Merced County
-Advocating for agriculture since 1917-
Merced County Fair Board Appoints John Allgaier as CEO
Veteran Fair and Event Producer Succeeds Retired CEO Teresa Burrola to Lead Fair into the Future
By: Merced County Fair
MERCED, CALIFORNIA, July 10, 2025 –The Merced County Fair Board of Directors has appointed John Allgaier as the new Chief Executive
Officer of the Merced County Fair (35th District Agricultural Association), effective July 1, 2025. He succeeds longtime CEO Teresa Burrola, who retired after nearly 27 years of service.
Allgaier brings more than 30 years of experience in fair industry including live entertainment, event productions, strategic planning and marketing. He was selected from a competitive pool of candidates through a formal recruitment process conducted in partnership with the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA).
“John stood out for his deep industry knowledge, creative vision and collaborative spirit,” said Mark Erreca,
Fair Board President. “We’re excited to welcome him to Merced and confident he’ll help our Fair, building on our rich history and tradition while expanding us into the future.”
Allgaier is Founder of BigMe Events, a live performance and event management firm formed in 2011, and President of BC Characters Inc., a live performance and touring company established in 1991. He also consults with public agencies and nonprofits, specializing in growth strategies and operational planning. His fair industry experience includes roles as Interim Marketing Director for the San Mateo County Fair, and Talent
Buyer and Entertainment Coordinator for the Riverside County Fair & Date Festival and the Yuma County Fair.
“I’m honored and excited to step into this role at such a meaningful time, as the Fair just finished a successful run!” said John Allgaier, incoming Merced County Fair CEO. “The Merced County Fair has a longstanding reputation for bringing the community together to celebrate agriculture, education and entertainment. I look forward to building on that strong
See 'Fair CEO' Page 4
John Allgaier, Merced County Fair CEO
It is never an easy time when an employee elects to move on from your operation. This turns into a shift of duties and picking up additional tasks along the way, say a different version of “all hands-on deck.” The impact doesn’t stop there and, considering a small staff like ours, we not only lose an employee but also a close friend who has become family. We have been very fortune as meshing personalities is vital to our success. It has been an absolute pleasure to have Denelle on our team for almost 6 years. She has given so much to our organization, and I can only hope that we’ve been able to provide her with the proper growth and support equal to that. San Joaquin Farm Bureau will benefit tremendously with her joining their team.
Congratulations should also go to Merced County’s top administrator. Appointed during the July 8 board meeting, Mark Hendrickson succeeds former CEO Raul Mendez. We have worked with Mark for several years, well before my time here at MCFB. In fact, Mark had to sit in the hot seat several
times during his tenure as a congressional field representative years ago. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Mr. Hendrickson as he forges ahead in his new role.
High Speed Rail (HSR) continues their efforts in the Le Grand area. They’ve been conducting geotechnical work on properties that have agreed to the process. As the City of Merced begins their General Plan Update, they also being the process for the downtown rail station for HSR and the Ace train. Our team will continue to be watchful and engaged with HSR as it takes shape. I know you’re probably scratching your head if you’ve gotten this far in my column as the funding discrepancies continue to balloon for the project. This section is considered within the original funding for Merced to Bakersfield.
While we look to fill our open employee role, we will not lose sight of other areas including the various General Plans being developed by city jurisdictions. We recently sent meeting notices via
our Constant Contact for the City of Livingston’s General Plan Land Use Map. The City is projected to bring that to an upcoming meeting and we will ensure members are notified of the date. If you haven’t reviewed the map and live or work in the Livingston
area, please reach out as they have multiple growth targets that would be of impact on local agriculture.
We appreciate your continued support and welcome conversation when you have the time.
July is upon us and as I sit here writing this month’s contribution of an article it is crazy to think that this year is half-way over. Part of it is probably because this has been a mild summer to this point. This month your board of directors will be dark and no board meeting will take place, that in no way means that we are not available to help however we can. The office will still be open during our normal hours. Merced County Farm Bureau will be hosting a Member Mixer July 24th at 6:00 P.M at the Blaker Brewing’s Tarmac location in Atwater.
