2012 Between the Furrows Cover Template

Between the Furrows
june 2012
Volume 36, Issue 6
INSIDE
this issue
A Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Monthly Publication
D ow n to E a r t h Wo m e n L u n c h e o n
Record Attendance! Wine Industry Highlighted
3 Ask Laura
4-H Volunteer Projects
4 Water Nanny
Separation Anxiety
5 R
ecipe
Berry Cobbler
11 Calendar
Find Us On Facebook
Follow Us on Twitter
FARM
U
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
A
(L-R) Loretta Estrada, Laura Brown, Rachelann Daniel, Norma Kriege, Sherry Mehl and
Emma Solden decked out in their beautiful spring hats and enjoying the DEW Luncheon
bout 190 people, mostly women, attended the 5th Annual Down to Earth
Women (DEW) Luncheon which was
held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Driscoll’s
Rancho Corralitos in Watsonville. This event is
supported by women involved in, or supporting, agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the
Pajaro Valley. The purpose of the luncheon
is to raise funds for Agri-Culture’s Focus Agriculture program, the Jimmie Cox Memorial
Scholarship fund and the Santa Cruz County
Farm Bureau’s school programs.
This year’s featured speaker was Pamela
Storrs, co-founder of Storrs Winery who spoke
on the topic of “Wine, Women & Wildlife”.
Storrs told the crowd, “We need to teach people to be patient with agriculture”. She mentioned the importance of programs like Focus
Agriculture. Pam Zamani, a member of Class
IV of Focus Agriculture, also spoke about her
experience as a participant in the program.
She related some of her experiences and told
of the wonderful relationships she still has
with fellow participants.
Continued on Page 11
Between The Furrows is a monthly
publication of the SCCFB.
Members receive a subscription as
part of their membership investment.
Mary Walter, Editor
Jess Brown, Managing Editor
141 Monte Vista Avenue
Watsonville, California 95076.
(831) 724-1356 or (831) 688-0748
Fax: (831) 724-5821
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.sccfb.com
(L-R) Cristina King, Neva Hansen and Georgeann
Eiskamp made sure the program ran smoothly
V isit
If you didn’t have you own hat, Nita Gizdich
would find one just right for you
our website at www . sccfb . com
President’s Message
Chris Enright, President
“Politics is the
art of looking for
trouble, finding
it everywhere,
diagnosing it
incorrectly, and
applying the
wrong remedies”
– Groucho Marx
W
Don’t Become The Menu
e just got over another election, which reminds me of the old axiom:
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it
incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.” – Groucho Marx
Being cynical is easy when it comes to the political process. With every election
comes promise of change. If the change is too drastic the courts tie it up, and it can feel
like our vote never counted. Lately we’ve been voting for or against policies that offer
more regulation, more taxation, and less and less liberty. With every election it’s getting
harder for farmers to farm, fishermen to fish and loggers to log.
On the positive side, voting is arguably our most effective way of voicing opposition,
and in times like these we need as many common sense voters as can be mustered. We
are still in the midst of economic uncertainty. Although agriculture has fared well in the
current recession, it can easily be derailed by ill-conceived policies and legislation.
We need leaders with new ideas, not the same old over-regulation and over-taxation.
We need leaders with fresh ideas that reward
producers instead of penalizing them - leaders that
think outside of the box.
The all-important issue of water quality, for
example, should have been solved with an effective,
practical, incentive based approach with farmers
doing coalition monitoring- not this new monstrosity
of confusing regulations that penalizes everyone and
does nothing to improve water quality.
The problem of annexing more prime working
farmland for development should have been soundly
and loudly rejected by everyone. Instead we should
focus on developing the over 500 acres of farmland
already annexed, or the twenty-two other empty
spaces on Main St., Watsonville.
One thing is certain. In the “game” of politics, if we
can call it a game, it’s either help choose what’s on the
menu, or become the menu.
Fortunately we have a strong Farm Bureau. Let’s
keep it that way.
