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number ten

volume twenty–four

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october 2008

California Apples Find Their Niche More Strawberries, More Antioxidant Absorption

The 2008 Presidential Election

The New Farm Bill’s Opportunities

The November Ballot Initiatives

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editor

perspective

October 2008

What’s Bad for One is Bad for All

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ver the past few weeks, I’ve prevent farm animals from being able found myself spending quite to turn around freely, lie down, stand a bit of time on the road. While up, and fully extend their limbs. It traveling our highways and byways, impacts the swine, beef and poultry I have been preoccupied with the industries. While the language of the bombardment of political advertis- initiative is relatively straightforward ing. I couldn’t turn on my car with- in nature, the implications and bigger out another ad blaring through the picture are anything but simple. The “Yes on Prop 2” campaign is radio, espousing the advantages of paid for by Californians for Humane this candidate or the fallacies of that Farms and is sponsored in large part initiative. During this election, we by the Humane Society of the United have the pleasure of not only sifting States and Farm Sanctuary. The forthrough the quagmire of informamer of these organizations is working tion on national, state and local diligently to bring an end to animal candidates, but also a staggering agriculture as we know it. Or in their number of ballot measures as well. words, according the HSUS website, All in all, we Californians will vote on 12 items including initia- to “confront national and global crutives, constitutional amendments and elties through major campaigns tarbonds. Let’s not forget that we will geting the worst cruelties of factory also have local measures to con- farming in modern agribusiness such tend with as well. Of the many as confinement of animals in crates that are floating about, which are and cages.” Ask your next door neighbor, listed in greater detail in this month’s though, what the Humane Society issue, Proposition 2 is what has me does and chances are their answer engrossed. While it will impact the will include something about saving animal segment of agriculture, the puppies and kitties at the local aniprocess that is unfolding is providing mal shelter. This very stigma is where critical lessons for every farmer and those in animal agriculture are losing rancher in this state. the fight and Proposition 2 is only the Its formal name is Standards for latest example. Confining Farm Animals and in a 052-OUR VINES_4-25x6clr:VN 5/22/08 9:05 AM Page 1 The proponents of this initianutshell, it would make it illegal to

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tive are leveraging our emotions in the fight to save animals. Check out the Yes on Prop 2 website. Heck, I’d vote for it if I didn’t know any better. With beautiful images of small children petting baby pigs and ranchers smiling in front of herds of cattle, you’d think this was as All-American as it gets. And with taglines like “Vote Yes! on Prop 2…to save our air and water” or “Vote Yes! on Prop 2…to support family farmers” who wouldn’t give it the thumbs up? They are using every weapon in the arsenal of politics today to win over the general public, who, at the end of the day doesn’t have the time or the inclination to dig into who’s funding this initiative. Moms and Dads, trying to get kids to soccer practice, make the PTA meeting and prepare a wholesome dinner are not going to ask the hard questions about this proposition or any other. The reality is, they will absorb the t.v. commercials, flip through the flyers they receive in the mail and ultimately, flip a coin. Who wouldn’t flip in favor of saving animals? And how are the No on Prop 2 folks doing? In my humble opinion, not well. Just in comparing their website homepages, the opponents have missed the mark. It is dry, too business-like and uninspiring. No pictures of farmers and ranchers; no images of good animal husbandry. And the argument that Prop 2 will be bad for business may be true, but it isn’t warm and fuzzy. Voters are being bombarded with gut-wrenching images of smashed piglets and the counter-argument is that it’s bad for the bottom line – not good. For this to not end in disaster, animal agriculture needs to take a page out of the opposition’s play book. They need to appeal to the sentimentality of voters, articulating how we care for our animals with images that correspond. While we all know that this measure will be catastrophic for these businesses and potentially will lead to higher prices paid for food, the general public isn’t hearing that. They need to hear that we are the true advocates for animal well-being. The other side is smart, compelling and knows how to connect with the voter on a basic, endearing level. If animal agriculture can’t figure out how to become smarter, more dynamic and emotionally convincing, all the facts and economics will be moot. There will be another nail in the coffin and for agriculture in general, we’ll have lost one more critical battle in the fight to save our livelihood. You may not think Proposition 2

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Amy Wolfe

affects you, the men and women growing our world’s produce. Don’t let yourselves be fooled. The success of this measure will pave the way for countless other pieces of legislation that use fear and emotion to see the demise of our way of life. I encourage you to speak up now, use your voice and ultimately, the collective voice of agriculture, to stop this in its tracks. If not, don’t be surprised when the next battle is one you are facing and the tactics are eerily similar to those being used today. For more information on Proposition 2, visit www.safecaliforniafood.org. ■

Published monthly for the grape, citrus and deciduous fruit industries in California and sent by controlled mailing to 10,000 addresses monthly.

publisher: John Van Nortwick editor: Amy Wolfe: editor@myagribusiness.com advertising associates: Paul Einerson, Mandy Critchley, Ken Hockersmith & Dan Sturdivant production and design: John Campbell: www.campbellstudio.net web site: www.myfreshfruit.com subscriptions: subscriber@myagribusiness.com Fresh Fruit & Raisin News is published monthly by Agribusiness Publications, 5100 N Sixth Street, Suite 154 Fresno, CA 93710 800-364-4894 • 559-222-7954 Fax: 559-222-5115 Subscription Rates: USA and its possessions –$40.00 per year & outside US $75.00 per year. © 2008 Agribusiness Publications–ALL RIGHTS RESERVED–”Editorial content” and/or “Letters to the Editor” unless otherwise noted are not to be construed as opinion of publisher or staff of Agribusiness Publications. Acceptance of advertisement and some advertising editorial does not constitute an endorsement by Agribusiness Publications or its Associates.

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perspective

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Got Children? Got Grandchildren? You Need To Be Up To Speed on Proposition 8 Passage of the Amendment to Protect Marriage Will Require a Dedicated Effort From At Least 100,000 Volunteers.

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or those who are not up to speed on this current issue, Proposition 8 will be voted on by California voters on November 4. It places into the California Constitution the same language that voters already passed by 61 percent of the vote in 2000. This vote is necessary to overturn the California Supreme Court decision that overturned Proposition 22 earlier this year. The entire text of Proposition 8 is as follows: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California.” Maybe the best way possible to convey the importance of this proposition is come right out and say to all who have ears to hear - whether you know it or not, whether you believe it or not, the outcome of this proposition is more important than the outcome of any other proposition on the California ballot this fall. It is more important than any candidate running for election or reelection and without a doubt it is more important than who gets elected as our next President. Because of it’s importance we call on every like minded individual, who believes that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and should be protected from those who in the name of tolerance and equality would change forever that sacred institution by allowing same sex marriages to be the law of the land, to stand up and be counted. We can no longer remain a silent majority and hope to protect the lives and future of our children and grandchildren. We cannot sit this one out doing nothing and just hope that it will be passed. We must each get involved and let the rest of the country, and this state, know what we believe and how we want our society to be maintained. Know that the opposition to Prop 8 is formidable. Millions and millions of dollars and literally years of work has gone into organizing the forces who oppose this Constitutional amendment as it is proposed. What is also critical to understand is that those who do sup-

port Proposition 8 whole-heartedly believe that we must allow everyone in America to believe and live how where and what they may. That is until and unless it impacts the rights of the majority, and in this case the entire populations of children in California and across the nation, who we point out, are not represented in this entire debate. The cry that needs to be heard from every home, at every pulpit, from every meeting and in every debate is, it’s all about the children; it’s all about the family. That is what is at stake with this one single proposition. With far too many California citizens and organizations Proposition 8 is treated as if it were a tight rope walk rather than the majority demonstrating that we are firmly grounded by the need to preserve and maintain the integrity of the family unit, led by both a mother and a father if at all possible; parents who have complete devotion to and concern for the best possible environment to raise and care for the children who are given as a gift to those parents and that home. Statistical data about marriage and divorce, children born to unwed parents, children raised by single parents, increases in drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, even youth and teen suicides, point to a long coming desensitization from a time when the majority of the American population held to what are now referred to as outdated and old fashioned traditional values and social constants. The desensitization process has taken a while in terms of one person’s lifetime, but in as little as 3 generations we have created the equivalent of a fast moving freight train traveling on a collision course toward an oncoming commuter train filled with all of our children. Worse, there are too few people who are willing to take control of either train, and those of us who should be involved in monitoring the tracks and the direction and safety of each train are instead preoccupied with a million other details deemed to be more important, more significant to our daily lives to allow us to give this potential disaster the attention it deserves. The process of garnering so called, “equal rights” for these same sex marriages will have unparalleled impact on the family and our entire society. Legislation has already been proposed to provide supposed equal rights as to where these marriages can be performed. If you perform marriages between a man and a w w w

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woman, then you must perform marriages between same sex couples or not perform marriages at all. This all or nothing mentality has even begun to impact adoptions. Organizations like Catholic Charities, who would not place children in homes where a same sex marriage existed, resulted in lawsuits against the adoption organization and as a result Catholic Charities pulled out of the adoption business in 2006. Who loses here? Children lose here. The very education of our children and the drive to change the curriculum taught to our children is high on the agenda of those who oppose Prop 8. Mandatory changes in text books and curriculum is already underway as legislators give in to the 24/7, 365 relentless pounding of those who support and prosper this lifestyle. The reason little children are given to adults is to ensure that they are protected. As adults in this society we are each obligated to see that they are given the same opportunity to grow and learn and develop without the influence of alternative agendas that are so opposed to what we know to be right and true. While we now and always will advocate sensitivity and understanding for everyone, no one has the right, nor should we allow others to legislate to the majority that which we as a people do not want and will not tolerate. What we must stop is the perpetuation of an agenda that has gone so far so as to place on the desk of California’s Governor, a bill that will set aside May 22 as a special day to celebrate the life of politician Harvey Milk in public schools. They propose that he be given the same status given to President George Washington, President Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King,

