San Diego County Farm Bureau News
March 2009: Vol. 22. No. 3

President's Message

Be vocal! Keep the pressure on our legislators to fix California’s water crisis
by Chuck Badger

As we head into springtime and increased water needs, we farmers need to look at 2009 as our year to squawk even louder about water. While ag met its water conservation goals in ‘08, the rest of the county will get a taste of our experience this year as mandatory water conservation will undoubtedly come to John Q. Public sometime this summer. And with an impotent state government drowning in debt, we farmers must speak forcefully and loudly to bring sanity back to the water issue.

To begin with, our state government has been so incompetent for decades that our water infrastructure is wholly inadequate for our state’s population. Governor Schwarzenegger convened a special commission to study the Delta problem, and they have proposed a plan to solve the situation over the next decade. In addition to taking time, however, it’s going to cost money. And if our state legislature is unwilling to make the necessary budget cuts to free up the money to fund the Delta fix, our state’s economy will worsen so much that today’s economic woes will look good by comparison.

Quite frankly, though, we need short-term relief immediately. To highlight a possible solution, San Diego County Farm Bureau board member Eric Anderson drove his tractor all the way to Sacramento last year calling for Governor Schwarzenegger to ask then-President Bush to convene the God Squad. The God Squad is a special Presidential commission that can override the environmental restrictions that now prohibit us from pumping water full time through the Delta to southern parts of the state. More recently, 28 state legislators wrote a letter urging the governor to ask new President Obama to do the same thing. We need to continue the refrain to ask our new president to move water to parts of the state that desperately need it for basic human needs.

And finally, we must continue to educate the public as to how we farmers wisely use our water. On February 15, San Diego Union Tribune staff writer Mike Lee wrote an article on water conservation. The article contains a quote saying many people, including farmers, “are wasting more water than they are putting to productive use.” Mr. Lee attributes the statement to one Amy Vickers, a water consultant—from Massachusetts! Way to go, Mike. I’m sure Amy is well acquainted with San Diego County farmers’ irrigation practices and really has her finger on the pulse of our local water situation. The article shows us how our job of educating the public is never over (insert here another whole discussion on Prop 2).

Our marching orders are simple: Keep the pressure on politicians to fix the Delta. If you haven’t done so already, call your state legislator and ask him or her to get to work on the water crisis. Heck, even if you have called them, call them again! Keep telling your friends and neighbors how well we farmers use our water resources. When the time comes, they’ll help us make sure ag has enough water to produce the local food they want.

From the Executive Director

Getting the public to embrace water conservation is only tool we have left
by Eric Larson

As growers in San Diego County prepare for a summer that will likely include deeper water restrictions for those in the discounted Interim Agricultural Water Program and new restrictions for those who are paying full price, it is increasingly annoying to watch landscapes being watered while it rains. Remarkably, there are folks out there who still don’t understand that the water gauge is disturbingly close to empty. With no remarkable results so far from conservation messages and fewer and fewer people reading newspapers, water leaders will be challenged to find ways to change a bad water use ethic. But it can be done.

Whenever the price of gas gets spectacularly high, less gets purchased. People can be encouraged to drive less to cut down on pollution and congestion, but nothing delivers the message and gets results quite as well as a $75 tank of gas. Want people to smoke fewer cigarettes? Tax the heck out of them. As long as water costs less than the residential cable TV and cell phone bills, it will get no respect.

Local water price setters are now adopting tiered rates that will make water increasingly expensive for those who use more than a standard amount. That’s a good start, but this is in response to the looming reductions. Our water leaders have to be brave enough to make such a pricing structure a permanent fixture. Use more, pay more. Wet year or dry year. That’s how you permanently change old ways.

Now, what about the farmers who use water to create jobs and economic activity for the region? A tiered pricing structure doesn’t work because a farmer must apply a certain amount of water or the crop won’t come in. Tiered pricing won’t create conservation, just abandoned farms. As the price of water has risen, farmers have already proven that conservation based on price works, so there is nothing more to be gained.

