Page 2 — August 2017
CENTRAL COAST
IT’S FAIR TIME
File photo by Tarmo Hannula
John Baer and his step-granddaughter, Ariana, 4, are wowed by the giant pumpkin exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Fair in 2016.
File photo by Tarmo Hannula
4-H Club members show their pigs in the market competition in 2016.
Santa Cruz County Fair to be held Sept. 13-17 By JOHANNA MILLER
O
n Wednesday, Sept. 13 the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will open its gates once again for five days of familyfriendly fun.
Event organizers are currently preparing for what they believe will be another successful year at one of the region’s most popular fairs. “This is truly a county fair, in the purest sense,” said
the fair’s Marketing Director Steve Stagnaro. “We haven’t gotten too sucked into the fashionable side of things. We’ve tried to stay true to what we are.” See SC, page 3
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Hundreds of people fill the midway during a previous Monterey County Fair.
81st Annual Monterey County Fair celebrates ‘Summer of Love’ STAFF REPORT
C
elebrate the “Summer of Love” at the 81st Annual Monterey County Fair, Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, in Monterey, where more than 75,000 fairgoers are expected to come together for fun activities and events at the fairgrounds nestled on 22 oak-studded
acres in the city. The always popular carnival and Flying U Rodeo return to the fair this year along with an entire grounds full of free entertainment, including Oakland funk band Tower of Power, country singer John Michael Montgomery, Paperback Writer and a tribute to
The Beatles. Come admire the community’s showcase of diverse talents on display throughout the fair. In the Floriculture Department, view floral arrangements, cut flowers, orchids, See MONTEREY, page 9
August 2017 — Page 3
PASO ROBLES
Jr. Livestock auction ropes in $2.1 million FFA and 4-H youth top last year’s earnings at Mid-State Fair By BETH GIUFFRE
T
he Mid-State Fair Paso Robles Pavilion bustled with blue-jacketed teens cane herding hogs to and from rows of pens and green clover tie-wearing 4-H members tending to their lambs, heifers and steers, some laying in the straw, hugging their animals and saying their last goodbyes. The Junior Livestock Auction on July 29 brought in an unofficial total of $2,188,063 for 850 animals without addons, according to fair officials, which beats last year’s totals by about $92,000. Jack Gearhart, an Atascadero High School senior and Future Farmers of America member, was pleased with his performance at the auction, earning $9 per pound for his cross-bred, mild-tempered pig Reginald. He plans to put his earnings right back into showing. “It’s my first year doing a pig,” he said. “I normally show lambs. It’s pretty interesting. I got a pretty good deal on him.” Gearhart said pigs are a lot like dogs because they’re good listeners and easy to train.
SC
From page 2
The event will be held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville. Livestock shows and exhibits, live music and other entertainment, horse shows, horticulture, food and artisan vendors and art displays are planned to return this year.
