DECEMBER 2019
Farmers Market thrives year-round Multi-generational winery expands label Farm Credit honored for supporting FFA Ranch donates salad bars to schools A PUBLICATION OF
Gilroy Dispatch | Gonzales Tribune | Greenfield News | Hollister Free Lance King City Rustler | Soledad Bee | Watsonville Pajaronian
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FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE
DECEMBER 2019
WATSONVILLE
Fresh produce all year round WATSONVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET THRIVES EVEN IN WINTER MONTHS By TARMO HANNULA
photo by Tarmo Hannula
BOUNTY OF GREENS Susan Pearlman of Watsonville picks up a variety of fresh organic produce from Esquivel Farms’ stand
at the Watsonville Certified Farmer's Market. three vendors. They’ll be more vendors as the weather gets warmer; we’re in the low season now with six vendors selling produce. Five of them will remain throughout the year. Madrigal said a vendor table costs $40 each Friday for a 10 by 10-foot spot. Madrigal, who got his start at the market 19 years ago as a volunteer through Watsonville High, added that the market maintains a strong relationship with Calfresh. The CalFresh Program, California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and formerly known as Food Stamps, assists low-income individuals and households to purchase nutritional food. “If you are registered with Calfresh, for every $10 you spend, CalFresh matches that,” Madrigal said. “That translates to around $500 every year of money that the market is giving to their customers through the state funded program. Also this year Kaiser Permanente will
be donating $5,000 for our match program next year. We will most likely do double-match incentives in May when we have more produce available for people.” Double-match means that if shoppers use $10 of their CalFresh monies, the market, through Kaiser, will give them another $20 extra during May. Madrigal said that the CalFresh program is a way for federal monies to go to the state and then be spent locally. Additionally, Madrigal said one big difference he sees in produce offered at the market from grocery stores is freshness. He said while many supermarkets aim for longevity of produce, like waxing apples for a better appearance, farmers markets typically don’t maintain that profile, as most of the goods are harvested a day or two before they are sold. “And, of course, the farmers market helps our local economy,” Madrigal said.
photo by Tarmo Hannula
The Watsonville Certified Farmers Market continues to offer an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, and gives back to the community every Friday in downtown Watsonville. While many shoppers stop by for a bag of kettle corn, fresh flowers, eggs, hot prepared foods or a jar of honey, the produce stands offer a wide range of products, many certified organic, to regular shoppers. “I always come here for the organic vegetables,” said Susan Pearlman, who said she moved into the Pajaro Valley in 2015. “I like this stand (Esquivel Farms of Gilroy) because of their wide selection, and they make sure everything is fresh and organic. Today I’m picking up rainbow chard, potatoes, beets, lettuce and carrots. It’s just great that this is here so close to my home.” On Friday Esquivel Farms, Tu Universo Farms of Gilroy, Alberto’s Farm of San Benito County, Perez farms of Watsonville, and Castellanos Farm of Tulare County featured ever ything from potatoes to oranges, several kinds of lettuce and other greens, bell peppers, chili peppers, red, yellow and green onions, celery, carrots, radishes and more. Jesus Castellanos of Castellanos Farm said his farm crew has been selling at the Watsonville market for about 15 years. “Watsonville is about a three hour drive for us but our sales there are pretty good,” he said. “Right now we have three kinds of persimmons, pears, grapes, tangerines, oranges and more. We sell at many different farmers markets.” Jesus Madrigal, market manager and president, said he sees a lot of regulars at the market, some coming away with more than one box packed with produce every week. “There are a lot of teachers from Watsonville High School and many retired people that are very loyal to this market,” he said. “Some of them I see visiting
Organic rainbow chard from Esquivel Farms is featured at the Watsonville Farmers Market.
