Summer 2012 . 8.5MB PDF file - Imperial County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau
Imperial County
ne ws le tte r
Summer 2012
26
Local Students Receive Farm Bureau Scholarships
When the Farm Bureau board established a scholarship program a little
over a decade ago, they likely had no
idea just how much the program would
grow in such a short time. As of this
year, the Farm Bureau manages five
different scholarship funds (with a
sixth slated to be introduced in 2013,
see page
15), and
has given
out nearly
$100,000 in
scholarships
to local
students.
In addition
to the
Neal Jack, namesake for the
Imperial
2012 Jim Kuhn Farmer of the
County Farm Year Scholarship funded by Farm
Credit Services Southwest
Bureau
Scholarship, which is funded each April
through your generous support of the
Farm Bureau Scholarship BBQ, there
are also three memorial scholarship
funds and a scholarship honoring the
current Jim Kuhn Memorial Farmer of
the Year.
The Matthew LaBrucherie Memorial
Scholarship was established to honor
the significant contributions of Mr.
LaBrucherie, who spent his life helping
others achieve the American Dream.
The Vern Highley Memorial Scholarship
honors the Holtville native and Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo alumnus who served
in the successful campaigns of two
United States Presidents, became
Raul Rodriguez, Jr.
namesake for the Raul
Rodriguez Memorial
Scholarship
Vern Highley, namesake
for the Vern Highley
Memorial Scholarship
Director of the USDA for the Western
States, and served as both Special
Assistant and Deputy Chief of Staff
to the United States Secretary of
Agriculture.
The Raul Rodriguez Memorial
Scholarship was established this year
to honor the many contributions of
our friend and former Farm Bureau
board member Raul Rodriguez, Jr., who
served on the IID’s Water Conservation
Advisory Board, the Imperial Grain
Growers board of directors, and the
USDA Farm Service Agency’s County
Advisory Committee.
Also introduced this year was the Jim
Kuhn Memorial Farmer of the Year
Scholarship,
which is
funded by
Farm Credit
Services
Southwest.
This scholarship is given
in honor of
the current
Jim Kuhn
Matthew LaBrucherie,
namesake for the Matt Memorial
LaBrucherie Memorial
Farmer of the
Scholarship
Year, with Neal
Jack being this year’s honoree.
Farm Bureau firmly believes in
supporting today’s youth to help
ensure our industry continues to be
strong and vibrant for many generations to come. To read about a few
simple ways that you can personally
help, turn to page 4. And to meet this
year’s class of Farm Bureau scholarship recipients, turn to page 12.
Farm Smart Served Nearly 10,000 Last Year!. 8
DoL Withdraws Youth Labor Proposal. . . . 18
2011 Crop Report Highlights . . . . . . . . . . 9
UFW Sponsors Heat Illness Lawsuit Bill . . 19
Shaping the Next Generation of Agriculturalists.4
Featured Member CoopersWest Insurance. . 11
Are You Ready to Ride?. . . . . . . . . . . 20
Farm Bureau Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2012 Scholarship Recipients. . . . . . . . 12
Best Time to Review Insurance Coverage. . 22
TMDL Update: Nobody Likes Change. . . . . 6
Scholarship to Honor the McConnells . . . 15
Contact your Representatives. . . . . . . . 22
Benefits of Membership. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Damaging Ground Squirrels Found Locally. 16
Mystery Photo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Contents
Our Water is Our Future. . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2013 California EQlP Update. . . . . . . . . 3
Our
W
ater
is
Our
Future
Mark McBroom, Imperial County Farm Bureau Board President
have to make do with less, possibly by
reducing hours and cutting jobs. Tax
receipts would diminish, which means
that local governments would have to
cut back on services and roads. How
well would that work? Sure, we could
all just leave and live on the coast
where it’s nice and cool. But for all
of us with strong roots in this Valley,
that’s just not an acceptable option.
It’s summer in Imperial Valley and
the harvesting of our local forage
crops is in full speed. Wheat harvest
is complete, and seed crops are next.
You are probably also noticing that you
have to clean your windshield a little
more often this time of year, as the
bees are very active now as well. It’s a
busy time of year, but that seems to be
the case here year-round.
As temperatures are on the rise, so
are tensions as we enter the election
season. The future of our county, our
state and our nation are depending
on the direction of the electorate, and
that direction is as important as it has
ever been. Let’s make sure everyone
participates and is educated about the
issues at hand. This could very well be
the most important election we’ve had
in a long time.
We as a community must
understand and appreciate how
valuable and important our water is.
Mark McBroom, Imperial County
Farm Bureau Board President
of what we are doing now in these
discussions regarding the QSA.
Meanwhile the western U.S. is experiencing some very dry conditions, and
again our water is very much a soughtafter resource. We as a community
must understand and appreciate how
valuable and important our water is.
We must also recognize how important
it is to speak up and make sure you
are heard.
To put this in laymen’s terms, let’s
just suppose that instead of our water
being transferred, it was our power.
Suppose that in exchange for the
transfer of power we were going to get
better infrastructure, lower power rates
and a promise that we’d be left alone
on how we use our power in this harsh
desert. But now you’d have to run your
home, business and recreation with
less electricity, while still making sure
that no one suffered from the loss
of the power being moved to another
area. You’d now be asked to use just
80% of the power you’re accustomed
to using. With less power comes less
opportunity to grow our cities and
Valley. Our places of business would
We hold these rights to water on our
land and it’s important to understand
that while we are giving up our water
for the benefit of others, the only thing
the transfer has accomplished here
is to divide our community. It is imperative that we work together to have an
honest understanding and an open
conversation about the ramifications
Working
for you
Representation
A voice on local, state and national issues.
Renew Your Membership
www.cfbf.com/RENEW
Education
Stay up-to-date on new & changing regulations,
plus safety issues, rural crime & more.
Advocacy
Telling your story to consumers.
Join Farm Bureau
www.joinfb.com
Imperial County Farm Bureau 1000 Broadway, El Centro 760 352 3831
2
www.icfb.net [email protected]
This is what the farming community
is being asked to do in transferring
the water that we use to help build a
strong and productive economy for
this Valley that we love. On top of that
we have to deal with a sea shore that
will be larger than ever because of
this transfer, leaving toxic ultra-fine
dust exposed. The health of the entire
Desert Southwest will be affected.
Our water is just that:
OUR water. Let’s do all we
can to protect it and guard it
for the generations to come.
Our water is just that: our water. Let’s
do all we can to protect it and guard it
for the generations to come.
On another note, we recently lost our
beloved Farmers of the Year, Jack and
Pauline McConnell, in a tragic fire at
their home. What a loss this is for not
only the farming community, but the
entire Valley they loved. Let’s
remember them this season and
speak up for them when it comes time
to represent our Valley and the future
it promises. (Read more about the
McConnells on page 15.)
Congratulations to
Mike King on
your retirement!
Thank you for your 44
years of service to IID.
from your friends at Farm Bureau
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
California
E
QlP
Update
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
2013
Contracts provide financial assistance to
help implement conservation practices
that address natural resource concerns,
and for opportunities to improve soil,
water, plant, animal, air and related
resources on agricultural land. In addition,
a purpose of EQIP is to help producers
meet federal, state,
and local environEQIP is a voluntary
EQlP Deadline
mental regulations.
program that
Tentative application cutoff for the 2013
Practices such
provides financial
program: Friday, November 16, 2012 as subsurface
and technical
drains, concreteFor more information, contact
assistance to agrilined ditches,
USDA NRCS
cultural producers.
micro-irrigation
177
N
Imperial
Avenue
Applications for
systems, etc., will
El Centro CA 92243
EQIP are accepted
be considered with
760.352.7886
on a continuous
a conservation plan
basis. Application
established at the field office.
ranking periods are established to allow
For information about EQIP, please contact
evaluation of projects and awarding of
the Natural Resources Conservation
contracts based on criteria that evaluate
the natural resource benefits as identified Service at 177 N Imperial Avenue in El
Centro, or by phone at 760.352.7886.
by local, state and national priorities.
Farms and animal feeding operations
interested in signing up for the 2013
Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP) should contact the El
Centro Natural Resources Conservation
Service NRCS/USDA Field Office. The
tentative application cutoff date is Friday,
November 16, 2012.
