2017 Scholarship Winners

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Madera County Farm Bureau HEAT ILLNESS agriculture today harvest may 16, 2017 May 2017 Vol. 7, No. 5 safety Register Today JUNE 29, 2017 See page 16 See page 16 2017 Scholarship Winners

Franklin Secara Four Year Scholarship Tesei Family Four Year scholarship Progeny of Agricultural Laborers MCFB Four Year Scholarship Jordyn Samper, Andrew Rezendes, Susana Villa, Madera Madisyn Beyer, Minarets High School Minarets High School South High School Minarets High School Plans to attend: Plans to attend: Cal Plans to attend: Grand Canyon University Plans to attend: Purdue University Poly San Luis Obispo Major: Business, Oklahoma State Major: Animal Major: Graphic Agricultural Marketing University Science Communications Quote from biography: Major: Agriculture Quote from Biogra- Quote from biogra- “I am truly blessed to Business have such amazing ex- Quote from biography: “ To me, agricul- phy: “My plan is to periences that wouldn’t be possible if I hadn’t ture is the most important industry na- work in one of the following industries chosen business as a career path and explored phy: “Although I did not specifically tionwide. It proivides the food, clothing as a voice for underrepresented agricul- it deeper. Through FBLA and FFA, I have grow up on a ranch, experience with and housing for everyone across the na- ture industry, whose online presence is traveled around my chapter and more, get- agriculture was always easily accessible tion.” often not heard.” ting to meer people froma cross the world to me through the schools I have at- and learning international business formats and matter.” See SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS; Page 3 CALENDAR California Farmers Say Rain Is MAY 7 Beer & Wine Tasting-Scholarship A Good Thing, But Too Much Fundraiser 11 MCFB Board of Directors Meeting 1:30 PM Can Delay Planting, Harvest 11 Nut Day @ Midland Tractor call (559) 674-8757 for info By Ezra David Romero, doing office work because the rain 14 Mother’s Day Valley Public Radio News means they can’t be in the fields. 16 Heat Illness, Back Safety, Slips/Trips & April 11, 2017 Falls “Some are welcoming more rain, oth- 18 Agricultural Risk Management ers aren’t,” Wright says. “I was talking Workshop w/CITD 9a-11a at MCFB Les Wright oversees all of Fresno to one of the major growers out on the 19-21 Member Appreciation Event-Ariat County’s crops. He’s the agricultural Westside and they were trying to mud- Fresno 24 Heifer Economics Luncheon commissioner here. Often he’s meet- in their onion seed because it was so ing with growers and ranchers on their 29 Memorial Day- Office Closed wet.” farms, but today he’s fielding calls from Tuesdays & Thursdays- ESJ Workshops @ For the most part Wright says all the MCFB 1-5pm his Fresno office. rain the region’s received is positive, but “A tenth of an inch when the cherries JUNE rain falling at the wrong time can delay are mature can ruin the crop. We had 15 MCFB Board of Directors Meeting planting and harvest. For some crops 1 PM that last year where we probably lost 18 Father’s Day 40 to 60 percent of our crop.” - Joe Del really wet weather can increase the risk of mold and mildew. Wright says grains 29 Harvest Safety, visit www.maderafb.com Bosque for details The reason? He says farmers are busy See RAIN IS GOOD; Page 8 2 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau Madera County New MCFB Donors President’s Message Farm Bureau MCFB would like to thank all our members who News help support our work through their voluntary Spring is in the must be vigilant in our application prac- contributions for the month of April: air! The weather is tices so that we do not spray or allow 2016 - 2017 Executive Committee James M. Costa warming up and we President: Jay Mahil chemical drift to reach passing school 1st Vice President: Nick Davis Del Shebelut Farm are moving into more busses or cars as we don't want any bad 2nd Vice President/Treasurer: Michael Naito Jason C. Littleton average temperatures. press. Secretary: Laura Gutile Thomas H. Edgington Soon our fields will be MCFB will be hosting a Heat Illness Appointed by President: Steve Massaro Davis Diversified Farms LP bustling with all the safety meeting on May 16. Please sign Appointed by President: Dennis Meisner farming activity. Appointed by President: Tom Rogers Stephen A. Elgorriaga up and send your employees. This train- Appointed by President: Chris Wylie Diane Kirk As you get ready to ing is a requirement for all employees, Chris J. Wylie Jay Mahil, fire up your irrigation, Directors at Large as OSHA will be doing field visits to Parichan Farms President I urge everyone to do see if employers are in compliance. You Clay Haynes Michele Lasgoity their part and utilize Robert Cadenazzi Jennifer Markarian David L. Davis can call the MCFB office at 559-674- the surface water that Ryan Cosyns Scott Maxwell 8871 or visit our website; www.mader- To become a DONOR call is available to them. I know the num- Clay Daulton Neil Mc Dougald afb.com for more information or to sign ber one question on everyone’s mind is Stephen Elgorriaga Jeff Mc Kinney 674-8871 up. Jason Erickson Pat Ricchiuti “Can I pump it cheaper?”. Please meet with your pump company and have May 7th will be our annual wine and California Farm Bureau - District 9 Director beer tasting event benefiting our schol- Tom Rogers New MCFB Members them help run the numbers, you will find that it is not the case due to the arship fund. Please join us at our new California Farm Bureau Committee MCFB welcomes the following new venue location; Mary’s Garden at Pe- Agricultural (producer), dropping water table. Besides, the qual- Energy, Air, and Climate- Clay Daulton ters Brothers Nursey. The party starts at Agriculture Labor- Jay Mahil, Nick Davis Associate (consumer) Collegiate, and ity of the surface water is far superior to Federal Economy & Farm Policy- Scott Maxwell Business Support members well water. 2:30 p.m. Help us congratulate our nine who joined in April: Marketing, Organics and Food Safety- Tom Rogers As we head into spring, I’d like to students that were awarded $40,000 in Pollinator & Crop Production- Ryan Cosyns NAME CITY P/C/B remind everyone to review their safety scholarships this year. It’s a great time protocols with all employees that will for an even better cause. See you all Office Staff Theil Air Care Inc. Chowchilla P ■ Executive Director: Christina Beckstead be applying any type of chemical. We there! Executive Assistant: Kristen Sargent HarvestPort San Luis Obispo P Madera County Farm Bureau DLM Partners Madera G 1102 South Pine Street To become a MEMBER call Madera, CA 93637 Executive Director’s Address (559) 674-8871; www.maderafb.com 674-8871 'Tis the season to the first SGMA deadline is fast ap- Advertising/Publishing Mid-Valley Publishing be busy! While all proaching, and phase two is underway. 1130 G Street, Reedley, CA 93654 Madera County of you are preparing All of the ground within the three sub- your crops for the sea- basins in Madera County has been cov- Advertising Sales Farm Bureau Members son, farm bureau staff Debra Leak (559) 638-2244 ered under a groundwater sustainability Discounts for Business has been working to agency (GSA), and the last of the GSAs Editor members stay on top of all the should become exclusive within the Kristen Sargent • Earn the lowest advertising rate issues its members month. As the next phase commences, • Free spot color in your advertising Periodical Postage • No charge for ad design have to deal with. As keep an eye out from the districts and Paid at Fresno, California 93706 • First ad at discounted price Christina you know we’ve had the County for notices on what’s going • Business card listing in our “At Your several training ses- POSTMASTER Service Directory” while ad appears in Beckstead, on. There should be another round of newspaper sions to ensure that stakeholder engagement soon. If you Send address changes to: • Run your non commercial classified Executive Madera County Farm Bureau ad at no charge for 3 months members are keeping are not familiar with SGMA or need 1102 South Pine Street, Madera, CA 93637 Call Debra Leak for more information. Let Mid Valley Director up to date with com- Publishing assist you in profiling your business and more information please do not hesitate The Madera County Farm Bureau does not assume services to its greatest potential. pliance. We have two to reach out to us at the farm bureau. responsibility for statements by advertisers or for more scheduled, Heat Illness on May products advertised in Madera County Farm Bureau. 559-638-2244 We have lots of information, and have 16th and Harvest Safety on June 29th. organized a group to help landowners Make sure to get signed up! As the tem- that do not have access to surface water, Farm Bureau Membership Benefits perature rises OSHA will more than come up with creative ways to deal with likely be in full force, doing inspections Insurance Travel the situation. We are working with the Nationwide Travel Insurance, Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels to make sure operations are up to snuff. County to make sure everyone has a Nationwide Agribusiness, VPI Pet Insurance On that note, make sure you all have voice in this implementation process. If Business Services your new OSHA posters. There were News and Entertainment you would like more information about Anderson Marketing, Farm Bureau Bank, several changes effective January 1, AgAlert, California Country Mag & T.V. Farm Employers Laborers Service, the landowner group (Madera County A4 Promotions 2017, that drastically changed the prior Water Association), please reach out to Vehicles year’s posters, so if you need an updated me soon, as we are in the process of put- GMC Trucks, Vans and SUV’s, Vehicle Rentals, Health Services copy, FB has them available at the of- Avis, Budget, Hertz Clear Value Hearing, Farm Bureau Prescription ting together the board and area maps. discount program, LensCrafters, fice. Do-It-Yourself On a positive note, MCFB has also Preferred Alliance Here at the office we’ve also been busy Grainger, Kelly-Moore Paints, been working on providing new benefits trying to keep up with what’s going on Dunn Edwards Paints, Case IH, CAT, Contact the MCFB Office at (559) 674-8871 to its members. We recently partnered Grainger and Western Square Ind. or www.maderafb.com for details. with water, not only in the county, but across the state. As many of you know See ED'S ADDRESS; Page 16 Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 3 SCHOLARSHIP MCFB Four Year Scholarship MCFB Four Year Scholarship in Ag Education by either gaining my Christian Napier, Emily O’Brion, single subject teaching credential in WINNERS Liberty High School Continued from Page 1 Liberty High School Agriculture to teach agriculture at the secondary level or by pursuing a career Plans to attend: tended and specific programs such as Plans to attend: with a company such as the California Colorado State 4-H clubs and the FFA. I have had the California State Farm Bureau where I can help to better University Fresno University amazing opportunity to breed, raise and educate the public about agriculture and Major: Animal Science its vast industry.” show hogs through my 4-H club as well Major: Viticulture Quote from biogra- as my FFA Chapter.” Quote from biogra- MCFB Four Year Scholarship phy: “At an early age phy: “Most little girls grow up wanting to be a singer, dancer, or Courtney MCFB Four Year Scholarship my parents instilled into my mind that a Sumaya-Herrera, college education was one of the most im- a model, but I have always been interested Yosemite High School Kaylin McKinney, in the healing process of animals. My cho- Madera High School portant things I could have. With that advice I began my education, first at a small sen career has been a Veterinarian since the Plans to attend: Texas Plans to attend: Texas school with only 25 students in my class, day I laid my eyes on my families first An- A&M gus Heifer. Throughout my entire life, I have Christian University and then at a larger, yet still small, high Major: Agriculture school in the Madera Ranchos. I believe been surrounded by Agriculture.” Major: Ranch Education that the close knit families I’ve made at MCFB Four Year Scholarship Management these smaller schools are of the utmost Quote from biogra- Quote from biogra- importance which is why I’ve decide to Kayne Stehly, phy: “The new atmosphere I was now Chowchilla High phy: “Working with pursue a degree at the California State School being raised in was astonishing, it was so many people, peers and adults, who University of Fresno to keep most of full of love and welcomeness. The sup- have strong work ethic and appreciation these bonds I have formed. Plans to attend: Cal port of Coarsegold, California, this for life, people, animals, and the land, Poly San Luis Obispo small community full of individu- I have grown immeasurably. Encoun- Major: Agriculture als that just believed in me helped me tering situations that will sustain me Congratulations, Education/ achieve my dreams. When high school throughout my life, regardless of what I Scholarship Communication arrived, I had foundmy calling in FFA. choose as a profession, I have developed Winners! Quote from biogra- That organization helped me become a a strong character and moral compass.” phy: “…I have plans to pursue a career leader and a friend.” A look back at California’s drought Drought reduced rivers to trickles, farmland to dust, forests to graveyards