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Jr. A day that will be used by the government schools of California to glorify this man, his philosophies and lifestyle. What should raise the ire of our citizens even more is that it has come to the Governor’s desk as the result of a vote of the California Assembly, which approved AB2567 by a 43 to 26 vote, with all Democrats voting for the bill and all Republicans voting against the bill. A feat accomplished while at the same time the California Legislature delayed approval of the State Budget until 85 days into the new physical year. Note the power and influence of the opposition. Nobody can get a state budget done, but they got Harvey Milk Day done. Enough said. It’s time to stand up and be counted. Let the best plan win. But don’t let it happen either way while you watch from the comfort of your living room. We must all vote yes on Proposition 8 and then give of our time and resources to insure its passage; the opposition has left us with no other choice. For more information on Proposition 8, visithttp://www.protectmarriage.com/ ■

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6

industry

perspective

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apples

October 2008

California Apples Find Their Niche By Alexander J. Ott, Executive Director California Apple Commission

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alifornia has found its niche in the apple world. Through trials and tribulations, lessons have taught California apple producers to do well with what they have. As a result, California apples have discovered a good market and a great balance for its supply and demand. However, with any industry the challenges and opportunities continue. Over twenty-five years ago, California had 40,000 acres of apples and produced 10 million fresh cartons. Currently, California produces three to four million cartons of fresh apples on just over 20,000 acres. Despite this reduction, California remains the fifth largest producer and the second largest exporter of U.S. apples. Throughout California’s short apple history, tough lessons were learned. For example, during the peak of California’s apple production, Fuji apple was one of the top varieties produced. In fact, California shipped over two-million boxes to Taiwan at the peak of its production. As of last year, total Fuji crop production in California was 300,000 cartons with only 30,000 boxes exported to Taiwan. The reason – California apple producers planted too many Fuji in the wrong place in California (weather was too warm and we did not have the technology at the time to color a red apple). Compare this to the gala apple which increased grafting and plantings to earlier seasonal varieties that proved to do well in the state. In fact,

this year’s gala crop marks the second year in a row that gala apples increased in statewide production. Meanwhile, California has focused on the varieties that work well in the state’s climate. Today, California grows four main varieties: gala, granny, Fuji and pinks. Of these four major apple varieties, three-fourths of the total states apple production comprised of gala and granny smith varieties. California has a small four to five month marketing window, due to the Chilean and Washington State apple season. In an effort to still have opportunities to produce and compete in the market place, California does not store apples like other apple producing states and adopted a philosophy of “pick, pack and ship” all fresh apples. The philosophy worked and California increased its export markets and market access. Statistics show nearly 35 to 40 percent of the California apple crop remains in California while 30 to 35 percent ships to other states. The remainder 25 to 30 percent exports to other countries, and makes for a diverse apple market. California’s top markets include Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Central America and Taiwan. These export markets, with the exception of Taiwan, have increased California shipments due to the narrow focus of varieties. For example, Mexico received over 80,000 boxes of California gala shipments for the 2008 year, to date. This totaled nearly ten percent of the total California gala crop. Last year, California shipped only 18,000 boxes of gala and for the prior 2006-2007 season; zero cases of galas shipped to Mexico. The result, gala

shipments increased to Mexico for the last three years and our southern neighbor continues becoming a greater partner in California’s export market and it is anticipated that California growers will export over 100,000 cartons this season. Consequently, challenges still remain. Invasive pests coupled with foreign market barriers, high energy costs and concerns over ample supply of labor and water continued to top the challenges for California apple producers. The latest came last year, when Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM) was discovered in the bay area. Since the first find, numerous other counties have found the moth, and made several southern, central valley and northern apple producers nervous. However, impacts of invasive pest problems go beyond the grower and have a dramatic effect on labor, the environment and the community. Imagine a quarantine pest being found in the largest apple producing regions will devastate the apple crop. Farmers may be faced with increased problems of exporting their fruit to other states let alone other countries. Additional sprays, traps and the potential of removing trees (depending on the pest) would be mandated

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in order to meet state, federal or other country mandates. The loss of green space and increased spraying or other expensive protocols will be needed in order to meet export rules, putting environmental pressures on both conventional and organic growers. Farm worker, transportation, port and other related agricultural jobs will be lost due to the decrease of fruit exports based on the introduction of a foreign pest or disease. Without an apple industry, these essential jobs to produce a California apple crop would be forever lost. In an effort to combat foreign pests, growers are taking proactive steps, including additional trapping, education of residents and working with state and federal officials to increase inspections of imports. As California becomes more engaged in the global shipment of fresh fruits and vegetables, agriculture will continue to face pest pressures from other countries. From the California apple industry perspective, it is vital that we have a prevention program which will decrease the treatment protocols on the tail end. The California apple industry is experiencing an upswing. However, it has been though several educational trials that lessons have been learned. As the next decade approaches, the California apple industry is excited of its prospects. The industry will continue to do well with what it has and will continue to focus on commonsense approaches to produce high quality fruit for a niche market. To learn more about California apples, visit the California Apple Commission at www.calapple.org. ■

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industry

news

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dried

plums

October 2008

New dried plums developed by UC to hit the market soon

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ried plums so sweet they “taste like candy” will soon make their way to grocery store shelves, according to UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Carolyn DeBuse. At least for the time being, however, it may be difficult for consumers to identify this particularly sugary fruit since they won’t be labeled differently. The new dried plums are a patented variety developed by UC scientists at the behest of the state’s dried plum industry. Over a period of 25 years, scientists painstakingly used traditional breeding techniques to capture just the right genetic traits, eventually singling

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out and naming the Sutter dried plum. “Sutter is really high sugar, then has this wonderful filling out of fruit flavor,” DeBuse said. Four years after selecting Sutter, the scientists found another excellent dried plum, now the patented Muir Beauty. “Muir Beauty is even more distinctive,” DeBuse said. “It has a burst of fruit flavor and extra meaty interior flesh. One day, you may find Muir Beauty dried plums being marketed, like fine wines, as a varietal.” The different taste and texture of the newly crafted dried plum varieties will provide a subtle, but pleas-

ant change for consumers, who are accustomed to the dominant French Improved variety. “French Improved dried plums have a sweet, but grassy flavor and are probably the taste most recognized as prunes,” DeBuse said. “That’s different than the more fruity tones — like peach and apricot — found in the Sutter and Muir Beauty.” The dried plum industry is welcoming the new varieties with open arms — not so much for the taste sensation, but to extend the length of crop harvest. Since mechanical harvesting

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became the standard in dried plum production, farmers have relied almost exclusively on French Improved, which bears fruit that ripens all at the same time. The useful trait carried with it the need to harvest thousands of tons of dried plums around the state and quickly get them into dehydrators, all within a span of three or four weeks in late summer. Years ago the dried plum industry realized that developing new cultivars with different ripening times would spread harvest and drying over a longer, more manageable, period. They began funding the decades-long UC breeding effort, which brought to fruition the Sutter and Muir Beauty varieties. California’s world dominance in dried plum production is indisputable. A French nurseryman introduced the fruit to the state in 1856. According to the California Dried Plum Board, California farmers are expected to harvest 120,000 tons of fresh prune plums this year — 99 percent of the United States’ total and 70 percent of world’s dried plum production. Dried plum farms are found mainly in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. For many years breeding crosses were made by Jim Doyle, a staff research associate at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center near Parlier, working under the direction of UC Davis pomologist Ted DeJong. When Doyle retired in 2002, the breeding program headquarters moved to Davis and under DeBuse’s management. DeBuse was named the pomology farm advisor for Yolo and Solano counties this year, and day-to-day management of the dried plum program shifted to Sarah Bradley, with guidance from DeBuse and DeJong. Trees in the program are cultivated and tested at UC Davis, at the Kearney Research and Extension Center, at Wolfskill Experimental Orchard in Winters, and on cooperating growers’ farms. The Sutter variety, patented and released in 2000, was the result of a cross made in 1987 between two European plum cultivars. The Sutter plum is large, dark purple with a waxy bloom and dries into a very high quality fruit. The key to its selection was a ripening date 7 to 10 days earlier than Improved French. The Muir Beauty, a cross made between European plum cultivars of Improved French and Tulare Giant in Plums continued on page 29

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strawberries

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Top Yale Researchers Give Strawberries Highest Overall Nutrition Rating

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trawberries earn the highest nutrient-density score based on findings by the Overall Nutrition Quality Index (ONQI), a measurement system developed by Yale’s Prevention Research Center and several leading health and nutrition experts. The system ranks foods on a numeric scale: strawberries received 100—the highest score possible. These findings show strawberries as one of the healthiest foods available to consumers. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants— strawberries are the healthiest choice for maintaining, as well as improving overall health. Both the USDA’s My Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines urge Americans to choose nutrient-dense foods like strawberries when making healthful food choices. This fall, the ONQI scores will be in more than 5,000 grocery stores with hopes of increasing the ease in which average shoppers make their food purchasing decisions. This chart highlights a range of fruits, vegetables and other popular foods and their scores. Displaying the stellar nutritional profile of strawberries with point of purchase and education information will encourage sales of these all-around nutritious fruits. In addition to being loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients, strawberries are a natural ‘super food’. Eating just eight strawberries a day has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve memory and heart health, reduce the incidence of obesity and lower the risk of some cancers.

