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San Diego County Farm Bureau News
January 2009: Vol. 22. No. 7

MONTHLY COLUMNS

President's Message - Top of Page
We have a part in reshaping California

by Michael A. Mellano

It’s easy, with the economy of the last year, to put your head down and stay focused only on your day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, with the current state of the state, we really can’t afford to do only that. Now is the time to stay vigilant.

The definitive failure of the propositions in May’s special election, combined with the May budget revise means that there is going to be, (by necessity), dynamic change throughout our state. Not all of this is necessarily bad. The voters overwhelmingly made a statement that it is far past time for our elected officials to step up and fix what they have neglected for years.
Now starts the difficult task of sorting through an overly complex bureaucracy. Cutting back or eliminating programs that are duplicative or unnecessary, while maintaining those that will be the economic drivers for the state, seems to be the wise direction to take. Some of these proposed changes will undoubtedly be sensationalistic grandstanding. Some of them will be unwarranted and illogical. Some will make sense, and some will be needed but hard to accept. This process will be confusing, and we must speak up for what we believe in, or we will find ourselves with a state government that will be far from meeting our needs and could severely impact our ability to be profitable in the future. We need to stay involved to shape the state of the future.

We could all take on this challenge individually, but it is wise to speak with a collective voice. We are all fortunate that we are San Diego County Farm Bureau members, a truly grassroots organization. Farm Bureau provides the framework and the clout that will allow us to have a significant impact on the process of rebuilding our state. However, it is dependent on the input and feedback from its members to be effective. It is the diversity and the collective brainpower of our membership that will provide the foundation for the Farm Bureau leaders to bring forward the message that needs to be heard by our elected officials in Sacramento. We must keep our heads up, our eyes and ears open. We must point out shortcomings as the process unfolds. We must participate in the process and remain vigilant.

From the Executive Director

Legislators’ scorched-earth approach to balancing budget hinders rational debate

by Eric Larson

For individuals whose health or livelihood doesn’t require a check carrying the Great Seal of the State of California somewhere in the train of funding, the state budget meltdown has been more entertainment than calamity. Is the budget gap now larger than the GNP of India? Is Maria’s capitol garden for sale? Will we get used to hearing “McDonalds Golden Gate Bridge?” It seems all things run by the state are up for sale or on the chopping block. While government makes us cringe from time to time, there are things that it does that we just can’t do for ourselves.

Among the early casualties of the Sacramento predicament was the Diaprepes root weevil detection and eradication program. The state has walked away from its responsibility to rid our region of this pest. This bug has damaged tens of thousands of acres of agriculture in Florida and countless residential landscapes, and there is no reason to believe that, when left unchecked, it won’t do the same here. How many new pests and diseases are out there whose threat level will be brushed off due to the inability of our state to afford itself?

There is a proposal floating around to close down the California Department of Food and Agriculture. It’s a fair question to ask, “so what?” I guess we could answer that with who would interface with USDA? Who would work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection? Who would shield growers from the avalanche of quarantines and shipping restrictions that would surely be brought by our trading partners, foreign and domestic, when we they see us waving the white flag?

Included in that missive about CDFA was the suggestion to abolish all the commodity commissions. These are self-funded bodies put in place by a vote of the producers in large part to promote the marketing of their commodities. The current scorched-earth attitude in Sacramento doesn’t seem to even recognize those things that don’t cost the state any money. When California products are no longer promoted, you can’t expect the foreign producers to just lie down. Actually, they’ll probably take their marketing up a notch to fill the void.

Anyone who has watched the malfunctioning state budget process for the past many years holds out hope that our elected leaders will somehow find their way to reinvent the way things get done. For starters, consider alternate years doing the budget and legislation. That way the legislators can spend a full year paying attention to the budget with no legislative distractions and we would get a hiatus from new laws every other year. The Golden State cannot allow its budget mismanagement to lay waste to productive enterprises.

California agriculture contributes mightily to the economy, and in turn is important to the state’s tax base. No farmer is looking for more government, but a failure of government to provide the services that are fundamental to the reason government exists is folly and a roadmap to further financial distress for the state.

From the Ag Commissioner

Bob Atkins, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

Tackling the Medfly menace in San Diego County

Agriculture in San Diego County is threatened once again by the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). On May 20, 2009, a mated female Medfly was found in a residential area of Mira Mesa. An immediate quarantine was enacted and additional trapping locations were set up. As of newsletter press time, six adult Medflies have been trapped and 27 Medfly larvae have been found in fruit from residential trees.

A quarantine, enacted last November, in the El Cajon/Spring Valley area for Medfly is still in effect. The Mira Mesa find created a new quarantine area, together totaling approximately 304 square miles.

Medfly is one of the world’s most destructive pests and is attracted to over 260 types of fruits and vegetables. The Medfly lays its eggs just under the skin of susceptible fruit and emerging maggots or larvae feed on the fruit pulp. If not controlled, Medfly can cause serious economic losses to local growers and render backyard fruit inedible. California’s foreign and domestic trade would also be impacted. A permanent infestation of Medfly in California would result in estimated annual statewide crop losses of $1.3 to $1.8 billion.