“He’s a pretty mild-tempered, good pig, definitely listens to the whip, definitely moves around,” he said. “I hardly have to touch him because he does so good.” Gearhart will stay with FFA another year and try beef cattle. So far he’s cared for 17 lambs, a goat, and one pig, and he’d like to show every animal by the time he’s finished with the program. As for his future, he said, “I’d like to major in ag/business and minor in ag/communication, so I hope to get some kind of job after that.” Gearhart’s father teaches journalism in the Agriculture department at Cal Poly, and his older brother Hayden was in FFA and 4-H for many years. Jack said with the foundation’s help he was able to get a dollar more per pound on his pig, which is a better price from his brother’s time in FFA. Some of the stand-out sales were Pozo 4-H member Hayden Taylor’s Reserved Grand Champion Heifer, bought by K-6 Ranch for $13,500; Atascadero FFA member Russell Whitaker pulled in $36 per pound for his Reserved Grand Champion Hog from
Certis, Mission Ranches and Holaday Seed; Paso Robles 4-H member Emma Wiest earned $15 per pound from Boneso Brothers Construction for her Grand Champion Lamb; Templeton FFA member Kaci Walker’s Reserved Grand Champion Lamb was bought by Farm Credit West for $15 per pound; and Atascadero FFA member Wyatt DeBusk won $7 per pound from Nino’s Grill for his Grand Champion Steer. Josh Jorgensen, 12, has been in the Atascadero 4-H program for four years. His pig, Rico, weighed 259 pounds and was awarded 10th place at market. Jorgensen said he started as a 30-pound piglet only six months ago. Rico grew to be a bit of a troublemaker, chewing on everything in sight, so Jorgensen was having one of the less difficult times parting with his curly-tailed buddy. He felt really good about his sale. “I had a buyer,” he said smiling and holding on to his pink award certificate. “He wasn’t here, but I sold him!” Loren Boggs, first year Paso Robles FFA member and Paso Robles High School Sopho-
more, was waiting for her turn to show her hog. She was feeling confident she would do well in the auction. “I have a Hampshire cross pig that weighs 260 pounds,” she said. “His name is Gilbert. It’s a girl!” Loren giggled. “She’s a very good pig. I got first place in my market show for my class and then I got third in my breed.” Her most memorable experience with FFA was first getting
her pig, “They’re like a big puppy. They have their own personalities and they’re so nice.” In the future, Loren would like to become a first grade teacher. Among FFA and 4-H’s unofficially reported successes were 87 sold heifers, totaling $445,000; 79 steers for $39,233; 178 lambs for $310,832; 447 hogs for $968,863; 48 meat goats for
$58,909; four rabbit meat pens averaging $268 and totalling $4,300; and four poultry meat pens averaging $489 and totalling $7,825. The FFA and F-H youth were displaying how practiced they were in their showmanship during the evaluations, making sure their animals were well-groomed and sparkling, and the day went on with showings, sales, and goodbyes.
Stagnaro says there is a balance in evolving while also being sure to stay with tradition. “That’s our philosophy, really,” he said. “Keeping things fresh while also staying as close as we can to our roots.” One of the major draws of the Santa Cruz County Fair is its agriculture and livestock displays. Large barns with chickens, cows, pigs, sheep and goats line
the end of the grounds, many tended to by young 4-H members. Nearby, the horse arena hosts various shows throughout the week – everything from Western barrel racing to English show jumping. “The wide-eyed wonder kids convey when seeing one of these farm animals for the first time is amazing,” Stagnaro said. “It’s so important that they have that opportunity.”
Educational experiences for both children and adults are alive and well at the fair, especially at the Agricultural History Project. The nonprofit charitable organization is headquartered at the fairgrounds and opens its doors to visitors. It offers hands-on learning, exhibits about the history of agriculture in Santa Cruz County. In addition, the fair aims not only to look back, but
also promote the preservation and future of agriculture and the importance of keeping it alive. But Stagnaro says that fair organizers want to encourage people to come to the fair for their own reasons. “If the carnival is why you come here, that’s great,” he said. “Some people are here to see horses jumping hurdles, others are here to see [hypnotist] Michael Mezmer. We encourage people to
find a part of the fair that is inciting to them and embrace that.” Locals are also encouraged to participate in the various contests and exhibits that occur throughout the weekend. Many departments – such as the Apple Pie Baking Contest and the Diaper Derby/Toddler Contest – are still accepting entries. For information, call (831) 724-5671 or visit santacruzcountyfair.com.
Photo by Luke Phillips
Page 4 — August 2017
WATSONVILLE
Photo by Johanna Miller
Stephen Slade, executive director of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, gave tours of Watsonville Slough Farm at the Bee Barn Bash on Aug. 5. Photo by Johanna Miller
Members of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County were offered lasso lessons at the Bee Barn Bash on Aug. 5.