Food Fresh Strawberries Raw Spinach Blueberries Apple Banana Grapes Dry, Roasted Almonds Tomato Watermelon Milk (1% Fat) Canned Peas Yogurt Bagel Peanut Butter Instant Chocolate Pudding Pretzel Sticks Soda

Score 100 100 100 96 91 91 82 96 94 81 49 43 23 23 20 11 1

Adding strawberries as part of a balanced lifestyle can improve overall health. These health benefits are already recognized by elite athletes from around the world who requested strawberries to be served at the Beijing Olympics.

The concept of ranking foods based on their nutrient density is not a new one. It has been favored by the nutrition community for providing accurate measurement of a food’s overall nutrition. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutrient-dense foods are those providing the greatest amounts of vitamins and minerals with the fewest calories. The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency that represents an industry of more than 500 growers and 60 shippers and processors of California strawberries. With a focus on food safety education, Commission strategies also include production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy and marketing communications. For more information contact the California Strawberry Commission at 831.724.1301. For access to the above graph: http://public.calstrawberry.info/Reports/Public/Press%20Release%20 Photos/Overall%20Nutrition%20Quality%20 Index%20Graph.jpg ■

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industry

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strawberries

October 2008

More Strawberries, More Antioxidant Absorption

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gricu ltura l Resea rch Service (ARS) scientists have assessed the human body’s capacity for absorbing certain antioxidant compounds in strawberries, and have found that the absorption of one key beneficial plant chemical was not “maxed out” as volunteers ate more of this popular fruit. Foods high in antioxidants may be excellent sources of healthful compounds, and researchers are striving to learn more about their ability to be absorbed and utilized within the human body. The study was conducted at the ARS Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC) in Beltsville, Md., where scientists have pioneered methods for identifying and measuring various plant compounds in fruits and vegetables. Physiologist Janet Novotny, with the BHNRC’s Food Components and Health Laboratory, led the study, which was published recently in the Journal of Nutrition.

Marketed year-round, strawberries are the fifth most consumed fresh fruit in the United States, and consumption more than doubled in the past decade, according to experts. Strawberry’s antioxidants come in the form of both long-established vitamins and newly defined plant chemicals. Berries are particularly well endowed with a series of compounds called anthocyanins—the source of the berries’ blue, purple and red pigments.

In the study, 12 volunteers consumed three different serving sizes of strawberries during three separate treatment periods. Each two-day meal treatment included either 3.5 ounces, 7 ounces, or 14 ounces of blended strawberries, along with a full diet of carefully controlled foods. Each treatment period was separated by a one-week break. The study showed that the human body is capable of assimi-

lating more anthocyanin pigments as intakes increase. The results will help nutrition scientists evaluate the healthful properties of individual anthocyanins and aid plant breeders in developing varieties with optimal anthocyanin content. ARS is a scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit www. ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080821.htm ■

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The 2008 Presidential Election – Where Do The Candidates Stand on Our Issues? Editor’s Note: The following are positions presented by both Presidential candidates on two policy issues critical to the produce industry. The information here is as presented verbatim by each candidate’s campaign. California Fresh Fruit and Raisin News does not officially endorse either candidate, nor do the statements printed here reflect the opinions of the publication. Candidates’ appear in alphabetical order. John McCain Issue: Agricultural Policies John McCain Will Open Foreign Markets to American Farmers. America’s agricultural industry is the best in the world. John McCain will expand access for U.S. agricultural producers to foreign markets, providing a great and lasting benefit to American farmers. He will work tirelessly to ensure our farmers receive fair prices for their products. As president, John McCain will engage the agricultural community and international leaders to move forward a trade agenda that expands access to overseas markets and promotes American agricultural exports. John McCain Has A Strategy to Achieve Fair Trade From Other Countries. As president, John McCain will fight to ensure that U.S. trade policies are in accord with bilateral and WTO trade agreements. At the same time, he will demand the same of our trading partners, and will stand up for producers by holding these partners accountable under existing and future trade agreements. John McCain Will Address the Food Crisis Through Reduction of Trade Barriers and Improved World Markets. With 150 participating countries, the Doha Round negotiations provide a critical opportunity to lower trade barriers, decrease trade distorting subsidies, and stabilize an affordable food supply for all nations. These negotiations have languished for several years. An agreement will only be reached with strong leadership from the United States, and as president, John McCain will provide that leadership. John McCain Supports a Risk Management Program for Farmers. When a farmer suffers from a natural disaster such as droughts or floods, we

should assist them – this is a commitment we have made to our farmers and John McCain will honor it. As president, John McCain will fight on behalf of family farmers to enact reasonable reforms to our crop insurance program and our system of countercyclical and direct payments. John McCain Will Focus Farm Policy on Those With Clear Need. John McCain will veto any bill containing special-interest favors and cor-

porate welfare in any form. As president, John McCain will base our farm policy on the common good, with policies that help our small farmers to succeed, and our rural communities to survive and flourish once again. John McCain opposes providing billions to subsidize large commercial farms— those farms with an average income of $200,000, and an average net worth of $2 million—while American workers and taxpayers struggle to buy food due

to rising prices. As president, McCain will seek to cap subsidies to farmers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000. This will ensure that small farmers are provided with a reasonable safety net, while protecting the taxpayers from subsidizing lucrative corporate farmers. He will fight to put an end to flawed government policies that distort the markets, artificially raise prices for consumers, and pit producers against consumers.

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October 2008 John McCain Supports a 21st Century Green Revolution. Growing better crops using less land, water and natural resources requires a robust scientific research agenda. As president, John McCain will direct the USDA to carry out a comprehensive research approach to help develop more drought resistant higher yield crops and increase production per acre. This will not only be critical to addressing our worldwide food needs but also necessary to combat global warming. He also will promote conservation programs that encourage maximum environmental stewardship on America’s farmlands, vital to assisting farmers in the protection of wildlife and rivers. John McCain Will Work to Restore Rural Prosperity and Improve Quality of Life. John McCain believes that Rural America can best be served by lower taxes, strong markets, a vibrant economy, high tech connectivity, protection from natural disasters, better choice and availability of health insurance, better quality education, and retirement security. John McCain Will Combat Hunger at Home. John McCain supports fully funding Food and Nutrition Programs and carrying out a robust Emergency Food Assistance Program at a time when high food prices are hurting the neediest among us. He supports indexing food stamps to reflect the current cost of living and he would fill shortfalls in the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Senator McCain also supports providing marketing tools for the fruit and vegetable industry focused on promoting healthier American diets. John McCain Supports Exercising Regulatory Waiver Authorities to Ease Unexpected Burdens Imposed on Consumers. John McCain is opposed to federal policies that divert over 25 percent of corn out of the food supply and into subsidized ethanol production. Unless action is taken, up to 30 percent of corn will go to ethanol production in order to comply with the 2007 law requiring fuel marketers to blend 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol into the nation’s fuel supplies by 2015. This policy will only exacerbate the global food crisis. As president, John McCain will ensure the EPA exercises its authority to waive this mandate or restructure it to ease the unintended consequences it will have on America’s economy.

Issue: Immigration John McCain believes America’s immigration system is broken. He is committed to a twostep process to reform. Securing Our Borders First. John McCain’s top immigration priority is to finish securing our borders in an expedited manner. Governors of

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border states will be required to certify that the border is secure. Steps to border security include: • Setting clear guidelines and objectives for securing the border through physical and virtual barriers. • Ensuring that adequate funding is provided for resources on the ground, but also training facilities, support staff and the deployment of technologies. • Dedicating funding to US Attorney’s offices in border states • Implementing sound policies for contracting Department of Homeland Security software and infrastructure. • Deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other aircraft where needed and appropriate in the border region. • Continue implementation of the US-VISIT comprehensive visitor security program. Comprehensive Immigration Initiatives for a Secure Nation. Once the borders are secure, John McCain will: Prosecute “Bad-Actor” Employers. John McCain will implement a secure, accurate, and reliable electronic employment verification system to ensure that individuals are screened for work eligibility in a real-time fashion. John McCain will use this new system in conjunction with other Department of Homeland Security resources to identify and aggressively prosecute employers that continue to hire illegal immigrants. The Electronic Employment Verification System will: • Establish a user-friendly system employing a limited set of secure documents that contain biometric data and are electronically verifiable to check a worker’s identity. • Provide responses to employer inquiries in a prompt and timely manner to provide both the employer and employee security in their hiring decisions. • Update and ensure the accuracy of current databases of government agencies that play a role in employment verification. • Protect the identities of each employee being screened and allow both employer and employee adequate time and opportunity to correct possible errors with any information in the system. • Institute targeted auditing by Department of Labor in order to weed out employers abusing the system. Meet America’s Labor Needs. John McCain will implement temporary worker programs that will reflect the labor needs of the United States in both the high-tech and low skilled sectors while protecting the employment opportunities for US workers: w w w

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Highly Skilled workers: • Ensure high skilled workers trained and educated in the United States have the opportunity to stay and work in the United

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States upon graduation. • Reform caps for H-1B visa program to rise and fall in response to market conditions. Reduce bureaucracy and waiting times for workers to arrive in the United States.