DNA analysis of the Medfly in Mira Mesa has shown these finds are of the same Central American genetic type as the El Cajon/Spring Valley infestation. So far, it appears that the Mira Mesa infestation was discovered in its early stages before it became widespread.

Current eradication efforts in San Diego include treatments using an organic pesticide, Spinosad, around a 200-meter radius from each find site and host fruit removal within the larval site and surrounding 100 meters. Sterile male Medflies are also being released at the rate of 250,000 flies per square mile to disrupt the mating cycle.

Luckily, there is very little commercial agriculture in the new infestation area, which is mainly a residential area bordered on the south by Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. We are aware of production and retail nurseries (13), fruit sellers (26), food banks (2), and Certified Farmers’ Markets (3) in the new quarantine area.

Residents cannot remove homegrown fruits and vegetables from the Medfly quarantine areas. Residents may dispose of fruits and vegetables by double-bagging them and placing the bags in the garbage. The movement of agricultural commodities within the quarantine area is restricted by specific regulations to minimize the risk of potentially spreading the infestation.
Maps of the quarantine areas can be found at http://pi.cdfa.ca.gov/pqm/manual/pdf/403.pdf.

Interested parties who are not sure if they are in the quarantine zone, have questions, or need more information can call California Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

San Diego: (858) 694-8988
North County: (760) 752-4700
E-mail: sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov
Web: www.sdcawm.org

Farm Bureau has been working for you.

  • Contacted all local state legislators asking them to oppose elimination of CDFA
  • Sent letter of support for Diaprepes biological control research
  • Interviewed candidates for San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group board
  • Attended Governor Schwarzenegger's budget briefing in Escondido
  • Gave Opening Day talk about local agriculture at County Fair
  • Wrote article for San Diego News Network on water impacts to ag
  • Participated in the City Heights Farmers' Market first anniversary celebration

Ag News Bites

Sheriff to step up enforcement of roadside vendors

Farm Bureau recently sent Valley Center Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jim Nolan a letter of concern regarding mobile vendors of agricultural products that are regularly appearing along local roadsides. Concerns addressed included the illegal nature of the activity as well as public safety issues; the unfair competitive advantage of these non-permitted vendors who also avoid paying assessments for research and promotion; the opportunity for these vendors to be moving stolen fruit; and the illegal movement of potentially quarantined agricultural products that could expose other areas of the county to pests from a quarantined area. On June 4, Lt. Nolan addressed the SDCFB board of directors and said they would notify and increase code enforcement on these issues. He also encouraged growers who see a suspected unlicensed roadside vendor conducting business to call the Sheriff’s Department’s 24/7 Communication Center at (858) 565-5200 and explain that this is an ongoing issue that has been addressed with Lt. Nolan and should be immediately forwarded to dispatchers. Should growers encounter resistance from the Communications operator to forwarding this request, Lt. Nolan asks that you contact him directly at (760) 751-4401.

East County MSCP halted due to funding, staffing constraints

The County Department of Planning and Land Use’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) has been preparing an East County Plan for the unincorporated region of eastern San Diego County. While considerable collaborative work has already gone into the development of the East County Plan, current county budget constraints and staffing reductions have forced the Department to delay further progress on the plan for at least the 2009-2010 fiscal year. According to the County, when staffing levels return, MSCP development on the East County Plan will resume.

Calling all Young Farmers & Ranchers!

If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, engaged or interested in the business of agriculture and would like to develop leadership skills to strengthen your commitment to agriculture, you are invited to join Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R). To find out what it’s all about and meet fellow farmers and ranchers, CFBF’s Region 1 YF&R representative, Stephanie Leimgruber, has arranged a “YF&R Day in San Diego” on Saturday, July 25, which will include tours of several local agricultural operations and an afternoon at the Del Mar races. For more information, contact Leimgruber at (760) 996-6939 or via e-mail at rclfarms@horsehayforsale.com.

Top of Page

Pest Watch

Asian citrus psyllid

The latest word from the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner, Bob Atkins, is that “things are looking good.” He added that it is historically unprecedented for a pest to “move back” once it has moved into an area, but that is what has occurred with the Asian citrus psyllid, thanks to a concerted national effort led by California Citrus Mutual and an aggressive detection program and very effective treatment efforts in San Diego and Imperial counties. Agricultural officials are also seeing the same positive results in those areas of Mexico where ACP had been found and treated. No recurrence of the pest has been found in areas that received treatments. Now, Atkins said, “if we can just hold our breath for another two and a half years” without another find, we can declare ACP eradicated.

Mediterranean fruit fly

Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine declared in Mira Mesa

A 106-square mile area around a Mira Mesa area of San Diego has been placed under a Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine after the discovery of 27 wild flies in the area and larva was found at two sites. Backyard fruit is being stripped within a 100-meter radius of the find sites. Fruit trees where the Medflies were found have been treated with Naturalyte, a bait mixed with the organic pesticide Spinosad, and sterile males are being released into an expanded area around the find sites.

