January 2025
Meeting today’s challenges. Planning for tomorrow.
farmbureaunews
FELS addresses new laws that take effect in 2025
A Jan. 23 webinar designed to bring Farm Bureau members up to speed on new and newish state laws and regulations also will provide an update on autonomous tractors. Livermore-based Monarch Tractor has petitioned the state to modify a 1977 labor code that governs driverless equipment operation.
By Vicky Boyd
THE NEW YEAR brings a slate of new state laws and regulations as well as newish ones that could affect Farm Bureau members and their operations. To help bring
members up to speed, San Joaquin Farm Bureau has partnered with the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau to host a free webinar at 10 a.m. on Jan. 23.
See Laws, page 6
Volunteer agreements touted over proposed unimpaired flows
By Vicky Boyd
A GROUP OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA water districts are advocating for voluntary agreements – hybrid plans they say better balance environmental needs and water demands than state-proposed Sacramento River unimpaired flows.
While at least one large water district in San Joaquin County doesn’t necessarily oppose those agreements, they must first benefit all sectors, said Oakdale Irrigation District Board Member Herman Doornenbal Jr., who also is San Joaquin Farm Bureau second vice president.
With its headwaters in the Sierra, the 95-mile-long Mokelumne River flows into Pardee Reservoir and Camanche Reservoir, through Lodi and eventually into the San Joaquin River and the Delta.
“So far, we haven’t been able to structure anything that suits either side,” he said.
2 The media is interested now ?
“We’re still working on it and haven’t given up, but it’s going very, very slow.
“If we could find something that works for everybody, then everybody would have some peace and know where we were as far as allocations. At this point, they are
5 California Farm Bureau president celebrates accomplishments in Annual Meeting address
See Water, page 3
8 Time for Farm Center Meetings
Photo by Calibas, Wikipedia
Vicky Boyd
SJFB 2024-25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Acampo
Joe Salazar, Chair
Joe Petersen
Charlie Starr
Calla Nile Garden
Tim Weststeyn, Chair
Bruce Oosterkamp
David Phippen
Bryan Van Groningen
Collegeville
Chester Murphy, Chair
Kent Norman
Neil Norman Escalon
Caleb Gervase, Chair
Katie Veenstra
Paul Voortman
Lafayette
Richard Rodriguez, Chair
Stanton Lange
Daniel Meza
Alfred Nicolini
Linden
Nick Ferrari, Chair
Donald Drake
Jim Ferrari
Joe Ferrari
Steven Galvin
Roberts Union
Nick Mussi, Chair
Patrick Drury
David Strecker
Tracy
Joe Bacchetti, Chair
Phil Martin
Pete Reece, Jr.
Victor
Nick Bokides, Chair
Dave Simpson
Kelton Fleming
Officers
Les Strojan, President
James Chinchiolo, First Vice President
Herman Doornenbal Jr., Second Vice President
Directors at Large
Josh Barton
Phil Brumley
Jean Cabral, Emeritas
Jim Connolly
Karen Cultrera
Dennis Drake
Brad Goehring
Jack Hamm
Bob Hesseltine
Jim Larkin
Joe Luis
Steve Moore
Jerry Robinson
Jake Samuel
Paul Sanguinetti
Ken Vogel
Darrell Voortman
Andrew Watkins
Kenny Watkins
Advisory
Sara Bautista, Farm Service Agency
Sonya Miller, NRCS/USDA
Krista McCoon, SJ CWA
Kamal Bagri, Ag Commissioner
Sheriff Pat Withrow, Sheriff’s Dept
Brent Holtz, UC Cooperative Extension
Staff
Andrew Genasci, Executive Director
Jessica Coit, Program Director
By Les Strojan, SJFB President
The state is next from the PRESIDENT’S DESK
IT APPEARS A LONG ROAD to recovery of our ag economy, but you never know. It’s been deteriorating for a long time, but history has been that downturns can occur rapidly, but quick upturns will also surprise you.
It’s the hope next year will be better, like the dairyman looking for the new heifers coming in that will make the difference, that keeps a lot of us going. As we noted last month, we think the federal govern-
ment is now looking in the right direction. President-elect Trump said yesterday it will be difficult to bring food costs down. Hopefully there is an understanding emerging of what the cost is to produce the food and what percentage of what you pay at the store gets to the farmer.
Our story has been good but the propaganda department needs to gear up with fresh language to address the current language in the media that food is too
from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
By Andrew Genasci
expensive and it is killing us. Food isn’t safe just because we are overregulated, a more complete story needs to be told. As an example, what appeared to be a positive report that Thanksgiving dinners were lower this year did the opposite. After the commentator read her script, someone whispered to her and she responded by saying, “They say the $58 is for 10, I
The media is interested now?
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope each one of you were able to celebrate Christmas and New Years with family and friends. The rain has been fairly good so far so there is reason to be optimistic about next year, and a little bit of optimism can go a long way.