A celebration of achievement Land Trust of Santa Cruz County hosts annual celebration By JOHANNA MILLER
M
embers and staff of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County came together at Watsonville Slough Farm on Aug. 5 to commemorate the work they’ve accomplished. The annual event, dubbed this year the Bee Barn Bash, offered supporters a chance to meet up, discuss issues with Land Trust staff and volunteers, and celebrate what the organization has gotten done in the past year. “This is basically our annual thank you party for our members,” Events Manager Maddie Nehf said. “It’s our way of showing appreciation for what they’ve been able to help us do.” The Land Trust of Santa
Cruz County is a nonprofit organization which strives to protect, care for and give public access to county lands. Since its establishment in 1978, it has raised more than $60 million for conservation and has protected thousands of acres, both directly and through a variety of partnerships. And this year in particular has been a notable one. After years of effort, the Land Trust has acquired its final easement to protect a large acreage of land west of Highway 17. The project will culminate in the construction of a wildlife access tunnel under one particularly dangerous area of the highway near Laurel Curve. “We couldn’t have done this without the people in this very
room,” said Executive Director Stephen Slade at the Bee Barn Bash on Aug. 5. “We are so grateful, and we know we can count on you as we take the next step.” The conservation of land in the Pajaro Valley is another one of the Land Trust’s main projects. Around 500 acres of farmland and wetlands has been protected since 2000, including Watsonville Slough Farm, where 600 condominiums and a golf course development had almost been constructed. The farm is now owned by the Land Trust and used in a variety of ways. Half is leased agriculture land, where vegetables and strawberries are grown by Lakeside Organic Gardens and Reiter Affiliated Companies. Restoration
Photo by Johanna Miller
John Kegebein (left, driving tractor) takes members of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County on a hayride through Watsonville Slough Farm. projects, water management research and educational programs all take place on the property. “Saving land in the Pajaro Valley is vital,” Slade said. “Not only for the agriculture industry, but for the future of its people and wildlife.” Last month, Land Trust members volunteered their time to paint the Bee Barn, which is one of two barns on the Watsonville Slough property. Nehf expressed
her gratitude of the participants. “The fact they were willing to come out here and help — it really shows how dedicated these people are,” she said. Attendees of the party were treated to complimentary wine, beer, Martinelli’s apple cider, live music and lasso lessons. The Agricultural History Project was on hand as well, offering hay rides through the farm’s trails. And toward the
end of the event, prizes from outdoor recreation company REI were raffled off to members. “We have a lot more to do,” Slade said. “But it’s nice to reflect on our achievements, too.” For information on the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, how to become a member and volunteer opportunities, visit landtrustsantacruz.org or call (831) 429-6116.
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August 2017 — Page 5
GONZALES
Photo by Samantha Bengtson
Staff members from Mann Packing and the City of Gonzales prepare to break ground at the site of the new Mann Packing facility in Gonzales.
Mann Packing breaks ground on processing facility By SAMANTHA BENGTSON
M
ann Packing broke ground on its Gonzales location in front of the Mann Packing Fast Track Team, Pack Man, CEO Lorri Koster, Mayor Maria Orozco, Mayor Pro-Tem Liz Silva, City of Gonzales staff and the fourth generation Mann Packing children on Aug. 2. “We so look forward to getting to know the city and community better as we become neighbors here in the community,” Koster said. “We are excited and set to go.” Mann Packing is working with Bali Architects to start and complete the Gonzales location in the Agricultural Industrial Business Park at 49 Katherine St. The Gonzales processing facility is 130,000 square feet of expansion and was selected because of its convenient location and zoned industrial area. Mann Packing also
has purchased land for future expansion. An estimated 250 people will be employed at the new facility. “We welcome Mann Packing to our city, to our community,” Orozco said. “You will find that here in the City of Gonzales, we do it the Gonzales way. We just get things done. It’s a fast process, it’s a one-stop center here for us in the city and we have a great staff that makes things happen.” According to Mann Packing, 65 percent of the company’s manufacturing volume will relocate from Salinas to the Gonzales facility. The Salinas Mann Packing location at 1250 Hansen St. will continue to process freshcut vegetables but will mainly serve as the company’s central warehouse, cooling and shipping facility. The construction of the Gonzales processing facility is targeted for completion in early 2018 and production is set to begin in the spring.
Contributed graphic
An artist’s rendering of Mann Packing’s new Gonzales processing facility at 49 Katherine St. The facility aims to use the windmill turbine to supply energy for heating and cooling and achieve the goal of electric sustainability.