Nominating
Committee
Selected
Support Farm-friendly Candidates for
Federal or State Office
Don Emanuelli
Bryan Ashurst
Ralph Strahm
CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FUND TO PROTECT THE FAMILY FARM
@
WWW. CFBF COM /FARMPAC
What’s Happening
@Farm Bureau?
President : Mark McBroom
1st Vice President : Don Emanuelli
2nd Vice President : Larry Cox
Treasurer: Ron Rubin
Secretary: Al Kalin
Member-at-Large: Tom Brundy
Immediate Past President
Mark Osterkamp
Directors
Jimmy Abatti
Ken Ashurst
Bryan Ashurst
Don Barioni, Jr.
Manuel Castro
Bill DuBois, Sr.
Scott Emanuelli
Rod Foster
Ed Hale
Gerard Irungaray
Ray Johnson
Rusty Jordan
Tim LaBrucherie
Ron Leimgruber
Mike Morgan
Peter Osterkamp
Jeff Plourd
Thomas Rutherford
Eric Strahm
Ralph Strahm
Joe Tagg
Workshops . Meetings . Events
Advisory Board Members
Steve Birdsall
David Bradshaw
Nicole Rothfleisch
Don Brock
Membership Discounts . Issues
YF&R Chair: Eric Strahm
@
Nominations close August 12
Summer 2012
2011 - 2012 Board of Directors
@
@@
@
@
If you would like to suggest a
candidate for the board, contact
a member of the committee:
Mark Osterkamp
1000 Broadway
El Centro CA 92243
760.352.3831 phone
760.352.0232 fax
www.icfb.net | [email protected]
The purpose of this newsletter is
to inform the membership and
the community on the matters
of importance to agriculture at a
local, state and national level.
H ELP STRENGTHEN THE
VOICE OF THE
AG COMMUNITY
The Farm Bureau
Board has selected a
nominating committee,
who will be responsible
for nominating candidates
for the 2012-2013 Farm
Bureau Board of Directors.
Tom Brundy, Chairman
Imperial County Farm Bureau
New Regulations . and much more...
@
Sign up for the @FarmBureau email
newsletter today and be among the
first to know what’s happening!
@
Sign up at www.icfb.net, or call 760.352.3831.
CFBF District 1 Rep: Janet Kister
Staff
Executive Director: Linsey Dale
TMDL: Candace Nelson
Bookkeeper: Tasha Denton
Office Coordinator: Cynthia Paz
3
Shaping the NextLinseyGeneration
of
Agriculturalists
Dale, Executive Director
changing the life of an Imperial Valley
student.
There’s an old Chinese Proverb that
says if you want happiness for a
lifetime, help the next generation.
Giving of my time and resources has
always been a top priority in my life
as a small way of giving back to my
community. Donations to athletic
programs, helping with 4-H projects
and activities, speaking at FFA conferences and even listening to my kids’
friends when they have a conflict that
needs an impartial mom’s advice are
all in a day’s work at the Dale Home.
Nothing is as rewarding as watching a
child blossom into a great, successful
and community-minded adult.
Which leads me to the Imperial County
Farm Bureau Scholarship program.
As a result of the Farm Bureau
Scholarship, the Jim Kuhn Memorial
Farmer of the Year Scholarship
funded by Farm Credit, and the
Matt LaBrucherie Memorial, Vern
Highley Memorial and Raul Rodriguez
Memorial Scholarships, twenty-six
Imperial Valley-based students were
awarded just under $25,000 in 2012.
As students come home for spring,
summer or winter breaks many
want to earn extra money and gain
additional knowledge of the agricultural industry. Special temporary
work programs or projects are ideal
avenues for students to make key
contacts and gain experiences not
learned in the classroom.
Setting an example or providing
guidance to a young student may
turn out to be the key to the path
they take in the future.
I encourage you to take a look at
your operation and see where you
might develop short-term employment
opportunities for students.
Generous donations have made this
the most exciting year ever and we
truly appreciate the kindness of every
contributor.
If your business doesn’t allow for a
temporary program, then think about
being a mentor. The best lessons
in life are not always taught in the
classroom. Setting an example or
providing guidance to a young student
may turn out to be the key to the path
they take in the future.
Although I could be selfish, only
wanting contributions to be made
to Farm Bureau so we can increase
the number of scholarships awarded,
there are other ways to help the next
generation that could go a long ways in
Although the author of this book may
not be my favorite political personality, it really does Take a Village to
raise a child. Or in this case…to raise
a future farmer, entomologist, or
Water Law attorney.
Linsey Dale, Executive Director
Who will be growing our
food & fiber in 30 years?
Support the students of today to secure the industry for tomorrow.
Consider a donation to the Farm Bureau scholarships and help today’s
youth blossom into tomorrow’s farmers, ranchers, researchers and more!
Imperial County Farm Bureau . 1000 Broadway, El Centro 92243 . 760.352.3831
4
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Regular Meetings
Farm Bureau Board Meetings
noon on the second Monday of every
month (except August) at the Farm Bureau
Board Room 1000 Broadway in El Centro.
Upcoming board meeting dates include:
P r i n t . Te l e v i s i o n . We b
September 10
November 12
October 8
December 10
IID Board Meetings
typically on Tuesdays at the IID Board Room
1285 Broadway in El Centro. Check IID’s Community
Calendar at www.iid.com for current meeting
dates & times, and for downloadable agendas.
Upcoming tentative meeting dates include:
August 7th 1pm . 14 th 5pm . 21 st 1pm
September 18 th 5pm . 25 th 1pm
October 9th 1pm . 16 th 5pm . 23 rd 1pm
November 6 th 1pm .13th 5pm . 20 th 1pm
December 10 th (Monday) 5pm . 18 th 1pm
Built 2008 | 15,000 square feet
Assumable Loan 5.58%
$3,625,000 debt due in 7 years amortized over 30 years
Net Operating Income $438,750 | Asking Price $6,500,000
Redding, CA, Social Security Office
7% CAP Rate, 8.2% Year 11
Aaa Credit Rating US Government
Single tenant 15-year lease with Social Security Administration
For more information on these or other investment
opportunities please call:
W.H. Ferguson & Company
R e a l
E s t a t e
Michael Bufano
(760) 604-1501
B r o k e r s
Bill Ferguson
(858) 945-3536
COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL | LAND | OFFICE | RETAIL
4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Ste 400 . San Diego, CA 92122 . (858) 546-2852
Summer 2012
youtube.com/cabountiful
Built 2010 | 19,974 square feet
Net Operating Income $546,000 | Asking Price $7,800,000
Featuring the people, places & products that make
up the fabric of our rich agricultural environment.
Single tenant 15-year lease with Social Security Administration
twitter.com/cabountiful
Aaa Credit Rating US Government
facebook.com/CaBountiful
Ontario, CA, Social Security Office
6.75% CAP Rate, 8.25% Year 11
Watch online at www.CaliforniaBountiful.com.
Investment or tax-deferred
exchange property
Farm Bureau Events
TMDL Update Deadline
September 1
Haz-Mat Transportation Class
September 19
Annual Meeting & Jim Kuhn Memorial
Farmer of the Year Award Banquet
Thursday, October 11
Office Hours
Stop by our office any time during business
hours to pay your membership dues, get
information about Farm Bureau benefits and
discounts, purchase calendars or Reporting is
Rewarding signs, or just to say hello!
Imperial County
Farm Bureau Office
1000 Broadway El Centro CA 92243
760.352.3831 | www.icfb.net
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Upcoming Holidays
Our office will be closed on the following:
September 3 | Labor Day
November 22 - 23 | Thanksgiving
December 25 | Christmas Day
January 1 | New Year’s Day
5
Nobody Likes Ch ange
Al Kalin, TMDL On-farm Consultant
Nobody likes change. I think we can
all agree on that, especially when that
change is for the worse.
As I reported in our last newsletter
the State Water Quality Control Board
denied Palo Verde’s Conditional
Prohibition and sent it back to the
Regional Water Quality Control Board.