I found it interesting following the post-election coverage. Suddenly, papers like the New York Times and the LA Times seem very concerned about the ability of farmers to make a living! It would be hard to count the number of articles I have read that express their concern about how the potential tariffs will impact agriculture. If it is not tariffs, then they are concerned that the agricultural workforce will disappear overnight in massive deportations.
While I agree that the tariffs or deportations do have the potential to impact
agriculture, producers and our workforce, I have to wonder where these reporters have been for the past 20 years. When we warned legislators about the impacts to both producers and consumers of Prop 12, we were told that we were overreact-
ing. When we spoke at the Capitol about the future impact of removing ag overtime exemptions would have on employees, we were ignored. For years we have been
President, Les Strojan First Vice President, James Chinchiolo Second Vice President, Herman Doornenbal Jr.
See Strojan, page 7
See Genasci, page 9
(proposing) taking so much, we can’t do it. We can’t treat our constituents that way.”
Justin Fredrickson, California Farm Bureau water and environmental policy analyst, had a more statewide perspective on the alternate proposals.
“(Voluntary agreements) are really the only option for the majority of water users in the state, because the alternative is just so devastating that it’s something we couldn’t ever consider supporting or being part of in any shape or form,” he said.
Even if voluntary agreements are adopted, Fredrickson said he was concerned about water districts, such as Stockton East, with junior rights or that weren’t part of the alternatives. They could be subjected to regulatory backstops, as the state frequently refers to the flows.
Stockton East Water District, which obtains water from the Calaveras River via New Hogan Reservoir, remains worried
about proposed unimpaired flows because it needs surface water to address groundwater overdraft, said Paul Sanguinetti, a Stocktonarea grower and district board member.
Stockton East has testified and submitted comments during the Phase II open comment period, and it continues to monitor the situation.
“They think (unimpaired flows) will produce more fish, and it doesn’t,” Sanguinetti said, citing multi-year research that water districts have sponsored for his opinion.
Water users along the Calaveras and Stanislaus rivers have already given up some water for fisheries, so “it’s not like we’re doing nothing,” he said.
In addition, Stockton East is working with others on the Calaveras River to complete a habitat management program that includes items such as fish screens.
Fishery folks want higher flows
Newsom administration officials as well as the governor himself say they support the voluntary approach, known as the Healthy Rivers and Landscape Program within some circles. But a number of environmental groups have questioned
the efforts and said mandating minimum flows would go a long way to help the Delta’s health and the state’s struggling fisheries.
Chris Shutes, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alli-
ance, said he objected to the small amount of water the agreements would produce.
“It would be even less than the cited amount, based on the way that it would
Continued on next page
Photo by
The Austin Man, Wikipedia
Camanche Dam was built directly below Pardee Reservoir in 1963 to capture additional Mokelumne River runoff. The river is now included in state-proposed unimpaired flows of 55% for the Sacramento River and its tributaries.
Continued from previous page
be implemented,” he said. “Compliance really isn’t measurable.”
Shutes blamed the current state of California fisheries on inadequate flows in the Delta and its tributaries. Instead of what he described as extremely complex voluntary agreements, Shutes preferred a simpler approach that set required percentages of unimpaired flows.
Unimpaired flows are defined as the amount of free-flowing water in a river if dams or other structures weren’t holding it back.
Shutes was one of about 90 people who signed up to speak during a recent State Water Resources Control Board workshop on proposed alternatives for the Sacramento River watershed. The lengthy meeting was the fourth of five workshops on the voluntary approach and was part of Phase II of the state’s efforts to update water quality standards for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. They were last revised in 1995.
Bay Delta Plan Update, Phase II
The voluntary agreements put forth by the Northern California water districts emphasize fishery habitat improvements and predation management instead of blanket water cutbacks for users. The collaborative plans would still include flows but they would be smaller and more strategically released to be timed with salmon spawning and out-migration and for cold water management.
A 2022 memorandum of understanding estimated voluntary agreements would cost $2.9 billion to implement initially. The agreements are proposed to last eight years, but they also are flexible enough to allow interim modifications if conditions warrant them.
The voluntary agreements are being touted as alternatives to the state water board’s Phase II proposal. It calls for unimpaired flows of 55% in the Sacramento River watershed and Delta eastside tributaries including the Calaveras, Cosumnes and Mokelumne rivers between January and June. Depending on annual precipitation,
proposed unimpaired flows could range from 45% to 65%. Phase II also addresses cold-water fishery habitat as well as salinity standards for the bulk of the Delta.
According to some estimates, it could result in fallowing up to 330,000 acres of Sacramento Valley farmland annually. When the state began initially looking at unimpaired flows, staff predicted that surface water users would simply turn to groundwater to make up the difference.
But the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was enacted in 2014, throwing a monkey wrench into staff assumptions. The law requires overdrafted groundwater basins to balance extraction with recharge by 2040 or 2042, depending on overdraft severity. For many subbasins, that means reducing groundwater pumping.
