madera county farm bureau · 2019-11-08 · agnet west october 1, 2019 last friday governor gavin...

We are excited to announce that our an-nual Ag United Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting of the members is set for Sunday, October 27, 2019, at the Chow-chilla-Madera County Fair, Eastman Hall.

Tickets are $60 each before the event or $75 at the door (unless sold out). Tickets can be purchased at the Madera County Farm Bureau office or from any of the di-rectors.

We have a fantastic evening planned with a delicious prime rib dinner prepared by Bright’s Catering, entertainment by Ray Appleton from KMJ News Talk Radio and special guest, Jimmie “JJ” Walker!

This event helps MCFB keep farmers farming. Madera County Farm Bureau works on the tough issues facing all farm-ers and ranchers these days, and as you all know, we don’t shy away from a good fight. We provide advocacy and educa-tional support in areas such as water qual-ity regulations, labor and workplace rules, sustainable groundwater management, immigration reform, and water supply projects ...to list a few of the issues we deal with daily. These are all complicated is-sues with many nuances. It takes a lot of time and effort for farmers and ranchers to understand all the intricacies of these is-

sues, and that’s where Farm Bureau comes in, representing our members at meet-ings, public hearings, workshops, and fo-rums. Public policy is what Farm Bureau deals with so you can stay on your farm or ranch doing what you do best!

So, come out and support MCFB, be prepared to have a great time, relax, and visit with friends new and old. There will be raffle prizes, a silent auction and a live dessert auction.

It’ll be a DY-NO-MITE time! Don’t wait until the last minute, get your

tickets today. ■

October 2019 Vol. 9, No. 10agriculture today Sexual HaraSSment awareneSS

& Prevention trainingMadera County Farm Bureau

See page 11

CALENDAROctober17 MCFB Board of Directors meeting, 1:00 p.m. at MCFB17-19 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, visit www.learnaboutag.org27 Ag United Harvest Celebration at Eastman Hall, Chowchilla Fairgrounds

November5 Sexual Harassment Awareness & Prevention Training, Employee and Supervisor 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.12 Tree/Vine Irrigation Workshop, Continuing Education for NMP CertificateHolders-8:00a.m.– 11:30 a.m.21 MCFB Board of Directors meeting, 1:00 p.m. at MCFB

Madera CountyFarM Bureau

Ag United Harvest Celebration is October 27 at 4:30 pm

ag united HarveSt Celebration

Eastman Hall, Chowchilla FairgroundsOctober 27, 2019

By Brian German, AgNet WestOctober 1, 2019

Last Friday Governor Gavin Newsom made good on his word by vetoing Sen-ate Bill 1 (SB 1). The news was celebrated by several agricultural, water, and business groups, as being an important step to en-sure that California’s voluntary agreements succeed in better managing water supplies. “While I disagree about the efficacy and necessity of Senate Bill 1, I look forward to working with the Legislature in our shared fight against the weakening of California’s environmental and worker protections,” Newsom wrote in a veto letter.

The California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019 known as SB 1, would have solidified the use of outdated biological opinions when

determining restrictions for the Sacramen-to-San Joaquin Delta. The legislation was also described as a ‘job killer’ by the Cali-fornia Chamber of Commerce (CalCham-ber), who celebrated the veto. “SB 1 posed a major threat to California’s water sup-ply and reliability, and the Governor has shown outstanding leadership in announc-ing his veto of this measure,” CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg said in a statement.

Agriculture groups such as Western Growers and the Western Agricultural Processors Association worked in opposi-tion of the bill throughout the legislative process. The underlying concern was that the bill would have eliminated the cooper-ative work that has been done in reaching voluntary agreements among water users. “ACWA applauds Governor Newsom for

recognizing that SB 1 would have derailed the ongoing Voluntary Agreement nego-tiations and led to unnecessary regulatory uncertainty for water agencies throughout California,” said Brent Hastey, Associa-tions of California Water Agencies Presi-dent.

Several California legislators includ-ing Shannon Grove, Andreas Borgeas, and Josh Harder have also issued various messages of support for Governor New-som’s decision to veto SB 1. “I applaud the governor’s commitment to listening to the needs of Central Valley water users…the voluntary settlement process is our best option for ensuring our farmers have the water they need to protect their livelihoods and feed the world while also protecting vulnerable fish and wildlife, ” Harder said in a statement. ■

Senate Bill 1 Veto Official, Governor Praised

2 | October 2019 Madera County Farm Bureau

Madera County

Farm Bureau news2019 Executive Committee

President: Nick Davis 1st Vice President: Michael Naito 2nd Vice President: Laura Gutile

Treasurer: Jennifer Peters Secretary: Scott Maxwell

Appointed by President: Steve Massaro Appointed by President: Dennis Meisner

Appointed by President: Tom Rogers Appointed by President: Jason Erickson

Directors at LargeRyan CosynsClay Daulton

Stephen ElgorriagaClay Haynes

Michele Lasgoity

Jay MahilNeil McDougaldJeffMcKinneyPat RicchiutiChris Wylie

Fresno Madera YF&R Chair Cory Broad

California Farm Bureau - District 9 Director Tom Rogers

California Farm Bureau Committee Energy, Air, and Climate- Clay Daulton

Agriculture Labor- Jay Mahil, Nick Davis Federal Economy & Farm Policy- Scott Maxwell

Marketing, Organics and Food Safety- Tom Rogers Pollinator & Crop Production- Ryan Cosyns

Office Staff Executive Director: Christina Beckstead ExecutiveAssistant:KristenSargent

Madera County Farm Bureau 1102 South Pine Street

Madera, CA 93637 (559)674-8871;www.maderafb.com

Advertising/Publishing Mid-Valley Publishing

1130 G Street, Reedley, CA 93654

Advertising Sales DebraLeak(559)638-2244

Editor KristenSargent

Periodical Postage Paid at Fresno, California 93706

POSTMASTER Send address changes to:

Madera County Farm Bureau 1102 South Pine Street, Madera, CA 93637

The Madera County Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products

advertised in Madera County Farm Bureau.

