As you may have noticed, I’ve been out for a few months due to much needed maternity leave. Parker Noelle, born January 13 at 1:55am, arrived a few weeks early but is a happy, healthy little girl. She is the perfect compliment to her brother who adores her. Guaranteed she will soon test that adoration, especially if she touches the Hot Wheels.
I am now three weeks back to work and it has been a busy one. My first week fell during the May Day Fair. MCFB was fortunate to host a beer booth for the second year in a row. Thank you to those that supported us by purchasing a beer or volunteering at the booth. We’re fortunate to be positioned within the carnival lot, keeping parents hydrated with their beverage of choice while their kids ask for one more ride.
An enormous thank you goes to our staff as they executed the tasks needed, tackling the brunt of the workload during fair week. Outside of fair, the staff has maintained a host of events – Annual Meeting, Agribee,
trainings - and meetings. I am incredibly thankful and proud of the team we have on staff.
I am in the process of playing catch up on various issues and challenges. We have placed written comments with the City of Merced (the “City”) and the County of Merced (the “County”) following my return. Before the City is a potential annexation of 37.2 acres across from the UC. Full buildout would occur in six phases with retail and residential properties including 700 housing units and a 200room boutique hotel. The County has released application for agency review that includes amendments for three parcels within the Bradbury Master Plan. The proposed modifications would reduce the minimum lot square footage, reduce cornerside and rear-yard setbacks and removes ‘Road B’ from construction. Please contact me should you have questions on either of these projects.
For those of you in the City of Livingston, the General Plan is back for review. They started the
process several years ago but have had to place it in the background for various reasons since then. As I write this a meeting is scheduled for this evening to allow the Planning Commission an opportunity to discuss land use alternatives. We will be engaged as the document
moves through the process. I welcome the opportunity to learn about the issues or concerns you have incurred within the last few months. Best of luck as you work towards harvest. Please never hesitate to reach out to our office when the need arises.
Hard to believe that April has come and gone and May is halfway over. We as farmer and ranchers are busy planting and trans-planting summer crops, caring for permanent crops that will provide for a bountiful harvest, or caring for livestock, it’s a busy time. The start of May also kicks off show-season for most of this area’s livestock exhibiting youth. This also marks the end of the school year and the excitement of graduation, finals and state testing in schools. Our federal government continues to work at a break neck dynamic pace. Unfortunately, California leads in another category, farm bankruptcies.
It is always great to get to this time of year and watch the next generation showcase their talents in the form of exhibiting livestock and projects at local fairs. This time it hits a little closer to me personally, as my daughter has decided to raise a fair animal. I will say that things have changed in the almost 30 years since her dad also raised and showed a fair pig. What has not changed is the hard work and dedication that goes into it. Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos is the unofficial kickoff to fair season, followed by Chowchilla Fair and Merced County Fair, all in a two-month period. It’s a busy time for these young people, parents, club leaders
and chapter advisors. Your Merced County Farm Bureau is proud to be able to support these kids in various ways, including supporting the junior livestock auction. This year your County Farm Bureau also ran a beer booth at the Los Banos Spring Fair. This has become one of our biggest single fundraisers of the year, it would not be the success it is without the hard work of our staff and those dedicated volunteers that donated time to man it. I would also like to take this moment to congratulate all of our graduates that are moving on from school to start at another one or join the workforce, congratulations to all of them!
Our federal government continues to do things at a dizzying pace. One day we read about the tariffs that are being placed on everyone and everything, to see them be replaced with trade-deals that are not onesided anymore. It has been interesting to watch how the proverbial “sausage is made”. Earlier this month the House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 88. The effect of this resolution is to
disapprove of the EPA waiver that allowed California to ban gas powered internal combustion engines. This waiver was granted by the federal EPA on January 6th 2025, as the previous administration was leaving. This resolution passed by a bipartisan vote of 246-164, with 35 Democrats joining all Republicans in its passing. Conspicuously missing from those supporting this resolution was our own Adam Gray who voted with the majority of Democrats in opposing this resolution.
In a recent article in AgAlert we were informed on the rise of farm bankruptcies nationwide, led by California. Nationwide, we saw 216 farm specific chapter 12 bankruptcies filed, with 17 of those taking place in California alone, the reasons given for these were,
lower commodity prices, higher operating costs and elevated interest rates. It was a good article and worth the read.
