically, crude oil itself is much more renewable than the elements mined for batteries. That gets left out of the conversation too. Solar power is viewed as a wonderful technology too, and it is. But it too is fraught with many unanswered questions and unresolved problems. Most PV panels only have a 20-25 year life span, so beginning here in just a few years, most installed in the past 10-15 years will need replacing, and

over time all the others. As of yet they are only still researching possibilities of recycling them, so at least early on most will be buried in landfills and replaced with new units…all of which requires lots more mining and manufacturing. I seriously question the true net positives after factoring in all the downsides, collateral costs and trade-offs of these “green energy” initiatives. They are not as green as people think. And I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the humanitarian crises that are being created in many countries where people and children are being exploited because of the demand for the mined elements.

That’s a whole other can of worms.

In agriculture, we are pushed and mandated (basically forced) all the time to upgrade equipment and processes with goals of lower emissions and more environmentally friendly technology. We even have money (our own money, collectively) thrown at us to make these changes within compressed time frames. Often these arbitrary time frames are nowhere near consistent with fully researched and developed technology. What good is an “upgrade” if it is constantly problematic and causes the user more downtime and inefficiency than the old technology that was proven by time to be cost effective, reliable and manageable by the average person?

I’m certainly all for the development of newer and cleaner technologies. I just wish that the politicians and activists would leave it to the very capable world of engineers, manufacturers, and end users to work together to develop and utilize new technologies in their own time frames…because in my opinion, properly and patiently developed progress is far more effective and efficient than forced/mandated progress in which products and technology that are not yet fully proven or refined get forced into production and use. I believe the current trends are creating more problems for our future than they are actually solving in the present.

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.

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

IRRIGATION EVALUATIONS

STANISLAUS MERCED MADERA COUNTIES

APRIL THROUGH NOVEMBER

Have an Irrigation Specialist evaluate your existing irrigation system for FREE!

THEY WILL: CONDUCT AN IN-FIELD SYSTEM AND SITE EVALUATION IDENTIFY ANY SYSTEM INEFFICIENCIES DEVELOP FULL CONSERVATION PLAN TO SCHEDULE AN EVALUATION PLEASE CONTACT:

KEVIN REYES

programs@maderachowchillarcd.org

559-755-5148

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 Alan Sano 559-905-1240

Jay Mahil CFBF Director - District 9 David Macedo CFBF Field Representative Pierce Hanning Merced County YF&R Chair

Sarah Baskins 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 • July 20, 2023

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Flower Thrips and Odd Almond Foliar and Stem Growth By: Cameron Zuber, Orchard Crops Farm Advisor, Merced and Madera Counties &David Haviland, Entomology and Pest Management Advisor, Kern County

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lmond growers commonly observe the condition of shoot terminals as an overall indicator of tree health and vigor. Long internodes with healthy green leaves are seen as an indicator of high vigor and tree health, whereas shortening internodes and small or discolored leaves are a cause for concern. Trees that exhibit good health and vigor, but the terminal ends of stems have become stunted with wavy and odd-looking leaves may be due to damage from a sometimes relatively unknown pest of almonds: western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis).

Western flower thrips have raspingsucking mouthparts. They are most known for feeding on the flowers on a wide range of plants, but they can also feed on really soft plant tissues, such as the new growth at the terminals on an almond tree. When this occurs, internodes become increasingly shorter and new leaves get smaller.

There is a direct correlation between how soft the tissue is, and the thrips ability to feed on it. Trees with rapidlyexpanding vegetative growth are at highest risk due to that softer tissue.

This is most common in young trees that are overfertilized, overwatered, highly vigorous varieties, or varieties on highly vigorous rootstocks. The risk of thrips feeding decreases significantly as tree begin to bear fruit or as the season progresses as leaves and stems become hardened off.

Thrips damage should not be confused with zinc deficiency, which can result in similar symptoms, but typically appears later in the season (e.g., after harvest) when the risk of thrips feeding decreases. Additionally, western flower thrips should not be confused with sixspotted thrips (Scolothrips sexmaculatus) which is a predatory thrips species that feeds almost exclusively on spider mite.

Adults are easily recognized due to the presence of three distinct black spots on each of the wings.

The best way to monitor for western flower thrips is to tap the ends of

impacted stems into the palm of the hand or a clipboard. Then look for small, cylindrical, yellow-brown organisms.

Under magnification, they have long cylindrical bodies, fringed wings with lots of hairs, and black setae extending from the tip of the abdomen.

In almonds, western flower thrips are suspected to come from the foothills as the resident vegetation dries. Research projects to document impacts of western flower thrips on almond crop growth or quality have not been conducted. In general, treatments for western flower thrips are rarely warranted as the thrips coming from the foothills eventually fades away, die, or move to other locations in search of preferred places to feed, such as flowers. However, it is presumed that stunting to vegetative growth, particularly on young trees, has the potential to produce smaller trees, which could reduce yields in the future. For that reason, some growers have resorted to making insecticide treatments when levels of stunting become unacceptable for them.

An effective insecticide for western flower thrips is in the chemical class called spinosyns. This includes spinetoram (e.g., Delegate) and spinosad (e.g., Success or Entrust). If considering a treatment for western flower thrips, please understand that these products are also highly effective against the predatory sixspotted thrips that serves as the most important natural enemy of spider mites. Please weigh the benefit of controlling plant-feeding thrips against the detriment caused by reducing populations of predatory thrips.

Special thanks to Jhalendra Rijal (Area IPM Advisor, Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties) and Houston Wilson (Specialist, Department of Entomology, UC Riverside) for their help with the initial identification of this thrips as well as insight used in this article.

