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San Diego County Farm Bureau News
April 2009: Vol. 22. No. 4

MONTHLY COLUMNS

President's Message

Reflecting on all the good Farm Bureau does for us
by Chuck Badger

Since my tenure as San Diego County Farm Bureau President ends in May, I was recently thinking about how fast the last two years have passed. It seems like we have jumped from one crisis to another—fire, water and pests (both insect and government). In this crazy environment, what continues to impress me is the value of Farm Bureau membership.

During the fires of October 2007, SDCFB greatly helped in the recovery process. It was the Farm Bureau’s relationship with Jackie Cruz and Liz Silva of the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office, respectively that helped many farmers return quickly to our farms. Eric Larson and our staff also helped countless members deal with insurance and government agencies to speed recovery efforts. And we have continued to meet with our insurance partners to help them give our members a fair shake when assessing the fire risk of the individual parcels.

As we continue to confront our water crisis, SDCFB has played an important role in supporting the Poseidon desalination plant by testifying before the Coastal Commission and State Lands Board as to the necessity of desalination. We also continue to push for common sense solutions in the Delta to move water from north to south. And we have worked hard with MWD to make the Interim Agricultural Water Program flexible to meet different growers’ varying needs during the IAWP’s phase-out period.

Finally, SDCFB works tirelessly to advocate for stronger pest exclusion and eradication efforts at every level: federal, state and local. Eric Larson and Janet Kister worked diligently to find the necessary millions in the ‘08-‘09 state budget to continue treating for the Diaprepes root weevil—only to have it blue-lined by the governor at the 11th hour. We are continuing to monitor the Asian citrus psyllid quarantine and eradication program to make sure the federal government adequately funds the effort here in the U.S. We also push the USDA to make sure the Mexican government is working effectively to eradicate the pest south of the border as well.

As volatile as the issues have been the last few years, I don’t expect them to ease up any. The water situation will only become more important in the next few years as the debate sharpens over how to move water from the northern part of the state to the south. That’s why I am thankful that the San Diego County Farm Bureau continues to be our advocate. With a strong board of directors and an effective executive director and staff, our membership can rest assured that their interests are in good hands.

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From the Executive Director

Suggestions on how to prevent, address a neighbor complaint
by Eric Larson

A number of years ago, I made mention in this space that many of the calls for assistance I receive are members seeking advice on dealing with a code enforcement violation they have received from the County or a city. Now, several years later, I must still report that many of the calls for assistance I receive are members seeking advice on dealing with a code enforcement violation they have received from the County or a city.

The violations are varied and, most often, are related to improperly stored or unsightly materials, non-running vehicles, unpermitted structures, and non-farm activities taking place on the farm. The violations come singly, or, occasionally, an unlucky soul gets hit with multiple counts. One thing is universal that brings the code enforcement officer to the farm: a neighbor complaint.

When I receive the call, I first ask if there is an unhappy neighbor or a new neighbor. Invariably the answer is yes. Unfortunately, folks who are living near farms and take exception to the farm enterprise have discovered that they can get pretty quick response when they file a complaint. While it’s common to think little of the citation writer, it is important to note that agencies are obligated by law to follow up on a complaint. It has been my observation that local agencies have no manpower to seek out code violations on farms but, when the complaint comes in, they hit the ground running.

The first suggestion I can offer is to do what you need to do avoid the generation of the complaint. Is something going on at your location that could be irritating to your neighbors? Do you have an eyesore that you just haven’t gotten around to cleaning up? Do you know your neighbors? It is a lot less likely that they will file a complaint if they have met you and understand what you do. The key thing to remember in the value of avoiding the complaint in the first place is that, once the code enforcement officer is on your property, you can be cited for all violations, not the just the one under investigation.

My second suggestion is in regards to dealing with a code violation. Don’t assume that just because you received a citation that the officer who wrote the violation is fully aware of how the code relates to your farming operation. Check the code sections that are cited and do a little investigative work (yes, call me). Don’t be afraid to challenge the citation and take it up the chain of command. More than once, we have discovered that a code violation was written erroneously.

When you’ve done all you can and it comes down to having to abate the code violation, it is not unreasonable to ask in writing for clear instruction on what you have to do to come into compliance. And then, make progress towards getting the work done.

Finally, don’t stonewall. Communicate. Ignoring the citation will never make it go away. Let the proper authorities know you are working on it and they will give you some breathing room. Never forget that the entity writing the violation has lawyers and law enforcement officers on their payroll.

