March 2024

arm. You E F at. e W

March 2024| Volume 117, Number 3

Merced County Farm News

MID Board approves annual budget and sets 2024 water rate

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By: MID

he Merced Irrigation District Board of Directors has adopted a $162.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2025 and established an in-district water rate of $50 per acre foot for this year’s irrigation season. MID Customer Service is currently accepting water orders. Water deliveries to growers will begin in the coming weeks as water

demand builds in each distribution area.

Lake McClure, MID’s primary surface water storage facility, is currently at its maximum operating level allowed for this time of year with approximately 660,000 acre feet of water in storage.

“We had good carryover storage from last year and some late-season snow that has tremendously improved our overall water supply forecasts,” said MID

General Manager John Sweigard.

Deputy General Manager of Water Resources Bryan Kelly said the 2025 Grower Information Packets will be mailed out soon and invited growers to contact their local Distribution System Operator at any time.

Options for ordering water include: • Orders may be placed anytime online at www.mercedid.org.

• Orders may be placed anytime using

MID’s automated water ordering system at (866) 825-2475.

During weekday business hours, orders may also be placed by calling MID Customer Service at (209) 7222720 or toll-free at (800) 750-2720.

• Orders may be placed in person during weekday business hours at MID’s office, located at 744 W. 20th Street in Merced.

Merced County Board of Supervisors, then you’re feeling pretty good after witnessing the Primary Election results on Tuesday night.

Josh Pedrozo, the incumbent District 2 supervisor, garnered 3,053 votes, or 69.96 percent of the tally so far, compared to 1,286 votes, or 29.4 percent, that went to his challenger Annissa Fragoso.

Lloyd Pareira, the incumbent District 4 supervisor, was ahead with 2,248 votes, or 62.60 percent, compared to challengers Dennis Brazil, with 671 votes, or 18.69 percent; and Jim Soria with 662, or 18.43 percent.

And Jim Pacheco, a challenger for the District 1 seat, was strongly outpacing incumbent Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa. Pacheco was holding onto 1,244 votes, or 54.11 percent, on Wednesday morning, compared to 513 votes, or 22.3 percent, for Espinosa.

Two other challengers, Maria Soto (16.6 percent) and Sonia Alshami (6.8 percent) were falling short of what would be needed to make it into a possible two-candidate runoff in November.

Pedrozo ‘proud to serve’ “I’m still feeling cautiously optimistic until everything comes

back,” Pedrozo said of his Dist. 2 race.

“With those first numbers coming in though I’m feeling a lot better. With 70 percent in support right now is a very good sign. It just goes to show that the work I’ve done for Merced County and District 2 hasn’t gone unnoticed. So I’m very happy about that, and I’m proud to continue, if it holds up, to serve the people of District 2 and Merced County.

“I think it’s just going to continue to grow, and it just goes to show you that I’m working really hard for Merced County, I’m working really hard for District 2, and the ag industry, and to make Merced County the best of the 58 counties in the state of California.”

District 2 includes most of the City of Merced, along with the UC Merced campus. With a win, Supervisor Pedrozo will be headed to a second term in office.

The supervisor thanked his supporters who attended an event at Five Ten Bistro in downtown Merced.

He noted that he “wouldn’t have been able to do this without my wife.”

Meanwhile, the supervisor’s only challenger, insurance agent Annissa Fragoso, spoke graciously about her opponent and the opportunity to run despite the numbers on Election Night.

She stated that she has a lot of respect for Pedrozo, going so far as to reach out and thank the current supervisor for helping to maintain a positive campaign.

“I want voters to know that regardless of what happens tonight this has still been a win for us,” Fragoso told supporters who gathered at her office.

She said her team worked hard to ensure District 2 residents had a good understanding of the issues and challenges that are going on in the community.

Pareira close to third term District 4 Supervisor Lloyd Pareira celebrated with supporters who packed the house at the Great American Grill in Hilmar on Tuesday night.

“I know there are a lot more votes to be counted, but if it stays similar, it looks like we will avoid a runoff,” he told the Times. “I’m hopeful.

Usually the first dump of votes is pretty indicative of what’s going to happen.”

Pareira said the crowd erupted in cheers when the results came in. “It’s fun. It’s special. It’s also reaffirming. …

I’m really thankful for the groundswell of support from people who appreciate the work we are doing.”

With a win, Pareira would be headed

Pedrozo, Pareira cruising toward win; challenger Pacheco holds sizable lead

By: Brittany Miller & Jonathan Whitaker, Merced County Times If your last name begins with a “P,” and you’re running for a seat on the

INSIDE:

7

Farm Bureau Meet & Greet

See 'Election' Page 15

Spring Fair 20 Tickets on Sale!

11 MCFB Beer Booth 106th Annual Meeting

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

L

from the

Director's Desk Breanne Vandenberg

ast week, Pierce Hanning, our Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair, and I had the opportunity to speak with the Merced Junior College Ag Ambassadors. The students involved in Ag Ambassadors are engaged with various planning needs for the college, have access to additional leadership trainings and can meet their peers who are interested in agriculture. Both Pierce and I covered the large bandwidth that Farm Bureau covers and how they can become involved. I am asked to speak on Farm Bureau topics multiple times a year and while I always appreciate the opportunity, it’s always a little more special when it’s a group of future agriculturists.

This month will be highlighted by our Annual Dinner. As with every year, we are gearing up for a great night capped with California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass as our keynote speaker. The meal will sure to be wonderful as Kelli Cochrane Catering will make her way back

to Merced to serve up some of her delicious food. Merced County YF&R plan to host a silent auction which will benefit Farm PAC. This is the largest agricultural PAC in California and is a division of California Farm Bureau.

Voting members of Merced County Farm Bureau can also vote on a bylaw amendment that would alter the districts of the organization and redistribute the director seats. The bylaw amendment would be adjusted from eight (8) districts to four (4) districts. The reasoning for this was to align better with the population numbers, equally distributing the membership amongst the districts. The proposed districts will also fall in line with the Board of Supervisor districts if adopted.

The district amendment also forces the adjustment to our board representation; however, we will not alter the number of directors that are on the board. Currently each of our 8 districts has 2 directors with twelve directors serving in an At-Large

capacity. The proposal will amend this to 3 directors per district, creating 12 director specific seats and 16 At-Large positions. Should any voting member have questions on this, please call our office and I can explain the amendments further.

I must end this column with a few notes of appreciation. I must thank Joe Sansoni for his dedication over the last two years as he has served as president.

