June 2024

Durheim joins California Farm Bureau as first chief operating officer

By: California Farm Bureau

The California Farm Bureau is pleased to announce Dan Durheim as its new chief operating officer. This is a newly created leadership role for the 105-year-old nonprofit organization.

Most recently, Durheim served as associate vice president of sponsor relations for Nationwide Insurance, building strong relationships

with state Farm Bureaus, including the California Farm Bureau. He served a nearly 18-year tenure with the American Farm Bureau Federation in varying roles, including executive director of industry affairs, foundation executive director and director of program development. His experience also includes working in leadership positions within the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

The Board of Directors for the California Farm Bureau selected Durheim for the role of COO from over 1,100 candidates following a comprehensive executive search led by Morrison, a toptier business consulting firm.

“Dan has been a longtime champion for agriculture and for Farm Bureau, strongly believing in the work of this

organization on behalf of farmers and ranchers on the county, state and national level,” said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. “Dan’s deep experience with Farm Bureau, established relationships within the industry, selfless leadership style and focus on strategic service of our members makes him uniquely qualified to serve in this historic position for our organization.”

“I am delighted to join an organization that has such a renowned reputation serving and advocating for the most diversified agriculture industry in the nation,” Durheim said.

“California Farm Bureau has

a talented team and highly engaged board, all dedicated to advocacy and service of its members. California Farm Bureau’s efforts are instrumental in protecting the farmers and ranchers who make California the No. 1 agriculture state in the nation, and it is an honor to know I can share my experience and talents to continue to advance these incredible contributions.”

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.

Photo courtesy of California Farm Bureau

Big congratulations to the exhibitors of the Merced Fair! We want to extend a thank you to Merced College and Nutcher Milk for the partnership with our Donuts and Milk event held Tuesday morning. Thank you to Merced Fair for allowing us to host on the grounds. MCFB staff also volunteered during the junior livestock auction by calling exhibitor lots. A flood of 4-H and FFA memories always rush in when watching the kids ride the rollercoaster of emotions of market and showmanship to sale day. We look forward to participating in both the Spring Fair and Merced Fair next year.

I wanted to take the rest of this column to provide an overview of MCFB’s two 501(c)3s. First, MCFB is indeed a non-profit, but we qualify as a 501(c)5 under IRS rules. All organizations that qualify under this are related to labor, agriculture, or horticulture. Due to this, MCFB established two 501(c)3s. Operational since 2013, each organization has focused on the betterment of Merced County in their respective efforts.

The Merced County Farm Bureau Scholarship &

Education Fund has primarily provided scholarships to graduating seniors who are continuing their education in an agriculturally related field. Students can use the funds for a 4-year, 2-year or trade school. The Scholarship & Education Fund is also the organization that funds our Rooted in Agriculture Program for local teachers who teach ag in their classroom. This year our committee awarded multiple applicants for their efforts.

The other 501c3 is our Farmland Protection Fund established with the overarching idea to protect, promote, and preserve Merced County agriculture. The first large use of this organization was to aid in the lawsuit California Farm Bureau placed against the State Water Board for the Bay Delta Plan. A combined donation was made by MCFB – one from our general fund of $15,000 and the other from the Farmland Protection Fund in the amount of $10,000.

During our last board meeting, directors elected to donate an item to our local law enforcement teams, specifically to Ag Crimes, to help aid their efforts. We are thrilled with the partnership

and are hopeful this will aid in greater protection for agricultural property. We are also beginning to edge into the grant world so stay turned for more information.

At any point during the year individuals are able to make donations to either organization. Members can also do so on

their renewal form when renewing their general membership. We appreciate any and all considerations and thank those that aid in the continuation of these programs. I hope you are having a wonderful season. Please reach out if the need arises.

MCFB Staff served Rollen Donuts and Nutcher Milk to Livestock Exhibitors at the Merced County Fair

Another month has passed and we are entering the long hot days of summer. It seems we always say the same thing, “boy it sure is hot” or “it just seemed like it came on so fast”. But as in past years we will make it through, we in the farming community sure are a tough resilient bunch. As we are busy on our own operations your County Farm Bureau is busy working for us promoting and preserving agriculture. Another successful Merced County Fair has just passed, it is always amazing to see all the young people put in all the effort and hard work. We are in the middle of an election season that is unprecedented and I worry that we have only seen the beginning of what will take place between now and November. As of the publishing of this article most schools will have held their graduation ceremonies, congratulations to all those that graduated and are moving on to the next chapter.