This was adapted from article first posted to San Joaquin Trees and Vines.

While this article discusses specific products, they are used as examples within the context of education and extension efforts conducted by University scientists and mention of any products are not an endorsement, and lack of mention does not imply a lack of endorsement.

Left photo of tips of leaf shoots in June showing shortened internodes and stunted leaves.

Right-top photo adult sixspotted thrips (Scolothrips sexmaculatus). Right-bottom photos of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) collected into a glass jar, frozen, air dried, and then viewed using a microscope with 4.5 magnification.

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Farm Service Agency Now Accepting Nominations for Farmers and Ranchers to Serve on Local County Committees By: USDA

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UNE 15, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

County committee members make important decisions about how Federal farm programs are administered locally.

All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2023.

“It is a priority for USDA to integrate equity into its decision-making and policymaking, and that starts with our local FSA county committees,” said Blong Xiong State Executive Director for FSA in California. “We need enthusiastic, diverse leaders to serve other agricultural producers on these committees as we work to build equitable systems and programming inclusive of all employees and all of our customers. I ask that you consider making a difference in your community by nominating yourself, or another agricultural producer, to serve on your local FSA county committee.”

Blong said agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the county

committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women, and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote and hold office.

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs,

as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.

More Information Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa. usda.gov/elections.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 6, 2023.

Producers can find their local USDA Service Center at farmers.gov/servicelocator.

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

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Modesto-based Almond Board of California has new CEO. She helped lead Starbucks and winery By: John Holland, The Modesto Bee

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apa Valley winery executive Clarice Turner will be the next leader of the Almond Board of California. The Modestobased board announced Tuesday that she will succeed the retiring Richard Waycott as president and CEO. Turner has been president of Joseph Phelps Vineyards since 2018. She had earlier leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee, Papa Murphy’s International, Boudin Bakery, PepsiCo and Yum! Brands.

The Almond Board supports the state’s third-highest-grossing farm product with export promotion and research on growing practices and consumer trends.

“Clarice brings extensive knowledge and experience that we believe will be a great benefit to the organization and

the industry, ” said Chairwoman Alexi Rodriguez, a grower and processor in Fresno County, in a news release.

Turner will join the board in September.

Waycott has led it since 2002 and will help with the transition through December. Clarice Turner will be the next president and CEO of the Almond Board of California, the Modesto-based group announced on July 18, 2023.

Almond Board of California Schooled In San Francisco And China Turner, a ninth-generation Californian, earned a bachelor’s degree in geology and a master’s in international business at San Francisco State University. She also attended Fudan University in Shanghai, where she studied business and the Mandarin language. Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded by its namesake in 1973 in the St. Helena portion of the premium wine

region. It is still family-owned. Turner was CEO at Boudin, a sandwich chain inspired by a San Francisco sourdough brand dating to 1849. She was president and chief operating officer at Papa Murphy’s, a take-and-bake pizza chain based in Vancouver, Wash. Turner led the food, wine and ready-to-drink lines at Starbucks, headquartered in Seattle.

She held several executive positions at Yum! Brands, based in Louisville, Kentucky. It owns KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger Grill. Turner also had executive roles at PepsiCo, a snack and beverage maker based in Purchase, N.Y. Its operations include a Frito-Lay chip plant in Modesto.

Third In California Behind Milk And Grapes California grows about 80% of the world’s almonds. They brought about $5.03 billion in gross income in 2021,

according to the latest report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Milk was first, grapes second. Almond growers have struggled with low prices in recent years. The problem began with the bumper crop of 2020 and was compounded by tariffs and pandemic-related shipping backlogs.

The board dates to 1950 and is funded by assessments on growers. In recent decades, it has sponsored research that found almonds to be healthy sources of fat and protein. It also has worked on behalf of pollinating bees and on capturing carbon in the fight against climate change. “I am honored to lead the Almond Board of California,” Turner said in the release. “It’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to combine my California heritage, roots in generational farming and executive experience to build on the strong foundation established in 1950.”

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Extreme weather raises risk for California tomato growers, impacts famed North Beach restaurant Tommaso's By: Elizabeth Cook and Molly McCrea, CBS Bay Area

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AN FRANCISCO -- Tommaso's Restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach serves up some of the most authentic Italian food outside of the "Bel paese."

From the thin-crust pizza baked to perfection in a wood-fire brick oven that can be traced back to those used in ancient Rome, to the ample servings of home-cooked, marinara-drenched pasta, customers devour everything on the menu.

The secret is in the sauce.

"It's so good. I don't know what they put in it but it's delicious," exclaimed longtime customer Juliet Dwight.

Tommaso's depends on a reliable supply of tomato sauce.

"This place without tomato sauce?

We could close the doors. That's how vital that product is for us," explained owner Agostino Crotti The recipe may be pure Italy but the tomatoes are all California. Tommaso's uses lots of tomatoes -- all grown and processed in the Central Valley.

"Sixty gallons a week of tomato sauce and about 10 cases of fresh tomatoes," Crotti's wife Anna said as she took a break from preparing sauce for the restaurant.

California's tomato farmers are responsible for more than 95 percent of processed tomatoes in the United States.

Of all the tomatoes grown commercially on earth, nearly 30 percent is grown in California. It's a top agricultural commodity worth about $1.18 billion.

When it comes to tomatoes, California's extreme weather is serving up some big trouble for restaurateurs like the Crotti Family.

"A lot of it has to do with the weather. It will be another really rough tomato season," Crotti's sister Carmen said.