Diaprepes Root Weevil

CDFA ceases all state-level Diaprepes eradication efforts, quarantine enforcement, and funding
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has cancelled all enforcement activities regarding quarantines involving the Diaprepes root weevil. In a recent notice to county ag commissioners, CDFA has begun the process of rescinding all Diaprepes compliance agreements previously issued to nurseries. The notice further states that treatment, inspection and certification activities conducted according to quarantine requirements are no longer required. CDFA has also begun to process of downgrading the Diaprepes pest from an A-rated pest (which requires the state to fund eradication and control efforts), to a B-rated pest (which places the eradication/control responsibility and authority on individual county ag commissioners).

Employer-Employee: Farm employment issues

Nonexempt employees:
Reducing pay rates, calculating overtime pay

Reprinted from Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) Newsletter

An employer may lawfully cut a non-exempt employee’s wage rate. Further, different rates may be paid for different tasks. To do so, two conditions must be met:
1. The employee must be told what the rate of pay is before the work is performed; and

2. No rate may be below California’s minimum wage.

Premium pay for overtime work is based on an employee’s regular rate of pay, computed on a workweek basis.

For a discussion of this issue as it applies to piece-rate workers, see the Summary of Employment Requirements for California Agricultural Employers, Wage-and Hour Requirements section, at www.fels.org

The California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement no longer lets an employer use the “rate in effect” method to calculate overtime premium pay where an employee works under more than one pay rate (at least where none of the pay rates is a statutorily mandated rate such as the “prevailing wage” rate).

As stated in section 49.2.5 of the DLSE Enforcement Policies and Interpretations Manual, an employer generally may use the “weighted average” method only. That section states:

Weighted Average Method. Where two rates of pay are paid during a workweek, the California method for determining the regular rate of pay for calculating overtime in that workweek mirrors the federal method, based upon the weighted average of all hourly rates paid. (See 29 CFR §778.115.) Initially, therefore, it must be predicated upon the finding that there are established hourly rates being paid. The rate will be established by adding all hours worked in the week and dividing that number into the total compensation for the week. This is consistent with the provisions of Skyline v. DIR (1985) 165 Cal.App.3d 239, since the hourly rates have already been established and what needs to be established now is the weighted average of those rates for purposes of overtime payment.

The DLSE manual provides an exception to the requirement to use the weighted-average method where one of the pay rates is a statutorily mandated rate such as the prevailing-wage rate. In that situation, the method that produces the higher pay must be used. The manual states:

Exception to Weighted Average. In the situation where an employee is paid two rates during the course of the day and one of those rates is a statutorily-mandated rate (i.e., prevailing wage), the regular rate for calculating the overtime rate for work performed on the public works project must be based on the higher of either the weighted average or the prevailing wage rate in effect at the time that the work is performed.

FELS® is a subsidiary of the California Farm Bureau Federation that has assisted members in complying with labor laws and avoiding labor relations problems since 1970. Subscriptions to FELS are available primarily to those in agricultural, horticultural or other business operations. Contact FELS at (800) 753-9073 or via e-mail at fels@fels.org.

 

Featured Articles Top of Page

RWQCB notices finally arriving in grower mailboxes

by Nancy Walery

The Regional Water Quality Control Board has begun mailing official notices to Region 9 growers informing them that all owners of agricultural operations, large and small, will be required to either join a runoff monitoring group by Dec. 31, 2010 or make provisions for individual compliance for testing wet and dry season runoff and file a Notice of Intent directly with the RWQCB by Jan. 1, 2011.

This is the message the San Diego Region Irrigated Lands Group (SDRILG) has been trying to deliver in letters to the local agricultural community for the last six months, but without corroboration from RWQCB, many growers were not joining and taking advantage of early enrollment discounts. The last early enrollment discount deadline expired June 30.

So what does it mean if you have received a letter from the RWQCB? If you have already enrolled in the SDRILG, you don’t have to do a thing. By enrolling in the SDRILG, you have satisfied the RWQCB’s regulatory mandate stated in their letter. If you have not enrolled in the SDRILG and do not plan to enroll, be sure to study that letter very closely, because it details specifically what your responsibilities are under the new mandates.

Enrollment in the SDRILG will continue until a date in 2010 yet to be determined, when it will close to allow ample time to complete the technical documents that must be filed by the group. The cost to enroll is $200 per acre, capped at $1,000. The costs of the actual monitoring tasks will be based on each grower’s enrolled acreage. So by joining the SDRILG, the economics of the group improve as the acreage of the group grows larger, because each new enrollee means the per capita operating costs will be smaller as they are spread over a larger number of acres.

To enroll, call the Farm Bureau office today at (760) 745-3023, send an e-mail to sdrilg@sdfarmbureau.org, or go to www.sdfarmbureau.org and click on the “Irrigated Lands Group” link.