Morning Ag Clips called for a SHRINK- count in state history. Experts said the April 8, 2017 mandatory 25 ING WA- naturally occurring cyanobacterium percent cut in TERWAYS blossomed because nutrients that built LOS ANGELES (AP) — Califor- urban water The drought up during the drought were washed off nia Gov. Jerry Brown has declared use compared stressed for- hills when rains finally arrived. an end to the state’s water emergency with 2013 lev- ests, leaving following a five-year drought that re- els. trees more THE PAST IS THE FUTURE duced rivers to trickles, farmland to Water dis- susceptible to And then, finally, the rains returned. dust and forests to graveyards of dead tricts issued pests such as Storms hit in 2015 and returned trees. strict conser- the bark bee- with a vengeance last year, filling res- Four of the driest years in state his- vation rules tle. More than ervoirs, overflowing dams, swelling tory marked the period, which cost and paid prop- 100 million creeks and pumping up the snowpack. California’s economy billions of dol- erty owners to trees in the Flood warnings went up and drought lars. Here’s how the drought played rip out water- Sierra Nevada restrictions began to ease. out across the state: slurping lawns died. But those who look back at the BROWN FIELDS and replace Photo Contributed Threatened Water is life for California’s $47 bil- them with less native spe- drought see something else: Califor- Water is life for California’s $47 billion farming lion farming industry, which grows thirsty plants. industry, which grows nearly half the nation’s cies sufferednia’s future. nearly half the nation’s fruits, nuts and Californians fruits, nuts and vegetables. Government-supplied as creeks and Water conservation will become a vegetables. Government-supplied ir- responded, irrigation supplies were slashed. Fields were lakes shriv- way of life in the state, said Felicia left fallow or reduced to cracked mud. (www. rigation supplies were slashed. Fields saving tens of eled. TheMarcus, chairwoman of the State Wa- were left fallow or reduced to cracked liveoncelivewild.com, via Flickr/Creative Commons) billions of gal- shores of Fol- ter Resources Control Board. mud. Farmers also dug thousands of lons of water. som Lake re- “This drought has been one for the new wells, sucking up groundwater Some even kept a sharp eye on water treated more than 100 yards. in the Central Valley and causing the wasters. “Drought shaming” snoops Last year, toxic algae showed up in record books, but it won’t be our last or ground to sink. outed homes and businesses in places more than 40 state lakes and water- longest,” said Marcus. “It’s a wakeup LOST LAWNS such as Beverly Hills that let their ways from Los Angeles to the north- call and we can’t hit the snooze but- ■ At the peak of the drought, the state sprinklers run too long. ern reaches of California, the highest ton.” 4 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau 2017 Almond Leadership Program molding tomorrow’s leaders Program informs future almond leaders about almond food safety, nutrition research, honey extraction, biomass utilization, leadership growth, more.