This summer has been very mild up to this point, but as many of us know there is still plenty of summer left to make up for it. Although the average daily temperature for June 2025 is only 1.3 degrees lower compared to 2024 (92.8 vs. 94.1), June 2024 gave us 9 days over 100 degrees compared to just one for 2025. Also, by July 15th 2024 we had 12 days of triple digits compared to only three in 2025. Not really sure what any of this means, but it was a bit of interesting research.
Merced County Farm Bureau is losing one of our own. Project Specialist Denelle Garcia will be leaving the Merced County Farm Bureau family, her last day with us was July 17th. Denelle joined the MCFB family on October 14th 2019. She has been an integral part of this organization and
has set a high bar for her replacement. We are happy that Denelle will be staying within the larger Farm Bureau family as she has taken a position at another county farm bureau. We thank Denelle for her hard work and dedication and wish her nothing but the best in her future.
Del Monte foods recently announced that they have filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as they search for a buyer. Del Monte has been in business for over 140 years tracing its early beginnings here in California, specifically Monterey County. Although
they do have a fresh foods department, most of their products are canned. The decline in our consumption of canned foods is one of the reasons for this filing. It is unclear the effect that this will have locally.
If you are free on the 24th of July, join us for a membership mixer at Blaker Brewing’s Tarmac location located at Castle in Atwater. This event is open to both members and non-members (also referred to as “future members”). It should be a good time and if you are one of the first 25 guests you will receive your first beer on the house. Check our
website or call the office for more details. Hope to see you there.
August will bring us the beginning of harvest season in the valley and preparations are being finalized. We hope everyone has a prosperous and safe harvest season.
Although we will not be holding a board of directors meeting this month, we are still available to assist in any way possible, please never hesitate to reach out to myself, our office or any of your board of directors if we can help. You can also make your way to the Tarmac on the 24th and converse with us there! Until next month!
Fair CEO
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foundation with fresh ideas and energy – working with our Fair Board, Friends of the Fair Board, staff and many community partners.”
As CEO, Allgaier will be responsible for leading the 133rd Merced County Fair, scheduled for June 10-14, 2026, and for overseeing the year-round operations of the fairgrounds. A key focus will be diversifying revenue sources through interim rentals and programming, as well as grow the Fair’s annual attendance. Plans are underway for diverse entertainment, expanded youth engagement programs and continued investment in community partnerships.
In his first months as CEO, Allgaier plans to meet with community leaders, agricultural partners, local businesses and nonprofits to listen, learn and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. His goal is to carry forward the Fair’s
mission to meet the needs of the community by providing a fun, safe venue to celebrate Merced County’s agricultural heritage, discover new technology and deliver highquality entertainment.
The Board also extends its appreciation to outgoing CEO Teresa Burrola for her nearly 27 years of dedicated leadership, which helped grow the Fair’s impact across Merced County.
“Teresa’s passion for the Fair and the community, beautifying the Fair, coupled with her drive to get things done, made her an effective and enjoyable leader,” added Erreca.
“We’re incredibly grateful for her work to lead the Fair through unprecedented times for the region, tackle big infrastructure projects and leave us with a strong foundation for continued growth. We look forward to working with John to build on that legacy and take the Merced County Fair to new heights.”
AFarewell and Thank You
fter almost six years at Merced County Farm Bureau, it’s bittersweet to share that I’ll be stepping into a new role with San Joaquin County Farm Bureau.
During my time at MCFB, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside so many of you—members, board members, community partners, and staff. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust the organization placed in me to lead events like
FARM2U Day and Agribee, and for the opportunity to modernize our Farm News. These projects gave me purpose and challenged me to grow.
I’m excited and thankful to be staying within the Farm Bureau family. The mission of protecting family farms here in California is something I care deeply about. At Merced, I’ve been honored to help educate local youth and consumers about the importance of agriculture,
and I’ll continue that work in my new position.
