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/

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.

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

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/

$2 Billion Spent a Year On the Medfly Now Falling On the California Farmer

With all of the issues currently happening for the California farmer, news like this isn’t very welcome. The Mediterranean fruit fly (below) has infested the state of California since September 2009 and now is quite an issue on the Board of California Agriculture.

Board officials are estimating that a yearly cost to control the Medfly is ranging around the $2 billion mark. The Medfly, destroys crops and creates a large issue for California farmers. With anywhere between 60 to 70 day pesticide treatment periods, that are required by law, if a crop is found to be infected causes quite a problem. Certain crops are able to survive for this quarantined period and crop loss almost seems imminent.

The executive director of the San Diego Farm Bureau, Eric Larson has stated that the core area farms will experience sever financial losses. With the Medfly creating large farm management issues, Larson agrees that something serious must be done to stop the Medfly from inhabiting the fears of California farmers.

With a 79 sq-mile quarantine increasing to 148 sq-miles in less than a month, Escondido is nearly covered. It has not been established as to how many farmers have been or are going to be affected but the big question is, who is going to foot the bill? With the state’s deficit larger than ever, $2 billion is a big bill to swallow and Larson fears that the farmer will end up paying for it. With over 260 fruits and veggies being restricted from moving and the Medfly being able to cover over 4.5 miles over their life expectancy, the issue is serious and could cost the nation over $280 million in crop loss.

With one farm reporting losses over $14,000 in 2009, the question still remains the same, when will the Mediterranean fruit fly haunt our dreams no more?

California Agriculture Fights Back Against the Nipomo Apple Moth

Residents in the Nipomo Mesa area are being contacted with some rather interesting and annoying news. Recently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced that is planning a stealthy, safe approach to eliminating a new threat to the Nipomo area.

What’s known as The Light Brown Apple Moth was found in two places earlier this month, once near the Blacklake Golf Courses, and also again around Cypress Ridge. Below, a picture of this invasive species shows how the specie feeds on different plant species, 123 plants to be exact.

Most agricultural followers may remember the discover of the apple moth arising in California in 2007. This time, the California Department of Food and Agriculture plan to place twist ties that secrete a female moth pheromone that will disorient the apple moth and not allow it to find mates, thus eliminating the breeding rate, according to one Rich Little, Deputy County Agriculture Commissioner.

These Apple Moths are originally from Australia, and while can be a problem is uncontrolled, Little believes that establishing a plan of action will greatly reduce the danger that this little moth could impose on an already suffering agriculture in California. Nipomo Mesa residents should not worry about the pheromone release as will not affect humans, except for specific individuals with certain allergy conditions says Little.

For more information you may go to www.cdfa.ca.gov//lbam.

AG VISION TASKFORCE: LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

When we look into the future of the California agriculture, it gets a bit stressful. Most do not want to think about what lies ahead for the California grower. Thankfully, there is a group that is stepping up to the plate.

The Ag Vision Taskforce, which is an informal gathering of some of the best representatives of California’s agricultural issues, has received a very welcomed financial gift from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Having been around for the past two years, this group is staying focused despite the obstacles that lie ahead, such as the state’s water shortages, the threat of insect populations, and of course, the ever declining economy.

Karen Ross, former CEO of the California Association of Winegrape Growers is by far the individual who is taking charge of this movement and should be the one receiving most of the credit. Ross, who was recently appointed Senior Advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has continuously provided hours upon days of suggestions and advice to help mold a prosperous future for the California Agricultural Future.

If you want to learn more about the steps being taken to create a healthier planet and increase the health and wellness of California agriculture, visit the website http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ag.