September - San Diego County Farm Bureau

Transcription

Serving San Diego agriculture and horticulture since 1914
news
San Diego County Farm Bureau
2012 Crop Report shows slight growth
The County of San Diego’s 2012 Crop
Statistics and Annual Report (Crop
Report) was released on August 2nd
at a press conference held at Suzie’s
Farm in the Tijuana River Valley. Board
of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox was
joined by Agricultural Commissioner Ha
Dang and Farm Bureau President Julie
Walker in presenting the Crop Report.
The reported gains in the Crop Report
were modest with the total value of
$1,747,069,810 coming in 4 percent
over the 2011 figure. Overall acreage
devoted to agriculture had a gain of 1
percent to 303,903 acres.
Nursery and Cut Flower Products
held on to its number one position at
$1,109,275,096. Ornamental crops
have held the top position for 35
consecutive years. The second major
crop category was Fruit and Nuts at
$338,808,324. The other top crop
categories were Vegetables
(continued on page 8)
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors Greg Cox and Farm Bureau President
Julie Walker speak with members of the press at the County Crop Report press release
event held at Suzie’s Farm August 2nd.
San Diego Grown: City Heights Farmers’
Market Turns Five
Five years ago, in the winter of 2008, SDCFB
received a phone call from the International Rescue
Committee in San Diego. Their question: “what do
you
know about farmers’ markets?” followed
quickly by, “have you ever been to City
Heights?” The answers to both those
questions have led Farm Bureau on a
journey through new territory and into
1  San Diego County Farm Bureau
Vol 26, No. 9 | September 2013
contents
2012 Crop Report
City Heights Farmers’ Market Turns Five
YF&R Update
AWM: Working Together to Deter Ag Theft
Meet your board member: Lawrence Kellar
Business Suppoorting member focus: Primaflora International
Thank You President's Club
Crop of the month: Turf Grass
SDG&E Rates Update
www.sdfarmbureau.org
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Farm Bureau News
September 2013
Volume 26, No. 9
San Diego County Farm Bureau News
is published monthly by the San Diego
County Farm Bureau, a nonprofit trade
organization whose mission is to represent San Diego agriculture through
public relations, education and public
policy advocacy in order to promote the
economic viability of agriculture balanced with appropriate management of
natural resources. This newsletter and
the activities sponsored by San Diego
County Farm Bureau are paid for by the
annual dues of its membership.
© San Diego County Farm Bureau.
Articles published in San Diego County
Farm Bureau News may be reprinted
without permission provided credit is
given to the San Diego County Farm
Bureau and a copy of the issue in which
the reprint appears is forwarded to the
Farm Bureau office provided below.
Article suggestions are welcomed and
should be mailed or emailed to the
Farm Bureau address below, attention
Eric Larson, Executive Director. Use of
articles is at the discretion of the Executive Director and based on space availability and may be edited to meet space
requirements. Article deadlines are the
first of the month prior to the publication
month.
1670 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027
Phone: (760) 745-3023
Fax: (760) 489-6348
E-mail: [email protected]
Editor: Casey Anderson
Newsletter layout: Kathy Rathbun
Executive Officers:
President: Julie Walker
1st Vice President: Ken Altman
2nd Vice President:
Lawrence Kellar
Secretary: Vic Pankey
Treasurer: Janet Silva Kister
Past President: Noel Stehly
CFBF Director, District 1:
Janet Kister
Exec Director: Eric Larson
Visit us on the Web:
www.sdfarmbureau.org
President's Message
by Julie Walker
Tee it up for a worthy cause
What does a mulligan and a diploma have in
common; how about an eagle and the future of
agriculture in San Diego County? Stumped?
Surprisingly, they have a lot in common, and put
together, they all turn out to be a rollicking good
time! I am talking about the SDCFB Scholarship Golf
Tournament coming up Thursday, September 19, at
St. Mark Golf Club in San Marcos (previously Lake
San Marcos). This event is one of the most popular
and successful functions that Farm Bureau hosts
each year and it's all for our future farmers and
ranchers.
Fostering and supporting an interest in agriculture in our local youth has
always been an important focus for Farm Bureau. Our industry needs a
steady lineup of young, motivated adults interested in farming and related
enterprises to keep ag business alive and well in our area. So, while you're
polishing up your clubs and working on your power swing, think about what
a sunny day out on the golf course, communing and "competing" with your
fellow farm partners, will do for our youth. In other words, you have a very
important reason to take the day off!
The scholarship golf tournament, as a fundraising idea, was born back
in 1999. At that time, Farm Bureau committed funds to the coordinating
committee with the intention that the event would be self-sustaining and
operate independent of SDFB general funds within the first few years, which
it has. "The best thing about this event is that 100% of all sponsorships
and even a portion of the fees go straight into the scholarship funds for
local youth only!" said Janet Kister, the chair of this event since its inception.