Getting a handle on water conservation is just about the only tool available until our legislative leaders finally figure out that the state’s water system needs to be fixed. If they think California has budget problems now, just wait to see the shadow of prolonged water use restrictions cast over the economy. Locally, the task at hand is creating a new water ethic, even if it has to be won through the wallet. Top of Page

From the Ag Commissioner

Have you “assured” lately?

by Bob Atkins
Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

Failure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most common violations found during pesticide use monitoring inspections. Everyone using a pesticide must wear PPE required by the pesticide label. In addition to label PPE, employees must wear PPE required by regulations whenever they handle a pesticide (Title 3, California Code of Regulations section 6738).

As the employer, you must “assure” your employees wear all required PPE. The laws and regulations related to pesticide safety are written to protect the employees. In order to meet the requirement of “assure,” you must take all reasonable measures so that your employees are able to comply with pesticide safety laws and regulations. As the employer, you initiate, direct, and benefit from your employees’ work activities. You have superior resources and expertise, the authority to direct employees, and the responsibility for the conduct of your business. Consequently, you are primarily responsible for the actions of your employees.

First, the employer is required to make sure that his/her employees have the knowledge to comply with the PPE requirements when handling pesticides. Employees who are certified applicators are considered trained, but are not automatically considered to be knowledgeable employees. Knowledgeable employees understand the applicable laws and regulations, their responsibility to use PPE, and the consequences if they do not comply. It is your responsibility to provide any supplemental information/training needed for your employees to become knowledgeable.

Second, the employer is required to provide the means for the employees to comply. You must provide all required PPE and make sure it is available at the work site. In addition, you must make it mandatory for employees to check the condition of PPE, use all required PPE, clean PPE properly after use, and store PPE properly. You also are required to make necessary repairs or replacement of PPE in poor condition.

Third, the employer is required to provide adequate supervision. You must match the level of supervision to the hazards associated with the pesticide-handling activities and the employees’ competency and compliance history. You are also required to conduct unannounced inspections to check on employees’ compliance relating to PPE use, maintenance, and storage. In addition, you need to provide your employees with the means to contact their supervisors if questions arise. You are required to correct unsafe work practices and document the corrections.
Fourth, the employer is required to draft and implement an effective workplace disciplinary action policy. You must have the policy in writing and train your employees to be aware of disciplinary consequences. In addition, you must enforce the policy by citing and documenting employees who are not complying with the policy. You are required to provide a safe workplace by enforcing regulatory and employer requirements. All of these mentioned measures are not all inclusive, so add any other measures that will help keep employees in compliance.

This information is provided to help you to be in compliance with worker safety requirements. If you have any questions, please contact your area pesticide inspector or call the office at (858) 694-8980.Top of Page

Farm Bureau Has Been Working For You . .

• Testified in support of Carlsbad desalination plant at Regional Water Quality Control Board
• Attended Calif. Farm Bureau Leadership Conference in Sacramento
• Met with all three freshman Assembly members who represent San Diego County
• Made presentations to three North County organizations about local agriculture
• Sent letter of support to USDA for a grant program to assist start-up farmers in the county
• Submitted comments on the County General Plan Update

FFA Ag-tivities -

Poway High School FFA

Almost a year after facing closure, the Poway FFA Chapter has found itself full of force. With over 30 active members and a new teacher, the chapter is still active and visible on the Poway High School campus.

Several students have projects to exhibit and sell at the San Diego County Fair and Ramona Junior Fair; eight students have steers, five students will be raising sheep, 13 students will have pigs, and several others will be exhibiting small animals including two goats.

During the Fall semester, chapter members participated in several judging events, such as the San Diego Section Field Day in which the horse judging team placed second overall; and leadership activities, like the Green Hand Conference. The chapter has also been very active throughout the Poway Community. During Poway Days, which was held in September, the chapter took first place with their FFA float. Members also volunteered their time to join forces with the Poway 4-H members to hold a petting zoo to familiarize community members with the projects, animals, and opportunities available for participation.