Nick Davis,President

If you’re a farm-er or rancher in the Central Valley, you’ve likely been a victim of Ag theft or vandalism. If you’ve been vic-tim, you can speak at length about the feeling you have when you sudden-ly realize a piece of farm equip-ment was stolen

from your ranch. Unfortunately, my family’s farm operation has had a host of items stolen over time such as: brass valve lids, tractors, count-less gallons of diesel and gasoline, batteries from tractors and vehicles, radiators, welders, air compressors and other shop-like equipment and tools. And these are only the items we know about! How many of you have walked-up to an irrigation pump preparing to irrigate in the middle of summer, only to find the

President’s message

SeePRESIDENT’SMESSAGE;Page3

TO BECOME A DONOR CALL 674-8871

new MCFB donorsMCFB would like to thank all our members who

help support our work through their voluntary contributions for the month of September

GBF Ag Services/ Grewal Brothers Farming

Daniel R. RogersDuarte Trees and Vines

Joseph B. Van Loon Pistoresi Agriculture Service

TO BECOME A MEMBER CALL 674-8871

NAME CITY P/C/B

new MCFB MembersMCFB welcomes the following new Agricultural (producer),

Associate (consumer) Collegiate, and Business Support members who joined in September

Sandra Trippel Santa Cruz PWaterWise Clovis B

Farm Bureau Membership

BenefitsInsurance

Nationwide Travel Insurance,Nationwide

Agribusiness,VPI Pet Insurance

News and Entertainment

AgAlert,California Country

Mag & T.V.Vehicles

Avis,Budget,

Ford,Do-It-Yourself

GraingerKelly-Moore

Paints, Dunn Edwards

Paints,Case IH,

CAT,Grainger and

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Parts

TravelChoice Hotels,

Wyndham HotelsBusiness ServicesAnderson Marketing,

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A4 PromotionsHealth Services

Clear Value Hearing,

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Discount Program,LensCrafters,

Preferred Alliance

Contact theMCFBOffice

at (559)674-8871or

www.maderafb com for details.

ADVERTISE IN THE MADERA COUNTY

FARM BUREAU (559) 638-2244

Christina Beckstead,Executive Director

October is here which means most are either done with harvest or are in the final stretch, then it’s time for a short breather be-fore the holidays ramp up. Fingers crossed that crop yields are abun-dant this year.

As you start to think about wind-ing down, consider joining Farm Bu-reau at the annual

Ag United Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting on October 27th in Chowchilla. With the current po-litical climate, we thought it would be nice to have a little fun with poli-tics and have invited Ray Appleton from KMJ, and Jimmie “JJ” Walker to join us for a fun night. The prime

executive director’s address

SeeED’SADDRESS;Page9

Madera County Farm Bureau October 2019 | 3

BUSINESS MEMBER DIRECTORYBecome a Madera County Farm Bureau Business Member

Business Support: $450/yr. Applies to any company who receives income from the local farming industry or a company who does not, but supports local farming

• Agricultural Member Voting Rights and Benefits • Eligibility to provide benefits to MCFB members • Discounted advertising in our monthly newsletter • Free job postings in our E-Newsletter • Name, phone number, and website in our Business Member directory (print and online)

ACCOUNTINGMoss Adams970 W Alluvial Ave Ste 101Fresno, CA 93711(559) 432-2346www.bpfcpa.com

AGRICULTURE/FREIGHT TRUCKING

Mazon Trucking, Inc.(559) 673-1552Email: [email protected]

AG INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES

Agrigenix403655 Brickyard Drive, Suite 105Madera, CA 93636(559) 753-2900www.agrigenix.net

D &D Ag ServicesPO Box 1246 Madera, CA 93639(559) 871-2290

Fresno Equipment Company4288 S Bagley AveFresno, CA 93725(559) 486-8020www.fresnoequipment.com

G3 Enterprises Inc.502 E. Whitmore AvenueModesto, CA 953581-800-321-8747www.g3enterprises.com

GAR Tootelian Inc8246 S. Crawford Ave.Reedley, CA 93654(559) 638-6311gtipros.com

H.M. Holloway, Inc.12806 Road 26, Suite 3Madera, CA 93637(559) 662-8820www.hmholloway.com

Madera Ag Supply Inc23400 Road 24Chowchilla, CA 93610(559) 665-2300www.maderaagsupply.com

Madera County Ag Commissioner332 South Madera Avenue Madera, CA 93637(559) 675-7876www.maderacounty.com

Pica Trade Co., Inc.www.specialtyfood.com

Star Pump Company5588 Road 16 Madera, CA 93637(559) 673-2917starpumpcompany.com

NutrienFresno: (559) 233-0585Madera: (559) 674-6741www.nutrien.com

Pacific Distributing907 Helms LaneModesto, CA 95350(209) 480-2863www.orchard-rite.com