Under Janet's steady direction, proceeds from past tournaments have
provided 228 agricultural students with $221,150 in scholarships!
We are very proud of each and every scholarship recipient. Take a look at
just a few listed below.
• Alysha Stehly, Viticulturalist, Enologist, and Co-Owner of Vesper
Vineyards in Valley Center, applied her scholarship funds toward her
studies at University of California, Davis. Alysha is the winemaker
for Stehleon Winery and assists with vineyard management for Stehly
Grove Management. In addition, she teaches courses in Viticulture
CHFM (continued from page 1)
a community of markets that are now helping to shape
the way San Diegans shop for their food and in many
ways view agriculture in San Diego.
The International Rescue Committee provides aid to
international refugees abroad and here at home, and
works with clients long-term to help them rebuild their
lives after being uprooted from their homes. In San
Diego the IRC had a desire to bring a certified farmers
market to the neighborhood of City Heights where many
of their refugee clients were settling and where there
was a defined lack of fresh, local produce available.
both high and low points; there are seasons of growth
and days when the aisles are quiet. Yet through
everything it remains a bright spot; a healthy gathering
place where every Saturday morning fruits of the earth
are brought to the heart of the city. Many happy returns
wished to Farm Bureau’s City Heights Farmers’ Market.
When Farm Bureau staff agreed to visit City Heights and
meet with the IRC the question was asked: would Farm
Bureau partner with IRC to bring a certified farmers
market to this low-income underserved community?
The challenges to overcome were obvious. How could
a market in a low income neighborhood be sustained
when traditionally successful markets open in more
affluent neighborhoods? The market would need to
operate on a public city street and a special events
permit from the city was required. The best time to open
a market is in the early summer when warm season
fruits and vegetables come into season; June was five
months away. Finally, Farm Bureau had never sponsored
a farmers’ market before.
In five months, answers to each challenge slowly came
into focus. City Heights Farmers’ Market opened in
June 2008 as the first market in the county that was
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Women, Infants,
Children (WIC) accessible, meaning low income shoppers
could use their food assistance dollars to make
purchases. It opened the market up to an entirely new
segment of customers who were excited to find fresh
San Diego produce in the heart of their neighborhood.
The ability to process EBT transactions at the market
has resulted in an additional $227,627.00 spent at the
market on farm produce and select grocery items.
In the five years CHFM has operated it has accomplished
some remarkable goals. Alongside being the first
market in the county to accept WIC and EBT, CHFM was
selected in 2011 to be one of five markets in the state
to pilot acceptance of special WIC Fruit and Vegetable
checks that participants were previously only able to
use at authorized grocery stores. The pilot project was
a success; the state saw that WIC enrollees were happy
to use their fruit and vegetable checks at the farmers’
market and farmers were happy to accept them. The
program is now being rolled out to certified farmers’
markets throughout the state.
CHFM was Farm Bureau’s first foray into the world of
farmers’ markets. It continues on a track that includes
SDCFB President Julie Walker and Farm Bureau Market Manager Norah Duffy display a proclamation from
the City of San Diego declaring August 17 City Heights
Farmers’ Market Day in San Diego.
Farm Bureau working for you
Met with Representatives Vargas and Davis to
discuss immigration reform
Submitted comments on Lilac Hills Ranch EIR
Spoke at 2012 Crop Report press conference
Celebrated 5th anniversary of the City Heights
Farmers’ Market
Prepared and sent newsletter about ACP to
members of citrus industry
Gave presentation at the World Resources
Sim Center in San Diego on the importance of
agriculture in San Diego
Attended Bay Delta Conservation Plan
workshop
September 2013
Calendar of Events
For more information about these
events, call the Farm Bureau office at
(760) 745-3023. More events are listed
on Farm Bureau’s Calendar page at
www.sdfarmbureau.org.
September 5
Farm Bureau
Board of Directors Meeting
Farm Bureau Office
10:00 am Business of the Board
10:30 am General Meeting
September 10
Water School
1–3 pm
Farm Bureau Office
September 19
Scholarship Golf Tournament
Saint Mark's Golf Club
(see back page)
September 26
Executive Committee Meeting
Farm Bureau Office - 3:00 pm
October 6
5:30 pm
Bandy Canyon Ranch
(see page 8)
Upcoming Water Classes
October 8
November 12
December 10
3-5 pm
1-3 pm
1-3 pm
For an updated list of Farm Bureau events visit:
http://www.sdfarmbureau.org
From the Executive Director
by eric larson
Don’t forget, they work for us
It’s easy, usually too easy, to scoff at Congress.