On a positive note, all of our state reservoir levels are at or above historical average and that should make for a decent reliable irrigation season. Merced County Farm Bureau recently held a sweepstakes fundraiser, congratulation to the winners and thank you to all those that bought tickets and supported this effort. Merced County Farm Bureau continues to advocate and represent Merced County Farmers and Ranchers, and are always here to assist and help. Please never hesitate to reach out to any of our board members or staff if we can help, or if you have any concerns. Until next month!
Merced College Agriculture Leading Innovation, Workforce Development, and Sustainable Growth”
Irecently had the opportunity to observe and evaluate one of the newer robotic weeders, the FarmWise Vulcan intra-row weeder/precision cultivator, set up to cultivate doublerow processing tomatoes on 80” beds. The FarmWise is a “smart” robotic weeder, in that it uses cameras and algorithms to identify tomatoes separately from weeds, then activates a hydraulic arm to quickly swing a small cultivator blade into the crop row to remove weeds, then just as quickly swing back out to avoid taking out the tomato plant. The action mimics the motion of a human swinging a hoe between plants.
My first experience with robotic cultivators was in 2015, with a unit called the “Robovator”, which was owned by UC Weed Specialist Steve Fennimore. The Robovator was an early prototype that worked in much the same way as the FarmWise unit, except that it did not try to identify plants from weeds, but rather could only identify large green blobs from small green blobs. The large green blobs were considered the crop, whereas the small blobs were weeds and would
be removed if there was enough time and space to do so. Dr. Fennimore had been testing this new technology extensively on crops in Salinas, and wanted to try it in processing tomatoes and other summer crops in the Merced area.
Automated weeders, or robotic weeders, offer the ability to remove weeds within the crop row, and in theory replace a hand crew.
Dr. Fennimore’s research showed that robotic weeders in crops such as lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage reduced labor use in lettuce production by an average of 38-45% without reducing yield, though this was dependent on the unit used, field efficiency, production conditions, and weed pressure. Potential problems with this equipment include reliability, accuracy, and risk of crop loss from the machines.
In Merced, results were more mixed. The Robovator worked great for about 30 minutes, but then started to overheat in our hot summer sun. Simply put, the machine was not built to work in
the summer environment typical of the San Joaquin Valley. In the midday sun, the metal case housing the computers quickly went over 120 F, and the computers malfunctioned. Even when cool, the machine struggled with the lean and movement of the tomato plants when the wind blew. Results from trials in processing tomatoes in 2023 showed an average reduction in hand weeding time of 30 – 64%, however, plant stand was also reduced, sometimes significantly so, when the unit did not adequately compensate for plants growing at an angle.
In the last 10 years, robotic cultivators have advanced tremendously. The FarmWise unit has overcome the overheating problems of the early units, is faster to activate the hydraulics, centers over
the row more quickly, and is far sturdier to handle the tough clay loam soils common where tomatoes are grown. Tomatoes are still a challenging crop however, because the growing point is often not directly above the stem. At speeds over 2.0 mph, the units were only activating about half the time. At 1.6 mph, however, weed control was about 85% one week after treatment as compared to a standard cultivator. Timing is critical: robotic weeders work best when there is ample space between plants down the row, about 14 – 21 days after transplanting.
Currently these machines complement but may not completely replace hand weeding. But they are getting close. Additional evaluations are planned later this month.
Merced County appoints interim CEO while searching for replacement
By: Andrew Kuhn, Merced Sun-Star
Mark Hendrickson Merced County’s assistant county executive officer has been appointed interim CEO as Raul Lomeli Mendez prepares to leave the position later this month.
A search is underway to find a permanent replacement for Mendez, who served as CEO since January 2022. Hendrickson has worked for Merced County for nearly 19 years. He called the opportunity to step in as the interim CEO humbling.
He said he will be working to ensure continuity of operations and to advance the objectives of the board of supervisors. He will begin in the role on May 19.
“We have a wonderful group of department heads and senior leaders within the organization for whom I have the privilege of working closely with,” he said. “My most significant goal is to continue to deliver optimal customer service to our residents.”
Hendrickson also has served as the county’s director of Government
Affairs and director of Community and Economic Development.
He is a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus, and holds a certificate from the Goldman School of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley in Strategic Management of Public Organizations. He is recognized as a California County Credentialed Senior Executive and is a Veteran of the United States Air Force.