San Joaquin River flows in litigation
The state water board already completed Phase 1, which addressed flow requirements for the San Joaquin River, its tributaries and the southern Delta.
The water board proposed unimpaired flows of 40% between February and June
for the San Joaquin River and its three main tributaries – the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers – during average years. But unimpaired flows could range from 30% to 50% depending on yearly precipitation.
According to some estimates, up to 260,000 acres of San Joaquin Valley farmland could be fallowed annually. The state water board approved Phase I in 2018, but the requirements have been tied up in litigation since.
On Jan. 10, 2019, the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority – which included OID and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District – filed suit challenging data the water board used to make its decision. The suit also questioned the board’s authority to implement the flows.
In a separate suit field in February 2019, CFBF charged the water board failed to follow the California Environmental Quality Act and underestimated the harm unimpaired flows would cause agricultural resources in the Central Valley.
Continued on next page
Continued
Then in November 2023, several water districts along the Tuolumne River, including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, petitioned the water board to include their Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement rather than be subjected to Phase I unimpaired flows. They had been part of the 2019 San Joaquin Tributaries Authority suit challenging the state.
OID Board President Tom Orvis said by going the voluntary route, Tuolumne River users would only have to give up about 22% of flows rather than the 30% to 50% contained in state unimpaired flow requirements.
“What’s fair about that? And they have a much bigger watershed,” he said. Orvis shared the opinion of many others that the voluntary agreements aren’t so vol untary because they require districts to give up water. With senior water rights in New Melones Reservoir, OID and SSJID are first in line and together are entitled to the first 600,000 acre-feet of inflow each year.
California Farm Bureau president celebrates accomplishments in Annual Meeting address
CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU President
Shannon Douglass celebrated the organization’s accomplishments this year in an address delivered at the Farm Bureau’s 106th Annual Meeting in Monterey.
Douglass, speaking in her first annual address after being elected last year to lead the Farm Bureau, focused on local achievements and on the organization’s
strong county Farm Bureaus.”
Douglass cited examples of the Farm Bureau’s impact this year in different parts of the state, beginning with the resounding defeat of Measure J, a Sonoma County ballot measure that within three years would have banned large dairies and poultry farms in the county.
“We recognized that something like
were extremely successful,” Douglass said, with voters in the county rejecting Measure J by a margin of roughly 85% to 15%.
She recognized several county Farm Bureaus that met goals of increasing their membership, including the Alameda,
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Laws
Continued from page 1
SJFB President Les Strojan said the online educational session is another example of a Farm Bureau benefit.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for members to get training in a really easy fashion,” he said. “This is free, and it has real value.”
Presented by the Farm Employers Labor Service, the one-hour webinar session will cover indoor heat illness, workplace violence, autonomous equipment, overtime and minimum wage.
“Workplace violence and indoor heat are pretty new, and I suspect a lot of people don’t know about them,” said Bryan Little, chief operations officer of FELS, a California Farm Bureau affiliate.
2024. The bill also required employee training, annual plan review, and logging violent incidents and responses.
Effective July 2024, California Office of Safety and Health Administration’s indoor heat regulations kick in when temperatures inside exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. They apply to indoor work sites, such as greenhouses and warehouses, and include providing water, rest, cooldown areas and training. Additional requirements take effect when temperatures reach 87 degrees.
FELS also will have resources on those subjects available to members who subscribe to its newsletter.
Little said he chose the wage and overtime topics because of questions he’s received. For most industries, including agriculture, minimum wage increases to $16.50 per hour Jan. 1.
“Just because Prop 32 didn’t pass
to $18 per hour.
In a change from past years when smaller-scaled agricultural employers with 25 or fewer workers were subject to different overtime requirements, 2025 marks uniform regulations. All employers will now be required to pay time-and-a-half if workers exceed eight hours in a day or 40 hours during a week.
Larger-scale employers have had to follow the 40-hour overtime rule since Jan. 1, 2022.
In addition, all employees will receive double-time after 12 hours in a workday. While larger-scale employees have had to follow this since 2022, smaller-scale ones weren’t required until Jan. 1, 2025.
“There’s no more 60-hour-work weeks like we had for so long,” Little said.
He said he decided to add information about autonomous equipment because it appears the Cal-OSHA Standards Board may move on the subject this year.
he said. “I think it opens up the promise that we may be able to use it. It would definitely be a bonus to the industry.”
Under the current rule, “All self-propelled equipment shall, when under its own power and in motion, have an operator stationed at the vehicular controls.”
Arizona and other neighboring states do not have the same restrictions for autonomous farm equipment operation.
Monarch Tractor, a Livermore-based company with an autonomous tractor, has twice petitioned the standards board to remove the rule. In response, the state granted two successive experimental variances that would allow Monarch to collect 500 hours of operation data each time without an accident.