Five years of drought have created a tomato shortage. Last year, an extreme heat wave late in the season shriveled tomatoes on the vine.

This year, heavy winter storms put Central Valley fields under water, preventing farmers from planting on

schedule.

"There's a lot of tomatoes in the ground right now but the real challenge is going to come at harvest time," farmer Cannon Michael said.

Michael, a sixth-generation farmer, heads up the Bowles Farming Company near Los Banos.

Fresh market and processing tomatoes is the largest crop on his 11,000-acre farm.

"Our processing tomato crop is about a third of what we grow here," Michael said.

In California, tomatoes are planted, harvested and processed according to a staggered, state-wide schedule.

"They start in the southern part of the valley where it gets hotter first and then the planting starts there and then it goes north," Michael explained.

According to the California Tomato Growers Association, once harvested, the tomatoes are processed within six hours.

Eleven tomato processors operate 16 plants throughout the Central Valley. If the extreme weather continues, the impact could be crushing.

There could be bottlenecks at the plants.

"We're a little nervous about what might happen down the road," Michael said.

Because of shortened planting season, a very unusual situation has cropped up. The nonprofit CTGA told KPIX that, instead of 28 percent of the crop being processed after midSeptember, 50 percent of the state's tomatoes will now get processed. That is an unusually large percentage so late in the season.

A lot can happen between then and now on the tomato fields and Michael remains optimistic. Even so, if there's an extreme heat wave or rain event, these tomatoes simply

can't all be processed.

That could lead to shortages.

"I would anticipate that some of your favorite products you might have a hard time finding them in the stores," Michael warned.

As for Tommaso's, the Crottis have already seen a jump in prices. They can't remember ever paying $1 for each fresh tomato they use for their dishes. As for the canned tomatoes, they're using up last year's supplies and they're paying more for each gallon.

They can't imagine passing on the costs to their customers. "No, we do not ... We take the loss," Anna Crotti insisted.

Many customers told KPIX that the staff at Tommaso's is like family and the Crottis are grateful for their loyal customers.

"It sounds corny but we really are a family," Carmen said.

"Global warming is making food supply more of a challenge. We hope for better times ahead," said Agostino.

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Page 9

Sweet Potato Joe from page 1 California Supreme Court rejects SCOTUS

the former Florence Cardoza of known as the “Voice of Livingsand booster for over fifty years. great grandchildren.

Merced in 1942. ton.” From 1946 to 1996, he anThis led to his being appointed His light on earth has dimmed, After the war, and during his nounced all the Livingston High the third Area Commissioner but heaven is brighter as he has life as a sweet potato farmer, he School football games, lending of Baseball. All of these years joined Florence, the true love of with more 1.6 voice milliontoemployers to employers and plaintiffs of By: Bobserved Egelko, Francisco asSan President of the Calihisthan strong the communi-for both of being involved in baseball hisarbitrate life. his individual claim against Chronicle in California subject to state regulation, arbitration as a means of effectively, the company, fornia Sweet Potato Council, and ty by also announcing everything in Livingston culminated in the So long to Monday’s our Dad, ruling coach,allows he said, state inspectors were able to him to sue Uber Eats on behalf of coquickly, and fairly resolving disputes US Sweet Potato Council, where in Livingston from parades to community baseball field being neighbor and everyone’s friend. conduct only 1,734 inspections in a workers and the state. It does not resolve will be eroded.” he wasin aCalifornia Director can for use over 20 radio programs. He served on the renamed the “Joe F. Alvernaz He will be deeply and painfully orkers recent year.

The ruling also illustrated differences the equally contentious issue of whether was first Califor- The ruling Livingston Elementary School between Baseball Field,”courts something he missed, ayears. uniqueHe state lawthe to join does not eliminate the the driversyet arecelebrated, employees honored or contractors. the highest of the nation nia farmer attend the National Board and the Merced County and was so proud andUnder neveranforgotten. together and to seek penalties last threat to PAGA, however.

Business its largest state.of.

While the U.S. earlier state Supreme against theirSweet employer for violating Potato Convention, among Commission JoeCourt was predeceased by his In lieu of and flowers, the legislation, family groups, Recreation which have argued that thefor lawmanySupreme Court ruling followup has been fractured labor laws, other the state Supreme Court industry firsts. Joe ser-harms the years.

Joe’sand acting skills even across parents, Joe and Mabel requests donations be economy serves mainly AB5, that that set standards formay employment ideological lines, with aAlvernaz, 6-3 ruled unanimously Monday, rejecting a to enrich lawyers, have qualified an conservative majority prevailing in relationships, most or all of the drivers ved as President of the Merced benefited the Livingston Little brothers, Arthur and John Almade to Grace Nursing Home in U.S. Supreme Court decision that would initiative for the November 2024 ballot for Uber, Lyft and other app-based recent cases on abortion, affirmative County Farm Bureau, and was Theater Group, where he starvernaz, and sister, Mary Geyer.

Livingston or to the Joe F. Alhave effectively nullified the California that would repeal the 2004 law and most action, companies were classified as benefit employees. student loans and gay rights, on the Board of Directors of the red in several productions, He was also predeceased by his vernaz Memorial Fund to law. instead allow individual employees But those companies sponsored a more than 80% of the California Nisei FarmersGeneral League. notably as Elwood P. Dowd in oldest son, Joey Alvernaz, in youth baseball in Livingston.

The Private Attorneys Act He of forto sue their employers for labor law Supreme Court’s rulings in recent years November 2020 ballot measure, med lets the California Sweet “Harvey”. by his wife of 64 years, Proposition Sweet Potato Joe was the 2004, or PAGA, employees sue theirPotato violations and collect 100% of the 22, that carved them out of have1980 been and unanimous.