During this time, he has tackled several issues and needs of the organization, and we cannot thank him enough. I am also thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Dave Barroso who will serve as your president for the 2024-2026 term.

Lastly, a very large thank you goes to Louie Bandoni for his many years of service on our board. Louie has served a continuous term of 20 years. He has been a director on several committees and served as president from 2006-2008.

We appreciate the time he has given our organization and look forward to seeing him away from the office.

High-Speed Rail Authority Issues Draft 2024 Business Plan for Public Review and Comment By: California High-Speed Rail Authority

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ACRAMENTO, Calif. –The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) today issued its draft 2024 Business Plan for public review and comment. The draft 2024 Business Plan reaffirms the Authority’s goal of advancing a clean, electrified high-speed rail in California.

The plan discusses major program progress in Northern California, the Central Valley and Southern California, as well as updates on federal funding, ridership and construction status. It also maintains cost and schedules from the 2023 Project Update Report, released 11 months ago.

Highlights between the 2023 Project Update Report and this draft 2024 Business Plan include:

• The Authority was awarded $3.3 billion in new federal funds to advance the work on the initial operating segment between Merced and Bakersfield.

• The Authority is advancing necessary procurements to move the project from construction into operations, including purchasing electrified trains and designing the track and systems needed for passenger service.

• The first construction package (CP 4) covering 22.5 miles in the Central Valley reached substantial completion.

• The Authority’s construction jobs exceeded 12,200 in 2023 and set records for the number of daily workers on the job sites.

• The designs for the extensions to Merced and Bakersfield, as well

as the four Central Valley stations, are on schedule, meeting contract milestones for 2023.

With the release of today’s draft business plan, the Authority Board of Directors will review the plan and seek input as part of a 60-day public comment period that starts today and closes at 5 p.m. on April 9. The Authority is providing the following options for submitting comments: Online comment form through the Draft 2024 Business Plan website at:https://hsr.ca.gov/2024-draft-businessplan-comment-form/ • By email at: BusinessPlan2024@ hsr.ca.gov • U.S. mail to the Authority: • California High-Speed Rail Authority Attn: Draft 2024 Business Plan 770 L Street, Suite 1180

Sacramento, CA 95814 • Provide public comment at the upcoming Board of Directors Meeting within the public comment period virtually or in person on February 29, 2024 in Sacramento.

The Authority has begun work to extend the 119 miles currently under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield.

There are more than 25 active construction sites in California’s Central Valley, with the Authority having also fully environmentally cleared 422 miles of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to Los Angeles County.

The following link contains recent video, animations, photography, press center resources and latest renderings: https://hsra.app.box.com/s/

Merced County Farm Bureau’s Mission Statement Merced County Farm Bureau is an independent, nongovernmental, grassroots organization that advocates for the men and women who provide food, fiber, and nursery products for our community, state, and nation.

Merced County Farm Bureau exists for the purpose of improving the ability of individuals engaged in production

agriculture to utilize California resources to produce food and fiber in the most profitable, efficient and responsible manner possible, guaranteeing our nation a domestic food supply.

Merced County Farm Bureau supports policies and legislation that promote and protect our Country’s number one industry agriculture for future generations and the security of our nation.

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

from the

have a very experienced and engaged board and throughout my term I have always been impressed and grateful for their time, ideas, and efforts. I have learned so much from so many of our directors, and that personal development for me has been rewarding and greatly appreciated!

In particular, I would like to thank the two most recent past presidents Eric Harcksen and Gino Pedretti III for their respective roles in not only continuing their service to MCFB but for mentoring me and helping to prepare me to step into the role. I would like to thank our incoming 2024-2026 president Dave Barroso for doing a great job of stepping up his availability and engagement as he prepared himself to carry the torch into the new term. Dave will be a solid and engaged president, and we are lucky to have him stepping up into the role.

On behalf of MCFB, it’s staff, members, and board of directors I warmly welcome Dave to the position of your president and commit my continued participation and support to him and the upcoming officers!

President's Corner Joe Sansoni

It’s hard to believe that my tenure as your MCFB president is coming to a close! Two years is a pretty good chunk of time, but as with all things worthwhile, the time does seem to pass very quickly. Much of what I write here will be repeated at our Annual Meeting, however for those that will not be in attendance, I wish to use this month’s column – my last - to acknowledge those who have helped make my time as your president much easier and more productive. It was with a deep breath and a bit of nervousness that I came into my term of office, not knowing fully what to expect over the next couple years, but also knowing that I had the support and enthusiasm of a lot of very knowledgeable, high caliber peers and individuals in the MCFB boardroom and offices. We are extra blessed at MCFB to have an all-star staff manning our office! I wish to extend a very warm and personal “THANK YOU” to Breanne, Lorraine, Denelle, and Alexxis for their outstanding and continued leadership, efforts, and work - week in and week out - with never any less than can-do attitudes, commitment to quality and excellent service to our members. On the director’s side of the table, I want to personally thank each of our directors for their time, knowledge, and contributions to the board as well as to our various subcommittees. We

Page 3 Agriculture has never been an easy endeavor to be involved in.

Farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, timbermen, and anyone who works for or with them are subject to the vagaries of the weather and Mother Nature’s challenges, sometimes fickle markets, supply chain backups, and a plethora of political, economic and logistical challenges. Currently, we as an industry in nearly every crop category are facing dire economic challenges. More than ever before, the importance of standing and working together united in cause through organizations like Farm Bureau is imperative. We are routinely facing an onslaught of unnecessary, nonsensical regulations and policies that are put in place by a government made up largely of individuals who have zero understanding or experience with knowing anything about what it takes to produce a consumable product. We absolutely have to work together and double down our efforts to get it across to the modern “powers that be” that they work for us, not the other way around.

Recently and with great satisfaction I watched coverage of the farmers in the European Union who finally had enough of the overreach and ridiculous regulation score a huge victory for

their cause by taking to the streets and highways showing their displeasure.

It’s too bad they felt like they had to go to such extremes just to get listened to, but that’s essentially where we are now, folks! I don’t know if we could ever accomplish that degree of success here in the US but it’s probably time to start considering engaging in extremes, because we are being disregarded and bullied politically at every turn, especially here in California. We can hope that what happened over there was noticed by the people over here, and maybe we’ll start getting some pushback within our own government ranks with respect to the most extreme ideas for regulating agriculture. We don’t need any more of being told what to do and how to do it by people that have no experience with either part of that equation.

Farm Bureau is vital to our survival in these wacky times of wacky narratives. Every farmer and rancher, big or small, deserves the opportunity to enjoy an environment of healthy trade and long-term economic sustainability.