Having a discussion about that institution’s work
that doesn’t include some mention of “gridlock”,
“partisan bickering”, and “do-nothing” is a task. But
when we stop to think about it we know Congress
is our best connection to what takes place in
Washington DC to sustain our democratic system.
If our system is to work, we have a role as well. We
have to make ourselves heard.
The farm community has not come up against a
more directly-connected national issue in decades
than immigration reform. Sure, the economy
tanked, clean air and clean water regulations are a pain, free trade
agreements have been a burr under the saddle, and affordable care looks
anything but affordable. But for an industry dependent on a foreign born
workforce, this is the big one.
For Congress to work, it is our job
to tell them what to do. If we fail to
be heard they will only hear from
someone else, and we might not like
what is being said.
The farm community
has not come up
against a more
directly-connected
national issue
in decades than
immigration reform.
The next few weeks will be critical
if immigration reform is to take
place this year and not be delayed
another decade. Many pundits have
predicted that failure this year could
result in a delay until the second term
of the next president, which will happen at the earliest in 2021 assuming
that he or she manages to get re-elected. The opportunity is now.
This may sound a little old fashioned in our age of tweets, email,
blogs, and social media postings, but the best tactic at the moment
is a phone call. If you want to help immigration reform get traction,
pick up the phone. Call your member of Congress and the let the
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 San Diego County Farm
Bureau
8/1/2013 3:11:47 PM
By the time this column is published Young Farmers and Ranchers will already
have been to visit the operation of one of our local San Diego YF&R’s. On
Friday, August 30, Pierre Sleiman, founder of GoGreen Agriculture, will show
off his hydroponic lettuce, spinach, and chard growing facility in Encinitas. It is
a tour many of us are looking forward to as his operation is cutting edge and
not your typical farm.
I think one of the main things we have all learned in this short time as
a new YF&R group is that many of us farm very differently from the way
our grandparents did. Sometimes that means we find ourselves having to
convince our parents into new strategies that help us adapt to the changing
farming environment. This is one of the huge benefits of YF&R; the ability to
share stories, experiences and learn from each other. In our short renewed
existence YF&R members have already networked creating new business
partnerships and personal friendships. To me that is a huge success that will
last long after we all “age out” of YF&R.
New Farm Bureau Benefit
HealthCare Solutions
HealthCare Solutions offers
Farm Bureau members a
broad range of insurance
products such as accident,
foreign travel, cancer and
short-term medical. For more
information about these
insurance products, call
1-800-558-2520 or visit
www.hcslife.com.
In the coming months we will be looking into the different contests that YF&R
has on a state and national level. All of these things are new to many of us
and vaguely familiar to some. We hope to learn more about these contests
and how we might participate. Previous YF&R’s in San Diego had some great
success in the contests. In 2002 Frank and Stacy Konyn won the Outstanding
Young Farmer and Rancher award for the state of California and in January
2003 were first runners up in the nation at the American Farm Bureau Annual
Meeting.
You can rely on Nationwide Agribusiness, too. They’re the #1 farm insurer in
the U.S. They’re also the only company with On Your Side® Farm Reviews that
help make sure your farm has the coverage you need at the right price for you.
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Farm Bureau members have another reason to choose Nationwide Agribusiness — lower farm insurance
costs. Farm Bureau members can save up to 5% (or $500/year max) on their farm insurance.
Call 888-370-3870 today or visit nationwide.com/CFBF
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Moines, IA, 50391. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review, and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide may make a financial contribution to this organization in return for the opportunity
to market products and services to its members or customers. Discount to Farm Bureau members in CA cannot exceed $500. Nationwide, the Nationwide framemark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance
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From the Ag Commissioner
Ha Dang, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures
Working Together to Deter Ag Theft
The County of San Diego Office of the Sheriff and the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM)
are working together to deter agricultural theft by investigating complaints, sharing information, and conducting
joint inspections of roadside produce vendors. Enforcement of the direct marketing and standardization laws
helps AWM identify possibly stolen produce that is not in standard containers or accompanied by appropriate
documentation. Farmers and legal vendors of produce can assist these efforts by complying with applicable
laws and regulations, thus making the “thieves” easier to identify. Regulations, including zoning ordinances,
can vary depending on the location, so please check with your local city or County office.
The following regulations apply in the unincorporated communities of San Diego:
When operating a farm/field stand on your own property, (at or near the point of production) make sure you set
up your stand in accordance with San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 6156, which only allows these
stands in agricultural zones or on residential properties of one acre or larger. The stand must be located 15
feet or more from any street. The total roofed area of the stand cannot exceed 300 square feet. No sales are
allowed from motorized vehicles. Also, a health permit is required if selling prepared foods, such as pies and
salsa.