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DECEMBER 2019
GILROY
A farming way of life BESSON FAMILY VINEYARDS, NOW IN FOURTH GENERATION, EXPANDS LABEL By LAURA NESS
farming way of life, and to establish a new tradition for the next generation to nurture. After decades of selling grapes to others, the sole member of the fourth generation of the family, Denise Besson, decided to make wine with her family’s name on it. “We wanted to share this special place, and these beautiful old vines, with others,” she said, gesturing towards the old vine grenache, their trunks gnarled by more than a century of growth. These vines have seen so much change in the world since they were planted: two world wars, the Great Depression, Prohibition, wine in cans, the birth of the internet and a worldwide obsession with cell phones. Yet the vines live on, unfazed, determined to produce their finest fruit, year after year. The crop may be meager, but the flavors speak to the grace and confidence of age. Under the Besson Family label there are a rosé of syrah, chardonnay, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, almost all of it estate. All of it is made by Pedro Vargas, a UC Davis graduate whose winery, Vino Vargas, is in San Miguel. Future releases will include a Century Vines
Photo by Robert Eliason
Sidle up to either side of the bar window at Besson Family’s mini-barn tasting room, and a great view awaits. For those who are inside looking out, the window frames the 20-acre vineyard as it stretches down to Uvas Creek, back-dropped by the rolling foothills in the distance. Those on the outside looking in will see a pool table, a cozy seating area with a wood stove and reclaimed barnwood paneling. Picking bins, stenciled with names of local farming legends, have been integrated into the walls. To the rear stands another bar, above which are displayed bottles from the many wineries that have purchased Besson fruit over the years. Among them are Birichino, Sarah’s Vineyard, Bonny Doon, Calera, I. Brand and Orin Swift. Besson now has its own wine label: Besson Family Vineyards, which launched in 2017 as a way to honor the family’s
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IN THE FAMILY Denise Besson, shown with her father George Besson Jr., is the fourth generation to
run Besson Family Vineyards in Gilroy.
grenache, Ancient Vines zinfandel, pinot noir and port. Besson predicts she will produce 500 cases annually Her great-grandfather, Jean Auguste Besson, a French immigrant who came to Gilroy in 1925, purchased farmland with vines that exist to this day, including grenache planted in 1910, old vine zin planted in 1922 and Mission vines planted in the late 1800s. The 15-acres of grenache are among the oldest in
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Santa Clara County, and both the grapes and the resulting wine are highly sought after. Her father, George Besson Jr., has been farming grapes for most of his life, and considers it an honor to work the land. They now have eight varieties between the two parcels. Although she pursued a career in teaching communications studies and public speaking – and taught at Gavilan College for 22 years – Besson said she wanted to be part of the only business her family
has ever known. “I was going through a divorce,” she said. Pointing to a hillside above an old walnut orchard on the adjacent parcel, she continued, “I lived on the other side. I literally moved over the hill and came back home. My grandparents had always wanted me to live here on the property.” Besson credits mentors such as Tim Slater of Sarah’s Vineyard, Jeff Fadness of La Vie Dansante and John and Carolyn Aver. “We’ve learned so much from our neighbors and
fellow winegrowers,” she said. “They’ve been enormously helpful to us and we are so very grateful.” Besson said she hopes her new endeavor establishes “a legacy.” “I feel such an enormous sense of gratification,” she said. “This is very special for us.” For now, Besson Family Vineyards is open only by appointment, and for special wine club events, which are held five or six times a year. For information, visit bessonfamilyvineyards.com.