Co-op in Livingston,penalties, His love of baseball began at an Florence, in 2007.

Farm Bureau President employers, Growers individually or collectively, but no attorneys’ fees. the law and reclassified theirfrom drivers as Rubin’s client, Erik Adolph, went to in the namealong of the with state several for violating other local Michael early age and became a life-long work as Hea is survived

by Eats five in children, 1983-1986 Itand long-time Rubin, a lawyer for the washired approved by 59% of driver for Uber Orange contractors. laws such asgrowers, those regulating in Monday’s praised itself the intoCounty the voters after aLorraine $200 million campaign 2019, andJames sued the company which isminimum celebratingworker its interest that case, manifested JudyinBlevins, (Colette) staff member Passawages, overtime, sick pay and meal ruling and said he was optimistic that under PAGA later that year for refusing by the companies.

50th anniversary this year. a devotion to the sport for over Alvernaz, and Benjamin (Debbie) dori when she showed up in her and rest breaks. If the suits succeed, the the stateeighty law would endure.

A state appealsfor court the key for expenses such His interests and community years.

He organized the to reimburse Alvernazdrivers of Livingston; Cecelia clown costume theupheld interview. employees collect 25% of the penalties “The more the California populace provisions of Prop. 22 this March, but as fuel costs, benefits that are provided very diversefirst kid’s hardball team in Mer(James) Simon of San Diego, and Agriculture lost a strong advoprovided byinvolvement labor law, andwere the state learns about what a difference PAGA has to employees but not to independent the state Supreme Court set that ruling from serving as a founding made inced County in the early 50’s. He Susan (Randall) Wilson of Macate that will truly be missed. We collects 75%. the lives of workers throughout contractors. aside last month and agreed to hear the member of thehigh Livingston Mefond has of Ameriposa, sister, Cecelia will and continue Last June, the nation’s court the statewas and particularly how much PAGA case decide to thekeep issue.his family While hisacontract requires Luker Adolphof ruled 8-1 that PAGA violates the rights dical Group, to past-President rican Legion Baseball, serving Atwater, 17 grandchildren and 13 in our thoughts and prayers. strengthened the state labor agencies of businesses whose contracts require of Livingston Rotary, to beingto enable asthem a coach, sponsor, announcer to enforce workplace workers to take disputes to individual law on behalf of low-wage workers, arbitration rather than going to court, a the more confident I am that PAGA common practice for large companies. will survive the most recent initiative Arbitrators’ decisions are virtually challenge,” Rubin said. unappealable, and studies have found Although last year’s U.S. Supreme that they usually favor employers, their Court ruling put PAGA cases on hold, frequent customers.

Rubin said, most courts in California But as Justice Goodwin Liu observed resumed hearing those cases after a in Monday’s 7-0 ruling — quoting few months when state appellate courts another U.S. Supreme Court decision began issuing rulings that rejected — “the highest court of each State… the Supreme Court’s reading of the remains the final arbiter of what is state law. Liu’s opinion Monday noted five law.” And under the California court’s appeals court decisions that had reached interpretation of PAGA, Liu said, the same conclusion. employees may have to arbitrate their Theane Evangelis, attorney for own claims but can still join co-workers Uber Eats, the food-delivery company to sue their employer on behalf of the in Monday’s case, said the ruling state. contradicted both the U.S. Supreme The rationale for the 2004 law, Liu Court decision and federal arbitration wrote, is that an employer’s violations law, and also “undermines the of one employee’s rights under labor legislature’s intent in enacting PAGA. laws “are often only a fraction of the …We are considering our appellate violations committed by an employer options.” that is engaged in unlawful workplace The ruling was also criticized practices.” Interpreting the law to by attorney Adam Karr, who filed prohibit one employee from seeking arguments for the Employers Group penalties against a company for and the California Employment violating co-workers’ rights “would Law Council, among the business undermine PAGA’s purpose of organizations that sought to curtail augmenting enforcement of the Labor PAGA lawsuits.

Code,” Liu said.

“It will almost certainly lead to State Attorney General Rob Bonta further abuse of PAGA by some told the court that allowing workers to plaintiffs and their attorneys,” Karr said. rely on PAGA to sue employers was Unless state lawmakers act to limit the GASOLINE - DIESEL - QUALITY LUBRICANTS crucial to enforcing labor protections — scope of PAGA, he said, “the benefits Merced county FarM news saturday, noveMber 16, 2013, page 12

decision, keeps state labor law alive

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Page 10

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

UFW just got big union wins at New York farms.

Is the same coming for California?

T

By: Mathew Miranda, The Sacramento Bee

he United Farm Workers just had its biggest unionizing success in years, and it didn't happen in California.

In a first for the historic labor union, it organized nearly 500 workers at five farms in New York. The victories, which will increase UFW's membership by 8%, come four years after a state law passed giving farm workers the right to organize. "For us, it's proof of concept that when you change the laws, workers can win," said Antonio De Loera-Brust, a UFW spokesperson.

Like many unions, UFW has struggled to organize over the last few decades, its membership dwindling from 60,000 to around 6,000. Even with legal protection, farmworker organizing is often slow, painstaking work. Many prospective union members are reluctant to give up 3% of their already low wages for dues, and worry that their immigration status leaves them vulnerable to employer retaliation.

But there are signs of a resurgence on both sides of the country.

The New York law includes components similar to recent California legislation. Its signing culminated a long battle by UFW to expand unionization rights for farm workers. Now, bolstered by the new law, some labor experts say similar victories could be on their way in the Golden State.