Merced County supervisors offered praised to Mendez during a recent
meeting.
Board chairperson and District 2 Supervisor Josh Pedrozo said “your dedication and commitment to Merced County has been admirable. I respect you, I trust you, I trust your advice and appreciate your leadership.”
District 3 Supervisor Daron McDaniel added, “you stepped into this role in 2022 with a steady hand, a thoughtful approach and a genuine commitment to do the right by the people of Merced County.”
Merced County Fair Board Launches Formal CEO Search
This follows the retirement announcement of current CEO Teresa Burrola, effective July 1
By: Merced County Fair
MERCED, CALIFORNIA, April 25, 2025
– The Merced County Fair Board of Directors has officially opened the recruitment process for its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will take the helm following the upcoming retirement of longtime CEO Teresa Burrola on July 1, 2025. To
support a comprehensive and successful search, the Board is working in partnership with the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) and leveraging fair industry networks statewide and nationally to attract top-tier candidates. The application deadline is May 13, 2025. The incoming CEO will guide the Merced County Fair into its next chapter – building on a strong foundation that supports a
cherished annual Fair and a robust year-round calendar of community events. The Board seeks a forwardthinking, community-driven leader with experience in fair management, operations, and strategic planning. “We are incredibly grateful to Teresa for her nearly three decades of dedicated service and visionary leadership, which has strengthened our Fair’s presence in the community and laid the groundwork
for continued success,” said Emily Haden, First Vice President, Merced County Fair Board of Directors. “As we look ahead, we’re seeking a leader who can build on that legacy while bringing fresh ideas and energy to help the Fair continue to evolve and thrive for future generations.” To view the full job profile and application instructions, please visit www.mercedcountyfair.com/ careers.
Valadao Bill continued from page 7
the H2A program, a fact for which they're pretty grateful.
"I'm like, thank God, thank God we don't have to do that here in the San Joaquin Valley," Andrew said of some of his colleagues in Florida who rely on the H2A program and must provide housing and transportation for those workers.
"Maybe it's coming down the road, but right now it's just where we are blessed that we have a really solid workforce, and we're not lacking anything right now," he said.
Andrew said his operations are daily turning away workers and reforms to the H2A program are not on his radar. Instead, he said, lawmakers should focus on comprehensive immigration reform rather than programs like H2A, which make up only a portion of the workforce.
For Anthony, part of that reform needs to include an option for legalization of the undocumented workers who have been in the country for several years.
"The Trump administration says, 'self-deport and come back,' well, I have people working for me that have been here since they were 5 years old," Andrew said. "They don't know Mexico. They were born in Mexico and their parents brought them here. Well, how are they going to self-deport and go back to Mexico? What are they going
to do in Mexico?"
Andrew said he's heard about discussion in Washington about a meritbased path to citizenship, but it's a politically difficult issue. Amnesty for undocumented workers?
The concept of an amnesty — granting legal status to undocumented immigrants — is deeply unpopular in certain quarters, particularly among conservatives.
"Make no mistake, any legal status conferred on any illegal immigrant in the United States is amnesty, which should be rejected by Americans," the Heritage Foundation wrote in 2020. "Amnesty, or the forgiveness of consequences for illegal immigration, undermines the rule of law and fuels unlawful migration."
Research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates roughly half the country's farm labor workforce is undocumented.
"The share of hired crop farmworkers who were not legally authorized to work in the U.S. grew from roughly 14% in 1989–91 to almost 55% in 1999–2001; in recent years it has declined to about 40%," according to USDA.
From 2020–22, only 32% of crop farmworkers were U.S. born; 7% were immigrants who had obtained U.S. citizenship; 19% were other authorized immigrants such as green-card holders and the remaining 42% held no work authorization.
President Trump was elected to office on a promise to crack down on immigration and while polls show support for that effort, they also show support for a path to legalization.
A Pew Research Center survey in August found 64% of Americans supported allowing undocumented immigrants to legally stay in the country, including 43% of those who supported mass
deportation efforts.
Bakersfield Republican Rep. Vince Fong did not respond to The Californian's request for comment.
According to Valadao, the fault for the nation's broken immigration systems sits with the federal government for failing to provide a workable system.
"We have failed as a federal government, Congress and the White House. For decades, we haven't been able to have a system that's worked," Valadao said. "We've created a system that has helped people, or encouraged people to essentially break our laws and live here for 20 years in the shadows. And now we're just supposed to tell them never, ever can they come back? That's not the appropriate way to do it, because ultimately the fault lies on Congress for not delivering on laws that work."
