Madera County FarM Bureau - maderafb.com€¦ · Jan 26, Feb 3,18, 23 ... diepersloot dairy Gary Foth Morton Family Trust ... Madera County Farm Bureau January 2016 | 3 See Ross;

Madera CountyFarM Bureau

January 2016 Vol. 6, No. 1agriculture today

See Calendar See Calendar

eSJWQc groWer Meeting

Feb 9th

Mailing info

CaleNdarJanuary12 Board of Directors Meeting, 1:00 p.m.,

MCFB Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

22 MCFB & American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training, English-Limited Seating 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

26 Farm Evaluation Workshops ESJWQC Stall will be on site from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street. (Only attend if you need assistance, workshops do NOT fulfill one meeting per year requirement)

February3 Farm Evaluation Workshops ESJWQC

Staff will be on site from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street. (Only attend if you need assistance, workshops do NOT fulfill one meeting per year requirement)

9 ESJWQC Member Meeting 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Madera District Fairgrounds, 1850 Cleveland Ave, Madera, CA 93637. (DOES Fulfill your one meeting per year require-ment.)

9 Board of Directors Meeting, 1:00 p.m., MCFB Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

18 Farm Evaluation Workshops ESJWQC Staff will be on site from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street. (Only attend if you need assistance, workshops do NOT fulfill one meeting per year requirement)

19 MCFB & American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training, English-Limited Seating 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

23 Farm Evaluation Workshops ESJWQC Staff will be on site from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street. (Only attend if you need assistance, workshops do NOT fulfill one meeting per year requirement)

26 MCFB & American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training, Spanish-Limited Seating 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

eSJWQc FarM evaluation WorkShopS

Jan 26, Feb 3,18, 23

See Snowpack; Page 10

By Kate CampbellAg Alert, California Farm Bureau Federation, January 6, 2016

With the Sierra Nevada snowpack standing at or above average going into what typically is the year’s key period for precipitation, California farmers and ranchers are watching the skies and hoping for a dent in the state’s multi-year drought. But memories of past winters that started strongly, then fizzled, leave farmers and water experts cautious.

Photo/California Department of Water

ResourcesFrank Gehrke of the state Department of Water Resources measures the snowpack at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. Gehrke said the snowpack is “much better” than it was a year ago.

California enters new year with a larger snowpack

2 | January 2016 Madera County Farm Bureau

Madera County Farm Bureau

news

Farm Bureau Membership BenefitsInsurance

Allied Insurance, Nationwide Agribusiness, VPI Pet Insurance

News and entertainmentAgAlert, California Country Mag & T.V.

VehiclesGMC Trucks, Vans and SUV’s, Vehicle Rentals,

Avis, Budget, Budget Trucks, Hertz

do-It-YourselfGrainger, Kelly-Moore Paints,

Dunn Edwards Paints

TravelChoice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels

Business ServicesAnderson Marketing, Farm Bureau Bank,

Farm Employers Laborers Service, Land’s End Business Outfitters

Health ServicesClear Value Hearing, Farm Bureau Prescription

discount program, LensCrafters, Preferred Alliance

Contact the MCFB Office at (559) 674-8871or www.maderafb.com for details.

Happy New Year to all! Hopefully everyone will have a great and pros-perous 2016 year. Along with the New Year comes all the new laws that leg-islators have passed, so I would recom-mend that everyone take a look at them carefully. One of the

major ones to look at is the change in minimum wage, from $9.00/hr. to $10/hr. Also the new new Piece-Rate Pay law in one where you must compensate your piece rate employees for rest peri-ods and breaks. As for the new Gender Pay Equity law, where women must be paid the same as men, I don’t see this as much of an issue in agriculture as ev-

eryone is paid the same, but it may have its troubled areas. Last July a new law implementing Paid Sick Leave (PSL) went into effect, but it simply states every employee who works at least 30 days in a year is entitled to accrue PSL at a rate of at least one hour of PSL per 30 hours worked, up to 24 hours per year. There are others to look at, but these seem very crucial to agriculture.

With the start of 2016 I would like all members to get more involved. This can be done in many ways, including by simply telling people, (friends that are non-Ag) stories of farmers and what they do, or by helping MCFB get more new members so our membership is a strong united voice. I welcome any suggestions you may have! Feel free to contact me @ 559-307-9720, and again let’s have a GREAT 2016!