“This is an incredible day for the city,” City Manager Rene Mendez said. “It continues to build on the city vision and taking advantage of our
strength. Our strength is the ground and our partners that we have, Dennis Capra, Carracoli and now Mann Packing.”
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Page 6 — August 2017
TEMPLETON
Templeton Valley Farms’ organic bounty U-pick under new berry hoop houses, farm stand with honey, and more are what’s fresh By BETH GIUFFRE
E
very Friday locals pick up their allocated farm share boxes outside a small brown barn up Climbing Tree Lane. Rows and rows of laid back, suntanning sunflowers line the fence at the CCOF certified organic, sustainable Templeton Valley Farms, and it’s quiet – other than some purple berry-stained-faced children coming back from the new U-pick berry tents, and neighbors chatting with Angela, who mans the farm stand, who will describe with her Berlin accent, how to cook any vegetable the healthy way. There’s the sound of the tractor, or of the 60 Rhode Island Reds and attentive rooster clucking and freeroaming around a postcard pretty pasture, situated amidst 200 fruit trees on the green striped farmland. Listen closer and one can hear the bees buzzing from 10 hives on the property. The five-acre family farm has been in the organic farm business since 2006, and the latest harvest is a rotating plethora of colorful fruits and vegetables. “We grow 50 to about 55 different types of vegetables,” said Trina Baumsteiger, owner and farmer of Templeton Valley Farms. “The new additions are the hoop houses.” The bees are back producing honey since June, the non-GMO, organically-fed, pasture-raised, hens are laying eggs with golden consistency, and the farmer’s market boxes, which go for $28 per week ($34 with eggs), are generously overflowing with the summer’s crop. Right now the farm sells plums, peaches, Siberian, Dino and Nash kale varieties, chard, and mustard greens, Summer Squash (including patty pan and zucchini), radishes, cucumber, green beans, tomatoes, broccoli, red and gold beets, carrots, garlic, onions, leeks,
peas, cabbage, microgreens, arugula, and eggplant, parsley, cilantro, dill, sage, basil and six different types of peppers. “Our peppers will be in the ground now until probably late September,” Baumsteiger said. “They’ll keep producing. They’ll turn colors later in the season. Some people don’t know this, but they all start out green and then they turn their colors: reds and yellows, oranges.” For a little extra shoppers can add bunches of flowers such as lavender and sunflowers to their baskets, as well as honey and eggs. “Our corn is coming on this week, which is great. It’s not in abundance. They have to get here early to get it,” said Baumsteiger about the hard-to-find organic kandy korn variety. “Raspberries go into September/ October, so don’t give up on them, because they’re going to keep coming. Blackberries will probably go for another two to three weeks through the end of August.” Baumsteiger co-farms with her husband Edwin Rambuski. Rambuski runs his own law practice in San Luis Obispo, and works with his wife on the farm part-time. He is the king of the tractor, but Baumsteiger said he is the best at fixing everything that breaks. “We break things, and he fixes them,” Baumsteiger said. The couple also employs five part-time employees who help with washing and hand harvesting, food stand, planting, and arranging the farm share boxes. Baumsteiger is a Bay Area native and Cal Poly graduate with a bachelor’s in kinesiology and physical education, “Something I’m not doing right now at all,” she laughed. “I always loved to grow things,” she said of motivations to go into farming. “My father and I and my grandmother used to grow a fair amount in
Photo by Luke Phillips
our small little garden.” Baumsteiger considers her husband her farming mentor, as he grew up working on his family dairy farm in Upstate New York. “We started with just a little rolling cart that we did on the honor system,” Baumsteiger remembered. They began harvesting all their food from their home property in Templeton and sold their goods from a wooden cart across the street. After about six years, she said, “we decided we’d go a little bigger, bought this property and now you have what we call a working farm.” The farm uses simple, pesticidefree farming practices, enriching the nutrients in the soil by using certified
organic seed and fertilizer. “The season’s been great. The berries are just over the top. People love to come out and pick their berries. We do the U-pick on the weekends. A lot of kids. Heaps!” Baumsteiger said. Gaining in popularity has been Templeton Valley Farms’ farm share boxes. The “Farmers Market box” contains a rainbow of the seasonal fruits and vegetables, and are given the option of a one time trial, weekly or biweekly. In addition to supplying food to a few local commercial accounts such as Courtney’s House in Templeton and SLO Natural Foods Coop, the farm drops off farm share boxes at Rambuski’s law office
for the San Luis Obispo customers on Thursdays. Baumsteiger also hopes to get into selling to the newly forming Paso Robles Co-op. “I think it’s important to have the customer see the farm, where the food’s growing, talk to the farmer, get it first hand from the farmer and really appreciate local, fresh, organic food.” The farm stand and U-Pick berries are located at 880 Climbing Tree Lane in Templeton. Summer hours are Tuesday and Friday, 2-6 p.m.; Saturday 9-3 p.m.; and Sunday 10-2 p.m. Look for the road signs. To contact the farm about a farm box, call (805) 234-6912 or visit templetonvalleyfarms.com.