It would not be a Merced County Fair without at least one day of 100 plus degree weather, and mother nature sure didn’t let us down. It is encouraging to see all the FFA and 4-H kids put in all of their hard work, raising and training animals, showing them, keeping a clean barn, or building impressive projects. We also need to give a big thank you to all the parents, supporters, advisors, leaders and everyone else

that plays a part in shaping the next generation. Your Merced County Farm Bureau was well represented at this year’s fair. On Tuesday, along with Merced Community College, and Nutcher Milk, Farm Bureau staff distributed donuts and milk to all fair exhibitors. It was a big success and a nice treat to a hard-working bunch. Merced County Farm Bureau also participated in the Junior Livestock Auction that took place on Saturday. The auctions are always a great event that rewards the hardworking kids.

Most planting is done, both transplanting and seed. For most of us harvest is just around the corner. With the state of the Ag. Economy most of us are hanging on and optimistic that better days are ahead. With all the difficulties and trials and tribulations that come with feeding and clothing a hungry and naked world we as farmers always find a way to persevere and this world is better for it. This world needs us and a big THANK YOU to all those who do it, protect it, and promote it!

At our May Board of Directors

Meeting, we had the opportunity to listen to a presentation given by Steven Fenaroli of CAFB on the Taxpayer Protection Act. The yes campaign is starting to get going and we are expecting a lot of pushbacks from the likes of the Governor and his supporters. If you are in the position to help with this campaign please reach out to the office and the staff will direct you. We are in the midst of an election year that is anything but normal. We are doing things in this country that have never been done before. If the things that are happening politically in this country would take place in another country, we would label that country a third world banana republic. As president Reagan said we are the “shining city on a hill” and need to be an example to the rest of the free world.

We have an elite bureaucratic political class that is trying to silence us and we cannot stand around idly and allow it to happen in front of us. I worry that if this is happening five months before an election, what we will see before November will be unprecedented. We all need to VOTE, get involved at some level, support the candidates and causes that we believe in, and make sure that none of us or our friends and family sit this one out! We are members of a great organization that always puts the agriculture community in the forefront. We thank you for your continued membership and support. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact myself, the office or any of your Board of Directors. Until next month.

Hilmar Cheese Company Awards 67 Educational Scholarships

By: Denise Skidmore, Hilmar Cheese Company

Hilmar, Calif. May 31, 2024. Sixty-seven students demonstrating academic performance and community involvement will each receive a scholarship to help fund their higher education goals through Hilmar Cheese Company’s annual scholarship program. This program, which has existed since 2003, is one of the many ways Hilmar Cheese helps achieve its company purpose to improve lives together

The scholarship program awarded $40,000 in four categories – children of employees, children of the dairy farm families who ship milk to Hilmar Cheese, part-time Visitor Center staff and students pursing an agricultural undergraduate degree in the communities where the company operates.

Eight children of employees of Hilmar Cheese Company, two part-time Hilmar Cheese Visitor Center staff, and three children of the dairy farm families who ship milk to Hilmar received scholarships. Thirty-eight students pursuing an agricultural major living in the counties where the company is located also received scholarships. This last category is for students not affiliated with the company; but dedicated to the agricultural industry and living in Merced or Stanislaus counties in California or Dallam or Hartley counties in Texas.

Three part-time visitor center employees, eleven employee children and two children of dairy farmers who ship milk to Hilmar also received an additional scholarship for a second year to help continue their education.

The Hilmar Cheese Company scholarship program reflects the company’s ongoing support of higher education and its commitment to employees, dairy farm families, the California and Texas agricultural industries and the communities where Hilmar operates.

Qualifying students are encouraged to apply November 1 through February 1, 2025. For more information about Hilmar Cheese Company’s scholarship program, visit the About Us Overview section of www.hilmar.com.

California Farm Bureau-sponsored bill targeting health and economic impacts of wildfire smoke advances

By: California Farm Bureau

SACRAMENTO –

Legislation sponsored by the California Farm Bureau that aims to improve the understanding of the health impacts of wildfire smoke and enhance the state’s ability to mitigate these impacts through datadriven approaches has passed the California Senate with unanimous support. The bill moves on to the California Assembly.

Senate Bill 945, the Wildfire Smoke and Health Outcomes Data Act, authored by California Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, seeks to establish a statewide integrated wildfire smoke and health data platform by July 1, 2026, to better understand the negative health impacts of wildfire smoke on California’s population and evaluate the effectiveness of investments in forest health and wildfire mitigation.

Under SB 945, protocols will be developed for data sharing, documentation, quality control and the promotion of open-source platforms related to wildfire smoke and health data. Additionally, regularly updated data products will be created to track air pollution concentrations, population exposure to smoke and adverse health outcomes.

California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass weighed in on the significance of the bill, saying farm and ranch communities have been hit especially hard by smoke

from unprecedented wildfire activity, which has caused adverse health outcomes.