Selling your own produce and/or produce purchased from other sources can also be done at roadside stands,
but only with proper permission, documentation, and permits. Roadside vendors must also follow laws and
regulations including zoning, code enforcement, agriculture, health, and sheriff’s licensing. Make sure you
check the following before setting up sales on the side of the road:
●● Zoning: Is the location zoned for commercial sales? What kind of structure is legal? Call the County
Department of Planning and Development Services at 858-565-5981.
●● Permission to set up: Do you have permission from the land owner? Keep a signed letter of permission
on site.
●● Sheriff’s Licensing: Do you have a Solicitor’s permit? Contact the Sheriff’s Licensing Division at 858-9742020.
●● Health Permit: Do you have the required health permit? Contact the County Department of Environmental
Health at [email protected] or 858-505-6900.
●● Produce Dealer’s License: Do you have the proper license from the California Department of Food and
Agriculture, Market Enforcement Branch? Contact http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/mkt/meb.
●● Proof of Ownership: For lots of over 25 pounds of any produce, obtain a record of purchase and keep with
produce when transporting and at the sale site. The record must include:
Name, address, phone number, and signature of the seller.
Your name, address, phone number as buyer.
Common name and quantity of the produce.
Date of purchase.
Refer to Food and Agricultural Code Section 861, 862.
●● Standardization and Labeling: Consumer and non-consumer containers must be labeled with Identity,
Responsibility, and Quantity statements during transport and when offered for sale. Some produce
commodities must be transported in standard containers. For more information contact AWM at
[email protected] or 858-694-2778.
Working together, we can help deter agricultural thefts. For information on securing your farm or to report theft
please contact the Sheriff’s Agricultural Crime Prevention Specialist Ashley Jenkins at Ashley.jenkins@sdsheriff.
org or 760-751-4408.
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The first Feast from the Farm will be held on October 6 at
Bandy Canyon Ranch - an evening you will not soon forget. We
are pairing two of San Diego's best chefs (Patrick Ponsaty of
Bellamy’s and Vincent Grumel of Vincent’s) with San Diego’s
freshest food from our top notch farms. Southern California
wine pairings to complement each course will complete the
picture of local class.
The evening, beginning at 5:30, will be a chance for farmers
and foodies to enjoy their greatest passion: delicious cuisine.
A fun night under the stars, with casual dress and decadent
taste, this family style meal will inspire strangers to become
friends.
Reach out to your friends and network to let them know about
this opportunity to dine with the people who grow and raise the
food that makes our county’s food culture so unique. Tickets
are $150 and can be purchased online at www.sdfarmbureau.
org/Feast.
The Farm Bureau has spent nearly 100 years working to keep
agriculture alive and well in San Diego County. As we enter a
new season with a greater need to find funding sources, this
is one way for you to be involved. We are looking for farmers
who can donate the necessary produce, protein and wine. If
you would like to be a providing farmer, please contact Lindsey
Hogg at [email protected]. We will be reaching out to
our network in the coming weeks.
This is your chance to partake in a meal that is purely San
Diego grown while supporting your favorite Farm Bureau.
Crop Report (continued from page 1)
at $188,496,460 and Livestock and Poultry (animals and products) at
$101,213,183.
There were notable changes in the top products with avocados suffering a
24 percent decline in overall value. The decline has been attributed to lower
prices and a reduction of acres in production. There was also a 24 percent
increase in the overall value of eggs because of more favorable pricing
despite a slight drop in the number of eggs produced.
The numbers gathered in the Crop Report place San Diego County as the
19th largest farm economy among the more than 3000 counties in the
country that have agricultural production. With its 6,687 farms, San Diego
County has more farms than any other county.
Your help is needed
to communicate with
elected officials on
important issues facing
agriculture.
Sign up for FARM TEAM
at www.cfbf.com
Lawrence Kellar
Meet Your Board Members
Protea USA,Rainbow
Lawrence Kellar serves on the SDCFB board as 2nd Vice
President.
What do you produce?
Cut flowers, specifically focused on Protea, Leucadendron
and Pincushions. Protea USA also has a nursery operation
where we produce top quality plants for commercial growers,
wholesale and retail nurseries.
Tell us a little about your business.
Protea USA is a cut flower grower and shipper. We manage
and develop cut flower farms and have a nursery to provide
plants to the wholesale and retail nurseries.
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
I started my academic career studying Law at the University
Stellenbosch then moved into Agriculture. My parents have
a Protea farm in South Africa and after working at a nursery
in Austria for a year I joined the family business. Since being
in the United States I have studied business classes and
became a coach at Dale Carnegie teaching students.
of
What was your first job?