Wishing you a Happy New Year from the Madera County Farm Bu-reau, with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come-including rain!

As many of you know the Farm Bureau has been involved in litiga-

tion with the County and with Gunner Ranch West, however there have not been many updates provided about it. For that I apologize…Being new to the office I have been bringing myself up to speed, in order to be well informed in as many aspects of the case as I can be. With that said, things have been pretty quiet on that front, as our legal counsel has been preparing briefs, and reviewing discovery. Our opening brief has been filed, and we are awaiting response from the defendants. We will have a court hearing to hear arguments on our opening brief in mid-February.

With that being said, litigation has

been rather costly. Last month we published a letter in the newsletter asking for assistance in helping with those costs. I ask that if you are able and willing please contribute, as the outcome of this case will affect not only a few in Madera County, but could set precedence for the entire county.

On a lighter note, the office is busy planning for upcoming safety meetings. We currently have First Aid and CPR scheduled, and are putting together a Spring Training schedule which will include hazardous material training, pesticide handling, heat stress manage-ment, tractor/equipment safety, harvest safety, and several others. Please keep an eye out for that information which will appear in next month’s newslet-ter and on the website. If you would like to sign up for the First Aid/CPR class, be added to a list for information regarding our Spring Training or have suggestions about any other classes you would like to see us offer please call the office.

We look forward to serving our membership in the upcoming year!

President’s Message

Executive Director’s Address

Jay MahilPresident

Christina BecksteadExecutive Director

2015 - 2016 executive CommitteePresident: Jay MahilFirst Vice President:

Second Vice President/Treasurer: Michael NaitoSecretary: Nick Davis

Appointed by President: Dennis Meisner JrAppointed by President: Tom Rogers

Appointed by President: Robert SahatjianAppointed by President: Chris Wylie

directors at largeRobert CadenazziH. Clay DaultonJason Erickson

Michele LasgoitySteve MassaroNeil McDougald

Ryan CosynsStephen Elgorriaga

Laura GutileJennifer Markarian

Scott MaxwellJeff McKinney

Pat Ricchiuti

California Farm Bureau - district 9 director Tom Rogers

California Farm Bureau CommitteePolicy Recommendation – H. Clay Daulton

Air & Environmental Issues – H. Clay DaultonCalifornia Farm Bureau Commodity representatives

Bee – Ryan CosynsBeef – H. Clay Daulton

Grape – Jay MahilSpecialty Crops – Tom Rogers

Office StaffExecutive Director: Christina BecksteadExecutive Assistant: Jazmine Jackson

Madera County Farm Bureau1102 South Pine Street

Madera, CA 93637(559) 674-8871; www.maderafb.com

advertising/PublishingMid-Valley Publishing

1130 G Street, Reedley, CA 93654advertising Sales

Debra Leak (559) 638-2244editor

Jazmine JacksonPeriodical Postage

Paid at Fresno, California 93706POSTMaSTer

Send address changes to:Madera County Farm Bureau

1102 South Pine Street, Madera, CA 93637The Madera County Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for

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duane G. BlechGerald W. Cederquist

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MCFB would like to thank all of our members who help support our work

through their voluntary contributions for the month of December:

new MCFB donors

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Happy New Year!

Madera County Farm Bureau January 2016 | 3

See Ross; Page 11

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Ag Secretary Ross visits Fresno to promote food bank program

By George LurieFresno Business Journal December 16, 2015

California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross vis-ited Fresno Wednesday to support the California Association of Food Banks’ Farm to Family program, which donates millions of pounds of food annually to needy Californians.

“This program matters so much,” said Ross, speaking at a Wednesday morning press conference held at the Fresno Community Food Bank.

A Nebraska native, Ross has been the state’s secretary of food and ag-riculture since 2011. Prior to joining CDFA, she served as chief of staff for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and also was president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers and vice-president of the Agricultural Council of California.

Speaking in the cavernous Fresno Community Food Bank warehouse,

which contained thousands of tons of recently donated produce, Ross said, “The state’s farmers and ranchers are incredibly generous. In the middle of the drought, they still increased their contributions to community food banks this year.”

Andy Souza, CEO of Fresno’s Community Food Bank, noted that more than 5 million Californians — and more than half a million Valley residents — “suffer from hunger dur-ing some part of the month. Hunger is an epidemic throughout our Valley,” Souza said. “We see it in every neigh-borhood we serve.”

