On Wednesday, March 24th, 2010, some of the top agricultural water specialists will be meeting to help sort out some of the largest issues with the California Water Delivery. After limping through the last three years, water conservation is at the top of every discussion, media board, and farmer’s mind.
With so many farm workers losing their jobs and farmers going belly-up, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has scheduled a meeting this week to discuss the federal and state water delivery allocations.
Representatives from the Westlands Water District, San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority, Australian Water Officials from the State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, and Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project all plan on attending and will provide presentations of some sort.
It’s important to note that this meeting will be open to the public and the media. Anyone concerned with this issue, which is every farmer in California, in our opinion should attend to put out the voice for California Agriculture. A large attendance of California farmers would be a large voice as to say, “We’re standing up for Ag!”
The meeting will be held March 24th, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 1220 ‘N’ Streeet., Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814. [Link to Google Maps]
If you do attend, feel free to leave a comment detailing how the meeting went in your own opinion!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Arizona SRP: Election Time Is Around the Corner
As many know, a large amount of Arizona citizens depend on SRP, Salt River Project, to receive electricity and water. What many don’t know, is that coming soon this spring, an election will be held to decide who will be making the decisions that will affect our everyday life. The cost of air quality, how we get our water, and the ever soaring price of electricity all falls on the back of some of the largest agricultural foundations in the great state of Arizona. With a little over 2 million using water and electricity through SRP, it will be a much more important election than what the voter results will entail.
This year’s election, will decide 9 seats on the SRP’s board. SRP, since being established in 1903, was actually here before Arizona had been inducted. Still being run by large growers, farmers, and ranchers has had an impact on AZ for more than a century.
Originally, SRP was established as a water-users association, while the votes are still weighted by how many acres a property owner holds, 682,000 property owners will be eligible to vote for the Salt River Project’s board, including president and vice president.
While many large landowners have sold to housing districts, urbanizing the state has not diminished the direct affect on Arizonians that the SRP board holds. Unfortunately, this will not be grasped as essential as it should considering the drastic changes that are possible with the increases in water cost and electricity.
With the most important decisions being brought before board this year, electricity and water-routing will be of the utmost essential this year. With the average household paying approximately $1500 annually for electricity, this year, those rates may rise.
Thankfully, for the last century we have seen that rates have stayed manageable mostly in-part to having agricultural families in direct control of how those rates are handled. Agriculture has played a large part in Arizona’s history, and while many farms are going by the way side, it’s nice to see that we can depend on such a substantial portion of our state to assist rural AZ in keeping these rates affordable.
With Arizona rates for electricity staying 5% below the state average, we can only hope that when the votes are cast this March 22nd-April 6th we see a continuous effort in keeping with Arizona’s previous grand track record on water and electricity conservation.
For more information, or to find your voting center refer to http://www.srpnet.com/elections/district.aspx.
This year’s election, will decide 9 seats on the SRP’s board. SRP, since being established in 1903, was actually here before Arizona had been inducted. Still being run by large growers, farmers, and ranchers has had an impact on AZ for more than a century.
Originally, SRP was established as a water-users association, while the votes are still weighted by how many acres a property owner holds, 682,000 property owners will be eligible to vote for the Salt River Project’s board, including president and vice president.
While many large landowners have sold to housing districts, urbanizing the state has not diminished the direct affect on Arizonians that the SRP board holds. Unfortunately, this will not be grasped as essential as it should considering the drastic changes that are possible with the increases in water cost and electricity.
With the most important decisions being brought before board this year, electricity and water-routing will be of the utmost essential this year. With the average household paying approximately $1500 annually for electricity, this year, those rates may rise.
Thankfully, for the last century we have seen that rates have stayed manageable mostly in-part to having agricultural families in direct control of how those rates are handled. Agriculture has played a large part in Arizona’s history, and while many farms are going by the way side, it’s nice to see that we can depend on such a substantial portion of our state to assist rural AZ in keeping these rates affordable.
With Arizona rates for electricity staying 5% below the state average, we can only hope that when the votes are cast this March 22nd-April 6th we see a continuous effort in keeping with Arizona’s previous grand track record on water and electricity conservation.
For more information, or to find your voting center refer to http://www.srpnet.com/elections/district.aspx.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
California farmers are getting a big helping hand from the USDA due to the new Environmental Quality Incentives Program which is allowing farmers who qualify and that are interested to apply for funding.
Registration has already begun and will continue through April 9th, 2010. Farmers in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Stanisluas Counties will be eligible to receive portions of the ten million dollars set aside to those most directly affected by the current California drought.
For more information you may go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/EQIP/
Registration has already begun and will continue through April 9th, 2010. Farmers in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Stanisluas Counties will be eligible to receive portions of the ten million dollars set aside to those most directly affected by the current California drought.
For more information you may go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/EQIP/
Monday, March 15, 2010
Final EIR: Apple Moth Battle
The light brown apple moth, the agricultural demon that was found in Manteca has created quite a rush for those in the area. The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported that the eradication program was “less likely” to cause human harm or environmental damage than not taking the action. Reasoning was that if the infestation had spread, more harsh chemicals and pesticides would have been required.