June/2012
Between the furrows 2
2011/2012
Board of Directors
Ask
Laura
Steve Tjosvold, UCCE Santa Cruz County Farm Advisor
OFFICERS
chris enright
President,
State Delegate, Orchids
cynthia mathiesen
first Vice-President,
Alternate State Delegate, Berries
david van lennep
Second vice-President,
State Delegate, timber
john e. eiskamp
Past President,
Alternate State Delegate, Berries
DIRECTORS
matthew bissell Timber
CFBF District #10 Director
steve bontadelli Brussels Sprouts
Tom Broz Organic Vegetables
david cavanaugh Nursery
gordon claassen
Livestock Manager, Cal Poly
Frank Estrada Cattle
nita gizdich Apples
john pisturino Cattle
dick peixoto Organic Vegetables
Silvia Prevedelli Apples
Jj scurich Berries
Carmelo Sicairos Berries
Janet Webb Timber
arnett young Vegetables
EX-OFFICIO
mary lou nicoletti
Ag Commissioner
Elizabeth Giannini
CFBF Field Representative
Bill Ringe Agri-Culture
laura tourte
UCCE Farm Advisor
STAFF
Jess Brown
Executive Director
Matthew Gianelli
Assistant to the Executive Director
Carol LeGrande
Special Events, Membership Record Keeper,
Newsletter Advertising Rep.
priscilla rodriguez
Office Assistant
Mary Walter
Newsletter Editor
june/2012
4-H Project Volunteers
Q.
As a new project
volunteer in 4-H, can you tell
me the minimum number of
educational hours required
for a project?
A.
Currently the minimum
hours needed to complete
a project is six hours of
instruction. However, recently in academic circles
there has been a lot of discussion around not only
the hours of education, but
also the needed frequency
of educational opportunities in order to positively
impact learning. As such, I
am part of a research project taking a look at the impacts of educational frequency on 4-H members
participating in a Veterinary Science project.
Beginning in the fall of 2012, 4-H
members in grades fourth through
sixth from Santa Cruz, San Benito and
Monterey Counties, and their volunteer
leaders will have an opportunity to
help us answer questions regarding
how often 4-H projects should meet in
order for the experience to be beneficial
and for learning to occur. Through
participating in the new California
4-H curriculum “Youth Development
through Veterinary Science,” youth will
engage in fun, hands-on interactive
learning session on either a weekly,
bi-weekly, or tri-weekly schedule,
thus helping us to determine the
best frequency for learning, as well
as providing youth and volunteers
with new curriculum, training and
educational materials.
If you would like to learn more about
this project or participate, please
contact Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty at
[email protected] or 831763-8026.
Food For Thought
“As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness
and decency”
--Caroline Kennedy
Between the furrows 3
“Agriculture, the Original Green”
The
Water Nanny
G
Separation Anxiety
reece is broke; its voters have rejected Germanic
imposed austerity. If Greece was independent
of the Euro, if it still had its own currency
the Drachma, it could evaluate its options, including
devaluation. But it is tied to the Euro so separation could
be very messy.
California is broke; its legislature cannot raise taxes so
it can only cut programs and services. California does
not have the Drachma option. It has few options. State
agencies are all dragged down together. Some have
flexibility; universities can raise tuition and parks can be
closed. Alas, many Californians do not want their parks
closed and some communities and charities successfully
proposed taking over their parks
Sesame Street has a long standing routine with the two
old codgers discussing what a fine day it is. As they are
long time friendly adversaries, the conversation of the
bright sunny day turns into a discussion, then an argument
and finally they conclude that the day is downright terrible.
The same story line could
apply to the fabled Santa
Cruz County Fair. That
represents only the
internal challenges. The
Fair, more correctly the
14th District Agricultural Association, is also an agency of
the State. State budget meltdown has caused the Fair to
lose all of its State funding, in the recent past between
$300,000 to $400,000 per year for operations and capital
improvements. The Fair has always received state funding
since the Fair moved to its present location in 1940. But,
even without a Drachma from the state the Fair must
comply with state mandated rules, and all of its property is
owned by the state, not the Fair.
From its start in 1885, I remember the day well, the Apple
Annual was our agricultural fair. It became the Santa Cruz
County Fair, run by the county, in 1903. Only in 1930 did
the power, and ownership shift to Sacramento. Fair Board
members are appointed by the Governor. When the
June/2012
Governor mandated the state vehicle
fleet be downsized, the fair had to
surrender some old trucks, from a very
limited “fleet”, to be auctioned. To say
the lost trucks had only a marginal
cash value is an overstatement, but
they were necessary to run a fair. No
state income and state restrictive
rules gives only a negative benefit to
any state ownership.
It is time to return the Fair to
the community. Not all fairs are
Agricultural Associations, 23 are still county fairs, owned
by their county, of which 18 are run by local non-profits.