Souza said the California Depart-ment of Food and Agriculture, along with California Grown, Ag Against Hunger and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, have joined with the California Association of Food Banks to increase the amount of Farm to Family program contribu-tions to food banks around the state

to 200 million pounds annually.“This partnership is making a huge

difference in our fight against hunger,”

California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross visited Fresno Wednesday to promote the Farm to Family program.


8798

10213

The Promise Of Progress On Water In 2016By Lisa HeacoxCrop Life Magazine December 6, 2015

After a year of investigating water challenges across the country, CropLife® magazine editors wanted to ask experts what 2016 might hold, especially for a few hot issues. Many said the nation is entering a new era of cooperation among agriculture, environmental concerns and government on water protection. But these efforts are going only so far. New lawsuits and legislation against ag inter-ests continue to highlight the emotion-ally charged, combative nature of water problems.

Perhaps the latest regional nutrient stewardship conflict lies in west-central Iowa, where the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) has filed a lawsuit in federal court against 10 drainage districts, citing their responsibility for unusually high nitrate levels in the Rac-coon River. The goal of the lawsuit is to force Sac, Buena Vista, and Calhoun counties to get Clean Water Act permits

for alleged water pollution discharges from farm drainage tile systems. Finan-cial penalties are also being called for to reimburse the utility for extra costs being incurred to treat nitrate-tainted water.

Dave Coppess, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Heartland Co-op, West Des Moines, IA, says the lawsuit is now in the judgment summary phase. The trial is scheduled to begin August 8, 2016.

“Attorneys for the drainage districts are arguing that DMWW cannot seek damages given the districts have limited ability to assess taxes against property owners,” he explains. DMWW contends “implied immunity is ripe for reconsid-eration.” “If this is an indication of the progress so far, it’s going to be a long, expensive court case,” Coppess says.

He believes that ag retailers and farming in general nationwide have a lot at stake: “Losing this case could imply huge constraints that would be imposed against all water districts, not only in Iowa, but across the nation. If

the DMWW prevails, every farm may be required to have a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NP-DES) permit to discharge water from a field into its respective watershed. Meet-ing the standards of an NPDES permit could require extensive re-plumbing of many field drainage and water manage-ment systems and substantial costs to our farmers.”

Coppess says the lawsuit will require an estimated $1 million-plus to litigate its first phase. The Agribusiness Associa-tion of Iowa (AAI) has organized an Agricultural Legal Defense Fund, a 501 (c) 3, for contributions used to defend the production agriculture industry, and there has been strong response from all sectors of agriculture to support the fund.

Another water system that made head-lines for nutrient problems this summer is the Great Lakes. In fact, this year saw Lake Erie’s largest algae bloom on record, with the densest portion covering 300 square miles. Fortunately, the green carpet stayed more to the center of the lake’s western basin, towards Canada, and away from municipal water intakes.

The bloom was fueled by unusually heavy summer rains and stakeholders hope the conditions won’t repeat. “The big wild card is the weather. If spring rain is significant, there will be problems. If spring rain is moderate, then I believe there is a strong chance of the bloom

being much smaller in 2016,” says Chris Henney, president of the Ohio AgriBusi-ness Association (OABA).

No matter the conditions, the rigorous Western Lake Erie Basin 4R Certifi-cation Program is moving full steam ahead. Launched in 2014, it now has 21 certified branch locations in the Basin states (Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana) with commitments from 50 more head-ing into 2016. More than 1.4 million acres of farmland are managed under the certified facilities.

On the southeast coast, Florida may be entering a new era in water protection in 2016. For the past two decades, the state’s Everglades and Lake Okeechobee regions have been the focus of regulations — and successful steward-ship programs that have far exceeded nu-trient load reduction goals. As he shared at a recent ag financial conference, Adam Putnam, agricultural commissioner, believes it’s time to start addressing other parts of the state, including spring sheds and a possible coming water supply crisis in central Florida.

Suggested Florida solutions, some built in to legislation set to return to the assembly in early 2016, could come through conservation easements and infrastructure improvements (such as in septic systems).

