NEWSTulare CountyFarm Bureau Volume 370, Number 6 JUNE 2008 June 18 SHERIFF CALLS METAL THEFT SUMMIT Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman, in response to the epidemic of loss of recyclable metals, is presenting a summit on the metal theft problem June 18 at 9 a.m. in the Heritage Complex at the International Agri-Center grounds in Tulare. Tulare County Farm Bureau will provide refreshments. The sheriff and his deputies will address such issues as aware- ness, prevention, resources, legislation and ways to help each other prevent further losses. The meeting is of interest to farmers and ranchers, business owners, the building industry, recyclers and the general public. All are welcome to attend the free meeting. For more information contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, Agricultural Crime Investigations Unit, 559-740-4300 or 800-370-9055. June 12 EDISON LINE FOES TO RALLY IN EXETER A growing and diverse coalition of eight property owners in cattle grazing opponents to Southern California country,” McEwen continued. Edison's proposed high voltage line in the Route 1 will impact well over 200 Hwy 198 corridor and highly productive property owners as it passes through farm lands east of Visalia will gather to valuable agricultural lands, at least 89 Recognize anyone in this famous 1946 Norman Rockwell hear an update and go-forward plan of home sites, seven commercial parcels, five painting for the Boy Scouts of America's national calendar action June 12 at 7 p.m. in the Exeter industrial sites, one church, a historic and magazine? See story on p. 4 for the answer. Memorial Building. cemetery and a children's playground. “At this time we don't object to Edison's The lines also come in close proximity to need for additional lines and to improve its three schools, according to the PACE service to Tulare County,” said George group's research. TCPCD BUDGETS FOR McEwen, chairman of the PACE (Protect Economically more important, the line Agriculture, Communities and the cuts through the city of Farmersville's Environment) Steering Committee. “We planned industrial park and will be visible TRISTEZA CONTROL just want them to select the most logical to travelers along the county's designated and least disruptive location which they scenic corridor on Hwy 198 – a popular AT LINDCOVE describe in their brochure as Alternate tourism route taken by U.S. and interna- Route 3.” tional visitors to the high Sierra national “This is very, very serious. It affects every research block Edison's plan for a 220 kilovolt trans- parks and recreation opportunities. on the station. If we don't do something now, we're done,” mission line, called the San Joaquin Cross “This line will create a tremendous said Beth Grafton-Cardwell, Director of the University of Valley Loop Transmission Project is economic loss to Tulare County. It just California Lindcove Research and Extension Center, as expected to be filed with the California does not make sense for Edison to choose she announced an alarming number of finds of citrus Public Utilities this month. The com- it,” said McEwen. “We will present com- tristeza virus-infected trees at the field station. pany's proposal, under study for more prehensive arguments before the CPUC, While the tests still needed to be confirmed with a second than a year, illustrates three alternative backed with concrete facts and figures in laboratory analysis, she said this spring's testing turned routes the company could use to tie its favor of the least disruptive of the three up as many as 70 additional CTV hits – far greater than existing foothill 220-kV line near Lemon routes. last year's 55 infected trees which caused a great stir of Cove into the Rector Substation on Rd 148 “We encourage any Tulare County concern. southeast of Visalia. resident who objects to the losses this line As a result, the Tulare County Pest Control District is “We want them to use Route 3, the represents to our scenic values, our taking further positive steps to protect this valuable citrus Stokes Mountain route. It joins the Rector historical heritage and agricultural industry resource. line east of Orosi to the Big Creek line in production to join us in this battle,” said The TCPCD has already established a protective the foothills. This route passes over only McEwen. Operational Zone around the field station. It authorized a hierarchical (25%) survey (now underway) of the trees within the zone. Funds for this were set aside nearly a decade ago. July 2 This initial survey will provide information about the extent of CTV in surrounding groves and an estimate of what it will eventually cost to control CDFA INVITES VISIONING INPUT the dangerous disease through its only known remedy, tree removal. How often do you get the opportunity to express opinions and ideas to See Tristeza on page 9 a governmental body and they listen? The California Secretary of Food and Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura, and members of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture are doing just that. They are inviting the public to attend a series of state- wide listening sessions to help them develop a vision for a more pro- ductive, competitive and innovative agricultural sector by 2030. The Tulare meeting will be July 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Heritage Center at the International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina Street in Tulare. The purpose of the meetings is to bring agricultural stakeholders together to solicit comments for a strategic vision for California agricul- ture, to share information and answer questions about the California Agricultural Vision project. Participants are asked to address one or more of the following ques- tions in a five-minute period: See CDFA on page 9 Page 2 Tulare County Farm Bureau News June 2008 We Welcome Joining the Your Involvement Hands Free Crowd! {President’s Notes {Executive Comments by Edward Needham, President byPatricia L. Stever , Executive Director Iwouldliketotakethisopportu- fuel costs, access to labor, and We can all think of situations under any normal circumstance nity to say thank you to all the Farm expensive input costs, just to name where we have been frustrated or unless it is to make an emergency Bureau board of directors, staff and afew. outright furious at a distracted call as outlined above. the members of the Tulare County All is not lost though… as the motorist not paying attention to the If convicted, the base fine for the Farm Bureau for supporting me and Farm Bureau we can help ourselves road – swerving in and out of traffic, first offense is $20, and $50 for our new board as we embark on a help agriculture and our community or driving 48 miles an hour in the subsequent convictions. With the new year. I am very excited about by understanding these issues and fast lane on the highway… all addition of penalty assessments, the year ahead and will be working encouraging our communities, our because of cell phones! the fines can be more than triple the very closely with our new directors business associates, and our friends Well, thanks to our state legisla- base fine amount. The violation is a and committees to help advance and neighbors to join Farm Bureau ture, two laws were passed that will, reportable offense. The DMV, their goals. and contribute their time and talent hopefully, curb this behavior. SB however, will not assign a violation Farm Bureau will always have to furthering the purposes of our 1613 and SB 33 were signed into point and whether a citation is many continuing challenges to organization and solving the chal- law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued is always at the discretion of address and we'll have new ones to lenges. in 2006. They become effective on the officer based upon his or her embrace as we move forward. There Having a clear understanding of July 1, this year. determination of the most appropri- are many serious issues that we the issues, and the positive impact But what exactly does this mean ate remedy for the situation. must stay involved with and, in our Farm Bureau policies make, can for all of us, especially our farmers, It is also important for the grower order to do so, we need the support help Tulare County's agricultural who absolutely rely on their cell community to note that this law of all our members and we must legacy continue for future genera- phones in their trucks to get their applies only on public roads. recruit new members. tions. day's work done? Motorists operating on private I encourage you to ask the people Step Up! According to the California property are not subject to these you do business with, your neigh- Department of Motor Vehicles the laws. However, once you are on a There are many ways you can get bors, your farm service vendors and first of the new cell phone laws public road, a law enforcement involved. Start by attending a others if they are Farm Bureau prohibits all drivers from using a officer can pull you over just for this meeting of the board or a committee. members. If not, please ask them to handheld wireless telephone while infraction. We always welcome members at our join. To carry it a step further, tell operating a motor vehicle. (Vehicle Be safe out there this summer, board meetings. And for immediate our office staff about your prospect Code (VC) §23123). The law allows and please take note of these new involvement, I'm announcing that and they will assist you with signing motorists 18 and over to use a cell laws.