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FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE
DECEMBER 2019
STATE
Farm Credit honored for supporting FFA Staff Report
president for Farm Credit Alliance member American AgCredit, accepted the award, presented at FFA’s National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, and thanked the organization for the recognition, saying that Farm Credit’s support is part of its overall commitment to the future of California agriculture. “Agriculture remains a vital part of California’s economy, but that’s not all,” Hultquist said. “Our farmers and ranchers feed the nation and the world, and that’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. By investing in our young people today, we’re helping ensure the industry will remain strong and vibrant for decades to come.” The Farm Credit Alliance is made up of
contributed
The Farm Credit Alliance was recently presented with Future Farmers of America’s (FFA) Distinguished Service Citation for its longstanding contributions to the organization and agricultural education in general. Katie Otto, development director for the California FFA Foundation, the state organization’s fundraising arm, said the California FFA nominated Farm Credit for the award because of its generous and enduring support. She added that the recognition was long overdue. “The Alliance and its members have generously supported countless chapters at the local level through auction
support at county fairs and through loans and financial services for student projects,” Otto said. “They have also served as members on advisory committees, as judges and coaches for events, and as mentors for projects — the list goes on.” “The Alliance alone has contributed a halfmillion dollars to the California FFA over the past 25 years; their financial support impacts approximately 14 percent of FFA members nationwide,” Otto continued. “Their contributions to FFA and agriculture are significant; they embrace and regularly demonstrate the pillars of philanthropy giving of their time, talent and treasure on all levels.” Jeana Hultquist, a vice
CELEBRATION Jeana Hultquist (center) of American AgCredit accepts the FFA Distinguished Service Citation from State Sentinel David Lopez of Holtville ( from left), State President Carlyn Marsh of Arbuckle, State Secretary Lindsey Swall of Tulare, State Reporter Miriam Alvarado of Lancaster, State Treasurer Kayla Zalesny of Nipomo and State Vice President Reagan Dahle of Bieber. American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit, Farm Credit West, Fresno Madera Farm
Credit, Golden State Farm Credit and Yosemite Farm Credit, which are cooperatively owned lending
institutions that provide agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit.
California farm bureau re-elects officers Staff Report
Delegates from county Farm Bureaus throughout California have re-elected the statewide California Farm Bureau Federation officer team of President Jamie Johansson, First Vice President Shannon Douglass and Second Vice President Shaun Crook. Each of the officers was re-elected unanimously to second two-year terms at the conclusion of the 101st CFBF Annual Meeting in Monterey.
Johansson, the 16th CFBF president, grows olives and citrus fruit in Oroville and operates an olive oil company, Lodestar Farms. Johansson said it “is the honor of a lifetime” to serve as CFBF president following his re-election. He thanked the House of Delegates and other Farm Bureau members for “the faith, trust and expectation you put in the officer team and me personally as president.” Douglass, of Orland,
is an owner of Douglass Ranch, which raises beef cattle, sunflowers, pumpkins, corn and forage crops. He is also founder of CalAgJobs, an online listing of employment opportunities in California agriculture. A licensed timber operator, Crook is a vice president of a family timber business in Groveland and a real estate agent specializing in ranch, commercial and residential properties. In addition to
statewide officers, delegates returned members to the CFBF Board of Directors: Al Stehly of Valley Center represents Imperial and San Diego counties; Terry Munz of Lancaster represents Los Angeles and Orange counties; Jenny Holtermann of Wasco represents Kern and Kings counties; Donny Rollin of Riverdale represents Fresno County; Tom Rogers of Madera represents Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties; Jan Garrod of
Saratoga represents San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties; Joe Martinez of Winters represents Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties; Ron Peterson of Hilmar represents Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties; David Barhydt of Grass Valley represents Butte, Nevada and Yuba-Sutter counties; Dominic Carinalli of Sebastopol represents Main, Napa and Sonoma counties; Tom Stewart of Tulelake represents Lassen, Modoc and
Plumas-Sierra counties; and Blake Alexandre of Crescent City represents Del Norte and Humboldt counties. Jennifer Beretta, a fourth-generation Sonoma County dairy farmer, was appointed to chair the Young Farmers and Ranchers State Committee and serve on the CFBF board. Ronnie Leimgruber of Holtville was reappointed to chair the CFBF Rural Health Department.