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August 2017 — Page 7
WATSONVILLE
Shop keeps a variety of machines humming for 30 years T STAFF REPORT
he warm smell of grease and metal greets you when you walk into Peralta’s Machine Shop at 49 Hangar Way, Suite I. Hand tools line the walls and men in blue work shirts operate the heavy, industrial drills and milling and lathe machines that line the floor. A shaper, direct from New York and used to create gears with precision, harks back to a former time— the Machine Age, when steel was king and products were built to last. Founded 30 years ago by owner Antonio Peralta — who you can still see at the shop working alongside sons, Braulio and Edgar (a third son Joel works full-time elsewhere but assists the family business when time allows) — Peralta’s Machine Shop designs, prototypes and runs both short and long runs. According to Braulio Peralta, no job is too small or too big, with clients ranging from local agri-business, food
processing plants and largescale bakeries to independent growers, mechanics, printers, custom car owners, structural engineering firms and companies in the medical field requiring precision work. All customers are treated equally and they are happy to accommodate walk-ins. Peralta’s Machine Shop has a long list of services. “Anything that’s mechanical and needing precision — we can do it,” Braulio Peralta said. Whether that is building spray systems for tractors, fabricating pulleys or engine valves and drivelines, and resurfacing rotors and flywheels, their dedicated and skilled team can undertake the simple to the complex. Peralta’s Machine Shop will take broken and worn out parts and repair or manufacture from new — creating a prototype that is to the exact specifications of the customer. Blueprints are great to bring in, but not necessary, they can design and fabricate per sample and incorporate modi-
fications as needed. “We do not just give our customers the finished product and that’s it,” Peralta said. Customers are invited to see the process and test the part to see if it is to their satisfaction. “Our customers like us for our quality of work and honesty – that is the key that has kept us in business for so long,” added Peralta. “Everything we do is inhouse,” Peralta explained, including creating their own tooling for precision shaping, welding and drawing blueprints. “And what we cannot do, we outsource to local businesses.” All three Peralta brothers are Watsonville High School graduates and the shop takes pride in supporting the Wildcatz sports program. Peralta’s Machine Shop aims for a fast turn-around and offers a 24-hour emergency service including going out to the work site. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, but you can
File photo by Tarmo Hannula
The staff at Peralta’s Machine Shop on Hangar Way. find workers at the shop seven days a week. “We keep up with our customers to make them happy,”
Peralta said. ••• Peralta’s Machine Shop is open Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty-fourhour emergency service is also offered. Contact the shop at 722-1617.
SANTA CRUZ
UCSC Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture accepting 2018 applications Deadline for sixmonth program is Sept. 30 STAFF REPORT
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Photo by Johanna Miller
Apprentices and interns tend to the Alan Chadwick Garden at UC Santa Cruz recently.
he Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz are accepting applications for the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticul-
ture. The distinguished apprenticeship, which teaches organic gardening and farming skills and concepts, is highly sought after by people from all over the world. Graduates of the apprenticeship have gone on to start their own farms, gardens, programs and more. Apprentices participate in a six-month educational and
training program, learning about everything from soil management and composting to social issues to do with the growing of food. While international applicants’ deadline to apply has passed, U.S. residents are still encouraged to apply until Sept. 30. For information, visit casfs.ucsc.edu or call (831) 459-3240.