By Cary Blake, Trading Inc.; Brennon Christopher, uals who will lead us in the decades Western Farm Press Semios; Devin Clarke, Stanislaus to come. This program grounds April 4, 2017 Farm Supply; Kevin Esau, Arysta these participants in the latest in- LifeScience; Luke Heuer, Heuer dustry knowledge, but also teaches The 2017 Almond Leadership Farms; Ashley Hollis, Almond Al- them how to be leaders, and to un- Class recently tapped by the Al- liance of California; and Robert derstand the responsibilities that mond Board of California (ABC) Holtermann, Holtermann Farms. come with that.” includes 18 wannabe future leaders Other class members include Sunworks is the sponsor of the who represent multiple facets of the Marcus McClure, Gar Tootelian, 2017 leadership program. tree nut industry including growers, Inc.; Chris Parreira, RPAC; Mi- More than 100 people have gradu- retailers, processors, pest control chelle Penney, Del Rio Nut Com- ated from the eight-year-old leader- advisors, and suppliers. pany; Sharon Rucker, Law Office of ship program, including third gen- Started in 2008, this year’s pro- Sharon E. Rucker, PC; Bret Sill, Sill eration almond grower Daniel Bays gram will inform class members Properties Inc.; Bikramjit Singh, of Westley, a 2013 program alumni. Photo Contributed about the California almond indus- Bapu Almonds Co., Inc.; Katelynn “I loved going through the Al- try and also how to become better California grown almonds. Staack, Grizzly Nut; Ryan Sunzeri, mond Leadership Program,” the leaders in their communities. On Sunworks; and Cameron White, Si- grower said. “It was invaluable for the almond front, class members skills, plus learn about almond eco- erra View Ranch. me. will learn more about food safety, nomic issues and how the industry “We are so fortunate to have this “Even as someone who grew up in nutrition research, honey extrac- works together. program,” said Kent Stenderup, the industry, I had a lot to learn. The tion, biomass utilization, and other In alphabetical order, 2017 class ABC board member and a volun- attention to the curriculum, as well issues. members include: Lucas Avila, teer mentor for this year’s leadership as the emphasis on leadership and During the yearlong journey, Farmland Management Services; program. the responsibility we have to give members will also build relation- Annie Benisch, Stewart & Jasper; “As an industry, we get to interact back to our communities, are what I ■ ships, improve communications Christina Brichetto, Terra Nova with the best and brightest individ- took from the program.” 4 locations to serve our customers FASTER & BETTER 608 N. Gateway 22800 Ave. 181/2  8 SERVICE BAYS ACCROSS FROM PILOT TRUCK STOP  TIRES MOUNTED IN 30 MIN  6 SERVICE TRUCKS  HUNDREDS OF TIRES IN STOCK  3 ACRES OF ROOM  HIGH TECH EQUIPMENT  24 HOUR ROAD SERVICE WE STAND FOR you.®  ALIGNMENT & BRAKES  NEW ACCOUNTS  FINANCING AVAILABLE OAC WANTED And for making smart choices to ensure safety.

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SCH ETTLER TIRE WS4U.com Source: 2013 Munich Re: Report. Based on premium and loss data. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and Nationwide is Since 1934 on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. We Stand For You is a service mark of Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company. ©2015 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Products underwritten by Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company, Farmland Mutual Insurance Company, Allied Property and Casualty Insurance Company and SERVING THE LOCAL FARMERS FOR OVER 75 YEARS 8940 AMCO Insurance Company. Home Office: 110 Locust Street Des Moines, IA GPO-0171AO.2 (02/15) Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 5 Safe Storage of Pallets and Bins

The following information is pro- other stock of sig- to additional risk insurance and financial services or- vided by Nationwide, the #1 farm nificant value. management tools, ganizations in the U.S. and ranch insurer in the U.S.* The Nation- resources, training The information included in this ar- Indoor storage of stacked idle pal- al Fire Protec- and workers’ com- lets and bin boxes presents one of tion Association pensation informa- ticle was obtained from sources believed the greatest challenges to sprinkler (NFPA) 13 Stan- tion developed spe- to be reliable, Nationwide Mutual In- systems because it creates an ideal dard for the Instal- cifically for farmers surance Company and its employees arrangement for the rapid spread of lation of Sprinkler and ranchers. Sim- make no guarantee of results and as- fire. Systems details the ply visit farm.na- sume no liability in connection with Managers often look at indoor following guide- tionwideagribusi- pallet storage from an operational lines for pallets or ness.com to log in any training, materials, suggestions or efficiency perspective and don’t rec- bins stacked on or click ‘Sign up for information provided. It is the user’s ognize that this practice can easily the floor of build- account access.’ For responsibility to confirm compliance ings equipped with overcome typical automatic sprin- help signing up, with any applicable local, state or fed- kler systems. The result can be dev- typical automatic contact the Farm astating to a business, including po- sprinkler systems (control mode Service Center at 1-800-418-3188. eral regulations. Information obtained tential production interruption and density-area systems): Nationwide is the endorsed insur- from or via Nationwide Mutual In- total loss of a building. 1. Wood pallets and bins: Stack ance and financial services provider surance Company should not be used as Wood pallets and bins dry out no more than 6 feet high. Each pal- for the California Farm Bureau**. In the basis for legal advice or other ad- quickly, which makes them suscep- let pile of no more than 4 stacks 2017, we expanded our relationship vice, but should be confirmed with al- tible to catching fire with a relatively should be separated from other piles offering workers’ compensation cov- small ignition source. When com- by at least 8 feet of clear space or 25 erage for farm and ranch members. ternative sources. Nationwide and the bined with a high heat release rate feet of commodity. Nationwide is the #1 farm insurer Nationwide N and Eagle are service and a large amount of built-in air 2. Plastic pallets and bins: Stack in the U.S.* and a leading provider marks of Nationwide Mutual Insur- space, fire can develop rapidly. no more than 4 feet high. Each pal- of insurance and risk management ance Company. © 2017 Nationwide. Controlling or extinguishing such let pile of no more than 2 stacks solutions for commercial agribusi- *Source: 2015 SNL Financial Report. a fire is especially difficult because should be separated from other piles nesses. the undersides of pallets and bins by at least 8 feet of clear space or Go to nationwideagribusiness. Based on statutory data. **”Farm Bu- are shielded from the discharge of 25 feet of commodity. Protection com to learn more about Nation- reau” and the “FB” logo are registered automatic sprinklers, preventing should employ high-temperature- wide farm insurance and other com- service marks of American Farm Bu- water from reaching the base of the rated sprinklers. mercial coverages. To find a local reau Federation and are used by Cali- fire. High piling considerably in- Read a full-length article on Nationwide agent, go to farmagent- creases both the challenge to sprin- myNSightOnline.com to view tables finder.com. Nationwide, a Fortune fornia Farm Bureau Federation under klers and the probability of involv- detailing recommended clearance 100 company based in Columbus, a license agreement between the two ■ ing a large number of pallets or bins of stored idle pallets and bins or to OH, is one of the largest diversified organizations in the event of a fire. learn more about pallet manage- To avoid fire hazards, Nationwide ment in the food industry. recommends storing idle pallets and MyNSightOnline.com features a bins outside or in a detached struc- growing library of risk management HOEKSTRA & ASSOCIATES, INC. ture. Do not store them in non- and safety articles. Nationwide cus- sprinklered warehouses containing tomers have broader online access 37.6 Acre Open Land, Kern Delta Water District, Great soils, Bakersﬁeld $996,400 80 Acre Horse Ranch, 2B 2B Mobile, Stables, hay barn & shop, Cuyama $420,000 140 AC Pistachio Ranch, Well and District Water, Lost Hills $42,500/Ac 176.8 AC 1000 Cow Dairy, Lemoore Canal Stock, Lemoore $3,500,000 298 AC Pistachio Ranch, 2 wells, Beautiful Home & shop, Fresno Co. $7,450,000 437 AC Row Crop Ranch, wells & District Water, Lemoore $11,580,500 475 AC Blackwell’s N-E Corner Hwy 33 & Hwy 46, Lost Hills, $1,600,000 644 AC Open Land, Well, Jacobs ID, Lemoore Canal Stock, Stratford, $4,850,000

Call or Text Dan Hoekstra to join our email list! 014724 Check our website for current listings at www.hoekstra-associates.com DAN HOEKSTRA - (805) 839-8292 - CalBRE01942198 RUSS WAYMIRE - (559) 977-6000 - CalBRE01763629 14703 6 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau BIG FRESNO FAIR ANNOUNCES Winners of 3rd Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition A total of 69 entries were received from olive oil producers throughout California