Some to be shuttered State Parks have been adopted
financially by their community; a close example is Santa
Cruz Mission State Historical Park, which will now be
operated by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. This model
could be a godsend to the Fair.
In order for the operation of Mission Santa Cruz to pass
into other hands, our somewhat dysfunctional Legislature
had to pass two bills ceding operations and control of
state property, parks, to 3rd parties. No parallel legislation
has been proposed for Agricultural Associations. The
Gubernator in 2007 thought about changing the 54 District
Agricultural Associations into public corporations, freeing
them from State strictures, and freeing the Governor from
numerous appointments. This proposal is found at: http://
cpr.ca.gov/cpr_report/Issues_and_Recommendations/
Chapter_5_Resource_Conservation_and_Protection/
RES28.html .
Now all we need are heroic champions to carry this
proposal through the troublesome legislature. Maybe Joe
Simitian and Sam Blakeslee could be co-sponsors. At least
the Greeks have hope.
Between the furrows 4
“Agriculture, the Original Green”
Favorite Recipes
Berry Cobbler
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons baking powder
Fresh Blackberries
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
Syrup:
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup water
Sift dry ingredients into bowl, slowly add combined egg, butter and milk. Pour batter into greased shallow baking
pan and cover thickly with berries. Over this fruit pour a syrup made of boiling together 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
Bake in 375°F oven about 45 minutes. The batter will rise to top as pudding bakes. Allow to cool thoroughly before
serving. Fresh peaches, apricots or prunes may be used.
This recipe came from a cookbook put out by the Moreland Notre Dame Mother’s Guild in the late 1970’s. It was
submitted by one of Watsonville’s own great cooks, Nora Hayes. The berries are plentiful this time of year and a good
berry cobbler goes well on any occasion. Hope you enjoy!
june/2012
Between the furrows 5
In Memorium - Ken Corbishley
DATES TO REMEMBER
O
n May 16th, 2012, agriculture in
Santa Cruz County lost a friend. Ken
Corbishley, who retired as the Agricultural
Commissioner of Santa Cruz County in
2011, passed away at his home in Seaside.
Ken had a 25-year career in this field and
took the position of Agricultural Commissioner, Sealer of Weights and Measures and Director of
Vector Control in 2006. Chronic health issues forced his
retirement.
Ken leaves his wife of 22 years, Renee, a daughter Rebekah and a son Luke.
Contributions to help with unpaid medical expenses
can be made to the Kenneth Corbishley Memorial Fund at
Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. Contributions may be made
at any branch or mailed to Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, 495
Washington Street, Monterey, CA 93940, to the attention
of Mr. Raul Rico, New Accounts Specialist.
WANT TO ADVERTISE?
For More Information
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
95th Annual Dinner
Meeting
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
Santa Cruz County
Fair
Thursday, June 21, 2012
September 11-16, 2012
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
19th Annual Golf
Tournament
Apple Pie Baking
Contest
&
Opening Day Barbecue
Tuesday, September 11,
2012
Agri-Culture
Agri-Culture
Friday, July 13, 2012
Pajaro Valley Golf
Course
California State Fair
Visit the Santa Cruz
County Exhibit
July 12 - July 29, 2012
Cal Expo, Sacramento,
CA
Young Farmers & Ranchers
Testicle Festival
Saturday, August 25,
201
16th Annual
Progressive Dinner
Saturday, October 27,
2012
Hope to see
you soon!
Call the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau
(831) 724-1356 or visit
www.sccfb.com
For more information or to make
reservations for any of these events,
You may reach the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau at
(831) 724-1356,
email [email protected] or visit their website at
www.sccfb.com.
You may reach Agri-Culture at (831) 722-6622, email
[email protected]
or visit their website at agri-culture.us
June/2012
Between the furrows 6
Safety First
Mike Klimenko, Farm Bureau Group Manager
Seminars Help In The Prevention Of Heat Illnesses
W
orking outdoors on California’s farms and
ranches during the summer puts extra
demands on the body’s cooling system. Under
certain conditions, a person’s body may have trouble
regulating its temperature, possibly resulting in heat stress.
There are a number of things that a person can do
to help prevent heat stroke and other heat-related
illnesses. Acclimation to high temperatures and physical
conditioning are two important elements. Keeping well
hydrated is also crucial when working in extreme heat.
Prevention is the best course of action to avoid problems
with heat illness.