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Page 8 — August 2017
WATSONVILLE
GREENFIELD
Watsonville’s sweet tradition Harvest time
Contributed
Scheid Vineyards President and CEO Scott Scheid and his wife Nancy harvest Pinot Noir grapes for the Greenfield winery’s sparkling wine collection.
Scheid Vineyards gathers first wine grapes of season By RYAN CRONK
Photo by Johanna Miller
Families and friends gathered at the Watsonville Strawberry Festival on Aug. 5. By JOHANNA MILLER
D
owntown came alive Aug. 5-6 as large crowds attended the 23rd annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival. Locals and visitors alike enjoyed two days of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, a carnival and assorted foods. A number of booths run by local nonprofit groups and organizations lined Main Street to sell strawberry delicacies — everything from funnel cakes to strawberry pizza. “This is a celebration for our community,” said Amy Mascareñas of El Pajaro Community Development Corporation. “People work really hard to support the strawberry harvest and industry here in Watsonville. It’s important to recognize that.” This was El Pajaro CDC’s fourth year at
the Strawberry Festival. Mascareñas and her crew spent their time selling flats of the fruit and other strawberry treats. The next booth over, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services volunteers had for the second year running teamed up with Ella’s at the Airport to serve homemade strawberry shortcake. “This kind of event is so vital for a city like ours,” said PV Shelter Executive Director Kimberly Ferm. “It’s not just a party — it’s a way to make connections, to see what is happening locally.” Ferm pulled aside one volunteer, board member Casey Clark, who had only become aware of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services through a similar event. “I considered myself an active member of the community,” Clark said. “But it wasn’t until I met Kimberly at an event similar to
this that I learned about PV Shelter and what they were doing for this city. And now it’s a big part of my life.” In addition to sampling strawberry treats, festival goers were treated to live music throughout the weekend on the main concert stage and in the nearby beer garden. That Saturday afternoon, dancing even broke out in the streets during Banda Herencia Tapatia’s set at the main stage. The annual carnival was busy early on as well — with families eager to play games and try out classic rides such as the Berry Go Round and the Balloon Fiesta. A larger number of agencies, recruiters and vendors filled Watsonville Plaza and the surrounding streets. See FESTIVAL, page 9
CORRALITOS
Fundraiser benefits Open Farm Tours STAFF REPORT
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Contributed
A variety of U-Pick events will be held during the Open Farm Tours.
ickets are now on sale for “Hot Cuban Nights!”, a fundraiser dinner dance to benefit Open Farm Tours in Corralitos. The dinner will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at Whiskey Hill Farms, 371 Calabasas Road in Watsonville, from 4-8 p.m., and will include a Cuban-inspired dinner complete with drinks and dancing. David Blume of Whiskey Hill Farm & Carolyn Rudolph of Charlie Hong Kong will give presentations about growing and sourcing local food. Later, attendees will experience the Latin Quarter sounds of DJs Brett Taylor and Lynn Johnson. Tickets range from $49-$99 on a sliding scale basis and include a mojito or beverage of
your choice. To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com. The fundraiser benefits the Open Farm Tours, a chance to meet farmers and tour 11 local family farms on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. All 11 farms implement sustainable agriculture practices and are within a 10-mile radius of each other. The tour is free and open to the public. Participating farms this year are Prevedelli Farm, Lonely Mountain Farm, Discovery Program at Live Earth Farm, Terra Sole Nursery, New Natives Nursery, Blossoms Biodynamic Farm, Thomas Farm, Dos Aguilas Olive Grove, Whiskey Hill Farm, Blue Heron Farm & Stone Meal Farm.