The Spring semester has also brought many opportunities for staying busy. In January, five members searched to increase their leadership skills by participating in the ALA and MFE Conferences in Ontario and members of the Specialty Animals Judging Team placed second overall at the Norte Vista Field Day.

As the year moves on, members of the horse, dairy product, and horse judging teams look forward to participating in several more judging competitions, ending with the state finals at Cal Poly-SLO in May. Chapter members will also be attending the State Conference in Fresno in April.

Poway FFA Wish List:

• For Floral Design class: Ribbon racks, picking machines, wire holders, rubber storage containers, any additional floral supplies;
• General Classroom needs: Binders, index cards, printer cartridges, various paper and office supplies;
• Ag Department Materials: Feeders, picnic tables, folding tables, pop-up canopies, storage container (preferably metal sea train to store feed away from rodents); rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows; citrus boxes for individual student hay storage; corral panels for additional animal pens;
• The chapter is also looking to eventually get a new truck and goose-neck stock trailer.

If you can help the Poway FFA by providing any of these items, please contact the Farm Bureau at (760) 745-3023 or High School FFA instructor Mary Masch at (858) 748-0245, Ext. 5162.Top of Page

Ag in the Classroom

SDCFB Scholarship application deadline is April 10, 2009

Members! Do you know a student who needs help financing his or her college studies toward a career in agriculture?
The Farm Bureau can help—if they act soon. The San Diego County Farm Bureau is once again offering scholarships to college and college-bound students who are residents of San Diego County and pursuing a degree in agriculture or a closely related field.

Established students as well as entering freshmen at two- or four-year colleges or universities may apply. Scholarship recipients will be selected based primarily on academic achievement, career goals, and a commitment to study agriculture. Secondary criteria include extracurricular activities, financial need and written expression.

Applications and recommendation forms are available from the Farm Bureau office or can be downloaded from the SDCFB Web site at www.sdfarmbureau.org, where you can also download information about many more agriculture-related scholarship programs that are also accepting applications.

Completed applications for San Diego County Farm Bureau scholarships must be received in the Farm Bureau office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009. For further information, call the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023. Top of Page

Employer-Employee: Farm Employment issues

Be careful in classifying employees as exempt

Reprinted from Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) Newsletter

An employer must determine upon hire whether an employee is exempt from requirements for the payment of the minimum wage (MW) and a premium for overtime work and for keeping time records.

But it doesn’t end there: An employer should monitor the employee’s qualification for the exemption indefinitely, as an employee who qualified for it when hired might lose qualification later under either or both of the two qualification tests (see “Salary Test” and “Duties Test,” below).

While it’s lawful for an employer to classify and treat, for these purposes, an employee who qualifies for the exemption as non-exempt, the reverse is definitely not true: An employer may not classify and treat as exempt an employee who doesn’t qualify for the exemption.
To be exempt, an employee in California must meet both a salary test and a duties test.

Salary Test: An employee must be paid a monthly salary of at least twice the state MW based on a 40-hour work week (even if the employee is not expected to or does not work that many hours). With the state MW at $8 an hour, that’s $2,773.34 a month, or $33,280 a year.

Duties Test: Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Order No. 14, which covers persons employed in an agricultural occupation, exempts from its coverage “any employee who is engaged in work which is primarily intellectual, managerial, or creative, and which requires exercise of discretion and independent judgment.” Most employees qualifying for this exemption do so because they are engaged in primarily managerial work. Under other IWC orders, the analogous exemption is for persons employed in administrative, executive, or professional capacities. Requirements for the administrative exemption are stated in section 1(A)(2) of IWC Order No. 4, which covers clerical and other “non-production” farm employees; that order is posted at www.dir.ca.gov/IWC/IWCArticle4.pdf. The executive exemption, which covers an employee who supervises at least two full-time employees, is in section 1(A)(1) of that order.