Stanislaus Farm Supply Co Inc624 E Service RdModesto, CA 95358(209) 538-7070www.farmsupply.coop

TEP10700 Road 30Madera, California 93637www.tep-ag.com

Thiel Air Care IncPO Box 605Chowchilla, CA 93610(559) 665-7830Email: [email protected]

WiseConn Engineering4589 N Marty Ave Suite 102Fresno, CA 93722(559) 326 7613www.wiseconn.com

ATTORNEYS

Sagaser Watkins & Wieland PC5260 N Palm Ave Ste 400Fresno, CA 93704(559) 421-7000www.sagaserlaw.com

AUTOMOTIVE

Advanced Automotive, LLC311 S. Pine StreetMadera, CA 93637(559) 661-8744

Gill Auto Group1100 S Madera AveMadera, CA 93637(559) 674-5661www.gillautogroupmadera.com

J’s Car Wash904 N. D StreetMadera, CA 93637

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION, CONSULTANTS

Tesoro Viejo Inc.www.tesoroviejo.com

TSB Ag IncPO Box 58Madera, CA 93639

COMPOST/LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS

Recology Organics(800) 208-2370www.recology.com/organics

CONSERVATIONCalifornia Farmland Trust8788 Elk Grove BlvdBuilding 1, Suite IElk Grove, CA 95624(916) 687-3178www.cafarmstrust.org

DISPOSAL & RECYCLINGMid-Valley Disposal, LLC15300 W. Jensen AvenueKerman, CA 93630(559) 567-0532www.midvalleydisposal.com

FARMSCressey RiverFagundes Fagundes FagundesForebay FarmsTF FarmsPO Box 2717Merced, CA 95344Email: [email protected]

Laura’s NutsLaura Gutile(559) 706-5586

Parichan Farms Inc8344 Road 33Madera, CA 93636Email: [email protected]

Triangle T Partners LLCPO Box 109El Nido, CA 95317(559) 665-5319

Valley Pride Farming5 E River Park Pl E Ste 101Fresno, CA 93720Email: [email protected]

FARM MANAGEMENTAgriland Farming Company Inc.23400 Rd 24Chowchilla, CA 93610(559) 665-2100www.agrilandfarming.com

FIGSCalifornia Fig Advisory Board1925 Howard RoadMadera, CA 93637

FINANCIALCentral Valley Community Bank7100 N Financial Dr.Fresno, CA 93720(559) 323-3472www.cvcb.com

HULLER/ PROCESSORSHorizon Nut Company26487 N Highway 99Tulare, CA 93274(559) 685-3663www.horizonnut.com

Sierra Valley Almonds850 Commerce DriveMadera, CA 93637(559) 661-8800svalmonds.com

INSURANCEFoster & Parker1643 N Schnoor Ave #103Madera, CA 93637www.fosterparker.com

Nationwide1-877-669-6877www.nationwide.com

INTERNETUnwired Broadband(844) 719-FAST(3278)[email protected]

PETROLEUM & PROPANE PRODUCTS

Valley Pacific Petroleum1633 E Mineral King AveVisalia, CA 93292-69371-800-266-3782www.vpps.net

Van De PolP.O. Box 1107Stockton, CA 95201-1107https://vandepol.us

REAL ESTATEMiracle Realty17073 Road 26Madera, CA 93638(559) 674-0091miracle-realty.com

SECURITYZaks Security1906 Howard Rd. Madera, CA 93637559-673-4525

WATER, IRRIGATION & ENERGYAanonson Sprinkler Company19254 Golden State Blvd.Madera, CA 93637559-673-4261www.aanonsonsprinkler.com

Chowchilla Water DistrictPO Box 905Chowchilla, CA 93610(559) 665-3747www.cwdwater.com

Deerpoint Group Inc.1963 Independence Dr., CA 93637(559) 224-4000deerpointgroup.com

*Bold listings indicate Friend of Farm Bureau members. For information on Friends of Farm Bureau please contact our office at (559) 674-8871

copper wire has been stripped away? Our rural community is and always will be susceptible to theft.

Recently, I gave an interview about

Ag Theft and was asked “What can farmers do to protect their farm equip-ment?” I shared that there are many ways to protect our equipment. But we must ask ourselves, what security mea-sures make the most financial sense? We can place a GPS tracker on each of

our energized equipment, but what will the total cost be if we installed a GPS unit on a fleet of tractors, vehicles and motorcycles?

We can place our equipment within a locked fence, but does each ranch we farm have a lockable fence? We can re-

move keys from our tractors, vehicles, motorcycles, etc. but how many keys are we going to lose or misplace before we successfully implement this security measure into our operation. The point

PreSident’S meSSageContinued from Page 2

SeePRESIDENT’SMESSAGE;Page9


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By Christopher Rugaber, Associated PressSeptember 25, 2019

WASHINGTON — The Trump ad-ministration has issued a rule that will make overtime pay available to 1.3 million additional workers, though the proposal replaces a more generous one advanced by former President Barack Obama.

The Labor Department said Tuesday that it is raising the salary level that com-panies will have to pay to exempt workers from overtime to $35,568 a year, up from $23,660. Americans earning less than that

amount will typically be paid time and a half for any work over 40 hours a week.