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, April Oil’s Arbosana (Maxwell) (Tracy), Bozzano Olive Olive Oil (Lodi) 13, 2017…After extensive judg- o Italian Blends: Alta Cresta Ranch’s Toscana Organic o Herbal: ENZO Olive Oil ing of quality olive oils, The Big Olive Oil’s Italian Blend (Stockton), Calivirgin – Company’s Basil Crush Fresno Fair is excited to reveal the (Paso Robles), The Olive Coldani Olive Ranch’s Lodi (Clovis) and Calivirgin winners of the 3rd Annual San Joa- Press’ Italian Blend (Sonoma), Olive Oil – Miller’s Blend – Coldani Olive Ranch’s quin Valley Olive Oil Competition Scarlata Farms Olive Oil’s (Lodi) and Winter Creek Calivirgin Rustic Rosemary (SJVOOC). This competition, open Tuscan Blend Reserve (Tracy), Olive Oil’s Winter Creek Olive Oil (Lodi) to all olive oil producers in the State (Winter Creek) San Miguel Olive Farm’s o Other Flavors: The Olive of California with products made Tuscan Gold Nectar (San o Italian Singles: Calivirgin Press’ Jalapeno Olive Oil from their most recent olive harvest, Miguel) and San Miguel – Coldani Olive Ranch’s Lodi (Sonoma), Calivirgin received a total of 69 entries from Olive Farm’s Tuscan Gold Olive Oil Frantoio (Lodi) – Coldani Olive Ranch’s 18 different olive oil producers from Pristine (San Miguel) o Other Blends: Bozzano Olive Calivirgin Jalapeno Garlic throughout the State. o Italian Singles: Bozzano Ranch’s A2 (Stockton) and (Lodi), Calivirgin – Coldani Entries were received in two Olive Ranch’s Bozzano Rancho Azul y Oro’s Estate Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin classes, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic (Stockton) and EVOO (San Miguel) Extreme Heat Habanero Flavored Olive Oil, with 9 subcat- Calivirgin – Coldani Olive o Other Singles: ENZO Olive (Lodi) and Calivirgin egories in total. Gold and Silver Ranch’s Lodi Olive Oil Early – Coldani Olive Ranch’s Medals were awarded, as well as an Oil Company’s Bold Ranch Harvest Ascolano (Lodi) 11 (Clovis), ENZO Olive Calivirgin Guilty Garlic overall “Best of Show” selected from Olive Oil (Lodi) all of the highest scoring gold medal o Other Blends: Mangini Ranch Oil Company’s Bold Ranch entries received in the EVOO and Olive Oil Company’s Mangini 20 (Clovis), The Olive Press’ “The SJVOOC continues to grow Flavored Oil categories. All of the Ranch (Wallace) Heritage Mission EVOO each year and we are very excited flavored oils used for the Best of o Other Singles: Organic Roots (Sonoma), Bamford Family to have received a record number of Show, were all co-milled. In total Olive Oil’s Koroneiki Farms’ Silverstar Early entries this year,” said Stacy Rian- there were 47 EVOO and 22 Fla- (Maxwell) Harvest Mission (Oroville), da, Deputy Manager II at The Big vored Olive Oil entries that were Mangini Ranch Olive Oil Fresno Fair. “California has such a • Silver Medal Winners Company’s Mangini Ranch vast and rich food-producing com- entered for judging. The winners of o Spanish Blends: ENZO Olive the 3rd annual San Joaquin Valley (Wallace), Rosenthal Olive munity that it is important to hold Oil Company’s Tyler Florence Ranch’s Koroneiki (Madera) competitions, like this, that show- Olive Oil Competition are: Test Kitchen EVOO (Clovis) Best of Show and Corto Olive Company’s case some of the great products our o Spanish Singles: Calivirgin regions offer the world.” Organic Roots Olive Oil’s Organic Truly EVOO (Lodi) – Coldani Olive Ranch’s Participating producers had the Roots Koroneiki (Maxwell) Flavored Olive Oils Calivirgin Premium EVOO opportunity to submit multiple en- Calivirgin – Coldani Olive • Gold Medal Winners (Lodi), ENZO Olive Oil tries under one category but could Ranch’s Calivirgin Hot Virgin o Citrus: Enzo Olive Oil Company’s Medium Ranch not submit a particular entry to more Jalapeno (Lodi) Company’s Clementine Crush 11 (Clovis) ENZO Olive than one category. For each entry, Extra Virgin Olive Oils (Clovis) and The Olive Press’ Oil Company’s Delicate Limonato (Sonoma) producers had to submit two, 250 • Gold Medal Winners Ranch 11 (Clovis), ENZO ml bottles of their olive oil with re- o Spanish Blends: Corto Olive Olive Oil Company’s Medium o Herbal: Calivirgin – Coldani tail labels and a $60 non-refundable Co.’s Corto Olive Company Ranch 20 (Clovis), The Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin fee, per entry. Additionally, each Olive Oil (Lodi), La Panza Olive Press’ Arbequina Bountiful Basil Olive Oil entry had to be available for com- Ranch’s Outlaw Blend (Santa EVOO (Sonoma), The (Lodi) mercial sale at the time of submittal. Margarita) and Kimberley Olive Press’ Arbosana EVOO o Other Flavors: ENZO Olive Submissions were accepted starting Wine Vinegars’ Kimberley (Sonoma), The Olive Press’ Oil Company’s Fresno Chili mid-January through March 24. California Olive Oil Picual EVOO (Sonoma), Crush (Clovis) and Calivirgin All submissions were evaluated and (Acampo) Corto Olive Company’s Truly - Coldani Olive Ranch’s scored on the following criteria: o Spanish Singles: The Mill at EVOO – Arbosana (Lodi), Calivirgin Hot Virgin • Gold Medal: Awarded to an Kings River’s The Mill Corto Olive Company’s Jalapeno (Lodi) olive oil that demonstrated its type (Sanger), ENZO Olive Oil Truly EVOO – Arbequina • Silver Medal Winners and/or varietal character, balance, Company’s Delicate Ranch (Lodi), Organic Roots Olive o Citrus: Calivirgin – Coldani structure and complexities to the 20 (Clovis), The Olive Press’ Oil’s Arbequina (Maxwell) Olive Ranch’s Calivirgin highest standards. Gold Medals Empeltre EVOO and Rosenthal Olive Ranch’s Blood Orange Olive Oil were awarded to those oils receiving (Sonoma), The Olive Press’ Arbosana (Madera) (Lodi) and Calivirgin scores between 86 - 100 points. Sevillano EVOO (Sonoma) o Italian Blends: Scarlata Farm’s – Coldani Olive Ranch’s • Silver Medal: Awarded to and Organic Roots Olive Olive Oil’s Tuscan Blend Calivirgin Lusty Lemon See OLIVE OIL WINNERS; Page 10 Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 7 DAIRY PRINCESS CORONATION District 8 Crowned its 2017 Dairy Princess on April 26, 2017