The Regional Board is now crafting an
Ag Waiver for Palo Verde’s TMDL since
the state denied their request for a
Conditional Prohibition.
During our annual Silt TMDL Drainshed
Meetings, held in May and June, Jose
Angel, Assistant Executive Officer of
the Regional Water Quality Control
Board, gave a very depressing presentation. He told us we would have to
convert our Silt TMDL, run under a
Conditional Prohibition, to a more
onerous Ag Waiver within the next few
years after Ag Waivers are completed
for Palo Verde, Coachella Valley, and
the Bard/Winterhaven area.
The most successful TMDL in the
state, if not the nation, will be
ripped asunder... The reasoning
is purely bureaucratic. It has
nothing to do with results.
Our successful Silt TMDL, the most
successful TMDL in the state, if not
the nation; the winner of prestigious
State and Federal awards, will be
ripped asunder and reformed as an Ag
Waiver within the next few years.
I N S U R A N C E A G E N C Y
The reasoning is purely bureaucratic. It
has nothing to do with success. It has
nothing to do with results. We have
practically every acre in the Imperial
Valley signed up in the program and
have actually met and exceed the
goals set by the Regional Board.
With the system our TMDL currently
operates under, we don’t have to pay
the state any money. That does not set
well with the State or other farmers
in the state who pay exorbitant fees
to operate their TMDLs under an Ag
Waiver. So, the State is forcing us to
change to a Silt TMDL operated under
an Ag Waiver so they can charge us a
fee. Very little, if any, of the fee will be
used to run our Silt TMDL.
Currently the State is requiring farmers
operating under an Ag Waiver to pay
the State $0.56 per acre plus $100
dollars a year. That means an average
size farm of 2,000 acres would have
to pay the State $1,220 dollars every
year for something that is currently
Serving the Valley’s agricultural
community since 1921.
FARM & RANCH INSURANCE
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Allied
Insurance
A Nationwide Company
On Your Side
License 0226696
6
1225 MAIN STREET, EL CENTRO 352.2611
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
free for us. And, the fee is slated to
be increased in the coming year. If
that isn’t bad enough, the fee can
be raised any time the State thinks
it needs more money without any
input from us.
Of course the State claims it’s more
than just the money. They say the
Regional Board has no funding to
operate our Conditional Prohibition,
even though it is currently funded
by Federal grants obtained by our
Regional Board.
The State Water Code prohibits
charging a fee to members of a
Conditional Prohibition to operate
their TMDL. Legislature could easily
change this if it had backing from
the State Board. Will it happen? I
doubt it. More than likely the State
Water Board will look at legislature to remove the Conditional
Prohibition from the State Water
Code as one of three methods
to address impairments of their
waterways, thus forcing us to switch
to an Ag Waiver.
The Imperial County Farm Bureau,
under an agreement with the
Regional Water
Quality Control
Board, has
managed our
Voluntary Silt TMDL
Program since
its inception. It is
unknown who will
manage our future Silt TMDL, operating under an Ag Waiver. Not only
will the farmers have to pay a fee to
the State, they will also most likely
have to pay another fee to whoever
ends up running the local Ag Waiver.
In some areas of California farmers
are paying over $20 an acre for the
agency that is managing their TMDL
Ag Waiver.
The people at the State Water Board
that are forcing us to switch to an
Ag Waiver are the very same ones
that determine who receives grants
to operate our Voluntary Silt TMDL
Program. The State Water Board
and EPA have turned down our last
few grant requests, meaning the
current Imperial Valley Voluntary
TMDL Compliance Program run by
Imperial County Farm Bureau has
been running on vapor.
Fortunately the Imperial Irrigation
District voted to fund our Silt TMDL
Program for another year during
their board meeting on June 26,
2012. The IID has worked hand
in hand with farmers to address
the Silt TMDL issues since the Silt
TMDL’s inception. Since the IID has
an obligation to keep the water in
their drain system free of silt just
like the farmers, it certainly makes
good sense that they also fund the
farmer’s half of the Silt TMDL.
But, whether IID will continue
that funding in future years is
unknown.
Imperial Valley farmers could
provide 35,000 families of 4 with a
side dish of broccoli for their dinner
from one single acre.
In 2011, nearly 12,000 acres
of broccoli were grown here,
and enough broccoli was grown
to serve 1.7 BILLION people a
tasty and very nutritious side
dish with their dinner.
Summer 2012
Benefits of Membership
Farm Bureau members receive numerous
discounts as a benefit of membership.
From hotel and theme park discounts, to
insurance and worker’s comp discounts, to
telephone and weather service discounts,
membership in Farm Bureau pays.
Visit www.icfb.net and click on Membership
to learn about the discounts available statewide to Farm Bureau members.
NEW STATEWIDE DISCOUNT
General Motors
$500 discount on the purchase or lease
of select new Chevrolet, GMC or Buick
vehicles. Fleet vehicles qualify. Discount
must be processed at the time of delivery.
Contact Farm Bureau for more details.
Local Discounts
In addition to statewide discounts, Imperial
County Farm Bureau members also receive
discounts at several local retailers as well.
All Valley Battery
899 Main Street, Brawley
760.351.9244 or 760.587.6476
Ask for your Farm Bureau membership
discount at All Valley Battery!
Avery Weigh-Tronix
760.352.6000 Imperial County
619.318.2829 San Diego
Ask for your Farm Bureau membership discount
on reliable, affordable weighing systems!
Border Tactical
925 N. Imperial Avenue, El Centro
760.353.4884
10% discount on membership initiation
and monthly dues for the first year.
Hydrosorb PAM Products
Contact Sandra Miller 619.312.7777
[email protected] www.hydrosorb.com
10% off purchases; up to 15% off volume
purchases. Contact for pricing and other info.
Pacifica Research
ag accounting & inventory control software
Debbie or Dennis 760.344.1639
www.PacificaResearch.com
50% off general ledger software bundle
list prices. 10% off upgrades. Additional
discounts may be available: call for details.
Would you like to be listed here? Contact Candace
at 760.352.3831 to talk about offering a benefit or
discount to Imperial County Farm Bureau members.
7
Nearly 10,000
Students
Became
Farm
Smart
Last
Y
ear!
Nancy Caywood, Educational Outreach Coordinator, Farm Smart
FARM SMART finished up its
2011-2012 season on May 31st.
We are proud to have reached
9,533 learners of all ages this past
year. Since this program began in
2001, more than 88,000 people
have attended one or more FARM
SMART Programs.
Stephanie Collins and I will
be working hard this summer
preparing programs for the
2012-2013 season, which begins
October 8th. New curriculum and
props help to keep the program
updated and interesting. The National
Agriculture Science Center in Modesto
held a conference in June, which I
Back at home, the University of
California Desert Research and
Extension Center turns 100 years
old this year. Al Robertson is
working on a publication that will
highlight the history of this farm
and the major events that have
happened here over the past
century. We are very excited about
this publication and look forward
to seeing the finished product!
We thank each and every one of
you in our community for all of the
support you give to the FARM
SMART Program and are looking
forward to another terrific season!
attended. The conference included lots
of hands-on activities for educators and
was a great place to pick up new ideas!
We know Mother Nature
doesn’t wait.
That’s why we get your employees back to work
fast through our careful processing of claims. Plus,
we offer eligible Farm Bureau members a 20 percent
discount on premiums. It’s all part of our commitment
to California agriculture. Because Mother Nature
doesn’t stop, and neither do we.
As you drive around the Imperial Valley, watch for these
commodities growing in our local fields right now...
Bees’ Knees Imperial County is among the top honey-producing
counties in the nation. Think about how sweet that is when you see those
bee boxes stationed all around the fields right now.
How Sweet the Sound It’s not just honey that makes our
county so sweet. Imperial County is also a significant producer of
sugar beets, and you can still catch the humble-looking beets
being harvested and trucked to Holly Sugar where their
ugly-duckling-to-beautiful-swan style transformation takes place.
Melons Though we’re nearing the end of melon season, there are
State Compensation Insurance Fund is not a branch of the State of California.
Together, we’ll help keep California working.
statefundca.com
still a few fields with delicious juicy melons to be found around.