Julie Walker goes to Washington

By Nancy Walery

There was no shortage of issues to address with Congressional members at this year’s California Farm Bureau (CFBF) National Affairs trip to Washington, D.C. in early May, and Julie Walker was prepared to discuss them all. Walker, SDCFB’s 2nd Vice President and chair of its annual San Diego County Fair display since 2007, follows in the footsteps of other local Farm Bureau members who have participated in CFBF’s five-day National Affairs D.C. trek before her, including Noel Stehly, Michael A. Mellano, Janet Kister, Chuck Badger, Hector Ramos and Laney Villalobos. The purpose of the trip: To orient members to Washington, D.C., understand how the nation’s business gets done, and meet with legislators and their aides to share local agriculture’s issues and concerns.

This year’s 14-member entourage was accompanied by an 11-member Leadership Farm Bureau delegation, each armed with a dossier provided by CFBF and American Farm Bureau of the key issues to pursue and their own personal stories to share. They fanned out in the legislative halls in a blitz of meet-and-greet opportunities to address subjects including estate tax reform, Clean Water Act, food safety, California’s drought and water supply problems, immigration reform/AgJobs, trade, climate change/air quality, pest exclusion, the Farm Bill, and the Employee Freedom of Choice Act.

“As we met with legislators, staffers and others, it was encouraging to see them so engaged in the discussion and taking notes,” Walker said. “When we told our personal stories about how some of the proposed laws would or have affected us, many reacted with raised eyebrows and other signs of surprise, and made yet more notes.”

During a meeting with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, his staff gave a presentation of the last-minute, behind-the-scenes action to get the Farm Bill passed. “The protocol is amazing,” Walker said. “I understand better why it’s slow and frustrating to pass a bill, and I can now appreciate those bills that actually make it through. Given the levels of scrutiny any issue must endure to become law, I’m amazed that things get done at all.”

Another of many high points for Walker was the opportunity to sit in the balcony of the Senate and House and watch presentations on the floor, including Sen. McCain presenting a bill. “It was profound, and I was so proud to witness it all,” she said. “I wish everyone could make this trip, not just to experience the process affecting agriculture and see how hard CFBF and AFBF are working on our behalf, but also to see the monuments, visit the House and Senate, appreciate the importance of agriculture in our history, and feel the awe that surrounds you when you are in our nation’s capitol.”

Walker’s trip to D.C. won’t necessarily change anything in her conduct of business operations at home, but it has widened her perspective and appreciation of how the world of D.C. works and how that trickles down to affect individual farmers like herself. “Learning more about the issues has heightened my concern for even potential issues we could face in the future,” Walker said. “It has also strengthened my dedication to being a volunteer for Farm Bureau and staying involved in the issues.”

Walker’s only complaint about the trip: “I had to make time to sleep—there was so much to see in such a short time, and I didn’t want to miss anything.” And a piece of advice for future travelers: “Bring a well broken-in pair of walking shoes.”

SDCFB Scholarship Committee selects 11 recipients

by Nancy Walery

Congratulations to the 11 scholarship recipients listed to the right who were recently selected to receive $16,250 in scholarships for 2009 from the San Diego County Farm Bureau Scholarship Program and five named scholarships. The named scholarships are provided by American AgCredit and Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply, with memorial scholarships given in the name of Tom House (Village Nurseries), Fran Hillebrecht, and Leo McGuire Sr.

34 applications were submitted this year, with several students being repeat recipients. Awards ranged from $750 to $3,000. The educational/career focus of the recipients included dairy science, livestock production, environmental horticulture, ag education, ag engineering, bioengineering, and agri politics.

The purpose of the scholarship committee, now in its 11th year, is to invest in the future of farmers and the agriculture industry in San Diego County. This year’s committee is composed of Janet Silva Kister (chair), Michelle Castellano, Fred Ceballos, Claire Ehrlinger, and Judy Ponto.

“We saw some real shining stars in this year’s batch of applicants who were focused and well directed on their education and career path,” said Michelle Castellano, who oversees legal and regulatory issues at Mellano & Company in San Luis Rey and has enjoyed five years on Farm Bureau’s scholarship committee. “We selected these 11 recipients because we saw great potential in them to make a difference in their careers as well as in the agriculture community.”

The source of most of the scholarship funds comes from private donations, and the balance comes from various fundraising events during the year, such as the fall Scholarship Golf Tournament (scheduled this year for September 17 at San Luis Rey Downs). In 2005, the SDCFB board of directors approved the creation of an endowment fund within the Scholarship Program. Funds raised are set aside to generate interest to provide future scholarship awards. It is a combination of interest earned and donations that determine the amount of scholarship money available. So, as foundation donations grow, so does the amount of money available for student distribution and the number of scholarship recipients.