See The Promise; Page 8


99

Jason Tikijian, Office Manager/Controller12501 Road 19, Madera, CA 93637Email [email protected]

Office 559-664-8863Fax 559-664-8221

• Orchard/Vineyard Removal• Grinding • Ripping

• All Aspects of Land Devlopment



John Yergat, President12501 Road 19, Madera, CA 93637Email [email protected]

Office 559-664-8863Cell 559-960-6791Fax 559-664-8221

Jason Tikijian, Office Manager/Controller12501 Road 19, Madera, CA 93637Email [email protected]

Office 559-664-8863Fax 559-664-8221





John Yergat, President12501 Road 19, Madera, CA 93637Email [email protected]

Office 559-664-8863Cell 559-960-6791Fax 559-664-8221 61

31

FARMS NEEDED FOR ON-FARM FLOOD FLOW CAPTURE TO RECHARGE

GROUNDWATER AND MITIGATE FLOOD RISKS

Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) is looking for landowners within the District who are interested in receiv-ing potential flood flows this winter. Landowners who have a connection to District facilities are encour-aged to utilize surface water. All landowners who have the ability and de-sire to receive flows during the winter season are urged to contact the District with your interest as soon as possible, particularly those with flood irriga-tion systems still in place. If you do not currently have a connection to District facilities (primarily Category 3 land) and are interested in District service for the winter months and/or normal irrigation sea-son, please contact the District immediately.

There have been recent studies to show the benefits of on-farm flood flow capture during the winter months, particular¬ly after long dry spells. These benefits include salinity and nitrate flushing, in addition to groundwater recharge, more information on these studies can be found at http:// pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es501115c.

The District is currently developing a list of those interested in this program which will provide on-farm advantages and benefits to the entire Madera Groundwater Subbasin. If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Furstenburg by calling 559-673-3514 or by email at jdfmadera-id.orq.

MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS PREPARING TO TAKE FLOOD FLOWS

Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) has been actively preparing for future rain events through a number of maintenance activities including the rehabilitation of MID operated recharge basins and canals. Upstream infrastructure has been improved to allow for maximum deliveries to these basins, accumulated sediment, weeds, and de¬bris have been removed to expand storage capacity in the basins, and fencing has been installed to prevent vandal-ism and unauthorized access. MID is preparing to capture and recharge flows to benefit the District’s landowners and the Madera Groundwater Subbasin.

Source: www.noble.org

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8791

Almond grower says flooding orchards replenishes groundwater

By Tim HeardenCapital Press December 7, 2015

AgrowernearFresnowhostartedfloodinghispistachioorchardsandvineyardsin2011torechargeaquiferssayshethinksitcanworkinalmondorchards,too,withoutaffectingyields.Meanwhile,theAlmondboardofCaliforniahasteamedwithSustainableConservationtoresearchtheeffectoffloodingalmondorchardsintheSanJoaquinValley.

One of the pioneers in field trials to re-plenish aquifers by flooding farmland in California’s San Joaquin Valley says the practice could be a crucial step in main-taining the region’s groundwater supplies.

Helm, Calif., farmer Don Cameron, who grows almonds, walnuts, pistachios, carrots and other crops on about 7,000 acres of sandy ground, received a federal conservation grant and started flooding his fields during the wet winter of 2011, he said.

Cameron applied the water to his pistachio, wine grape and alfalfa fields as well as some open ground before it went into tomatoes, and he saw no decreases in yields from the crops the following season, he said.

The only reason Cameron didn’t flood his almond orchards was that he had no way to move large amounts of water to those fields. But he’s certain that growers

can flood almond orchards during the winter as long as they have porous soils and are careful with their timing.

“You don’t want to have your orchard under water when a 40-mile-an-hour windstorm comes through or you’ll see trees fall over,” said Cameron, whose Ter-ranova Ranch is about 30 miles south-west of Fresno. “I think we can do it. I think we have to be smart about how we do it.”

Cameron’s comments come as the Almond Board of California and the en-vironmental group Sustainable Conser-vation have teamed to fund new orchard-flooding research on test plots in Merced, Stanislaus and Fresno counties. Univer-sity of California-Davis researchers will determine whether groundwater recharge can take place without negatively impact-ing orchard health and crop yields.

In addition, the almond board is

recruiting growers to take part in ongo-ing trials, as Sustainable Conservation will compile information from growers who are capturing excess floodwater and are using it for managed groundwater recharge, according to a news release.

The projects follow similar research by the California Water Foundation, which said this fall that flooding the most porous soils could curb groundwater overdraft on the San Joaquin Valley’s east side by between 12 and 20 percent each year.