Working on my parents flower farm in South Africa
What is your business background/how did you get into the business?
I joined the family business, then came over to California where I managed Rainbow Protea Farm and in 2008
started Protea USA with two other partners, Rua Petty and Dennis Perry
Are there aspects of what you do that you particularly enjoy?
Walking the flower fields, and managing and developing new Protea Farms.
What are some favorite hobbies/activities?
Golf, hiking and playing rugby.
Director's Message (continued from page 4)
staff member who answers the phone know that you want immigration reform now. Tell them that you are
engaged in agriculture and that local farms are important to San Diego’s economy and a stable workforce
is essential. Be sure to say that without immigration reform our current system is amnesty. Don’t just
call the local office or the Washington, DC office. Call both and talk to two different people. Then leave
your name and phone number as proof you don’t want your message to be considered anonymous.
For certain, call your representative. Calls from constituents carry the most weight. Once you’ve done that, why not
call another member of the San Diego delegation. Let them know farmers are out there and they want to be heard.
Darrel Issa, 49th District: DC office – 202-225-3906 Local office 760-599-5000
Duncan Hunter, 50th District: DC office – 202-225-5672
Local office 760-743-3260
Juan Vargas, 51 District: DC office 202-225-9073
Scott Peters, 52nd District: DC office 202-225-0508
Susan Davis, 53 District: DC office 202-225-2040
st
rd
Business Supporting Member Focus
Primaflora International
Primaflora International brings together growers looking for tropical plant material with plant cuttings grown around
the world. Our number one goal is to provide the seamless import of high quality plant material to our customers.
Primaflora International L.P. started in 1989 as a merger between D. Halliday Co (est. 1980) and Encinitas Foliage
Imports (est. 1977). It was a natural blending. Entrepreneurs Don and Debby Halliday’s company primarily imported
cuttings from Costa Rica and Guatemala. Marc and Debbie Granat’s company, Encinitas Foliage Imports sold
imported cuttings from Europe, as well as domestically produced propagation. The two companies linked together
provided world-wide service.
In the 90’s, the need increased for quicker growing times for finished material, and the cost of holding and producing
cuttings became too costly. Primaflora provided quality rooted and un-rooted cuttings, seeds, seedlings, and cellpac
trays at prices which made the purchase of propagative material profitable. This allowed greenhouses to use space
once designated for “mother stock” to be used for pot production for quicker sales. This was a win-win for our client’s
production and profits. As the tropical foliage industry grew, so did Primaflora from importing boxes of cuttings twice
a month, to importing weekly throughout the year. Primaflora continued to grow and expand sources and products
throughout Central America, Europe, and Asia, as well as here in the United States.
As the Hallidays moved in to other business adventures, Rich Lostritto joined the company in 1998, bringing twenty
years of experience as a greenhouse grower, pest control sprayer and mass market supplier.
As a full service broker, Primaflora continues to adjust services to our customers in the most efficient and effective
manner. As the foliage market continues to change, our staff is constantly working to find the best shipping methods
and freight rates. Primaflora deals daily with trucking and air carriers, sea containers, U.S. Customs, USDA, CDFA
and local agricultural departments. These positive relationships are essential so customers can spend their
valuable time growing! We regularly visit all of our growers to review their needs. We also annually visit domestic
and international suppliers to ensure importation of the highest quality plant material. We constantly keep our eyes
open for market trends, looking for new plant products. Every order placed by a customer is a choice, and we work to
make that choice an easy decision.
Today, Primaflora is still based in
Fallbrook, California and is the only
broker firm in the western United
States to physically handle the plant
material. Our crew picks up from the
airport and “touches” every box prior
to delivery. This step ensures the
best quality product possible for our
growers.
Give us a call if you think we can serve
you. We still have customers working
with us since the very beginning! Our
company stands for quality, fair pricing,
unsurpassed customer service, and
the belief that we only get a customer
by earning their business.
Marc Granat & Rich Lostritto
Partners in Primaflora International
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"News bites" from 1971 Farm Bureau newsletter.
Hard to believe that was 42 years ago.
Too bad this one isn't true.
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Thank You
Farm Bureau Volunteers
Thanks to the Farm Bureau members listed
below who serve on CFBF Policy
Recommendation Committees.
Commodity: Lawrence Kellar
Labor: Michael A. Mellano
Natural Resources: Eric Anderson
Taxation and Land Use: Julie Walker (chair)
Transportation, Health & Education: Al Stehly
Welcome New Agricultural Members
Jason Graff
JCPA Investment Capital, LLC
Sweetwater Springs Fruit & Produce
President's Message (continued from page 2)
at MiraCosta College and is the Farm Bureau
Young Farmers and Ranchers District 1 Director
representing San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• Nicolina Alves attended CSU Chico and now farms at
Terra Bella Ranch in Fallbrook, as well as overseeing
the La Jolla Open Aire Market as the Market
Manager. In addition, her husband and she have
started a business "Farm to Office" which is a delivery
service providing fresh fruit and nuts for employees
and customers plus gift baskets for clients.