This was my first real job after graduating from UC Davis in 2019, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin my career. I’ve been shaped into the advocate I am today thanks to the amazing MCFB board and staff, and I’ll carry the lessons, experiences, and relationships with me as I move forward.
A special thank you to Breanne, who has the heart of a teacher and helped mold
me into the professional I am today. To Alexxis, my partner in crime—thank you for sharing the behind-thescenes chaos and successes of so many events. And to Lorraine, our resident historian and jokester—thank you for always bringing laughter and perspective. Thank you all for making my time at MCFB so meaningful. This organization—and the people in it—will always hold a special place in my heart.
Merced County Farm Bureau to Host Member Mixer at The TARMAC
The
Merced County Farm Bureau is excited to invite members and friends of the agricultural community to its upcoming Member Mixer, taking place on Thursday, July 24 at 6:00 PM at the Wine Bar Tent at The TARMAC in
Atwater.
This casual event is open to both current Farm Bureau members and nonmembers who are interested in learning more about the organization and getting involved. The evening offers a relaxed setting for attendees to connect with others who share a passion for agriculture and community involvement.
As a special thankyou, the first 25 guests to arrive will receive a complimentary beer. The event will be held outdoors under the Wine Bar Tent, providing a welcoming atmosphere for conversation and connection.
Farm Bureau events like this mixer offer a chance to strengthen relationships within the local ag community and welcome new faces to the organization. Whether you're a grower, rancher, industry partner, or supporter of local agriculture, this event is a great opportunity to engage with others who care about the future of farming in Merced County.
For full event details, see the flyer on page 24 of this issue.
No RSVP is required. For more information, please contact the Merced County Farm Bureau office at 209-723-3001 or info@ mercedfarmbureau.org.
El Capitan’s Successful Fair Week at Merced County Fair
By: Adazila Torres-Duarte, El Capitan FFA
The 2025 Merced County Fair was a week to remember for El Capitan High School’s FFA chapter. On June 2nd, the fair officially kicked off, with forty-three dedicated students proudly representing El Capitan FFA. These members began raising their animals as early as November, pouring months of hard work into feeding, grooming, and training their projects to be fair-ready.
El Capitan FFA member, Ofelia Ambrosio-Jose, shared, “I was so nervous at first, it was a huge responsibility, but I knew I could do it! I learned so much and I am proud of how far I came.” Ofelia placed 2nd place in her market lamb class.
This year, students exhibited a variety of livestock including beef cattle, dairy cattle, market goats, dairy goats, sheep, swine, and rabbits. Many students also competed in agricultural mechanics, horticulture, and floral design.
In the dairy show, Jack Pareira had a particularly successful fair, earning Supreme Champion Female, Supreme Junior Champion Female, Grand Champion Holstein, Junior Champion Holstein Female, and FFA Reserve Champion Replacement Heifer. He also placed 2nd in Advanced FFA Showmanship.
Madysen Dietz won Reserve Supreme Champion Market Lamb, a top honor
in the sheep division. She also won Champion Ram, Champion Registered Ewe, and Reserve Champion Doe. Madysen was also 2nd in both Advanced Sheep and Goat Showmanship, and was 3rd in Master Showmanship.
The El Capitan swine exhibitors were also successful. The chapter placed 2nd overall in Chapter Group. Samantha Col led the way by winning Supreme Champion Market Hog.
Makayla Hemphill’s dairy goat achievements included multiple championships, 1st in Advanced Showmanship and a strong showing in Master Showmanship, where she placed 5th overall.
In the Landscape Design division, the team earned First Place in their division, then advanced to win Best in Show, a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to Julio Gutierrez, Isabel Perez, Charlie Carranza, Samuel Shelton, Nathan Villavir, and Lorenzo Lopez for their outstanding work!