8
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Selected Statistics from the 2011 Crop & Livestock Report
Copies of the recently released 2011 Imperial County Crop & Livestock Report can be found at the Farm Bureau office or
the Ag Commissioner’s office. Crop reports dating back to 1907 can be downloaded online at www.co.imperial.ca.us/ag/
Onions
2011 Crop Production Totals
by commodity Group
2011
$903,959,000
$900,000,000
$700,000,000
$500,000,000
$400,000,000
Gross
Value
12%
increase
$800,000,000
2011
$403,880,000
$300,000,000
26%
increase
$200,000,000
$100,000,000
2011
$518,257,000
2011
2011
$64,237,000 $68,877,000
25%
30%
increase
increase
44%
increase
2011
$4,877,000
22%
increase
Production
Market
Onions
up 24%
Processor
Onions
down 13%
$1,000,000,000
$600,000,000
From 2010 to 2011, the price of onions and onion seed tumbled
as much as 64%, while overall production generally increased.
$0
Livestock
Field
Crops
Vegetables Fruits &
& Melons
Nuts
Seed &
Nursery
Price
Processor
Onions
down 0.5%
Onion
Seed
up 20%
Apiary
Economic Impact
Onion
Seed
down 44%
Processor
Onions
down 14%
The gross value of Imperial Valley’s agricultural production in
2011 was $1,964,087,000. That translates to:
an estimated $5.3 BILLION in overall economic impact.
Onion
Seed
down 53%
close to $2 BILLION in economic impact
from vegetable & melon production alone.
More than 53,000 jobs created and nearly
$1.2 BILLION in personal income.
One job for every 5 acres of vegetables & melons, and
one job for every 55 head of cattle.
Market
Onions
down 55%
Market
Onions
down 64%
Rise & Fall
All commodity groups increased in value from 2010 to 2011,
though there were some decreases in individual commodities.
Field Crops All field crop commodities increased in value, with
Kleingrass hay increasing almost 90%.
Fruits & Nuts
All individual commodities in fruits & nuts increased in value, with
Valencia oranges and tangerines seeing the largest increases..
Vegetables & Melons While the overall vegetables & melons
category saw a 12% increase over 2010, many individual commodities saw
decreases, including onions (see inset), processor carrots, spinach and all
categories of melons.
Livestock
All livestock commodities increased in value, with
market sheep increasing 82%, and cattle increasing 21%.
Seed & Nursery The non-certified seed & nursery category
increased overall, but onion seed decreased 44%. The certified seed
category also increased overall, but certified Bermudagrass seed
decreased 12%.
Apiary The overall apiary category increased 22%.
Within the category, honey and wax decreased (12% and
40%, respectively), but pollination increased 37%.
Summer 2012
Top Ten Commodities
2011
2010
1. . . . . . . . . . . . Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. . . . . . . . . . . . Leaf
Lettuce. . . . . . . . . . 2
3. . . . . . . . . . . . Alfalfa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. . . . . . . . . . . . Head Lettuce. . . . . . . . . 4
5. . . . . . . . . . . . Broccoli. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6. . . . . . . . . . . . Sugar Beets . . . . . . . . . . 7
7. . . . . . . . . . . . Carrots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8. . . . . . . . . . . . Bermudagrass . . . . . . . 12
9. . . . . . . . . . . . Wheat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
10 . . . . . . . . . . . Sudan Grass . . . . . . . . . 10
all data in this segment courtesy of Imperial
County Agriculture Commissioner’s office
9
Imperial Valley Commercial Banking
760.344.7505
Terry Harding
Relationship Manager
[email protected]
Imperial County Farm Bureau Golf Tournament
thank you to all those who sponsored our 4th annual golf tournament
Jordan Central Implement Co
MAJOR SPONSORS
.
Rubin Seeds LLC
.
Top Notch Seed Inc
Barkley Seed . Bloom to Box Crop Care . Clayton’s Inc . Community Valley Bank
Steve Dahm Ranches . Farm Credit Services Southwest . Kalin Farms . Imperial Compost
Michael H Johnson, Inc Agricultural Consulting . Klicka-Parker Insurance . Gary Mamer Farms
Mann Company . Smith-Kandal . SunTerra Produce . Vail Ranches . Jan Jeffcoat, financial planner
HOME
.
AUTO
.
RV
.
FARM
.
BUSINESS
Your Neighborhood
Insurance Agency
Serving the Imperial Valley
Since 1916
Mike and Laura Goodsell
564 Holt Ave
Holtville CA 92250
(760) 356-2986
Debbie Baro, Arona Farris, Leanna Babb,
Lily Medina-Aragon, Alexandria Justman, and Alicia Meraz
201 S Imperial Ave.
Imperial CA 92251
(760) 355-1377
Lic # 0E32771
10
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
CoopersWest
Insurance Agency
Featured Business Support Member
In 1916, Dale G. Cooper opened a
small insurance agency in Holtville.
More than 95 years later, Mike and
Laura Goodsell are the fourth Imperial
Valley family to have the good fortune
of owning the agency, which is licensed
in five states with clients receiving
services through two office locations,
in Holtville and Imperial.
in the local agriculture community,
maintaining their Farm Bureau Business
Support Membership for more than
twenty years and sponsoring many
Farm Bureau events including the Farm
Bureau Scholarship BBQ.
In addition to traditional property and
casualty insurance, CoopersWest
serves farmers and other agriculturerelated businesses through the
provision of crop insurance, property
insurance, business operations policies
and general liability coverage.
“We have a fundamental belief in the
importance of supporting farmers as
a backbone industry for our nation,”
said the Goodsells. “Beyond that, the
Farm Bureau itself does good work in
other areas as well; for example, the
scholarship opportunities it provides for
students pursuing farm-related educational experiences.”
The Goodsells are very active in the
communities they serve, with Laura
serving as a Chamber of Commerce
director in both Holtville and Imperial.
Mike teaches for Holtville Unified School
District and currently serves as the
Mayor Pro-Tem for the Holtville City
Council. CoopersWest is also active
Farm Bureau members receive
discounts on several insurance
products that can be purchased through
CoopersWest Insurance Agency. To
contact CoopersWest, call them at
760.297.5096 or stop by either of their
offices at 564 Holt Ave. in Holtville or
201 South Imperial Ave. in Imperial.
Mike and Laura Goodsell
Busin e ss Me m b e rs
We sincerely appreciate the support of our Platinum, Gold and Business Support Members. When you are doing business in
Imperial Valley, remember that each of these businesses is a proud supporter of Farm Bureau and the agriculture industry.
Oasis Organics
P la t in um Me m b e r
Community Valley Bank
G o ld Me m b e rs
Busin e ss S u p p o r t Me m b e rs
California Agricultural Network
Imperial Printers
Coopers West Insurance
Imperial Tarp & Covers, Inc.
Desert Commercial Bank
Jan Jeffcoat, financial planner
El Centro
Chamber of Commerce
Line-X of Imperial Valley
Farm Credit Services
Office Supply Company
Tyler Insurance Agency
Hydrosorb Inc.
Rabobank
Wells Fargo Bank NA
Imperial Grain Growers
Rockwood Chemical
W H Ferguson Co.
Imperial Irrigation District
Rolling R Enterprises
The Zenith Insurance Co.
San Diego County
Water Authority
Kenny Strickland, Inc.
Swain & Kennerson
Town & Country Real Estate
To learn more about these Farm Bureau membership levels, contact Farm Bureau at [email protected] or 760.352.3831.
Summer 2012
11
Im p e r ia l C o u n t y Fa r m B u r
Imperial County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Preston Hutch inson
Taylor Ortiz
Preston, a Brawley native, is extremely
active in the I Love Farmers, They Feed
My Soul agvocacy organization, in
addition to numerous other ag-related
organizations and activities in Yuma,
where he is attending Arizona Western
College. Preston is majoring in animal
science and hopes to open his own
feed and tack shop in the Valley.
Leilani Solomon
Leilani is a Brawley Union High School
graduate who will be entering her freshman
year at Imperial Valley College this fall, where
she will major in animal science. During high
school she was an active participant in FFA
and 4-H, serving as FFA Chapter Treasurer
and President, and raising steers, feeder
calves, dairy heifers, lambs and rabbits, in
addition to other extracurricular activities
including the Imperial Valley Shooting Club.
