Madera CountyFarM Bureau

July 2014 Vol. 4, No. 9

CaleNdar

agriculture today

See Page 3 See Page 3

Water saving tips inside your home

Business and employer lawyers in the san Joaquin Valley

Business Member Profile Spotlight

Biden Says No ‘Red Card’ for GOP on ImmigrationBy Wall Street JournalReid J. Epstein and Laura Meckler

Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference in Guatemala City, Friday, June 20, 2014. Associated Press

A day after Congress’s biggest cheerleader for immigration legislation declared the effort dead, Vice President Joe Biden insisted it is still alive.

Mr. Biden told a gathering of a dozen people representing law enforcement, agriculture interests and religious communities that despite Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D., Ill.) showing a red card – soccer’s version of a being thrown out of the game – to House Republicans on immigration reform, the White House still thinks it a deal can be reached on Capitol Hill.

“We’re not giving them a red card and we’re still in this,” Mr. Biden said,

according to Jenny Yang, the vice president for policy and advocacy for World Relief.

Mr. Biden delivered an immigration pep talk during the the two-hour Thursday afternoon session. He urged them to keep their efforts focused on Congress, which he said could still reach an immigration solution.

Jim Wallis, the president of the Christian social justice agency Sojourners, said Mr. Biden told the group the White House is “pushing and pushing and pushing” to get a deal through Congress this year.

“He basically said not to give up on them,” Ms. Yang said.

President Barack Obama, who has been dubbed the “deporter-in-chief” by critics, is under enormous pressure from immigration advocates to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants being sent away from the U.S. Mr. Obama in

March announced that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson would conduct a review to see what administrative actions the White House could take on immigration.

On Wednesday Mr. Gutierrez delivered a eulogy for immigration legislation on the House floor while holding a small red card like the ones shown by World Cup soccer referees.

“No one tried harder than I did to keep the two parties talking about how to move forward on immigration,” he said. “But months passed and Republicans turned their backs on their own members, turned their backs on the American people, turned their backs on the business community, on Latino and Asian voters, and on those trying to save the Republican Party from itself.”

Mr. Biden on Thursday acknowledged

Bill to authorize inspection of Ventura County water wells sent to governorVentura County StarBy Timm Herdt

SACRAMENTO — A bill that would give local authorities the ability to obtain a warrant to inspect water wells on the Oxnard Plain was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday.

The measure, SB 988 by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, would grant authority to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency to inspect meters on the wells of those who pump from overdrafted aquifers.

In some areas, the water level has dropped so low that the basins are increasingly threatened by seawater intrusion.

Currently, the agency relies on self-reported data from pumpers. The accuracy of the well meters has become more critical

in the wake of the agency’s action this spring to reduce pumping by 20 percent. Stiff financial penalties will be imposed on pumpers who exceed their baseline allotment.

Most of the wells in the agency’s jurisdiction belong to farmers, but some are also operated by the cities of Oxnard, Ventura and Camarillo.

Under the bill, the agency would be allowed to inspect meters of landowners who voluntarily allow inspectors onto their property. If a landowner does not cooperate, the agency would be authorized to obtain an inspection warrant to gain access to the property.

“Without this bill, the agency will not have sufficient authority to carry out its job,” said Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa

Barbara, in presenting the measure to the Assembly.

The bill was approved on a vote of 56-18, with Republican Katcho Achadjian, of San Luis Obispo, joining majority Democrats in support. Ventura County’s two GOP Assembly members, Scott Wilk and Jeff Gorell, did not vote. Wilk abstained, while Gorell had an excused absence. He is in Washington, D.C., this week attending events for GOP congressional candidates.

Brown’s office does not indicate in advance how the governor intends to act on specific bills, but his signature on the measure is expected. His administration is seeking to beef up groundwater monitoring,

See Biden; Page 10

See Water Wells; Page 10

august5 Executive Committee Meeting,

2:30 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

September2 Executive Committee Meeting,

2:30 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

October7 Executive Committee Meeting,

2:30 p.m., MCFB Conference Room, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

14 MCFB Annual Meeting of Members and Board of Direc-tors Meeting, 12:00 p.m., MCFB Ben Hayes Hall, 1102 South Pine Street, Madera (559) 674-8871, info @ www.maderafb.com

2 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

To BECoME A DonoR CAll 674-8871

Well we are just into what looks like a very long, hot summer. Everyone I talk to seems to be on a waiting list for a well driller or a pump company. I am already seeing some trees that are not looking very happy.

So we are all thinking finally things have gotten so bad that the State will realize that we need to do something to shore up our water infrastructure in California. You may have read recently that a State poll was taken and the majority of Californians do think that our current drought is a big concern. In fact most of the environmental groups are suggesting that we can simply do a better job of conserving water and we would have more than enough. Governor Brown has set a goal for all California’s to reduce their water use by 20%. So far Californians have only reduced their water use by 5%. Along the Central Coast residences have not reduced their water use at all and San Francisco has only reduced their use by 2%. It seems that we farmers are the only ones suffering in this State wide drought. If this drought is not going to get our State to move to make major improvements in our water system this may be our new normal.

Madera County Farm Bureau news2012 - 2013 executive Committee

President: Tom ColemanFirst Vice President: Al Sheeter

Second Vice President: Jay MahilSecretary/Treasurer: Michael naito

Appointed by President: Jim EricksonAppointed by President: Dennis Meisner Jr.