“Exposure to wildfire smoke affects communities across the state but the problem is often more prevalent in rural areas, with negative health impacts felt by farmers, ranchers and farm employees working outdoors,” Douglass said.

“To strengthen protections for communities, we’re proud to work with Sen. Alvarado-Gil and the bill’s wide coalition of supporters to pursue legislation that ensures policymakers and health providers understand these impacts completely and implement wildfire mitigation strategies.”

“Our state’s catastrophic wildfires are not just a threat to our homes and businesses; they endanger our livestock, public health, and, most importantly, human lives,” Sen. AlvaradoGil said.

“This crisis hits close to home, especially for outdoor

workers who face greater health risks as a result of inhaling wildfire smoke.”

Sen. Alvarado-Gil added,

“I am grateful to the Farm Bureau for bringing this essential legislation to my office, and I acknowledge the efforts of the California Council on Science and Technology and Blue Forest. Their work has shed light on the connections between forest management, wildfire smoke and human health. For legislators to make informed decisions, we need robust data to support our actions—

this bill will provide just that.”

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

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.

20th Anniversary Series –The Beginning Passion Drives Action To Minimize Increasing Growth

By: Vicky Boyd, California Farmland Trust

With development of prime farmland occurring all around them, a small group of Merced County residents had reached a tipping point in the early 1990s. Led by Linda Macedo, Eleanor Lema and a few other members of the Merced chapter of California Women for Agriculture, they wanted a way to protect the limited resource while still allowing agriculture to thrive. Their solution was the formation of the Merced County Farmland and Open Space Trust, which at the time it was established in 1993 was a novel concept, said Maxwell Norton, a University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor emeritus for Merced County. “Most of the early land trusts were environmental trusts for habitat or primarily open space trusts,” he said. “At the time, we really didn’t know exactly where we were going so we called it farmland and open space trust because we were also open to rangeland.”

As the Merced County efforts grew, the trust eventually merged with three other regional programs in 2004 to form the Central Valley Farmland Trust and focus on their strength –irrigated prime farmland. More than a decade later, the CVFT merged with the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust in 2017 to form the California Farmland Trust.

At the time of the Merced trust’s formation, Merced County was one of

the top 10 counties in the nation in terms of farmgate value. “There was a lot of development going on that wasn’t in the best interest of farming,” said Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo, one of the trust’s founding members.

Even early on, the Merced land trust proved successful. According to a 2007 article from the California Planning & Development Report, Merced County had nearly 10,000 acres held in agricultural easements. That was more than any other county in the state, and the publication credited the 1993 establishment of the Merced land trust.

Although the Merced County Farm Bureau was not directly involved with the trust formation, then Executive Director Mike Wade said it was supportive and provided meeting space. Farm Bureau members also were concerned about the pace of development.

“There was just this very high interest in farmland protection,” he said. “Farm Bureau was driving it to a great degree. I was testifying at the Board of Supervisors almost every week or two on applications to convert farmland.”

Thinking outside the box Macedo, along with a few forward-thinking CWA members, began talking among themselves about how they could protect farmland from development while still allowing farming to continue.

A farmland trust allows

just that. Willing landowners either donate or sell their development rights to the trust. Landowners can continue to farm whatever crops they want, and they’re free to sell the land or pass it on to the next generation with the caveat that it remains in agriculture. When they first proposed the Merced land trust, Norton said, they conducted several outreach meetings to educate the public about the concept. CWA members also sought help from the American Farmland Trust with educational efforts. While most of the reception from farmers was positive, he said there were a few people who were suspicious of any outsiders.

Norton pointed out that placing land in a trust is 100% voluntary and involves a complex set of legal transactions to ensure the land, the owners, and the trust are all adequately protected. “We don’t go out and try to talk people into it — the initiative is from the landowners themselves,” he said. “And we always have more applications than we have funds for.”

Westmoreland Pedrozo viewed the farmland trust as providing another option for landowners. “It offers people alternative and different ways to operate and use different tools to make their operation more successful and sustainable, both financially and under the rules and regulations of California,” she said.

Describing the formation

of the Merced land trust as a grassroots effort, Wade said, “It was leaders in the farming community that wanted to see it happen. They had a vision and created the trust.”

A life-long resident of the northern San Joaquin Valley, Norton said he’s had a ring-side seat watching development of the region’s farmland over the years. Some of it was straight development while in other cases it involved dividing larger parcels into ranchettes. “Ever since post-World War II, the San Joaquin Valley has been growing pretty fast,” said Norton, who also serves on the CFT Board of Directors. So fast, in fact, that some believed the northern San Joaquin Valley would eventually expand to meet the San Francisco Bay Area.