The Cal-OSHA board would then review the data before making a decision. During past public hearings, some board members said they were concerned about the safety of unmanned equipment.
“We’re trying to get them to change their 1977 Labor Code rule and allow the use of autonomous ag equipment,”
While no system is totally failsafe, Lit-
Continued on next page
tle said autonomous vehicles carry much fewer risks than human-driven machines. Roll-overs, for example, remain one of the most common tractor-related injuries on the farm, even after rollover protection structures were required beginning 50 years ago.
“It seems that it’s something that’s well within our grasp to do something to enhance safety,” Little said of autonomous tractors.
He also dismissed Cal-OSHA board concerns about autonomous tractors taking jobs. Many growers currently have difficulty finding dependable labor, and this type of technology would help them.
In addition, it would provide existing workers opportunities to learn or expand their technological skills and be potentially eligible for higher-paying jobs.
To register for the free SJFB webinar, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdeztaue
Strojan
Continued from page 2
thought it was each.” God bless the Farm Bureau but where do they get their numbers? I live in New York and the turkey alone is $250.” The public needs to know how much of the $250 went to the farmer and the farmer needs a higher percentage of the price tag.
The Farm Bureau has always prided ourselves as a grassroots organization. We are asking our state leaders to prevail upon the American Farm Bureau to update their advocacy. They work for us not us for them. Early in the year we will be conducting five Farm Center meetings. These are among our most important meetings of the year. Please come to your Farm Center dinner and bring a farmer friend with you and provide any the input you have for us. This is where the process starts. If you wonder what the Farm Bureau is about just think about asking a friend
to make a $100 donation for a good cause and then realize 530 people have just done that over the past couple of months for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau through the calendar fundraiser. That’s deep support developed over many years and a large current effort to keep it going.
We are working for those 530 people, our members and all farmers. We are serious. Last week we had a meeting on a troubling issue. I got a call from one of our directors who was at the meeting the next morning. He said he was bothered by the problem to the point he couldn’t sleep. We discussed and implemented actions to address the issue right away so he could sleep better.
We need to start gearing up for our next statewide elections. Few think the state of California is going in the right direction. A significant change occurred in the last election but its not enough yet. Just think of the real possibilities if the state government followed changes in the federal government. Let’s talk about it at the Farm Center meetings.
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Your future grows here
DIRECTOR
By Jessica Coit
Time for Farm Center meetings!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2024 was quite the year, and I am excited to announce that it is time for our 2025 Annual Farm Center Meetings. We encourage all members to attend the meetings who can make it. Attending your Farm Center Meeting is a great way to connect with fellow members in your area as well as hear rural crimes updates from the AGNET detectives, updates from SJFB staff and have
a chance to mingle with elected officials. Each Farm Center is represented at the county Farm Bureau based on membership within each center. Farm Center directors are elected at these meetings to serve on the SJFB Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 year.
Calla Nile & Escalon Farm Centers will be having their joint dinner on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Ripon Grange Hall, 827
Ripona Ave., Ripon, CA 95366. The Tracy Farm Center will have their annual dinner on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Tracy Moose Lodge, 35 E. 6th St., Tracy, CA 95376. The Roberts Union Farm Center will be hosting their meeting on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Roberts Union Farm Center, 4925 Howard Rd, Stockton, CA 95206. The Linden & Collegeville Farm Centers will be hosting their joint dinner on Tuesday, March 4 at the SJFB Office, 3290 N. Ad Art Rd., Stockton, CA 95215. Stay tuned for more information regarding the Victor, Acampo, Lafayette (VAL), Linden/Collegeville Farm Center meeting. Be sure to check your mailboxes for your respective Farm Center Meeting Invitation!
Coming up on Thursday, Jan 23, San
Joaquin and Stanislaus Farm Bureaus will be hosting a FREE 2025 Regulatory Updates Seminar! This webinar will be conducted by FELS, Farm Employers Labor Service, of California Farm Bureau, and the following topics will include indoor heat illness, workplace violence, autonomous tractors, overtime, minimum wage and more. To register for this event, please contact the SJFB office, (209) 931-4931, to receive your link. This training will be held through Zoom, but if you would like to watch it in the office, that is of course an option!
And as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to the SJFB office if you need anything. We are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and can be reached at (209) 931-4931.
Visit us at www.sjfb.org or find us on Facebook
We are also on Instagram at SanJoaquinFarmBureau
Genasci
Continued from page 2
talking about how the zero emission rules for trucks and equipment would be devastating to our producers and the trucking industry. The list goes on and on. Most of the media, legislators and voters in California have been more than happy to burn agriculture in the pursuit of an ever-changing “green” ideal. Our farms are buried in a mountain of regulations, fees and requirements, many disappearing forever. With all this, you will have to forgive me if I find their concern less than credible. It sure would be nice to have these same reporters on our side when we talk about the impacts of energy costs or water availability!