• Daniel Holtz is an Agricultural Engineer at USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service in
Escondido. He attended Cal Poly SLO.
The day is friendly, but the purpose is serious and
focused on keeping our most treasured resources
close and thriving. As this year's invitation flyer says,
"This farmer-friendly tournament is open to everyone
(whether or not you have a handicap). So, invite your
customers, suppliers, friends and family to play." Not
only must we preserve our local farmland, but we must
promote farming itself to our youth by supporting their
educational dreams and goals. A day on the course is a
great way to do both. See you there? Fore!
Thank You to our President’s Club
Members for their Support
The President’s Club is a group of dedicated Farm Bureau members who contribute above and beyond their regular membership dues
amount each year. By accepting a higher annual dues rate, the extra contribution they make goes directly to San Diego County Farm
Bureau and helps maintain the financial strength of the organization. Some challenges require a lot of money to fight effectively.
President’s Club members help assure that when those big challenges come up, Farm Bureau has the financial strength to meet them
head on.
Platinum
Rancho Guejito  Hank Rupp
Gold
Altman Plants Inc  Ken Altman
Gary Crouch 
EuroAmerican  John Rader
Mellano & Company  Michael Mellano, Sr.
Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farm 
Obra Verde Growers  Noel P. Walker
Olive Hill Greenhouses  Tony Godfrey
Stehly Grove Management  Al Stehly
Sunlet Nursery  Janet Kister
Wollam Grove Management  Mark Wollam
Silver
Carltas Company  Lizbeth A. Ecke
Cocopah Nurseries  Duane L. Young
DP Durling Orchard  Donald R. Durling
Fox Point Farms  Robert Echter
Pankey Farms  Victor Pankey
R.E. Badger & Son  Charles Badger, Jr
Stehly Enterprises  Jerome J. Stehly
Stehly Farms Organics  Noel Stehly
Sunrise Farms  Ken Shull
Witman Ranch Inc  Henry W. Witman
President's Club
Am-Sod Inc  Floyd Wirthlin
Anderson’s Seed Co  Eric Anderson
B.A.P. Nursery Inc.  Willi Voelker
Barcelo Enterprises Inc  Rosa Barcelo
Bob L. Vice 
Botanical Partners  Ralph J. Evans
Briggs Tree Co Inc  Donnie Dabbs
Buena Vista Farms  Robin C. Parsky
CF Farming  Jaime Serrato, Sr.
Chandler Ranch  Jeff Chandler
Compton Family Trust  Jan Wylie Compton
Ecke Ranch, Inc 
Evergreen Nursery  Mark L. Collins
Fluegge Egg Ranch  August Fluegge
Frank Konyn Dairy  Frank Konyn
Franklin L. Barnes, Jr. 
Harlan Beck 
Hemborg Ford  Robert Hemborg
Hilliker’s Ranch Fresh Eggs  Frank I. Hilliker
Ingwersen Nursery Inc.  Jane Ingwersen
James C. Roberts 
JD Farms  James D. Pardee, Jr.
Kents Bromeliad Nursery  Jeffrey Kent
Leichtag Family Foundation  James Farley
Lyall Enterprises Inc  Warren Lyall
Maranatha Lemon Ranch  Charles E. Badger, Sr.
Olson Avocado Management  Steve Olson
Pala Rey Ranch  Tom Veysey
Paradox Farms  Michael A. Mellano
Pardee Tree Nursery  Lauren Davis
Premier Color Nursery  John G. Forester
Protea USA Inc  Rua M. Petty
Protea USA Inc  Lawrence Kellar
River Mountain Ranch  Burnet B. Wohlford
Rote Greenhouses  Michael Rote
S & K Land & Cattle Co LLC  Eric Kroesche
Seley Ranches  James Seley
Sky Valley Ranch LLC  Michael S. Dillon
Specimen House Inc  Bill Kovach
Star B Ranch  H. F. Boeckmann II
The Bridges Golf Club  Mike Hathaway
The Flower Fields 
The Plug Connection  Tim Wada
Triple B. Ranches  Gary A. Broomell
Tulloch Family Partners  William Tulloch
Tulloch Ranches  Benjamin W. Tulloch
Van Ommering Dairy  David E. Van Ommering
Vessels Ranch  Frank Vessels
Victoria Higgins 
Village Nurseries  Mike Babineau
Western Cactus Growers Inc  Thomas Britsch
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the California Department of Insurance investigate and prosecute workers’ compensation fraud. The above anti-fraud posters are available, free of
charge, to you to post in your work place. Help us deter workers’ compensation fraud.