Taylor is entering her fourth year at the
University of Idaho where she is preparing
for a career in agricultural research.
Earlier this year, she was selected for the
Undergraduate Research Award by the
Weed Science Society of America. Taylor
works at the Weed Ecology Research &
Extension and hopes to continue on with
her research after college.
Kayanna Gilbert
Kayanna is beginning her third year at
Northern Arizona University where she has
been mentoring other students, serving
as instructor of an Introduction to College
course her sophomore year. She is on
track to complete her Bachelor’s degree
a semester early and looks forward to
returning to the Valley after completing
her education to become a supportive
member of our vibrant local community.
Julia Wh ittle
Robert Ph illips
Julia began working on a feed lot at the
age of 12, and has spent many summers
and weekends driving tractors and water
trucks, cleaning drinkers and processing
cattle. As a member of Brawley FFA, Julia
raised market sheep, raising the FFA
Reserve Grand Champion market lamb
in 2010. This fall Julia will begin her first
year at Brigham Young University, Idaho.
Kylee Singh
Vern Highley Memorial Scholarship
Kylee is a graduate of
Brawley Union High
School and Humboldt
State University. This
fall she will begin
her second year as
a graduate student
at Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo where she
is working toward
her Master’s in public policy. After
graduating, Kylee plans to begin a
career in the agricultural non-profit
sector where she hopes to “fairly
represent the Imperial Valley and help
preserve the farming way of life.”
Maureen Croak
12
Robert has dreamed of becoming a crop
duster pilot since the age of 5, and is
now well on his way to attaining that goal.
This fall he will begin his second year at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
where he completed his first solo flight
on December 8, 2011. After graduation
Robert will serve our country as a
commissioned officer in the US Army.
Lindsey
Stiff
Lindsey is a fourth
year student
at Cal Poly San
Luis Obispo.
She recently
transferred from
the animal science
department to the
agriculture sciences
department
because she recognizes the strong
need for educating future generations
about agriculture. Her concentration
is animal science and she hopes
to earn her teaching credential and
eventually her Master’s degree.
Maureen just completed her sophomore
year at Imperial Valley College, where
she is studying ag education. A Holtville
native, she spent 15 years involved in
4-H and 6 years in FFA. She is currently
working toward her American FFA
Degree - one of the highest honors an
FFA Member can earn.
Amanda
van Leeuwen
Amanda is a graduate
of Imperial High
School, where she
served as President
of the Associated
Student Body and
the Student Council.
Her family has
been involved in the dairy industry for
generations, and Amanda plans to major
in dairy science at Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo. She aspires to continue her
family’s tradition, possibly marketing her
own brand of ice cream in the future.
Brea Haller
After spending a week with the California
Legislature her senior year at Imperial
High School, advocating for FFA and the
agriculture industry, Brea knew that a
career in ag was the right choice. She is
entering her second year at Cal Poly San
Luis Obispo, and plans on a career that
will allow her to advocate for agriculture.
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
r e au S c h o la rs h ip Re c ip ie n ts
Raul Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship
Brooke Bradshaw
Brooke hopes to begin her career
promoting U.S. agricultural commodities
or services, and eventually aspires to
become a United States Ambassador.
Since graduating from Holtville High
School, Brooke has been attending
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she is
majoring in agribusiness. She will enter
her second year at Cal Poly this fall.
Joshua Klockmann
Joshua grew up outside of Brawley on
a small date grove, and enjoyed being
involved in agriculture. While participating
in Brawley FFA, Joshua served two terms
as Chapter President and earned his
American FFA Degree. This fall, he will
begin his freshman year as a student at
Cal Poly Pomona, where he will major in
plant science.
Lucio Zepeda
At Cal Poly Pomona, Lucio
manages over 6,000 square feet
of hydroponically grown tomatoes,
strawberries and lettuce in addition to
keeping up with his studies as a third
year plant science / agronomy major.
Lucio grew up working on his father
and grandfather’s cattle ranch and is a
first-generation college student.
Lesly Larios
Since the age of 9, Lesly has raised,
shown, bred and sold award-winning
market goats and cattle, and has donated
all the proceeds from her goats to the
American Cancer Society. A graduate
of Holtville High School, Lesly plans to
attend San Diego State University and
then Cal Poly Pomona, where she aims to
earn her degree in animal science.
Matth ew LaBruch erie Memorial Sch olarsh ip
Ch ristina Dammarell
This fall, Christina will begin her second
year at Bethel College in Indiana.
She has enjoyed learning about the
differences between the agricultural
methods used in different parts of the
nation, and enjoys sharing what she
learned growing up as a part of the
Imperial Valley ag community. After
college she looks forward to returning to
the Valley to begin her career.
Cory Hanks
Cory earned his Bachelor’s degree from
Baylor University, where he completed
an undergraduate research thesis that is
now awaiting publication. He is entering
his second year at the Louisiana State
University School of Veterinary Medicine.
After earning his DVM, Cory hopes to
continue working in research, focusing on
animal nutrition and biomedical research.
Kassandra Buzo
As a student at Brawley Union High
School, Kassandra participated in
the Math Club, California Scholastic
Federation, and Brawley FFA among
numerous other clubs and activities.
This fall she will begin her studies at
Cal Poly Pomona. Kassandra plans
to major in zoology in preparation for
becoming a veterinarian.
Summer 2012
Courtney Miller
A Brawley Union High School graduate,
Courtney has been involved in the
agricultural community all her life. She
served on several Cattle Call committees
the Junior Fair Board, and as co-chair of
the Mini Rodeo held for special-needs
children and adults. This fall, Courtney
will begin her third year at Oklahoma
State University, majoring in animal
science with a biotechnology emphasis.
Katlyn Loch er
Katlyn has been a member of 4-H since
she was 9 years old, and served two years
as Vice President of Southwest Valley 4-H
in addition to helping as a teen leader
for four years. This fall, she will begin her
freshman year at Imperial Valley College
where she will major in agricultural science.
After college she hopes to pursue a career
in crop and livestock management.
Wesley Deen
Growing up watching his father work
in production agriculture, Wesley
learned to love and appreciate the
agricultural way of life. He aspires to
a career in production agriculture or
pest management, and is entering
his second year at Cal Poly San Luis
Obispo, where he is earning a strong
GPA on his way to achieving that goal.
13
Jim Kuh n Memorial
Farmer of th e Year Sch olarsh ip
Matt LaBrucherie Memorial Scholarship cont’d
Steve n McFaddin
Steven is a student at Imperial Valley
College where he is majoring in agriculture
business and serves as the IVC Ag Club’s
Vice President. Steven hopes to earn a
degree from Cal State Fresno and embark
on a career as a commodities broker,
so he can help distribute the Valley’s
abundant agricultural commodities
throughout the world.
funded by Farm Credit Services Southwest
in honor of 2011 Farmer of the Year Neal Jack
Ch eyenne Ayala
Cheyenne will be entering her fourth
year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo this fall,
where she is majoring in agribusiness.
Cheyenne has become involved in the
Cal Poly Agri-Fair Program, which has
allowed her to study and participate
in the California fair industry. She was
selected as a Blue Ribbon Intern at the
Western Fairs Association conference
earlier this year and aspires to a career
in California fair management.
Deborah de la Riva
Deborah is in her second year of
graduate studies in entomology
at UC Riverside, where she
has participated in numerous
hands-on research projects and
has shown a strong proficiency in
research. She was awarded first
place in a Ph.D. Research Poster
Competition held by the Pacific
Branch of the Entomological
Society of America, and will
likely have a strong impact on ag
research in the future.
David Th euret
David recently transferred from UCLA to
UC Riverside so he could participate in
the strong entomology research program
at Riverside. Since transferring, David has
participated in several hands-on research
projects and has already accomplished work
that will likely have an impact on California
agriculture, in particular animal health.
Allison Cameron
Six years ago Allison established a
swine breeding operation with her
father. Since then she has shown
throughout Southern California
and Arizona, and has served as an
instructor at various swine show clinics
within the region. This fall, Allison will
transfer from Imperial Valley College
to Texas Tech University majoring in
environmental crop & soil science.