•
Monterey Park, June 20, English from 9-11 a.m., State
Fund office, 900 Corporate Center Drive.
There have been significant changes to Cal/OSHA’s
Heat Illness Prevention Standard that can impact your
operations. State Fund and Cal/OSHA are conducting
seminars for employers, supervisors, and trainers who are
responsible for employee training to learn how Cal/OSHA
interprets and enforces the revised heat illness standard.
To register or to learn more, go to www.statefundca.
com/ and click on safety seminars, or www.dir.ca.gov/
DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html.
There have been significant changes to Cal/OSHA’s
Heat Illness Prevention Standard that can impact your
operations. State Fund and Cal/OSHA are conducting
seminars for employers, supervisors, and trainers who are
responsible for employee training to learn how Cal/OSHA
interprets and enforces the revised heat illness standard.
Seminar dates and locations are:
•
Santa Maria, May 9, English from 9-11 a.m., Spanish
from 1-3 p.m., Santa Maria Elks Lodge, 1309 N.
Bradley Road.
•
Coachella, May 10, English from 10 a.m. to noon,
Coachella Valley Water District, 85995 Ave. 52.
•
San Bernardino, May 16, both English and Spanish
from 3-5 p.m., 464 W. 4th St. #339.
•
Santa Rosa, May 17, English from 9-11 a.m., Spanish
from 1-3 p.m., State Fund office, 1450 Neotomas Ave.
•
Sacramento, May 22, English from 9-11 a.m., State
Fund office, 2275 Gateway Oaks Dr.
•
Bakersfield, June 6, English from 9-11 a.m., Spanish
from 1-3 p.m., State Fund office, 9801 Camino Media.
•
Fresno, June 7, English from 9-11 a.m., Spanish from
1-3 p.m., State Fund office, 10 River Park Place East.
june/2012
Between the furrows 7
“Agriculture, the Original Green”
Farm Bureau Discounts for Summer Family Fun
N
ow is a great time to take advantage of your Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau membership benefits. The kids
will be out of school about the time you read this newsletter and you will be in search of some good, clean family recreation or even a family vacation. In the table below you’ll find a list of exciting places for both you and
your family, no matter what their ages. And with your membership in the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau you’ll find
the admission tickets a little less expensive. Many of the tickets can be purchased online, saving a little time and the
frustration of standing in line. If you have questions, call the CFBF Help Desk at (800) 698-3276. Have a great summer!
Aquarium of
the Pacific
Coupon for 10% off gift store
purchases; Save $3 on adult and
$1.50 on child (ages 3-11) general
admission. Up to 4 admissions offer
expires 12/31/13.
Park opened March 25, 2012 $31.99 Good Any Day tickets.
Visit http://www.cagreatamerica.
Great America com/hours-directions/great-america for park days of operation and
hours.
Expires 10/28/2012.
Knott’s Berry
Farm
Legoland
Monthly savings coupon sheet. Expires 12/31/12.
Buy your tickets on-line. Visit www.
LEGOLAND.com/buytickets and follow the on-line instructions. Enter
the code 295-DEALS to receive your
discount admission. Up to $5 discount
on tickets ordered online.
Raging Waters, Not available at
Sacramento Seasonal coupons.
June/2012
this
time.
Click & Go Wild program information ($4 discount for 1
San Diego Zoo day tickets ordered online)
For more information, call the help
desk at (800) 698-3276.
Print and go. Visit the link below and
get a one day admission (plus city and
Six Flags
processing fee). The user id is CFBFDK
and the password is SixFlags7.
Discovery
https://shop.accesso.com/cliKingdom
ents/sixflags/affiliate/index.
php?m=12044
$36.99 admission with coupon;
Six Flags Magic
up to 4 admissions. Offer expires
Mountain
9/30/12.
Not available at this time.
Santa Cruz
Seasonal coupons.
Boardwalk
Save $6 on a single day
adult admission. Visit http://
commerce.4adventure.com/ESSea World
tore/Scripts/Skins/Club/TicketsSWC.aspx to purchase tickets
Purchase your tickets online. $10
off General Admission and Get 6
Universal
months free; Buy a Day, get 2012
Studios
free.