The new rule will benefit retail, fast-food restaurant and home health care workers, as well as other lower-paid workers. Many employees in those industries have been paid just above the $23,660 threshold, which has been in place since 2004, and then required to work overtime without extra pay.

Many worker rights’ group and left-of-center economists criticized the move, however, for covering far fewer work-ers than an earlier proposal issued by the Obama administration in 2015.

Under Obama, the Labor Department proposed raising the threshold to more than $47,000, which would have made nearly 5 million more workers eligible for overtime. That rule, however, was struck down in court after being challenged by states and business groups.

Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project, also criticized the new rule for not includ-ing a provision to regularly increase the threshold. Obama’s proposal would have indexed the level to wage growth and ad-justed it every three years.

“The Trump Labor Department’s rule

says that if you make more than $35,568 a year, you’re a highly paid executive, admin-istrator, or professional who doesn’t need overtime pay,” Owens said.

In the 1970s, more than 60% of workers were eligible for overtime pay, said Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. That figure fell to just 7% in 2016. The threshold hasn’t been increased since 2004.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce praised the rule, arguing that it provides more flexibility for employers in managing their staffs. ■

By Tim Hearden, Western Farm PressSeptember 25, 2019

California farm groups say the U.S.' new trade deal with Japan will be a boon to the Golden State's exports, including walnuts, whose 10 percent import duty in the Asian nation will fall to zero immediately, ac-cording to industry officials.

President Donald Trump and Japanese President Shinzo Abe signed the deal to-day (Sept. 25) to eliminate or reduce tariffs on $7.2 billion of U.S. food and agricul-tural products.

Among its provisions, the announced deal eliminates the tariffs for almonds, walnuts, broccoli and blueberries and phases them out for such California-produced commodities as cheese, wine, oranges, fresh cherries, egg products and tomato paste.

“The agreement provides fair and equi-table access for agriculture and specifically walnuts, greatly benefiting not only our industry but agriculture collectively," said

William Carriere, chairman of the Cali-fornia Walnut Commission. "We have long been engaged with United States Trade Representative (USTR) and ap-preciate the hard work it has taken to get here.”

Japan is the fourth-leading export mar-ket for the California walnut industry, ac-counting for more than 80 million in-shell equivalent pounds annually valued at over $90 million, according to the commission. Walnuts were California's fifth-leading ex-port commodity in 2017, behind almonds, dairy products, pistachios and wine, ac-cording to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Market has grownIn the past season that ended on Aug.

31, the Japanese market accounted for nearly 6 percent of the walnut industry’s total shipments, with over 35.5 million shelled pounds shipped, the commission reported. Over the last five years the Japa-nese market has grown 44 percent despite the 10 percent duty, industry officials say.

“This agreement will make California

walnuts a better value to our customers and consumers in Japan, building on the mar-kets demonstrated acceptance of Califor-nia as the walnut of choice," said Michelle Connolly, the CWC's chief executive of-ficer. "Our industry will certainly benefit however the real opportunity is growing consumption in new sectors that have yet to enjoy walnuts tremendous versatility and nutritional benefits."

Like other commodities, the walnut in-dustry has invested heavily in Japan over the last three decades, spending over $58 million with the help of the USDA's Mar-ket Access Program to develop trade there, notes Jack Mariani, vice chairman of the CWC's Issues Management Committee.

For its part, Western Growers cred-its Trump's leadership in negotiating the agreement, which "opens up real market opportunities for producers of fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts," CEO Tom Nas-sif said in a statement. The deal puts U.S. commodities on an equal footing with signatories of the Trans-Pacific Partner-ship, which Trump pulled the U.S. out of shortly after his inauguration in 2017.

“Japan is the third-largest market for American agricultural products," Nas-sif said, "and the elimination of tariffs on produce products such as almonds, blue-berries, walnuts, broccoli and prunes – as well as the staged tariff elimination for ad-ditional products like cherries and oranges – will result in significant export oppor-tunities for our members and the broader

fresh produce industry."Non-tariff barriersNassif said he is also pleased that the two

sides will keep negotiating to resolve non-tariff trade barriers, such as Japan's use of what he calls "non-scientific" sanitary and phytosanitary standards to prohibit some U.S. fruits, vegetables and tree nuts from entering the Japanese market.

"Therefore, to ensure the market gains secured in the U.S.-Japan Trade Agree-ment are fully realized, we must continue to push for reform of the Japanese importa-tion system," he said.

In addition to California's specialty crops, the agreement removes tariffs on fresh and frozen beef and pork and eases access for wheat and wheat products. The United States will reduce or eliminate 42 separate tariffs for agricultural imports from Japan valued at $40 million in 2018, including products such as certain peren-nial plants and cut flowers, persimmons, green tea, chewing gum, and soy sauce.

A key sticking point in the more than year-long talks has been Abe’s need for a guarantee that Trump will not impose na-tional security tariffs on imported Japanese autos and auto parts, Bloomberg News reports. Speaking to reporters early today, the U.S. president stopped short of publicly withdrawing his threat to impose the tar-iffs.

The two leaders signed the “first stage”

Less-generous overtime rule issued by administration

U.S.–Japan deal a boon to California specialty crops

SeeU.S.–JAPANDEAL;Page8


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By Michael Wilner, The Sacramento BeeSeptember 23, 2019

The Trump administration is ratchet-ing up its threats against California with a letter warning the state faces sanctions – including cuts in federal highway fund-ing – over its “failure” to submit complete reports on its implementation of the Clean Air Act.