Merced College Breaks Ground on AgTEC Innovation Center
By: Merced College
Merced College took another bold step toward shaping the future of agriculture in the Central Valley with a groundbreaking ceremony on April 17 for the new AgTEC Innovation Center.
The event welcomed a packed crowd of elected officials, industry leaders, local employers, education partners, and community members to celebrate a milestone in the college’s vision for regional innovation and workforce development.
“This center is the next chapter in our college’s evolution—from access and excellence to access and innovation,” President Chris Vitelli said. “Our ag faculty and students have long represented the best of this region’s values: hard work, stewardship, and resilience. Now, we’re pairing that tradition with forward-thinking tools and technology.
“Local talent does not have to leave the Valley for opportunity. We’re bringing the opportunity here.”
The AgTEC Innovation Center will provide industrygrade facilities and real-world learning environments across several disciplines, including:
• Food Processing Labs: Nut, fruit, vegetable, and meat processing rooms equipped with roasters, mills, coaters, vacuum sealers, packaging lines, and food safety systems.
• Nutrition and Product Development: A commercial kitchen and research facility to explore value-added food product creation.
• Retail Market Storefront: A student-run market offering fresh produce and goods to the public while building business and marketing skills.
• Flexible Training Classrooms: Designed for certificate programs, short courses, and workforce upskilling in partnership with industry.
“The AgTEC Innovation Center is not just a building, but a bold investment in the future of agriculture and the people who power it,” said Cody Jacobsen, Merced College’s Director of Ag Innovation. “It’s where education and industry come together to ensure our region remains competitive, innovative and inclusive.”
The AgTEC Innovation Center, slated for completion in 2026, is the latest step in the college’s broader AgTEC Workforce Initiative, which has garnered national recognition for its use of Competency-Based Education (CBE) to provide free, flexible training to current and future agricultural workers.
It’s all part of F3 AgTEC, the workforce development arm of the regional F3 Initiative (Farms, Food, Future). Led by Merced College, F3 AgTEC aims to build a coordinated workforce system that meets the evolving needs of the agriculture and food sectors. The initiative is supported by more than $42 million in public investment, including a $27 million federal grant and $15 million secured in the California state budget by Senator Anna Caballero.
Other community college
partners in the AgTEC initiative include Reedley College, Fresno City College, Clovis College, Madera College, Lemoore College, and Coalinga College, all working together to develop curriculum and prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers in ag tech and food systems across the region.
Congressman Adam Gray, a Merced College alumnus, applauded the college’s leadership and emphasized the regional and statewide impact of the project.
“The opportunities in AgTEC are immense and incredible,” Gray said. “We’re going to create the jobs of the future right here at Merced College. I wish we had a Merced College in every county and every community in the state, because this really is a great place with great people doing great things.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Ashley Swearengin, president and CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, a key partner in the initiative.
“People have come together to do the impossible, and there is so much in front of us to do,” Swearengin said. “Just bringing this building to life and beginning
to operate the programs does not get us across the finish line of higher incomes, lower unemployment, a sustainable culture, a sustainable society. It’s for those people that we take a breath and commit ourselves to the next 20 years of this journey.
“On behalf of the board and the staff and the donors and all the folks who make up the Central Valley Community Foundation, it’s a joy and a privilege to be alongside and to support the leadership of this community. We’re in it for the long haul.”
The AgTEC Innovation Center builds on Merced College’s momentum as it positions itself as a national leader in ag tech, clean energy, and food systems innovation. Complementary efforts such as Reservoir Farms—a startup incubator focused on ag robotics and automation—further reinforce the college’s commitment to aligning education with emerging industry needs.
“Here at Merced College, innovation’s not just a buzzword—it’s a blueprint,” Vitelli said. “I say often that we are going to be the most innovative community college in the country, and it’s projects like this that help us get there.”
Merced College AgTec Innovation Center Ground Breaking photo credits: Merced College
Why a contentious project to raise California’s Shasta Dam could move forward under Trump
By: Alastair Bland, CalMatters
Near the southern flank of Mount Shasta, springs and snowmelt converge to form the McCloud River. This Sacramento River tributary, held sacred by the Winnemem Wintu tribe, teemed with Chinook salmon before Shasta Dam, built in the 1940s, blocked their annual migrations.