Separately, researchers Anthony O’Geen and Helen Dahlke of the UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources have proposed using some of the state’s 3.6 million acres of farms and ranches with suitable topography and soil conditions to recharge aquifers during the winter.

State water experts blame an overdraft of groundwater for causing land in the San Joaquin Valley to sink at historic rates. A recent National Aeronautics and Space Administration study showed land in the valley is sinking by nearly 2 inches per month in some places.

“One of the things the drought over the last three years has taught us in the Central Valley is that we need to diversify our water supply,” said Gabriele Ludwig, the Almond Board of California’s direc-tor of sustainability and environmental affairs. “Now we pretty much rely on surface water from rain and snowmelt captured by dams … or we’re relying on

groundwater.”Groundwater recharge could be one

of many solutions to water shortages that growers rely on in the future, along with treated wastewater and small-scale desalination, Ludwig said.

For Cameron, the 2010 grant from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conserva-tion Service enables him to take excess water from the north fork of the Kings River during wet winters and use it for groundwater recharge while saving sev-eral downstream farms and communities from flooding.

“On average, (the river) floods every third year, but the problem with that is you may have two years of flooding fol-lowed by six years of dry,” Cameron said. “A lot of people in the past felt it wasn’t frequent enough to invest in infrastruc-ture, but for us it’s the only way we have access to any surface water.”

Cameron is building a conveyance system to be able to spread the excess water throughout his farm, including his almond orchards.

“We just have to change our mindset about capturing flood water when it’s available,” he said. “If you’re short of water, use your drip irrigation to irrigate the rest of the year. But when flood water is available, you can time your work. You can get your pruning done and your win-ter work done so you can put water on your ground. It’s just an easy and quick way to build groundwater.”


9314

How To Prepare For and React To a FloodYou may not be able to stop an

oncoming flood, but you may be able to mitigate some of its damage by know-ing what to do before, during and after one of nature’s most devastating perils.

Floods damage or destroy more homes than any other natural disaster – causing $2 billion-plus in property damage every year.

A flood can happen to anyone, so it’s important for you to consider adding the protections provided by a flood insurance policy.

Find out about flood insuranceIt’s important to know that stan-

dard homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover damage caused by a flood. The government offers federal disaster assistance only when the president declares a major disaster.

Ask your insurance agent about whether flood insurance is available in your area.

Before, during and after a flood you can consider taking these and other measures as appropriate.

What to do before a floodTo help reduce damage:• Install backflow valves or

standpipes to prevent sewer lines from backing up.

• Elevate your washer, dryer, water heater, oil tank, furnace and electrical wiring on concrete blocks. If you’re unable to raise an item, anchor it and protect it with a floodwall or shield.

• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.

• Landscape with plants and vegetation that resist soil erosion.

• Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.

• Install a flood-detection device that sounds an alarm or calls your

phone if it senses water.

• Keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, hand tools and other materials handy for addressing stormwater issues.

What to do during a floodA flood can be scary, but try to stay

calm. The most important thing is to keep your family safe, but if you have time:

• Turn off utilities at the main power switch.

• Move valuables, important papers and clothing to upper floors. If you have only one floor, put items on shelves, tables or countertops.

• Sanitize your bathtub and sinks and fill them with fresh, clean water in case the water supply becomes contaminated.

• If you feel threatened by rising water, leave your home or move to upper floors.

• Never try to drive through a flood. Six inches of water can cause loss of control and possible stalling.

• If you’re in your car when the water begins to rise quickly, abandon it and move to higher ground.

• Don’t walk through flood areas. Just 6 inches of water can sweep you away.

• Stay away from downed power lines.

What to do after a floodAfter emergency officials have given

permission to re-enter your home:• Check for structural damage

before going inside.

• If it’s dark, use a flashlight – not matches, a candle or a lighter.

• Listen for reports to see when drinking water is safe again.

• Don’t turn your power on until an electrician has inspected your system.

• Use your cell phone or other

camera to photograph damage, which can help get your claim started sooner.

• Inventory damaged or destroyed items – again, to expedite your claim.

• Report your claim to your insurance agent or company as soon as possible.

• Begin initial cleanup as soon as waters recede. Separate damaged from undamaged items and clean and disinfect everything that got wet.

• When cleaning, wear a mask, gloves and coveralls to minimize exposure to possible hazardous materials.

• Mold can be a hazardous result from a flood. Consider a professional service that specializes in post-flood cleanup.