Before Christmas, we hosted a holiday open house here at the San Joaquin Farm Bureau office. Thank you to all the members, legislators and other guests that
were able to join us! It was a good turnout with plenty holiday cheer, and I enjoyed visiting with all of you. I look forward to making this an annual event and seeing more of you in 2025!
We are working with Bryan Little, with the Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) and Stanislaus County Farm Bureau to host an online seminar once again on new laws and regulations for 2025. Last year’s update was helpful to members, and we are looking forward to another great presentation. This year, Bryan will cover the new indoor heat regulations, minimum wage and overtime rules, workplace violence plans and many other new regulations. You will also have time to speak to Bryan and have your questions answered. The online seminar will be held on Jan. 23 at 10 a.m., so register now at stanfarmbureau.org/events.
As always, thank you for being a member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau! Without your membership, we could not be here to work on your behalf. If you are not a member, please join today!
THANK YOU TO SAN JOAQUIN FARM BUREAU AG MEMBERS WHO “STEPPED UP”
Thank you to our San Joaquin Farm Bureau Agricultural Members who have stepped up. Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization whose purpose is to devote time and resources to promoting and protecting agriculture in our county, state, and nation. The “Step Up Plan” is designed for members to be able to pick their dues level based on their Annual Gross Income to increase their support of agriculture and help us increase our efforts in fighting for agriculture. Business Members also have a Step Up Plan. The Step Up Plan is outlined on our website. Contact our office at (209) 931-4931 to “Step Up” your membership today.
Acampo Farm Center
• Lamar Creekside Vineyards
• Mahil Farms
• Brent Newport
• Nestor Enterprises
• S&R Egg Ranch Co.
• Nuss Farms Inc.
Calla-Nile Farm Center
• 2Q Farming Inc
• Manuel Azevedo
• David Boersma
• Bourbeau Enterprises
• Brocchini Farms Inc
• Cardoza Bros
• Central Valley Welding Mechanical Inc
• Delta Growers Inc.
• Double O Farming Inc.
• Jenkins Poultry Farm
• Joseph Gomes
• David Kamper
• Eileen Kuil
• Ioppini Farms
• Edward Machado
• Phippen Bros
• Roorda Ranches Inc
• SJC Office of Education
• SKS Enterprise Inc
• John Van Duyn
• Bryan Van Groningen
• Van Till Farms
• Michael Weststeyn Farming
• Tim Weststeyn Collegeville Farm Center
• Nomellini Farms Inc
• Prins Dairy LP
• Paul Sanguinetti
• Les Strojan
• Grant Thompson
• Thompson Ranch
• Triple S Farming LLC
Escalon Farm Center
• A&A Cattle Co
• Adrian Ranch
• Bert Ballatore
• Bavaro Farming Company Inc
• Lealon Brumley
• Phillip Brumley
• Gary De Vries
• Herman Doornenbal Jr
• Larry Fredricks
• G&E Te Velde Orchards MLLC
• Caleb Gervase
• River Bend Orchards
• Roche Bros Inc
• Stagnaro Farms Inc
• Vander Schaaf Dairy
• Veenstra Farming
• Paul Voortman
• Wagner Dairy
Lafayette Farm Center
• All State Packers
• Chardon Farms Inc
• Joe Cotta & Son
• Michael Devencenzi
• Peter Devencenzi
• Graffigna Fruit Co
• Richard Grenz
• Rob Kammerer
• Lange Twins Partnership
• Matthew Lauchland
• Joe Marchesotti Co., Inc.
• Lima Ranch
• Diego Olagaray
• Joe Olagaray
• Rodney Schatz
• Van Diemen Farms
• Bronson Van Wyck
• Watanabe Bros, Inc.
Linden Farm Center
• 5 Star Farm Management Inc
• A&A Dasso Farms
• Bella Vista Ranch
• Greg Busalacchi
• Camera Brothers
• D&L Farms Inc.
• Eilers Ranch LLC
• FFD Orchards
• Ferrari Farms Inc
• J&A Solari Inc.
• Jasbir S Gill Family Limited Partnership
• Lagorio Properties LP
• Lodi Farming Inc
• Panella Trucking LLC
• Peter Boysen Realty
• Precision Irrigation Mgt
• Purviance Drillers Inc
• R&A Miller Inc
• RDJ Farms Inc
• Waterloo Orchards Inc
• Richard Zolezzi Roberts-Union Farm Center
• Cubiburu Livestock
• D&A Farms
• Mark Lewis
• El Dorado Farms Inc
• Marca Bella Farms, Inc
• Zuckerman-Heritage Inc
Tracy Farm Center
• California Masterplant
• GloriAnn Farms Inc
• Mizuno Farms Inc
• Michael Petz
• Greg Pombo
• Reece Farms
• Hal Robertson
• Thomsen Farms Inc
• Yamasaki Farms
Victor Farm Center
• John Kautz Farms
• Vink Custom Farming Inc.
business member
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
STEP UP BUSINESSES
$7,500 SUPPORT LEVEL
American Ag Credit
Jacob DeBoer 2345 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton, CA 95206
www.agloan.com (209) 944-7478
Nationwide Insurance
Find a Farm Certified Agent: www.nationwide.com/cfbf (800) 255-9913
ACCOUNTANTS
Bowman & Company
Gary R. Daniel (209) 473-1040
Croce, Sanguinetti & Vander Veen Inc.