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From the Ag Commissioner

Exotic/invasive pests threaten San Diego County agriculture

by David Kellum, San Diego County Entomologist

San Diego County continues to be at the forefront of the continuing exotic pest invasion. Climate, major ports, proximity to Mexico, human traffic, and rich fertile land are contributing factors to the introduction, distribution, and establishment of exotic pests and diseases.
The ease and speed of today’s interstate and international movement of people and products accounts for a marked increase in invasive insects and diseases. The combination of these facts places San Diego County at the forefront of counties at greatest risk for the introduction and establishment of invasive insects and diseases. Additionally, the wide variety of ecological niches where invasive pests can become quickly established places tremendous pressure on the various agencies trying to limit the damage of invasive pest introductions. Examples of some of these pests established in San Diego County are Asian citrus psyllid, Diaprepes root weevil, red imported fire ant, Formosan termite, olive psyllid, myoporum thrips, bamboo mealybug, glassy-winged sharpshooter, citrus leafminer, small hive beetle, gold-spotted oak borer and the brown widow spider. Diseases of concern are chrysanthemum white rust, gladiolus rust, myrtle rust and basil downy mildew.
Currently, we are dealing with quarantines for the Asian citrus psyllid; Diaprepes root weevil, and the Mediterranean fruit fly. The Asian citrus psyllid, discovered in San Diego in the summer of 2008, vectors a devastating disease of citrus, huanglongbing or citrus greening. Aggressive treatment and control measures are underway to eradicate this pest and limit its spread. Eradication efforts against a medfly infestation in El Cajon (Nov. 2008) are in progress. The gold-spotted oak borer poses a serious threat to drought-stressed oak trees in eastern San Diego County. This new pest could adversely affect the health of native species throughout the state.

Invasive pests and diseases will continue to gain illegal entry into the U.S., California, and, unfortunately, San Diego County. The key to any program responding to infiltration of exotic pests is early detection, which may allow for control and eradication, thereby limiting the economic and social damage to the area. Failure to maintain adequate levels of exclusion, detection, and surveillance activities at all points of entry is a recipe for disaster. A coordinated effort between industry, local, state, federal, and international agencies is necessary to adequately respond to this continuing invasion.

www.cdfa.ca.gov

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Farm Bureau has been working for you . . .

  • Traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislative and USDA officials
  • Interviewed by BBC Radio and local TV on the California water shortage
  • Made a report to the Regional Water Quality Control Board on the progress of the monitoring group
  • Participated in scoping session for Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
  • Conducted two sessions on selling at farmers’ markets
  • Met with County staff on habitat planning issues
  • Wrote Ag Alert commentary on desalination
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FFA Ag-tivities

Vista High School FFA

Chapter accomplishments:

We’ve had a very busy year since our last visit to Farm Bureau. We finished last year with a great showing at the San Diego County Fair. All of our students received blue ribbons, and one student earned the Reserve Grand title for her pen of meat chickens.

Over the summer, our 2008-2009 officers went to Big Bear for the annual officer retreat. Members have attended many other leadership conferences, including the San Diego FFA Section conference at the Tulloch Ranch, the SOCAL Leadership Conference, the Greenhand Conference and the Advanced Leadership academy.

We are proud to report that three Vista Alumni were awarded their American FFA Degrees last October. This is a huge accomplishment considering there have only been three recipients in the previous 70+ years of the Vista FFA’s existence! We also have three members receiving their State Degrees this year and had the Section FFA Proficiency winner in Outdoor Recreation.

We sold 450 plants at our annual Poinsettia sale. Other future fundraisers include a Dudley’s bread sale, club carnivals at school, food sales, pork raffle, and our kiss-the-pig contest. Most of the funds raised are going toward student activities and the completion of our new horticulture facilities, including our beautiful 30’x48’ greenhouse.

Several students have been attending field days to compete in various contests, most recently at Mira Costa College, where 14 students competed in Horticulture, Vegetable, and Floriculture contests. Other contests we have competed in are Public Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure.

In April, members will be attending the State FFA Leadership conference in Fresno. Springtime also means “livestock,” and we should have close to 20 students participating at the San Diego County Fair this year. Come out and see us!