HORTICULTURE
Potted plants for Christmas By Tony Tomeo
‘T
is the season for seasonal potted plants. These are not well established houseplant or potted plants that live out on porches and patios through the year. Seasonal potted plants are those that are purchased at their prime, allowed to live in our homes and offices while they continue to bloom or maintain their foliage, and then most likely get discarded when no longer visually appealing. Poinsettia epitomizes winter seasonal potted plants. Florists' cyclamen, azalea, holly, amaryllis, Christmas cactus and small living Christmas trees are other overly popular choices. All are grown in very synthetic environments designed to force optimal performance, with no regard to survival afterward. They are like cut flowers that are not yet dead. They are true aberrations of horticulture. Technically, any of them can survive as potted plants, or out in the garden after they serve their purpose as appealing seasonal potted plants. Their main difficulty is that it is not so easy for them to recover from their prior cultivation, and adapt to more realistic environmental conditions. For now, it is best to enjoy them at their best, and try to maintain them at their best for as long as possible. Eventually, they all experience a phase in which
SEASONAL FLARE Florists' cyclamen are actually respectable perennials. their original growth deteriorates to some extent, while they start to generate new growth that is adapted to the situation that they are in at the time. Christmas cactus are probably the most proficient at adapting, and becoming delightful houseplants. They are even likely to bloom occasionally, although not on any particular schedule for winter. Holly, azalea and cyclamen can eventually get planted out in the garden. Most hollies grow into large evergreen shrubbery, but do not produce as many berries as they originally did. Azaleas are cultivars that were developed to be seasonal potted plants, so are a bit more finicky than those developed more for landscapes. Cyclamen can be added to pots of mixed annuals and perennials. Living Christmas trees are not so easy to accommodate. Most are pines that need their space. Highlight: florists’
cyclamen It is unfortunate that most florists' cyclamen, Cyclamen persicum, are enjoyed as cool season annuals only through winter, and then discarded as they are replaced by spring annuals. They can actually survive as perennials for several years, with white, red, pink or magenta flowers hovering above their marbled rubbery foliage each winter. Foliage typically stay less than six inches deep. Florists' cyclamen are probably typically discarded seasonally because, after blooming through winter, they take some time to redirect their resources to adapt to their landscape situations as the weather warms through spring. During that time, they can look rather tired. Shortly after they recover, they defoliate for dormancy through the warmth of summer. Some do not survive the process. When they regenerate through the following autumn, they are not as uniform as they were when first installed. This is probably not a problem where a few florists' cyclamen are planted with mixed annuals or perennials that compensate for their irregularities as well as their dormancy through summer. However, it does not work well for the uniform flower beds that they are often installed into. Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
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DECEMBER 2019
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ECO FARM 2020
EcoFarm Conference returns in January 40TH ANNUAL EVENT PROMOTES ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING Staff Report
file photo by Todd Guild
More than 70 food and farming workshops and events await ecologicallyminded farmers, ranchers, and all who support their success at the 40th EcoFarm Conference, which runs Jan. 22-25 in Pacific Grove. Attendees will learn from leading experts on topics addressing both micro and macro issues critical to the prosperity of small and mid-scale farmers, as well as and organic agriculture at large. Topics will cover healthy soils and pest management, livestock and ranching, equity and labor, policy, marketing and more. Several workshops will be presented exclusively in Spanish. “EcoFarm manages to maintain a balance between cool and innovative content and more thoughtful deep dives, with engaging conversations on timely topics that resonate for all growers, such as the broad and yet very critical umbrella topic of soil health,” said avid EcoFarm attendee Amy Wu. Keynote speakers Jonathan Lundgren and Leah Penniman will kick-off EcoFarm’s opening keynote session, presenting their perspectives on the
future of agriculture that is based on both scientific research and traditional knowledge. Bob Quinn, author of the book “Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs and Healthy Food,” will share his journey over the last several decades to turn his dryland Montana farm into a powerhouse of organic and regenerative agriculture. The Successful Organic Farmers keynote session features three leading farms whose founders will share their stories and what they’ve learned along the way, including Emigdio Ballon, Scott Park and Ward and Rosie Burroughs. The final keynote will be given by renowned author and scientist Dr. Vandana Shiva, who will address two paths to the future of food and farming and why ecological agriculture is ethical and imperative to survival. The event starts with all-day pre-conference intensives on Jan. 21 and 22, including regenerative agriculture field day at Swanton Pacific Ranch, titled A Permaculture Collaborative: City Repair Meets Social Forestry, Organic Survival: Practical Strategies for Resistance, Resilience, and Regeneration, and Women/Womxn in Food & Agriculture: A Force With Nature. All-day farm and bus tour, titled Organic Farming on the Central Coast, will visit Lakeside Organic Gardens, JSM Organics
OUT IN THE FIELD Attendees of EcoFarm 2019 listen to a presentation at High Ground Organics in Watsonville. The conference returns in January.