“The winter run was the main sustenance source for the Winnemem Wintu throughout history,” said tribal member Gary Mulcahy. “We consider them the grandfather of all salmon.”
For several years, Winnemem Wintu leaders have collaborated with state and federal officials to reintroduce the critically endangered fish to this wilderness waterway in a historic effort to revitalize the McCloud and reconnect with their past.
But a federal proposal to increase the height of Shasta Dam by more than 18 feet to provide more water to farmers now threatens the tribe’s land and could harm salmon runs.
Contemplated for decades and gaining traction among Republican lawmakers, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s proposed Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project would boost the capacity of California’s largest reservoir.
Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, the federal
government has not mounted any public effort to raise the dam. But Trump has taken several steps in that direction, including signing executive orders instructing federal officials to waive environmental rules and deliver more water to California growers.
Last week, the dam project appeared to get a push in the House Natural Resources Committee’s budget reconciliation bill, with a designation of $2 billion “for construction and associated activities that increase the capacity of existing Bureau of Reclamation surface water storage facilities.” Though the budget language does not name Shasta Dam, experts say it’s precisely crafted to facilitate the project.
“There’s no mystery here,” said Barry Nelson, policy advisor with the Golden State Salmon Association. “That language is designed to push the Shasta raise.”
Raising the dam was the “number-one priority” water project for the first Trump administration, Nelson said.
However, U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican whose district includes Shasta and who helped draft the budget language, told CalMatters that while he endorses enlarging Shasta Dam, the reconciliation bill’s “funding is not for any specific project.”
Last year, a bill that would have allocated funds for enlarging the dam while prohibiting state laws from obstructing the project died in the House. It was sponsored
by 12 California Republicans, including LaMalfa.
The Bureau of Reclamation estimated in 2014 that enlarging Shasta Dam would cost $1.4 billion — roughly $1.8 billion in today’s dollars. Obtaining the array of state and federal permits for the dam could take years, and is likely to face court challenges.
The project would provide an additional 51,300 acre-feet of water per year to recipients — mainly farmers — of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project, according to a federal estimate. That would increase the amount they receive on average by less than 1% , which Ron Stork, a policy expert with the group Friends of the River, referred to as “decimal dust.”
The dam project would claim some of the Winnemem Wintu’s last remaining territory and could violate the state’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which explicitly prohibits constructing reservoirs on the McCloud’s final miles before entering Lake Shasta.
State officials have publicly opposed the project in the past. In 2013, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said raising the dam would have “significant and unavoidable impacts” on the Sacramento River ecosystem. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has similarly warned federal officials that the project would restrict high-water flows and reduce fish habitat.
State officials declined
to comment for this story. Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson Peter Soeth also declined to comment.
Stork, a longtime opponent of the dam raise, said the Trump administration is liable to ignore the state law. Trump’s January executive order directed federal officials to deliver more water through the Central Valley Project “by increasing storage and conveyance … notwithstanding any contrary State or local laws.”
“We certainly expect some serious mischief here,” Stork said. “The president’s executive order more or less says, ‘Please find ways to accomplish my agenda by trying to get around state and federal law.’”
Mulcahy, the Winnemem Wintu’s government liaison, said Lake Shasta flooded 90% of his tribe’s historical territory. “Village sites, sacred sites, cultural gathering sites,” he said.
Increasing the dam’s height will do even more damage, he said, periodically inundating many important gathering places, including the Kabyai Creek burial ground, where dozens of tribal members were laid to rest after a vicious 1854 massacre by white settlers.
It would also flood a cleansing pool for Winnemem men, a riverside dancing mesa and a young women’s coming-of-age ceremony site called Puberty Rock. This, Mulcahy said, will fray some of the last
See 'Shasta Dam' Page 12
USDA Forecasts Slightly Larger Almond Crop
By: The Almond Board of California
MODESTO, Calif. – The 2025 California Almond Subjective Forecast, published Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), estimates that the crop harvested in 2025 will come in at 2.8 billion pounds, 3 percent above last year’s 2.73 billion pounds.
Forecasted yield is 2,010 pounds per acre, up 30 pounds from the 2024 harvest.
“This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a solid water winter and generally good weather during bloom, but it’s also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California,” said Clarice Turner, president and
CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver, producing high quality California almonds to meet that demand.”