S
cheid Vineyards coworkers came together recently to handpick Pinot Noir grapes for the Greenfield winery’s sparkling wine collection, marking the beginning of the 2017 wine grape harvest in Monterey County. The inaugural harvest came from Scheid’s Isabelle Vineyard — named after founder Al Scheid’s mother — located in the Monterey American Viticultural Area (AVA) on River Road at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Traditional champagne grapes are grown on the small plot for Scheid’s sparkling wines. “The grapes harvested today are for our Isabelle Cuvée,” said Scheid winemaker Marta Kraftzeck. After the early morning harvest on Aug. 3, the grapes were taken to the winery to begin the crush and fermentation process. Grapes for sparkling wines are harvested early to ensure high acidity with low sugar levels, ideal characteristics for sparkling wine production. Kraftzeck said the 2017 sparkling wine will not be released until the year 2022.
“We use the traditional method for sparkling wine making,” she said. “Our 2012 sparkling wine is just being released this year. The 2017 sparkling wine won’t be released for another five years.” According to the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, winter rains and moderate weather have given local winegrowers a positive outlook. This year’s crop is expected to produce highquality fruit throughout the region, despite generating an anticipated average to slightly light crop load. “Although there are variations between area and variety, on average the clusters are large and look good, better than last year’s,” said Greg Gonzalez, vineyard manager for Scheid Vineyards. “The quality of Pinot Noir grapes is high. The climate in Hames Valley (an AVA in southern Monterey) has been very temperate, producing ideal conditions for the ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.” Jason Smith, president of Valley Farm Management and Smith Family Wines of Soledad, said the winery experienced a more typical weather pattern this year. “The winter rains produced excellent root flush. Spring See HARVEST, page 9
See TOURS, page 9
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August 2017 — Page 9
MONTEREY From page 2
potted plants and garden displays. In the Visual Arts Department, check out photography, sculpture, bronze casting, assemblage, weaving, ceramics, handmade paper, glass, jewelry, baskets and more. Visit the Adult Home Arts Department as well as its junior counterpart to see the sights and delicious smells of baked goods and preserved foods. There are also bottled wines and home-brewed beer to admire in addition to the crafts and textiles arena featuring handmade items. The Ag Building entries include grain and dry beans, organic salad products, vegetables, vine crops and honey. The 4H, FFA and Scouts Department also have exhibits
in the building and in the barn areas with their animals that they have raised this past year. Monterey County Fair promotes the county’s rich agricultural heritage with livestock demonstrations, displays and auctions to raise money for scholarships, including the participation of more than 5,000 local youth through programs such as FFA and 4-H in festivities offered at the fair. Eight area youths and their animals will be honored as champions after the Monterey County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. “The heart and soul of the fair is the junior livestock program,” said Fair CEO Kelly Violini. “Many of the exhibitors relay on their earnings from their projects to pay for their college educations. Supporting the junior livestock auction, not only supports the youth of our county, but is a
tax-deductible donation.” The mission of the Monterey County Fair (part of the 7th District Agricultural Association) is to create, produce and offer quality events in a unique setting, as well as to educate, entertain and inspire people in order to promote the agricultural heritage and diverse resources of Monterey County. The fair also operates a Kids Club to encourage Monterey County youth to learn more about the event and get involved with many fair activities year-round while having fun, such as the Read and Ride contest, coloring contest, Mutton Bustin’ and other special Kids’ Day activities. This year’s Monterey County Fair theme is “Fair Fun in the Summer of Love,” a 50th annual tribute to the Summer of Love movement in 1967. For more information, visit the website montereycountyfair.com.