and Coastal Sun Cannabis & Coastal Moon Berry Farm, with an organic lunch prepared by acclaimed chef Jim Denevan of Outstanding in the Field. The conference also offers an exhibitor marketplace, artisanal tastings, seed swaps, live music, an annual awards banquet and
opportunities for farmers and ranchers to develop mentorships with industry experts. Attendees can choose single or multiday passes with packages that include locallysourced meals and on-site lodging at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds. The non-profit organizer EcoFarm provides
scholarships for new and beginning farmers who seek to attend EcoFarm Conference at a reduced cost. “I don’t think there’s a gathering that has inspired me more to stay the course as a farmer than this one right here,” said organic grower Thomas Broz of Live Earth Farm in
Watsonville. “It’s so intoxicating to come to EcoFarm...there should be a sign that says, if you attend EcoFarm, you may get addicted to farming.” To learn more about EcoFarm Conference and to register visit eco-farm. org/conference.
GILROY
Christopher Ranch funds salad bars in five schools Staff Report
Christopher Ranch’s new Christopher Family Foundation announced it is funding salad bars at five Gilroy schools. The philanthropic foundation of the Gilroybased garlic processing giant said it provided salad bars for all five schools in the Gilroy Unified School District, all of which requested them through the national United Fresh program. “It’s a fantastic program
that gets fresh fruits and vegetables to more kids than ever before,” said Ken Christopher, Christopher Ranch executive vice president. The schools to receive the new salad bars are Solorsano Middle School, Luigi Aprea Elementary, Glenview Elementary, Antonio Del Buono Elementary and Eliot Elementary. This is the first donation to be approved by the Christopher Family Foundation, which recently
received 510c3 status to operate as a nonprofit. “We’re extremely excited for the launch of our foundation,” Christopher said. “We’re partnering with the Gilroy Foundation to do more good in Gilroy than ever before. Our hometown needs something to remind them of what makes us great, and we’re proud to step up and make a difference.” A salad bar also is headed to Gilroy’s neighbor to the south. San Benito High School
and the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation joined representatives of local produce companies to announce on Nov. 12 the donation and placement of two new salad bars to the high school. The donations are part of the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation’s More Produce in Schools program, which matches local donors with local schools that request a salad bar in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. The Grower-Shipper
Association Foundation partners with Central Coast school food service directors and growershippers to make fresh, local produce more readily accessible to area students through the salad bar program. “We are proud of all industry members who are helping ensure children in the surrounding area will be able to choose to fresh, local produce everyday as part of their school lunch,” said Lorri Koster, the Grower-Shipper
Association Foundation’s president. The Grower-Shipper Association Foundation has supported salad bars for local schools in prior years as well. In the past five years, salad bar donations have been made possible by contributions from Taylor Farms, Church Brothers Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Ocean Mist Farms, Braga Fresh Family Farms, Sabor Farms, Top Flavor Farms and Ippolito International.
*cover photography by Tarmo Hannula
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DECEMBER 2019