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• Increase available green card numbers to reflect employer and employee demand. • Extend the ability for H-1B visa holders to renew their H-1B status while waiting for their green card number to become available. • Ensure available and qualified American workers are given adequate and fair opportunities to apply for available positions.

Low-skilled non-agricultural workers: • Implement a usable, market based system for low-skilled workers to enter the United States in an orderly fashion. • Ensure that the cap rises and falls with market demand to meet the changing needs of the economy. • Provide for adequate worker protection to guard against employer abuses of temporary workers. • Protect American workers by designing a program that allows willing and eligible United States workers adequate opportunity to apply for available positions. • Ensure that workers return to their home countries after their temporary period in the United States. • Allow for appropriate visa renewals to assure that both the employer and employee have stability in the workforce. • Offer a limited number of green cards to reflect the small number of workers that may wish to remain in the United States permanently.

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Low-skilled agricultural workers: • Reform the H-2A visa program to provide a non-bureaucratic, adaptable, useable program that is reflective of market needs and protects both the immigrant and US workers. Address the Undocumented. John McCain will address the fact that we have a large number undocumented individuals living in the United States and working in our economy: All undocumented individuals will be required to enroll in a program to resolve their status. This program will use background checks to identify criminal aliens for prosecution and deportation. • Assure that the remaining undocumented immigrants learn English, pay back taxes and fines, and pass a citizenship course as part of a path to legal status. • Guarantee that no person here illegally receives a green card before those that have been legally waiting outside the country. • Do a proper accounting of all social security numbers used and attained illegally, rectifying the accounts and alerting those whose identity had been compromised. The program will also ensure that all undocumented aliens either leave or follow the path to legal residence. America cannot permit a permanent category of individuals that do not have recognized status – a permanent second class. In addition, the program will provide a system that is fair, humane, realistic, and ensures the rights of the individual and families will be protected.

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C A L I F O R N I A F RE S H F R U I T Between 1992 and 2004, there were more than 450 manure spills from CAFOs in Iowa, killing millions of fish and jeopardizing public health. Rural communities are often left behind: Rural communities often struggle to attract capital because of lack of infrastructure and remote distances. There is less access to quality doctors, and schools have trouble recruiting teachers.

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Barack Obama’s Plan Ensure Economic Opportunity For Family Farmers Strong Safety Net for Family Farmers: Obama will fight for farm programs that provide family farmers with stability and predictability. Obama will implement a $250,000 payment limitation so that we help family farmers — not large corporate agribusiness. Obama will close the loopholes that allow mega farms to get around the limits by subdividing their operations into multiple paper corporations. Prevent Anticompetitive Behavior Against Family Farms: Obama is a strong supporter of a packer ban. When meatpackers own livestock they can manipulate prices and discriminate against independent farmers. Obama will strengthen anti-monopoly laws and strengthen producer protections to ensure independent farmers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and transparency in prices. Regulate CAFOs: Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency will strictly regulate pollution from large CAFOs, with fines for those that violate tough standards. Obama also supports meaningful local control. Establish Country of Origin Labeling: Obama supports immediate implementation of the Country of Origin Labeling law so that American producers can distinguish their products from imported ones. Encourage Organic and Local Agriculture: Obama will help organic farmers afford to certify their crops and reform crop insurance to not penalize organic farmers. He also will promote regional food systems. Encourage Young People to Become Farmers: Obama will establish a new program to identify and train the next generation of farmers. He will also provide tax incentives to make it easier for new farmers to afford their first farm. Partner with Landowners to Conserve Private Lands: Obama will increase incentives for farmers and private landowners to conduct sustainable agriculture and protect wetlands, grasslands, and forests.

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16 Support Rural Economic Development Support Small Business Development: Obama will provide capital for famers to create value-added enterprises, like cooperative marketing initiatives and farmer-owned processing plants. He also will establish a small business and micro-enterprise initiative for rural America. Connect Rural America: Barack Obama will ensure that rural Americans have access to a modern communications infrastructure. He will modernize an FCC program that supports rural phone service so that it promotes affordable broadband coverage across rural America as well. Promote Leadership in Renewable Energy: Obama will ensure that our rural areas continue their leadership in

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the renewable fuels movement. This will transform the economy, especially in rural America, which is poised to produce and refine more American biofuels and provide more wind power than ever before, and create millions of new jobs across the country.

Improve Rural Quality Of Life Combat Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine use has increased 156 percent nationwide since 1996. Obama has a long record of fighting the meth epidemic. As President, he will continue the fight to rid our communities of meth and offer support to help addicts heal. Improve Health Care: Rural health care providers often get less money from Medicare and Medicaid for the very

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same procedure performed in urban areas. Obama will work to ensure a more equitable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement structure. He will attract providers to rural America by creating a loan forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural areas. He supports increasing rural access to care by promoting health information technologies like telemedicine. Improve Rural Education: Obama will provide incentives for talented individuals to enter the teaching profession, including increased pay for teachers who work in rural areas. Obama will create a Rural Revitalization Program to attract and retain young people to rural America. Obama will increase research and educational funding for Land Grant colleges. Upgrade Rural Infrastructure:

October 2008 Obama will invest in the core infrastructure, roads, bridges, locks, dams, water systems and essential air service that rural communities need.

Issue: Immigration The Problem Undocumented population is exploding: The number of undocumented immigrants in the country has increased more than 40 percent since 2000. Every year, more than a halfmillion people come illegally or illegally overstay their visas. Immigration bureaucracy is broken: The immigration bureaucracy is broken and overwhelmed, forcing legal immigrants to wait years for applications. Immigration raids are ineffective: Despite a sevenfold increase in recent years, immigration raids only netted 3,600 arrests in 2006 and have placed all the burdens of a broken system onto immigrant families.

Barack Obama’s Plan Create Secure Borders Obama wants to preserve the integrity of our borders. He supports additional personnel, infrastructure and technology on the border and at our ports of entry.

Improve Our Immigration System Obama believes we must fix the dysfunctional immigration bureaucracy and increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.

Remove Incentives to Enter Illegally Obama will remove incentives to enter the country illegally by cracking down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants.

Bring People Out of the Shadows Obama supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.

Work with Mexico Obama believes we need to do more to promote economic development in Mexico to decrease illegal immigration. To learn more about John McCain’s positions, visit www.johnmccain.com. To learn more about Barack Obama’s positions, visit www.barackobama.com ■ w w w

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The 2008 Farm Bill: Plenty of Opportunities for Fruit Producers By Anita Brown Natural Resources Conservation Service

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hat’s in the Farm Bill’s Conservation Programs For You? You Might be Surprised. California hasn’t always been a big Farm Bill player in the past, but that’s changing. The new 2008 Farm Bill was passed in May and producers unaware of “what’s in it for them” could be leaving a lot on the table. One thing is sure—plenty of producers are tapping into the conservation expertise and funds being made available, and those opportunities have just grown substantially. Last year, 3,290 farmers, ranchers and other landowners entered one of USDA’s 55 California conservation offices and walked away with professional technical services—from engineering to agronomy to soil science to biology. Not only was this service free, producers walked away with 1,227 contracts paying them for half or more of the cost of the projects they were pursuing. Because of the 2008 Farm Bill,

there is some $3.7 billion of new money authorized to continue and expand conservation opportunities. While there are a variety of cost

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share and easement programs, the most popular and well funded is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP—see a fact sheet on

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the new program at www.ca.nrcs. usda.gov) So, are California fruit producers tapping into these resources? And,

C A L I F O R N I A F RE S H F R U I T if so, what sort of projects are they hatching in those conservation offices, overseen by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)? Alan Forkey, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS in California, points out that numbers of fruit producers coming to their offices are a little hard to estimate since the Agency keeps records according to the natural resources being protected, rather than the crop being produced. “If you want to pursue projects to protect water, air, soil, or wildlife it’s our mission to help— whether you produce peaches or rice or cattle—or all three.” NRCS field conservationists in California estimate, however, that about one-third of their customers grow specialty crops. Some of the reasons these customers come to their offices include seeking help on conserving water; stopping erosion or improving soil quality; applying integrated pest management (IPM) principles; and exploring ways to comply with air and water quality regulations. (Working with NRCS is strictly voluntary and the Agency has no regulatory role, but NRCS conservationists can help producers develop conservation plans that help them comply with state and federal regulations). While any natural resource concern is fair game, Forkey says that a frequent request is for water conservation assistance. “In California everyone is interested in having a highly efficient water system,” he says. Conservationists can help to review the system you have now and develop a plan to optimize both the hardware (pipes, emitters, valves, pumps etc.) and the management (water timing, rate, duration, placement) to make every drop count. Another large and expanding area of assistance for fruit growers is for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), according to Forkey. Lowering or eliminating pesticide use not only cuts production costs, it also protects soil, water and air quality and is eli-

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gible for cost share payments in many counties. For IPM assistance NRCS works in concert with the University of California Cooperative Extension Service (http://www.ipm.ucdavis. edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html). Using UCCE recommendations, NRCS helps to customize these to a given grower. Cost share payments for those who practice year round comprehensive plans (currently available for 16 crops including citrus, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and strawberries) may go as high as $125/acre. Other conservation projects undertaken on the State’s orchards and vineyards include soil protection and enhancement, and air quality protection. While working on soil protection dates to the very origin of NRCS (formerly the Soil Conservation Service formed in the 1930s Dust Bowl), air quality is a relatively new but growing arena for the Agency. For California fruit growers methods of improving