Vista FFA Wish List

2"x12"x10' boards for garden boxes
Bark chips
Potting soil
Fruit trees
Industry field trip sites
San Diego County Fair auction buyers
Greenhouse emitters - various
Garden tools: Rakes, hoes, pruners, etc.
Pig, steer, and lamb feeders
Landscape plants-liners or bigger
Raffle prizes
Greenhouse irrigation design assistance
Assistance in dry laying a brick patio
Metal lockers (for barn)

If you can help the Vista FFA by providing any of these items, please contact the Farm Bureau at (760) 745-3023 or Vista FFA instructor Sara Benner at (760) 726-5611.

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Ag News Bites

FB announces opening of 4th Farmers’ Market

Farm Bureau’s fourth Farmers’ Market opens May 6 in National City and will tentatively run from 2-6 p.m. every Wednesday in the recently revitalized area near Morgan Square. The market, which was planned by Farm Bureau with the assistance of the National City Chamber of Commerce, will be similar to past markets launched by Farm Bureau and feature locally grown produce, flowers, prepared hot and cold foods, as well as a few local artisans in the open-air market section. The market continues the tradition with its other Farm Bureau-launched markets to accept WIC voucher and EBT (Food Stamps) cards. SDCFB invites growers to sell their products at this market or any of the others launched over the past year—City Heights, Valley Center, and Lakeside. Contact Casey Anderson at the Farm Bureau at
(760) 745-3023.

First Farmers’ Market Marketing Class a success

On March 12, Farm Bureau held its first Farmers’ Market Marketing class, a free, two-hour comprehensive workshop covering all the points growers need to know in order to sell at a Farmers’ Market, from the market structure, how to get certified, how to get started in a market, sales hints and more. The class is presented by a representative from the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures and will answer all your questions regarding the process, rules and other must-know points to participating in a Farmers’ Market. The first class filled up so quickly that a second class was scheduled for March 26, which also filled to capacity with a waiting list, so a third class has been scheduled for April 9 from 3-4:30 p.m. Call the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023 to reserve your seat.

RWQCB to begin notifying ag operators on runoff testing requirements

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board has announced that it is beginning the process of directly notifying agricultural operators about the requirements for runoff testing connected to the Waiver of Discharge Requirements that was adopted in October, 2007. Under those regulations, each agricultural operator in the region has the choice of enrolling in the waiver program as an individual or as a member of a monitoring group. Individuals or groups will be responsible for filing plans that describe how, when, and where runoff samples will be drawn and provide detail on the testing procedures that will be used to determine if agricultural chemicals are present in the samples. In the notice, the Regional Board makes the recommendation that operators join a group because of the cost savings as opposed to individual participation. The Regional Board has mentioned it intends to make the notifications by direct mail over a period of several weeks.

Top of PagePest Watch

Asian citrus psyllid

The 400-meter range of treatment applied to local infested areas has proven to be effective at containing the spread of ACP, as there have been few finds in treated areas. AWM is working through some labeling protocol issues regarding pesticide application for residential areas that are expected to be resolved soon. ACP sites in Tijuana, Mexicali and Tecate are being treated by international spray crews who are working cooperatively with USDA. A consortium of ag and citrus-industry officials from California, Florida, Arizona, Texas and Louisiana recently descended on Washington, D.C. to pursue funding to eradicate ACP as an international and regional issue. The move was supported by the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA), which has reported that the regional approach taken to detect and treat all known ACP infested sites within a week has slowed considerably the spread and virtually eliminated ACP in some areas, adding that no other area in the world has had this much success against ACP/HLB. Plants and insects have been tested on both sides of the border for the presence of the HLB bacteria, and none has been found.

Gold-spotted oak borer

Be on the lookout for the gold-spotted oak borer and signs of its destruction. The pest is a brown beetle with gold spots on its wings. It has been around the county for several years, but recently officials discovered that the beetle, combined with the drought, have contributed to the death of thousands of oak trees. This beetle is different from typical wood-borer bugs because it does not feed on dead, dying or recently killed trees. Instead, it attacks healthy, mature oaks on main stems and large branches. Larvae feed on the underside of the bark, causing strips or patches of the tree to die, eventually killing the entire tree after repeated attacks. Infestations have been identified in Julian, Alpine, Pine Valley, Descanso and the Moreno Village area on private and public lands. The damage is seen in several types of oaks, including the coast live oak, canyon live oak, and California black oak. Experts think the borer may have spread to San Diego County under the bark of firewood, and the public is urged not to transport firewood in and out of the county until more is known about the pest. If you find the insect, contact the San Diego County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures at (858) 694-2739 or sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Inside CFBF