• Once you’ve gathered documentation about your damage and your insurance

coverage, contact your insurance company or agent.

Nationwide offers this information to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can’t address every possible risk or guarantee these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you’ll better protect your family and yourself.


6456

thE ProMisEContinued from Page 4

California’s Sheer ScalePerhaps nowhere is the impact of

infrastructure problems more evident than in California. As Danny Merkey, director of water resources with the Cali-fornia Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF), describes, it would take two weeks for him to teach a “crash course” on how the massive state’s water works. But one startling lesson he made clear: “California has enough water, we just don’t manage it well.”

Merkey explains that the state’s water infrastructure was designed 70 to 80 years ago, and “we have done nothing to update it.” In addition, that infrastructure cannot capture precipitation the way it comes today — in warmer, flashier storm systems rather than via the slow, steady melt of the Sierras’ snowpack. Finally,

Merkey says water authorities have not kept up with environmental policy. “We never envisioned that policy would push so much water toward the environment as it does today,” he emphasizes.

But 2016 holds promise. CFBF and its allies have the potential to start nailing down some of the new water storage projects that will be coming before the California Water Commission, includ-ing the first down payment on the water infrastructure in over 40 years (funded by a bond issue eight years in the mak-ing). “It’s just a down payment, not nearly what we need, but you can’t make up for 40 years of lost time overnight,” Merkey says.

Also now in the works are projects to divert excess precipitation from a possible El Nino this winter. Pilot projects could direct water flow onto prime locations for groundwater recharge.

Merkey says worries for 2016 include how to educate people who really don’t

understand the complexity of Califor-nia’s water. Then too, agriculture faces frustrating roadblocks that some parties throw up to water solutions. Opponents’ primary concern: Making new water available would induce growth in an already development-heavy state.

Federal InterventionDevelopment and agricultural runoff

have been concerns in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for decades. Fortunately, collaborative efforts are growing here. Mike Twining, vice president of sales and marketing, Willard Agri-Service, Wor-ton, MD, reports the newest partnership in this watershed is the Chesapeake 4R Alliance, cofounded by the Delaware Maryland Agribusiness Association and The Nature Conservancy. It’s the first public/private partnership to improve water quality in the Chesapeake through a solution that’s also good for agricul-ture. The effort aims to increase local 4R nutrient stewardship by bringing to-gether agribusiness, conservation groups, researchers, and government agencies — and Twining is on the steering commit-tee.

In November, Twining sat on a public panel discussion at Washington College to discuss farming and clean water. “It was sponsored by the Sassafras River As-sociation and the Chester River Associa-tion in coordination with the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College and was a great opportunity to increase communication and under-standing,” he says. Among other topics, Twining talked about the proactive steps farmers are taking throughout the bay watershed and how agriculture should be the preferred land use in the bay watershed by all parties concerned about cleaning up the water of the Bay.

Not everyone in the Bay region is impressed with agriculture’s efforts so far, including EPA and environmental groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In 2010 the agency drew up the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint that requires that the six Bay states and the District of Columbia fol-low specific plans to meet EPA-enforced nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pol-lution limits. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says the blueprint creates serious concerns about EPA’s role in land use and specific water quality goal setting — and is a huge overstep of the

Clean Water Act.In 2016 the AFBF will be taking the

fight to the Supreme Court, after losing two lower court decisions in the past

five years.Also in the courts is the Obama Ad-

ministration’s new rule, released in June, that attempts to define the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). EPA states the rule is intended to clarify its jurisdic-tion over the nation’s waterways — a subject that’s been the subject of litiga-tion for the past 30 years, with the U.S. Supreme court weighing in.

In October, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (North Dakota) blocked nationwide implementation of the rule until litigation over its legality is worked out. Thirteen states had filed suit with the court on August 27, one day before the agencies began implementing it in the remaining 37 states.

The decision allows time for the legal-ity of the rule to be adjudicated before growers, businesses, and states that are affected.

Chip Bowling, president of the Na-tional Corn Growers Association, noted, “The Army Corps of Engineers has stated this rule is not based on science or law and is unlikely to withstand a legal challenge. When even the federal agencies responsible for this rule can’t agree on its constitutionality, it’s time for EPA to withdraw the rule and start this process over.”

EPA had, in fact, waged an election-style campaign on social media to con-vince the public that the WOTUS rule is about clean water.