TRACY, Calif. – April 28, 2017 – The Dairy Princess will represent farms. Jennifer Garcia was crowned Dairy the dairy industry in District 8, About the California Milk Advi- Princess during a ceremony on which is comprised of Fresno and sory Board Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Lime Madera counties. She will serve the The California Milk Advisory Board Lite in Fresno. area as ambassador for the dairy in- (CMAB), an instrumentality of the Amber LaSalle, the reigning Dis- dustry at schools, service groups and California Department of Food and trict 8 Dairy Princess, crowned the with the media. The newly selected Agriculture, is funded by the state’s new Dairy Princess. She ended her princess will attend a training ses- more than 1,300 dairy families. With reign by turning over the title to sion with workshops on presentation headquarters in Tracy, the CMAB is Jennifer, wishing her well as she development, promoting the Cali- one of the largest agricultural market- represents the California dairy in- fornia dairy industry and leadership ing boards in the United States. The dustry throughout the coming year. and etiquette tools. CMAB executes advertising, public Jennifer will serve her reign from California is the nation’s leading relations, research and retail and food- 2017 - 2018. milk producer. It also produces more service promotional programs on behalf Jennifer is the daughter of Javier butter and nonfat dry milk than any of California dairy products, including and Erika Garcia of Riverdale. She other state. The state is the second- Real California Milk and Real Cali- is a senior at Riverdale High School Photo Contributed largest of cheese and yogurt. Dairy fornia Cheese, throughout the U.S. and and plans to attend a four-year uni- Jennifer Garcia. products made with Real California internationally. For more information versity in the fall with a major in milk can be identified by the Real and to connect with the CMAB through Agriculture Education and minor ber of Riverdale FFA and is on the California Milk or Real California social media, visit RealCalifornia- in Agriculture Business with the dairy judging team. She also shows Cheese seal, which certifies that the Milk.com, like at Facebook, view vid- goal of becoming an agriculture Brown Swiss cattle at the Caruthers products are made exclusively with eos at YouTube, follow at Twitter and ■ teacher. Jennifer is an active mem- Fair. milk produced on California dairy Instagram, and pin at Pinterest. Our customers know us for: Equipment Solutions.... LOW Guaranteed MONTHLY PAYMENTS AVAILABLE1 AND

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13362 8 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau RAIN IS GOOD they’re heartier than thin skinned fruits Continued from Page 1 and veggies. He says the main problem is that heavy rain makes it too muddy and tree crops like oranges, peaches for crews to tend to trees. and almonds are somewhat okay with “One or two days they may be out of the rain even though heavy drops can the grove, but they’ll still be packing knock petals off flowering trees and fruit and shipping fruit, unless we get a create uneven fruit growth. He says week of it all strung together to where the real issue comes with crops that are planted yearly. they start running out of fruit in the “I noticed on the Westside where to- packing house,” says Blakely. mato transplants are going in there re- He says the main citrus harvest could ally moving fast trying to get them in be delayed about three weeks because of and this will slow them down a couple rain. For other farmers reliant on water days,” Wright says. from the Central Valley Project stored I wanted to visit farms across the re- in San Luis Reservoir it’s a slightly dif- gion to get a sense of how crops are do- ferent story. Gayle Holman represents ing with all this rain. But like Wright, 700 family farms on the west side for the farmers I chatted with were stuck in Westlands Water District. She says a their offices because of it. Los Banos nut month late water allocation announce- and vegetable farmer Cannon Michael ment in March of 65 percent was a blow says all this rain has delayed putting to her growers. A 100 percent allocation tiny tomato plants grown in greenhous- was announced Today April 11, 2017. es into the ground. Ezra David Romero/Valley Public Radio “Later on the harvest side you might “They only planted on what they get into some trouble with a lot of to- It’s rained so much north of Fresno in Madera County that a large creek’s formed on this thought they would have and quite pistachio farm. matoes that would’ve normally been honestly up until early January we were spaced out in the planting are suddenly looking at hopefully maybe a 15 percent compressed into the windows between to a couple of inches a day,” say Del say Del Bosque. “We had that last year water allocation,” says Holman. Bosque. “When you get weather like where we probably lost 40 to 60 percent the storms,” says Michael. Because of that Holman says farm- this it slows down to probably less than of our crop because of rain.” He says that can create a problem ers had to guess about how much to an inch a day. We have to stop harvest- So much rain fell last month that the with all the tomatoes ripening at the plant because of the uncertainty of the same time and inundating processors. ing and let the growth catch up.” ground in Del Bosque’s almond or- He says as a farmer he appreciates the chards couldn’t soak up all the rainfall. allocation and precipitation. Dan Er- Meaning some of those veggies won’t rotabere is one of those farmers. He be canned or turned into tomato sauce. rain, but when too much much falls it Below is a video of flooding Del Bosque grows a wide variety of nuts and veggies Not too far away in Firebaugh vegetable can be a nuisance. He hopes there’s no took of flooding in one of his orchards. near the Fresno County community of grower Joe Del Bosque says the aspara- rain in a few weeks when his cherries Strawberries also don’t do too well gus he’s growing likes the rain, but not are ripe. Ripe cherries have thin skin with rain. Carolyn O’Donnell with Riverdale. necessarily cooler temperatures. vulnerable to the elements. the California Strawberry Commission “When you get a wet winter like this “You know middle to high 70s like “A tenth of an inch [of rain] when the says berry farmers like the rain because and a delayed allocation it’s hard to plan we’ve had it’s growing about an inch cherries are mature can ruin the crop,” they don’t have to water plants. Still she with water allocations this late,” says says heavy precipitation can ruin grow- Errotabere. “Most of these crops have ing berries. a timeline certain of when they got to “Once they take the damaged fruit off be put in the ground. It usually means I the plants the plants are still producing, plant less of all those.” they’re blooming, they’re still producing more fruit,” says O’Donnell. “A lot of But at the end of the day when all this rain doesn’t necessarily mean it ends the rain stops all these farmers and water season for them.” managers agree on one thing. They’re in Like strawberries mandarins, oranges a much better place this year than dur- and grapefruit are faring pretty well ing the previous five years of drought says Bob Blakely with the trade associa- when water was scarce and growing ■ tion California Citrus Mutual because crops was tough. •• Orchard/VineyardOrchard/Vineyard Removal Removal •• Grinding Grinding • • Ripping Ripping • AllAll AspectsAspects of of Land Land Devlopment Devlopment

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Jason Tikijian, Office Manager/Controller Jason12501 Tikijian, Road 19,Office Madera, Manager/Controller CA 93637 Office 559-664-8863 12501Email [email protected] 19, Madera, CA 93637 OfficeFax 559-664-8221 559-664-8863 Email [email protected] Fax 559-664-8221 Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 9 Why Donald Trump Decided to Back Off Nafta Threat President wanted to show action on key promises before 100-day mark, but Mexico’s Peña Nieto and Canada’s Trudeau urged him not to withdraw from accord

By Peter Nicholas in Washington, cating the states where jobs would be Paul Vieira in Ottawa and lost if the pact collapsed, according José de Córdoba in Mexico City- to a person familiar with the matter. Wall Street Journal Many were farm and border states that April 27, 2017 voted heavily for Mr. Trump. THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY President Donald Trump was pre- Those conversations, along with a pared to end the North American Free flood of calls to the White House from Trade Agreement deal, which had business executives, helped steer Mr. governed trade relations for the past Trump away from an idea that some 23 years, with a dramatic announce- of his own advisers feared was a rash ment Saturday at a Pennsylvania po- and unnecessary threat to two trading litical rally marking his 100th day in partners who fully expected to renego- office. tiate the agreement anyway. As rumors spread of the possible But Mr. Trump wanted to show dra- action, Mexican President Enrique matic action on key campaign prom- Peña Nieto called the president urg- ises before he hits his 100 days in of- ing him not to pull out of the accord. fice on Saturday, and the threat would “Let me think about it,” Mr. Trump have showed his supporters that he said. Within a half hour a call came in was willing to take steps opposed by Brendan Smialowski/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images from Canadian Prime Minister Justin the establishment to upend American Trudeau with a similar request. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday. trade policy. After the talks, Mr. Trump was con- Mr. Trump insists the talks will take vinced “they’re serious about it and I The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. fice two days earlier—and Commerce place amicably among allies he likes will negotiate rather than terminate,” Meanwhile, Sonny Perdue—the Secretary Wilbur Ross met with Mr. and respects—though he also remind- the president said in an interview with agriculture secretary who took of- Trump and showed him a map indi- See NAFTA THREAT; Page 12 13361 10 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau Trump Promises Immigration Reform That Will Work for Farmers By Ana-Lisa Laca, culture but also diversity in regard form. a hot topic during the discussion. A Farm Journal's–Milk to gender, ethnicity and age,” says The farmers in the group made it nursery grower from Ohio shared April 27, 2017 Hank Choate, a seventh-generation abundantly clear that many of the how it had been harder for him to dairy and row crop farmer near Ce- immigrant workers on farms have hire employees through the program Earlier this week President Trump ment City, Mich. been working for those farms for a as the number of visas accessible had hosted a roundtable of farmers at the The group discussed many of long time and are law abiding citi- been reduced under the Obama ad- White House to discuss issues fac- the issues farmers are currently up zens. ministration. ing agriculture. against including immigration, la- According to Choate, Mr. Trump Choate says the President turned The panel of 14 people included bor, trade, regulation and infra- said the administration will develop to Sonny Perdue and asked that farmers, one national FFA officer structure. a program that not only gives se- problem be addressed as soon as and the newly confirmed Agricul- Choate says the discussion on im- curity and piece of mind to those possible. ture Secretary Sonny Perdue. migration was encouraging and that workers but will also provide farm- Maybe there’s hope for immigra- “We had a very diverse group not it seems the President began to have ers the skilled labor they need. tion reform that benefits farmers af- ■ only in regard to production agri- a clearer picture of the need for re- The H2A Visa program was also ter all.