Immediate Past President: Tom Rogers

directors at largeMathew AndrewH. Clay Daulton

Stephen ElgorriagaMichele lasgoity

Jeff McKinneyPat Ricchiuti

Robert Cadenazzinick Davis

loren Freemanneil McDougald

Dino PetrucciRobert Sahatjian

Chris WylieCalifornia Farm Bureau - district 9 director

Anthony Toso

California Farm Bureau CommitteePolicy Recommendation – H. Clay Daulton

Air & Environmental Issues – H. Clay Daulton

California Farm Bureau Commodity representativesBee – Ryan Cosyns

Beef – H. Clay DaultonGrape – Jay Mahil

Specialty Crops – Tom Rogers

Office StaffExecutive Director: Anja K. Raudabaugh

Executive Assistant: normalee G. Castillo

Madera County Farm Bureau1102 South Pine Street

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

advertising/PublishingMid-Valley Publishing

1130 D Street, Reedley, CA 93654

advertising SalesDebra leak

(559) 638-2244

editornormalee G. Castillo

Periodical PostagePaid at Fresno, California 93706

POSTMaSTerSend address changes to:

Madera County Farm Bureau1102 South Pine Street, Madera, CA 93637

The Madera County Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for

statements by advertisers or for productsadvertised in Madera County Farm Bureau.

President’s Message

Tom ColemanPresident

To BECoME A MEMBER CAll

674-8871

new MCFB donors

diane Kirkrandolph Milesrobert Naden

Stanislaus Farm Supply Co. Inc.Tri-lest dairy

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

through their voluntary contributions for the months of June & July.

Anja RaudabaughExecutive Director

Executive Directors Address

new MCFB Members

Farm Bureau Membership Benefits

InsuranceAllied Insurance, Health net,

nationwide Agribusiness, State Compensation Insurance Fund,

VPI Pet Insurance

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

VehiclesDodge 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.

NAME CITY P/C/B

D.L. Campbell Madera ProducerD S Welding Madera ConsumerDouble DJ Farms Chowchilla ProducerJohn Finley Madera ConsumerTheodore Johnstone Fresno ConsumerLee Ann Jones Madera ConsumerMadera Calf Ranch Madera ProducerHarinder Mahil Chowchilla ProducerGerald Nelson Madera ProducerKyle Prosperi Madera Producer

MCFB welcomes the following new agricultural (producer), associate

(consumer) Collegiate, and Business Support members who joined in June & July:

HaPPY JulY!Your local Farm Bureau continues to sweat it out for you; mostly

related to water drawn issues but we’re excited to celebrate a few completions to the year. We’ve concluded our fantastically successful scholarship wine tasting event (thank you to all those who generously supported our fundraiser), and are thrilled to provide ample scholastic awards to our community once again. We’ve also concluded our annual safety training events and are proud to say we educated over 1,000 people in Madera County on worker safety, health, and best management practices! This was a huge undertaking for the Farm Bureau and we thank all our sponsors who greatly assisted us in making these trainings worthwhile and beneficial to the ag community.

Many of you may have noticed recent press regarding new construction activities for the high speed rail project in Madera County.

It’s true…the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has begun construction, on

CalTrans property (insert smiley face here). Caltrans owns and operates many portions of easements throughout the high speed rail’s route, and due to a number of complicating condemnation factors; the CHSRA has decided to begin geo-seismic testing along the Fresno River, in a CalTrans right of way. Oh well, I guess you’ve gotta start somewhere –said the fly to the cow. There a number of right of way developments concerning the high speed train project that the Farm Bureau is following very closely which we will keep our members informed of as things progress.

The Farm Bureau is currently gearing up for a massive membership revamp and rollout –keep your ears up for changes to our current structure and benefits in the coming weeks and months. We are also excited to announce a massive overhaul in our safety training structure for 2015 –one that will be a value-added benefit to our members and be more comprehensive regarding your highest risks in agribusiness.

Our office is always cool –stop by and see us sometime!

Madera County Farm Bureau JULY 2014 | 3

VALUE, SERVICE AND QUALITYSafety Glasses and Gloves

Coveralls and FootwearTeeJet Spray

Disc BladesPole and Chain Saws

Pruning ToolsPersonal Protective Equipment

Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday • 8 a.m. – Noon on Saturdays2880 Falcon Drive (in Airport Business Park) • Madera • 559-665-2300

Locally owned and operated

100,000 SF on 10 Acres

12800 W. ShieldsFresno, CA

PACKING FACILITYFOR LEASE

559-222-9697559-288-7902

Roger Anthony

Bill Shubin

Business Member Profile Spotlight

What year did your Company get started?Howard A. Sagaser and Cal B. Watkins have been representing agricultural employers in employment and labor law matters since 1976. William M. Woolman has been practicing since 1989 and Marcia A. Ross since 1992. Ian B. Wieland was born and raised in Madera. He and his wife Allie E. Wieland have been practicing since 2012. We all practice employment and labor law on behalf of employers/businesses in the Central Valley.

What kinds of products/produce/merchandise do you sell/grow/distribute? What brands?

We are a local law firm that represents businesses and employers before the state and federal courts, also EEOC, DLSE, DFEH, OSHA, and other Federal and State administrative agencies. We practice Employment law, Business Litigation & Class Action Defense; Counseling Employers on Human Resource Policy Matters & Employee Relations; Employment Discrimination, Wrongful Termination, Retaliation, & Harassment Defense; Employee Handbooks; Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining; NLRB & ALRB Matters & Union Elections; Serious & Willful & 132A Defense; Unfair Competition, Trade Secret, and Breach of Contract; Wage & Hour Issues

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

We represent all kinds of businesses. Due to the nature of practicing law in the Central Valley, many of our business clients are farmers, dairymen, packers, or other types of companies within California Agriculture.