"Union victories in New York show us that laws do matter in protecting workers rights...So the fact there's been these big wins, I think we should expect something like that in California," said Ana Padilla, executive director of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center.

Different states, different laws UFW and Padilla attributed the recent certifications to the 2019 New York law, the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act. The legislation prohibits

retaliation against farmworkers desiring to organize, and allows them to vote by signing pro-union cards.

Prior to the law, farm workers in New York had no state-protected right to organize. That was in accordance with the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which was rooted in racism and excluded farmworkers from the right to unionize without retaliation. At the time, many of those workers were Black.

Since then, only a few states have enacted legislation protecting organizing and collective bargaining for agricultural workers. Attempts at federal reform have failed repeatedly.

In states where bargaining isn't specifically protected, farmworkers can decide to form a union but an employer does not have to negotiate a contract.

UFW is currently dealing with that conflict in Washington, where workers at a mushroom farm voted to unionize but the company refuses to bargain.

From UFW's perspective, only three states have true unionization rights -- California, New York and Hawaii.

Though it sometimes takes years, these states require the company to recognize the union. Even then, that doesn't always guarantee a win.

In 2020, a major raspberry grower in Watsonville decided to shut down after losing a multi-year legal battle against UFW and being ordered to uphold a statewide contract.

'New era in farmworker organizing' California just approved its version of a "card check" law, giving farmworkers an additional way to unionize.

Newsom vetoed a similar measure in 2021, citing technical issues. The following year, the governor faced pressure from labor advocates and President Joe Biden. He eventually signed with the caveat that new legislation would be passed in 2023 to address "concerns around implementation and voting integrity."

New legislation finally appeared in

early May, with Newsom signing it a few weeks later.

Under the new law, farmworkers can sign cards to show their union support and drop them off at the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) office. Previously, they had to call for a union election by petitioning the ALRB and then notifying their employer. Elections would often be held at the worksite.

Labor advocates and UFW said it has been difficult to organize without the new provisions because employers could union bust and take action against workers, including threats of deportation for those who are undocumented. There have only been six union elections for farmworkers since 2016.

"It was a functionally broken process that had resulted in no new union certification for many years and it wasn't because workers didn't want it," De Loera-Brust said. "It was because there were too many barriers, given the realities of poverty, immigration status and the vulnerability to retaliation that workers face."

The union currently has 20 UFW contracts in California, representing about 5,000 to 8,000 workers. The count is taken in late December, when many farmworkers don't work, and fluctuates annually depending on weather conditions and international trade patterns.

However, there is a possibility that unionization and membership increases because of the new legislation. Padilla said the law mirrors New York's, indicating that the same may be coming.

"It does signal a new era in farmworker organizing," she said.

In New York, the organized farms include four apple orchards and one vegetable grower -- Wafler Farms, Cahoon Farms, Porpiglia, A&J Kirby and Lynn-Ette. Four of the five farms are located near Rochester.

Uphill battle coming?

De Loera-Brust and UFW are

tight-lipped about what the California legislation means moving forward and a potential timeline for organizing, saying only that the new law is important but not a "silver bullet." That tactic follows similar quiet organizing in New York.

But in California the union will likely face much more opposition given its history. That could mean years of laborious organizing before seeing any progress.

"It's going to be a much harder uphill battle for the union to try to do this here," said Rob Roy, president and general counsel for Ventura County Agricultural Association.

Roy, who advocated against the California measure, said agriculture associations have been educating members about the new law over the last six months. Much of the agricultural industry opposed the bill because they believe such a change would make it easy to commit voter fraud and force employees to unionize.

Roy also pointed to the type of farmworkers that UFW organized in New York. The majority were from Jamaica or Mexico with H-2A visas to do seasonal work.

"They really don't have a connection with the employer," Roy said. "Whereas in California, most of these people work most of the year or year round for particular employers."

Roy conceded there are some agricultural employees that the union will reach, while De Loera-Brust acknowledged challenges come with UFW's storied history.

"In California, UFW is more established," De Loera-Brust said. "And obviously that has some perks because workers know who we are. But it also means that growers know that we're here."

He declined to share more on the union's plan.

"I'm not going to share any specific California organizing strategy because growers read your paper too," De LoeraBrust said.

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Page 11

When One Chapter Ends… Another Begins By: Madyson Wilhelm, Merced FFA Chapter Reporter

O

n Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 Merced FFA held their annual End-of-the-Year Banquet. We were able to recognize all of our members' achievements throughout the school year. We had approximately 275 guests and members attend including our Mayor; Matt Serratto, who gave a very inspiring, motivational, and uplifting speech. Mr. Serratto’s wonderful speech highlighted that members of the Merced FFA are the future leaders of tomorrow. We also had the honor of having other members from the Merced County agriculture community present as we celebrated our members and their great achievements. Another highlight of the night came from The Merced High Ag Booster Program.

Thanks to the generous contribution from members of our community at the Merced High AG Booster’s Annual Crab Feed, they were able to sponsor 19 members of our chapter with their very own FFA jacket. They also gave out ten scholarships to active members of the chapter.

The Chapter also gave out several awards such as Star Greenhead, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. Participation in Leadership Development Events like job-interview, prepared, creed, and impromptu public speaking were recognized. One special recognition went to current Junior, Forrest Johnson, who earned the high title of being 3rd overall at the California FFA State Extemporaneous Public Speaking Contest. Furthermore, we got to recognize our outstanding seniors, who have accomplished so much throughout their years of being in the FFA. Senior cords were awarded based on their involvement and blue FFA stoles were awarded for earning their state degree. We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see what the future holds as they embark on their next chapter of life!