OLIVE OIL WINNERS Gold Medal and Best of Show back in November for more infor- include: Debbie Jacobsen, President; Continued from Page winners will have the opportunity mation at www.fresnofair.com/sjv- Larry Serpa, Vice President; Jerry Pa- to have a booth in the Wells Fargo olive-oil-competition. checo, Secretary/Treasurer; Leta Cia- an olive oil reflecting the correct Agriculture Building on one day About The Big Fresno Fair: distribution of balance and character vaglia, Linda Mae Balakian Hun- during a weekend of the 2017 Big The Big Fresno Fair, founded in of its type or variety; an oil deemed Fresno Fair where they can taste, sucker, Elizabeth Hudson, Ricky Vang, 1884, is the fifth largest fair in the to be well crafted and of excellent display and sell their award-win- Dora Westerlund and William White. state of California and represents quality. Silver Medals were awarded ning product. Additionally, educa- John C. Alkire heads the daily opera- the 21st District Agricultural Asso- to those oils receiving scores tional information will be set up so tions in his role as CEO. The 2017 Big between 76 - 85 points. ciation. More than 600,000 people that Fairgoers can learn more about Fresno Fair will run October 4 – 15. • Best of Show: Awarded to an the art of making olive oil, its health from throughout the State visit The olive oil recognized to possess benefits, recipes and more. Big Fresno Fair each year making it For more information about The Big special characteristics of the highest the largest event in the Central Val- Fresno Fair, please visit www.Fresno- Planning is already underway for ■ quality overall. the 2018 SJVOOC. Please check ley. Members of the Board of Directors Fair.com. 014706 Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 11 State slams a California dairy with fines, but the owner won’t pay

By Lewis Griswold, "We couldn’t afford it. We couldn’t ments due to the expense of preparing revised three years ago, to protect wa- The Fresno Bee pay our other bills." them, he said. ter quality. –James Sweeney, Visalia dairy owner "Annual reports are a vital compo- “Annual reports are a vital com- State regulators have told a recalci- In an interview, he said he did not nent of the dairy general order because ponent of the Dairy General Order trant dairyman in Visalia to stop play- they inform the board about manure because they inform the board about ing games with them over a required file the reports at first because the dairy industry was on hard times and handling activities at dairies, and nu- manure handling activities at dairies, annual report about water quality or and nutrient management planning he could not afford it. But now it’s a trient management planning on dairy potentially be prosecuted for failing to on dairy cropland,” said Clay Rodg- matter of principle because “what cropland." cooperate. –Clay Rodgers, assistant executive ers, assistant executive officer for the The Central Valley Regional Water they’re doing is wrong,” he said. Central Valley Water Quality Control Meanwhile, the fines are piling up. officer Central Valley Water Quality Quality Control Board said it fined Control Board Board. Sweeney Dairy of Visalia $75,600 for Since 2011, the regional board has The Sweeneys also failed to put failing to file its 2015 annual report levied $207,714 in fines, including the To write a report, it is necessary to in place other requirements such as about the impacts of the dairy on wa- most recent, against Sweeney and his hire an engineer and a certified agron- groundwater monitoring, the board ter quality. wife, Amelia. omist at a cost of thousands of dollars, said. Sweeney said groundwater moni- The board upped the ante by also is- All the fines are under appeal, Swee- he said. toring costs at least $1,800 a year. suing a cease and desist order. If the ney said. He said he expects to win the When the reporting requirement Sweeney said he grew up in Sonoma dairy owner does not file the report, cases if his lawyer succeeds in getting was put into place, the dairy industry County and knew from a young age he the board could refer the case to the them out of the board’s enforcement was reeling economically, he said. wanted to be in the dairy business. attorney general’s office for prosecu- arm and into the courts. “We couldn’t afford it,” he said. “We He majored in animal science at tion, said water quality board spokes- Sweeney said his dairy has only 280 couldn’t pay our other bills.” Fresno State, rented a dairy in Ca- man Doug Patteson. cows – small by San Joaquin Valley But the regional board said in a ruthers for a few years, then moved to Dairy owner James Sweeney admits standards. Most regional water qual- statement announcing the latest fine Visalia and rented a dairy that he and he has not filed the yearly reports since ity boards in California have exempted that it is simply enforcing the Dairy his wife bought eight years ago. They■ 2009. small dairies from the report require- General Order, adopted in 2009 and own 61 acres east of Visalia, he said.

9314 12 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau

NAFTA THREAT People start to figure things out.” the afternoon, a person familiar with risk hundreds of firms and thousands Continued from Page 9 But Mr. Trump said in the interview the matter said. of jobs that rely on an integrated con- that he still holds his strongest card. Mexican and Canadian officials, tinental economy for their livelihood. ed them that he was willing to enter- “We’ll terminate Nafta if we’re unable who for months have been comparing “A disruption like canceling Naf- tain an extreme option in service of to make a deal, but hopefully we won’t notes on how to deal with the volatile ta—even if it theoretically might lead rewriting American trade policy, and have to do that.” new leader situated between them, to better outcomes—would cause a insisted that he could put the option The Trump administration jolted reached out to each other throughout lot of short- and medium-term pain back on the table if the coming talks markets and stoked panic among busi- Wednesday to coordinate how to ap- for an awful lot of families,” said Mr. don’t proceed the way he would like. ness leaders as multiple aides sent proach Washington, Mexican Foreign Trudeau, speaking in the western At the same time, the gyrations signals that officials were considering Minister Luis Videgaray told a Mexi- Canadian province of Saskatchewan, risked weakening the U.S. position— issuing an order that would begin the can television news program early when asked about his conversation by unifying Canada and Mexico in Thursday. “Mexico’s and Canada’s with the president. their strategies to counter the U.S., six-month process of having the U.S. positions are very similar, if not the While Mr. Trump has in the past irking key lawmakers he needs to back withdraw from the three-nation trade agreement. It was floated as a possible same,” he said. few months spoken harshly about the him, and exposing his inability to trade practices of both Mexico and overcome the strong domestic support stick Mr. Trump would wield to force a Mexican officials also spent the day quick renegotiation on terms he wants. working their Washington contacts to Canada, his aides told the Mexicans for Nafta that he has helped rally. that the big-stick threat was really “I expect the administration to He has blamed the agreement for entry to verify the rumors and press re- couraging manufacturers to relocate to ports. aimed at Congress, which has slowed closely consult with Congress before the process of launching the Nafta re- such major trade-policy decisions are Mexico, and for expanding U.S. trade “We spoke with a lot of members of negotiation. made,” said Utah Republican Sen. deficits with its border neighbors. the U.S. government and they con- Trump aides told the Mexican offi- Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate But by 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the firmed that the possibility existed but cials “that they were considering this Finance Committee, which oversees White House issued a statement say- wasn’t a firm decision,” Mr. Videgaray as an alternative, or a form of accel- trade, archly reminding him of the ing Mr. Trump had decided “not to said. erating the process before Congress,” need to take the time to work with terminate Nafta at this time.” Late in the afternoon, “after a day Mr. Videgaray said in the television Capitol Hill. “Withdrawing from Meanwhile, a lobbyist for one big that generated a lot of doubts,” the Mr. interview. ”You have to remember Nafta would have significant effects business group said he urged member Videgaray said, Mr. Peña Nieto called that the trade renegotiation with the on the America economy.” companies to “have your CEOs call Mr. Trump directly. The Mexican U.S. has not begun because of a delay “It was a trial balloon, but it didn’t the highest-ranking administration leader made the case that, rather than work,” said Mexican economist Luis officials they can reach.” Tom Dono- acting as a constructive prod for nego- in certain processes in the U.S. Con- de la Calle, a trade expert who had hue, the veteran president of the U.S. tiations, an official threat by the U.S. gress.” been a senior negotiator on the pact. Chamber of Commerce, made at least to pull out of Nafta “would frankly The Canadian and Mexican gov- “Next time, nobody will believe it. three calls to the White House during have a very negative impact on Mexico ernments have actually been saying and would practically cancel the pos- openly for months that they are eager sibility of a constructive negotiation.” to start the renegotiations Mr. Trump Mr. Trudeau separately reached has long demanded, concerned that out to Mr. Trump to make a similar the uncertainty about Nafta’s future argument. In a press conference on has damped economic activity in both Thursday, Mr. Trudeau said that when countries. Mr. Trump told him he was consider- Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia ing terminating Nafta, he warned the Freeland and the country’s chief envoy president that would put at immediate See NAFTA THREAT; Page 13 8798 12811 Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 13