Where would you like to position your company in the next 5 to 10 years?Our firm will continue to grow our practice in the Central Valley by taking an active role in the community and in representing our client’s interests before each court and administrative agency in our region. We will also continue to offer practical and cost effective solutions for dealing with the ever changing employment and labor environment in California.

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.

We constantly keep pace with changes in the law and modern technology. We

Business and employer lawyers in the san Joaquin Valley7550 N. Palm Avenue, Suite 201, Fresno, California 93711

(559) 421-7000 • Website: www.sagaserlaw.com

Water-saving tips inside your homeNow is a good time to take a look at your indoor water usage and see if there are ways you can reduce the amount of water you use.

Water is essential to each of us every day. But it’s a limited resource, so we all need to rethink the way we use water on a daily basis. By following these water-saving tips inside your home, you can help save water every day:

Laundry Room• Use the washing machine for

full loads only to save water and energy

• Install a water-efficient clothes washer Save: 16 Gallons/Load

• Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.

Kitchen• Run the dishwasher only when

full to save water and energy.• Install a water- and energy-

efficient dishwasher. Save: 3 to 8

See Tips; Page 10

See Spotlight; Page 4

4 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

SPOtlIGhtContinued from Page 3

We finance every size operation and every commodity found in the Central Valley with a full range of flexible products and services. The difference at FMFC is our loyal membership,

our expert staff and our specialization; Agriculture. It’s what we do, it’s our only business!

Call Today! (559) 277-7000 • www.fmfarmcredit.com

Fresno Madera Farm CreditOver 95 Years of Providing Solutions to Agriculture

Agriculture is Our Only Business.

Many areas in the United States are experiencing a severe drought, with high temperatures damaging crops, drastically reducing production and increasing prices. But don’t despair—you don’t have to waste money or natural resources by hauling out the garden hose all day, every day.

Especially in areas with restrictions on watering, these tips can help your garden beat the heat.

1. Pick the right plants. Certain plants are more drought-tolerant than others, says Theresa Costello, gardener and owner of The Plant Station in Birmingham, Mich. She recommends cacti, succulents such as sedum, plants with waxy coated leaves like begonias or anything with deep tap roots or storage roots such as daylilies. Grasses are another good choice.

2. Go native. Know what zone you’re in—you can check the USDA zone list—and choose plants suitable for that zone. “Native plants will always do better,” says Costello.

3. Prioritize perennials. After the first season, perennials, which come back every year, tend to be more drought-resistant than annuals, which only last one season. (Plus, perennials are a good bargain for their longevity.)

4. Mulch, mulch, mulch. After planting, put down three to four inches of mulch. Costello says pine bark mulch or even pine needles are best, but any mulch will help water stay in the soil

instead of evaporating into the air.5. Ease up on fertilizer and pesticides. Use less fertilizer and

apply it less often than it says on the package during dry weather. “When you fertilize, it increases the nitrogen, which increases the need for water,” Costello explains. Avoid applying pesticides during a drought, which can put plants under more stress.

6. Consider rain barrels. Capturing rainwater is a great way to save money and water. But don’t capture the runoff from your gutters, cautions Costello, or you’ll be capturing the chemicals from roofing materials, too. Use natural rainwater as soon as possible so it doesn’t develop a fungus. Rain barrels with covers are best to minimize bugs and keep small animals from drowning in the barrels.

7. Use the right pots. If you’re container gardening, say “no” to terra cotta, which soaks water out of the soil. Use glazed pots or plastic, which you can always put inside a more attractive container. Create well-drained soil by mixing in small rocks and pebbles.

8. Know when to water. If you must haul out the hose, water in the morning. The next best time is the early evening. Whatever you do, don’t water in the middle of the day. “Watering in the heat of day just draws more heat to plants and lawns,” says Costello.

8 Ways to Use Water Wisely in landscapingAs drought is plaguing states across the country, try these ways to landscape without wasting water. And pick up extra hints about using landscaping to keep your home secure.

regularly give free seminars and updates on new employment and labor laws to keep business owners informed on changes in the law. Our firm also utilizes all of the latest technology to represent our clients in the best and most cost effective way possible.

What hobbies do you enjoy when you are not working?

We enjoy spending time with our families, being involved in our community, traveling, supporting Fresno State Football, and attempting to play golf.

What value do you receive from your Farm Bureau membership?

We value the exposure our Farm Bureau membership provides us in the community. We also appreciate the Farm Bureau’s efforts in opposing unfriendly new labor and employment laws that unfairly impose costly regulations on our clients.

Madera County Farm Bureau JULY 2014 | 5

*Offer ends July 31, 2014. Subject to approved installment credit with John Deere Financial. Some restrictions apply; other special rates and terms may be available, so see your dealer for details and other financing options. 0.0% for 60 Months and $2,000 off OR $7,000 off on 6R/M Utility. Valid only at participating US Dealers. †Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC.

MADERA • 1901 West Cleveland Ave • 1-800-948-7228 (across from the Madera County Fairgrounds)

$7,000 off*oR0%APR

for 60 Months

+$2,000 off1

6125M TRAcToR• 125 hp†

• Maximum lift capicity 4,900 kg • Tiltable cab • 310° all-round vision telescoping

and tiltable steering column/wheel

• Triple Link Suspension (TLS plus) • 4.5 l “DieselOnly” PowerTech Plus

engine• Full Frame design, 2.580 mm

wheelbase

Save on the muscle you need to get the job done.