The report shared that the 2025 almond bloom began the first week of February in the Sacramento Valley and peaked during the middle of the month. The weather during bloom varied throughout the state, with storms bringing heavy rainfall, wind and hail. Crop development in the San Joaquin Valley was slower than normal due to cool temperatures and lower bee flight hours. However, conditions improved in early March with warm temperatures accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom.
There were also reports of significantly lower yields in the Nonpareil variety due to an overall lighter flower set than their pollinators. The impact on orchards from the intense summer heat in 2024 continues to be assessed. Growers are actively irrigating, fertilizing and treating their orchards for pests and diseases. Water is not expected to be an issue this year.
This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 21 to May 7 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail,
online or phone.
On July 10, USDANASS will release its second production estimate, the 2025 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield.
This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2025 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has slightly increased about 6,000 acres from the previous year to 1.389 million bearing acres.
USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast and Objective Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.
Still reeling from the last trade war, California exporters brace for more turmoil ahead
By: Brad Hooker, Agripulse
While the Trump administration walked back Chinese tariffs Monday, the market impacts from yet another trade war are likely to linger for years to come, warn farm groups.
Almond farmers, wine makers and tomato growers are already seeing export markets shrink, and more pain could come in the form of shipping delays at California’s ports and higher costs for inputs and equipment.
“It's tough times for the wine industry,” said Julie Berge, who joined the Wine Institute in March as its new vice president of communications and member relations. “We're facing many headwinds, and so every single bottle sold matters.”
Berge explained to the State Board of Food and Agriculture last week that the industry is already in a vulnerable position as consumers drink less, production costs rise, and market growth in China and other countries stalled in the wake of the first Trump administration’s trade war. Wine makers and grape growers are taking a bigger hit in this round amid the dispute with Canada, their strongest export partner.
The Golden State exports about 70% of its almond production each year and, at $4 billion, the tree nut is the state’s top agricultural export as well as the nation’s leading specialty crop product
abroad, reaching markets in more than 100 countries.
Yet the Australian almond industry, at a fraction of California’s size, is tapping into free trade agreements to take over the market in China and make inroads to India, which had recently surpassed China as the largest export market, according to Keith Schneller, senior trade policy specialist at the Almond Board of California.
The situation is different for the growers who supply the bulk of the nation’s processed tomatoes for pizza sauce, ketchup and many other products. About 20% of those tomatoes are exported, meaning the greatest impact to the industry will come from retaliatory tariffs on steel, clarified Mike Montna, president and CEO of the California Tomato Growers Association. About 40% of the production cost goes into the can and just 20% for the raw product.
A shrinking international footprint for the top ag
state
“Trade matters here in California,” stressed Josh Eddy, executive director of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, who pointed out that the state supplies 13% of the U.S. agricultural exports, at an annual value of $22.5 billion. “It means something on the international stage. Our products are known for their quality. They're known for the high standards by which we grow them.”
California exports nearly a quarter of its agricultural production, with China, the European Union, Canada and Mexico its top destinations — which are also the top targets in the Trump administration’s trade strategy. Factoring in “the trucks, the ports, the marketing, the irrigation, the farmworkers” and the many other support industries, the state’s agriculture sector contributes an additional $46.8 billion to the U.S. economy and around 141,000 jobs, explained Eddy.
While trade wars create major export hurdles, farm groups must also routinely deal with nontariff barriers like sanitary and phytosanitary standards, import bans on food additives like Red Dye No. 5 and unfair trade practices, he said. Overall about 64,000 export companies operate in the state, with 6,000 in the food manufacturing and beverage sector — and nearly all are considered small businesses.
Within the beverage industry, California accounts for 95% of U.S. wine exports and is the fourth-largest wine growing region in the world, explained Berge. With more than a million wine jobs nationwide, the industry employs more workers than Google, Facebook and Apple combined.
Canada is the largest international market for California wine, bigger than the next three export countries combined and
'Trade' Page 15
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Trade continued from page 14
valued at $1.1 billion. Yet since early March, Canadian stores have been pulling U.S. wine, beer and spirits from their shelves as consumers boycott American goods in protest to the steep tariffs imposed on the country.
Small wine businesses in California had supplies ready to ship “and now they're left trying to figure out what to do,” said Berge.