The highlight of the night was the installation of the new 2023-2024 Chapter Officer Team! The

2023-24 Chapter President is Charli Auldridge. The Vice President is Christian SantaMaria, and the Secretary is Liliana Lopez.

Preslee Hunter was elected as Treasurer and Madyson was elected as the Reporter. Ethan Vega will be serving as Sentinel and the newly elected Historian is Esteban Castaneda. Liliana Lopez

shared “It feels so great to be able to represent the organization that has been like home to me the past few years!”

While this chapter in life might be closing for the Class of 2023, another chapter is just beginning for this officer team!

The team hopes that everyone had an amazing time at the

banquet and is excited for the year to come! Merced FFA would like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone that came out and supported our chapter and its members, especially the Lancer 4-H Club who helped serve our guests and members. For more information on Merced FFA, visit www.mercedffa.org

Pictured is the 2023-2024 Merced FFA Officer Team. From left to right: Madyson Wilhelm,Esteban Castaneda, Preslee HUnter, Ethan Vega, Liliana Lopez, Christian SantaMaria and Charli Auldridge.

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

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Atwater High School Agriculture and FFA is a “Fair” Success

O

By: Atwater FFA

ver 500 Atwater High School FFA students participated and exhibited a variety of livestock, horticulture, and agriculture mechanics projects at the 2023 Merced County Fair earlier this month. “Our program continues to grow each year,” said FFA advisor Dave Gossman, “The increased student involvement is a direct reflection on our strong community support.”

72 students exhibited various livestock and small animal projects.

Highlights included FFA Rabbit Champion Meat Pen and Supreme Champion Meat Pen, and Outstanding FFA Rabbit Exhibitor for rabbits earned

by Dylan Cardey. Gannon Gossman placed 2nd overall for Freshman Rabbit Showmanship. Carson Borba earned Outstanding Dairy Goat Exhibitor, Champion Senior Doe, Reserve Champion Senior Doe, Supreme Champion Doe, Reserve Champion Doe, and Supreme Champion Udder for Dairy Goats. Haven Kamykowski won FFA Reserve Champion Hampshire (breed) for her market hog. Hannah Slate won Grand Champion Commercial Gilt in swine with Isabella Silva placing 1st overall in Freshman Swine Showmanship. Hunter Birmingham won FFA Grand Champion Meat Pen in poultry. Zachary Shannon placed 1st overall in Freshman Dairy cattle Showmanship. Caden Hultgren earned Outstanding Beef Exhibitor and Reserve Supreme Beef Female. “We had a great team of students this year who put forth a tremendous effort that combined with tremendous support from our community in making this year’s fair a very positive experience for all,” said FFA advisor Sam Meredith.

Atwater FFA the “Clean Barn” award with the dairy cattle. “This award represents the quality of teamwork by the students in working together to maintain a clean and organized barn area throughout the fair,” said advisor Kim Mesa.

In addition to plants and animals, the Atwater FFA exhibited agriculture mechanics projects that correlated with their classroom and ag welding/wood shop curriculum. Highlights included Caden Hultgren winning the “Most

Innovative / Original Exhibit” award.

Fernando Prado earned the “Outstanding Woodworking Exhibit” award. Atwater Hoigh School FFA won the “Chapter Sweepstakes” award for their agriculture mechanics projects. “The fair is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their skills in tool repair, wood working, electrical wiring, plumbing, welding, and metal fabrication,” said Atwater FFA and Ag Wood Construction instructor Dan Flatt, “The students have an opportunity to display and take pride in their efforts.”

Students involved in the FFA program have been raising their animal projects since early spring. Some students invested their own money, however most students received over $17,000 in agriculture loans through Travis Credit Union towards the expenses related to their projects. “If it wasn’t for the tremendous support of our community, many of these students would not have the opportunity to experience this opportunity of responsibility, business, learning, personal pride, and accomplishment,” said Agriculture instructor Taylor Helton, “It is the continued support of the community that drives our goal of getting students involved.”

Students who participated in the small and large animal projects included: (swine) Alany Guzman, Allison Brewer, Allison Garner, Alyssa Colores, Chole Herrera, Edward Howe, Gabriella Garcia, Gannon Gossman, Hannah Slate, Haven Kamykowski, Isabella Silva, Kayleigh Trindade, Kimberly Valdovinos, Mariah Dhillon, Mathew Kamykowski, Nic Presto, Paisley Garcia, (sheep) Adrian GarciaVillanueva, Alyssa Gentry, Asusena Jamie, Audrey Dores, Devin Garcia, Giovanni Perez, Giselle Varela, Hunter Birmingham, Isaac Gonzalez, Jocelyn Renteria, Julio Perez, Kendal Kingston, Lexi Gallegos, Miranda Dores, Sophia Tacheira, (market goats) Aidah Macias, Alexa Bracamontes, Ayde Renteria, Breana Grissom, Bryce Nickerson, Carson Borba, Dulce Campos, Ella Boyenga, Gizelle Munoz, Guadalupe Millan-Solorio, Hallie Billings, JammieJean Lawrence, Jasmine Monge, Karina Alvarado, Katelynn Mederiros, Kendall Borba, Natalia Cardenas, Nayelli Garcia, Sandra Prothro, Sarah Conn, Shayleigh

Miller, Trevor Struble, Viviana Roach, Ximena Duran, Yahaira Carrillo-Robles, Yoceline Aguila, Zoe Jolly, (dairy heifers) Kaleb Shannon, Lyra Barton, Maverick Shepherd, and Zachary Shannon, (beef) Caden Hultgren, (dairy goats) Carson Borba, (rabbits) Dylan Cardey, Gannon Gossman, (poultry) Fernando Prado, Hunter Birmingham,

Noemi Benitez, Shayleigh Miller, and Viviana Roach.