by Rachael Johnson - California Farm Bureau Federatio

CFBF’s National Affairs & Research Division
The National Affairs & Research Division directs a variety of CFBF programs which support and encourage Farm Bureau member participation at the federal level. The division’s four professional policy analysts monitor and analyze federal legislative, regulatory and trade activities and encourage volunteer members to participate in the legislative process. The core staff consists of Division Manager Jack King and three program directors: Ria deGrassi covers livestock and animal health and welfare matters; Elisa Noble covers natural resources and public land issues; and Josh Rolph monitors congressional relations, international trade, farm policy and taxation. To ensure proper representation of California’s unique agricultural industry, the staff is in daily contact with policymakers in Washington, D.C.

The National Affairs Division coordinates an annual board meeting to Washington, D.C. for the CFBF directors every spring (held the week of March 16 this year), in which the CFBF board meets with Senators and members of Congress to influence federal legislation and policy decisions. On the board’s agenda this year will be three core issues: economic viability, estate tax reform, and holding the line on the Clean Water Act. However, depending on the audience, the board will expand on those topics to include water development, water shortages caused by enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, the need for immigration legislation, food safety concerns, environmental regulations, the importance of sound trade agreements, and proper Farm Bill implementation. Congressional members invited to meet with the CFBF board include Senators Saxby Chambliss, James Inhofe and Barbara Boxer, and House members Howard Berman, Doc Hastings, Frank Lucas, John Boehner, Ellen Tauscher, Jim Costa, George Radanovich, Devin Nunes, Wally Herger, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Thompson, Rosa Delauro, Sam Farr and Collin Peterson.

The National Affairs Division also schedules an annual trip to Washington, D.C. with about 15 members from various county Farm Bureaus. Held this year during the first week in May and including members of the Leadership Farm Bureau class, the trip’s focus will be to engage up and coming Farm Bureau leaders directly in the legislative process by meeting with various members of Congress and working with a variety of agencies, such as USDA, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, and American Farm Bureau.

Ag in the Classroom Update

SDAITC awards 29 garden grants
San Diego Ag in the Classroom (SDAITC) has selected 29 garden grant recipients for its 2008 awards totaling $15,000 to help local schools promote agricultural education.

Grants ranged from $250 to $800, which were based on the quality of the grant documentation itself, the scope of the garden project, and the sheer enthusiasm for the project as described in the application. From Jamul to Oceanside, the schools receiving funds included many elementary schools, several middle and high schools, including private, charter, and continuation schools, and a few after-school programs and GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) programs. Twice as many schools were requesting grant funds to expand or support existing gardens rather than start new gardens.

“We received 34 applications this year and awarded grants to 29—that’s nearly double what we gave out last year,” said Cathey Anderson, co-chair of San Diego Ag in the Classroom. “It was a diverse mix of applicants, and we selected those schools and programs that our board felt demonstrated considerable community involvement, innovative ideas and expressed a genuine passion for their project.”

If you would like to support the Garden Grant Program, please send your donation to San Diego Ag in the Classroom, 1670 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027.

Featured Articles

Irrigated Lands Group continues to grow
by Nancy Walery

The San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group (SDRILG) now has nearly 1,200 farms and 35,000 acres enrolled, but there’s room for plenty more. In fact, the economics of joining the group improve as the acreage grows larger, because each new enrollee means the operating costs will be smaller as they are spread over a larger number of participants.

It is important to remember that all owners of agricultural operations—large and small—will be required to either file a Notice of Intent directly with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) by Jan. 1, 2011 or join a monitoring group by Dec. 31, 2010. If you don’t want to report directly to the RWQCB and you haven’t yet joined the SDRILG, there is really no advantage to waiting any longer. Even though you have time before that deadline, by joining the group sooner, you will save on the enrollment fee, which is $150 per acre (capped at $750) now through June 30. On July 1, that enrollment fee increases to $200 per acre (capped at $1,000).

The San Diego County Farm Bureau board of directors has recently approved the plan to incorporate the SDRILG as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, a process which is expected to be completed within the next 30 days. When the enrollment period has closed, the group will begin collecting the more detailed information about the properties being enrolled with the RWQCB. This summer, the group will research and hire the engineering consulting firm that will provide the technical assistance needed to comply with the water monitoring regulations.