It has never been more important than now to stay (or get) engaged and work together to ensure the viability of our amazing and vitally necessary industry!

An agency that’s older than the dirt you farm.

Celebrating 112 years in Merced (209) 722-1541 fandb1912.com 725 W 18th st.

Merced,CA LIC 0358327

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Scholarship Opportunities Do you know a student who is headed for a vocational/trade school or college? Maybe you know of a current college student looking to continue their education in Ag? CCID offers three types of scholarships to assist students pursuing their educational goals. The James O’Banion Scholarship is for graduating seniors enrolling into a vocational or trade school and the Water Awareness Scholarship is for seniors enrolling in an accredited university, college, or community college and both are due March 22, 2024. The Redfern Ranches Scholarship helps fund those continuing their studies for a career in Ag and is due April 26, 2024. For eligibility requirements and applications, please visit www.ccidwater.org/ scholarships

Merced County Farm News Published monhtly by Merced County Farm Bureau Phone (209) 723-3001 Fax (209) 722-3814 646 S. Hwy 59, Merced CA 95341 Email: dflake@mercedfarmbureau.org

(USPS 339-500)

Entered as Second Class matter, Jan. 20, 1948 at the US Post Office in Merced, CA. Subscription is included in membership. Singles issues are 50 cents. Merced County Farm News is printed by Wesco Graphics, 410 E. Grant Line Road, Suite B, Tracy, CA 95376 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Merced County Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 1232, Merced, CA 95341; telephone (209) 723-3001; FAX (209) 722-3814. Merced County Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products advertised in Merced County Farm News, nor does Farm Bureau assume responsibility for statements or expressions of opinion other than in editorials or in articles showing authorship by an officer, director or employee of the Merced County Farm Bureau or its affiliates.

Merced County Farm Bureau Staff

Mariposa County Farm Bureau Staff Danette Toso Executive Director

Breanne Vandenberg Executive Director Lorraine Passadori Program Director Board of Directors Denelle Flake Farm News Editor/Project Specialist Pres: Kelly Williams................ 376-2408 1st VP: Elnora George............ 376-2419 Alexxis Rudich Project Assistant/ESJ Grower Relations 2nd VP: Carla Kelly.................742-6862 Directors Abel Lopez...............................376-2208 Board of Directors Pres: Joe Sansoni...................761-9284 James Palmer......................... 374-3470 1st VP: David Barroso............652-6437 Walter Palmer Jr...................... 374-3470 2nd VP: Tim Lohman............. 988-3545 Trevor Lee Smith.....................769-9969 Sec/Treas: Dante Migliazzo...769-9525 Danette Toso...........................376-2304 Past Pres: Eric Harcksen....... 620-1953 Tony Toso.................................376-2304 Jordan Cory.....................765-401-4078 District 1 Matt Jasso...............................270-1981 Joe Maiorino............................564-6791 District 2 Mike Davis............................... 387-4151 Bob Vandenberg.................... 704-5568 District 3 Chad Perry............................... 675-4474 District 4 Jean Okuye..............................756-2421 Galen Miyamoto......................761-5366 District 5 Brent Chipponeri.....................652-3473 John Van Ruler........................648-3877 District 6 John Johnston........................ 489-8462 Bill Arnold................................761-0542 District 7 GIno Pedretti III.......................756-1612 Tom Roduner...........................769-9353 District 8 Julie Giampaoli...................... 201-8434 Joe Scoto.................................761-0489 Directors at Large Bob Giampaoli 769-4973 Louie Bandoni 761-0625 Michael Serrano 485-1935 Jesse Penick 678-8887 Tom Murphy 353-2700 Nic Marchini 769-1883 Alan Sano 559-905-1240

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

Pierce Hanning YF&R State Committee - District 9

Stay Connected with MCFB Follow us on instagram @merced_farm_bureau Like us on Facebook Merced County Farm Bureau Join our mailing list by emailing info@mercedfarmbureau.org

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

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Dos Palos FFA Update

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By: Dos Palos FFA

os Palos FFA had their annual Sweetheart competition where our FFA members voted on one person from each grade level to be the grades representative for chapter sweetheart. The 4 representatives this year were as following: Freshman - Courtney Fernandes Sophomore - Grace Soares Junior - Kylie Hurd Senior - Lizbeth Mata This contest consisted of several areas for these four young ladies.They had to take a FFA history quiz, they sold flowers around the school and community and the FFA members voted. The FFA Sweetheart was announced during FFA week at our annual FFA Carnival which was a huge success.We as a FFA chapter would like to thank everyone who bought

flower grams and bouquets from our sweetheart candidates and would also like to thank everyone who helped throughout FFA Week. Congratulations to Kylie Hurd, our 2023-2024 FFA Sweetheart.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! Presentations and videos from The Almond Conference 2023 are now on YouTube!

This year’s conference sessions featured a wide range of topics including:

State of the Industry:

This session offered a full picture of the current global, agricultural and almond industry economics and trends.

Building Global Demand for California Almonds:

This session delved into the current macro trends influencing consumer purchase decisions, providing specific examples of how the Almond Board is actively driving demand both presently and into the future.

Grower Breakfast Session: Understanding Funding Opportunities:

This session provided more information on grants and incentives, directly from experts.

The variety of information shared at The Almond Conference continues to benefit the almond industry year after year. Scan the QR code to watch all sessions from The 2023 Almond Conference.

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Empowering Future Leaders By: Madyson Wilhelm, Merced FFA Chapter Reporter

O

n January 28th-29th, 14 Merced FFA members attended the Made of Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy conference in Monterey, California.

There were seven sessions, all facilitated by our 2023-2024 California State Officers. Our members had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of leadership and how each individual can step into leadership roles with the FFA and everyday life and find themselves thanks to this one-of-a-kind relationshipbuilding experience!

The Made of Excellence, or MFE, is a jam-packed conference for second-year FFA members, where they learn about their core values and how to connect with individuals. Their motto for this year's conference was “Adventure Awaits!” MFE's main objective is to have the members understand who they are and how they can build trust. They also learned to show vulnerability and empathy to develop relationships that influence those around them. This conference is about teamwork and our belief in ourselves to build confidence to serve others.

Jack Nutcher, a second year member who attended the Made for Excellence Conference shared “This was the first conference that I attended with the FFA and I was unsure of what to expect.