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air quality could include IPM, farm road treatments to tame dust, chipping prunings rather than burning them, and replacing diesel engines with more efficient ones—an important issue as air quality restrictions become ever more demanding. Through new provisions in the Farm Bill, $37.5 million each year was authorized (nationwide) to help farmers implement innovative ways to address air quality. The specifics of this new provision are still being hammered out and should be available later this year or early in 2009. Forkey stresses that every NRCS local office, overseen by a District Conservationist, works through local partnerships to establish high priority resource concerns. Practices are selected to solve resource problems (e.g. water quality, air quality, soil erosion, etc.) across the broad range of agricultural land uses in that county (e.g. orchard, rangeland, dairy etc.). Influencing this process begins with showing up. First, by working with

conservationists on your own conservation plan and, second, by becoming part of the Local Work Group (LWG) advising the local District Conservationist. To find the local California NRCS office nearest you go to http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/ locator/app?state=CA “The sooner you can visit the NRCS office and speak with the conservationists there about the planning process, the better prepared you will be for participating in the various programs, including the new ones in the 2008 Farm Bill,” says Forkey. “The staff are there to help you. Remember that thousands of California (and U. S) producers have already taken the leap—and now they are getting assistance. That assistance is available to you too.” For more information on the 2008 Farm Bill visit www.usda.gov/wps/portal/farmbill2008?navid=FARMBILL 2008 ■

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October 2008

Legislating Through the Ballot – California Does It Best

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n an era when electing members of the state legislature should indicate that the business of the people will be managed, Californians find themselves increasingly forced to make the really tough decisions. The impending November election is no exception, as voters of that state must make decisions on 12 different issues. The following is a synopsis of those ballot measures compiled by the League of Women Voters of California in their Easy Voter Guide. (The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization that in its education role presents unbiased, nonpartisan information to facilitate informed and active participation in government.) While these referenda are unique to California in this specific election, the issues represented are a sampling of the numerous topics governments nationwide are grappling with and in many cases, failing to address.

Proposition 1A: Bonds for High-Speed Rail Proposed by the State Legislature The way it is now: In 1996, the California HighSpeed Rail Authority was created to plan and build an electric-powered, high-speed rail system linking California’s major cities. The Rail Authority estimates that the total cost

to finish planning and then build the entire system is about $45 billion. The funds are expected to come from federal, state and local governments, as well as private sources. What Prop 1A would do if it passes: Allow the state to sell $9.95 billion in bonds to continue planning and start building the high-speed rail system. About $9 billion of this bond money would be used to provide part of the funds for the core route between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim and possible extensions. The remaining $950 million would be spent on local and other state rail systems. Prop 1A requires funding plans to be in place before the bonds can be sold. Fiscal effect on government: • State costs of about $19.4 billion over 30 years to pay off the bonds plus interest. Payments would average $647 million per year. • State costs of about $1 billion a year to run the high-speed rail system. These costs would be at least partly offset by train ticket sales. People for Prop 1A say: • This new rail system will give us a more efficient way to travel between cities that will be better for the environment. • This will reduce California’s need for foreign oil and help our over-

crowded freeways and airports. http://www.californiahighspeedtrains.com/ People against Prop 1A say: • Our budget crisis is already forcing cuts to schools, healthcare and more. These funds could be spent on improving our existing roads and transit systems. • There is no guarantee this highspeed rail system will ever be finished.

Proposition 2: Treatment of Farm Animals Initiative The way it is now:

State law makes it illegal to be cruel to animals. For example, animals in enclosed areas must have shelter, food, water and room to exercise. People who break these laws may be fined or sent to jail or both. What Prop 2 would do if it passes: Make it illegal to keep certain farm animals in a way that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. Prop 2 covers pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal and hens that lay eggs. The law would begin in 2015. People who break the law could be fined up to $1,000 or sent to jail or both.

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C A L I F O R N I A F RE S H F R U I T Fiscal effect on government: Possible small changes in costs and revenues to local and state governments. People for Prop 2 say: • Prop 2 will stop the cruel and inhumane treatment of farm animals that are now kept in cramped or overcrowded cages. • This lowers the risk of spreading animal diseases and protects the environment from air pollution and waste from factory farms. http://www.yesonprop2.org/ People against Prop 2 say: • Prop 2 is extreme and not needed. There are already laws in place to stop cruel treatment of animals. • This will increase grocery prices of California eggs and other farm products, put farmers out of business, and cost us much-needed jobs. http://www.safecaliforniafood.org/

Proposition 3: Bonds for Children’s Hospitals Initiative The way it is now: Children’s hospitals in California treat over one million children facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries each year. Voters approved $750 million in bonds for children’s hospitals in November 2004. About $400 million of those bonds have been sold. What Prop 3 would do if it passes: Allow state government to sell $980 million in bonds for improvements to children’s hospitals in California. The money would be used to expand, remodel and provide updated equipment for these hospitals. Fiscal effect on government: State costs of about $2 billion over 30 years to pay off the bonds plus interest. Payments would average about $64 million per year. People for Prop 3 say: • Children’s hospitals save hundreds of lives each day but do not have enough room to treat all of the children who are sent to them. • Hospitals would be able to buy up-to-date equipment to treat babies born early or with defective organs.http://www.imaginewithus. org/ People against Prop 3 say: • Hundreds of millions of dollars for children’s hospitals are still left from bonds passed in 2004 that have not been spent. • Although these funds would go to hospitals that serve children, Prop 3 does not guarantee that the money will be spent on actual services for children. http://www. limittaxes.org/

initiatives

About Abortion

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Initiative Constitutional Amendment The way it is now: A pregnant minor (an unmarried girl under 18 years old) can get an abortion in California without telling her parents. What Prop 4 would do if it passes: Change the State Constitution to require a doctor to notify the minor’s parent or guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion. The law does not require a parent to agree to the abortion, but the parent must be told about it. Parental notification would not be required in the case of a medical emergency or if the minor gets approval from a juvenile court judge. In some cases, a doctor could notify an adult family member other than a parent. Fiscal effect on government: Possible state costs of several million dollars per year for health and welfare programs and court expenses. People for Prop 4 say: • A pregnant minor needs the support of a parent or guardian before and after she decides what to do about her pregnancy. • Minors hiding an abortion from their parents may delay getting help for medical problems after the abortion. http://www.yeson4.net/ People against Prop 4 say: • Minors who are afraid to tell their parents, or are too scared to go to a juvenile court judge, may try to get unsafe abortions. • Laws cannot force good communication in families, and Prop 4 does not help minors in families with poor communication. http://www.

Proposition 5: Rehabilitation of Nonviolent Criminal Offenders Initiative The way it is now: The state has drug treatment programs for some nonviolent criminal offenders. Some offenders can enter “diversion programs” where they can get drug treatment instead of going to jail. The state also has rehabilitation programs, but those services are often not available to inmates and parolees due to lack of money or space. What Prop 5 would do if it passes: Expand the types of offenders that are eligible for drug treatment diversion programs and increase the services they can receive. Prop 5 also requires more rehabilitation programs for offenders while they are in prison, on parole and afterwards. Prop 5 makes many changes affecting offenders on parole and reduces penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Fiscal effect on government: This could cost the state more than $1 billion per year for drug treatment and rehabilitation, but it could save the state about the same amount on prisons and parole costs. There could also be a one-time net state savings of more than $2.5 billion in building costs for new prisons that would not be needed if Prop 5 passes. People for 5 say: • Prop 5 will get nonviolent offenders and drug addicts into programs that will help them stay out of our

overcrowded jails and prisons. • California inmates and parolees are not getting enough rehabilitation services to help them re-enter society successfully. http://www. prop5yes.com/ People against 5 say: • Prop 5 will let people convicted of domestic violence, identity theft and other crimes get out of going to jail by going into drug treatment programs instead. • This shortens the parole time for methamphetamine dealers and other drug felons. http://www. noonproposition5.com/

Proposition 6: Public Safety Spending and Criminal Penalties Initiative The way it is now: Currently the state spends about $10 billion per year to run the prison system, which has about 171,000 inmates. Local governments are primarily responsible for funding community law enforcement. What Prop 6 would do if it passes: • Require an additional $365 million to be spent by the state on specific local law enforcement and criminal justice programs, beginning in 2009-10, and ensure certain programs get inflation-related increases. • Increase the penalties for certain crimes, especially those related to gang members. • Increase the number of parole officers. • Make several other changes in procedures used by law enforce-

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ment and courts. Fiscal effect on government: • New state spending that would increase to more than $500 million a year to pay for local law enforcement and criminal justice programs. • One-time state costs of about $500 million to build prisons to house additional inmates due to tougher penalties. People for Prop 6 say: • Prop 6 will bring more police and increased safety to our streets, along with more juvenile crime prevention. • Gang members who commit violent felony crimes will spend more time in prison, and we will have better ways to track them when they are released. http://www.safeneighborhoodsact.com/

People against Prop 6 say: • Prop 6 will waste billions on unproven programs, taking money away from other important programs like schools and fire protection. • Several anti-gang programs were started in local communities around the state in 2007, and we need to give them more time to work. http://www.votenoprop6.com/

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Initiative The way it is now: Electric utility companies in California generate most of the electricity they sell from “nonrenewable” resources (such as coal and natural gas). They generate a small amount

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of the electricity they sell from “renewable” resources (such as solar and wind). State law sets the goal of using renewable energy resources to generate 20% of California’s electricity by the year 2010. That law does not currently apply to electric utility companies that are owned by a local government. What Prop 7 would do if it passes: • Require all electric utility companies, including those owned by a government, to generate at least 20% of the electricity they sell from renewable resources by 2010. • Set new, higher goals for all electric utility companies in California: 40% of electricity from renewable resources by 2020 and 50% by 2025. • Change the penalties companies must pay when they fail to meet