Pauline Sanguinetti (209) 938-1010
ASSOCIATIONS
California Farmland Trust
Charlotte Mitchell (916) 544-2712
Lodi District Grape Growers Association
Amy Blagg (209) 339-8246
Lodi Woodbridge Winegrape Commission
Stuart Spencer (209) 367-4727
San Joaquin County Historical Society
Phillip Merlo (209) 331-2055
San Joaquin Valley Hay Growers
Rick Staas (209) 835-1662
ATTORNEYS
John Herrick Attorney at Law
John H. Herrick (209) 956-0150
Nomellini, Grilli & Mcdaniel Professional Law Corp.
Dante John Nomellini (209) 465-5883
AUCTIONS
Mulrooney Auctions Co.
James P. Mulrooney (209) 366-0600
AUTO PARTS/SERVICE
Clutch & Brake Xchange
James Hitchock (209) 466-9049
$1,500 SUPPORT LEVEL
Delicato Vineyards
Marie Mathews 12001 S Highway 99, Manteca, CA 95336-8499 www.delicato.com (209) 824-3600
Pacific Gas & Electric
Dylan George 4040 N W Lane, Stockton, CA 95204 www.pge.com (209) 932-6515
Ralph Hayes & Son Inc.
Eric Hayes 20177 S. MacArthus Dr., Tracy, CA 95304 www.hayesandson.com (209) 835-4914
CHEMICALS
Mid Valley Agricultural Services Inc. (209) 851-3200
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck
Christopher H. Neudeck (209) 946-0268 Offfice (209) 481-0316 Mobile
COMMODITY PACKING/ MKTG
A Sambado & Sons Inc.
Lawrence Sambado (209) 931-2568
Delta Packing Co of Lodi Inc. Annamarie Costamagna (209) 334-1023
M&R Co Reynolds Packing Co.
Jeremy Hjelmstad (209) 369-2725
Travaille And Phippen Dave Phippen (209) 599-6111
COMMUNICATIONS
unWired Broadband
Mark Peterson (559) 753-0386
CONTRACTORS/CONSTRUCTION
Ford Construction Co. (209) 333-1116
Tom Mayo Construction Tom D. Mayo (209) 943-6248
CONSULTING
Cal Ag Safety
Ann Curtoni Lial (209) 351-0321
Precessi Ag Services Inc.
Paul Precessi (209) 670-9072
$1,500 SUPPORT LEVEL CONT.
Travaille & Phippen
Dave Phippen 12700 E Graves Rd., Manteca, CA 95336 www.tapalmonds.com (209) 599-6111
$750 SUPPORT LEVEL A Sambado & Sons, Inc. (209) 931-2568
Anteris Agronomics LLC (209) 900-3270
Big Valley Tractor & Bobcat Central, Inc. (209) 762-6413
GAR Bennett LLC (559) 480-3029
CUSTOM HARVESTING
M2 Farming
Nick Mussi (209) 969-3333
CUSTOM PACKAGING
The Packagers LLC
Jason Ng 702) 863-9898
EDUCATION
San Joaquin Delta Community College (209) 954-5151
FARMS
A&B Koster
William M. Koster (209) 836-4690
Ag West Inc
Mike Berg (209) 888-5455
AM Farms
Paul Marchini (209) 462-1185
Bert Bacchetti Farms Inc.
Mark Bacchetti (209) 835-2224
HRM Farms Inc.
Glenn Burgin (209) 465-8413
IDC Farms Inc.
Mike Conrad (209) 894-6408
Lavagnino Orchards
Ruani Lavagnino (209) 931-6728
Lucadeira Farms
Richard Marcucci (209) 481-3641
Peterson Family Vineyards
James Peterson (209) 368-8102
Vaccarezza Bros (209) 887-3163
FARMS CONT.
Van Groningen & Sons Inc
Dan Van Groningen (209) 982-5248
Van Groningen Orchards
Mark Van Groningen (209) 599-4944
Van Laar Farms
James Van Laar (209) 599-3613
FARM HARDWARE & SUPPLY
BG Agri Sales & Service
Anthony Da Valle (209) 931-7650
Discount Ag Parts
Jim Allen (209) 239-5802
J. Milano Company
Gary Milano (209) 944-0902
PBM Supply & Manufacturing
Barry Jones (530) 345-1334
Stanislaus Farm Supply
Joey Gonsalves (209) 538-7070
Zylstra Auto & Hardware
Tim A. Zylstra (209) 887-3626
FERTILIZERS & SOIL AMENDMENTS
Brown Sand, Inc.