Farm Credit Services Southwest has served generations of farmers and ranchers.
That dedication was born from our shared commitment to this land. What’s more,
when you get a loan from FCSSW, you become a member – entitled to your share of
the profits. We’ve distributed more than $34.7 million to our members over the
past 10 years. Call us and let’s talk about your growing potential.
Growing potential. 1-800-433-9662 www.fcssw.com
14
loans & financing | family business planning | insurance | appraisals | investments | leasing
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Sc h o larsh ip to Ho no r th e McCo nne lls
Prior to their tragic deaths in
June, Jack and Pauline McConnell
were strong advocates for agriculture education. Jack served
on the Farm Bureau scholarship
committee for as long as it existed,
and outside of Farm Bureau the
pair shared their rich knowledge
with many local and even international students of all ages.
could. “They were always there,
wherever needed,” remembered
Farm Bureau advisory board
member Don Brock.
Jack and Pauline regularly brought a
sensible perspective to board discussions.
Larry Gilbert
“I’d ask Pauline where Jack was,”
said Steve Sharp, “and I thought
she was joking when she would
say he’s down at the orphanage.
It wasn’t until many years later I
found out she was serious.
It is fitting, then, that their legacy
will continue in a Jack & Pauline
McConnell Memorial Scholarship
fund, being established by Farm
Bureau in the McConnells’ memory.
In losing the McConnells, we have lost a piece of
Imperial Valley history, a piece of Imperial Valley
Of course, the legacy of this amazing
community and an all around lovely couple who
couple goes far beyond a scholarship
fund in their names. They were among
made everyone feel like welcome friends.
the last of a generation of pioneers,
the likes of which this county will
never see again; a generation that laid
the foundations that we sometimes
take for granted here in this Valley.
Jack and Pauline’s untimely loss will be felt
not only here in the farming community, but
Valley-wide. Their love of this county will
forever be remembered and sorely missed.
Mark McBroom
As Steve Sharp, former Farm Bureau
board member and long-time friend of
the McConnells, said, “We as younger
people should sit down with the
so-called ‘older farmers’ of the Valley
and listen, and learn why we have what
we have here. Contrary to what some
may think, it’s not about anything we
are doing. We are just a continuation of
our past pioneers.”
Jack’s family came to the Valley in
1908, and created a successful farm
out of what was still sand dunes east
of El Centro. For more than 100 years,
a member of the McConnell family has
lived and worked on that piece of land
on McConnell Road, with Jack and
Pauline living there for over 60 years.
For nearly as long as they’ve lived on
McConnell Road, Jack and Pauline
have been involved in Farm Bureau.
Jack joined the Farm Bureau board in
the 1950s, and served on the board
continuously until his death. He was
the board President from 1979-1980,
Summer 2012
Nicole Rothfleisch
and served as a delegate to the
California Farm Bureau for many years.
Pauline served on the board of the
Farm Bureau Women - including terms
as President - as well as the Farm
Bureau board of directors. Pauline also
served on the California Mid-Winter Fair
Board and was very active in California
Women for Agriculture.
Cassie Gilbert remembered that “for
many years, Pauline supervised the
annual Farm Bureau BBQ... Those of
us who helped her remember fondly
working with her and how she kept
everything running smoothly.” Heidi
Kuhn also remembers, “I always appreciated Pauline’s cheerful and hardworking attitude as she directed those
of us helping out in the kitchen.”
“They never wanted to be thanked
or recognized for their charity,” he
continued, “they truly did things out of
the goodness of their hearts,”
The McConnells were named Jim Kuhn
Memorial Farmers of the Year in 2007
in recognition of their contributions to
the local agriculture industry. “It was
more than fitting that Jack and Pauline
received this award,” said Don Brock,
“This recognition illustrated the value of
teamwork and moreover, the extreme
importance of the family unit.”
“What an absolute treasure those two
were, and always will be to our Valley
community,” said Nicole Rothfleisch,
former Farm Bureau Executive Director
and current advisory board member.
When asking people to write a few
words in memory of the McConnells for
this article, the response was nearly
universal: a combination of awe at the
task at hand - summing up such an
incredible pair of Valley pioneers in just
a few words; and humility - no one felt
Pauline could even make onion ice cream taste good. that they were worthy of writing about
Cassie Gilbert
a couple who meant so much to our
As a Farm Bureau board member, Jack community and our local industry. That
in and of itself says much about this
was highly respected by fellow board
couple and their accomplishments,
members. “I always appreciated the
their demeanor and their efforts.
fact that Jack’s comments in Farm
Bureau debates were balanced and
I have found myself full of joy at having
fair. His many years of experience
the opportunity to know the McConnells, and
always added an important perspective
to the issues the Board of Directors
thankful to have been able to share in just a
faced,” said former Farm Bureau board
tiny part of the huge and rich life they led.
member and fellow Jim Kuhn Memorial
Steve Sharp
Farmer of the Year honoree Heidi Kuhn.
Don Brock stated, “Jack and Pauline
Outside of their Farm Bureau
epitomized what is best in this country:
involvement, Jack and Pauline could be a lifetime of achievement, and a
found quietly helping out wherever they
remarkable example for us to follow.”
15
Damaging
California Ground Squirrels Found Locally
Reyes Treviso, Ag Biologist/Standards Specialist IV, Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
The California ground squirrel
was recently found in the Imperial
Valley. California ground squirrels
(Spermophilius beecheyi) are found
in nearly all regions of California
except for Owens Valley (located in
the eastern part of the state) and
southward into the desert regions.
inches and the tail about 5 to 9 inches.
They are much larger than the native
round-tailed ground squirrel already
found throughout Imperial County.
They live in a burrow system where
they sleep, rest, rear young, store food,
and avoid danger. They are diurnal
but avoid the heat of the midday. The
opening of their burrows is about 4
inches in diameter, the length can be
5 to 30 feet, and can extend 2 to 4
feet below the soil surface. During the
winter months they hibernate and in
the hottest time of the year they go
into a period of inactivity called estivation. They produce about one litter
per year. The average size of a litter is
about 7 or 8.
However, the squirrels have been
found along a canal and in irrigation
drains near the town of Seeley and the
El Centro Naval Air Station. They were
seen near their burrows in the banks
of the drains and along the edge of a
concrete-lined canal. They were also
seen foraging in nearby alfalfa and
wheat fields.
California ground squirrels are easy
to identify because they forage above
ground near their burrows. Their fur is
brownish gray and speckled with offwhite along the back. The sides of the
head and shoulders are light gray to
whitish. Their body measures 9 to 11
They cause damage by feeding on
certain vegetables and field crops
such as sugar beets, beans, alfalfa,
and cotton at seedling stage. Damage
to crops is caused also by the burrows
continued page 18
CERTIFIED
ISO
9002
SPECIALIZED LUBRICANTS
Distributor of
&
ALEX MORALES
Distributor Representative
GRO
a biodegradable, non-ionic surfactant
CELL
(760) 996-5081
(928) 920-2643
(760) 353-7439
conserves water
better root growth
or
retains moisture
better germination
FAX
enhances fertilizers
16
511 EUCLID AVE
EL CENTRO CA 92243
(760) 353-3679
improved yield & quality
RADIO 125*317372*14
[email protected]
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Summer 2012
17
California Ground Squirrels
continued from page 16
and runways that tumble small
seedling plants. In orchards they
cause damage by gnawing on the bark
of young trees, plastic sprinkler heads,
irrigation lines, and by burrowing and
desiccating roots of trees.
California ground squirrels are known
to be quite destructive to irrigation
systems. Burrowing activities weaken
levees, canals, and ditch banks.
Burrows can result in loss of irrigation
water by unwanted diversions, and
accelerate erosion, cause wash-outs,
and increase silt and sediment in
irrigation water.
The Imperial County Agricultural
Commissioner’s office is asking for
your cooperation in reporting any
sightings of the California ground
squirrel. Until we know how widespread this squirrel is, we won’t know if
it’s possible to eradicate this pest from
our area. Any possible sightings of
California ground squirrels should be
reported to our office at
760.482.4314.