El Capitan floral students also competed in a fast-paced floral design competition, where they were challenged to create a themed arrangement within a given time frame, much like the show Chopped. Sofia Figueroa-Mendez placed 1st, Emma Nuno placed 2nd, and Tegan Siemiller placed 4th. Each student received prize money for their creative designs.
El Capitan’s FFA
Advisors are extremely proud of the hard work, dedication, and professionalism each student demonstrated throughout the fair week show and sale. Their success reflects the countless hours spent preparing their projects and the unwavering support from the Merced County
community! El Capitan FFA would like to extend a thank you to the generous buyers at the livestock auction. Students not only covered their project costs but also earned funds to reinvest in future agricultural experiences.
Golden Valley FFA Members Excel at the 2025 Merced County Fair
By: Golden Valley FFA
Golden Valley FFA proudly represented the chapter at this year’s Merced County Fair with outstanding results across multiple species and contests. Students showcased the culmination of months of dedication through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects— raising livestock, training for showmanship, and building mechanics exhibits.
Hog Show Highlights Market:
• Champion AOB: Makinna Woods
• Reserve Champion Yorkshire: Kaylin Scheurich
• Champion Light Cross:
Branyon Bliss
• Supreme Registered Gilt: Hailie Avery Showmanship:
• Top 10 Advanced: Hailie Avery
Goat Show Highlights Showmanship:
• Top 10 Novice: Danyka Flores
• Top 10 Novice: Zoey Gonzalez
• Top 10 Novice: Ava Briceno
• Top 10 Novice: Yuritzi Olvera
Sheep Show Highlights Market:
• Reserve Champion Crossbred: Hailie Avery
• Showmanship:
• Top 5 Novice: Olivia
McCauther
Rabbit Show Highlights Market:
• Grand Champion Single Fryer: Alexis Rusticus
• Reserve Champion Single Fryer: Alexis Rusticus
• 4th Place Single Fryer: Aubri Villa Showmanship:
• Top 5 Advanced: Alexis Rusticus
Ag Mechanics Highlights
• Most Ingenuitive: Vicente Jabson
• Top Overall Mechanics: Aiden Chew
• Best Welding: Erick Fuentes
• Chapter Award: Golden Valley FFA These achievements
are not only the result of show day performance, but a reflection of student growth in responsibility, time management, financial literacy, and career-ready skills that come with completing a successful SAE project.
Golden Valley FFA extends our sincerest thanks to all the Merced County Fair staff, supporters, and especially our buyers. Your belief in agricultural education and investment in our students' hard work ensures the future of the agricultural industry continues to thrive. We couldn’t do it without your generous support.
Thank you from Golden Valley FFA!
Los Banos FFA Shines at Merced County Fair
By: Addison Melden, Los Banos FFA
The first week of June, the Los Banos FFA had a determined group of showmen who were ready to go and win big at the annual Merced Fair. The Los Banos FFA Chapter had an impressive showing at this year’s Merced County Fair, with 22 exhibitors representing the chapter across various livestock and small animal categories. Their hard work and dedication paid off, as members earned top honors and high placements in several competitive events. In the swine division, Kavin Pereira took home Reserve Champion AOB.
Fellow exhibitors Nico Botelho and Mikey Pereira each earned second place in their respective market classes, showcasing strong performances. The sheep show brought major wins for Giana Trinidade, who was awarded Champion in the Natural Black Sheep division and Reserve Champion for Champion FFA Sheep. Rilee McCarthy also placed second in her class, further highlighting the chapter’s success in the category. Los Banos FFA’s sheep exhibitors earned second place overall in the Chapter Group division. In the beef division, Hayden Frigard placed third in her class, while Katie Silva brought home the title of FFA Reserve Grand Champion.