Simply stated, to qualify for the administrative exemption, an employee must customarily and regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment and spend more than half of his or her time performing exempt duties. Clerical work, receptionist work, and bookkeeping are not exempt duties.

To qualify for the executive exemption, an employee must:

• customarily and regularly direct the work of two or more other employees (which would include having the authority to hire or fire other employees or make recommendations as to their hiring or firing;
• regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment; and
• spend more than half of his or her time performing exempt duties.

As it bears the burden to prove the exemption applies should a dispute arise over whether an employee is (or, more typically, whether a disgruntled ex-employee was) truly exempt, an employer should carefully evaluate whether a position is exempt. In a close case, where it is not clear that an employee passes both tests, a prudent employer should err on the side of caution and classify and treat the employee as non-exempt.

Two recommendations: To help ensure you have properly classified an employee as exempt, review the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) Exempt Status Analysis form, available at www.fels.org/data/forms/DLSEexempt_Analysis.pdf. DLSE uses it to determine the exempt status of employees.

Another tool for employers is to develop a job description for the position. The job description should highlight the job duties that correspond to the DLSE analysis form and the applicable IWC order. A percentage of time spent performing each duty should be noted. Once it has been written, the employee performing the job should read and acknowledge the job description by signing a copy of it that should then be kept in the employee’s personnel file.
Review the analysis form and job description periodically to ensure the job as performed by the employee continues to meet the exempt-status criteria.

Source: Carl Borden, Associate Counsel, California Farm Bureau Federation

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.Top of Page

Featured Articles

PUC authorizes electric utilities to buy power from customers generating energy

by Nancy Walery

It’s long been a bone of contention among businesses who invested the time and money to generate their own power that they could not be compensated by their local utility for any excess energy generated that was returned to the state power grid. The wheels of change have turned slowly, but now commercial customers of SDG&E and other electric utilities in the state can receive compensation from their utility for excess power they generate and return to the grid.

The effort started with the passage of AB1969 in September 2006, when a section was added to the Public Utilities Code requiring electrical corporations to file documentation to provide for the purchase of renewable energy produced by eligible public water or wastewater agencies. That section was then expanded to include small, renewable generators other than public water and wastewater agencies in the PG&E and SCE service areas. In September 2008, after adjustments were made to make the program apply to San Diego County, the SDG&E service area was added.

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, as it is called when the utilities purchase renewable power through these purchase agreements, requires the utility to offer a full buy/sell option, in which the utility purchases all eligible renewable generation produced by the facility, or an excess sale option, which allows the eligible facility to use some of the renewable energy produced to meet onsite load and sell the rest to the utility.

“The excess sale option is most likely what agriculture customers will use,” explained CFBF attorney Karen Mills. “The excess sale option is the FIT version of net metering, which allows customers to use the energy onsite and sell back what’s not used. In most circumstances, growers are better off using what they can onsite, because the amount they will get paid on what they sell back is a wholesale—not retail—price.” And under the FIT program, projects can be sized larger than needed for use related to the single meter to which the project connects.

While the Feed-in Tariff program was intended to make one program work for any kind of renewable energy generation, there are still some issues to be worked out, Mills said. For example, the net metering  program  may still work best for energy generated from solar projects because of other incentives for which those producers are eligible. For generation projects not covered under the net metering statute, the FIT program offers a unique opportunity, even though many customers cannot use some installation incentives available under other programs.

For more information about the FIT program, visit www.sdge.com/regulatory/AB1969.shtml. to start the interconnection process, call SDG&E’s Self-Generation Help Desk at (858) 654-8270.Top of Page

Center for Applied Horticulture Research opens Nonprofit organization launched by Ken Altman

by Nancy Walery

Over his many years in the nursery and flower business, Ken Altman has seen the value of applied research directly focused on the horticulture industry. Given the time and a dedicated place to conduct experiments and investigate potential new growing methods, the benefits have clearly paid long-term dividends to growers. Then Altman started formulating in his mind the concept of launching an on-site research center, one that would be open to everyone in the industry, with the results of experiments and projects shared in open house events and published online as well as in newsletters, trade magazines and scientific journals. And in October 2008, Altmans’ vision became a reality with the opening of the Center for Applied Horticulture Research, located at the Altman Plants nursery facility in Vista.