I ended up having a great time meeting new people and I even learned how I can help to build an influence in my chapter and community.” `The Advance Leadership Academy is a conference for third-year FFA members where members discover how to best work in a team to achieve an overall goal by experiencing the four stages of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing. Their motto for this conference is “Be The Change!” The members got to work in chapter teams, where they got to uncover the steps to develop improvement plans for one of our chapter events and showcase our

ideas to other chapters at ALA. This process analyzes program needs and improves the project or event, which is the main focus of the conference as members discover how teams of innovative leaders are in their chapter. This conference is about doing and how an individual leader and their relationships with others and how they enact change within their chapter and communities.

Corrina Sanchez, a 3rd year member, shares, “I had a great experience talking with new people at ALA and learned new ways to improve our chapter activities to get more chapter involvement.”

These conferences are great resources for all FFA members to foster inspiration and have helped shape the future leaders of our Chapter and beyond. It teaches them essential skills and values to take back to their chapter and continue in life. They're ready to make a positive difference when they return home. We are so

proud of these members and can't wait to see what your future holds! To stay updated on Merced FFA news and

events, visit www.mercedffa.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ themercedffa.

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

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PATRONAGE ! r e p s o r P

Helping Our Members

44.4

RECORD CASH PATRONAGE RETURNED

$

MILLION YosemiteFarmCredit.com | MODESTO | TURLOCK | PATTERSON | MERCED | LOS BANOS | OAKDALE

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

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SPRING FAIR BEER BOOTH

MAY 1-5 MCFB STAFF AND DIRECTORS WILL BE

SERVING BEER AT THE 2024 SPRING FAIR IN LOS BANOS. MAKE SURE TO COME SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY FARM BUREAU!

WANT YOUR COMPANY LOGO DISPLAYED IN OUR BOOTH? BEER BOOTH SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR MORE INFO, (209) 723-3001

Thank you to our sponsors

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Byproduct Feeding Practices Important to California’s Sustainability: Dry Cows & Heifers By: Jennifer Heguy – UCCE Stanislaus, Merced & San Joaquin, Rúbia BrancoLopes – UCCE Tulare & Kern, Noelia Silva-del-Río – UC Davis & UC ANR & Ed DePeters – UC Davis Animal Science

N

early 41% of the California lactating cow ration is composed of byproducts. That number was calculated from responses to a 2022 survey of California dairy nutritionists. The data set represents approximately 936,700 lactating cows (26 returned surveys); 87.5% of those cows were housed in the San Joaquin Valley. Only 4% of lactating cows (38,100 cows) did not consume byproducts. In this article, we will present the data collected on dry cow and heifer rations in the State. Lactating cow ration data were presented in the April (2023) newsletter.

Byproduct inclusion rate. In the survey, we asked a series of questions about ration byproduct inclusion rates of nutritionists’ herds. The values for dry cow and heifer rations are presented in Table 1. The range in byproduct feeding amounts was large. On average, California dry cow rations include 48% byproducts and heifer rations include 50% byproducts.

Reasons to use byproducts. In a “select all that apply” question, every nutritionist selected value (worth the price) as a reason for including byproducts (Figure 1). Less chose price (they’re cheap; 38%) and availability (65%).

Determination of nutrient composition. Nutritionists fed 63 unique byproducts. Most nutritionists (58%) reported using a commercial laboratory to determine the nutritional composition of all byproducts, whereas 42% analyzed only some byproducts.

Byproduct use trends. Nutritionists reported increased byproduct feeding rates in the last five years (68%); 80% thought feeding rates would increase in the next five years.

Byproduct feeding is not a new practice. The wide range in feeding levels suggests it is possible to feed more byproducts on some dairies.

Water regulation and reduced water availability will impact California’s

ability to produce forages. Byproduct feeding strategies may help mitigate feedstuff disruptions while contributing to the sustainability and resiliency of the California feeding program.

Table 1. Range of byproduct inclusion rates (dry matter basis) in California dry cow and heifer rations (not weighted).

Thank you to the California Research Foundation for funding this about this work, you can reach me at dairy nutritionists who participated in project.

If you have any questions jmheguy@ucdavis.edu. the survey and to the California Dairy

Figure 1. Reasons for incorporating byproducts into dairy rations.

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

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Roundup Ready Alfalfa Injury in the San Joaquin Valley: rare but it can happen under certain conditions By: Giuliano C. Galdi, UCCE Merced Farm Advisor

of action to reduce the development because there was no frost event However, one field I visited in early February in Firebaugh brought my of herbicide resistant weeds and after glyphosate application. Similar impacts were observed in a trial in the attention back to the issue.

The field avoid glyphosate overuse during the oundup Ready technology was planted in the fall of 2023 and had colder winter months. Second, spray incorporates genetic resistance to intermountain region near Tulelake, CA; additional yield reductions were many of the symptoms described above: glyphosate when the alfalfa is short (< glyphosate into crops and it’s an 2”) when using the higher rate (44oz/A) observed with higher glyphosate rates plant stunting, typical shepherd’s crook, excellent tool for weed control. Initial chlorosis, and dead stems.

While all or 4” when spraying at the lower (Table 1). screening in the early 2000s found good As alarming as the possibility of these symptoms could be exclusively rate (22oz/A). Third, use the lowest alfalfa crop safety, and many growers due to bacterial blight infections or glyphosate rate possible according to injury might sound, its occurrence and currently rely on glyphosate as the only degree are widely variable, and most frost, parts of the field where glyphosate the weeds present and their stage of herbicide. Although using the same development. Finally, pay attention fields will resume normal growth and application was accidentally skipped herbicide over and over is not a good looked better. to the weather forecast. Applying yields after the first cutting.

As of idea because it may accelerate herbicide glyphosate before frost events increases 2024, this type of injury has only been Current UC IPM weed management resistance in weeds, Roundup Ready reported in the intermountain west due guidelines for RR alfalfa recommend the likelihood of crop injury, especially alfalfa has been successfully used with to its high altitude and cooler weather. rotating herbicides with different modes in old stands. few to no concerns regarding crop safety.

However, the combination of glyphosate and cold weather may cause crop injury, especially in certain regions.

The problem was first observed in 2014 by Steve Orloff, former UCCE farm advisor in Siskiyou County. A Roundup Ready alfalfa field showed injury after glyphosate application followed by a frost event. The main symptoms were plant stunting, chlorosis, and “shepherd’s crook”, in which individual alfalfa stems curl over and die (Figures 1 and 2). Yield reductions were also observed for the first cutting. It was clear to Steve the injury was somehow related to the glyphosate application because a section of the field where the Figure 1 and 2. Dead stems showing symptoms of shepherd’s crook in alfalfa. wheel line was sitting was not sprayed and it looked perfectly normal.