Brokerage Asset Management Planning & Development

559.302.7372 rfriend.net

Ralph FriendGenerational roots.

Trusted service.

California dairies declining, milk production risingTurlock JournalBy Elizabeth Arakelian

What happens to milk when it is left out of the refrigerator? It sours — similar to the current state of the dairy industry.

In 2013 alone, 11,000 jobs and over $1.4 billion in economic activity were lost in California due to the closure of 67 dairies — from 1,563 to 1,496 — according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Just 10 years ago more than 2,000 dairies were functioning in the state leading many stakeholders, such as California Dairy Campaign President Joe Augusto, to attribute the decline in part to the state’s nonparticipation in the Federal Milk Marketing Order. However, countless other reasons could contribute to the decline including the ongoing drought, which has hiked up feed costs as well an increase in the number of people selling their dairies.

“It’s kind of terrifying. Dairies are such a big part of California and the numbers are shrinking,” said David Jones of Jones Dairy, a third generation farmer in Stevinson. “It’s a hard lifestyle. There are long days and not a lot of people are

willing to put in that time commitment. People are selling out all the time and without people willing to enter the industry other folks are using it as an opportunity to grow their business.”

While many dairies are shutting their doors, there is no reason to cry over spilt milk as the number of operations in California is seemingly indirectly proportional to the amount of milk produced. Since 2004, the state has produced almost 5 billion pounds more milk despite an overall loss of 534 dairies – an indicator that the California dairy industry is maintaining clout on the national scale.

So who exactly are the producers responsible for California’s milk production? Odds are they’re related since 99 percent of California’s dairies are operated by families.

“It has a way of getting in your blood,” said Jones, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate who returned to his family’s dairy several years after college.

According to Kris Costa, director of producer relations for the California Milk Advisory Board, the dairies that compose the other one percent are those operated

through universities and prison programs.The generational component of the dairy

industry and agriculture in general is likely cause for the industry’s sustained presence

in the state, but there is a growing concern

on the national scale that not enough new

See Dairies; Page 12

6 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

Serving Kings & TulareCounties Since 1963

ROCHE OIL INCAgriculture • Commercial

Industrial • Bulk Pricing

, INC.

GASOLINE • DIESEL FUEL • BULK OIL LUBRICANTSFILTERS • FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS

GREASE, SOLVENTS, KEROSENE

1120 E. Paige Ave. • PO Box 89 • Tulare, CA 93274www.rocheoil.com

We Deliver

686-5837Commercial Cardlock System

AN INDEPENDENT FRANCHISE OF

Serving San Joaquin Valley Agriculture Since 1963

559 • 977-7282www.americanaginc.com

Call Ed Needham

Road Dust ControlProducts

Gypsum • Compost • LimestoneDolomite • Sulfur • SOP • MOP

Organic FertilizersEZ Compost • Liquid Fish Fertilizers

Pelleted Fertilizers Liquid Organic Fertilizers

Soil Amendments

California drought sends business to OregonCorvallis Gazette-TimesBy Maria L. Kirkpatrick

With nearly 1.6 million agricultural acres across California, Nevada and Mexico being taken out of production due to drought, opportunities for new growers are popping up everywhere.

Right now is a great opportunity for mid-valley farmers to plant extra crops.

“Anybody with vegetables in the ground will do well this year,” said Pete Postlewait of Postlewait Farms.

Postlewait, who sits on the board of the Oregon Farm Bureau, said area growers began getting calls late last summer from vendors looking for garden seconds. Seconds are produce that would typically go to places that wouldn’t be concerned about visual quality. For example, the fruit might be blemished or an odd shape.

“It’s like the apocalypse is coming,” Postlewait said. “Retailers can’t depend on California. The Pacific Northwest is more stable, more predictable. People are coming to look at our crops.”

Karla Chambers at Stahlbush Island Farms in Linn County said she planned ahead. More greens and annuals were planted to fill orders from the south.

“We are selling more down there to folks who know they are going to be short,” Chambers said. “The shelves already are coming up short and consumers are going to be seeing price increases.”

A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that this is the driest year on record, and it follows several years of drought. Despite some recent rains, California remains dry. The upshot, the

report said, is that the drought “is likely to have a major impact on the state’s agricultural production in 2014.”

And that has implications for other agricultural producers.

“Because California is a major producer in the fruit, vegetable, tree nut and dairy sectors,” the USDA said, “the drought has potential implications for U.S. supplies and prices of affected products in 2014 and beyond.”

The predicament puts Benton and Linn counties in a unique position, said Ross Penhallegon, Oregon State Extensions, Lane County horticulture agent.

“Lake Shasta already is nonexistent,” he said, referring to the California reservoir, which provides irrigation water to Central Valley agricultural lands. By contrast, he said, “we are in a unique place in Linn County with our reservoirs full.”

That means there is a great opportunity to supply a need to grocery markets.

“Growers can take advantage of the crops that can be grown here that they won’t grow there,” Penhallegon said. “This would be the year to increase production. (Farmers) just need to find out what is lacking. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers; there is an open door there.”

Chambers said California has to protect its walnut and almond trees and wine grapes.

“This is where they will focus their water,” she said.

Greens, including spinach and lettuce, are something mid-valley farmers can plant and harvest more of to quickly meet California shortages.