Financial pain extends beyond market losses
“Tariffs have impacted every aspect of the cost that goes into growing and producing wine — higher costs as it relates to bottles, to corks, to labels, to the wooden and metal stakes that we use in the vineyards,” said Berge. “It's hurting businesses, but it's also destabilizing entire communities.”
Also relying on long-term trade stability are California’s bustling ports. In contrast to Canadian wine retailers, the Port of Los Angeles experienced a significant amount of frontloading starting last summer, as cargo owners attempted to
get ahead of the anticipated tariffs under a Trump presidency, according to David Libatique, deputy executive director at the port. He is now anticipating a 31% drop in trade volumes compared to a year ago.
The trends mirror those of 2018 and 2019, during Trump’s first round of tariffs. Before that time, China represented 60% of the port’s
trade. It is now down to 45%.
Echoing the post-pandemic shipping constraints the almond industry grappled with for years, Libatique expects international carriers to deploy fewer vessels to the U.S., leading to fewer outgoing ships and containers to handle agricultural exports.
“Big businesses have spent months bulking up inventory, doing what they can to
spread out costs,” said Emily Desai, chief deputy director at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, describing the situation for California’s $675 billion overall trade economy. “They're trying to weather those storms. We know that the small businesses are going to struggle, and we know that some will fail.”
The Whole Vine Festival
Mission: Our mission is to celebrate all things related to table grapes, raisins, and wine produced in the San Joaquin Valley, as well as to raise the worth of the Valley in the hearts and minds of its people.
Vision: An annual festival celebrating all things related to the grapevine – grapes, raisins, wine, and more. This Festival will become famous, with attendees not only from the Central Valley, but also from around our State, Nation, and the World.
The Whole Vine Festival took place in October of 2023 & 2024 on the Fresno State campus in the area located around the Science ll Buildings and Band Practice Field, providing plenty of grass, trees, walkways, and a facility for indoor exhibits and activities. Parking, Festival Admission, and Kids Zone provided free of charge
The following describes the Whole Vine Festival. Some elements will be implemented in future festivals.
A variety of Food Trucks feature menu items made with grapes, raisins, and wine among the regular offerings. Also included are Ethnic Foods to highlight the people groups that farm grapes in the San Joaquin Valley. Tables and chairs are provided to enjoy food and rest. Patrons are invited to sample various Table Grapes and Raisin varieties grown in the Valley Year 2024 had grape and raisin themed ice cream from Rosa Brothers Milk Co.
Shopping opportunities with local Artisan and Food Vendor Booths.
Scheduled local music performances by children and adults happen throughout the day.
The festival includes a Kids Zone with Ag related activities and creative things to do for children.
For Foodies, various scheduled demonstrations from local Chefs, Food Bloggers, Food Businesses (such as Charcuterie providers) incorporating grapes, wine, grapeseed oil, raisins, grape leaves, etc. inspire and educate.
An Outdoor Oven baking Breads (future dates), Sweet Rolls, Cookies-all made with Raisins or Cream of Tartarthroughout the day for sale.
Patrons enjoy self-guided Short Videos, Art and Photography Exhibits highlighting everything Grape and Farming Families in the Valley.
For those wanting to enjoy wine and beer, a separate area is available to taste wines and purchase wine and beer in a relaxing atmosphere. Displays in the general area list where these wineries are located and the services they offer such as Event Facilities, Concerts, Dinners, etc.
Fresno State has a distinctive area with displays and booths highlighting innovation and technology in Viticulture and Enology. Culinary Arts, Business, Marketing, Art, Photography, Irrigation Technology, etc. as it relates to Viticulture and Enology to showcase the breadth of what supports everything grape. Tours of the V&E Department and the Fresno State Winery are offered throughout the day giving an inside peek at what Fresno State offers students and our community Alumni winemakers are highlighted including where they work and notable wines they have produced.
Educational institutions from the San Joaquin Valley showcase their specific Agricultural Programs and accomplishments. Agricultural businesses and supporting businesses will feature their innovative products and services in keeping with the Whole Vine Festival theme. Other businesses and nonprofits will showcase the good they bring to the Valley.