Crop of the Month
One crop grown in San Diego that few people are aware
of is sod, also called turf grass. Floyd Wirthlin, Jr., of
Am-Sod grows turf grass in the San Pasqual Valley and
south San Diego with his father and two children. AmSod has been providing turf grass to San Diegans since
1976 and this month Floyd took a moment to talk shop
about growing grass in San Diego County.
Acres grown in San Diego: 692
San Diego crop value: $15,916,000
Numbers taken from the 2012 San Diego County Crop
Statistics and Annual Report. Turf numbers are combined with
cut Christmas trees and so reflect higher amounts.
Top commercial varieties produced in San Diego:
Tall fescue is the top variety grown in pretty much all
of southern California, not just San Diego because
it’s green year round. It’s also the most water efficient
variety that is green year round. Hybrid Bermuda
varieties are also popular and we’re seeing an increase
in demand for them.
What is the planting and harvesting timeline for
turf grass in San Diego County?
For tall fescue, six months from planting to harvest and
we plant just about year round. We have ground in the
San Pasqual Valley and some in the South Bay area.
Warm season grasses, Bermuda grasses, take about one
year until harvest. These take longer because they go
dormant in winter.
A quick summary of the production timeline: rip soil,
plow, disc, landplane. Then seed, net, place pipe on top
of the netting and start watering. As the fields germinate,
in the first 10-15 days change the lines; shift them to get
good germination. Roughly six months later, on the cool
season grass, harvest. The bermudas, St. Augustine and
Paspalum are all warm season grasses; warm season
means green in the hot months, dormant in the winter
so it takes a year until harvest. Cool season grass means
green year round.
What is the general market?
In the summer we do well with sports turf, golf courses,
but still homeowners are the biggest part of our market.
We also supply to the mass market, landscapers, school
districts, parks departments, etc.
Regarding particular varieties, bermuda hybrids are
much more drought tolerant and much lower water user
Turf Grass
than other varieties, but people want green year round.
That said, homeowners are going more to bermuda;
sales are increasing because homeowners are more
willing to accept a grass that goes dormant in the winter.
They’re using tall fescue in front yard where most yards
are very small. It’ll be green year round. Then in the
backyard, people are using hybrid bermuda because the
back yard doesn’t get much use in winter anyway. They
save a ton on water; only have to water April through
September then just turn the water off. That’s kind of a
trend we’ve seen the last couple years, more tall fescue
in the front and bermuda in the back. It’s a great idea;
nothing is more durable than hybrid bermudas. That’s
why you see it in sports fields and golf courses all over.
We also have new varieties. Aloha Paspalum, another
warm season grass, goes dormant in winter. Does well
on poor water and poor soil; very salt tolerant. We’ve had
really good luck with it.
What are some of the challenges of producing turf
in San Diego County?
Sod farming in general is very labor intense. There’s a lot
of hand work moving irrigation lines, netting and piping
fields. Not a lot of machinery can do those jobs. The
tractors and harvesters do their part, but still take a lot
of hand work. The toughest part of business is trying to
survive. I don’t care who you are, the last five years, I feel
like Houdini I’m still here. The economy, home building,
the housing crash. Everything follows construction; it’s a
big snowball.
Is there anything unique about San Diego County
grown turf?
San Diego itself is unique. The varieties we grow, dwarf
and tall fescue, St. Augustine, Tifgreen, Tifway, Aloha
Paspalum, are selected to our area. They are all varieties
that do well in Southern California, well on the coast, well
in San Diego. My biggest advantage over my competitors
is I don’t go out of county. I can offer grass quicker. Spur
of the moment orders; where others can take hours
to get a truck available, I’m already done and heading
home. We’re pretty much San Diego County only and
have been in business here since 1976.
Are there aspects of growing turf that you find
interesting or just enjoy doing?
I love working outside, like being in the fields. I get to
meet a lot of neat people; everybody needs sod.
I'm glad to be a Farm Bureau member because . . .
Having been in the avocado
business for some 37 years now
we have seen many changes in
all aspects of the industry.
From labor issues, to water
quality and availability, to
state and local regulations, to
land use problems. Through all
of these challenging issues the
one constant source for help
and guidance has been the Farm
Bureau. Thanks and a tip of the
hat to Eric and the whole Farm
Bureau staff.
Bob Tucker
(pictured with daughter Cassidy)
Water Treatment Solutions for Agriculture
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6000
5000
INDEX FRESH 15-YEAR GROWTH
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
95/96
96/97
97/98
98/99
99/00
00/01
01/02
02/03
03/04
04/05
05/06
06/07
07/08
08/09
09/10
*Index Fresh™ and our new AvoTerra™ brand historically beat the major packers, based on the most recently available data.