Wade, who recently joined the CFT Board, said it was hard to pinpoint just one cause for the growth that spurred the Merced farmland trust formation. In the early 1990s, the county was grappling with policy issues and was also dealing with general plan revisions and antiquated subdivisions.

Westmoreland Pedrozo also pointed to Castle Air Force base, which before its 1995 closure had been the county’s major employer and had driven overbuilding of apartments and housing. At the same time, Silicon Valley’s explosive growth in the 1990s pushed out residents, forcing them to move into the San Joaquin Valley.

Sara Rosenberg joins UCCE as regenerative agriculture farm advisor

By: UCCE Mariposa County

We are excited to introduce Sara Rosenberg as our new Regenerative Agriculture Advisor. She joined UCCE on May 1st for Mariposa, Merced and Stanislaus counties. Sara earned a master's in international agriculture development and a Ph.D. in horticulture and agronomy from UC Davis. Her academic focuses are agroecology, sustainable nutrient management, and extension research and methodology. Her past research centers on understanding the implications of diversification (with a focus on crop rotations and cover crops) for California rice systems. For her master's program, she conducted a countywide assessment to learn from rice growers about their

experiences with crop rotations and understand barriers to adoption, opportunities, and required resources for successful implementation. Her doctoral research explored how different summer crop rotations affect multiple sustainability factors including soil health, crop yields, weeds, input use and economics. She also assessed different cover crop species performance in rice environments and their carbon and nitrogen contributions. Prior to working on her Ph.D., she was an agriculture advisor in the Peace Corps for more than three years. Here,

she worked closely with smallholder farmers in West Africa, implementing conservation agriculture programs and increasing agricultural resilience in both annual crops and tree crops, mainly in the cashew forestry sector. In California, she has worked on farms for more than eight years, including running her own small, diversified farm in Woodland.

What is her role: “I believe my role is to support farms and land managers in achieving sustainability goals. As a technical advisor my area of expertise connects food systems with natural resource conservation by applying ecological principles to farm management. I provide technical advice, conduct research to provide evidence on how management practices effect regenerative outcomes on a regionally relevant context, provide resources and education opportunities, and help farmers and land managers build capacity for their operations in

collaborative ways. I am passionate about communityled development and using participatory research as a powerful tool for developing sustainable solutions. My aim is to develop collaborative programming that will support a wide range of farm types, including commercial and small-scale, organic, and conventional, annual crops, tree and vine crops, and livestock production systems. I hope to develop a robust research program aimed at assessing farm sustainability impact across ecological, agronomic, social and economic factors. I hope to collaborate with farmers to help overcome barriers to adopting regenerative practices and build their capacity to overcome challenges and advance their sustainability goals. I look forward to getting to know the communities I serve and solving problems together.”

Sara is based in Mariposa and can be reached at srosenberg@ucanr.edu and (209) 966-2417 ext. 1417.

Sara Rosenberg, Farm Advisor, UCCE Mariposa County

Pre-emergent herbicides: a helping hand in cotton production

By: Giuliano Carneiro Galdi, UCCE Merced

Weed management is an art form that growers must tailor according to their specific crops and growing conditions. The introduction of roundup-ready cotton has led to a heavy reliance on post-emergent programs, often resulting in the overuse of glyphosate. Although successful in most cases, repeated use of a single herbicide or mode of action can speed up the herbicide resistance process in weeds. The increasing number of herbicide-resistant weeds threatens agronomic crop yields and limits the availability of effective herbicide options. Italian ryegrass, palmer amaranth, fleabane, horseweed, common groundsel, and wild oats are common in the central valley and pose significant challenges across various cropping systems, particularly in cotton production.

In Roundup Ready cotton, post-emergent herbicides have been successfully used in the past years. Combining glyphosate (Roundup) and carfentrazoneethyl (Shark) is typically enough to take care of most weeds. When fleabane is present though, a paraquat (Gramoxone) application

may be necessary. However, timing post-emergent herbicide applications is crucial in cotton production because the crop does not compete well against aggressive weed species such as pigweeds.

For instance, while most row crops are no match to palmer amaranth, cotton is particularly sensitive. The main problem with palmer amaranth in cotton is that the weed grows fast and typically is bigger than the recommended size for application of most herbicides’ labels (3 inches tall) in 6-10 days. Missed ideal spray windows coupled with ineffective cultivation can result in the necessity of hand-weeding to prevent weeds’ seed formation and the buildup of soil seed bank.