Efforts in the Senate to stop the rule have been unsuccessful and at press time some commentators projected the issue could end up as a rider on a late-session spending bill or in a years-long court fight.

In gauging the public’s reaction to recent water issues, OABA’s Henney summarized what many in the industry are experiencing. “I’m hearing different things,” he says. “Many citizens under-stand that agriculture is working to ad-dress our share of the problem, but folks are impatient. Others don’t understand and are asking for unrealistic concessions from farmers.” The coming year promises to be busy for ag advocates at both local and national levels.


Featured Business

Warnock Food Products, Inc.1. What year did your Company/Business/

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1987

2. What kinds of products/produce/mer-chandise do you sell/grow/distribute? What brands?

A variety of “better for you” snack foods. Organic, gluten free tortilla chips, puffs, potato chips, shoestring potatoes, inclusion snacks (bean, rice, chia, kale, etc).

3. Who is the target audience for your Company/Business/Farm? For example: Children, Farmers, Dairymen, Low Income,

Schools, Everyone, etc.

Everyone.

4. Are you part of a family owned business? Which family members help run the busi-ness?

Family owned and operated.

5. What changes have you made in your business to stay up to date with current

trends? For example: new products, today’s youth, the green movement, alternative sources of power, advertising strategy, etc.

On trend product development for the “bet-ter for you” snack market (organic, gluten free, whole grains) with the great taste.

6. Are you concerned with the water issues that we face in the Central Valley? What are your specific concerns?

Yes.

7. Length of Madera County Farm Bureau membership?

For 13 years, since 2003.

Wenger will continue to lead state’s Farm Bureau

By John HollandModesto Bee

Modesto-area nut farmer Paul Wenger won a fourth two-year term Wednesday as president of the Califor-nia Farm Bureau Federation.

Delegates chose Wenger, 60, on the closing day of the group’s 97th annual meeting in Reno. The vote keeps him in the thick of state and national discus-sions on water, labor, pesticides, farm-land preservation and other issues.

“I’m proud of the fact that Farm Bureau today is a respected agricultural organization because of the leader-ship shown by the CFBF board and by county Farm Bureaus,” he said in a news release. “We have to continue to fight and lead the way.”

Wenger grows walnuts and almonds in Wood Colony, just west of Modesto, and has served as president of the Stan-islaus County Farm Bureau. He has

been a state officer since 1997, starting as second vice president and moving up to first vice president in 2005.

Also Thursday, Mariposa County cattle rancher and farm appraiser Tony Toso was elected second vice president. He succeeds Jamie Johansson, an olive and citrus grower near Oroville, who was named first vice president.

Johansson replaces Kenny Watkins, who raises walnuts, cattle and hay in the Linden area of San Joaquin County. Watkins, who did not seek re-election, received a Distinguished Service Award earlier in the meeting.

The state group has about 53,000 members and is part of the 6.2 mil-lion-member American Farm Bureau Federation.

Wenger, in a speech on the meeting’s opening day, said farmers and ranchers have faced challenges with the four-year

drought and will have more with the new state law regulating well-pumping.

“Put the pressure on the folks in your area to come together … to make sure they can control their groundwater ef-

fectively, locally,” Wenger said.

He also noted a “hugely important” national election in 2016. “If we will continue to work together, we will not just endure, but we will thrive,” he said.


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snowPACkContinued from Page 1

When the state Department of Wa-ter Resources took the season’s first manual survey of the snowpack last week, it found water content of the snow at the survey site had reached 136 percent of the long-term average. Snow sensors placed throughout the Sierra put the statewide water content at 105 percent.

Forecasts of additional storms in the first week of January brought fur-ther cause for optimism—especially in the wake of the bone-dry January of a year ago—but DWR Director Mark Cowin cautioned that another three or four months of surveys will be needed to indicate “whether the snowpack’s runoff will be sufficient to replenish California’s reservoirs by this summer.”

For example, Lake Oroville in Butte County, the principal State Water Project reservoir, now holds

about 47 percent of its historical aver-age for the date. Lake Shasta north of Redding, the largest reservoir in the federal Central Valley Project, stands at about 50 percent of average storage, while San Luis Reservoir, a critical south-of-delta holding facility for both the SWP and CVP, remains at 30 percent of average.

State water officials said it will be difficult to rebuild those storage levels quickly.

In average years, the Sierra snow-pack provides about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts each summer.