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the renewable energy goals. • Provides exceptions that allow electric utility companies to avoid penalties when they fail to meet the renewable energy goals. Prop 7 makes many other changes affecting electric utility companies. Fiscal effect on government: A small increase in state costs would probably be covered by the new fees the state would collect. Prop 7’s effect on electricity rates is unknown, so the effect on state and local government costs and revenues is also unknown. People for Prop 7 say: • We can do better than dirty coal and nuclear power. Using more renewable resources will help the environment. • Prop 7 will make California a leader in clean power and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. http://www.yeson7.net/ People against Prop 7 say: • Prop 7 will shut small renewable energy electric utility companies out of California’s market and disrupt the renewable energy work in progress. • It will increase our electricity bills and taxpayer costs without achieving its stated goals. http://www. noprop7.com/

Proposition 8: Ban on Gay Marriage Initiative Constitutional Amendment The way it is now: In 2000, voters passed a law stating that marriage between a man and a woman was the only legal kind of marriage in California. In a May 2008 ruling, the California Supreme Court said the State Constitution gives samesex couples the right to marry. What Prop 8 would do if it passes: • Change the State Constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. This would mean that same-sex couples do not have a right to marry. • Fiscal effect on government: Possible losses in sales tax revenues over the next few years due to fewer weddings. In the long run, there would be little fiscal impact to government. People for Prop 8 say: • Prop 8 restores the definition of marriage approved by the voters in 2000 and puts it in the State Constitution. • California still has a “domestic partners” law that gives same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as married spouses. http:// www.protectmarriage.com/ People against Prop 8 say: • California’s Constitution guarantees the same rights for everyone,

C A L I F O R N I A F RE S H F R U I T and marriage is a right. • Domestic partnerships are not the same as marriage. It’s unfair that some people can enjoy the dignity of marriage and others cannot. http://www.noonprop8.com/

Proposition 9: Victims’ Rights Init iat ive C onst it ut iona l Amendment The way it is now: Victims of crime have certain rights under California’s Constitution and laws. These include the right to speak up at sentencing and parole hearings. Victims also have the right to be paid back for their losses (called “restitution”), although current law allows some convicted criminals not to pay. What Prop 9 would do if it passes: Add new rights for victims of crime and strengthen the rights they now have. For example, every convicted criminal who has caused a loss would have to pay restitution to the victim. The victim’s safety would have to be taken into account when deciding bail or parole. Prop 9 also changes the State Constitution to stop prisons and jails from letting offenders out early to reduce overcrowding. Prop 9 would also make changes to the state’s parole process, such as increasing the time some prisoners wait for their parole hearing. Fiscal effect on government: • Higher costs to state and county governments in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year if prisoners are kept in jail or prison longer. • Net savings in the low tens of millions of dollars a year because of the changes to parole. People for Prop 9 say: • With Prop 9 crime victims would get the same rights to due process as the rights criminals have. • Prop 9 will keep politicians from letting dangerous prisoners out early in order to lower over-crowding problems in prisons and jails. http:// www.friendsofmarsyslaw.org/ People against Prop 9 say: • The rights of victims are already protected, and the way they are enforced should not be added to the State Constitution. • Prop 9 is unnecessary and would take money away from other government programs like education and healthcare.

initiatives

and wind) and alternative fuels (such as natural gas). What Prop 10 would do if it passes: Allow the state to sell $5 billion in bonds to raise money for more programs to support alternative fuels and renewable energy. Much of this money would be spent on rebates to encourage Californians to buy vehicles that use less gasoline or use some other fuel. Some of this money would be used for research and development of new kinds of power that are better for the environment. Fiscal effect on government: • State costs of approximately $10 billion over 30 years to pay off the bonds plus interest. Payments would average $335 million per year. • State costs to run Prop 10 programs would be about $10 million per year for 10 years. People for Prop 10 say: • Prop 10 rebates will help more Californians afford cars and trucks that are better for the environment and cost less to run. • This reduces California’s need for foreign oil and helps our state base more of its economy on clean power. http://www.prop10yes.com/ People against Prop 10 say: • Prop 10 takes taxpayer dollars from other budget priorities when we already have several programs in place to encourage clean power. • Bonds should be saved for longterm investments like bridges and buildings, not short-term programs like car rebates. http:// www.noonproposition10.org/

Proposition 11: Redistricting Initiative Constitutional Amendment

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The way it is now: Each federal and state lawmaker represents the people in a certain legislative district. Every 10 years, maps outlining the borders for legislative districts must be redrawn to make sure each district continues to have about the same number of people. This process is called “redistricting.” The state legislature has the job of drawing district maps for the 80 seats in the State Assembly, the 40 seats in the State Senate and California’s seats in the United States Congress. What Prop 11 would do if it passes: Change the State Constitution to give a 14-member citizens redistricting commission the job of drawing district maps for seats in the State Assembly and State Senate. The commission would be made up of registered voters (5 Democrats, 5 Republicans and 4 members who do not belong to either major party). Prop 11 includes rules for selecting the commission members and for a public process for drawing new district maps for state offices. Prop 11 leaves the state legislature in charge of redrawing the district maps for California’s U.S. Congress seats. Fiscal effect on government: No significant increases in state spending. People for Prop 11 say: • Prop 11 ends the current system of politicians drawing district maps in ways that makes it very easy for them to get reelected. • If we have more competitive elections, politicians will be more accountable to the voters. http:// www.yesonprop11.org/ People against Prop 11 say: • Instead of districts being drawn by legislators elected by the people,

they will be drawn by commissioners picked by state administrators. • Because it does not cover U.S. Congress, Prop 11 sets up two different processes for drawing district maps. http://www.noonprop11.org/

Proposition 12: Bonds for Veterans’ Home Loans Proposed by the State Legislature The way it is now: California veterans can buy homes and farms with low-interest loans provided by the Cal-Vet program. The money for these loans is raised by selling state bonds. Monthly payments from veterans have covered all costs of the Cal-Vet program. What Prop 12 would do if it passes: Allow the state to sell $900 million in bonds to provide more money for the Cal-Vet program. This amount would be enough for loans to at least 3,600 veterans. Fiscal effect on government: No net cost to the state is expected since the veterans’ payments have covered all costs of the Cal-Vet program in the past. People for Prop 12 say: • This gives veterans low-interest loans to buy homes, which is a way to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice. People against Prop 12 say: • Veterans who served in combat or in a combat zone should be given loans before other veterans since funds are limited. To learn more about the November 2008 ballot initiatives visit http:// ca.lwv.org/lwvc/edfund/elections/index. html ■

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2008 Expo features...

November 13 - 14, 2008 monterey county fairgrounds monterey, california www.sustainableagexpo.org

Progressive trade show with products and services supporting sustainable farming Keynote Speaker: Michael Dimock, President, Roots of Change Seminars on a wide range of relevant and timely issues including: Food Safety & Water Quality Labor Management Renewable Energy Sustainable Certification Programs Crop Specific Research Updates Carbon Footprint/Lifecycle Evaluations Renewable Energy Sustainability in the Marketplace Nutrient Management LBAM Program Update Succession Planning Workshop

Proposition 10: Bonds for Alternative Energy Initiative The way it is now: The state has a number of programs to help reduce California’s use of “nonrenewable” energy sources (such as coal and oil). The programs encourage energy efficiency and use of “renewable” energy (such as solar

11 hours of continuing education for PA, PCA, QAL including 2 laws & regs hours applied for. Exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities available. w w w

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Causes and effects of high food prices to be discussed

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ecord-high farm commodity prices, like oil prices, have begun to fall in recent weeks, but prices of several commodities remain at double or more than double their levels of two years ago. To show the bigger picture surrounding food prices, a symposium will be hosted by the University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics and the UC Agricultural Issues Center on October 10. The symposium, “Causes and Consequences of the Food Price Crisis,� will be held Friday, October 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Bancroft Hotel at 268 Bancroft Way in Berkeley, CA. Agricultural economists will summarize results of research on the current food price crisis currently under way at the Agricultural and Resource Economics departments at UC Berkeley and UC Davis. “The likely causes of the increase in food prices include the jump in oil prices, the increase in biofuels demand supported by government policies, government attempts to manipulate imports and exports, increased demand caused by rising income in developing countries, slower growth in agricultural productivity, and the weak U.S. dollar,�

understand the current situation and outlook for the future.� The researchers also examined the relationship between the slowing pace of agricultural research and development and the recent imbalance between productivity and demand growth. In addition to causes of high commodity prices, symposium presenters will discuss the consequences. Higher prices benefit farmers and land owners and harm consumers. California and U.S. farm incomes and land prices reached new records in 2007, and are even higher in 2008. In poor countries, the sudden and extreme jump in prices has caused severe hardship and hunger for the most vulnerable populations, who devote much of their income to food. Since many small farmers are net food buyers, many farm households have suffered from high prices. The long-lasting adverse consequences include physical and mental stunting from malnutrition and reduced schooling for children. said Larry Karp, chair of the UC Berkeley Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. “Statistical analysis of histori-

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“Fingerprinting” Helps Make Great Grapes