Between the furrows 8
“Agriculture, the Original Green”
Rich Casale, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
La
FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AFFECT USE OF WATER
W
e all know that changes in irrigation equipment and methods can affect how much water is used on the farm. In fact, the preponderance of information and dialogue between growers and
water management experts seems to concentrate on irrigation water management, scheduling, recovery, and
changing or upgrading irrigation systems so that water
use and delivery minimizes waste. Believe it or not, there
are many other non-irrigation related practices often overlooked by growers trying to reduce their water use on the
farm. Practices such as: reduced and/or modified tillage;
soil fertility improvements including the incorporation of
more organic matter; land leveling; row arrangement; fallowing and crop rotations; mulching, changing to lower
water using crops or varieties; wind and water erosion
control practices; and even vegetative practices such as
cover crops and filter strips. In addition, farm cultural activities and operations can have an adverse affect on soil
quality and the ability of the soil to hold water for crop use
including: increased soil erosion and compaction; removal
of top soil and/or organic matter; and over cultivation to
mention only a few. For more information on ways to conserve more water from activities other than changes to irrigation systems and irrigation water management contact
the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service at 4751967 or the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz
County at 464-2950.
We know Mother Nature
doesn’t wait.
The weather starts to change and it brings a whole new list of chores.
We understand you’ve got a schedule to stick to—that’s why we’re
dedicated to getting those in California ag back to work as soon as
possible 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.
Together, we’ll help keep California working.
State Compensation Insurance Fund is not a branch of the State of California.
statefundca.com
june/2012
Between the furrows 9
“Agriculture, the Original Green”
June/2012
Between the furrows 10
Agricultural News
DEW Luncheon
Continued from Page 1
Kevin Bargetto, winner of the 2012
Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship was
not able to attend due to school responsibilities; however, he sent a message
which was read to the attendees.
(L-R) Silvia Prevedelli with Virginia Marquette,
who won the “Best Hat” Contest
A wonderful lunch of stuffed pork loin
served with local vegetables and scalloped potatoes. For dessert, the guests
were served with a chocolate chip cake
with raspberry drizzle. The food was prepared and served by Barbara & Co.
2012 DEW Sponsors
Driscoll’s
Melanie Kett Wertanan
Cowles Berry Farms, Inc.
Crop Production Services
Dobler & Sons, LLC
Interlaken Lands
J.E. Farms, Inc.
S. Martinelli & Co.
C & N Tractor
Garroutte Farms, Inc.
Greenhouse System USA
Hansen Insurance Agency
Ivanovich Families
KW Commercial/Chuck Allen
Orradre Ranch, LLP
Plant Sciences
Rivas Bees
Royal Oaks Farms, Inc.
Sambrailo Packaging
Friends
Sara Cordell
Nancy Lingemann
Lorraine Jurach
Patricia E. Lester
McSherry & Hudson
Lisa Muzzi
Martha Muzzi
Joy Rodoni
Jill Aileen Smith
Mardi Smith
Mary Evans South
Vear Properties
Photo Credits: Bill Ringe
CALENDAR
wednesday ----June 13
Young Farmers & Ranchers
meeting
thursday ----June 21
Agricultural Policy Advisory
Commission
Thursday----June 21
95th Annual Dinner Meeting
Wednesday -----July 4
Independence Day Observed
Office Closed
monday -----July 9
Public Relations &
Information Committee
wednesday ----July 11
Young Farmers & Ranchers
meeting
wednesday ----july 11
Focus Agriculture, Session 5
Friday ----july 13
19th Annual Golf Tournament
wednesday ---July 18
• Executive Committee
meeting
• Membership Committee
meeting
• Legislative Committee
meeting
The Santa Cruz County
Farm Bureau (SCCFB) does
not assume responsibility
for
statements
by
advertisers in Between
The Furrows, nor for
statements or expressions
of opinion other than in
editorials or in articles
showing authorship by an
officer of the SCCFB.
For advertising info and rates call: (831) 724-1356 or (831) 688-0748
june 2012
Volume 36, Issue 6
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mailed from
Zip Code 95076
Permit No.237
FARM
Change Service Requested
U
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
141 Monte Vista Avenue
Watsonville, CA 95076
Aldina Maciel
Real Estate Broker, CRB
GRI, CRS, SRES, ABR, CCPM
DRE #01121286
Office: (831) 722-7131, Ext. 202
Direct: (831) 840-1360
Fax: (831) 722-4601
[email protected]
www.c-21classicproperties.com
713 East Lake Avenue
Watsonville, CA 95076
Classic Properties
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Between the Furrows
A Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Monthly Publication