The rabbit show saw solid results as well, with Gavin Lewis placing fourth, Ariana Flores fifth, and Katie Silva sixth. Andrew Goins came through and won Small Animal Showmanship. During the competitive Round Robin events, Giana Trinidade took first place in Small Animal Round Robin, and Andrew Goins followed closely with a secondplace finish. In the swine showmanship competition, a highly competitive event featuring 98 showmen, Mikey Pereira achieved an impressive fourth-place finish. The Los Banos
FFA Chapters success at the Merced County Fair is a testament to their hard work, skill, and dedication. With multiple individual accomplishments and strong overall chapter performance, Los Banos FFA continues to make its mark as a leader in agricultural education and excellence.
Left to right in photo: Colton Kocher, Rilee McCarthy, Giana Trinidade, Gia Soares, Ava Felix
Avian Flu Has Major Economic Costs for Dairy Industry
By: Laura Reiley, Cornell Chronicle
ITHACA, N.Y. — A new paper from a team of Cornell University researchers shows that the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus causes severe mastitis and decreased milk production in dairy cows, a drop-off that may extend beyond the clinical outbreak period.
Economic losses due to decreased milk production, mortality and early removal from the herd were estimated at $950 per clinically affected cow for a total cost of approximately $737,500 for just the one herd the team studied. This did not include any ongoing herd dynamics or reproductive losses for this herd.
In a paper titled “The impact of influenza A H5N1 virus infection in dairy cows” published in Nature Communications, the researchers found cows clinically infected with HPAI presented a significantly increased risk of death and of premature removal from a herd of 3,876 adult cows in Ohio.
The most remarkable finding was the long duration of diminished milk production in clinically affected cows, said co-author Diego Diel, professor of virology and director of the Virology Laboratory at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center.
He says pasteurization efficiently inactivates
the virus, rendering the milk safe for human consumption, but that a diminution in milk production presents an enormous financial burden to the producers of affected farms, and if added up to all affected farms, it is causing major economic losses to the United States’ 9.3 million cow dairy industry.
“This represents a shock to production costs if you are affected by an outbreak,” said Matthew MacLachlan, co-author and assistant professor. “For a clinically diagnosed cow, we found an average of $950 in costs, which includes the milk you expect to lose over 60 days and the possible cost of removing them from dairy production. Even if they recover, that’s going to cost a dairy farmer $367 on average in milk losses.”
Outbreaks of avian flu in dairy herds won’t necessarily raise the price of milk for consumers, MacLachlan said.
“A lot goes into milk prices,” he said. “There’s marketing, packaging, transportation and many other factors. But an outbreak, as our study shows, causes a substantial cost to dairy producers. Although there are some government support programs for dairy farmers, they aren’t as generous as they are for poultry farmers.”
The HPAI outbreak, which began in 2022, has cost the U.S. poultry industry approximately $1.4 billion.
“One key strategy is implementing biosecurity measures to minimize these outbreaks, and the next step is developing vaccines,” said Felipe Peña Mosca, who was first author on the paper.
It’s a thorny problem, Diel said, because ordinarily mastitis is prevented through increased disinfection. In this particular case, those practices used for disinfection – pre-milking teat cleaning with a germicidal solution that is then toweled off –could be introducing the virus to the next cow. Study results suggest an association between cumulative exposure to the milking process and the risk of clinical disease, meaning the introduction of the virus could be during the milking process itself.
For a disease that is now widely considered endemic, rather than associated with a single outbreak, and caused by a virus that continues to evolve and spread, Diel said, its impact on the dairy industry merits more study.
A bill to expand farmworker heat protections faces stiff opposition
By: Brad Hooker, Agripulse
ACalifornia bill aimed at expanding workers’ compensation protections for farmworkers exposed to extreme heat is facing intensifying pushback from business and agricultural groups, who say the measure would create unnecessary legal entanglements, raise costs and undermine existing enforcement systems.
Assembly Bill 1336, authored by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D–Morro Bay, proposes a rebuttable presumption, designating any heat-related injury or death suffered by a farmworker as work related. The employer would then bear the burden of proving the injury did not result from workplace exposure.
Addis and the bill’s backers reason this would incentivize employers to comply with California’s outdoor heat illness prevention standard.