To bolster crop competitiveness against fastgrowing weeds like palmer amaranth, herbicide programs must incorporate a range of tools, minimally including pre-emergent herbicides, post-emergent herbicides,

and cultivation. While many growers prioritize post-emergent methods, the significance of pre-emergent soil residual herbicides cannot be overstated.

Pendimethalin (Prowl H2O or Prowl 3.3 EC), for example, can be applied up to 140 days before planting (after Oct 15), with rates varying depending on how long before planting the product was applied. After application, Prowl H2O needs incorporation within 7 days into the top 2-4 inches of the soil. This pre-emergent herbicide suppresses annual ryegrass and controls, foxtails, barnyardgrass, palmer amaranth, common chickweed, common groundsel, lambsquarter, and others when applied up to 4 pts/A, which is the highest rate allowed in cotton.

Trifluralin (Treflan) is another pre-plant herbicide option. However, it must be incorporated into 2-3 inches of the soil within 24 hours after application. The product can also be

applied after October 15 or immediately before planting but crop rotation restrictions are stricter when compared with Prowl H2O. Sugarbeets, red beets, or spinach should not be planted for 12 months after spring application, or 14 months after fall application. Sorghum, corn, or oats should not be planted for 12 months after a spring application or 14 months after a fall application. The following table shows several options for pre and postemergence weed control in cotton.

Successful cotton production depends on integrated weed management strategies that include cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods. Acceptable weed control and prevention of herbicideresistant weeds can be achieved by preirrigation followed by tillage, use of certified seeds, herbicide rotation with different mode of actions, crop rotation, use of non-chemical weed control methods, and use of residual herbicides.

Kenneth Bruce Prine August 3, 1933 - May 5, 2024

Published by Merced Sun Star on May 14, 2024

Stevinson, CaliforniaBruce Prine was born on August 3, 1933 in Merced, California to Dorothy and Everett Prine. He passed away at home on May 5, 2024. He attended Livingston Elementary School and graduated from Livingston High School in 1952. Bruce served his country in the US Navy on the USS Wandank and USS Helena. After his tour of duty, he worked as a fireman, truck driver and mechanic.

Bruce graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy in 1964. His first assignment was Barstow, California. His next assignment was Merced, California, back to the Central Valley where he grew up. After 28 years of service on the California Highway Patrol, Bruce retired in 1990 and continued with full time farming. He was a lifelong almond farmer. Bruce was a ten year member of the

Ballico-Cressey School Board and a member of the American Legion. In 1964, Bruce married Ann Kelley. Together they raised two children, Debbie and Kenny. In 2002, Bruce married Gerri Jones, a former Livingston High School classmate. They were happily married for twenty-one years, until her passing on April 5, 2024. Together they enjoyed going to the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants games. Bruce enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great grandchildren's sporting events, dance recitals and performances. Holiday gatherings and birthday celebrations were something he always looked forward to. Bruce continued a tradition passed on by his parents of having deep fried shrimp on Christmas Eve. This was a celebration everyone looked forward to every Christmas Eve!

Bruce was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy & Everett Prine,

his sisters, Karen Vance and Melba Quinn, his brother Vernon Prine and his beloved wife, Gerri Prine.

Bruce is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Richard) Prine Perez, Kenny (Mary) Prine, his grandchildren Lacie (Roman) Charo, Garrett Perez, Kaden Prine and Kenzie Prine. His great grandchildren Camden Perez, Sophie Charo and Lilah Charo, his step children

Susan (Allan) Mord, Sherrill (Rob) Hillberg, Vicky (Tom) Wagner, Rick (Julie) Jones, and Melinda (Jay) DeGraff, 12 step grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren with one

on the way.

A visitation will be held at Wilson Family Funeral Chapel, 1290 Winton Way, Atwater, on May 17, 2024 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 am. A graveside service will immediately follow at Winton District Cemetery in Winton. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Livingston United Methodist Church, 11695 Olive Avenue, Livingston at 1:00 pm.

Thank you Papa for 90 years of wonderful memories. You will be forever loved and missed.

The Newest Player on the FELS Team!

By: FELS

Farm Employers Labor Service has a new Team Member!

Sergio’s strong work ethic, reliability and flexibility all make him a strong, all-around player on Team FELS! Add Sergio to your team today!

Sergio comes to us from Cederquist Farms, where he managed a 750 acre pistachio production operation, from the day-to-day farming operations to farm personnel management.

Sergio is bi-lingual and bi-cultural and has a strong understanding of the needs of both agricultural employees and farm employers.