Robert Brown (209) 234-1500
Ralph Hayes & Son Inc.
Eric Hayes (209) 835-4914 F
San Joaquin Sulphur Company
Janet Chandler (209) 368-6676
$750 SUPPORT LEVEL CONT.
Kludt Oil & Propane (209) 368-0634 • (209) 466-8969
Mid Valley Agricultural Services Inc. (209) 851-3200
Morrill Industries (209) 838-2550
Outdoor Sportsman Inc (209) 957-4867
Van De Pol Enterprises (209) 944-9115
Van Groningen & Sons Inc. (209) 982-5248
V V Enterprises (209) 599-7776
FINANCIAL
American AgCredit
Marc Busalacchi (800) 659-FARM
Bank of Stockton
Jim Nemmers (209) 249-2201
Community West Bank
Nora Andrade (559) 323-3402
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Daniel Meza (209) 367-2349
Moss Adams LLP
Eric Krienert (209) 955-6100 UEL DISTRIBUTORS
FUEL DISTRIBUTORS
Campora Propane Services
Todd Spicer (209) 466-8611
George W Lowry Inc.
Richard A. Lowry (209) 545-0791
Kludt Oil & Propane
Aron Kludt (209) 368-0634, (209) 466-8969
Valley Pacific Petroleum Service, Inc.
Rob Goodman (209) 948-9412
Van De Pol Enterprises
Tom Van De Pol (209) 944-9115
Van Unen Miersma Propane Inc
Jerry Behlen (209) 823-1315
GRAIN/FEED/SEED
AL Gilbert Company Jay Gilbert (209) 847-1721
Baglietto Seeds (209) 466-0433
GRAIN/FEED/SEED CONT.
Escalon Feed & Supply
Ken Van Gorkum (209) 838-3326
M & M Feed Service
Terry Mulder (209) 531-3353
Phil O’Connell Grain Co.
Tim Grunsky (209) 465-5871
Triple P Feeds
Dallas C. Paul (209) 333-2808
V-V Enterprises
Dave C. Van Vliet (209) 599-7776
INSURANCE
Altamont Insurance Brokers
Dan Simonich (209) 835-6395
Big Valley Insurance
Bill R. Crawford (209) 835-5253 (209) 365-9600
Dan Van Vuren Insurance Agency Inc.
Dan Van Vuren (209) 484-5578
Sanguinetti & Company Insurance Brokers
Karen Sanguinetti (209) 954-1000
The Zenith
Sandy Fiack (559) 260-6499
Todd Garibaldi Insurance Agency
Todd R. Garibaldi (209) 334-3030
Wever Insurance
Don Wever (209) 599-2161
IRRIGATION/PUMPS/WELLS
Laurel Ag & Water
Brooke Marchy (209) 810-8021
GAR Bennett LLC
Ralph Rendon (559) 480-3029
Moorman’s Water Systems Inc.
Larry Moorman (209) 931-3210 REAL ESTATE
Pacific Southwest Irrigation Corp.
Jim Clare (209) 986-0099
Rain for Rent
Gregory McDevitt (209) 466-5602
LABORATORY/TESTING
Anteris Agronomics LLC
Kion Kashefi (209) 900-3270
Fruit Growers Laboratory, Inc.
Michael Ostrom (800) 440-7821
LABOR CONTRACTOR
Premium Employment Services
Jesse Alderete, III (800) 581-5540
LAND PREPARATION
G&F Ag Services, Inc.
Randy Fondse (209) 599-8911
Kromann & Company
Rodney P. Kromann, Jr. (209) 581-1775
Kuil Brothers Ag Service
Matthew D. Kuil (209) 599-4960
MACHINE SERVICES
Ag Industrial Manufacturing
Bob Ford (209) 369-1994
Tuff Boy Sales, inc
Martin Harris (209) 858-4131
MEDIA/RADIO
“105.9, the Bull”
Robert La Rue (209) 948-5786
NURSERIES
Burchell Nursery
Tom Burchell (209) 845-8733
Casa Cristal Nursery Inc
John Moso (661) 792-6468
Dave Wilson Nursery
Robert Woolley (209) 874-1821
Duarte Nursery
Alex Duarte (209) 531-0351
PEST MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Outdoor Sportsman
Eric Johnson (209) 957-4867PROCESSING
PROCESSING
County Fair Food Products
Leslie Kruger (209) 469-9934
DeRuosi Nut
Dean Penero (209) 838-8307
Musco Family Olive Company Ben Gibbons (209) 836-4600
Pearl Crop Inc. Ulash Turkhan (209) 808-7575
Prima Frutta Packing Tim Sambado (209) 931-1460
ShellPro Inc. (209) 727-0707U
Sunrise Fresh LLC Jake Samuel (209) 932-0192
REAL ESTATE
Bokides - Hesseltine Real Estate Co.