“As a board member of the American Floral Endowment, I have seen firsthand the need for applied research and the great results that come from supporting that research,” Altman said. “This is an effort to help our industry. I am hoping that a side effect of having the research facilities and the conference center is that, over time, they serve as a catalyst to help the participants in our local industry collaborate.”

The nonprofit center, which is an independent entity from Altman Plants, includes a 3,250 square-foot state-of-the art, climate-controlled greenhouse with six individually controlled chambers, a head house, and shade and sun areas, with the ability to expand to as much as one acre if needed. An additional 3,000 square feet is provided by a Quonset hut adjacent to the greenhouse. A lab area provides the space and facilities required for plant evaluation and activities related to the research projects. Jim Bethke, UCCE’s Floriculture and Nursery Farm Advisor, who has been instrumental in getting the center up and running, will use part of the space available at the lab as a field office. A large, fully-equipped education/conference center seats about 60, includes a dedicated kitchen and restrooms, and is available to hold agriculture-related events.

“We can conduct a wide array of experiments at the Center’s facilities, and we are seeking projects from individuals, education centers and industry that need solutions to their horticulture and floriculture problems,” explained Lucia Villavicencio, the center’s director, who is eager to welcome projects such as varietal trials, plant breeding, plant propagation, substrate/soil evaluations, insect control and new insecticide trials, water utilization, and more. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy from Zulia State University in Venezuela, a Master’s Degree in horticulture and a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from North Carolina State University, Villavicencio will not only run the center’s day-to-day operations, she will also be involved in the center’s projects. When the center needs additional staff support for projects, Altman’s nursery employees will step in to fill the need.

The center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and is governed by a board of directors, which includes veteran industry professionals Ken Altman, John Kister (Sunlet Nursery), Mike Mellano Sr. (Mellano & Company), David Pattison (Western Farm Service), and David Pruitt (Ball Tagawa Growers). Primary funding to support the center’s activities will come from donations by area nursery growers, ag-related industries, as well as grants the center will apply for as projects come in.

To learn more about submitting an online application for a proposed project, visit the center’s Web site at www.cfahr.org, or call Villavicencio at (760) 802-9787 or via e-mail at lvilla@cfahr.org. Top of Page

Review of Visioning Plan at 5-year mark shows progress, promise

Plan is roadmap to direct future of local agriculture

by Nancy Walery

It has been five years since the launch of San Diego County Farm Bureau’s Visioning Plan, a strategic plan launched in 2004 by then-SDCFB President Janet Kister to guide and strengthen the future success of local agriculture. Since then, it has helped keep Farm Bureau focused on accomplishing incremental tasks in the short term that promote and protect local agriculture in the long term.

The Visioning Plan’s mission statement reads, “To position the agriculture industry of San Diego County to thrive, now and in the future,” and five critical elements were identified, each with a goal and specific objectives as follows:

Element 1: Politics
Goal: To develop a favorable political climate for agriculture.

Objectives include: Supporting the nomination and election of officials supportive of agriculture; educating elected officials and staff on the importance of agriculture; fostering ongoing relationships with elected officials and their staff; drawing on agriculture’s strengths to secure favorable political action.

Element 2: Press Relations
Goal: Secure positive visibility for local agriculture through media outlets on an ongoing basis.

Objectives include: Developing relationships with members of the media; serving as a resource for media inquiries and story suggestions; enhancing farmer-rancher skills in communicating with the media.

Element 3: Public Agencies
Goal: Help public agencies to join in promoting and expanding agriculture.

Objectives include: Educating public agencies on the impact a regulatory or program authority can have on agriculture; developing relationships with public agency personnel; offering and supporting positive solutions to public agencies dealing with ag-related issues.