In the letter to the California Air Re-sources Board, Andrew Wheeler, admin-istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, wrote that the state had the “worst air quality in the United States” and had “failed to carry out its most basic tasks” un-der the federal law.

That law requires states to submit imple-mentation plans to the EPA outlining their efforts to cut emissions of six types of pol-lutants. When President Donald Trump entered office, the administration faced a backlog of over 700 reports, and roughly 140 of those that remain are from Califor-nia, Wheeler said in an interview.

“When I learned about this a couple months ago, the question I asked the staff-

er was, ‘why are we holding on to these – why haven’t we acted?’” Wheeler told McClatchy. “And the response I got back was, ‘we didn’t want to deny them and they couldn’t approve them.’ Well that’s ridicu-lous to allow 34 million people to live in areas not in compliance with our air stan-dards.”

The administration will give California until October 10 to rescind their “incom-plete” plans and resubmit new reports ad-dressing 82 municipalities facing noncom-pliance.

Its failure to do so will result in “disap-proval,” another EPA official said, trig-gering “sanctions clocks” under the law that would penalize the state with cuts to highway funding – and allow the federal government to impose an implementation plan of its own.

That could amount to a substantial pen-alty for a state that receives more highway funds than any other state in the country. According to the Department of Trans-portation California is projected to receive more than $19 billion from the Federal Highway Administration between fiscal years 2016 and 2020.

Wheeler’s warning to California is the Trump administration’s latest front in a protracted battle with the state over cli-mate change and, in particular, the state’s unique authority to set its own standards for carbon dioxide emissions – a potent greenhouse gas. The EPA moved last week to rescind the federal waiver allowing California to do so, granted by the Clean Air Act of 1970, prompting a lawsuit from California joined within hours by 22 other states.

The administration is moving separately to write new auto emissions standards that would apply to the entire country, rolling back stricter requirements that were set by the Obama administration in agreement with California in 2012.

California leaders, however, have at-tempted to go around the administration, negotiating their own agreement with automakers to voluntarily lower emissions on new cars built through 2026. Thus far, four leading manufacturers have joined the agreement: Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted Trump during remarks at a climate con-ference in New York on Monday, accusing the Republican president of infringing on states’ rights by undermining California’s ability to set its own standards. Newsom also criticized Trump for threatening car companies that negotiate with California.

Trump’s EPA threatens California with highway funding cuts over ‘worst air quality’

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By Kurtis Alexander, The San Francisco ChronicleSeptember 12, 2019

The Trump administration rolled back a key provision of the Clean Water Act on Thursday, doing away with protections for many wetlands and streams across the country and making it easier for the na-tion’s farmers, builders and industry execs to develop their land.

The repeal of the Waters of the United States rule, however, will not directly af-fect landowners and businesses in Cali-fornia. State regulators in April passed a sweeping wetlands policy that secured state oversight of California’s waterways regardless of changes at the federal level.

“We kind of locked in place protections based on the fear of what would happen today,” said Jared Blumenfeld, California’s secretary of environmental protection, who helped draft what’s known as the California Wetland Riparian Area Pro-tection Policy.

At issue is the reach of the Clean Water Act and, more precisely, what waterways should be regulated. While for years it was unclear whether the nation’s small tribu-taries warranted protection by the federal

government, President Barack Obama sought to remove the ambiguity by order-ing the Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 to safeguard all water bodies that feed larger rivers and lakes.

Obama’s new rule, which marched out protections for even seasonal creeks and ponds that sometimes contain no water at all, infuriated the business community. They did not want to have to seek costly permits for developing such broad swaths of protected land, whether it be building a barn, creating a subdivision or expanding a factory. They called the rule an extreme interpretation of the Clean Water Act and said it stifled economic development.

Proponents said the 2015 rule was vital to ensuring that pollution and infill don’t spill into wildlife habitat and major sourc-es of drinking water.

Thursday’s withdrawal of the 2015 rule was announced by EPA Administra-tor Andrew Wheeler at a meeting of the National Association of Manufacturers. He called Obama’s changes an “egregious power grab” and characterized the repeal as part of the Trump administration’s ef-fort to remove burdensome and costly governance.

“We’re delivering on the president’s reg-

ulatory reform agenda,” he told the pro-business audience in Washington, D.C.

With the Obama rule out of the picture, the scope of the Clean Water Act returns to what was enacted decades ago, provi-sions that both Democrats and Republi-cans believed were unclear and needed specificity. Wheeler said by winter the EPA would provide guidance on exactly what waterways will be regulated by the federal government.

Because of longtime questions about the Clean Water Act, the California State Water Resources Control Board had been working for more than a decade to develop its own policy for watershed protection. When Trump took office and threatened to weaken water regulations, the push for the state plan gained new urgency.

Approved April 2, the state plan reaches even farther across the landscape than the 2015 federal rule, securing safeguards for additional waterways, including such bod-ies as playas, defined as wetlands that don’t necessarily have vegetation. Landowners looking to develop their property or make major changes on or near protected water-ways have to get permits from the State Water Board.

While the state policy largely insulates

California from the federal rollback, the state could still see a drop in water qual-ity in watersheds that cross state lines. For example, a river flowing into California from other parts of the country might not be subject to protections as stringent as California’s and could carry in sediment or pollution.