Interestingly, the injury seen was very similar to symptoms caused by frost and/or bacterial blight caused by Pseudomona syringae – a bacteria that is present everywhere. The bacteria can exacerbate frost damage due to its protein that mimics a crystalline structure and provides a starting point for ice formation, damaging the plant tissue and serving as an entrance port into the leaves and stems. Once into the plant tissue, colonization leads to infection and symptoms about 7-10 days after the frost event. Symptoms on stems start as water-soaked lesions that extend down one side. Leaves become water-soaked and often are twisted and deformed.

Steve was able to replicate the symptoms in field trials conducted in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The field trials showed yield reductions of up to 0.7 ton/ acre in the first cutting in Scott Valley.

Crop injury was not observed in a similar Table 1. Yields of 1st and 2nd cutting in 2015 in the Intermountain Region of California field trial conducted in 2014, probably

R

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Empowering Future Leaders By: Madyson Wilhelm, Merced FFA Chapter Reporter

O

n January 28th-29th, 14 Merced FFA members attended the Made of Excellence and Advanced Leadership Academy conference in Monterey, California.

There were seven sessions, all facilitated by our 2023-2024 California State Officers. Our members had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of leadership and how each individual can step into leadership roles with the FFA and everyday life and find themselves thanks to this one-of-a-kind relationshipbuilding experience!

The Made of Excellence, or MFE, is a jam-packed conference for second-year FFA members, where they learn about their core values and how to connect with individuals. Their

motto for this year's conference was “Adventure Awaits!” MFE's main objective is to have the members understand who they are and how they can build trust. They also learned to show vulnerability and empathy to develop relationships that influence those around them. This conference is about teamwork and our belief in ourselves to build confidence to serve others.

Jack Nutcher, a second year member who attended the Made for Excellence Conference shared “This was the first conference that I attended with the FFA and I was unsure of what to expect. I ended up having a great time meeting new people and I even learned how I can help to build an influence in my chapter and community.” `The Advance Leadership Academy

200 West Roseburg Avenue Modesto, CA 95350 | (209) 527-4220 | GCCPAS.NET

is a conference for third-year FFA members where members discover how to best work in a team to achieve an overall goal by experiencing the four stages of team development: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.

Their motto for this conference is “Be The Change!” The members got to work in chapter teams, where they got to uncover the steps to develop improvement plans for one of our chapter events and showcase our ideas to other chapters at ALA. This process analyzes program needs and improves the project or event, which is the main focus of the conference as members discover how teams of innovative leaders are in their chapter.

This conference is about doing and how an individual leader and their relationships with others and how they

enact change within their chapter and communities. Corrina Sanchez, a 3rd year member, shares, “I had a great experience talking with new people at ALA and learned new ways to improve our chapter activities to get more chapter involvement.”

These conferences are great resources for all FFA members to foster inspiration and have helped shape the future leaders of our Chapter and beyond. It teaches them essential skills and values to take back to their chapter and continue in life. They're ready to make a positive difference when they return home. We are so proud of these members and can't wait to see what your future holds! To stay updated on Merced FFA news and events, visit www.mercedffa.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ themercedffa.

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Election

continued from page 1 to his third term in office. His District 4 seat represents the unincorporated areas of Snelling, Winton, Ballico, Cressey, Delhi, Stevinson, Hilmar, and the small town of Gustine.

There are two challengers in District 4 race: Dennis Brazil, a former mayor of Gustine who also ran for State Senate in 2018; and Jim Soria, a former mayor of Livingston, who also ran for sheriff in 2014.

Pacheco in nice spot Jim Pacheco, the challenger for

the District 1 seat on the Board of Supervisors, was surrounded by wellwishers on Tuesday night at Club Mercedes in south Merced.

“We’re excited,” he told the Times.

“We hope it keeps trending our way.

We’ve been working hard to get here.”

Pacheco appeared surprised with the night’s tally.

“I was thinking it would be a little bit closer,” he said. “It was unexpected, and we’re very excited about it.”

District Attorney Nicole Silveira was at the party, saying “Jim is the best candidate for District 1. I’m so happy to support him, and so happy with these first returns.”

Page 15 Friend, Ellen Burk, chimed in: “He’s honorable. He believes in justice. … I have known him for so many years, and he’s a stand-up guy. He will never let you down. He’s amazing.”

If Pacheco, a retired Sheriff’s sergeant, stays above 50 percent of the vote, he will win the District 1 seat outright. However, incumbent Supervisor Rodrigo Espinosa, currently in second place with 22 percent of the vote, could still make it into a runoff election if the numbers change in the coming days.

Supervisor Espinosa was with supporters at Club Morelos in south Merced on Tuesday night.

He told the Times: “The farmers tend

to vote first, but I think it will come out closer. Of course I want to win right now, but I think it’s going to come to a run-off.”

“I think in November it’ll be easier for me. … People are fed up with politics right now. … We’re going to win, either today or November.”

The District 1 seat represents the communities of Livingston, south Merced, El Nido, Le Grand, Planada and Santa Nella.

Two other candidates are also in the primary race. Maria Soto is an educator who currently sits on the Livingston City Council. Sonia Alshami is a business owner who ran against Espinosa in 2020.

Animal welfare group turns in signatures to Sonoma County registrar in bid to get ‘factory farming’ measure on ballot water. The calculation for chickens is more complex, with the lower nimal welfare activists are threshold ranging from 9,000 to 125,000 a step closer to getting an depending on how waste is disposed of. initiative on the Sonoma County The organizers note that the November ballot that would put an end definitions of CAFOs used in the ballot to what they call factory farming — a initiative come directly from the U.S. definition vehemently contested by local Environmental Protection Agency. Local agricultural operations. farmers insist they are misleading, and On Monday morning, Sarah Van that none of Sonoma County’s dairies or Mantgem, of Windsor, and Kristina egg farms are true factory farms.

Garfinkel, of Santa Rosa, both volunteers “Just to be certified organic, my cows with the grassroots Coalition to End have to be pastured for a minimum Factory Farming, hand-carried a plastic of 120 days,” Doug Beretta, owner of tub of signature forms into the county’s Beretta Family Organic Dairy, told The Registrar of Voters as supporters looked Press Democrat. “We pasture for close to on.