Element 4: Public Relations
Goal: Create a sense of awareness and pride for local agriculture among residents.

Objectives include: Educating the public on the scope and economic impact of local agriculture; conveying the image of agriculture as a strategic community resource; elevating the image of farmers and ranchers within the community; creating a connection between members of the public and local agriculture.

Element 5: Coalitions
Goal: Encourage all agricultural organizations to work in a collaborative fashion to achieve mutual goals.

Objectives include: Developing a system of communication and information exchange among agricultural organizations; creating a network that enhances the efforts of each organization.

So how has implementation of the Visioning Plan measured up to its initial goals and objectives? Pretty well, considering the plethora of compelling events in 2008 that competed for attention. Farm Bureau has continually fostered open lines of communication with local, state and federal legislators—in writing, in person, and on the phone to educate them on the issues facing agriculture. Farm Bureau routinely offers testimony and participates in public forums to enlighten the public about the benefits, challenges and issues facing agriculture and encourages public policy to embrace rather than alienate the industry. Farm Bureau regularly feeds interesting agriculture news stories to various media outlets to keep agriculture in the news, and distributes the Annual Crop Report to elected officials and members of the media to keep ag in the forefront of their daily considerations. Farm Bureau is connecting with the public through the opening of numerous farmers’ markets, participation in street fairs and other public events and has launched a new and improved user-friendly Web site that has become the county’s premier “go-to” source for all things agriculture. The actions taken have been many and diverse, with many more ideas still to be implemented, and Farm Bureau maximizes every opportunity to promote agriculture in the public eye.

“This plan was put in place in 2004 so we could be proactive about the future of farming,” said Kister. “Each year, new tasks are added and old tasks continued in these five critical areas to improve our political, press and public relations. What all this really comes down to is relationships—telling your stories to these entities and building coalitions so that they better understand agriculture and its contribution to the community.”
If you have not yet become involved in any of these relationship and coalition building activities Farm Bureau has created, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to connect with others through your stories and contribute to the movement that can ensure that local agriculture remains viable in the future. To find out how to get involved, call the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023.

Top of Page

Nominating Committee appointed

Update of board member slate for 2009-2010 in process

SDCFB President Chuck Badger has appointed a four-member Nominating Committee whose charter is to recommend the slate of board members for 2009-2010. David Van Ommering, Janet Kister, Al Stehly and Julie Walker have been selected by Badger and approved by the Farm Bureau board of directors to carry out the task of verifying each existing board member’s willingness to continue to serve as well as fill any new vacancies. The committee’s slate will be published in the May newsletter and officially voted on at the Annual Meeting and picnic, to be held this year on May 16.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for filling the 59 seats on the SDCFB board of directors. While many board members will retain their positions, a number of seats are expected to be open. If you are interested in being considered for a seat on the board, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members listed above by April 1. You can contact them through the Farm Bureau office.
This year, outgoing president Chuck Badger will pass the gavel to current 1st Vice President Mike Anthony Mellano if he is confirmed by the May election. As the Executive Committee members traditionally move up a seat every two years in their leadership positions, a vacancy will open for the position of Secretary. The newly elected Secretary could, in effect, become SDCFB President in 2015. Top of Page

Land Use Update

General Plan Update

The public comment period has closed on the County General Plan draft document setting the goals and policies of the plan. Farm Bureau is still waiting for two critical documents of importance to the farm community. The first will define conservation subdivisions, which would give a property owner the ability to consolidate all the density onto one portion of a piece of property while preserving the remainder of the property for farming. The second is an equity mechanism to protect farm property owners from devaluation as a result of a change in density dictated by the General Plan.

It is expected that the public review period for the Environmental Impact Report will begin in October. An Implementation Plan will follow, based on the EIR’s suggested mitigation measures.

North County MSCP

At press time, modifications to the plan are expected to be released by late February. These modifications will be in response to recommendations made by the state and federal wildlife agencies. Farm Bureau is concerned about possible changes being suggested by the modifications to the exemptions for farm expansion outside the designated preserve areas.

