The Monterey County Farm Bureau and Central Coast Young Farmers, subcommittees of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, is awarding four students agriculture scholarship at the annual Harvest Dance on October 30.
Students applied in may for $2,000 and $1,500 scholarships in May. Each student had to submit an application alongside an essay that required students to “describe how you intend to sustain the economic viability of your operation.â€
Two four-year university students will be awarded $2,000 scholarships and two junior-college students will receive $1,500 scholarships.
The Harvest Dance is scheduled at the Paraiso Vineyards in Soledad and tickets are $40 each. The proceeds will benefit the Ag Against Hunger program and Monterey County Farm Bureau and Central Coast Young Farmers scholarships for next year.
For further information regarding this topic, or for information regarding loan products available, please contact Farm Plus Financial at 866-929-5585.
The Napa County Board of Supervisors passed an additional assessment to control pest and disease on Tuesday according to the Napa Valley Register.
The assessment estimates grape producers will pay (on average) $2.50 more an acre to help control pests and disease in Napa Valley vineyards. Though it is an increase in cost, the outcome will pay for the control in the long run as more pests find their way to the vineyards.
The total assessment per acre is about $8.22, which means the increase will vary from $2.62 to thousands of dollars total depending on the landowner. Overall this increase will bring in $383,185 to the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s officer for this fiscal year.
The majority of money will be used to control the Vine Mealybug that feeds on vines by infesting cones and fruits. The county is investing in an innovated technology that prevents mating. Dispensers of pherome (given off by female bugs) will shoot into the air, confusing males looking for a mate. Ultimately the technology will prevent a population growth.
The board chose this method because it saves crops and is eco-friendly.
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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that gives California farm workers overtime after 40 hours a week. The bill intended to give farm workers the same rights as other non-management employees in the state.
Instead farm workers will be paid overtime after 10 hours in a day or after 60-hours a week as they had in the past. Though the bill was vetoed, Schwarzenegger pointed out California is “the most progressive state in the nation†in regards to overtime for agriculture workers. Only Maryland and Minnesota require overtime payment as well.
Schwarzenegger defended his decision by stating, “agricultural work is different from other industries: It is seasonal, subject to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, and requires the harvesting of perishable goods.” He felt signing the bill would hurt the agriculture industry, which is the largest industry in the California.
California’s agriculture industry employs 450,000 people during August and September (the peak harvest months).
Federal Reserve stated interest rates likely to rise. Refinance your farm loan before rates go up. Call a representative by dialing 866-929-5585 or visit us online.
Mojave, California is hitting the news as the California groundbreaking ceremony for the world’s largest wind farm was completed. The governor said it is a sign of the state’s leadership in green energy.
Terra-Gen Power and California officials met for the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1,500-megawatt wind farm. The project will provide 1.1 million Californians. A reduction of an estimated 52 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions will result from the large wind farm.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the state policies in renewable energy can be attributed for the project. He said, “Having the world’s largest wind project break ground in our state is tangible evidence that our pioneering policies are drawing investment, improving the economy and creating jobs now when we need them most.â€
When the 600 wind turbine project is complete, the wind-power capacity in California will rise by 25 percent. Not only will it increase the amount of wind-power capacity, but the project will also boost the local economy by providing jobs.
Renewable energy is one way to add income to your business. Contact Farm Plus today for information on agriculture loans and funding to assist you with your renewable energy project. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
In early 2010, producers reported problems with the European Grapevine Moth. However, as of late July producers can feel relieved that the USDA is reporting success in controlling the invasive pest.
The grapevine moth originates from Europe and can cause extensive damage to grapevines. The pest and its larvae feed off of flowers and fruits that make up the grapevine.
Since the pest was found, the USDA worked alongside farmers to control the pest. Many vineyards were quarantined to avoid the pest from spreading any further. At first over 100,000 pests were counted from the first generation. Only 1,000 were counted from the second generation.
Although Napa County has the pest nearly under control, Fresno County is working to required producers to take immediate action as well. Walt Bentley, a University of California entomologist told Fresno’s Modesto Bee, “We want to try and stop them from developing into adults and spreading. “ To prevent spreading chemicals must be aimed at the larvae as it emerges from the eggs. If this stage is missed, the pest will be harder to control.
Are you in the market for a farm or ranch loan? Contact Farm Plus today for more information on low-rate farm loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Oakland farmers have a new crop choice- marijuana.
