Sweet Potato Joe from page 1

the former Florence Cardoza of Merced in 1942.

involves the variables that growers ultimately have to contend with, things like weather changes and water availability.

closely watch the 10-15 year longer view.”

Explaining the ‘why’

Pure numbers show level of occurrence without explanation and Farrar says the “why” is required.

“Besides drought, there may be several other things at play in the current reduced figures. Some of the recent regulatory changes may have made it more restrictive to use the higherrisk products. And I think some of it may be driven by particular products developed to target for specialty crops or expanding options such as programs like pest mating disruption for tree nut growers.”

Any discussion about pest control procedures and products always known as the “Voice of Livingston.” From 1946 to 1996, he announced all the Livingston High School football games, lending his strong voice to the community by also announcing everything in Livingston from parades to radio programs. He served on the Livingston Elementary School Board and the Merced County Recreation Commission for many years. Joe’s acting skills even benefited the Livingston Little Theater Group, where he starred in several productions, most notably as Elwood P. Dowd in “Harvey”.

After the war, and during his life as a sweet potato farmer, he served as President of the California Sweet Potato Council, and US Sweet Potato Council, where he was a Director for over 20 years. He was the first California farmer to attend the National Sweet Potato Convention, among other industry firsts. Joe served as President of the Merced County Farm Bureau, and was on the Board of Directors of the Nisei Farmers League. He formed the California Sweet Potato Growers Co-op in Livingston, along with several other local growers, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

While drought conditions have had an impact in recent years, this year’s crops will benefit from a plethora of liquid rather than a paucity. Expectations are that it will be a positive year for farmers who will again have an important tool to make things grow. The crops will love it — and so will the pests. Bumper water supplies will promote bumper growth of both crops and the pests that like to eat them.

“All the moisture we’ve had, the rain and snowfall/melt will be a driving force along with increased humidity to promote increased insect activity and perhaps more crop diseases. I’m offering an early and candid prediction of more pest activity this season over last season’s levels,” Farrar said.

His interests and community involvement were very diversefrom serving as a founding member of the Livingston Medical Group, to past-President and booster for over fifty years. This led to his being appointed the third Area Commissioner of Baseball. All of these years of being involved in baseball in Livingston culminated in the community baseball field being renamed the “Joe F. Alvernaz Baseball Field,” something he was so proud of.