Yolo County Farm Bureau -- Celebrating 100 Years

Lori and Jeff Merwin, Farm Bureau President

John Young, Jenni King and Renee Rianda

Elaine Rominger, Mike Howard, Duane Chamberlain and Gary McLaughlin

Past Presidents of the Yolo County Farm Bureau

Tomatoes

2” seedlings are planted February thru April

Transplanting

Green fruit appears at about 45 days

Tomatoes are ready to harvest 160 and 180 days after planting

Grapes Yolo County #2 Crop

Wine Grapes, Red 3,309 acres of red wine grapes were harvested in 2012

Wine Grapes, White 8,855 acres of white wine grapes were harvested in 2012

When planting grapes the grower determines which

variety to plant based on the characteristics of the land

The life cycle of the vine lasts from early

spring to late fall.

Grape harvest is late August to early October

It takes about 2 ½ pounds of grapes

to produce a bottle of wine

RICE Yolo County #3 Crop

167,913 tons of rice were harvested from 40,461 acres in 2012

Rice field prep is between April 1st and

June 1st

Rice is soaked for 24 hours. Then seed is

flown on the flooded field to get a jump start on

weed control.

It takes rice approximately 120

days to develop

Rice is harvested September 1st thru the

end of October

Hay/Alfalfa Yolo County #4 Crop

268,160 tons of alfalfa were harvested from 42,565 acres in 2012

Alfalfa is semi-permanent crop planted in the fall

every 3-5 years

Alfalfa can have 5-7 cuttings per year and

fields produce an average of 6 tons/acre

each year

Alfalfa fields are great Swainson’s

Hawk habitat

It takes 25-35 days to mature

between cuttings

Walnuts Yolo County #5 Crop

18,166 tons of walnuts were harvested from 13,357 acres of walnuts were harvested in 2012

Newly planted walnut orchards take about 5 years to produce a

crop

In late August California walnut trees

hang heavy with walnuts, protected

with thick green hulls

California produces virtually all of the

walnuts grown commercially in the United States. Some walnut orchards are

over 50 years old

Harvest begins in late August when the

protective green hulls split, signaling that the

nuts are ready to be removed from the trees

Almonds Yolo County #6 Crop

11,061 (meat) tons of almonds were harvested from 14,748 acres in 2012

Bare root almonds are planted during their

dormant season (Jan – Feb); anytime if the plants

are potted Almond trees bloom from

mid-February through March,

depending on the variety

Almonds develop in a shell that is surrounded

by a hull

Almonds trees are usually grafted on various root stalks

Between mid-August and October almonds

are harvested by mechanical tree

“shakers”

Organic Production

Yolo County #7 Crop

Production Organic 34,966 acres Fresh Market Organic 1,041 acres

Only about 2% of the food in the world is organically grown.

· Most organic farms are about one third the size of the conventional farm and average about 140 acres.

Yolo County Community Supported Agriculture Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) consists of members or “shareholders” of a farm or garden who cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. The consumer joins a CSA program and purchases, in advance, a share of the farm’s crop, and in exchange is provided a part of the crop each week, delivered to a predetermined spot, usually near the customer’s home or worksite. Farm Fresh to You - Capay Full Belly Farm - Guinda Good Humus Produce - Capay Live Oak Farm – Rumsey Pacific Star Gardens - Woodland Riverdog Farm - Guinda Terra Firma Farm - Winters

Field Corn

Yolo County #8 Crop

134,567 tons of field corn were harvested from 23,537 acres in 2012

Corn is planted in March or April

It takes 150-180 days for corn to develop

Each tassel on a corn plant releases as many

as 5 million grains of pollen

Corn stalks can reach 12-14 feet tall

Corn is harvested in September or October

Sunflower Seed

Yolo County #9 Crop

21,932 acres of certified seed were harvested in 2012

Sunflowers are usually planted in March and April

Bees are used to pollinate the sunflowers

Sunflowers can grow 6-8 feet in six months

Sunflowers must dry out before being

harvested Harvest is generally August thru October

Wheat Yolo County #10 Crop

89,385 tons of wheat were harvested from 35,754 acres in 2012

Wheat is planted in November and December

It takes seven months for wheat to develop

Ready for harvest

Wheat is harvested in June and July

Yolo County Farm Bureau Education Corporation

Worker Safety

Programs

California Highway Patrol

Implements of Husbandry

English

Attended 35

Hazardous Materials Training

English January 23

Attended

24

First Aid Class January 30

Attended

1 English 29 Spanish

Spray Safe For Owners and Managers

February 6

Attended

343

2013 Spray Safe Seminar

Heat Stress Prevention

February 13

Attended 50 English 60 Spanish

Hazardous Materials Training February 20

Attended

15 English 35 Spanish


February 25

Attended 35 Spanish

Employee Safety Training

February 27

Attended 25 English

Employee Safety Training

March 6

Attended 294 Spanish

Listening to Presenters

California Highway Patrol

March 13 Implements of Husbandry

Spanish

Attended

13

Sexual Harassment Prevention

March 14

Attended 6 English 15 Spanish

CPR and First Aid

March 18 Spanish

Attended

15

CPR and First Aid

March 19 English

Attended

24

CPR and First Aid

March 20 Spanish

Attended

6


March 21 English

Attended

14


Ag Education

Programs


National Ag

Week

2013 National Ag Week Breakfast




National Ag Week

Art Contest

1,200 pictures submitted

National Ag Week Art Contest - Kindergarten

National Ag Week Art Contest – First Grade

National Ag Week Art Contest – Second Grade

National Ag Week Art Contest – Third Grade

National Ag Week Art Contest – Fourth Grade

National Ag Week Art Contest – Fifth Grade

National Ag Week Art Contest – Sixth Grade

Yolo County Farm Bureau Young Farmers &

Ranchers

Spring Fling Dinner, Dance

and Raffle 200+ attended

Spring Fling

Spring Fling

Spring Fling

Yolo County Farm Bureau Education Corporation and

Yolo County 4-H

Farm Connection Day

Over 2,500 students attended

UC Davis Entomology Dept. live bee display

UC Davis Wildlife Museum display of various species of birds

Working on the sunflower craft

Touching the alfalfa seed at the Alfalfa to Ice Cream Booth

Viewing tractors

Petting the goats

Grinding wheat into flour


Charlie Rominger Memorial

Scholarship

Brandon Emery is presented the Charlie Rominger Memorial Scholarship by Jeff Merwin

Yolo County Farm Bureau

Young Farmers & Ranchers

Scholarships

Brandon Emery is awarded a Scholarship Certificate from YF&R Chair Scott Rominger

Andrew Gonzales is awarded a Scholarship Certificate from YF&R Chair Scott Rominger


Yolo County Fair

Booth Displays

2013 Yolo County Farm Bureau Fair Booth












Yolo County Farm Bureau

Young Farmers & Ranchers

Fair Booth

Young Farmers & Ranchers Fair Booth



Presentations & Public Speaking

Yolo County Farm Bureau -- Celebrating 100 Years