FFA provides students with the opportunity to gain “hands-on” learning through agricultural education. For more information on how your son/daughter can get involved, contact your local high school agriculture program or log onto the AtwaterFFA.org website.

Atwater High School FFA members Allison Garner, Alyssa Colores, Paisley Garcia, Alany Guzman, Dulce Campos, Alexa Bracamontes, and Lexi Gallegos gather inside the Hilmar Cheese (Swine) Barn during the Merced County Fair.

Atwater High School FFA member Zachary Shannon won 1st place in the Freshman Dairy Cattle Showmanship competition during the Merced County Fair.

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Page 15

Merced County YF&R donates FFA Hog to Merced Rescue Mission By: Denelle Flake, Farm News Editor

O

n July 7th, members of the Merced County Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) group met at the Merced Rescue Mission to donate a cut & wrapped hog. The group purchased the hog at the Merced County Fair from Atwater FFA member Allison Brewer. With this purchase YF&R was able to donate 200 pounds of pork, which will directly benefit the 300 residents of Merced Rescue Mission.

The Merced Rescue Mission strives to permanently improve the lives of those in Merced County who are homeless, those who have been incarcerated, or have been imprisoned by their own addictions. According to Merced County, the current homeless population is around 800 individuals, with half currently sheltered and the other half living on the streets. The mission is one of the largest providers of housing for homeless in Merced County, providing 300 beds across 26 locations in the county. Dr. Bruce Metcalf, CEO of Merced Rescue Mission, is optimistic stating that “with current projects, there

should be enough beds to house all the homeless in Merced County within the next two years”. The mission is always in need of toiletries and basic household necessities. Anyone interested in donating can visit their Donation DropOff site at 644 W 20th St. in Merced, Monday-Friday from 11 am to 4 pm.

Merced County YF&R participates in Farm Bureau’s Harvest for All Program every year. In the past they have participated in Merced County Human Services Agency Season’s of Giving Program and volunteered hours at the Merced County Food Bank. The goal of the Harvest for All Program is to work with Feeding America to help feed the millions of Americans who face hunger.

Since Harvest for All began in 2003, Farm Bureau members have gathered nearly 65 million pounds of food, logged more than 30,000 volunteer hours and raised more than $778,000 in donations to local food banks. Any producers interested in collaborating with Merced County YF&R on a Harvest for All campaign may contact mercedcoyfr@ mercedfarmbureau.org. Commodities donated through the program are tax deductible through the CARE legislation.

Merced County YF&R members at Merced County Rescue Mission Drop-Off Site

California Agriculture Workers Warn Against EPA Proposal By: National Association of Manufacturers

a proposed EPA rule that would enforce a tighter national ambient air quality anufacturers have long been standard for fine particle pollution leaders in sustainability, known as PM2.5—a move that could as have their partners in impact everything from permitting to the agricultural industry. But as the international competition.

Environmental Protection Agency Widespread impacts: According to considers imposing new restrictive air NFL President Manuel Cunha Jr., the standards, groups across the country are regulations could be devastating for speaking out in opposition. growers in California and farmers across In California, a group called the Nisei the country.

Farmers League is making noise.

“There are issues with this regulation Formed by a small group of Japanese that the public just doesn’t realize,” said American growers in 1971 as a “mutual Cunha. “It impacts jobs. It impacts our protection society,” the NFL has become ability to move freight. If you think the a well-respected organization committed cost of food is high today, it will be even to serving the needs of growers, farm higher if this rule goes into effect.” workers and other members of the A closer look: Cunha knows agriculture community in California. the impacts of regulations like this Today, they are sounding the alarm about one firsthand. He tells the story of

M

a colleague who uses machinery to dehydrate fruits like apricots and peaches, but whose machinery would be unaffordable if he was forced to adhere to the stricter standard.

“If they come out with a new standard, he’ll have to shut down,” said Cunha. “He can’t afford to build new equipment—the cost is unsustainable.

It’s not economically feasible. And that’s what they’re telling our farmers to do.”

Impeding growth: Rapid shifts in environmental standards have also made it difficult for growers and other members of the agricultural community to adjust and succeed.

“These standards keep changing, and it’s impossible to keep up,” said Cunha.

“Our area in the San Joaquin Valley has seven plans with the EPA that are

waiting for approval, and every time we turn around, there is another standard holding us back.”

Meanwhile, strict standards imposed on other parts of the supply chain create costs that get passed along to farmers.

A message to policymakers: Cunha is speaking out because he wants policymakers to think about the realities of the proposed rule—including the costs that states will bear and the ripple effects throughout the agricultural supply chain.

“How do we keep jobs?” said Cunha.

“How do we keep our rural communities alive if you’re developing rules that don’t have the facts and the science behind them? Politicians are going on the basis of what looks and sounds good, but you have to realize that what you’re doing is driving out small farmers.”

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

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Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

Roof Chickens

from the

Mariposa CFB

I

Danette Toso

t seems like yesterday that Mariposa County was just dealing with “Snowmageddon” and its aftermath of massive flooding. In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of fire season. Of course, along with fire season comes the dreaded Rattlesnake season, there is never a dull moment up here in the hills.

We all know the fire prevention

drill, grazing, mowing and weed eating around our homes and barnyards early in the season.