200 days in a good year. We don’t lock The initiative they and other members our cows in the barn because we want of the coalition propose would phase out to. It’s to preserve water quality and medium- and large-sized “concentrated preserve our pastures.” agricultural feeding operations,” or The Coalition to End Factory CAFOs, in Sonoma County. The Farming, which says it is made up of definition of a CAFO includes animals more than 30 environmental and animalstabled or confined for 45 days or more protection organizations, collected in any 12-month period. The size of the 37,168 signatures, county registrar Deva farms that stand to be out of compliance Proto confirmed; they need 19,746 would vary by animal and according to verified signatures to move forward with how they discharge manure. the initiative process.

Examples include farms with 700 Proto’s office has 30 business days or more dairy cattle, or 200+ dairy to do a raw count of signatures and cattle if the facilities discharge manure randomly sample 3% of them, Proto directly into surface water; and 55,000 said. Because of the timing, she added, or more turkeys, or 16,500+ turkeys if with the animal welfare activists there is direct discharge into surface dropping off signatures on the eve of a

By: Phil Barber, The Press Democrat

A

primary election, it’s likely the registrar will need most of that time to complete the first phase.

Based on the results of the random sample, the petition will either pass, fail or go to a full signature check. If it goes to the full check, Proto’s team will have an additional 60 business days to complete it.

If the coalition ultimately has enough valid signatures, the initiative will head to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. The board can either adopt it as an ordinance or submit it to voters in the next statewide election or a special election.

Until the ordinance is either passed or defeated, or perhaps even after that, it promises to be an emotional, divisive and well-funded issue in Sonoma County.

The two sides could scarcely be further apart in worldview.

“This initiative is directly aligned with the Sonoma County Five-Year Strategic Plan, which aims to address climate resiliency and public health,” Garfinkel said in an email statement.

Garfinkel is president of Farm Animal, Climate & Environmental Stewards (FACES) of Sonoma County. She added that, “leaders and residents alike want to enact proactive policies that address the root causes of climate change, protect

our clean air and water, and cease massscale animal cruelty.”

Meanwhile, Sonoma County Farm Bureau leaders say the ordinance is powered by the group Direct Action Everywhere, which they label “an animal rights terrorist organization,” and that the measure “would have catastrophic impacts on our local economy, consumer access to locally sourced foods, and sets a dangerous precedent for other animal agriculture producers throughout Sonoma County.”

The Coalition to End Factory Farming has estimated two dozen local agricultural facilities would be affected by the size requirements. The Farm Bureau, in contrast, said in a release that the measure “would put hundreds of family farmers out of business,” including iconic local brands such as Clover Sonoma, Straus Family Creamery and Petaluma Poultry.

“This means the death of (iconic brand characters) Clo the Cow and Rosie and Rocky the Free-Range Chickens,” the bureau said in its release.

NOTE: The original version of this story didn’t adequately describe the size thresholds for defining CAFOs. It has been updated to include a distinction based on manure being discharged directly into surface water.

Page 16

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

David Serrano

August 13, 1941 - February 25, 2024

four children into the world: Christine, Danielle, Matthew, and Michael. Prior to meeting RoseAnn, Dave worked hand-in-hand with his father on their e Grand, California - On the farm, first in Chowchilla and then in evening of Sunday, February 25, 2024, David Serrano passed away Le Grand. Dave did the majority of the shop work and his father did most of due to complications from stomach cancer at his home in Le Grand with his the field work. It wasn't until RoseAnn four children by his side. The son of the joined the family farm that Dave and RoseAnn became a true partnership, late Florencio and Anita Serrano, Dave working alongside Dave's parents. They was 82 years young.

Born on August 13, 1941 in Coalinga, took much pride growing almonds, corn, California, with his twin brother, Daniel, wheat, sorghum, apricots, walnuts, and his favorite, cotton. Dave and RoseAnn who only lived a short time. Through also raised a small herd of sheep to keep his formative years, Dave received his Dave's grandfather's legacy alive. Once education from Plainsburg, Savannah, the farm was passed down, RoseAnn and a few Chowchilla grammar schools was an integral part of their farming and graduated from Chowchilla Union operation, yet Dave "steered the wagon."

High School with the class of 1959.

They endured many challenges over the He grew up on the Cross Ranch near years as a husband and wife farming Highway 99 in Chowchilla where he operation, specifically overcoming tough spent many hot summer nights sleeping on the porch with his father. There were times in the 80s. Food was top of mind for Dave and RoseAnn and, regardless of trips to visit his abuelitos in Dairyland their financial status, they never skimped and Fresno but Dave spent most of his childhood engineering and playing with on it. There was always plenty on the table and in their garden to be enjoyed contraptions around their farm. Notable by family and friends alike. among his creations were a raft, built Faith, family and community were using a wooden airplane propeller and all extremely important to David. He small engine to navigate the creek near made a point of being involved and his house, and a teepee which nearly burned down the house when he decided offering anything and everything to make a difference within his community. to use a can of dry grass for his fire. He Dave's faith was number one in his life. was constantly busy, very creative, and He was a God-fearing man and proud of forever interested in building things with metal and wood. He always had big his Catholic faith. He served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and took up the projects on his mind but never enough collection most Saturday nights during time to finish them.

Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic After high school, he ventured to Fresno and graduated from Fresno State Church in Le Grand. He instilled a good life is a faithful life in all of his children, College with a Bachelor of Science even if they each chose their own way to in Agronomy. Dave, with the help of live that lesson. friends, created their own camera club Education was an integral part of at Fresno State. He photographed for his service to others, with seats on the the school yearbook, as well as several Plainsburg Elementary School board and local weddings, and converted his the Le Grand Union High School board, apartment bathroom and bedroom into as well as the Agricultural Advisory his darkroom. He somehow also found time to help build the animal pens at the committee. He held these seats as his children progressed in their education, Fresno State Dairy unit. Dave enjoyed frequenting his tios' restaurant, the Santa having a sense of pride in seeing them excel and graduate. Agricultural Fe Basque Hotel, as well as hunting organizations were also highly important squirrels in the rural areas of Herndon to Dave. He served as president of the for a bit of fun with his buddies. He was actively involved with the Newman Merced County Farm Bureau, was a long standing board member of the Le Center at Fresno State, where he met Grand-Athlone Water District, on the RoseAnn Burkart, the love of his life. board of directors for the Minturn Cotton After mustering the courage to ask Gin, and was a member of Class 12 of RoseAnn if she "wanted to marry a the California Ag Leadership program, farmer," Dave and RoseAnn were which afforded him the ability to observe married May 13, 1967 at the Newman agricultural practices in several countries Center with Father Sergio Negro around the world. He was a member of presiding. numerous other agricultural entities and Dave and RoseAnn were married publications. for a total of 50 years and brought

Published by Merced Sun Star on Mar. 10, 2024

L

Dave was actively involved with the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Dinner, the Le Grand FFA Football Concession Stand, the Le Grand FFA Agricultural Mechanics team, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Fresno and Los Baños Basque Clubs, and the Le Grand Annual Community Day, cooking the beans every year with his son, Michael, by his side.