If you would like to contribute to the San Diego County Farm Bureau scholarship or endowment fund, please make your check for the desired amount payable to “San Diego Ag in the Classroom” (the foundation established to support ongoing agricultural education). Write “Scholarship Fund” in the memo section of the check, and mail it to San Diego County Farm Bureau, 1670 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027. You can also contribute to the Fran Hillebrecht Memorial Scholarship in the same way by noting “Fran Hillebrecht Memorial Scholarship” in the memo section of your check.

SDCFB Scholarship recipients 2009
Note: An asterisk (*) denotes past SDCFB scholarship recipient

Ryan Connelly, Ramona
Cal Poly, Pomona
Major/Career Goal:
Plant Science/Family Farming

Adelaide Dyer, Alpine
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal:
Communications/Agri Politics

Samantha Ford, Lakeside
MiraCosta College
Major/Career Goal:
Horticulture/Ag Business
(also selected to receive the Village Nurseries’ Tom House Memorial Scholarship)

Jena Glasgow, Ramona
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Dairy Science
(also selected to receive the Grangetto’s Scholarship)

Daniel Holtz*, Escondido
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal:
Ag Engineering NRCS
(also selected to receive the
American AgCredit Scholarship)

Margaret Maratsos*, Fallbrook
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Environmental Horticulture/Ag Education
(also selected to receive the Fran Hillebrecht Memorial Scholarship)

Kevin McGuire, Fallbrook
CSU Fresno
Major/Career Goal:
Agricultural Education

Aaron Prinz, Ramona
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Animal Science/Livestock production
Sean Robinson, El Cajon
Hutchinson Community College (Kansas)
Major/Career Goal: Ag Education/Animal Science

Luke Schaner*, Valley Center
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Bioengineering/Irrigation & Bio Resources
(also selected to receive the Leo McGuire Sr. Memorial Scholarship)

Lindsey Tulloch*, Pine Valley
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Agricultural Systems Management/Ag Business

Named Scholarship recipients

American AgCredit Scholarship
Daniel Holtz*, Escondido
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal:
Ag Engineering NRCS

Grangetto’s Scholarship
Jena Glasgow, Ramona
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Dairy Science

Village Nurseries Tom House
Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Ford, Lakeside
MiraCosta College
Major/Career Goal:
Horticulture/Ag Business

Fran Hillebrecht
Memorial Scholarship
Margaret Maratsos*, Fallbrook
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Environmental Horticulture/Ag Education

Leo McGuire Sr.
Memorial Scholarship
Luke Schaner*, Valley Center
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major/Career Goal: Bioengineering/Irrigation & Bio Resources

Alternative school awarded Ag in the Classroom Garden Grant

by Nancy Walery

Ivy High School agriculture teacher Sheri Ryan’s power of positive teaching is just what the students need at this alternative high school in Fallbrook to turn over a new leaf and break through the educational challenges of their past. And while the path to success for many students who come to Ivy from a traditional high school environment is anything but easy as they try to get back on track and finish high school, Ryan is quick to capitalize on their every step forward and help them find their personal best—through the medium of the school garden.

On the east side of the small campus, which has Fallbrook High School as its western neighbor, the Ivy High School garden features row upon row of raised beds growing organic vegetables, which varies by season and includes onions, squash, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, sugar snap peas, kale, spinach, cabbage, and melons. The completion of the 17x30-foot greenhouse, made possible by a 2008 garden grant from San Diego Ag in the Classroom, now allows students to raise vegetable plants from seed for their garden and to grow plugs that will be distributed to local elementary schools. Rimming the campus are pockets of drought-tolerant landscaping punctuated by dozens of mature citrus trees, primarily tangerine and blood oranges, a Mexican lime, as well as peach, plum, apricot, apple and Fuerte avocado trees. Soon the students will be planting watermelon and pumpkins, which will be maintained over the summer by a small crew of Ryan’s most eager students. When the new school year starts in August, they’ll kick off the garden class with a salsa party featuring their home-grown tomatoes seasoned with their own chili peppers, herbs and lime juice, and watermelon for dessert.

“Most of my students enjoy being outdoors,” said Ryan, who is one of six teachers at Ivy and a science teacher by trade with a Biology degree. Many of the school’s 130 students will come through her classroom door more than once for some of the six classes she teaches at Ivy. In addition to her garden/ag class, she teaches three other science classes, a health class and a general “catchup” class. “The hands-on work of a garden class is a different way to learn—and almost a luxury in education today because of all the testing requirements. But I think we’ve been able to keep it going here because many Fallbrook students are very connected to agriculture through parents working in local nurseries, groves and agricultural supply businesses, and because many of our students tend to stay local and work in the community even after graduation.” Since agriculture does not come naturally to Ryan, it has been due to the extensive mentor and volunteer support provided by school garden consultants like local farmer Jerry Weiss, and San Pasqual Academy ag instructor Scott Murray, that has made it possible for Ryan to keep the garden program thriving the eight years she has worked at Ivy.

Ryan has found that many of her students, who may be challenged by the traditional classroom format and book work, respond well to her garden curriculum. Whether it’s making tool/equipment repairs, setting up and maintaining the automatic irrigation timers, planting, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, composting, and even keeping the gopher traps in working order to fight the constant varmint battle as they strive to remain organic, all her ag students have discovered their own areas of gardening expertise.