It was stated that if the moth were to become established, that a production loss of over $100 million could be the result of inaction.
The CDFA has considered that using pheromone twist ties on areas where the moth’s breeding occurs will best serve in disrupting the wild moth breeding activity.
The agencies final EIR is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PDEP/lbam/envimpactrpt.html. If you would like more information you can contact Yolo County Agriculture Commissioner John Young (530) 666-8148.
It was stated that if the moth were to become established, that a production loss of over $100 million could be the result of inaction.
The CDFA has considered that using pheromone twist ties on areas where the moth’s breeding occurs will best serve in disrupting the wild moth breeding activity.
The agencies final EIR is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PDEP/lbam/envimpactrpt.html. If you would like more information you can contact Yolo County Agriculture Commissioner John Young (530) 666-8148.
Monday, March 1, 2010
State Farm Jobs Holding Their Own
When you think of 2009 you think of; recession, job loss, poverty, war, water shortage, or job loss. But when you look at the numbers for Agriculture, many of these issues seem to be worse than they really are.
For example, Fresno County, California’s top-producing agricultural county posted that farm jobs actually increased from 2008 to 2009, although over the state’s records only dropped by a half percent. The labor and crop statistics of 2009 didn’t exactly point towards that though. Farm employment from 2006 forward show that jobs have increased overall and only recently from 08’ and 09’ has the increase lowered minimally. Notice I said “increase has lowered”. The job market is still slowly increasing.
Growers of rice and processing tomatoes successed quite a year in 2009 and while grape production lowered slightly, it was still among one of their best years. Almond tree growers also profited well by holding more bearing acres than ever.
With inaccurate figures and the surge on the issue with politicians, the state of California greatly over shot the disaster predictions and hopefully 2010 will be only positive for the growers of CA.
To read more,please go to http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/22/local/la-me-water-jobs22-2010feb22
For example, Fresno County, California’s top-producing agricultural county posted that farm jobs actually increased from 2008 to 2009, although over the state’s records only dropped by a half percent. The labor and crop statistics of 2009 didn’t exactly point towards that though. Farm employment from 2006 forward show that jobs have increased overall and only recently from 08’ and 09’ has the increase lowered minimally. Notice I said “increase has lowered”. The job market is still slowly increasing.
Growers of rice and processing tomatoes successed quite a year in 2009 and while grape production lowered slightly, it was still among one of their best years. Almond tree growers also profited well by holding more bearing acres than ever.
With inaccurate figures and the surge on the issue with politicians, the state of California greatly over shot the disaster predictions and hopefully 2010 will be only positive for the growers of CA.
To read more,please go to http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/22/local/la-me-water-jobs22-2010feb22
Westside County Growers Spirits Rise
California over the last few years has been having major issues with water allocation, especially over the western San Joaquin Valley. Although, this year, with the weather patterns already experienced, California may have a better than “average” water year.
The Central Valley Project water users have been told that the water forecast is better than initially estimated. Snowpack and runoff data is tilting towards the “improved” status considering the prior years of drought conditions. With the weather maintaining its current track, west side growers may receive up to 30 percent allocation from their original quotes.
Sadly though, forecasts are still showing a fourth year of drought. This would mean that those north and south of the Delta will still receive the State Water Project’s previous estimate of five percent allocation.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA has stated that she appreciates the administration’s commitment and hopes more to come for the improvement of water supplies to help out the west side of the Valley. The Bureau of Reclamation is hoping to provide eight to ten percent more water which adds up to about 150,000 to 200,000 acre feet of water.
South of the Delta, farms are hoping to get relief from the water shortage from the Department of Agriculture. Some rumors of additional pumping capacity could be authorized by the Banks Pumping Plant by the U.S. Corps of Engineers provided at the time there are not restrictions by water rights, permit conditions, or environmental requirements.
For more information, go to http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/article/3133/
The Central Valley Project water users have been told that the water forecast is better than initially estimated. Snowpack and runoff data is tilting towards the “improved” status considering the prior years of drought conditions. With the weather maintaining its current track, west side growers may receive up to 30 percent allocation from their original quotes.
Sadly though, forecasts are still showing a fourth year of drought. This would mean that those north and south of the Delta will still receive the State Water Project’s previous estimate of five percent allocation.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA has stated that she appreciates the administration’s commitment and hopes more to come for the improvement of water supplies to help out the west side of the Valley. The Bureau of Reclamation is hoping to provide eight to ten percent more water which adds up to about 150,000 to 200,000 acre feet of water.
South of the Delta, farms are hoping to get relief from the water shortage from the Department of Agriculture. Some rumors of additional pumping capacity could be authorized by the Banks Pumping Plant by the U.S. Corps of Engineers provided at the time there are not restrictions by water rights, permit conditions, or environmental requirements.
For more information, go to http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/article/3133/
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