Sergio can handle your employee safety training needs, management consulting for your crew leaders, supervisors and managers and be an earlywarning system to help you learn about employee problems before they start to cost you money! Call Sergio for a consultation today at 916-223-9073

Jack Joseph Soares October 14, 1948 - April 6, 2024

Published by Merced Sun Star on May 22, 2024

Le Grand, California - Le Grand and the surrounding communities mourn the loss of a truly remarkable individual, Jack Joseph Soares. Jack passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family, April 6, 2024.

Jack's story began in Long Beach, California, born to Joe and Mary Soares, October 14, 1948. Jack grew up in sunny Southern California, until attending Cal Poly State University, majoring in Agriculture Science. During his graduating year, his father passed suddenly, and he was called upon to finish constructing his father's dream in Le grand, California, of owning and operating a feedlot cattle ranch.

Jack quickly became a respected member of the Le Grand community and was known for his generosity. He never turned anyone down when help was needed and never asked for anything in return. He had a remarkable talent for all things mechanical and could fix just about anything that came his way. For over 30 years he enjoyed volunteering his time to provide and cook for the Le grand Volunteer Fire Department. The entire community deeply appreciated his dedication and service. His expertise and willingness to lend a helping hand made him a cherished friend to many.

One of Jacks greatest joys in life was his passion for

Antique Tractors. He was an avid Tractor Collector and a valued member of the Valley Tractor Pull Association. Jack would spend hours meticulously restoring and showcasing these vintage machines at various shows, bringing joy to all who witnessed his dedication and enthusiasm.

Jack's adventurous spirit did not stop at tractors. He embraced challenges with gusto, becoming a skilled helicopter and airplane pilot. In his younger years Jack was often found immersing himself in the thrill of drag racing in Southern California. His thirst for knowledge and mastery knew no bounds, and he approached every endeavor with unwavering determination.

In addition to his love for tractors, Jack had a deep appreciation for antiques, with a particular fondness for milk bottles and Crosley Cars. He would spend hours curating his collection, sharing the stories and memories each item held with his family.

Despite his many accomplishments, Jack's true happiness came from the simpler things in life. He cherished

spending time with his close friends often embarking on fishing trips or just a casual meal, brought him great joy. His love for his family and friends was immeasurable, and he took great pride in caring for them.

Rest in peace dear friend. Your memory will forever live in our hearts.

Jack is survived by Jeanie Soares & Matt Kelleher of Twain Harte California. Daughter, Teresa (Raymond) Gonzalez, of Le Grand California, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Sister Mary Will of McKinleyville, California, 1 niece, 1 nephew and numerous cousins.

Please join us for Jack's Celebration Life on June 2nd, 2024, at the Scoto Barn located at 4492 Bailey Ave. Merced, CA 95341 at Twelve o'clock in the afternoon. Please RSVP to Teresa (209)628-9856. If anyone would like to donate in Jack's memory, please consider: The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation 5526 West 13400 South, #510 Herriman, UT 84096

Education Update 2024 Recipients

Recipients were asked to respond to

“Why do you believe it is important to teach agriculture in the classroom?”

Winner: Lori Silva

Kindergarten, Franklin Elementary

Lesson: Culinary Institute of Franklin

Agriculture is such an integral part of the central valley and I think it is important for our future generation to learn about farms and the crops they produce and how that is such a contributing factor to our valleys economic success. Cooking with fresh and local food is a passion of mine, so for the pasts two years I have incorporated it into my classroom.We are an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school. This program was developed to improve college and career readiness for students once they graduate High School. I know kindergarten is far from High School graduation but we are still encouraged to participate. My classroom is now known as the “Culinary Institute of Franklin”. I show students that this could be one career choice after graduation. Every week we would make a different recipe, using locally sourced, fresh ingredients. In doing so, the students learned how to chop, mix, pour, bake, etc. We try all kinds of food! My little chefs have learned the value of using fresh ingredients, what it takes to grow them, and the impact of using fresh, local ingredients in which our farmers work hard to produce everyday. At the end of the year, they get to take home a cook book with all of their recipes. Thank you to all the farmers for all the hard work you put in everyday to produce our food!

Kristen Parker Second, St. Paul’s

Lesson: Honey Bees & Insects

I believe it is important to teach agriculture in the classroom because my students are directly impacted by agriculture, as we all are. It is important to me that my students understand how agriculture is a vital part of each of our lives as it is how we receive much of our food and many other necessities. Living in the Central Valley, we are in a great place for students to learn about agriculture as they can see it all around them. By incorporating agriculture into our regular curriculum, I believe it gives students’ a more concrete understanding of the lessons we are learning by having a real-world connection.