Over the years, Dave mostly kept busy with his farm. He loved farming and watching plants grow, especially cotton; it brought him lots of joy to see the circle of life. Dave also loved his Basque heritage and was able to travel to the Basque country twice to see where all of his family began. He kept his heritage alive with involvement in the local Basque clubs, but mainly with his large extended family's Easter gathering that doubled as a big family reunion every year. Hand him one Picon drink and he was happy, and a "sober" Bosko.

David was acknowledged for all the hard work that he put into his family and farm through numerous accolades over the years including the State of California Governor's Small Business Person of the Year, Merced County Outstanding Tree and Vines Award, Le Grand Community Day Citizen of the Year, and the Merced Feast Farming Family of the Year, as well as being honored by Catholic Charities at the Harvest of Hope. In the 1980s, he was featured with RoseAnn on KRON TV San Francisco in a segment about the agricultural economy's collapse and in the 2000s on a segment of the cable show, American Trucker. His latest claim to fame was being featured on a local radio and TV commercial for the company Pickett Solar, where he relished comments from family and friends regarding his expression that it "pops his buttons" to save money with the installment of solar panels.

Dave had many interests including drawing, building models, photography, engineering, World War II history and airplanes, and religiously watching the soap opera "One Life to Live" during his lunchtime. However, the activity that he was most associated with was his daily journaling. Dave kept a journal of his activities along with the daily temperatures and precipitation records.

He would wake up every morning to write about what had happened the day before. He documented his entire married life in little 6 x 8 inch At-AGlance yearly journals. His life revolved around his journal, and writing in it could often impact family plans.

Dave advocated opening his house for friends and family to stay for lunch or even just a glass of water so they could sit and catch up about current events. He and RoseAnn had an open door; not a single person left their house without tired cheeks from laughing and a full belly from all the food and drink that were offered. Dave enjoyed having company and the company always knew that he was just a car ride away for a chat lasting an hour, or sometimes more.

Dave was never very good about ending a conversation or saying good-bye. His love and friendship knew no bounds.

Dad, your time here on Earth has endedAnd we will miss you everywhere we look.We will cherish our memories we have of youAnd if we can't remember, we'll reference your books We know you are now with Mom, No question that you are holding her in your arms.We know you will always be by our side, And within the legacy of Serrano Farms.

Dave was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel; his parents, Florencio and Anita Serrano; and his wife, RoseAnn. He is survived by his four children: Christine Serrano of Le Grand, Danielle Serrano of Chowchilla, Matthew Serrano and his wife Kimberly of Emerald Hills, and Michael Serrano and his wife Erika of Le Grand. Dave also leaves behind five grandchildren: Isabela, William, Catalina, Madison, and a baby girl arriving in May. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Le Grand with recitation of the rosary following at 6:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with interment following at Plainsburg Cemetery. As stated in our mother's obituary, the thirteenth is a special day for our family with numerous birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions all occurring on that day. Dave and RoseAnn were truly soul mates. Both were born on the thirteenth and both passed on the twentyfifth; a Sunday of final rest.

David's children would appreciate donations in his memory be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Building Fund, 14075 E. Le Grand Road, Le Grand, California, 95333; The Carole Stinson Literacy Foundation, P.O. Box 65, Menlo Park, California, 94026-0065; or Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno, Merced County, 149 North Fulton Street, Fresno, California, 93701.

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Page 17

Page 18

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Supporting Our Youth

from the

Mariposa CFB Danette Toso

T

he Mariposa County Museum and History Center will be holding their first ever Cowboy Day Saturday, March 16th at 5119 Jessie Street in Mariposa. This will be a day of honoring past and present cowboys and ranchers. This will be an all-day event from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event will feature

local vendors, a silent auction, raffle, photo booth, live music, cowboy poetry, stamp mill demonstration, open house, cowboy & cowgirl costume contests, and gold panning sessions. This event will help support the Student Docent Program, which allows the museum to employ local high school students as docents.

According to event organizers, “This program teaches youth not only about the employment process, but important skills and qualities such as accountability, community work, and customer service. These students will perform a variety of responsibilities including greeting guests, providing tours, operating the gift store, inventory, research, managing archival collections, fundraising, and more. It has become an essential part of the museum and is beneficial to the staff and community, in turn providing a positive work experience for the participating students.”

Continuing the spirit of support, the Mariposa County Farm Bureau Rib

Dinner is the following Saturday, the 23rd at the Stagg Hall in Hornitos from 4:00 to 7:00. I will be ordering 600 pounds of ribs to be barbequed by our infamous chefs on site. Tony Toso will be stirring up his renowned homemade beans once again this year. The kitchen crew will be serving coleslaw and rolls to complete the dinner. Single tickets are $40.00, and racks of ribs are $40.00. For more information,

please contact Danette at (209) 604-1423 or mcfarmbureau@sti.net or dwtccr@aol.com Tickets are also available at the Visitors Center in Mariposa.

We hope to see you at these worthwhile fundraisers this month. With that, I encourage you to invite friends, neighbors and family members to join the collective voice of the Farm Bureau.

Together we can make our organization stronger than ever, one member at a time.