“The ongoing prevalence of violations shows current enforcement protocols are not enough,” said Asm. Liz Ortega, D-Hayward, who chairs the powerful Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and championed the bill in the Senate’s counterpart committee last month. “Farmworkers also face a climate of fear when it comes to reporting workplace violations or injuries, particularly given the intentional fear mongering and actions of the new federal administration.” Legal burdens and overlapping authority
Asm. Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay (photo: Addis' office)
A business coalition that includes the California Chamber of Commerce and industry groups representing growers, retailers and manufacturers argues AB 1336 would force the state’s workers’ compensation system to wade into regulatory territory best left to Cal/OSHA.
“The Cal/OSHA appeals board doesn't have the expertise to understand whether or not an employer has been in compliance with the heat illness prevention standard,” said Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, during the Senate hearing.
He added that the workplace safety regulator is currently “standing up extraordinary efforts” to create a separate enforcement function specific to agriculture, with more than 50 staff and offices throughout the state. Heat illness will be one of the major issues they address, he explained.
Cal/OSHA’s heat standard requires employers to provide shade, water and rest breaks when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Critics contend that AB 1336 would duplicate that authority and confuse the claims process by creating a second venue through the appeals board for challenging heat safety compliance.
The California Restaurant Association, California Retailers Association and several agricultural trade groups have submitted letters warning the bill would
disrupt longstanding legal standards in workers’ comp. Rising costs and fiscal concerns
Opponents also warn of downstream effects on insurance premiums and state agency workloads. AB 1336 would establish a Farmworker Climate Change Heat Injury and Death Fund, drawing a one-time $5 million transfer from the Workers’ Compensation Administration Revolving Fund to cover related administrative costs.
But according to an Assembly fiscal analysis, ongoing costs to the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the appeals board and the Department of Industrial Relations could exceed the initial allocation. Critics fear the state could be locked into funding a program with escalating long-term expenses and no clear revenue source.
That drove the Department of Finance to voice the administration’s opposition to the bill during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last week. The budget analyst also called AB 1336 premature, given previous legislation and ongoing rulemaking activities.
Industry groups, meanwhile, warn the bill may contribute to higher workers’ compensation premiums for agricultural employers, particularly small farms already under financial strain from climate impacts, labor shortages and inflation. They are urging lawmakers to consider alternative approaches, such as more robust enforcement of Cal/OSHA rules, rather
than rewriting workers’ compensation standards. Governor’s past veto fuels doubts
Adding to the opposition’s momentum is that Governor Gavin Newsom last year vetoed Senate Bill 1299, a nearly identical measure authored by Senator Dave Cortese, D-Silicon Valley. Newsom cited concerns over shifting enforcement duties from Cal/OSHA to the compensation system and questioned the policy’s alignment with existing state oversight.
In its analysis of the 2024 bill, the California Workers’ Compensation Institute noted that California already approves 89% of the claims in agriculture — a higher rate than in any other industry — while just 0.7% of all agriculture claims involved heat-related injuries or illnesses.
Yet Addis and worker advocates are pressing forward. As the sponsor of AB 1336, United Farm Workers claims the state’s enforcement efforts are inadequate to cover California’s 60,000 farms and that the bill’s marketbased approach would supplement the efforts. It views the legislation as a necessary backstop in light of intensifying summer heatwaves and the deadly risks they pose to farm laborers.
The bill will next face a critical appropriations vote, and the Legislature would then have until the end of August to send the bill to the governor.
Program Council tours Merced County programs
By: Pamela S Kan-Rice, UCANR
UC ANR’s Program Council toured Merced County on June 3-4, visiting the UC Cooperative Extension office and UC Merced to gain a better understanding of UCCE programs and projects and network with UCCE colleagues from Merced, Madera, Mariposa and Stanislaus counties. They also met with UC ANR partners at Merced College.