Katie Young

Kindergarten, Cressey Elementary

Lesson: Hydroponics & Gardening

I believe it is important to teach Agriculture in the classroom because every year it provides the stage for us to learn about taking care of ourselves and our planet. In Kindergarten we learn about animal and plant needs, and how they work together. We learn how the food we eat is grown, here in the Central Valley, and how it gets to our plates. Children improve language and writing, as well as Math, through many Ag and gardening activities. They build confidence in their own abilities, and hopefully a growing curiosity in the possibilities of Agricultural careers.

Silva's students made a new recipe weekly using local fresh ingredients. They even brought a farmer’s market to the school where students were given $2 to purchase fruits & veggies.

Angelica Nichols

Transitional Kindergarten, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: Farm Animals

I believe it's really important to teach our students (even our young TK students) about agriculture. We live in the Central Valley, this place grows most of the fruits and veggies we eat in California! When kids learn about farms, they understand more about where their food comes from. It also is a great opportunity to participate in "farm-to-school" programs! Where students can participate in hands-on activities as they learn about food and agriculture.

Lynette Rocha

Kindergarten, Elim Elementary

Lesson: Dairy

I feel teaching young children about agriculture in their own community is the foundation of understanding the important role ag plays in our lives. Kindergarteners are self-centered and understand best when the topic relates to them. By this I mean when we can explain that everything they eat can be grown in and around Hilmar or at least in California, they start to understand better and make a connection to their lives. When they realize how important dairies, orchards, fruit trees, and animals are to our nutrition they might take an interest in learning more. Also impressing upon students when they are young the benefits of living and working in the country. Letting students experience riding in a tractor, feeding a baby calf, or planting and growing their own food will spark curiosity and excitement for future generations of farmers.

Lori

Education Update 2024 Recipients

Recipients were asked to respond to “Why do you believe it is important to teach agriculture in the classroom?”

Kelly McIntyre

Second, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: Gardening

I believe it is important to teach agriculture in our classroom because it is all around us. We see it every day from our playground and to have an understanding and appreciation for it is important. A lot of my students' parents work in agriculture in different capacities so they are able to make real life connections and are excited to learn about it.

Cynthia Cassady

Second, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: California Almonds

Teaching agriculture in the classroom is crucial for several reasons. Agricultural education helps students comprehend where their food comes from, and gives them an understanding of everything that is involved in food production, distribution, and consumption. Living in the Central Valley, students are surrounded by agriculture. Our school site sits right next to an almond orchard, which is why I chose to teach my students about almonds. Agricultural education teaches practical skills such as gardening and crop management. These skills not only empower students to grow their own food but also instill a sense of self-reliance and responsibility. By introducing students to agriculture in the classroom, we can possibly inspire interest in career opportunities in this field. Overall, integrating agriculture into the classroom curriculum provides students with valuable knowledge and skills that are essential for their personal development, agricultural awareness, and future career prospects.

Stephanie Manzo

Second, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: Bees & Pollination

I believe it is important to teach agriculture in the classroom because it allows students to understand how much it affects us. With this particular unit students learned the importance of a tiny bee and all that they make possible. They also learned how they impacts their community and what they eat.

Jami Jantz

Second, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: Sweet Potatoes

I believe it is important to teach agriculture in the classroom because it allows students to understand how much it affects us. With this particular unit students learned the importance of a tiny bee and all that they make possible. They also learned how they impacts their community and what they eat.

Suzie Huie

Second, Gracey Elementary

Lesson: Nutrition, Dairy & Mobile Farmer’s Market

Teaching agriculture in the elementary school classroom allows students to recognize early in their life that agriculture impacts the world around them. Understanding crops, harvesting, and animal care help them to make connections between their community and the economical aspects of agriculture. Many are exposed to ag through parent employment, home gardens, or living near it. Hopefully, some will see it as a potential career choice because of this early exposure.

Jennifer Anaya, Suzie Huie, Dylan Miller, May Xiong Kindergarten & Second, Gracey Elementary Lesson: Farm Machinery & Tractors

As citizens of the Central Valley, it's important to teach agriculture in the classroom so that students know the importance of farming in our community. Students develop a clear understanding of how and where their food comes from. Ag in the classroom allows integration of the core concepts in science, social studies, language arts, and nutrition.

Kelli Fluetsch

Kindergarten, McSwain Elementary

Lesson: Plants

Agriculture in the classroom is important at every grade level. At the kindergarten level, students' minds can be easily stimulated to teach the importance of where food comes from and how it grows. Many of my students come from farming families. Several of my students are able to teach me more than I can teach them just from the experiences they have in their own backyard. I have future farmers each year in my kindergarten class and if we can continue to encourage students to love the land we live on, we may be able to encourage more kids to become future farmers!

Beginning Farmers & Ranchers Mentorship Program

Enroll in a New Program Aimed at Preserving California’s Agricultural Heritage.