“Stores will be sweating starting right

now,” Penhallegon said.Meanwhile, mid-valley grocery stores

shouldn’t see an immediate increase in produce prices.

“We are doing our best not to add on additional cost,” said Amanda Ip, spokeswoman for Fred Meyer. “We work as often as we can to stock local produce. That will help avoid price increases.”

Ip said if there is a local source that can fulfill Fred Meyer orders, the store probably already works with them.

However, she said, other potential local providers can contact the company’s buyers office in Portland.

However, price changes likely are inevitable. Postlewait pointed to a couple of possible ripple effects from the drought: Seed companies are hurting due to sales cancellations, he said, and with less produce coming out of California, trucking companies might need to raise prices to help cover expenses incurred when trucks make return trips without cargo.

Madera County Farm Bureau JULY 2014 | 7

See Homeowners; Page 9

All tractors featured are approved by the NRCS and California Air Resources Board emissions standards.

Fresno4288 S. Bagley

(559) 486-8020

Five Points21350 S. Lassen Ave

(559) 884-2425

Visit us at www.fresnoequipment.com

SEE THE BEST UP CLOSE!LOW AND NARROW DESIGNS. HUGE POWER AND PERFORMANCE.

WE CAN HELP WITH YOUR AIR BOARD APPLICATION AND

PROGRAM QUESTIONS!

Get great deals on hard-working John Deere equipment!

• John Deere PowerTech™ diesel engine• Narrow design for vineyard, orchard and nursery producers• Cab or open-station models available

5EN NARROW SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS

• John Deere PowerTech™ diesel engine• Low-profile design for easy access to hard-to-reach areas• Folding, low-profile ROPS, smaller steering wheel

5ML LOW-PROFILE SERIES UTILITY TRACTORS

0% FINANCING AVAILABLE

homeowners go dry as farmers get permits to drill hundreds of new wellsModesto Bee By J.N. Sbranti

Stanislaus County farmers have been granted permission to drill hundreds of new agricultural wells this year, while an increasing number of domestic water wells go dry, a review of permit records shows.

A record-breaking 299 new water well drilling permits were issued in the first six months of 2014. That’s nearly as many as were issued during all of 2013, which itself was a banner year for drilling.

But it’s not only farmers who are seeking new sources of groundwater during this third year of drought: 69 permits have been issued for new domestic wells, almost all of which went to rural Stanislaus homeowners whose wells have dried up.

“Mine went dry Memorial Day,” said 75-year-old Gilbert Meeks, who lives near Denair. “Everybody in this area around me is going dry.”

As a widower on a fixed income, Meeks

is bracing for the more than $17,000 cost of a new well and pump system.

“I’m wondering how I’m going to pay for it,” he said. Until he gets water pumping again, he’s making do with “a water hose running 200 feet from my neighbor’s house to my house.”

Meeks knows there’s a drought, but he blames excessive pumping by nearby agricultural wells for draining the aquifer beneath his home.

“All these irrigation pumps up and down Service Road pumping into the (Turlock Irrigation District) canals” did it, Meeks suspects. He said one particular well, known as the O’Brien pump, “ran for three or four weeks around the clock.”

Complaints to TID eventually got that pump turned off, but not before Meeks’ well was empty.

“We became aware of the issue regarding the O’Brien pump and in response turned it off, along with three others, on June 6,” TID spokesman Calvin

Curtin said. “The pumps remain turned off, and we are continuing to monitor the situation in that area.”

Several other rural homeowners, including John Mendosa, who lives near Ceres, also are concerned that irrigation districts are pumping too much well water to supplement their agricultural supplies, draining water basins to levels too low for older domestic wells to reach.

“TID is reacting to these situations as we become aware of them,” Curtin said. “If we determine a domestic well is dry, TID will typically turn off pumps in the immediate vicinity and evaluate the circumstances.”

Wells are going dry in many parts of the county, however, and some homeowners must wait months for well drilling companies to arrive.

“Have you ever tried taking a shower with bottled water?” asked Dan Vigil, whose home southeast of Oakdale went dry four weeks ago. He hopes to get a new

well drilled within a few weeks.“People’s wells are going dry,” Vigil

said. “All of a sudden, it’s rampant.”The property surrounding his home used

to be all grazing land, but now there are orchards.

“I’m not eating almonds and walnuts anymore,” vowed Vigil, making clear what he thinks caused his well to go dry. “These guys growing trees should compensate everyone around them. … I’m looking at paying $15,000 for my well.”

‘The urgency is now’During all of 2013, nine new well

permits were issued for homes near Oakdale. But this year, 19 permits already have been issued for domestic wells in Oakdale.

Also since January, there have been 11 permits for new domestic wells in Turlock, eight in Modesto, seven in Denair, six in Hughson, four in Crows Landing, three each in Ceres, Patterson, Newman and

8 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

at your Service

Valley Feed

Tree & Vine Supplies

121 N. Gateway DriveMadera, CA 93637

Ph: (559) 674-6735 • Fax: (559) 661-7200

IRRIGATING THE VALLEY SINCE1967

DESIGN THROUGH INSTALLATION559-673-4261559-674-4078

19170 HWY 99MADERA, CA 93637

1100 South Madera Ave (Hwy 145), Madera

(559) 674-5661

For all your Service, Parts & Sales Needs

Product Sales Managerjfraser@synagro.com

Mobile: 559.381.3510Fax: 559.590.4302

Synagro - South Kern Industrial ComplexP.O. Box 265 • Taft, CA 93268

Quality Compost & Soil Amendments

JAMIE A. FRASER

RAISIN PAPER ROLLSRAISIN GROWERS

GuaranteedQuality & Pricing!