DoL Withdraws Youth Labor Proposal
This spring, the U.S. Department
of Labor announced it was withdrawing its August 2011 proposal
to revise rules governing work on
farms by workers under age 17.
Those regulations had attracted a
lot of attention and concern among
farm and ranch families across the
country. The Department received
more than 18,000 comments from
concerned stakeholders, nearly all
of them negative.
This is a clear-cut victory for farmers
and ranchers, pushing back on needlessly intrusive regulations proposed
by un-elected bureaucrats, most of
whom have probably never seen a
farm, let along worked on a farm. If you
were one of the many California
farmers and ranchers who commented
to DoL about your concerns, pat
yourself on the back; you deserve
congratulations for participating in
your democratic process.
Farm Credit Services Southwest
New Branch Office and Ag Center
Opened May 2012
offices & meeting space
12,474 square feet
BBQ area
Ag Center can accommodate groups up to 100 for agricultural events.
Timely
Alerts
Learn about
upcoming legislation
that will affect
your business.
Take
Action
Contact your
legislator with a
few simple clicks
Learn more at
cfbf.com/
farmteam
18
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
UF W Sponsors
Heat Illness Lawsuit Bill
courtesy of Farm Employers Labor Service
industries, AB 2346 applies only to
agricultural employees.
The United Farm Workers (UFW) is
pushing new legislation, the “Farm
Worker Safety Act of 2012,” just as
legislation begins moving for the 2012
session. The new heat illness bill,
AB 2346 by Assembly Member Betsy
Butler (D-Marina del Rey) would codify
in the Labor Code a drastic revision
of the provisions in Cal/OSHA’s Heat
Illness Prevention (HIP) standard,
including, among many other new
requirements, to provide:
Industry observers are at a loss to
understand the motivation behind the
bill. “After the initial year, every year
since then, there have been more
inspections, but fewer violations have
been found. As employers are finding
about the requirements and how to
implement them, they’re complying.
I think it’s a huge improvement. I
don’t know where UFW is pulling its
information to scare the legislators
that Cal/OSHA is not doing its job,”
commented Lupe Sandoval of the
California Farm Labor Contractors
Association.
•Shade with seating or ground
covering for every employee on a
crew at all times within 200 feet of
where they are working, regardless of
ambient air temperature.
•Drinking water with a temperature of
70°F or less within 10 feet of each
employee.
UFW spokesperson Maria Machuca
said the motivation behind AB 2346
is to “make sure farm workers don’t
die in the fields anymore. Since the
State of California issued the first heat
regulation in the nations to prevent
farm workers from dying of extreme
heat in 2005, 16
preventable farm
worker deaths have
occurred.”
•Mandatory 15-minute breaks every
two hours when the temperature
is 80°F or more, with piece-rate
employees to be paid additional pay
for those breaks at their average
piece-rate pay for the pay period.
•The bill permits farm employees
to sue their employer for alleged
failures to comply with these new
Labor Code provisions and would
allow employees of a farm labor
contractor to sue the farmer or
rancher hiring the FLC for the FLC’s
alleged failure to comply.
Dean Fryer, a
spokesperson for
the Department
of Industrial
Relations (the parent
department of Cal/
OSHA) disputed
While Cal/OSHA’s HIP standard applies
to employees working outdoors in all
As of press time...
Chris Dammarell
Spray-on Truck Bedliners
Soda Blasting . Sand Blasting
Industrial Coatings
Summer 2012
E Ross Ave
S Dogwood Rd
For more info, contact FELS Chief Operating Officer
Bryan Little at 800.753.9073 or [email protected], or
visit FELS’ website: www.fels.net.
McCullom St
The Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS), an affiliate of
California Farm Bureau Federation, provides labor-management
consultation, union avoidance, human resources education,
compliance materials & products, and workplace safety & health
training for ag employers throughout California and Oregon.
Wensley Ave
S Hope St
Wh o is Farm Employers Labor Service?
FELS’s parent organization, California
Farm Bureau Federation, and other
organizations representing agricultural
employers in California are vigorously
opposing AB 2346. FELS Newsletter
will keep you informed of developments on this nightmarish bill.
LINE-X
AB 2346 bill has been passed by the
Assembly, 41 - 28, and is moving to the Senate.
How did your representatives vote?.
Manuel Perez - yes
Machuca’s allegations: “There have
been 13 confirmed, coroner-verified
heat-related fatalities – not the
inflated number of 16 used by the
UFW. In regards to inspections,
we have conducted a disproportionate number of inspections
over the past six years and have
seen tremendous results through
increased enforcement, outreach
and education. The results are clear.
Fewer deaths have occurred and
the employer compliance rate has
increased.” Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen
Widess agreed with Fryer: “Over the
last three years, we had one heatconfirmed fatality in agriculture.”
Location
1090 McCullom
in El Centro
760-427-2725 phone
19
Are
You
Ready
to
Ride?
John Valentine, Sponsor Relations Account Executive, Allied & Nationwide Insurance
With more than 16 million people
now using all-terrain vehicles for work
and fun, ATVs are kicking up more
dirt than ever. Whether riding ATVs
for work or play, adult or child, the
powerful machines can quickly create
dangerous situations.
Must-know Rules for Safe Riding
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are
frequently used on the farm or ranch
to haul supplies or get to the field, but
ATVs often serve another purpose:
recreation. Unfortunately, children
are frequently victims of accidents on
ATVs. According to the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, four out
of every 10 people treated each year
in emergency rooms for ATV injuries
are under age 16. 77% of families with
children 16 and under ride as a family
recreation activity.
Here are the ATV Safety Institute’s
Golden Rules:
•Always wear a helmet and other
protective gear.
•Never ride on public roads.
•Never ride under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs.
•Never carry a passenger on a singlerider vehicle.
•Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
General guidelines are:
•Age 6 and older – under 70cc
•Age 12 and older – 70cc to 90cc
•Age 16 and older – over 90cc
•Supervise riders younger than 16 –
ATVs are not toys.
•Ride only on designated trails and at
a safe speed.
•Take a hands-on safety course.
Protecting What Matters
Parents should determine each family
member’s readiness to operate an ATV
based on physical size, coordination,
balance, ability to judge distances,
willingness to follow rules, and
peripheral vision.
ATVs’ zooming popularity also has
prompted more people to ask about
ATV insurance coverage, because
accidents can happen. California Farm
Bureau members have access to ATV
coverage under the powersports and
farm owners’ policies with special
Farm Bureau member rates.
It’s important all family members know
and follow necessary precautions
every time ATVs are used – for work or
for play.
ATVs are included in the powersports
coverage from Nationwide Insurance,
which comes with a 5% discount for
California Farm Bureau members.
$500 GRAND PRIZE
2012 Photo Contest
Prizes in five categories,
including Budding Artists
(13 & younger)
Entries must be
postmarked by Sept. 29, 2012.
For more information or to download an entry form:
www.cfbf.com • 916-561-5550
20
Additional savings may apply for
insuring multiple vehicles, combining
other Nationwide policies with
powersports, and completing an ATV
safety program.
The coverage includes protection
against losses from collisions,
vandalism, and damage caused by
uninsured and underinsured drivers.
Theft of your ATV is also part of the
coverage, which is important because
some policies don’t cover theft.
For farmers, it’s important to know that
liability for off-premises recreational
use of an ATV isn’t covered by most
farm policies. So if you or your family
rides your ATV(s) off your property,
you may not be covered. Make sure
your agent knows how you use these
vehicles, so he can ensure the proper
coverage is in place. The AgriChoice®
policy from Nationwide Agribusiness
can be endorsed to provide liability
coverage for off-premises recreational use of an ATV. Without that
endorsement, most policies limit
coverage to on-premises use.
For information about protecting
your ATV with a Powersports policy
or as part of your farmer owner
coverage, contact a local
Nationwide or Allied agent, or visit
www.nationwide.com/cfbf.
�����IVC�Fall�Ag�Classes�����
Check out a few of the ag classes available this Fall at IVC.
Ag Economics . Ag 130 . The role of agriculture resources in economic growth. Trade, policy & marketing activities of agriculture.
Principles of Plant Science .