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra is already threatening legal action against the Trump administration. His office fears that California waterways could be compromised from outside its borders and that the state’s new wetland policy might not be fully fleshed out before landowners pursue watershed development under the new federal statute.

Becerra was part of a multistate coalition that asked the EPA to reconsider repeal-ing the 2015 Waters of the United States rule when the change was first proposed.

“Our oceans, lakes, and rivers are all connected — when pollution impacts one source, it impacts them all and affects our communities,” Becerra said in a statement Thursday. “While we don’t go looking for a fight, there’s too much at stake for us to let this go.” ■

California protects itself from Trump’s rollback of Clean Water Act


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CFCB.com September 24, 2019

Farmers, restaurants and their customers will all benefit from improved trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to a coalition of California ag-ricultural groups, restaurants and chefs. In a letter sent today to the California con-gressional delegation, the coalition urged approval for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The USMCA would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and en-hance the movement of food products on the continent. The coalition letter says the new agreement would benefit California farmers by improving market access in Mexico and Canada, and would benefit restaurants by assuring availability of high-quality ingredients and affordable dining experiences made possible through trade

with the neighboring countries.“Restaurants and farmers need each oth-

er, and we all need the USMCA to assure the continued strength of the food chain,” California Farm Bureau Federation Presi-dent Jamie Johansson said. “By helping California farmers and agricultural busi-nesses, and by enhancing North Ameri-can trade in food and farm products, the USMCA will keep agricultural products affordable for all of us who eat.”

Patrick Mulvaney, chef-owner of Mul-vaney’s B&L in Sacramento, urged Con-gress to support what he called a “vital piece of legislation.”

“Our success in California food is di-rectly related to the hard work and dili-gence of our farmers,” Mulvaney said. “The USMCA will ensure that their efforts will pay off, for their families, workforce and consumers.” ■

Farmers, restaurants, chefs urge passage of USMCA

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By Jeanette Warnert, Western Farm PressSeptember 19, 2019

Before the San Joaquin Valley was cul-tivated, vast grasslands stretched from the Sierra to the Coast Range with soil that contained significant organic matter – a di-versity of live and dead plant material and microbes that are key to soil health.

Tilling the soil for farming exposed it to air and allowed the organic matter to oxidize, releasing greenhouse gasses and reducing organic matter to about 1 percent of soil volume. UC Agriculture and Natu-ral Resources research has shown that soils with low organic matter inhibit water in-filtration, nutrient cycling, biological diver-sity and carbon sequestration.

But techniques have been developed to return soil to a more natural, more health-ful state.

Farmers, students, researchers and com-munity educators gathered at Gary and Mari Martin's farm in Mendota Sept. 13 to share ideas and strategies for extending information to the greater farming com-munity that will increase adoption of con-servation agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farmland and at the same time improve soil health.

For two years, the Martins have opened their farm to research led by UC Coopera-tive Extension cropping systems specialist Jeff Mitchell. For the project, UC Davis doctoral student Geoff Koch is studying soil health indicators and greenhouse gas

emissions at the Martins' farm and at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center, where plots have been cultivated using traditional methods and conserva-tion practices side by side for 20 years.

Expanding the use of conservation agri-cultural practices is not limited to Central California.

“Our government endorses these princi-ples of soil health,” Mitchell said. “It's part of a national campaign aimed at improving the health of our country's soils.”

The USDA Natural Resources Conser-vation Service has four recommendations for the agricultural industry to improve soil health:

• Minimizesoildisturbance• Emphasizebiodiversity• Keeplivingrootsinthesoil• Keep soil covered with plants and

plant residues at all timesEmploying these techniques in the re-

search project at the West Side Research and Extension Center for 20 years has shown that annual cover cropping has added 37 tons of organic matter per acre to the soil, captured 15 tons of carbon per acre and used only about 12 inches of water per acre.

At the workshop, three University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) climate-smart educators invited

farmers to contact them for assistance in applying for state funds they can use to im-plement climate-smart farming practices.

Climate-smart educator Emily Lovell said the California Department of Food and Agriculture's State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) pays up to $100,000 to improve irrigation efficiency, reduce water use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers can use the funding to, for example, convert to drip irrigation systems, install moisture sensors or set up a weather station.

Lovell said it is a competitive and com-plex application process.

“We help with the applications,” she said.

Climate-smart educator Shulamit Shro-der described the CDFA's Healthy Soils Program (HSP), which incentivizes farm-ers with up to $75,000 to implement such practices as planting cover crops, using no-till or reduced tillage techniques, applying mulch or compost, or planting hedgerows. The applications are due in February 2020.

For more details on the CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture programs and for tech-nical assistance on applying, contact a local UCCE climate-smart educator.

Source: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information. ■

UCCE touts healthy soil techniques on California Farms

UCANR

UCCE climate-smart educators (from left) Emily Lovell, Shulamit Shroder and Caddie Bergren present about CDFA climate-smart incentive programs.

of an initial trade pact after meeting at the United Nations General Assembly. In a statement emailed to Bloomberg News, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Ligh-thizer’s office described the agreement as “early achievements.”

The proposed deal won’t lower the bar-

riers protecting Japan’s rice farmers -- something Abe could use to help smooth its course through parliament, where it must be ratified before coming into effect, the wire service reports. Trump last week vowed to collaborate with Congress on talks toward a more comprehensive deal with Japan, the Wall Street Journal re-ports. ■

u.S.–JaPan dealContinued from Page 4


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“I don’t know what the hell happened to this country that we have the President that we do today, on this issue,” Newsom said Monday morning. “It’s a damn shame, it really is. I’m not a little embarrassed about it, I’m absolutely humiliated by what’s go-ing on.”