On the first day, Karl Lund, UCCE viticulture advisor; Alison Deak, UCCE fire advisor; and Russ Hill, 4-H youth development advisor; gave presentations to the group at the UCCE office.
On the second day, they visited Merced College and toured the Ag Tech Facility. Cody Jacobsen, dean of agriculture and industrial technology at Merced College, gave an overview of the Farms, Food, Future Initiative, or F3, highlighting the UC ANR, UC Merced and Merced College partnership. F3 supports California’s Central Valley by developing new agricultural technology, helping farmers grow food sustainably and offering training for quality jobs.
At UC Merced, the group was welcomed by Gillian Wilson, vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development, and Rakesh Goel, dean of
the School of Engineering.
Emily Lin, director of Strategic Initiatives, Archives & Special Collections, gave a presentation preserving university history. She has overseen the archiving and digitizing of UC Cooperative Extension’s historical photos and documents.
Josh Viers, associate vice chancellor for interdisciplinary research and strategic initiatives and executive associate dean for the Agricultural Experiment Station, led a research discussion with Josue Medellin-Azura, associate professor of environmental engineering; Karina Diaz Rios, associate professor of Cooperative Extension in nutrition; Rebecca Ryals, associate professor and Presidential Chair in Climate Change; and Tapan Pathak, associate professor of Cooperative Extension and Presidential Chair in Climate Change, all presenting.
Program Council also
toured UC Merced’s Experimental Smart Farm, where Sarah Kurtz, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Program chair, talked about a new agrivoltaics research project. Ryals described a new composting research project using biochar. Doctoral student Humberto Flores Landeros talked about his micro groundwater recharge research project. Professor Safeeq Khan discussed using data from two types of
weather stations for research. Program Council advises the vice president on statewide planning and delivery of programs and develops recommendations for allocation of UC ANR resources. It is chaired by Brent Hales, associate vice president for research and Cooperative Extension, and composed of executive associate deans, UCCE and research and extension center leaders, Strategic Initiative leaders and at-large representatives.
Program Council toured a UC Merced greenhouse during a visit to Merced. Photo Credits: UCANR
Conserving our Foothill Agricultural Lands
Irecently wrote about growing concerns regarding agricultural land being transitioned into solar farms. If you are interested in preserving your ranch for generations to come, a conservation easement might be the answer for you and your family. The information in this article has been taken directly from the Sierra Foothill Conservancy’s website.
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement that allows a landowner to limit the type or amount of development on their property while retaining private ownership of the land.
Sierra Foothill Conservancy accepts easements with the understanding that we must enforce its terms in perpetuity. Landowners grant conservation easements because they want to conserve their property from unwanted development while retaining ownership.
Many of our partnering landowners and their families have lived on the land for generations. They understand how to work with the land and wish to conserve it.
By granting a conservation easement, a landowner can assure that the property will be permanently conserved, regardless of who owns the
land in the future.
There are several strategies to fund conservation easements. SFC accepts donated conservation easements, which have a value determined by an appraisal. Landowners who donate a conservation easement are eligible for significant tax benefits. SFC also works to fund conservation easements through grants and other funding mechanisms. If a landowner agrees to a bargain sale of their conservation easement, the landowner benefits with payment and a tax deduction. All of our easements are valued by a qualified appraiser and evaluated for their conservation benefits.
Protecting agricultural and rangeland through conservation easements helps to maintain the viability of our region’s land-based economy. The foothill economy depends on the land being a productive source of income for much of our community. Easements protect habitat and water resources for the entire region, as well as a historical connection to an important way of life for many local ranchers. Conservation easements are becoming a popular solution to the pressures of land
development as people learn about them and as more land trusts develop across the country.
SFC works with each landowner to create an easement unique to the property and the landowners’ goals. A few landowners generously allow SFC to host hikes and classes on their property, but generally there is no public access to SFC’s conservation easements as they are privately owned. SFC also works with landowners to develop sustainable grazing and management plans that benefit the habitat by reducing invasive grasses and increasing native plants.