NAFTA THREAT paigning intensifies for their presiden- 90-day notice 60 days ago, but it hasn’t In his first 100 days, it isn’t so clear Continued from Page 12 tial election next year, where the Nafta started because they’re holding it up,” that his methods have paid off. He and talks and Mr. Trump’s harsh words on Mr. Trump told The Wall Street Jour- White House aides have at times sent in Washington, David MacNaugh- Mexico have fueled the popularity of a nal in a mid-April interview. “We have conflicting messages about what they ton, have been in frequent touch with nationalist candidate. to get this ridiculous 90-day rule.” intend to do. Mr. Ross, Mr. Trump’s point man on The holdup in starting Nafta ne- But lawmakers—even leaders of Mr. While negotiating with Congress Nafta, and had signaled privately—as gotiations has actually been the U.S. Trump’s own Republican Party—are over a spending bill aimed at keep- well as publicly in media interviews— Congress, which jealously guards its pushing back against Mr. Trump’s ing the government up-and-running, that Canada was ready to start talks on authority to shape U.S. trade agree- rush. some of Mr. Trump’s advisers insist- changes to the continental trade pact, ments. The 2015 fast-track trade law “I know there’s a bit of frustration ed that any deal include money that Canadian officials said. requires the president to send Con- now from the Trump trade team, and would go toward a wall along the Canadian officials are aware that gress a 90-day notice before he can they’re eager to get moving,” Texas Southern border. uncertainty over U.S. trade policy has begin trade talks—and it also requires Rep. Kevin Brady, chairman of the “I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to become an overhang on its economy, his U.S. trade representative to brief House Ways and Means Commit- say that the wall is one of his top if as businesses in Canada—in par- Congress before submitting that let- tee, which runs that chamber’s trade not his top priority,” Mr. Trump’s bud- ticular the nonenergy sector—remain ter. Congress has yet to confirm Mr. policy, told The Wall Street Journal in get director, Mick Mulvaney, said in reluctant to increase their capital- Trump’s trade representative nominee, an interview on Wednesday. “But at an interview on April 21. Three days spending plans until things settled Robert Lighthizer, and so he has been the end of the day, the time spent now later, Mr. Trump backed off, saying he down. The Bank of Canada has con- unable to start talks. Lawmakers say listening to members of Congress…is was open to waiting until later in the tinued to highlight that U.S. trade Mr. Lighthizer may finally win confir- time well spent.” year for border-wall money. policy remains “significant” headwind mation in early May. That would push The confusion this week over Nafta This month, Mr. Trump said he to growth, and warns economy won’t the start of the Nafta renegotiation to highlights one of the questions sur- wouldn’t reveal any details about be firing on all cylinders until business August at the earliest, or well past Mr. rounding Mr. Trump: whether the his tax plan until Congress passes investment picks up momentum. Trump’s first 100 days in office. deal-making skills he employed in the Mexican officials have also been -ea Mr. Trump has repeatedly blasted business world translate to the presi- a health-care overhaul. Mr. Trump ger to complete the talks before cam- Congress over the delays. “We filed a dency. See NAFTA THREAT; Page 16 BUSINESS DIRECTORY At Your Service

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Morning Ag Clips by being designated as nonattainment April 22, 2017 for Ozone or Particulate Matter by the United State Environmental Protec- RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Technical tion Agency. These areas experience and financial assistance is available air pollution levels that persistently through USDA’s Natural Resources exceed the National Ambient Air Conservation Service (NRCS) to help Quality Standards established by the farmers and ranchers in Southern Cal- Clean Air Act. ifornia to make improvements in their For fiscal year 2017, the approved operations that can lead to improved air quality. Assistance is made avail- counties for tractor and replacement in able through NRCS’s Environmental Southern California include: Imperial, Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Or- EQIP applications are accepted ange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San year-round, but interested producers Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura. need to be ready by May 26, 2017, to Contact information for local NRCS be considered for this year’s funding. Ezra David Romero/Valley Public Radio service centers is available at https:// To be ready for EQIP funding con- It’s rained so much north of Fresno in Madera County that a large creek’s formed on this www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ sideration, interested applicants will pistachio farm. main/ca/contact/local/. need to submit the application form NRCS has provided leadership in a tural sources, including chipping or- popular conservation practice that and meet program eligibility require- partnership effort to help America’s ments. NRCS staff will work together chard or vineyard debris, tillage man- helps farmers replace their older in- private land owners and managers by developing a conservation plan, agement, repower in-use irrigation use, higher-polluting, diesel-powered conserve their soil, water and other which can lead towards approval of the pump engines, and implementation of tractors with cleaner Tier 4 emissions- natural resources since 1935. For more ‘EQIP schedule of operations.’ “low-dust” nut harvesters. These ex- certified diesel-powered tractors. This information on NRCS, visit www. NRCS can help agricultural produc- amples are available statewide for all specific practice is targeted to counties nrcs.usda.gov. ers implement conservation practices qualifying producers. that have been identified as having sig- –USDA – Natural Resources Con- ■ that reduce air pollution from agricul- In addition, NRCS has another nificant air quality resource concerns servation Service UC Davis Extension course information: Summer 2017 Management and • August 10: Thurs., 11 a.m.-Noon leria, 2901 K. St. ally recognized leader in educational Leadership Courses from UC Davis • No Charge. Enroll in section • $1,950. Enroll in section outreach for individuals, organiza- Extension http://extension.ucdavis. 171SUP100 164MDP165 tions and communities for more than edu/business UC Davis Executive Leadership One-Day Skills Courses 50 years. With 58,000 annual enroll- Strong management and people Program Free Online Information • Coaching Employees (April 25; skills give you a competitive edge. Our Session enroll in section 164SUP178) ments in classroom and online univer- management and leadership classes • July 12: Wed., 4-5 p.m. • Generations at Work (May 2; en- sity-level courses, UC Davis Extension are taught by expert instructors and • No Charge. Enroll in section roll in section 164SUP179) serves lifelong learners in the growing will help you improve your communi- 171EXE100 • Leading with Strengths (June 7; Sacramento region, all 50 states and cation, conflict management, coaching UC Davis Executive Leadership enroll in section 164BSC151) more than 100 countries. and leadership skills. Program Fall Cohort • All courses take place in Sacra- Not produced at state expense. UC We offer several programs to meet • Sept. 14-Oct. 27 mento: Sutter Square Galleria, 2901 your specific needs: Supervisory Skills • Sacramento: Sutter Square Gal- K. St. Davis Extension is a self-supporting, Program, Management Develop- leria, 2901 K. St. To enroll or for more information nonprofit organization funded solely ment Training and UC Davis Execu- • $5,950 ($5,650 if registration and and a full list of what we offer, visit by course fees, grants and contracts. tive Leadership Program. In addition, payment occur prior to August 17) UC Davis Extension at http://exten- Media contact: Angela Lindley, each quarter we offer several one-day • Apply online at extension.ucdavis. sion.ucdavis.edu/business or call (800) (530) 752-9467, alindley@UCDAVIS. skills courses designed to quickly grow edu/execprog 752-0881. EDU your leadership skills. Management Development: Effec- * * * * * Supervisory Skills and Management tive Management Practices UC Davis Extension, the continuing For more information, please visit Development Free Online Informa- • May 10-24: Wed., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and professional education division of our website at www.extension.ucdavis. ■ tion Session • Sacramento: Sutter Square Gal- UC Davis, has been an internation- edu Madera County Farm Bureau May 2017 | 15 Walnut growers responsible for ensuring clean water use on operation Depending on the amount of annual walnut sales, growers must comply with agricultural water requirements; beginning with sampling and establishing a water quality profile.