The EPA administrator told McClatchy that he moved as quickly as possible to finalize a nationwide tailpipe standard, knowing that its final form would have to stand up to legal scrutiny.

He expects the case will reach the U.S. Supreme Court, setting up a landmark de-cision on states’ rights and environmental

policy.“Is time on our side? I’m assuming we’re

going to have a second term, so I don’t think that’s going to matter. These issues will be decided by the courts over the course of his presidency,” Wheeler said. “The first part of the regulation could be wrapped up be-fore the election. We’d have to move rather quickly, but it could be wrapped up.”

While the EPA’s latest move stated in the letter is not directly related to the fight over fuel efficiency standards, the adminis-tration is making an argument that could supplement its legal defense: that Califor-nia has failed to uphold standards for pol-lutants other than greenhouse gases.

Only about a dozen of California’s 58 counties meet the EPA’s standards for Ozone air quality, while about half meet

the standards for fine particulate matter in the air, such as dust, smoke or other inhal-able particles. The counties that meet both standards are primarily rural and sparsely populated.

“California still has and maintains the ability to set standards for the health-based criteria pollutants,” Wheeler said. “I think the California Resources Board needs to spend and focus more time on the non-attainment areas that they have – the 82 non-attainment areas across the state. That has nothing to do with the CO2 or auto standards.”

The EPA letter is addressed to Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Re-sources Board whom Wheeler had accused of negotiating in “bad faith” as talks broke down between Washington and Sacra-

mento, fueling the escalation.“I have nothing personal against Mary

– I’ve known her for 22 years. I actually like Mary and we’re working together on NOx reduction from heavy-duty trucks,” Wheeler said, referring to nitrogen oxides, a category of pollutants. “But she wasn’t on the CAFE [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] standards. She was mischarac-terizing the negotiations we were having with California.”

The two have not spoken since the talks ended, Wheeler said.

“What the state of California is engag-ing in is social engineering,” Wheeler add-ed. “We don’t think that’s appropriate.”

Emily Cadei and Sophia Bollag contrib-uted to this report. ■

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is this, there is no single security solu-tion; we are at the mercy of criminals.

However, we have one affordable op-tion that will help minimize Ag theft, over time.

SmartWater CSI is an anti-theft system that leaves a lasting trail. It’s a forensic coding solution and is be-coming a trend in deterring Ag crimes. SmartWater CSI is invisible to the na-ked eye. Which makes it undetectable to criminals who come into contact with it until it’s too late. Just one drop of SmartWater CSI leaves an invisible

and unique mineral-based forensic sig-nature for years. County Sheriffs use special lights to comb-over suspected stolen farm equipment allowing them to identify equipment having Smart-Water CSI. If equipment tests posi-tive for SmartWater CSI, the Sheriffs detectives can identify who the equip-ment belongs to.

It’s amazing technology! Here is the best part about SmartWater CSI, it’s available to you for FREE with your current Ag Membership with the Madera County Farm Bureau. That’s right, no cost to you! Visit the Madera County Farm Bureau Office to get your free vial of SmartWater CSI, today! ■

rib dinner should be fantastic seeing as how Bright’s Catering always does an amazing job. This dinner is MCFB’s one fundraiser where proceeds are used to continue our advocacy efforts.

After being out for a month recov-ering from surgery, advocacy efforts were in full swing come October 1st (not that they ever slow down though). I returned to lots of meetings not only about immigration, labor, water quan-tity, but also water quality…the next uphill battle in the water wars. We

are patiently awaiting the State Water Board plans for CVSALTS. Under the proposed CVSALTS plan Chow-chilla is a priority 1 basin and Madera is a priority 2 basin, which means if the plan is adopted there will be a short window for Chowchilla to come up with a plan to provide drinking wa-ter to those impacted by high nitrate levels. Conversations are already be-ing had in Chowchilla to address the problem, but Madera really needs to start thinking about a game plan. Stay tuned for more details, but I highly encourage those interested in what’s to come to reach out to farm bureau for

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Stevie McNeill, Agricultural CommissionerOctober 1, 2019

The 2018 Madera County Crop and Livestock report was presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday October 1 by the County Agricultural Commissioner, Stevie McNeill.

For 2018, the gross value of agricultural production in Madera County was $2,058,474,000; this is an increase of $85,025,000 (4.31%) compared to 2017 production. “This is a sign of market prices continuing to stabilize in the past three years” said McNeill.

McNeill further stated, “Crop values can vary from year to year due to the variables of production, market demand, pricing, and weather conditions.” Madera County is now ranked number 11 among the fifty-eight

California counties in total agricultural production, and is number 18 among counties of the United States for total agricultural production.

Almonds (nut meats & hulls) retained the top crop rank for the ninth year in a row, with a value of $730,662,000, a slight 1% increase from 2017. Increases were seen in almond bearing acreage and price per ton, but the yield was slightly down. Grapes moved up to the 2nd place, with pistachios claiming the third spot. Milk and Pol-lination came in at the 4th and 5th rankings.