We burn brush piles in late spring to minimize fuel for wildfires and hope and pray that we don’t have thunderstorms after our grass has turned. The sound of a helicopter flying overhead during fire season strikes fear in our hearts and dread in our minds. Now, Rattlesnakes are a completely different issue, but I do have a helpful suggestion, get some Guinea Fowl.

One great benefit to raising guinea fowl is their constant patrol of their living area. There is not much that gets past them, and they sound the alarm if something new or different comes into their territory. My guineas along with the dogs alerted us to a coyote that was so brazen, he was in our front yard hunting our cats…….a very big and last mistake, (Thank you Tony.) Guineas are very effective at pest control and can almost wipe out populations of insects like ticks, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders, and scorpions.

In my opinion, their absolute best attribute is rattlesnake hunters and

exterminators. Rattlesnakes are the masters of camouflage and even with eyes scanning the ground this time of year, you can overlook them. Guineas seek them out, alert then attack. I love my guineas, and they come when I call them, (of course they’re just coming to food.) Guinea eggs taste no different than chicken eggs, and they can also be harvested for their meat.

Now, if you ask Tony what he thinks about guineas, it’s a different story. Tony calls them Roof Chickens because they fly up onto the roof of the house to get to the tree that they roost

in every night. They all start squawking just before dark, line up on the hill side and one by one, fly, and hit the roof with a thud.

Occasionally, I accidentally park my truck too close to their roosting tree, what a mess!

All in all, I believe that they are a benefit to our ranch.

As the summer rolls by, I wish everyone a fire safe and Rattlesnake free season. As always, I encourage farmers, ranchers, and conservators to invite friends, neighbors, and family members to join the collective voice of the Farm Bureau. Together, we can make our organization stronger than ever, one member at a time.

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

AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

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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 • July 20, 2023

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 AC King................................................722-3552 Arrowhead Field Repair......................658-5250 Atwater Radiator & Muffler, Inc.........358-2638 Car Plus...............................................722-3552 SS Blue ..............................................722-2583

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

Allison Sierra, Inc...............................966-4082 Dias Construction, Inc........................634-9601 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 J M Equipment Co Inc ....................... 386-1797 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) Powerhouse Realty Jed Kruppa Team .617-6727 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 Farmers Rice Cooperative....... (916) 923-5100 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 Guerrero Farm Labor.........................492-0408

Horizon Farms, Inc.............................383-5225 J & F Fertilizer.....................................854-6325 La Follette Enterprises, Inc................632-1385 Mass Energy Works..................(530) 710-8545 Machado Feed Company...................658-5943 Maciel & Co........................................ 777-0911 Mid Valley Ag Service......................... 394-7981 Modern Dairy...................................... 722-7452 Modesto Dairy Supply........................669-6200 Silva & Sons Custom Spreading.......667-2566 Stone Family Spreading..................... 756-1491 The Pollination Connection...... (877) 970-BEES (2337)

FOOD PROCESSING

A V Thomas Produce.......................... 394-7514 Dallas Distributing Co........................394-2803 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

Baldes Hay Co.......................... (559) 718-9714 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 Dickey's Pump Service ...................... 394-3112 Irrigation Design & Construction, LLC.387-4500 Pacific Southwest Irrigation...............460-0450 Precision Aqua....................................756-2025 Quality Well Drillers............................ 357-0675 Rain for Rent/Westside Pump.(559) 693-4315 Robal Inc.............................................826-4540 San Luis Pump Company...................383-0464 Shannon Pump Company..................723-3904 SWAN Systems.........................(661) 335-2649

INSECT & WEED CONTROL

Environmental Spraying Service ......667-1038 Malm Ag Pest Management .............392-6905 Star Creek Land ................................ 704-1790

FARM SUPPLIES

Ag Flag ............................................... 357-3424 Cal Farm Service................................358-1554 Kellogs Supply ................................... 722-1501 Livingston True Value.........................394-7949 Hardware & Farm Supplies...............394-7949

Marfab................................................826-6700 Modesto Dairy Supply........................669-6200 Pacific Bay Equipment.............(800) 640-1227 Stanislaus Farm Supply..................... 723-0704

ORCHARD REMOVAL

Custom Farm Services....................... 358-1759

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 Grimbleby Coleman CPAs.................. 527-4220 Trans County Title Company .............383-4660 Yosemite Farm Credit ........................ 383-1116

MISCELLANEOUS

Berliner Cohen LLP............................ 385-0700 The Hat Source................................... 357-3424 Merced County Fair............................722-1506 P. B. Iyer, M.D......................................854-1120 Razzari Auto Center............................383-3673 Unwired Broadband.................(559) 336-4157

BUSSINESS SUPPORT FARMERS DCB Farming LLC J&J O'Banion Ranch, LLC Live Oak Farms Migliazzo Farms Nicholas Calf Ranch

Page 20

Merced County Farm News • July 20, 2023

FARM2U DAY

OCTOBER 5, 2023 d e d e e N s r e nte u l o V & s r e Present

SAVE THE DATE The 2023 FARM2U Day is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Merced Fairgrounds. During this event thirdgraders from Merced County will participate in an educational day where they will have a chance to learn firsthand about agriculture and nutrition.

W e a r e c u r r e n t l y l o o k i n g f o r p r e s e n t e r s t o s h o w c a s e p l a nt s , animals and farm machinery and additional volunteers to assist with students and teachers who will be visiting during the event.

To participate please contact Merced County Farm Bureau PO Box 1232, Merced, CA 95341 Office: 209.723.3001 Fax: 209.722.3814 dflake@mercedfarmbureau.org