“Some students take their garden work and their planting projects very personally and are dedicated to its success,” she said. “Others see the results of their efforts—or lack of it—through the health and development of their plants. But I do not grade down for gopher damage,” she said with a laugh.

If she had more help—and time, Ryan said the students would love it if she expanded the food and nutrition component of the garden program. With a small, stocked kitchen in a corner of her classroom, Ryan has managed to squeeze in occasional food preparation and nutrition segments. Sometimes students bring in simple recipes from home or the Internet that feature vegetables grown in the school garden. In the past, she has received grants that funded several in-class food prep and nutrition projects. Recently, a local representative of Slow Foods International visited Ivy, helped students plant a bed of tomatoes, and shared some of the organization’s core concepts.

Despite the labor, sweat, dirt, and challenges of nature in her job, seeing the light go on in the students makes it all worthwhile to Ryan.

“The big payoff of my job is in the kids we succeed in turning around,” said Ryan. “Every year there are some who really shine. Some take longer than others, and there are some who come here ready for the change Ivy offers, do well and graduate early. It just takes lighting that fire. Once the fire is lit, it is amazing what they can do.”

Business Supporting member focus:
R’n’R CustomCare Insurance Services

by Nancy Walery

Richard Akasaka runs his company, R ‘n’ R CustomCare Insurance Services, with what he calls “the Aloha Spirit.” It’s the way he was raised, and it’s the way he watched his father run a successful insurance and financial services business as well as a nursery growing tropical plants in the Rainbow area of North San Diego County.

“Each person is important for our collective existence,” explained Akasaka. “‘The Aloha Spirit’ is the essence of relationships. It’s about consideration for others and putting them first. It’s a mutual regard that extends to others without expecting anything in return. If you treat people well, it will come back to you.”

In the crowded and competitive market of insurance and financial services, this is how Akasaka likes to stand out, to the envy of even some of his competitors. As a full-service provider of health, life, disability, retirement and long-term care insurance products for the last 16 years,
R ‘n’ R CustomCare is dedicated to understanding each client’s insurance and retirement/investment needs before making any product recommendations. He has contained his service area to San Diego and Riverside counties so that he can provide the personal, one-on-one attention he believes every client deserves. And even after he has made the sale, Akasaka stays with you for the long haul, servicing your claims so you don’t have to deal directly with the company underwriting your policy/investment. That’s the premise—and promise—behind the “R ‘n’ R” part of his company name, which stands for “Rest ‘n’ Relax, knowing you’re covered.”

Akasaka joined the Business Supporting membership at San Diego County Farm Bureau in September 2008 because he comes from an agricultural heritage and appreciates the challenges and contributions farmers bring to our society, environment, and economy. His father—Akasaka’s “silent partner”—specialized in plumerias, which became the “family flower,” and it represents the Aloha spirit and family philosophy they live by. Akasaka is also very familiar with the insurance products available to Farm Bureau members and says he can help members be certain that they are selecting the insurance and investment vehicles that are best suited to their unique financial needs and circumstances.

Akasaka is particularly excited about several insurance and investment products available that he believes are very appealing to many people. In the retirement/investment arena, he said there are actually some attractive options that have become very popular, especially since the economy soured. While stashing your money in a mattress may seem lately like the safest place to ride out the current financial roller coaster, he said there are “safe strategies” available that can actually make money, even when stock market performance is lacking.

In the long-term care category, Akasaka said that insureds who join the California Partnership for Long-Term Care Program enjoy a variety services (assisted living, home day care, residential care) that can allow individuals to remain living at home longer rather than relocating to a nursing home. He also said the program also has an added benefit that regular long-term policies don’t have: Every dollar spent in the partnership program is money you keep in assets while still qualifying for MediCal.

When it comes to health insurance, Akasaka acknowledged that the industry is not in a very good place right now, but that he can still make the process of finding the right provider more bearable, especially for the self-employed and small businesses.

“There is no perfect health insurance plan out there,” Akasaka said. “But there are some that are better than others, and they all work differently regarding deductibles, doctor visits and prescriptions. I work with all the major insurance companies—only the A-rated companies — and there are many to choose from. I work with the alphabet soup of HMOs, PPOs, POS (Point of Service) and HSA plans. Only after I know an applicant’s particular needs do I present the different plans available that are geared to those needs.”

Forming genuine quality relationships and providing personalized service guided by the Aloha Spirit is the force that drives Rich Akasaka. To learn more about the products and services that he can offer you, contact him at (951) 317-2836, toll-free at (866) AKASAKA (252-7252), or via e-mail at akasaka@roadrunner.com.

Summer temperatures increase heat-related injuries

by Dick Beckstead, R.N., LPCO,
SDCFB Board Member, Rural Health & Safety representative

As summer temperatures climb, so does the chance for heat-related illnesses and injuries. Whether on the job or off, it is particularly important during the warmer months to take the time to protect yourself, your family and your workers from heat-related illness and injury, which can be dangerous if early warning signs are not recognized.