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Mariposa County Business Member Directory Businesses Supporting the Farm Bureau

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

AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES

HARDWARE STORES

REAL ESTATE

Gallaway Feed and Supply..................374-3331 Mariposa Feed & Supply...................966-3326 Bootjack Equipment Rental & Feed.. 966-3545

Coast Hardware.................................. 966-2527 Foster Ace Hardware .........................966-2692

Cathey's Valley Real Estate................ 742-2121

ASSOCIATIONS 35-A District Agriculture Assn........... 966-2432 Mariposa Chamber of Commerce..... 966-2456 Mariposa County Farm Advisor......... 966-2417 Mariposa County Farm Bureau......... 742-5875

CONSTRUCTION Bucks Construction............................ 878-3702 Tobey Guenthart Construction.......... 374-3334

FINANCIAL SERVICES Inter-County Title Company................966-3653 Yosemite Bank....................................966-5444

MEDICAL Mariposa Physical Therapy................ 742-7242

MISCELLANEOUS Allison Sierra Inc................................966-4082 Happy Burger Diner ........................... 966-2719 Mariposa Friends of the Fairgrounds Foundation..................... 742-4680 Hugh A. Yamshon Ranch Mariposa Gun Works......................... 742-5444 Miners Roadhouse 14.......................966-2444 Pony Expresso....................................966-5053

SERVICES Chases Foothill Petroleun.................. 966-3314 Edward Lien & Toso Ag Appraisers...634-9484 Palmer Tractor ....................................374-3470 Ranch Fence, Inc................................ 966-5914 Valley Pacific Petroleum..................... 948-9412 Yosemite Glass & Window Inc...........966-3292

WINERIES Mount Bullion Vineyard...................... 377-8450 Rauch Ranch Vineyard & Winery.......742-7162

Support Farm Bureau Member Businesses

Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024

Page 19

Merced County Business Member Directory Businesses Supporting the Farm Bureau

To be included in the directory, join Merced County Farm Bureau as a business member by calling 723-3001.

REPAIRS & SERVICES Arrowhead Field Repair......................658-5250 Cab Air Systems................................. 551-3301 SS Blue ..............................................722-2583

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS Mid Cal Pipeline & Utilities, INC........ 383-7473 M-Mig Construction, Inc..................... 724-9488

FARM EQUIPMENT Garton Tractor, Inc..............................726-4600 Holt Ag Solutions................................723-2021 Kirby Manufacturing.......................... 723-0778 Laird Mfg LLC...................................... 722-4145 N&S Tractor........................................383-5888

REAL ESTATE Flanagan Realty.................. 723-4337 (Merced) Flanagan Realty.. (559) 665-1313 (Chowchilla) Property Team.................................... 769-4698 Dick Templeton Property Team......... 761-4441 Valley Real Estate Sales, Inc.............854-1000

GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS Blue Diamond Growers............ (559) 474-2996 California Farmland Trust........ (916) 544-2712 California Sweet Potato Council........ 385-7403 California Women for Agriculture...... 723-5878 Central CA Irrigation District.............. 826-1421 Cortez Growers Association............... 632-3118 Dos Palos Co-op Gin........................... 387-4151 Gustine Drainage District .................854-6782 Hilltop Ranch Inc.................................874-1875 Livingston Farmers Assoc.................. 394-7941 Merced Boosters................................ 761-0815 Merced Irrigation District................... 722-5761 Merced College Ag Division...............384-6250 Turlock Irrigation District....................883-8205 UCCE Merced...................................... 385-7403 Water & Land Solutions..................... 677-4700

FARM SERVICES A-Bar Ag Enterprises .........................826-2636 Agri-Valley Consulting ........................ 769-2357 Caddy Shack Rodent Servc.....(559) 363-3315 Cal Ag Safety....................................... 351-0321 Cal Corn Growers Inc...............(559) 665-5775 Chipponeri Electric............................. 634-4616 Dutch Door Dairy................................ 648-2166 Farm Management Inc...................... 667-1011 Farm(x).......................................(559)608-4410 GAR Bennett............................ (559) 480-3029

J & F Fertilizer Custom Spreading & Compost ............................................................495-1964 La Follette Enterprises, Inc................632-1385 Mass Energy Works..................(530) 710-8545 Mid Valley Ag Service......................... 394-7981 Silva & Sons Custom Spreading.......667-2566 Stone Family Spreading..................... 756-1491 The Pollination Connection...... (877) 970-BEES (2337) WTS McCabe LLC............................... 854-6818

FOOD PROCESSING A V Thomas Produce.......................... 394-7514 Del Rio Nut Company.........................394-7945 The Morning Star Company...............826-8000 Minturn Huller Co-op............... (559) 665-1185 Parreira Almond Processing Co.........826-1262 Sensient Natural Ingredients. (800) 558-9892 Yosemite Farms.................................. 383-3411

HARVESTING & HAULING Bertuccio Hay......................................761-6247 Castillo Brothers Hay.......................... 392-3817 Diamond J Farms...............................564-0870 Minturn Huller Co-op............... (559) 665-1185 Northern Merced Hulling...................667-2308 Wallace & Son.................................... 382-0131

Stanislaus Farm Supply..................... 723-0704

FUEL SERVICES Amarants Propane Service ............... 358-2257 Hunt & Sons, Inc......................(916) 383-4868 Pazin & Myers Inc...............................725-2050 Western States Petroleum Assoc. ............ (661) 321-0884 Valley Pacific Petroleum..................... 948-9412 Van De Pol Petroleum .......................667-0236

INSURANCE Barlocker Insurance ..........................383-0220 Fluetsch & Busby Insurance ............. 722-1541 Rico, Pfitzer, Pires and Associates ...854-2000 Walter Mortensen Insurance ............ 353-2700 Western Valley Insurance .................826-5667 Winton Ireland Insurance .................394-7925

FINANCIAL SERVICES Alice B. Contreras CPA ......................722-6778

IRRIGATION, WELLS, & SEPTIC

American Ag Credit ........384-1050/826-0320

Allison Sierra, Inc...............................966-4082 Agri-Valley Irrigation ..........................384-8494 IJ Larsen Pumps ................................ 634-7276 Pacific Southwest Irrigation...............460-0450 Precision Aqua....................................756-2025 Quality Well Drillers............................ 357-0675 Rain for Rent/Westside Pump.(559) 693-4315 San Luis Pump Company...................383-0464 Shannon Pump Company..................723-3904 SWAN Systems.........................(661) 335-2649

Central Valley Community Bank........725-2820

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

Farmers & Merchants Bank.............. 626-4100 Grimbleby Coleman CPAs.................. 527-4220 Yosemite Farm Credit ........................ 383-1116

MISCELLANEOUS The Hat Source................................... 357-3424 Merced County Fair............................722-1506 Merced County Nut Festival.............. 761-8279 P. B. Iyer, M.D......................................854-1120 Sunset Pool Service........................... 286-7665

BUSSINESS SUPPORT FARMERS

FARM SUPPLIES

DCB Farming LLC

Ag Flag ............................................... 357-3424 American River Ag..............................385-9553 Cal Farm Service................................358-1554 Kellogs Supply ................................... 722-1501 Livingston True Value.........................394-7949 Marfab................................................826-6700 Pacific Bay Equipment.............(800) 640-1227

GS Farms J&J O'Banion Ranch, LLC Live Oak Farms Migliazzo Farms

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Merced County Farm News • March 8, 2024