Call Chad Today!Ph: 237-3819

Restaurants, Grocers Respond to Rising Beef CostsSome Serve Smaller Burgers and Steaks; Others Feature Cheaper Cuts of Meat, New recipesWall Street JournalBy Elizabeth Arakelian

What happens to milk when it is left out of the refrigerator? It sours — similar to the current state of the dairy industry.

In 2013 alone, 11,000 jobs and over $1.4 billion in economic activity were lost in California due to the closure of 67 dairies — from 1,563 to 1,496 — according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Just 10 years ago more than 2,000 dairies were functioning in the state leading many stakeholders, such as California Dairy Campaign President Joe Augusto, to attribute the decline in part to the state’s nonparticipation in the

Federal Milk Marketing Order. However, countless other reasons could contribute to the decline including the ongoing drought, which has hiked up feed costs as well an increase in the number of people selling their dairies.

“It’s kind of terrifying. Dairies are such a big part of California and the numbers are shrinking,” said David Jones of Jones Dairy, a third generation farmer in Stevinson. “It’s a hard lifestyle. There are long days and not a lot of people are willing to put in that time commitment. People are selling out all the time and without people willing to enter the industry other folks are using it as an opportunity to

grow their business.”While many dairies are shutting their

doors, there is no reason to cry over spilt milk as the number of operations in California is seemingly indirectly proportional to the amount of milk produced. Since 2004, the state has produced almost 5 billion pounds more milk despite an overall loss of 534 dairies – an indicator that the California dairy industry is maintaining clout on the national scale.

So who exactly are the producers responsible for California’s milk production? Odds are they’re related since 99 percent of California’s dairies are

operated by families.“It has a way of getting in your blood,”

said Jones, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate who returned to his family’s dairy several years after college.

According to Kris Costa, director of producer relations for the California Milk Advisory Board, the dairies that compose the other one percent are those operated through universities and prison programs.

The generational component of the dairy industry and agriculture in general is likely cause for the industry’s sustained presence in the state, but there is a growing concern on the national scale that not enough new blood is entering the industry.

Madera County Farm Bureau JULY 2014 | 9

hOMEOWNERSContinued from Page 7Hickman, and two in Waterford.

“This is going to be a rough year,” predicted Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa. “I’ve probably had six phone calls in the last two weeks” from people whose wells are going dry.

Chiesa said he and Supervisor Terry Withrow talked last week with some concerned residents who live near Denair.

“We went out and met with them,” Chiesa recounted. “They brought their neighbors in because everybody there’s worried.”

Chiesa said farmers, including himself, also are worried about their own wells going dry.

“We’re in an emergency situation,” warned Neil Hudson, an Oakdale resident who leads a private group of concerned citizens called the Stanislaus Water Coalition. Hudson also is a member of Stanislaus County’s Water Advisory Committee, which advises the Board of Supervisors on groundwater issues.

“The committee process is so slow, but the urgency is now,” Hudson said. He wants Stanislaus to create a systematic reporting system to enable county officials to plot where wells are going dry so trouble clusters can be spotted quickly.

Just looking at well permit data isn’t enough, Hudson explained, because homeowners often wait months before finding an available driller to dig their well and file the required paperwork. Some never pull permits because they can’t afford new wells, and others simply extend their well pipes low enough to reach water

again – which doesn’t require a permit.‘It’s not my fault’Cheri Enos wants more than just a dry

well reporting system established.“There needs to be regulation to monitor

this (and determine) how many wells can be put in and how much water they can take out of them,” suggested Enos, whose home southwest of Hickman has a well that’s going dry. “They need to do this really soon because there’s going to be a whole bunch more of us in the same boat.”

Enos said her well has about 1 foot of water left, and pump experts have told her that will be gone within a couple of weeks. She’s been advised that a new well and pump will cost her up to $19,000, and may take more than three months to drill.

“It’s not my fault,” said Enos, who thinks agriculture is consuming too much water. “The biggest culprit is the large farms. They’re just sucking all the water from the rest of us.”

Stanislaus Farm Bureau President Wayne Zipser is struggling with that perception.

“We’ve got to act quickly to figure out how to handle this,” said Zipser, who also is chairman of the county Water Advisory Committee. “This drought is consuming all of us. It breaks my heart to see folks suffering.”

It’s the drought that’s really to blame, and the reduction it has caused in surface water supplies, according to Zipser. When irrigation districts cut back water allocations, he said, farmers increase groundwater pumping to keep their crops alive.

“The marriage between surface water and groundwater is huge,” Zipser stressed. Like most California farmers,

he emphasized the need to store more water during wet years to meet the state’s demands during droughts. “We as a society have ignored that water storage is a major issue.”

In 1977, during the last major drought, Zipser recalled how Stanislaus farmers also drilled a multitude of new water wells. After that drought ended, he said, most farmers stopped using those wells.

Now farmers are drilling and pumping again, and Zipser said he knows some domestic wells may be impacted because of it. “I think about it every day,” he said. “We’re going to look to try to find funding for these folks (whose wells have gone dry).”

Zipser said many of the farmers who pulled well permits recently did so for fear the county may soon impose a drilling moratorium. “They’re trying to protect themselves from what might happen if we have another dry year,” he said, noting that many of those wells may end up never being drilled.