East County MSCP

In the East County MSCP, 43 percent of private lands within the plan boundaries have been identified as “Focused Conservation Areas.” Farm Bureau continues to ask that lands already in public ownership be the focus for species preservation. The text of the plan is expected to be released by mid-year. All regulatory agencies involved in the planning have agreed there will be no impact on any current farming operation. The San Diego County Farm Bureau is strongly urging the County to conduct public meetings for backcountry property owners regarding this plan. Top of Page

SDCFB Scholarship application deadline is April 10, 2009

Members! Do you know a student who needs help financing his or her college studies toward a career in agriculture?
The Farm Bureau can help—if they act soon. The San Diego County Farm Bureau is once again offering scholarships to college and college-bound students who are residents of San Diego County and pursuing a degree in agriculture or a closely related field.

Established students as well as entering freshmen at two- or four-year colleges or universities may apply. Scholarship recipients will be selected based primarily on academic achievement, career goals, and a commitment to study agriculture. Secondary criteria include extracurricular activities, financial need and written expression.
Applications and recommendation forms are available from the Farm Bureau office or can be downloaded from the SDCFB Web site at www.sdfarmbureau.org, where you can also download information about many more agriculture-related scholarship programs that are also accepting applications.

Completed applications for San Diego County Farm Bureau scholarships must be received in the Farm Bureau office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2009. For further information, call the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023. Top of Page

Farm Bureau launches 4th farmers’ market

by Nancy Walery

Encouraged by how well received the launch of its last three farmers’ markets have been, San Diego County Farm Bureau continues to pursue additional market locations, with its fourth market opening on April 8.

Located on the campus of Cal State San Marcos in the parking lot at the corner of Twin Oaks Valley and Craven roads, the market will be easily accessible and intended to serve the entire city of San Marcos. The market is expected to run from 4-8 p.m. every Wednesday starting April 8 and will include many of the same features as the other markets Farm Bureau has launched, including the acceptance of food stamp vouchers and EBT cards.
Last year, when Farm Bureau embarked on this new farmers’ market venture, it set a goal of launching four new markets in San Diego County by June 2009—a goal they have beaten two months ahead of schedule. And they continue to pursue additional markets. The next (and fifth) market under study is in the South Carlsbad community of La Costa. Watch for news on its development in a future issue of Farm Bureau News.

While farmers’ markets are popular for many reasons, the backbone of their success depends on great grower participation. If you have considered participating, but are hesitant to jump in, plan to attend Farm Bureau’s free “Farmers’ Market Class,” scheduled for Thursday, March 12 from 3-5 p.m. at the Farm Bureau office (see details on the back cover). At this class, you will learn all about what is involved in becoming a farmers’ marketer. Reserve your seat as soon as possible by calling the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023. Or, if you’re already set to become a farmers’ market vendor, contact Casey Anderson at the Farm Bureau office and he’ll get you started. Top of Page

Be part of the local celebration of National Ag Week

You can strengthen agricultural awareness and understanding by attending and/or sponsoring California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom’s Tribute to National Agriculture Week, which is March 15-21. Special events in Northern and Southern California will commemorate the celebration.

Few of today’s young people will ever have to worry about producing their own food, clothing, or shelter. In just a few generations, our distance from the farms and ranches has resulted in a lack of appreciation for this vital industry. It’s critical that the general public understand the role agriculture plays in providing our food, fiber, shelter, energy and other materials we use on a daily basis.
The Southern California event will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 and begins with a 10 a.m. tour of the Mission San Juan Capistrano (26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675), followed by a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the nearby El Adobe Restaurant (31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675). Single-ticket admission is $200.

Your support of California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom allows us to teach these life lessons to students at a young age, while they are still forming their perceptions of the world around them. For tickets or sponsorship information, visit www.cfaitc.org/naw or call (800) 700-AITC (2482).