Beginning farmers and ranchers in California face many challenges in sustaining their agricultural operations. This program provides no-cost mentoring services from experienced farmers and ranchers to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Who can become a mentor?

Farmers (including specialty crop growers) and ranchers with more than 10 years of experience operating a production agriculture business in California can become mentors.

Benefits of becoming a mentor:

• Receive incentive pay ($50/hr) for up to six hours of time invested in mentoring a beginning farmer and/or rancher.

Who can become a mentee?

• Share knowledge, skills, and experience to help guide the long-term success of a beginning farmer and/or rancher in California.

Farmers (including specialty crop growers) and ranchers with one to 10 years of experience operating a production agriculture business in California can become mentees.

Benefits of becoming a mentee:

• Learn from experienced farmers and ranchers through six hours of mentoring.

• Attend biannual workshops alongside subject matter experts and peers.

• Enjoy annual subscriptions to the Ag Alert® weekly newspaper and Farm Bureau Extension classes.

• Work towards self-declared goals such as adopting new management practices, scaling production and distribution, learning established and emerging marketplaces, improving business accounting and finance fundamentals, and more.

To enroll as a mentor or mentee, complete an online application at cfbf.com/EOR. Information from the online application will be used to match mentors and mentees.

Funding for this Project was made possible by a grant/cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

California’s Ag Leaders Warn of Animal Activists’ Plans to Harm US Livestock Industry

By: Sabrina Halvorson, Hoosier Ag Today

Shutting down our hog, cattle, and poultry farms is the overall goal of animal rights activists. That’s why ag leaders in California are warning farmers across the rest of the U.S how activists are using their state to impose laws to destroy the country’s livestock industry.

“For them, this is a steppingstone—that they are seeking out to throw something against the wall and see what sticks. Because if they can make it happen here, it’s going to take off,” says Dayna Ghirardelli, Sonoma County, California, Farm Bureau Executive Director.

She’s talking about animal activists who have selected Sonoma County as their target for the state’s next anti-animal ag law. The group says it’s targeting big factory farms, but Ghirardelli says that’s simply not the case.

“The majority are family farms. There may be one group of farms that might fall under our corporate structure, but for the most part they are locally owned or locally operated,” Ghirardelli said. “Absolutely our food shed here in Sonoma County is very much family farming.”

Farm Bureau and other ag organizations are pulling together to educate voters about their local family farms and what the measure would do to them, but Ghirardelli says it’s a costly campaign

and they could use some help.

“Support us in whatever way you can,” she said.

“Not just by endorsing, but if there’s any financial

contributions that can be offered because we know that this is going to be in at least $1.65 million effort to combat as a fully waged campaign.”

You can get more information on the Sonoma County Family Farmers Alliance website: www. noonmeasurej.com.

Imagine if you will, driving through the golden Mariposa foothills in early June. As you’re dodging potholes and admiring the abundance of native pasture growing on the rolling hills, your eyes seem to deceive you. The asphalt look as if it’s turning from black to tan, and the road appears to be moving. The next sound you hear is the crispy crunch of grasshoppers under your tires and the burning smell of said hoppers frying on your radiator grille. One can only hope that the infestation is a small and their predators can help to eradicate them quickly.

With temperatures rising and varying rainfall patterns over the spring, these factors create more favorable environments for grasshopper reproduction and survival. Warmer temperatures speed up the growth of grasshopper nymphs, leading to larger adult populations. Additionally, changes in precipitation patterns can effect vegetation growth, adding to the availability of food and driving them to move from pasture to pasture devouring precious livestock feed as they go. These voracious insects feed on a wide range of crops, including grains, vegetables, and forage crops. They also have a huge appetite for any type of landscaping around our homes. These annoying pests are not picky by any

They’re on the Move

means, they’ll eat the bark off of trees, the screens off of windows, and the paint off of houses in extreme cases.

As much as we despise these little hopping/ flying monsters, the birds are ecstatic! I’ve watched flocks of blackbirds flying in in controlled chaotic patterns snatching them up in midflight. My Guineas are getting quite hefty, enjoying what appears to be a delicacy to them. McClure Lake is filled with hoppers and the fish are so full, they’re not biting much. Even my grandchildren are trying to do their part in ridding their play area of these intruders. Our daughter discovered many hopper parts on the floor when she retrieved them from their play pen. No wonder they weren’t very hungry for dinner that evening, GROSS!!!

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.

It seems that there is a large hatch of grasshoppers approximately seven years apart. Some years are heavier than others and we can only hope that this year is a light hatch. We all have unique challenges in different regions of our county, but we stand together to support agriculture. As always, I encourage farmers, ranchers

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