To enroll in the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group at the current rate, call the Farm Bureau office today at (760) 745-3023 or go to www.sdfarmbureau.org and click on the “Irrigated Lands Group” link.

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An interview with Dana Friehauf, P.E.

Principal Water Resources Specialist, San Diego County Water Authority

For close to 25 years, Dana Friehauf has been working in the water industry gaining an extensive knowledge of the challenges and actions associated with providing a reliable water supply. For the last 20 years, she has been at the San Diego County Water Authority working in the field of water resources and facility planning. She currently supervises long-term water supply planning and policy activities for the Water Authority. She is responsible for preparation of the Water Authority’s Urban Water Management Plan, a document that identifies the supplies necessary to meet future demands along with the challenges of providing a reliable water supply to San Diego County. She also managed preparation of the Water Authority’s Drought Management Plan, which includes regional actions to take to avoid shortages and, if necessary, a method to allocate imported supplies to its member agencies in a cutback situation. This past year, the focus of Ms. Friehauf’s efforts has been on drought response planning and how to best manage potential shortages associated with the current supply conditions. Ms. Friehauf has also been managing for the Water Authority the phase-out of Metropolitan Water District’s Interim Agricultural Water Management Program and development of the Water Authority’s two-year transitional Special Agricultural Water Rate. Prior to coming to the Water Authority, Ms. Friehauf worked for the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Goleta Water District in Santa Barbara County. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from San Diego State University and is a registered civil engineer.

What are the water supply conditions that have led to the current situation?
We are experiencing unprecedented water supply challenges here in San Diego and statewide. As most of the readers know, the Water Authority purchases approximately 70 percent of the region’s supplies from the Metropolitan Water District, which imports its supplies from the State Water Project in northern California and the Colorado River. There are three main factors influencing the current situation: First, diminished supplies due to two years of drought conditions in California and eight out of the last 10 years being dry in the Colorado River watershed. Second, caused in part by diminished supplies, is that large reservoirs like Lake Oroville on the State Water Project have been drawn down to historic low levels and remain below average. Third and most importantly, pumping restrictions have now been imposed on the State Water Project to protect endangered fish species (Delta Smelt) that greatly reduce deliveries to Metropolitan in both dry and wet years. All these factors are impacting current supply reliability here in San Diego County.

It would then seem that even heavy precipitation won’t get us into the clear.
While heavy precipitation this year in Northern California will definitely help lessen the likelihood and severity of shortages, the question will be whether it will be adequate to refill reservoirs like Oroville. In addition, even with heavy precipitation, pumping restrictions will continue to limit the supply Metropolitan can deliver into Southern California to replenish local reservoirs in preparation for drought conditions in 2010 and beyond. Additional pumping restrictions may also be imposed due to the decline of other fish species including the longfin smelt and salmon. The pumping restrictions make it impossible to compare the current drought conditions with previous droughts, because the restrictions compound the likelihood of shortages. The next few years are going to be very precarious, with precipitation, storage capacity, and additional pumping restrictions playing key roles in whether demands can be fully met.

Has the time come to start reasonably assuming that even M&I (full price) water users in the county will face some level of water use restrictions?
Due to the supply challenges mentioned, there is a high probability that municipal and industrial (M&I) customers could face some level of supply cutback by this summer. We’ll have a better handle on the situation after the final Sierra snow pack and runoff numbers. If enacted, the cutbacks would most likely be between 10 and 20 percent.

How soon should we know what to expect for this summer and beyond?
Metropolitan will be notifying us in mid-April whether M&I cutbacks will be imposed and at what level. The specific cutback level would be imposed starting July 1, with the anticipation that the cutback level would be in place for 12-months.

What will determine the level of severity this could take?
As I mentioned previously, the three main factors influencing the severity of cutbacks to M&I customers are: 1) final snowpack and runoff figures for the Sierra; 2) reservoir storage levels; and 3) existing and potential pumping restrictions. As of March 9, precipitation and snowpack in the northern Sierra are just below average, with storage levels in Lake Oroville at 64 percent of average. We hope that the precipitation and snowpack levels will continue to rise as they did in February and not remain flat as they did last spring. Runoff into the reservoirs will need to be above average to fill reservoirs.
San Diego County growers are split among full price, Special Ag Water Rate, and Interim Agricultural Water Program users.