‘Stick with the science’Some people believe Stanislaus already

may have too many agricultural wells.Environmentalist and retired lawyer

Jerry Cadagan of Sonora has filed a legal action against Stanislaus County and more than a dozen of its farmers regarding well permits issued last fall. His lawsuit contends Stanislaus is out of compliance with the California Environmental Quality

Act.“It is unfortunate that the county

continues to issue new permits at record rates without having any idea what the environmental and other consequences might be,” Cadagan said.

Calls for a drilling moratorium are premature, according to Withrow. “If we were to jump to a moratorium, the only ones who would benefit would be the attorneys, who would make a lot of money,” the supervisor predicted. He is not convinced that agricultural pumping is to blame for domestic wells going dry. “It’s the drought more than anything that affects these wells.”

Withrow, who grows grapes near Modesto and almonds in Fresno County, noted that many of the failing domestic wells are old and shallow. He said farmers typically pump from deeper aquifers that don’t impact domestic wells.

“We’ve got to stick with the science and get past the emotions,” Withrow advised. He said establishing groundwater management policies in Stanislaus is going to take time. “But I know it’s hard to have patience when you’re getting your water from a garden hose running through your window.”

jnsbranti@modbee.com

10 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

WAtER WEllSContinued from Page 1

BIDENContinued from Page 1

tIPSContinued from Page 3

Steve Barsotti674-85361643 N. Schnoor Ave • Madera

www.fosterparker.com CA Lic. #0551757

Foster & ParkerINSURANCE

• Home • Farm • Business • Auto • Health • Life

Call for your FREE heat safety training materials package

4 locations to serve our customers FASTER & BETTER

ETTLER TIRE

608 N. Gateway 8 SERVICE BAYS TIRES MOUNTED IN 30 MIN HUNDREDS OF TIRES IN STOCK HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT ALIGNMENT & BRAKES FINANCING AVAILABLE OAC

Since 1934SERVING THE LOCAL FARMERS FOR OVER 75 YEARS

22800 Ave. 181/2ACCROSS FROM PILOT TRUCK STOP

6 SERVICE TRUCKS 3 ACRES OF ROOM 24 HOUR ROAD SERVICE NEW ACCOUNTS WANTED

1539 Robertson Blvd - Chowchilla711 E. Childs Ave. - Merced

674-4678 674-6236

559-665-3704209-723-1823

SCH

Gallons/Load.• Install aerators on the kitchen

faucet to reduce flows to less than 1 gallon per minute.

• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.

• Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.

• If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.

• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

• Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.

• Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of

running the tap.• Cook food in as little water

as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.

• Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.

• If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.

• Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.

Bathroom• Install low-flow shower heads.

Save: 2.5 Gallons• Take five minute showers

instead of 10 minute showers. Save: 12.5 gallons with a low flow showerhead, 25 gallons with a standard 5.0 gallon per minute showerhead.

• Fill the bathtub halfway or less. Save: 12 Gallons

• When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.

• Install aerators on bathroom faucets. Save: 1.2 Gallons Per

Person/Day• Turn water off when brushing

teeth or shaving. Save: Approximately 10 Gallons/Day

• Install a high-efficiency toilet. Save: 19 Gallons Per Person/Day Read more about toilets.

• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

• Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.

• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.

• Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.

• Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.

• Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.

• When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.

• Take a (short) shower instead of a bath. A bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water.

Article source: http://saveourh2o.org/

the outside pressure during the meeting and said it can only be sufficiently relieved by Congress.

“He said they’re getting a lot of pressure and the president understands the need for a legislative solution,” said Kristi Boswell of the American Farm Bureau. “What he repeated was that the red card that Gutierrez talked about isn’t up.”

Mr. Biden met last week in Guatemala with Central American leaders to talk about ways to stem the surge in minors making dangerous trips to the U.S. border.

and he pledged in his State of the State this year that “serious groundwater management” must be part of California’s response to the drought.

Water experts in Ventura County have warned that steps must be taken to reduce pumping from an interconnected web of aquifers that stretch from the Oxnard shore to Moorpark. It is estimated that about 25,000 acre-feet more water is being pumped each year from the basins than is sustainable. That amount is the equivalent of the water used by all households in the city of Ventura every year.

Jackson represents western Ventura County in the Senate, where the measure was approved last month on a vote of 27-8.

After the bill is delivered to his office, Brown will have to act on it within 12 days.

Madera County Farm Bureau JULY 2014 | 11

CeNTral ValleY COMMuNITY BaNK CeleBraTeS SaN JOaQuIN ValleY aGrIBuSINeSS WITH THe ValleY GrOWN FOr YOu CaMPaIGN

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA…July 1, 2014…Daniel J. Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of Central Valley Community Bank (CVCB), is pleased to announce the Valley Grown For You campaign - an initiative designed to promote San Joaquin Valley agribusiness and encourage individuals to buy local fresh and produced food products. The campaign is taking place now through July 31, 2014 and showcases food products produced in the San Joaquin Valley with an enter-to-win contest for a basket stocked full of products such as olive oil, raisins, wine, almond butter and more.

To enter the contest, participants can stop by any of the 20 conveniently located Central Valley Community Bank branches established throughout the Valley. There is also an opportunity to win a basket through social media; participants are asked to “like” the Central Valley Community Bank Facebook or follow it on Twitter (@CVCBNews) and then comment on one of the Valley Grown For You posts during the contest period. Participants must be 21 years of age or older and entries are limited to one entry per person in-branch and one through social media. Official rules for the contest as well as products featured in the basket are available at all Central Valley Community Bank branches, online at www.cvcb.com and through links on social media.