SDG&E RATES UPDATE
Karen Mills, CFBF Director-Public Utilities
Customers served on agricultural rates of San Diego Gas and Electric Company will see an increase in rates
beginning in September as a result of increases approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. Agricultural
rates, which currently average 17.9¢/kWh (compared to a system average rate of 16.8¢/kWh), will increase
approximately 11% to an average 19.6¢/kWh. The increase is the result of the implementation of the CPUC’s
decision approving the costs SDG&E demonstrated were necessary for the operation of its system as part of Phase
1 of its general rate case. It also incorporates amounts that would have been collected in rates over the prior 20
months, if the rates had been implemented as scheduled in January 2012. On August 27 SDG&E submitted a
request to the CPUC to incorporate some reductions in rates due to decreases from several sources. If the request
is authorized and incorporated with the general rate case approval, the agricultural rates would increase about 8% to
an average of 19¢/kWh in September..
In a typical general rate case cycle, rate structure changes would have been implemented at the time new operating
costs were approved from Phase 1. This time the Phase 2 changes, which establish the division of costs among
customer classes and how rates are designed, are not likely to be implemented before the beginning of 2014.
A settlement was reached among parties for the Phase 2 rate changes, which if adopted, will reduce average
agricultural rates to about 17¢/kWh. That rate reflects about a 13% reduction in rates to the agricultural class due
to cost changes from realignment of rate schedules. Elements of the settlement affecting agricultural rates include:
• Incorporate Schedule PA-T-1, a pumping schedule into the agricultural class of customers. To examine the
effect to the agricultural class from the migration of Schedule PA-T-1, prior to the next GRC Phase 2, SDG&E will
examine the split of the newly defined agricultural class based on less than 20kW; 20-500kW; and more than
500kW. The examination will assess the effect on rates that result from the migration of PA-T-1 in light of the
split into three groups.
• Minimize the increase in the Basic Service fee for 20kW and below customers from what was requested by
SDG&E to $18.23 from $14.58 and to $21.87 from $14.58 for over 20kW demand.
The CPUC required that all agricultural customers take service on time varying rates, which requirement was to occur
commencing in November 2013. However, the implementing rates for time varying pricing is dependent on the
Phase 2 rates, which have not been approved. A schedule adjustment will be made, but it is unknown at this point
when implementation will commence now.
Although general rate cases provide significant changes to rates, they are not the only drivers of rate increases. This
year SDG&E's ERRA forecast and trigger applications, which reflect the costs of fuel and purchased power, will likely
result in rate increases. Projected increases from the filings are dependent on the treatment of SDG&E's interest
in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Depending on how much of the costs related to SONGS are allowed,
agricultural rates could increase in the range of 6% to 10% toward the end of 2013.
Classified Advertising
Classified Ad Policy
Farm Bureau membership includes one free, four-line ad in this classified advertising section each month. Additional lines available
at $4.15 per line. Call (760) 745-3023 e-mail [email protected] to reserve ad space. To renew your ad contact kathy@
sdfarmbureau.org by the 15 of the month. Farm Bureau membership includes one free, four-line ad in this classified
advertising section each month.
Real Estate
Ranch Management
Misc
Cleaned up and ready to lease 100 acres
flat 40 hillside in Fallbrook. District and
well water available. contact
[email protected]
Wanted: underutilized greenhouse
space or land for growing succulents &
related food crops. Alan 858.883.7314.
Professional, Profitable Avocado
Grove Manager with over 34 years
experience. Consulting, management,
design & installation. Charley Wolk's
Bejoca Company (760) 728-5176.
Sunrise Farms packers of organic and
conventional citrus for 30 years and
going strong! Call for a quote on all
citrus. Will help certify organic.
(760) 598-3276.
Firewood avocado, oak, citrus, euc.
(760) 747-3434.
Large agricultural wood bins for sale:
$10 /each. Slightly wider than a pallet,
fit 800-1000 lbs of produce. We have
about 90, you haul. Email
[email protected] or call
206-224-9066
1670 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027-2409
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
2013 SCHOLARSHIP
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Thursday, September 19th
12 pm Shotgun start
Proceeds from past
tournaments have
provided 228
agricultural students
with $221,150 in
scholarships.
St. Mark Golf Club
1750 San Pablo Dr
San Marcos, CA 92078
Register Online:
www.sdfarmbureau.org/GOLF
Registration Deadline:
Friday September 13, 2013
Presorted Standard
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Escondido, CA
Permit No. 233

September - San Diego County Farm Bureau

Transcription

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