The Oakland City Council has approved a measure to allow large-scale marijuana farms within city limits.
Permits have been granted for four industrial-sized marijuana farms that can be up to 100,000 square feet. The decision is expected to play a role in Prop. 19 that legalizes marijuana for recreational use in California.
Potential marijuana farms must pay a $5,000 fee to cover administrative costs, apply for a permit with an annual fee of $211,000 and provide proof of $3 million in insurance.
The current dispensaries in Oakland brought in around $28 million in 2009, but taxes are expected to increase from 1.8 percent to as much as 12 percent. Small marijuana farmers are not pleased with the increase because the tax may put them out of business.
California voted for legalized medical marijuana use in 1996.
Cool temperatures have played a major factor in this year’s California harvesting and planting seasons.
The California apple harvest is underway and farmers have seen a good-looking crop and expect a large harvest. Apples have developed a good color and size due to cooler temperatures. Growers expect 3-million boxes of apples by the end of harvest with each box holding 40 pounds of fruit. The only area having problems is the San Joaquin Valley where there was no water last year according to the California Farm Bureau.
The cool weather put a delay on California’s wild rice crops as well. Farmers planted half as many acres this year due to an unusual freeze in May which also caused damage. In the Central Valley farmers planted more white rice. An overabundance from last growing season in California and Minnesota caused a surplus, so wheat prices are also lower this season.
The pear harvest is behind due to cooler than average conditions as well. The California Pear Advisory reports the crop is two weeks behind. Orchards along the Sacramento River were expected for harvest around mid-July. Despite the late start, farmers expect 67 thousand tons of pears.
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Animal rights groups use such social media sites as YouTube and Facebook to show the conditions animals live in on farms. These videos show farmers in a negative light and many are done sitting back and letting these activists accuse them of animal abuse. Farmers across the country are turning to Facebook and Twitter to respond to horrid allegations.
Smart phones have allowed farmers to capture exactly what is happening on their farms with video and pictures to show the public what it is like working and living on a farm.
One farmer getting much attention is California farmer, Ray Prock Jr. Prock lives on a 240-acre farm with his wife and two children and feels many farmers are hurt by these accusations. “Every other farmer I know who cares for animals has at one time or another put those animals’ well being ahead of their own or their families’ time or needs,†Prock wrote on his blog.
Prock wants people to see the clean air, water and environment on his farm and the way his cows live. He is not the only farmer fighting the activist groups. Throughout Twitter and Facebook you can find many pages of farmers looking to gain back the respect of the public eye.
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The California Senate is working to pass a bill that would require farmers to pay time-and-a-half for workers who work between 40-60 hours a week.
The bill is on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk waiting for approval, but agriculture groups strongly oppose the suggested bill.
Farm workers are one of the few groups of workers who do not receive overtime until they reach 60 hours a week. Government officials believe they should receive overtime at 40 hours like other industries because they work in hot summer sun and other uncomfortable conditions.
ABC 30 reported that MAPA chapter President Rey Leon said, “I think it’s about time for overtime, at least for farm workers.” Leon believes that current conditions appear similar to slavery.
Farm groups oppose the bill (such as the California Grape and Tree Fruit League) because the new bill would cause smaller paychecks for workers because farmers will hire more workers instead of paying overtime.
There is no indication whether the governor will pass the bill or not.
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Across California planting and harvesting is occurring throughout the state.
Orange producers are reporting that production is almost the best they have ever seen. A cool spring has allowed for the fruits to grow without becoming overripe. The quality is great and the crop numbers are large. The Mandarin harvest is complete, and Valencia harvest is going on now. Farmers plan to be picking the fruit through the end of June. Most of the fruit will be used for domestic sales opposed to exports.
Although oranges are having a great season, the cool weather is attributed to not-great conditions with other crops.
Tomatoes are reported to be about two weeks behind due to wet and cool conditions that are inappropriate for tomato seed planting. According to the weekly report from the USDA, tomato acreage is down across California as well. California is the country’s leading tomato producing state, but only 12 million acres are planted this year. This is down 6 percent from 2009.
Olive producers are also having problems due to the cold weather. The California Farm Bureau reports that olive trees are more than two weeks behind schedule because the weather is too cool for the crop to mature. The crop is so far behind that farmers cannot estimate how large the crop will be.
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