Overheating can happen to anyone, even people who are young and fit. The harder you work, the more heat your body has to lose. When conditions are hot and humid, or if there is a source of radiant heat, your body must work even harder to get rid of heat. Heat stress occurs when the body builds up more heat than it can cope with. In its less severe form, it can lead to cramps, rash and exhaustion. One of the most serious threats to persons working in a high-temperature environment is heat stroke, but any kind of heat stress can lead to death if not treated quickly. Remember, prompt action is paramount, and cooling by any means, including a dunk in the creek, is better than nothing.

By knowing the four types of heat injuries and their symptoms detailed in the following table in their order of severity, you can be better prepared to prevent their occurrence.

Prevention is better

When working outdoors, the following tips can help you prevent heat stress from occurring:

  • Drink small amounts of water frequently. Be sure to avoid alcohol because it increases the loss of body fluids.
  • Try to schedule hot jobs for cooler times of day or cooler seasons of the year. This isn't always possible in agricultural operations, but do the best you can.
  • Take rest breaks in cool areas and add more workers to reduce the workload or shorten the workday.
    Gradually adapting to heat will reduce the severity of heat stress.
  • Mechanize heavy jobs and when possible increase air movement with fans or coolers.
  • Clothing can affect heat buildup, so it is recommended that loose, lightweight and light colored clothing be worn.

Do not use salt tablets. Taking salt tablets can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and seriously affect workers with heart disease.

Condition Signs/Symptoms Cause Treatment
Heat
Cramps		 Painful cramping spasms of voluntary muscles of abdominal wall and extremities. Electrolyte depletion from excessive perspiration Move to a shady area and loosen clothing. Sip cool water or sports beverage. Massage cramping area toward heart.
Heat
Exhaustion/
Prostration		 Dehydration, profuse perspiration, skin is pale and clammy, temperature may be slightly raised or below normal, intense thirst, weakness, lack of muscular coordination, psychosis, delirium, Can rapidly escalate to heat stroke. Body loss of water and salts as a result of prolonged heat exposure. Move to shade, loosen clothing, and sip cool water or sports beverage. Apply cool compresses to cool down body temperature.
Electrolyte
Depletion		 Profuse perspiration, weakness, nausea and/or vomiting, diarrhea, cool and clammy skin. Water intake is adequate but electrolytes are not. Move to shade, loosen clothing, sip cool water or sports drink, elevate feet and message legs toward heart.
Heat Stroke Heat exhaustion symptoms, collapse, loss of consciousness, skin is flushed, hot and dry with absence of perspiration. Rapid pulse and high fever (105-110 F) If condition worsens, breathing becomes shallow and irregular, pulmonary edema develops and can lead to shock and death. Body cannot cool itself. One episode of heat stroke predisposes victim to a second episode because of damage to the hypothalamus which regulates the body's heat mechanism. Lower body temperature as quickly as possible 9cover with ice,water, cold blankets, etc) while observing for signs of hypothermia to prevent shivering. Transport ASAP to medical facility. If not breathing, provide CPR.

 

Heat illness prevention CD available:

The California Farm Bureau offers Farm Bureau members the CD, Heat Illness Prevention: Requirements for Agricultural Employers, which contains valuable information regarding compliance with the Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention regulation. The CD is available in English and Spanish and includes a variety of educational and training resources.
To view or purchase the CD, contact the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023. The California Department of Industrial Relations also has a Heat Illness Web page that includes a variety of training materials at www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html.

Water challenges in San Diego County require growers to operate more efficiently than ever

by Justin Haessly, Program Director, Irrigation Water Management Program, Mission Resource Conservation District

Natural disasters and changes in government regulation are threatening to dismantle the farming industry in San Diego County. Have I got your attention or was your reaction to that statement a resounding “what’s new?” I have been a regular reader of the Farm Bureau’s newsletter for years now, and if there’s one theme that I can pinpoint as being most common in this publication, it’s overcoming adversity. Whether it’s an insect, a drought, a freeze, new laws leading to increased foreign competition, new labor laws, or a new monitoring and reporting requirement, it seems like either Mother Nature or Uncle Sam are always making it increasingly difficult to make a living as a grower in this county.

For the past couple of years, California’s water supply has been of special concern to our local growers. Last year, those who paid special agricultural water rates to their water districts were forced to cut back their water use by 30 percent. Now, as agricultural water rate programs are gradually phased out, many growers have been given the option of “opting out” of these programs. By opting out, these growers are paying more for their water while enjoying greater water supply reliability. In other words, the 30 percent cutback of yesteryear has been replaced with voluntary cutbacks, which could be evolving into mandatory cutbacks of about 8 percent. For those who have not “opted out,” they are still paying the lower water rates, still complying with the original 30 percent cutback, and betting on the prospect that they can drill new wells or resurrect old ones and find ground water of adequate quality.