How will a call from the Metropolitan Water District affect each of those classes?
Each of these three classes of service will receive different levels of cutback commensurate with the rate paid for service. M&I  customers pay for and will receive Water Authority long-term and dry-year supplies that will lessen the severity of the cutback from Metropolitan. Customers under the Special Agricultural Water Rate (SAWR) are paying solely for water supplies from Metropolitan and not paying for Water Authority supplies. Therefore, these customers will receive a cutback equal to Metropolitan M&I reduction levels. As most of the readers know, the Interim Agricultural Water Program (IAWP) users are currently at a 30 percent cutback level, which could increase if Metropolitan calls for a M&I cutback of 15 percent or greater.

If cuts come, it looks like the Water Authority will be able to soften the blow a little for full price and Special Ag Water Rate users.
Yes. As I mentioned, full-price customers will benefit from the transfer of conserved agricultural supplies from the Imperial Valley and conservation savings through lining of the All American and Coachella canals. Yield from these projects will provide approximately 130,000 acre-feet in 2009, increasing to 277,000 acre-feet by 2021. The Water Authority has also secured dry-year supplies currently in storage totaling approximately 68,000 acre-feet to utilize over multiple years to lessen the impact. Because SAWR users will not pay for or receive the benefit of these long-term and dry-year supplies from the Water Authority, they will experience cutbacks in excess of the M&I customers but less than cutbacks under the IAWP.

How are the Water Authority and local agencies responding?
I’m glad you asked. The Water Authority actually began preparing for shortage conditions with adoption of its Drought Management Plan in 2006. The plan has been our guidebook the last several years, providing progressive regional actions to be taken as supply challenges escalate, with the goal of lessening the impact of shortages. Consistent with the plan, the Water Authority heavily promoted voluntary water conservation through outreach and advertising campaigns. We are also securing short-term or “dry-year” transfers to augment existing supplies. In regard to our member agencies, they are working closely with their customers to promote voluntary conservation and prepare for potential cutbacks. They have updated their shortage response ordinances, based on the Water Authority’s regional model, which contain urban water-use restrictions increasing in severity as reductions levels increase. They are also exploring methods to allocate supplies to customers and implement conservation pricing. No single action can do the trick; it requires a whole tool box. 

We know water rates never come down, how will this water dilemma affect rates?
Purchasing water is the Water Authority’s largest expense and, therefore, has the biggest impact on rates. The cost of purchasing water from Metropolitan has and will continue to increase as low-cost water available from the Colorado River continues to decrease and they need to rely on more costly State Water Project supplies. In addition, due to shortage conditions on the State Project, Metropolitan and the Water Authority have had to invest in more expensive water through short-term dry-year transfers to make up for the reductions. The Water Authority and Metropolitan are evaluating cost management efforts to take during the next fiscal year budget to reduce the impact.

So, how can San Diego’s long-term water supply be made more reliable?
There are two major components to providing a long-term reliable and sustainable water supply. The first starts locally with the region diversifying its supplies and reducing reliance on Metropolitan imported supplies, such as the State Water Project. In 1991, the San Diego region was 95 percent reliant on Metropolitan. Through development of new local and imported supplies and boosting conservation, we have reduced that reliance to about 71 percent. The development of additional local supplies is key, including the implementation of seawater desalination, a drought-proof, high quality water supply. We hope to see the Carlsbad Desalination Project on line by 2012. The second component is at the state level, where a long-term comprehensive fix to the State Water Project (Bay-Delta) is critical to providing supply reliability not only to San Diego, but statewide. The system is broken and a conveyance system that provides supply reliability without harming the environment is essential.

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Cal Ag Leadership Class 40 accepting applications for the 2009-10 program

Each year, the California Ag Leadership Program accepts as many as 30 applicants into a new, two-year fellowship class. Individual candidate selection is based on demonstrated leadership and/or the potential for effective leadership in the future. The program claims more than 1,100 Ag Leadership graduates and current Fellows who are now strong, capable leaders making positive contributions within their communities, in their commodities, and within California’s $31.4 billion agricultural economy.

San Diego representation needed

San Diego County has the most small farms in the nation, yet, historically, it has been under-represented in these fellowship classes. It is important that San Diego County agriculture be represented in this program as often as possible. With so many local growers, this shouldn’t be difficult to accomplish.