DONATING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT
Donating a conservation easement on your property is an effective way to conserve your land and community.
Conservation easements restrict development and conserve the land in its natural state in perpetuity. They allow landowners to continue managing their property, while protecting it from the development and other pressures.
What are the benefits of donating a conservation easement? Donors ensure that the land continues as range, forest, and wildlife
habitat forever, protecting water quality and scenic views. Conservation easements support our local economy by keeping more land in rangeland or producing forests. Easements are often donated out of a love of the land and a desire for protection in perpetuity, in addition to significant tax advantages. Many easement donors realize federal and state tax savings. The regular tax incentive of 30% AGI (adjusted gross income) over 6 years begins in 2014. Consult your tax advisor about the tax benefits of donating an easement. What are the benefits to the public? As easements are often on working landscapes such as ranches or forests, supporting these properties contributes to local and agricultural economies. Conservation easements also conserve a community’s scenery, natural resources, wildlife habitat, and quality of life by restricting development and maintaining the land in its natural state in perpetuity.
What rights does SFC receive with the conservation easement? As the easement holder, Sierra Foothill Conservancy visits and monitors the property
Conservation continued from page 20
annually to ensure the terms of the easement are being upheld. The visits are always scheduled with the cooperation of the landowner. Our stewardship staff is always available for questions from our partnering landowners.
Sierra Foothill Conservancy – or any other group – does not have the right to manage or use the land or allow public access, unless specifically agreed to by the landowner under the terms of the easement.
How is the property and the easement valued? Each of our conservation easements, whether donated or funded, are valued by a certified appraisal. The value of a conservation easement is the difference between the appraised value of the land without any restrictions and the appraised value of the land after the easement restrictions have been recorded.
How long does it take? Donated easements are typically completed more quickly than grant-funded easements. Each project is unique but straightforward donated easements can be completed within several months.
Sierra Foothill Conservancy partners with landowners to protect their ranches, farms, and forests from unwanted development and other pressures. SFC and landowners work together to realize both SFC and the landowners’ goals. Conservation easements protect these beautiful lands so they can continue to be utilized by their owners’ and their families. The land-based economy that has supported our foothill communities for
years must be protected, and easements allow ranching, forestry, and farming to continue sustainably. Easements also protect the habitat, water resources, and viewshed that large properties provide to the region. SFC is fortunate to work with people who care about the land as much as we do, and we continue to learn from our partnering landowners.
SFC currently holds 16,721 acres in conservation easements across all four of the counties we work in. For
more information, please see Resources for Landowners, or contact our Conservation Director.
RESOURCES FOR LANDOWNERS: CONSERVING THE PLACES WE LOVE
There are many options for landowners, and SFC works hard to be an excellent resource for people committed to protecting their land and heritage. Conservation Easements ensure your
land and resources will remain undeveloped for perpetuity while allowing you to continue to own and manage your property. Land is an important legacy you can pass on intact to your children and grandchildren, and SFC hopes to help you fully protect it.
Please contact the Sierra Foothill Conservancy with easement and conservation questions at (209) 742-5556 or email sfc@sierrafoothill. org.
DRIVING DEMAND FOR CALIFORNIA ALMONDS
Expanding Top Markets
U.S.
U.S.- Promoting Almond Exercise Recovery Benefits:
Now in it's second year, the Own Your Prime campaign with Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders continues to promote almonds for exercise recovery
INDIA
India - Broadening the Appeal of Almonds in California’s Largest Export Market:
ABC is growing almond appeal in India with Gen Z-focused digital ads and a cricket par tnership featuring IPL player Rishabh Pant .
The U.S. is the #1 global destination for California almonds in 2023/24, with a 27% share of shipments. India remains the #1 export destination for California almonds, with shipments in 2023/24 exceeding 400 million pounds, an increase of 21% from 2022/23
To learn more about how ABC is driving demand for California Almonds, click here, or scan the QR code:
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