With the San Joaquin Valley consistently leading the nation in agricultural production, it serves as a hotbed for agribusiness, manufacturing innovation and economic impact. The Valley makes up 72 percent of California’s $44.7 billion agricultural value and the region supplies over 25 percent of the nation’s food, according to 2012 County Crop Reports.

“This is just a small way for us to give back to the communities that we are so invested in,” said Dan Doyle, CEO for Central Valley Community Bank. “We’re excited to showcase some of the delicious local food products that come from right here in our own backyard.”

12 | JULY 2014 Madera County Farm Bureau

DAIRIESContinued from Page 5

By Tim SheehanThe Fresno Bee

Sen. Kevin DeLeón, the soon-to-be leader of the California Senate, raised eyebrows throughout the San Joaquin Valley recently with disparaging-sounding remarks about the state’s controversial high-speed rail project.

In the June 21 piece by Los Angeles Times writer George Skelton (and published Friday in The Bee), DeLeón -- a Democrat from Los Angeles -- said that “it’s illogical” to begin construction of the bullet-train network in the Valley because “nobody lives out there in the tumbleweeds.”

“I don’t think it makes sense to lay down track in the middle of nowhere,” DeLeón was quoted as saying. The column added that DeLeón “supports the concept of high-speed rail, but with the caveat that track-laying begin in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.”

Building in the urban bookends of the line would create much-needed -- and highly visible -- hard-hat jobs in those cities, DeLeón suggested. “But out in the Central Valley

... no one will see the construction jobs.”

Having the project visible where public transportation is needed and wanted, like Southern California or the Bay Area, would also make high-speed rail more viable politically, DeLeón explained.

The six counties of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley, from Merced in the north to Kern in the south, are home to more than 2.8 million people. Unemployment rates across the region run from a low of 9.5% in Madera County up to 12.5% in Merced County, compared to 8.2% in Los Angeles County.

DeLeón was unavailable Wednesday to comment for this story. His staff this week clarified

DeLeón’s position on high-speed rail construction and offered apologies for his broad “out in the tumbleweeds” remarks.

His Valley colleagues in the Senate, meanwhile, say they’re inclined to cut him some slack -- and work to make

sure he understands that there is more to the region than tumbleweeds.

“Folks say stuff every once in a while they’d like to take back,” said Sen. Andy Vidak, R-Hanford. “I totally understand that ... But he’s going to have to get an education now, that’s for sure.”

Besides being perceived as dismissive of the region where the California High-Speed Rail Authority wants to build its first 130-mile section of the statewide train line, DeLeón’s remarks were seemingly at odds with his vote in July 2012 to allocate nearly $6 billion for the initial construction stages in the Valley.

That money is a combination of federal transportation and stimulus money and funds from Proposition 1A, a high-speed rail bond measure approved by voters in 2008.

This week, DeLeón’s staff said the senator -- who in October will ascend to the Senate’s top leadership post of president pro tempore -- didn’t mean to step on the Valley’s toes with his “tumbleweeds” remark, nor did he intend to suggest that construction of the rail system be derailed in the Valley in favor of starting somewhere else.

“I know he’s sorry it came out that way and didn’t intend to insult the Valley,” Dan Reeves, DeLeón’s chief of staff, wrote in an email response to inquiries from The Bee.

L.A. senator clarifies Valley ‘tumbleweeds’ comments on high-speed rail

www.seibertsoilco.com

1340 N. Crystal 93728 • Fresno

Serving Fresno & The Greater Central Valley

We’re your source for Natural Gas Engine Oil!

FUEL & LUBRICANTS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

Since 1936

(559) 493-0645

solidstainless staples

• 6" 8" 10" 12" Length For Safe and Secure Drip Line Placement• Grade 316L Resists Corrosion from Acidic Water & Fertilizers in All Soil Types• Reduce Labor One Time Install compared to Using Plain or Coated Staples• Save Money Avoid Contstant Hose & Fitting Repairs

DP Machine & FabricationSales: Jennifer (661) 746-6242

jpayne381@aol.com(661) 203-5544

MADE IN USA

blood is entering the industry.“New and beginning farmers are the

future of American agriculture,” said U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden in a statement released this month touting new resources to support next

generation farmers. “The average age of an American farmer is 58 and rising, so we must help new farmers get started if America is going to continue feeding the world and maintain a strong agriculture economy.”

So, what is keeping individuals from pursuing a career in agriculture? According to Jones, it’s a communication issue.

“I think we have a PR problem. Throughout the whole industry there is a huge disconnect between the people who want to know where their food is coming from and the people producing it,” said Jones.

Attributing part of the miscommunica-tion between the public and the industry to farmers’ characteristically private behav-iors, Jones conveyed that the daily opera-tions of farming tend to be all consuming. As an industry that is reliant on external factors such as weather and market prices, farmers are often left in a problem-solving position rather than a problem-preventing

one. Add that to the fact that many farm-ers do not market directly to customers but rather sell their product to companies that manufacture, market and sell the product for them and the space between the cow and the consumer widens.

“It’s easy to get caught up in the daily operations and forget how important it is to convey to the public our roles. I think once we realize that as an industry and make the necessary effort we could see a big change,” said Jones.

earakelian@turlockjournal.com 209-634-9141 ext. 2015

State Sen. Kevin DeleónTHE SACRAMENTO BEE