The Whole Vine, Inc is a Nonprofit 501(c)3 Learn more at www.thewholevine.com All inquiries please contact Vickie Goudreau at vickiegoudreau@gmail.com Cell: 559.515.1767
6083 N Figarden Drive # 173 Fresno, CA 93722
MERCED MULTIBENEFIT LAND REPURPOSING PROGRAM
SPECIAL FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROJECTS
Financiamiento para proyectos de reúso de tierras con beneficios comunitarios significativos
FREE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Free technical assistance is available to help create a competitive application. Please contact info@mercedmlrp.org or fill out the technical assistance request form through the QR Code below. Reasons to reach out include:
If you have questions or would like assistance with developing your project idea or with the application.
If you are a landowner and would like assistance connecting or coordinating with local partners and community members.
If you are a community member with a project idea but need help connecting with a local landowner.
Technical Assistance Request Form
Asistencia Técnica y Lingüística
Si tiene preguntas o desea solicitar ayuda para desarrollar su idea de proyecto y/o la aplicación, complete el formulario de asistencia técnica o envíenos un correo electrónico a info@mercedmlrp.org.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Projects must convert irrigated agricultural land to less water-intensive uses, and Projects must provide direct, tangible, and meaningful benefits to disadvantaged communities, and when possible, are co-created with relevant communities, and Projects must be fully implemented by March 30, 2027
PRIORITY PROJECT TYPES
Projects improving drinking water supply and security for disadvantaged communities
Projects creating green spaces, recreation areas, or community assets
Projects providing economic opportunities or workforce benefits
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until project(s) are selected
FUNDING AVAILABLE
$1.2 million total
GEOGRAPHIC AREA
Merced Subbasin, with a focus on agricultural land near communities
WHO’S ELIGIBILE
Landowners, GSAs, Nonprofits, Public Agencies, Local Governments, Tribes
MORE INFORMATION
RFP information and application forms on mercedmlrp.org
REQUISITOS DEL PROYECTO
Proyectos que conviertan tierras agrícolas de riego a usos que requieran menos agua, y
Proyectos que ofrezcan beneficios directos, tangibles y significativos a comunidades desfavorecidas, y que, cuando sea posible, sean co-creados con las comunidades correspondientes, y
Proyectos que puedan ser implementados en su totalidad antes del 30 de marzo de 2027
TIPOS DE PROYECTOS PRIORITARIOS
Proyectos que mejoren el suministro y la seguridad de agua potable para comunidades desfavorecidas
Proyectos que creen espacios verdes, áreas de recreación o bienes comunitarios
Proyectos que generen oportunidades económicas o beneficios para la fuerza laboral
Proyectos que reduzcan riesgos ambientales (calidad del aire, riesgo de inundaciones, etc.) en comunidades desfavorecidas
Head ‘Em Up, Move ‘Em Out
Springtime in Mariposa County is nothing short of spectacular! As the carpet of green deepens with native grasses in February, it’s only a matter of weeks that the wide varieties of wildflowers spring forth. It’s a spectacular time of year, but the season’s beauty is fleeting. We are grateful and appreciate each and every day that it lingers.
The main spring event for ranchers though, is the arrival of shipping season. The blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifices made by cattle ranchers raising the current crop of calves, is finally coming to a close. We are continuously at the mercy of Mother Nature and can only pray that the rains come at the right times and the optimal levels, growing the green gold on the hills. Shipping cattle is not for the faint of heart and there is much preparation behind the scenes.
For those not familiar with the requirements for transporting cattle, there are several documents required to transport them. Brand Inspection
Certificate:
Essential for verifying ownership, especially when cattle are sold, consigned, or moved across county lines. Bill of Sale or Consignment: Details the transaction, including the number and description of animals, buyer and seller information, and transportation details. Health Certificates: Cattle entering California must be free from contagious diseases. Beef cattle require an entry permit and, in most cases, a Certificate
of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). Transportation Permits: Required for certain movements, especially when transporting cattle across state lines or for specific purposes like slaughter. CDFA Law enforcement officers have the authority to stop vehicles transporting livestock to verify documentation and ensure compliance with regulations .CDFA
When the dust settles, the calves are weighed
and loaded, no one has been injured, livestock and equipment are in one piece, we breathe a deep sigh of relief. Now, to check for open cows to cull, send them to market, and we’ve successfully completed another year in this fickle cattle business. Unfortunately, the green is turning tan and the wildflowers are dwindling. Don’t look now, but fire season is upon us, way too soon!
Merced County Business Member Directory
Businesses Supporting the Farm Bureau
To be included in the directory, join Merced County Farm Bureau as a business member by calling (209) 723-3001.