The 2018 Madera County Crop and Livestock report, and previous reports going back to the 1920’s, can be viewed and downloaded at

https://www.maderacounty.com/government/agri-cultural-commissioner-weights-and-measures/annual-crop-reports ■

2018 Madera County Crop and Livestock report

By Dale Kasler The Sacramento BeeSeptember 20, 2019

California officials, teeing up an epic fight with President Donald Trump’s ad-ministration over climate change and air pollution rules, have potentially powerful allies in their corner: four of world’s largest automakers.

Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen

are sticking with an agreement they made to meet California’s stricter standards on greenhouse gas emissions, the head of the California Air Resources Board said Thursday.

Hours after the Trump administration formally revoked California’s legal author-ity to set its pollution standards, board Chairwoman Mary Nichols lauded the four companies “for standing their ground

on this issue” in spite of the Trump admin-istration’s efforts to force them to pull out of the agreements.

Specifically, the U.S. Justice Depart-ment has launched an antitrust investiga-tion into the four companies’ actions by en-tering into the agreement with California. Antitrust law covers business competition, and the Justice Department is reportedly examining whether the agreements could restrict competition by limiting the kinds of cars and trucks sold.

Democrats in California and elsewhere have called the investigation a politically motivated attack on California. Nichols, speaking at an air board meeting, called it “government-sponsored persecution.”

A Ford Motor Co. spokeswoman, Ra-chel McCleery, said the company won’t deviate from the California agreement. She referred a reporter to a set of deal terms in which all four companies recognized California’s legal power to create its own standards on greenhouse gas emissions.

A BMW spokesman, Phil Dilanni, said the agreement commits BMW to “contin-uous improvements in fuel economy and the reduction of emissions from our ve-hicles.” Honda had no comment and VW officials couldn’t be reached for comment.

But board officials acknowledged that the antitrust investigation is having a chill-ing effect on California’s attempt to get other car makers to sign onto its pollution standards.

“We were put on ‘pause’ a little bit with the antitrust allegation,” said Ellen Peter,

the board’s chief counsel.In announcing the initial agreements

in July, Gov. Gavin Newsom promised that other car makers would sign on. Last month he said Mercedes Benz was on the verge of joining with California. But so far no other company, including Benz, has made a deal with California.

The industry craves certainty, and the prospect of a lengthy lawsuit between Cal-ifornia and the federal government could jeopardize long-range product planning. The Association of Global Automakers on Thursday called for a “unified national standard” on pollution standards.

The state is moving ahead with the original four agreements. In a largely pro-cedural move, the air board voted 12-0 on Thursday to direct its executive staff to fi-nalize the deals.

Earlier Thursday, the Trump adminis-tration followed through on the president’s pledge from the day before and moved to revoke California’s authority to impose air pollution standards that are stricter than the federal government’s.

The state has vowed to sue the Trump administration to overturn its decision.

Because of the state’s historically dirty air, it has the exclusive right under the fed-eral Clean Air Act to impose stricter stan-dards as long as it gets a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

California and former President Barack Obama’s administration had cut a deal that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Automakers stick with California on emissions rules

SeeAUTOMAKERS;Page12


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information. This will be a large task, and we are working to make sure that your interests are being protected.

I also just returned from a fairly pro-ductive trip to Washington DC, where I had the opportunity to meet with sev-eral of the “big wigs” at AFBF, USDA and the Department of Interior, and of course meetings were had with not only our representatives, but several other influential congressional offices. Con-versations were focused on USMCA, labor, immigration, water and hemp. All in all, it was a good trip up until the impeachment inquiry announce-ment, which then led to a subsequent day of trying to keep conversations fo-cused on the “important” issues, not the chaos that seems to run DC these days. I don’t know how anything gets accom-plished on the hill, as it seems like there

is always a crisis about less important things, and it’s like herding bees (I like that better than cats).

As MCFB wraps up our 2019 fiscal year, things seem to be more difficult than typically imagined. The Farm Bureau continues to advocate for our membership n the areas of water, immi-gration, labor, and many other local ac-tivities. We continue to try to illustrate a positive benefit for all our members and are open to any and all suggestions as to how we can improve. I ask that you please take a moment to stop by the office, make an appointment, or give us a call if you ever need to –that’s what were here for.

I close with a more thoughtful note, as I’m reminded of how short life is…Take some time over the next couple of months (once the harvest equipment is put away) to slow down and spend time with family and friends as tomorrow is never promised. ■

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automakerSContinued from Page 10

from cars by about 30 percent by 2025. Be-cause building lighter cars is the most prac-tical way of lowering carbon emissions, the plan would increase fuel economy from 35 mpg to about 50 mpg.

After the Trump administration signaled it was going to roll back those standards, California began negotiating with indi-vidual car makers. The deals announced in July would maintain the Obama rules but give the automakers an additional year, to 2026, to meet the emissions targets.

Separately, state Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, said Thursday he will push legislation next year, Assem-

bly Bill 40, to cut off clean-car rebates to manufacturers that haven’t agreed to Cali-fornia’s greenhouse gas standards.

The state gives clean car buyers a variety of rebates, including $2,500 for electric cars and $5,000 for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. The Legislature budgeted a total of $238 million for this year. “These are taxpayer dollars” and should be limited to automak-ers that are supporting California’s climate goals.

By revoking California’s legal authority, the Trump administration also is under-mining the state’s “clean car” mandates, which require automakers to double the number of electric vehicles and other clean cars they sell in the state over the next six years. ■

madera county farm bureau · 2019-11-08 · agnet west october 1, 2019 last friday governor gavin...

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