Ag 140 . Growth processes, propagation, genetic improvement/biotechnology, soil environment and biological competitors. Special focus on crops grown locally.
Food & Fiber in a Changing World .
Ag 160 . Relationship of agriculture and natural resources to society. Issues & opportunities in agriculture now and in the future.
Field & Cereal Crops . Ag 240 . Production and soil management, including distribution and utilization of major field & cereal crops.
Classes begin August 20. You don’t have to be a
full-time student to take advantage of these classes!
Visit www.imperial.edu for more details.
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Summer 2012
21
When is the Best Time to Review Your Insurance Coverage?
Guest Column
When is the best time to review your
insurance coverage? Traditionally,
coverage reviews are done in the time
period right before one’s policy renews;
however, sometimes this is not always
the best time to work through all
of one’s insurance account.
A coverage review prior to renewal
usually is a check to see that the items
being insured are correct. However, this
time period may not be the best time
for a more in-depth consideration of
one’s insurance program.
If you look at a typical farm insurance
package account there are generally
the following parts to it: farm buildings,
possibly a home and farm dwellings,
farm equipment, irrigation equipment,
hay coverage, a fleet of light trucks
and autos, perhaps a few ATVs, etc.
Frequently a review of one’s farm
package coverage is limited to checking
to see that a drivers list is correct,
checking to see that a field list is
correct, checking to see that the auto
list is correct, and checking to see
that the equipment list is up to date.
David Tyler, Tyler Insurance Agency
With this, done a couple of months
before renewal, the intent is to have the
account setup as accurate as possible
for the coming year. This is a good thing
to do. While ideally this should be done
each year, in reality it doesn’t always
happen. And, matching an insurance
policy to a list of assets such as farm
equipment or farm vehicles is only as
accurate as the list of assets. Over the
years I have seen many an equipment
list that is quite out of date.
Matching an insurance policy
to a list of assets is only as
accurate as the list of assets.
One approach that I have found helpful
is to take the renewal process out of
the coverage review and intentionally
review accounts in the middle of a
policy year. Without the deadline of a
renewal pending, the coverage review
takes on a whole different flavor. The
agenda becomes not so much about
what specific items are covered, and
instead becomes more of a long-term
planning meeting. In this conversation,
Without the deadline of a renewal
pending, the coverage review takes
on a whole different flavor.
the pros and cons of optional coverages
can be discussed and one can also
discuss the insurance implications
of possible changes in your farming
operations. It seems that there are a lot
of decisions that you may make about
your farming operation that aren’t
about insurance, but many of these
decisions can end up having insurance
implications. It’s easier to work these
implications through if the renewal date
isn’t looming in the next month or so.
It’s good to check to see that you have
the specifics of your insurance account
set up correctly with the traditional
account review prior to renewal.
However, it can be very helpful to take a
step back from the specifics and check
on the insurance implications of your
long-term plans at a different time of
year as well.
David Tyler is Vice-President of Tyler Insurance
Agency, which has been insuring farms, homes
and more in the Imperial Valley since 1921.
Co n tac t your Represe n tatives
Become a part of California Farm Bureau’s FARM TEAM, and receive timely Action Alert emails
that make contacting your legislators about important issues quick & easy.
Go to www.icfb.net/issues.html and click on Join Farm Team. Or call us at 760.352.3831!
United States
Representatives
President Barack Obama
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
www.whitehouse.gov
[email protected]
(202) 456-1414 phone
(202) 456-2461 fax
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
750 B St., #1030
San Diego, CA 92101
feinstein.senate.gov
(619) 231-9712 phone
(619) 231-1108 fax
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
600 B St., Ste. 2240
San Diego, CA 92101
boxer.senate.gov
(619) 239-3884 phone
(619) 239-5719 fax
22
U.S. Representative Bob Filner
1101 Airport Rd., Ste. D
Imperial, CA 92251
www.house.gov/filner
(760) 355-8800 phone
State Representatives
Gov. Jerry Brown
State Capitol Bldg.
Sacramento, CA 95814
[email protected]
(916) 445-2841 phone
State Sen. Juan Vargas
1224 State St., Ste. D
El Centro, 92243
[email protected]
(760) 335-3442 phone
State Rep. Manuel Perez
68-700 Ave. Lalo Guerrero, Ste. B
Cathedral City, 92234
assemblymember.perez@
assembly.ca.gov
(916) 319-2080 phone
County Supervisors
IID Directors
County Administrative Center
940 West Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243-2839
www.co.imperial.ca.us
Imperial Irrigation District
P.O. Box 937
Imperial, CA 92251
www.iid.com
District 1: John Renison
District 1: Matt Dessert
[email protected]
(760) 482-4220
[email protected]
(760) 427-3008
District 2: Jack Terrazas
District 2: John Pierre Menvielle
[email protected]
(760) 482-4306
[email protected]
(760) 562-1191
District 3: Michael Kelley
[email protected]
(760) 482-4308
District 3: James C. Hanks
[email protected]
(760) 455-3471
District 4: Gary Wyatt
[email protected]
(760) 482-4613
District 4: Stella Mendoza
District 5: Raymond Castillo
[email protected]
(760) 482-4220
[email protected]
(760) 455-9321
District 5: vacant
Imperial County Farm Bureau Newsletter
Irrigation Technology
FOR THE FUTURE
AGRICULTURE
ENVIRONMENTAL
GREEN INDUSTRY
New Heavy-Duty
Cap & Body
Available Soon
THE R2000WF ROTATOR
Find out why the R2000WF “WINDFIGHTER” is BETTER
THAN BRASS. Whether you own your pipe, or rent — it’s
time to SPECIFY NELSON ON BOARD. Contact us today
for a free sample*.
S HIGH UNIFORMITY
S EASY TO CLEAN
S LONG WEAR LIFE
S NO RISER VIBRATION
S EASY TO REPAIR
S NO SEALS UNDER PRESSURE
* Reference Imperial
County FB 7/12
Download a free QR Code Reader on your smart phone and scan this code to watch
video or go to: www.youtube.com/pivotirrigation and look for “Better Than Brass”.
Tel: 1.800.405.1400
Summer 2012
[email protected]
Paid Advertisements
Fax: 1.509.525.7907
23
San Diego CA
Imperial County Farm Bureau
1000 Broadway
El Centro CA 92243
Presort Standard
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit 751
San Diego CA
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit 751
San Diego CA
Is your address correct on this newsletter?
Please contact us with any corrections to your mailing address!
Call Farm Bureau at 760.352.3831 or email us at [email protected].
Myste r y P h o to
We know the identity of one of
the lovely ladies in this photo. On
the far right is Pauline McConnell,
in one of the many roles she
held in the Farm Bureau Women
organization. Pauline was very
active in this organization as
well as numerous others, both
agricultural and non-agricultural,
throughout our community.
The other three women were
likely leaders in the Farm Bureau
Women organization as well, but
we do not know the identity of any
of them. Do you?
If you know the identity of these
women, or have information
about any of our mystery photos,
contact Candace at the Farm
Bureau office: 760 . 352 . 3831 or
[email protected].
Do you enjoy the Mystery Photo? Consider purchasing a Farm Bureau calendar, filled with selections from
our historic photo collection. The 2013 Farm Bureau Historical Photo Calendar will be available this fall, and
proceeds will go toward helping local students participate in the fantastic local Farm Smart agriculture
education program. Stop by or call the Farm Bureau office (760.352.3831) to pre-order your 2013 Farm
Bureau Historical Photo calendar for just $20 today!
Mystery (partly) Solved!
We identified most of the gentlemen in this photo thanks to the help of several of our
members, including Earle Sperber, Bob Shank, Bill DuBois, Sr., and Jack McConnell.
In the back row, from left to right: Virgil Corfman, “Red” Sperber, unidentified, Hoxsie
Smith, Stephen Elmore, and Jim Simmons. In the front row, Nelson Correll is on the left.
The gentleman on the right holding the papers remains unidentified. According to Jack
McConnell, whom we were fortunate enough to chat with about this photo before his
untimely death: “He’s wearing a tie, so he’s clearly not a local guy.” Makes sense to us!
If you have any other information about this photo, let us know at 760.352.3831 or
[email protected]!