“One thing that puts a smile on my face is looking east and seeing snow on the mountains,” Kern County farmer Pete Belluomini said. “The last couple of years, we’ve been watching the snowpack and it was bleak, but now things are looking more posi-tive.”

Belluomini said farmers in his area have already heard from their local

irrigation districts that, if the drought situation doesn’t improve, they can expect less irrigation water in 2016.

“We’re planning for the worst-case scenario and hoping it doesn’t come to that,” he said.

“Farmers have been forced to be thrifty and smart,” Belluomini added. “They’ve figured out ways to save water and I hope will continue to use those conservation techniques and ideas as part of everyday life, not just life in an emergency. That’s how our company thinks, and the drought of-fered lessons we’ve learned.”

With the El Niño weather pattern offering the prospect of additional storms reaching California beginning this month, California Farm Bureau Federation Director of Water Re-sources Danny Merkley urged opera-tors of state and federal water projects to take full advantage of storm flows.

“Any rainstorms that create flows in excess of what is necessary for the ecosystem, fish, delta water qual-

ity and vested water users must be diverted to surface storage and good groundwater recharge areas, rather than being allowed to flow into the Pacific Ocean,” Merkley said.

The prospect of a rebuilding Sierra snowpack also underlines the need for California to update its “aging water infrastructure,” he said, to capture flows in future wet years that can provide water to farms, cities and the environment during prolonged dry periods.

“Upper watershed management, new water storage facilities, ground-water recharge and being sure to operate facilities for today’s weather conditions and environmental poli-cies are all necessary tools in the 21st century,” Merkley said.

Taking advantage of excess flows during times of plenty is also key to recharging groundwater basins, he noted.

In his area, Belluomini said, See Snowpack; Page 11


rossContinued from Page 3

snowPACkContinued from Page 10

Souza said.Lundberg Farms, Harris Ranch,

Fowler Packing, the California Olive Commission and TD Produce Sales were among the local companies credited for their generous donations to the Farm to Family program.

Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, also spoke briefly during the event. “This is an issue we can solve,” he said. “It’s

absolutely amazing how many area farmers and ranchers have stepped up” to participate in the Farm to Family program.

Souza noted that when the Fresno Community Food Bank was founded in 2010, the organization donated 3 million pounds of food to needy residents the first year it was in operation.

“We’re now at 17 million pounds of fresh produce a year and our goal is to get to 40 million pounds,” Souza said.

Jim Bates, CFO at Fowler Packing, helped start the Farm to Family pro-gram. “I’m very proud and honored to be part of this,” he said. “We need to get more farmers on board.”

Calling Secretary Ross “a champi-on of food access issues” for Califor-nians, Sue Sigler, executive director of the California Association of Food Banks, added, “People that we serve are working hard every day just to make ends meet. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy.”

groundwater levels appear to be sta-bilizing.

“We seem to have found an equilib-rium with our groundwater and we’re cautiously optimistic about our water supply going into this year,” he said.

Colusa County farmer John Garner, who chairs the CFBF Water Advisory Committee, said the drought should have taught California that the state must be “truly honest” about its water needs.

“Our current water storage capacity is not adequate to serve all of Califor-nia, and that has been true for de-cades,” he said. “I don’t see that reality changing in the future—even with full reservoirs. We need water infra-structure that allows for more storage and flexibility in our water supply management system.”

Merkley said the Proposition 1 water bond approved by California voters in November 2014 provides $2.7 billion in money for water stor-age, which he described as “a down payment” on needed development. He said Farm Bureau has been working with the California Water Commis-sion on its Water Storage Investment Program, to identify projects that would have the largest impact on statewide water infrastructure.

Later this year, Merkley said, the Water Commission will finalize the regulations needed to allow competi-tive review of the projects submitted for funding.

“We will continue to urge the com-mission to move the process along as expeditiously as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, at Phillips Station in the Sierra, where DWR conducted its manual snow survey, survey chief Frank Gehrke said the snowpack is “much better” than it was last year at this time.

“If we believe the forecasts, then El Niño is supposed to kick in as we move through the rest of the winter,” Gehrke said. “That will be critical when it comes to looking at reservoir storage.”


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Madera County FarM Bureau - maderafb.com€¦ · Jan 26, Feb 3,18, 23 ... diepersloot dairy Gary Foth Morton Family Trust ... Madera County Farm Bureau January 2016 | 3 See Ross;