Robert Hesseltine (209) 334-3045
Peter Boysen Realty
Pete Boysen (209) 351-2150
Petersen & Company
Agricultural Real Estate Joe Petersen (209) 210-8010
Reeve Associates Real Estate
Gary Reeve (209) 835-2002
Wagner Land Company Charles Wagner (209) 942-4146
RESTAURANTS
De Vinci’s Corporation
Chris Trotter (209) 887-2121
Koes Bar
Ken Littleton (209) 329-2366
RETAIL
Orchard and Vineyard Supply (209) 368-8595
SOLAR
Chico Electric
Norm Neilsen (530) 891-6749
SPREADING SERVICES
Gary Bohnet (209) 369-6993, (209) 481-1349
STEEL BUILDINGS
Fabri Steel West Inc.
John M. Arizcuren (800) 411-4215
Roland Construction
Jim A. Hoagland (209) 462-2687
STEAM CLEANERS
Hotsy Pacific
Jim O’Connell (800) 640-1227
TIRES
Les Schwab Tire Center-Lodi
Gary Holm (209) 334-3961
Lodi Tire Service
Kenneth A. Lung (209) 369-1985
Swier Tire & Auto Repair
Daniel Swier (209) 559-7512
TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT
Belkorp Ag, LLC
John Gilligan (209) 538-3831
Big Valley Tractor & Bobcat Central, Inc.
Don Franzia (209) 762-6413
Evolution Equipment Services Inc.
Marti Sporleder (209) 810-5796
TRACTORS/EQUIPMENT CONT.
Garton Tractor
Jeff Filkins (209) 948-5401
Pape´ Machinery
Brian A. Heavey (209) 983-8122
TRANSPLANTERS/PLUG PLANTER
Pro Plant LLC
Skip Wilbur (209) 969-7547
TRANSPORTATION
Antonini Bros. Inc.
Joseph Antonini (209) 466-9041
G3 Enterprises
Ethan Jones (800) 321-8747
Hammer Trucking
Michael J. Staples (209) 481-1567
Silva Trucking
Dave Silva (209) 982-1114
UTILITIES
PG&E
Debbie McCaffrey (209) 932-2566
VEHICLES
Chase Chevrolet
Paul Correia (209) 475-6740
Interstate Truck Center
Rick Coslett (209) 944-5821EMENT
VINEYARD MANAGEMENT
Arbor Vineyards
Larry P. Mettler (209) 339-0525
K.G. Vineyard Management, LLC
Ben Kolber (209) 367-8996
R-N-R Vineyard, Inc.
Russell Machado (209) 327-3165
WATER
Oakdale Irrigation District
Steve Knell (209) 847-0341
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Peter Rietkerk (209) 249-4600
Stockton East Water District
Scot Moody (209) 948-0333
Woodbridge Irrigation District
Keith Bussman (209) 625-8438
WINERIES
Bokisch Vineyards
Markus Bokisch (209) 334-4338
Constellation Wines US, Inc.
Paul Dismukes (209) 369-5861
Delicato Vineyards
Marie Mathews (209) 824-3600
Jahant Vineyards LLC
Kevin Phillips (209) 368-7384
LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards (209) 334-9780
The Lucas Winery
David Lucas (209) 368-2006
Michael David Vineyards
Michael J. Phillips (209) 368-7384
St. Amant Winery
Barbara S. Spencer (209) 367-0646
Attention San Joaquin County Agricultural Community:
Demonstrate your commitment to safe farming by participating in an innovative SPRAY SAFE program developed by fellow farmers and applicators to control drift and protect worker and public health. Please attend our 15th annual meeting marking San Joaquin County Agriculture ’s continued commitment to safe farming. Bring your supervisors and foremen! Great information for ALL! Spanish translation provided.
RSVP by Tuesday, February 25, 2025 , by mailing to: SJFB, 3290 N Ad Art Rd, Stockton, CA 95215. This event is FREE of charge and includes a FREE, catered lunch , however sponsors are welcome.
February 28, 2025⧫ Robert J. Cabral Ag Center ⧫ Stockton
Continuing Education Hours provided, subject to DPR approval
8:30 -9:00am Registration, Coffee & Donuts
9:00am Meeting Starts
12:30- 1:00pm Luncheon & Closing Remarks
Potential Topics (not finalized):
Regulatory Updates, Pesticide Safety & Bees
PCA’s Guide to Food Safety, Investigation Protocol, Requirements for Early Entry for Field Workers
Registration
Please check all that apply: Farmer PCA Commercial Applicator Labor Contractor Labor Government
Company: ___________________________________________ Name: ________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________
Others Attending: ______________________________________________________________________________ (Attach additional pages if necessary)
Total Number of Attendees: ______________
English-Speaking Attendees _______
Spanish-Speaking Attendees _______
Sponsorship Opportunity (Sponsors at Gold level & above may have a display table)
Please