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t about this time next year, nearly all of the 2,800 wild, rare and domesticated grapes in a unique northern California genebank will have had their “genetic profile” or “fingerprint” taken. These fingerprints may help grape breeders pinpoint plants in the col-

lection that have unusual traits— ones that might appeal to shoppers in tomorrow’s supermarkets. Other grapes might be ideal for scientists who are doing basic research. That’s according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) plant geneticist Mallikarjuna Aradhya. He’s heading the grape fingerprinting venture. The grape collection that Aradhya is fingerprinting encompasses vineyards and screened enclosures, called “screenhouses.” It

is part of what’s officially known as the ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Tree Fruit and Nut Crops and Grapes, in Davis, Calif. To glean a distinctive genetic fingerprint of each member of the collection, Aradhya uses pieces of genetic material—or DNA—known as microsatellite markers. Eight markers are all that are needed for a genetic fingerprint of more familiar grapes, like close relatives of those already used for making wine or raisins or for eating out-of-hand. But the lesser-known ones—wild

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grapes and some prized types from China, for instance—require twice as many markers for reliable identification. That’s due, in part, to the fact that the taxonomy, or relatedness of one kind of grape to another, is quite jumbled, Aradhya noted. He has already fingerprinted 1,100 better-known grapes and 300 wild specimens. ARS is a scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit www.ars. usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080826.htm ■

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NEWSBITES Oriental Fruit Fly Infestation Detected in San Bernardino County

In early September, the California Department of Food

and Agriculture began an eradication program for the Oriental fruit fly in a 9-square mile area in Loma Linda, San Bernardino County. Two fruit flies were detected in traps in the area. The Oriental fruit fly is known

to destroy over 230 different fruit, vegetable and plant commodities. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots that tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption. “Oriental fruit flies are a serious threat to the environment and agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “We must respond quickly to minimize risk whenever we detect a new infestation.” Eradication relies upon a process known as “male attractant,” in which workers squirt a small patch of fly attractant mixed with a very small dose of pesticide to utility poles, approximately 8 feet off the ground. Males are attracted to the mixture and consume the pesticide and die. The treatment is non-intrusive and has repeatedly proven successful over many years. Treatments will be repeated at two-week intervals for two life cycles beyond the last fly find, with a minimum of four applications. The designated treatment area is south of I-10, between S. Waterman Ave to the west and Nevada St. to the east Oriental fruit flies were first found in California in 1960. A number of major infestations have been successfully eradicated since then. Southern San Diego County Placed Under Pest Quarantine to Prevent Spread of Asian Citrus Psyllid In an effort to prevent the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid in California, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have placed part of southern San Diego County under a quarantine that regulates the movement of citrus and closely-related plants. The county’s major citrus-producing region lies to the north of the boundary and is not included in the quarantine, which is designed to protect California’s citrus-

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producing regions from the pest. The quarantine follows the detection of more than 250 Asian citrus psyllids in the South Bay Terrace area of San Diego over the last two weeks, as well as the detection of a single psyllid in the community of Dulzura, 23 miles away, which was confirmed this morning. CDFA and USDA are working with county officials and growers to implement the quarantine. The Asian citrus psyllid can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease. There is no indication that the psyllids detected in San Diego carried HLB. However, to ensure the pests are disease free, the USDA is running additional tests “We are taking this preventive measure to stop the spread of this pest and protect our citrus crops,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “This pest can carry a very serious disease that has the potential to cripple citrus plants beyond repair, so we are moving swiftly with this preventive measure to quarantine the area where the pest was found.” All citrus and closely related plant species are susceptible host plants for both the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. There is no cure for HLB once a citrus tree becomes infected. The diseased tree will produce inedible fruit and decline in health until it dies. The states of Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Alabama have all detected the Asian citrus psyllid but not the HLB disease. Florida and Louisiana have detected both the pest and the disease. Since the disease was first detected in Florida in 2005, it has spread to all 32 citrus-producing counties throughout the state. A population of the pest just south of the international border, in Tijuana, is not carrying the disease. The quarantine area includes 1,181 square-miles and extends from the international border with Mexico up the coast to Highway 78, east to Ramona, and south along local roads and highways to the international border at Tecate, Mexico. A detailed map of the quarantine boundary is

C A L I F O R N I A F RE S H F R U I T available online at http://www.cdfa. ca.gov/phpps/acp/maps/quarantine/ ACP_QUA R _ SA NDI EGO_ 08 _ web.pdf All harvested citrus in the quarantine area must be commercially cleaned and packed before it can be moved out of the area. Nursery host plants may not be moved out of the quarantined area and the movement of cut greens, green waste and citrus fruit will be regulated and enforced by federal, state and county quarantine officials. Residents are urged to consume back yard citrus fruit at home and to refrain from transporting their back yard citrus, as well as citrus plants, out of the area. California’s $1.1 billion citrus industry ranks second in the U.S. after Florida. California’s total citrus production has averaged 3.2 million tons per season over the past three seasons, about 24 percent of the nation’s total. California is the nation’s main source (80 percent) of fresh-market oranges, while Florida grows oranges mainly for juice. California also supplies 87 percent of the nation’s lemons (Source: USDA Economic Research Service). Farmers: Efficiency is One Answer, Not the Answer Emphasizing the need for a balanced, comprehensive solution to California water problems, the leader of the state’s largest agricultural organization said farmers and ranchers have a “long and strong history of efficient water use.” While outlining farmers’ work to grow more food with less water, California Farm Bureau Federation President Doug Mosebar disputed an academic report released today that claims on-farm efficiency can replace the need for new water development. “Improved efficiency of water use will certainly be a key in meeting California water needs. We favor continued efficiency improvements on farms and ranches, in homes and businesses, and in the use of water to meet environmental goals,” Mosebar said. But he said “a whole variety of strategies” will be needed to meet California water demands, including efficiency, water recycling and new water storage, adding, “by itself, improved efficiency just won’t do enough to meet the water needs of California’s growing population.” He noted that the amount of water used on California farms is almost the same as 40 years ago, yet tonnage of crops produced has increased 89 percent in that same time. Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley alone have invested more than $500 million in improved irrigation equipment just since 2004, according to the Agricultural Water Management Council.

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“We can’t ignore the significant improvements that farmers and ranchers have already made,” Mosebar said. “Farm Bureau has been surveying its members about the effects of water supply cutbacks. Many report they’re already operating at peak efficiency, but water supplies are stretched too thin and farmers have had to reduce production or abandon crops.” The think-tank report says farm-

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ers should change crops based on their water use. Mosebar said farmers must remain free to choose crops based on consumer demand and on appropriate climate and soil conditions. “Any water policies that California adopts must recognize the importance of growing food to sustain our increasing population,” he said. “Californians want more locally grown food and our state

has unique combinations of soil, climate and expertise that allow us to produce large amounts of topquality food and farm products. That’s an environmental resource, an economic resource and a national-security resource.” The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of 92,000 members statewide. ■

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calendar

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Calendar of Events October 1-3, 2008 United Fresh Produce Association Training for a Recall, Communicating Under Fire Seminar Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles. For more information, visit www2.unitedfresh.org/forms/MeetingCalendar/ October 3-4, 2008 U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council East Region Meeting Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www. blueberry.org/calendar.htm October 13-16, 2008 Solar Power International 2008 Conference San Diego, California. For more

information, visit http://www.solarpowerconference.com/ October 14, 2008 California Tree Fruit Agreement Domestic Market Development Subcommittee Meeting 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CTFA Conference Room, 975 I Street, Reedley. For more information, contact Jeff Smutny at jsmutny@caltreefruit.com or 559-638-8260 October 24-27, 2008 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit International Convention and Exposition Orlando, FL. For more information, visit www.pma.com/freshsummit/

October 25, 2008 Allied Wine Grape Growers Fall Wine Cornucopia California State University, Fresno. For more information, visit www. alliedgrapegrowers.org/calendar.html October 29, 2008 California Tree Fruit Agreement Tree Fruit Quality Subcommittee Meeting 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CTFA Conference Room, 975 I Street, Reedley. For more information, contact Gary Van Sickle at gvansickle@ caltreefruit.com or 559-638-8260 November 7, 2008 California Grape and Tree Fruit

League. Board of Directors Meeting The Cliffs at Shell Beach. For more information contact Gabrielle Kirkland at gkirkland@cgtfl.com November 8-9, 2008 The First Sip – Lodi Wine Weekend. Lodi Wineries – locations vary For more information, visit www. lodiwine.com/manager2/publish/ article_426.shtml ■ Have an event coming up? Send it to: editor@myagribusiness.com Subject line: Events For a complete listing of events log onto: www.myfreshfruit.com

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People & Places Oxbo Announces New Market Manager Oxbo International Corporation is pleased to announce Brent Borboa as the new Market Manager for the Korvan line of vineyard products. Borboa will oversee both domestic and international market activity. The Korvan brand includes self-propelled, tow-behind and multi-function grape harvesters as well as a three-row vineyard sprayer and a full line of vineyard tools including tractor mounts (singe & double row), pruners, cordon brushes and other yield and canopy management implements. Borboa comes to Oxbo with 13 years in the agriculture industry, both as a famer and a grower; his family has farmed in California for three generations. Borboa will work out of Oxbo’s Sales and Service location in Kingsburg, California. “I am excited to join the Oxbo team because I believe California needs a long term vision for agriculture, one that includes efficient resource management and leadership in technology and innovation to create financial sustainability for its growers. I believe Oxbo represents this vision with their innovative designs. It is because of these designs that I believe Oxbo has unlimited growth potential, not only in California but also worldwide,” stated Borboa. For more information or to contact Borboa, please call Oxbo at 559-897-7012 or toll free at 888-6-KORVAN.