“This program has broadened my horizons and changed how I look at things,” said Denise Godfrey of Olive Hill Greenhouses in Fallbrook, a Class 38 program graduate. “I look at things in a whole different context now. It has helped me step outside the farm, evaluate the world, and then return and see how it applies to my life and make me a better person. It’s not just a leadership program to benefit you in business; you will be a better citizen in the world, your community, your business, and at home. It’s one of those things that’s not very tangible about what it does, but the skill sets you gain help you better understand the interrelationships in our world.”

Fellowship is unique training

The Agricultural Leadership Program is not a course in farming, and, other than a materials charge, there is no cost to apply or participate. (The materials fee is charged to each participant to offset a portion of the material costs over the two-year program; in addition, incidental expenses and transportation to in-state seminars and to/from airports for travel seminars are the responsibility of each participant.) It is an intensive, two-year fellowship that provides selected individuals with an exceptional professional and personal leadership development experience. During the two-year program, you will learn many new skills, including how to:

  • Enhance communication, policy and time management skills
  • Utilize your individual leadership style for greater effectiveness
  • Communicate with people with viewpoints different than your own
  • Increase self-confidence based on greater self-awareness
  • Translate vision into action
  • Learn to deal with issues of great complexity

Cal Ag Leadership Fellows meet periodically over the two-year program for 14 seminars hosted by and held at four leading California universities. The seminars provide a comprehensive yet diverse high-impact curriculum that focuses not only on California agriculture, but also personal improvement skills and current social, political, scientific, organizational and economic issues.

The first year of study also includes a trip to Washington, D.C. as well as a two-week National Travel Seminar to give participants firsthand exposure to the social and economic conditions that exist in the United States.
In the second year of the program, participants take a three-week International Travel Seminar and meet a variety of leaders from heads of state and business leaders to inspiring individuals in village settings. Since 1990, Cal Ag Leadership classes have visited more than 60 countries on five continents.

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) awards up to 30 fellowships each year, each of which is valued at approximately $45,000. The commitment is significant, but the experiences and contacts obtained through this program cannot be duplicated elsewhere.
Value of the program greater than the time commitment
If you think you don’t have time for this comprehensive and life-changing program, Godfrey says, think again. “Those who say they don’t have time for this program are just the kinds of people the Cal Ag Leadership Program is seeking,” she said. “Those are the people who care and put a lot into what they do and will therefore get a lot out of it. You also make some good friends among the classmates and alumni. It’s just a really neat network of people who care about our industry and the community they live in.”

Frank Hilliker of Hilliker Egg Ranch in Lakeside, a graduate of the program in 2004 and the Region 14 representative on the Fellows Council, echoes Godfrey’s sentiments. “The value is in the networking and lifelong learning benefits,” he said. “Everything I learned I incorporate into my everyday activities, from organizational practices to dealing with the public, the media, and public speaking. All that is part of the toolbox, and it comes in handy in dealing with people every day.”

Applications and eligibility information for Class 40 are available by downloading the Class 40 application on the California Agricultural Leadership Program Web site (www.agleaders.org). Applications and supporting documents are due by May 15, 2009. For additional information or assistance, call (916) 928-2202 or send an e-mail to info@agleaders.org.

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AWM announces fieldworker training

Farmers, agricultural workers and their families are potentially at risk from direct, indirect, or accidental exposure to pesticides. This includes breathing pesticide fumes, having skin contact with pesticide residues or pesticide spills, and swallowing or absorbing pesticides from contaminated water.

A key to reducing pesticide injuries and illnesses is education and training. Because of this, California’s worker safety regulations require that all field workers are trained before working in treated fields and every five years thereafter. Treated fields include greenhouses and all areas where a pesticide (including any herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc.) was applied or a restricted entry interval was in effect within the last 30 days.
The training must be done by a qualified trainer, and the information must be presented in a manner the employee can understand, orally from written materials or audio-visually, using non-technical terms. It is important to know that this training is different than pesticide handler training.

Free fieldworker training will be offered in April by the County of San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. Each session lasts two hours, will be conducted in Spanish, and limited to 25 people (limit of five per company). Attendees will receive the EPA Worker Protection Standard, Worker Verification Card which is valid for five years.

A letter with the locations, dates and times of the trainings will be mailed to all growers with a current Operator Identification Number. Growers who do not receive a letter can call the Pesticide Regulation Program at (858) 694-8980 to reserve a spot. Call in advance!

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