I’ve talked with many growers who have opted out of agricultural water rate programs, and most of them express feelings of relief and optimism since their cutback requirements are much lower as of late. They feel as if their imaginary water reservoirs (i.e. the “water banks” detailed on their water bills) are overflowing. I realize that an 8 percent cutback may feel a lot better to the grower than a 30 percent cutback, but the reality of situation is that the water levels in our reservoirs are dwindling. With far-below-normal water levels in our region’s most important water storage facilities, the snowpack in the Sierra not very reassuring, and a certain two-inch-long fish causing water deliveries to our region to be cut, the water supply issues for growers in San Diego are as urgent as ever. In other words, things are not getting better and, if low rainfall and poor snowpack conditions persist, we could be back at a 30 percent cutback soon enough while at the same time paying more for our water than we did just a year ago.

I wish my purpose in writing this article was to introduce a new technology, which upon installation would guarantee astronomical crop yields with little water application. I wish I could tell you that the relatively inexpensive water conditioners that make extravagant claims about magically removing salts from poor quality groundwater actually work. I wish I could tell you that we can all start growing a new ultra-lucrative crop that requires little water. I can’t even offer you a rain dance.

What I am here to tell you is that saving water isn’t much different than it was when we experienced similar extreme drought conditions 20 years ago. To be efficient with our water use, we need to answer the following five fundamental questions: 1) How efficiently can my irrigation system apply water to my crop? 2) How much water can my soil hold within my crop’s rooting zone? 3) How fast is water removed from my soil through evapotranspiration? 4) How much water can be removed from my crop’s rooting zone before I need to turn on my sprinklers? and 5) How long will it take for my sprinklers to replenish my soil with precisely the correct volume of water?

In other words, you need a comprehensive audit of your irrigation system and growing environment.

Sound difficult? It’s not, really—especially since growers in San Diego County are fortunate enough to have available to them the San Diego County Water Authority’s Agricultural Water Management Program. This is a program for which irrigation audits and consultations are offered free of charge to growers who operate at least two irrigated acres. During a site visit, an irrigation technician will test the efficiency of your irrigation system through an analysis of system pressure and flow characteristics. All of the five questions listed above will be answered, and you will have a clearer picture of how much water you are applying and how that compares to how much water you should be applying. You may even discover that some simple irrigation system retrofits and adjustments to your irrigation scheduling practices can result in substantial water savings.

To inquire about a free irrigation audit and consultation, call the Mission Resource Conservation District at (760) 728-1332.

SDCFB Amends Bylaws

The California Farm Bureau Federation recently made recommendations to county Farm Bureaus to make two amendments to their bylaws. At the June 4 board of directors meeting, the San Diego County Farm Bureau board held a vote in which the majority approved the two amendments to SDCFB’s bylaws as shown below. Strike-through text represents existing text which has been removed, and underlined text represents additions.

Article IV - Membership
Section 4 - Rejection of Application. The board of directors may, in its sole discretion and unless the law compels otherwise, refuse membership to any applicant who it deems is not in sympathy with the purposes of this corporation.

Reason for revision: The board should have the utmost lawful discretion in determining who should be a member. While it is rarely, if ever, determined that a membership application should be rejected, the board should be able to do so with minimal concern about having to explain or justify its decision to the applicant or others.

Article IX - Board of Directors
Section 5 – Vacancies. Vacancies on the board of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Nominations of persons to fill the vacancy shall be made at a board meeting at which a quorum was present when the meeting started. Written notice of the candidates’ names shall be given to each director at least 14 days before a subsequent  meeting at which the directors may elect by secret ballot one of them to fill the vacancy.

Reason for revision: Directors should have advance knowledge of such an important matter so they are not surprised at a board meeting about it and, consistent with their duty to make informed decisions, can have an opportunity to vet nominees.

Clear your brush, but with fire safety in mind

The “traditional” fire season is upon us in San Diego—but, really, in California, it’s fire season year round. Is your home and farm fire safe ready? Have you trimmed your trees and shrubs, removed brush and maintained the required defensible zone around your structures? If you plan to do the job yourself, use extreme caution and consult your local fire department before tackling any brush removal jobs to be sure the weather conditions are safe for such work and that you have the proper fire prevention equipment at hand should any equipment spark and trigger a fire.

If you’re looking to hire out the job, the following businesses all have agreed to provide discounts on brush removal for San Diego County Farm Bureau members.

Executive Landscaping
Robert Oldfield, 760-731-9036

Pacific Erosion
Robert Blake­, 619-589-9042
Robert@pgec.biz

South Coast Erosion
Laura Zuziela, 619-719-2733
laura@southcoasterosion.com

Banner’s Weed Abatement
Chris Banner­, 760-213-3903

Daniel’s Farm Services
James Daniel, 760-731-2504
James-daniel@msn.com

California Tree Service
Zell Jovanic­, 760-550-0229

Fran-Bar Farms
John Barbee­, 760-451-1788