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CALENDAR Aug. 18
Women in Business Luncheon
Adelaida Vinyards & Winery, 5805 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles. The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce along with Women in Business (WIB) invite the public to “Farm to Fork. Wine to Glass. Remembering our Roots” luncheon. The luncheon will be held from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and celebrates the history of agriculture in the Paso Robles community. Guest speakers and a silent auction to benefit the WIB Scholarship Fund will take place. Admission is $45 for chamber members and $55 for non-members. For information, visit pasorobleschamber.com. Aug. 20
Ice Cream Social
Windrose Farm, 5750 El Pharo Drive, Paso Robles. FARMstead ED presents the Ice Cream Social at Windrose Farm. From 1-4 p.m., learn from farmers and purveyors who grow and use fresh, inseason ingredients, and craft your own custom blends of ice cream, gelato and sorbet. Tickets are $25 per person. Visit farmsteaded. com for information. Aug. 26
South County Ag Tour 2017
participants board busses and begin the tour. Included are a catered lunch and dinner, refreshments and wine. Tickets are $75 and are available at the museum in person and a number of other businesses. Visit mcarlm.org or call (831) 385-8020 for information. Aug. 26
Central Coast Beef & Wine Festival
Halter Ranch Vineyard, 8910 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles. Hosted by the San Luis Obispo County Cattle Women, this event is an educational fundraiser that supports San Luis Obispo’s MUST! charities and the County Cattle Women’s scholarship programs. Learn from local farmers and ranchers who grow beef and wine. Tickets are $95. VIP packages available. For information, visit farmsteaded.com. Aug. 26
Testicle Festival
Estrada Deer Camp, 194 Hazel Dell Road, Corralitos. Join the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and Agri-Culture for the ninth annual Testicle Festival. From 3-7 p.m. enjoy this popular fundraising barbecue which benefits the Young Farm and Rancher program. To order tickets and for information, visit agri-culture.org.
BBQ and Muster at the winery. Featured wines include Malbec, Black Jack Pasture Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, Bulls Eye, Petite Sirah and barrel tastings from the private reserve. Live music and food will also be offered. Tickets are $35 for guests. Complimentary tickets are available for “Wine Gang” members. To RSVP and for information, call (831) 624-3800 or email danielle@ galantevineyards.com. Sept. 17
Food What?! Benefit Dinner
Santa Cruz Mission State Park, 144 School St. Join Santa Cruz County’s Food, What?! organization for its eighth annual benefit dinner. The youth empowerment and food justice organization is celebrating its 10th year in 2017. The dinner will bring together more than 300 youth, parents, teachers and leaders to enjoy a dinner provided by the Food What?! crew and top local chefs. Youth will speak to the crowd about their experiences and inform guests about the program. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted. To reserve your seats, visit foodwhat.org. Sept. 23
Heirloom Tomato Festival
Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum, 1160 Broadway St., King City. Join MCARLM on a trip to a variety of agricultural enterprises around the Salinas Valley. After enjoying mimosas and a pastry breakfast at San Lorenzo Park,
Rancho Galante, 18181 Cachagua Road, Carmel Valley. Come enjoy Galante’s Annual
Windrose Farm, 5750 El Pharo Drive, Paso Robles. Join FARMstead ED at Windrose Farm for the 2017 Heirloom Tomato Festival. Taste 40 different varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes, plus fresh bites prepared by local chefs and vendors. Tours are also available. Tickets are $25 at farmsteaded.com.
TOURS
HARVEST From page 8
FESTIVAL
Participate in farm activities such as apple juicing, apple sauce making and U-Picks. The Market Place will take place at Alladin Nursery, 2905 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville, featuring lunch, beverages and wine with an assortment of food from local artisan food vendors. Visit openfarmtours.com to download a free tour map and to register to be entered in the lunch drawings and raffles.
was mild and the bloom was good. These combined to set the tone for happy, healthy vines,” Smith explained. “Recent warm temperatures are helping the grapes transition from veraison to full ripeness. With increased heat and less winds, a good portion of the harvest will begin by the first week of September.” Harvest will be in full force by the first week of September and actively continue through October.
Artist Paul De Worken of Monterey Bay Murals, who has been selling his signature Watsonville merchandise at the festival for the past five years, was part of it. He expressed his appreciation of the Strawberry Festival and how it attracts people from out of town. “There are people out there who overlook Watsonville,” he said. “The Strawberry Festival is great because it brings people here. It shows them this is a great place to be.”
From page 8
Sept. 9
Galante Wine Gang Muster
From page 8
Page 10 — August 2017
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