By Cecilia Parsons equipment since equipment can get Western Farm Press dusty during transit. The grower would April 5, 2017 already be testing this water. Growers must be aware of conditions California walnut growers are in- outside their property which could vited to the dance, also known as the compromise water quality. According Produce Safety Rule (PSR) found in to Partyka, growers are required to the 2011 Food Safety Modernization evaluate nearby and adjacent land uses Act. which could contribute impact their Depending on the amount of annual water quality. walnut sales, growers must comply “The Food and Drug Administra- with agricultural water requirements; tion does not expect the grower to be beginning with sampling and estab- an expert in all potential sources of lishing a water quality profile. microbial contamination, but they do Melissa Partyka, ecologist at the want growers to be vigilant and pay Western Institute for Food Safety and attention to what is going on around Security at the University of Califor- Photo contributed their properties,” the ecologist says. nia, Davis, says the Produce Safety The person conducting water qual- Green walnuts in the tree. Rule addresses on-farm efforts to en- ity sampling should be trained in ba- sure consumer safety in foods normal- sic ‘best practices.’ They should note ter requirements of the PSR starting ly consumed raw. close to harvest as practical. the distance from intake to delivery, January 2018. Despite the hard shell, walnuts are Defining a source of water is also whether the water is filtered prior to Growers with sales in the range of included in the PSR since pathogens not as simple as calling it surface wa- reaching the delivery point, and if re- $250,000 to $500,000 have a WQP can travel to the edible part of the nut. ter and well water. The FDA consid- cent canal maintenance has occurred. Under the PSR, walnut growers ers each discrete body of water to be a deadline of January 2019. Producers To take a sample from a spigot or are required to begin sampling water ‘source.’ Canal water impounded on a with less than $250,000 gross sales hand valve, the person should open which comes into contact with the farm before use is different from canal over three years must comply by 2020. and flush for two-to-five minutes, then harvestable portion of the crop, for water - just as well water held in a res- Growers have an additional 2-4 disinfect it, and briefly flush more -wa example, water used to clean harvest ervoir is different from well water. years to develop their WQP from this ter before filling the sample bottle. It’s equipment and for harvest crews to E. coli concentrations can vary compliance date, according to the cur- important to not contaminate the cap. wash their hands. throughout the year with the high- rently published timelines. At this There have been concerns about Irrigation water or water in tank est level in reservoir water during the time, the grower’s WQP must be es- FDA’s laboratory requirements, plus mixes is generally not a source summer months. Once groundwater tablished and records available for in- the capacity for sampling, Partyka of crop contamination, yet can also is impounded in a reservoir or pond, spection. says. Most labs do not perform the transport pathogens which are harm- Partyka says it’s considered surface Growers who hire custom harvest testing method currently requested ful to humans to produce that’s con- water and must be tested as such. This operators are responsible for ensur- by FDA but she says the agency could sumed raw. is specifically addressed in the law. ing that the water used is “sufficient change this requirement. Commodity The source of water determines the She notes that water quality research quality for its intended purpose,” says groups could also step up, and with number of samples required in a grow- suggests a dramatic increase in the Partyka. It is up to the grower to en- training develop in-house labs for er’s Water Quality Profile (WQP). amount of bacteria once well water is sure that contractors are using “good” growers. Surface water sources must be sampled stored so the distinction is warranted. water to clean equipment. Since these Meanwhile, on March 20, the FDA five times annually for two to four years The ‘clock’ for sampling initiation records will be inspected, growers announced its reevaluating water cri- with five more every year for a rolling began January 2016 for all growers. should have the paperwork that docu- teria. Partyka notes it’s unclear which average of 20. Four samples over four Large growers, or those with gross ments water quality. details could change. The timeline for years are required for groundwater. sales of more than $500,000 for three She notes that most harvest crews- compliance could be pushed back, she ■ Sampling should be conducted as years, must comply with the non-wa- contractors use on-site water to wash says. contact Debra Leak @ Mid-Valley publishing TO ADVERTISE (559) 638-2244 16 | May 2017 Madera County Farm Bureau ED'S ADDRESS statewide, O’Reillys Auto Parts will Continued from Page 2 provide a 5-20%. We are continuing to expand our benefits and will be launch- interested in advertising? contact: with Ariat in Fresno to have a Member ing a local discount brochure soon. Appreciation Event. Madera County If anyone has any questions, com- Farm Bureau members who present ments or concerns please do not hesitate Debra Leak Mid-Valley publishing their membership card in store May to contact any of our board members or 19-21, will receive a 20% discount on myself. We are always open to suggestions, and want to make sure our mem- their entire purchase. CFBF has also ■ (559) 638-2244 launched a new benefit for members bers are getting what they want/need.

NAFTA THREAT That mainstream group has been cies, they expect no significant Nafta isn’t a course. It’s just erratic. Continued from Page 13 actively sending reassuring signals to changes. “He needs to go look at the two fac- business leaders in other countries, “This is a disputatious White House tions inside the White House and get backtracked, putting out a tax blue- even as they have been locked in inter- and we have to understand this is go- rid of one of them. You can’t operate print on Wednesday. nal battles in Washington. ing to spill out into the public,” the that way in the White House.” Watching events play out, veterans One senior Toronto bank executive Canadian banker said. Mr. Trump dismissed talk about a of past White Houses say Mr. Trump said Gary Cohn and Steven Mnuchin Atop the pyramid is Mr. Trump, split inside his White House between needs a more consistent, unified mes- —former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. who in his 1987 book, “The Art of the aides with a nationalist or globalist sage. Part of the trouble may be that executives now serving as chairman of Deal,” wrote that he values flexibility his White House is split into factions: the White House National Economic above all: “I never get too attached to orientation. “Hey, I’m a nationalist a nationalist wing symbolized by chief Council and as Treasury Secretary, one deal or one approach,” he said. and a globalist,” he said. “I’m both. strategist Steve Bannon that is wary of respectively—have on a few occasions Craig Fuller, who served eight years And I’m the only one who makes the multinational treaties and trade deals, reached out to senior Canadian busi- in former President Ronald Reagan’s decision, believe me.” and a more mainstream group that ness officials in recent weeks to counsel White House, said in an interview: —Jacob Bunge in Chicago and William is comfortable with the trend toward them that despite the internal Trump “The trouble here is I don’t see how Mauldin in Washington contributed to ■ globalization. administration divides over trade poli- you get a course correction when there this article.