CAPCA and OFAC Organic Fertilizer Seminar The California Association of California Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) and the Organic Fertilizer Association of California (OFAC) will present a seminar on fertilizer materials acceptable for certified organic production on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 in Salinas. The all day seminar will be held at the Monterey County Farm Advisers’ office building and feature speakers on soil management and the role of fertilizer products in certified organic production. The program is aimed at crop consultants, organic fertilizer retailers and producers, and organic growers. CEU hours will be offered for PCAs and CCAs. Subjects to be covered include: Certified Organic Farming and Fertilizer; Soil Fertility Management for Organic Farming; Use of Compost in Organic Systems; The Role of Humic Acid; plus several other relevant presentations. “The goal of this seminar is to present practical information that will allow organic producers to understand the role of soil fertility or acceptable fertilizer materials in organic production”, said Doug Graham, Chairman of OFAC. Table top exhibit space will be available to companies offering products and services to organic growers. Sponsors of the conference include: California Organic Fertilizers, Grow More, Monterey AgResources, New Era Farm Service, Port Organic Products and Westbridge Agricultural

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Products, Western Farm Service. Registration material will be available in early November for the seminar. More information is availPlums continued from page 8 1992, dries into a visually appealing, shiny, somewhat less wrinkled fruit. It matures 10 to 15 days before Improved French. Muir Beauty was patented and released in 2004. “A farmer could plant sections of all three varieties and really split up the harvest dates that way,” DeBuse said. “I think there is a place in the industry for all of these three dried plums.” Sutter can already be found on California dried plum farms. Selected four years later than Sutter, Muir Beauty is currently being field tested in farmers’ orchards. The success of the UC dried plum breeding program has only encouraged the dried plum industry to request varieties with other favorable characteristics. “We’re looking for a dried plum with unique flavors for the gourmet market,” DeBuse said. “We’re selecting for dried plums with more dried cherry flavor or more apricot flavor. We hope there will be a niche market that would embrace something completely different.” Also on the industry’s wish list are new dried plum varieties with different bloom times. “If the weather is warmer than 80 degrees during bloom, the fruit

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able at www.capca.com or www. organicfertilizerassociation.org or by contacting Steve Beckley at (916) 539-4107 or steve@sbeckley.net. ■ doesn’t set. A springtime heat wave that coincides with bloom can wipe out the entire crop,” DeBuse said. For example, the 2004 crop was severely damaged by a mid-March hot spell. That year total crop value was $72 million, compared to nearly $130 million the year before, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. “The last five springs we’ve had spikes in heat during bloom,” DeBuse said. “Last spring we had a three-day spike and certain areas lost a lot of fruit, but the overall state crop will be good this year. The dried plum industry is desperate to solve this problem.” The dried plum breeding program is now carefully tracking bloom dates of the cultivars under study to help the industry spread out bloom time over a longer period, ensuring a sustainable crop year to year. The industry is also interested in dried plum varieties with better disease control, better pest resistance and better tree structure, ensuring the continued necessity of the proven UC dried plum breeding program long into the future. A two-minute video of Yolo County Fair visitors commenting on the two new dried plum varieties is online at http://ucanr.org/driedplums. ■

season. In fact, they’re so good, you’ll want to make extra for yourself! For more holiday recipes, tips for these recipes or to view a step-by-step video on how to make a classic Pumpkin Roll, visit VeryBestBaking.com.

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Gift-Giving Pumpkin Cranberry Breads Makes 4, 9 x 5-inch loaves 6 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon salt 6 cups granulated sugar 1 can (29 ounces) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 8 large eggs 2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup orange juice or water 2 cups sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease and flour four 9 x 5-inch loaf pans. COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in extra large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large bowl with wire whisk; mix until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir until just moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon 4 cups of batter into each prepared pan. BAKE for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Once completely cooled, wrap loaves in plastic wrap. Nutrition Information per slice: 260 calories, 90 calories from fat, 10g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 35mg cholesterol, 260mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 26g sugars, 3g protein, 45% vitamin A

Spiced Pumpkin Fudge Makes 48, 2 piece servings 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter 2/3 cup (5 fluid-ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk 1/2 cup Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème 1 cup chopped pecans 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract LINE 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil. COMBINE sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, pumpkin, butter and spice in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234° to 240°F (soft-ball stage). QUICKLY STIR in morsels, marshmallow crème, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until morsels are melted. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand on wire rack for 2 hours or until completely cooled. Refrigerate tightly covered. To cut, lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Makes about 3 pounds. Nutrition Information per serving: 150 calories, 60 calories from fat, 7g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 20g sugars, 1g protein

Libby’s Pumpkin Roll Makes 10 servings Cake 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel) 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional) Filling 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Powdered sugar (optional for decoration) For Cake: PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack. For Filling: BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. Cooking Tips Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick. Nutrition Information per serving: 370 calories, 150 calories from fat, 16g total fat, 10g saturated fat, 105mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate, <1g fiber, 43g sugars, 5g protein, 50% vitamin A

Mini Pumpkin Pecan Orange Soaked Cakes Makes 12 cakes 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1 package (18.25 ounces) spice cake mix 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 cup vegetable oil 4 large eggs Orange Syrup (recipe follows) PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 6-cake mini Bundt pans. Sprinkle nuts over bottom. COMBINE cake mix, pumpkin, vegetable oil and eggs in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds or until blended. Beat for 4 minutes on medium speed. Spoon about 1/2 cup into each mold. BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cakes comes out clean. Remove from oven. With back of spoon, carefully pat down dome of each cake to flatten. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling rack(s). Poke holes in cakes with wooden pick. Spoon a tablespoon of Orange Syrup over each cake. Allow syrup to soak in. Cool completely before serving or wrapping for gifts. Orange Syrup: Place 1/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons water and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons orange juice. Nutrition Information per serving: 480 calories, 270 calories from fat, 31g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 80mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 30g sugars, 5g protein, 90% vitamin A, 10% calcium, 10% iron

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FAMILY FEATURES

aked homemade gifts are an easy and delicious way to share the joy of the holidays. This year, indulge family and friends with the spiced goodness of pumpkin treats. Versatile pumpkin is scrumptious in more than just a silky pumpkin pie. These classic recipes deliver on the taste of the season. In fact, they’re so good, you’ll want to make extra for yourself! For more holiday recipes, tips for these recipes or to view a step-by-step video on how to make a classic Pumpkin Roll, visit VeryBestBaking.com.

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Index to Advertisers American Ag Credit www.agloan.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A&P Ag Structures . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ARB Advertising www.arbadvertising.com. . . . . . . . 19 Barn Owl Pellets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 BASF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Brewt Power Systems Inc. www.brewtpowersystems.com. . . . . 14 Bubco www.bubco.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 California Organic Farmers Associaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dave Wilson Nursery www.davewilson.com. . . . . . . . . . . 13 Duarte Trees & Vines www.duartenursery.com. . . . . . . . 25 Fowler Nurseries www.fowlernurseries.com. . . . . . . . . 2 Gerawan www.usedpacklines.com. . . . . . . . . . 5 Gibbs Truck Centers www.gibbstrucks.com. . . . . . . . . . . 19 Gillanders Chiropractic. . . . . . . . 29 Global Organics www.bioflora.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Graylift www.graylift.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Hedrick Auto www.hedrickauto.com. . . . . . . . . . 22 Irrometer Co. www.irrometer.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Jorgensen Company www.jorgensenco.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kay Automotive Distributors www.kayauto.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Kern County Tractor Parts. . . . . . 17 Kingsburg Cultivator Inc. www.kci-mfg.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Kings Canyon Wood Products kcwood@verizon.net . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Lamanuzzi & Pantaleo Dehydrators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 L&H Mfg.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Liebelt Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Lodi Irrigation www.lodiirrigation.com. . . . . . . . . 20 Madera Honda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Midland Tractor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MRI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New Era Farm Service www.newerafarmservice.com. . . . . 24 Organic Gem www.organicgem.com . . . . . . . . . . 19 Pacific Western Container www.pacificwestern.com . . . . . . . . 28 PG&E www.pge.com/agfood. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Progressive Ag Inc. www.proaginc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Progressive Grower Tech. www.ontargetspray.com. . . . . . . . . . 8 Rancho Realty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Reedley Irrigation & Supply Co. www.reedleyirrigation.com. . . . . . . 10

Sierra Gold Nurseries www.sierragoldtrees.com . . . . . . . . 17 South Valley Construction. . . . . . 15 Sun Empire Foods www.sunempirefoods.com. . . . . . . . 18 Superior Soil Supplements www.superiorsoil.com . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sustainable Ag Expo www.sustainableagexpo.org . . . . . . 23

Tallman Ladders www.tallmanladders.com. . . . . . . . 29 T.G. Schmeiser Co., Inc. www.tgschmeiser.com. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tom’s Mobile Cat Services. . . . . . . 6

Tri-Cal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 United Valley Insurance. . . . . . . . 27 Valley Agricultural Software . . . . . 2

Vamco www.vamco.biz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Vintage Nurseries www.vintagenurseries.com. . . . . . . . 4 Water Changers, Inc. www.waterchangers.com . . . . . . . . . 5 Weed Badger www.weedbadger.com. . . . . . . . . . 11 Weldcraft Industries, Inc. www.weldcraftindustries.com. . . . . . 7 Western Farm Service www.westernfarmservice.com. . . . . . 9

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