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How to be prepared for El Nino

Life on a beach

Mount Madonna students study, protect snowy plover

By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land

Over the past two years the rumors have been spreading that we are in for an El Nino year. What is El Nino? According to the National Ocean Service, El Nino and La Nina are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. Warmer than average waters in the Easter equatorial Pacific affect weather around the world. What should you expect during an El Nino? Flooding, mudslides, falling rocks are some of the basic outdoor symptoms. With lots of rain power outages are also a concern. Make sure you have flashlights and candles if necessary. In cases of El Nino and earthquakes that are common in California, it is important to develop an emergency plan such as meeting outside on the lawn or having things like sandbags on hand if you live in an area that has been subject to previous floods or could be subjected to flooding. Families and residents should pick two meeting places: one near your home and a place in your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Learn the safest route from your home or job to high, safe ground in case you have to evacuate in a hurry and be sure to keep your gas tank full. Also suggested is taking a basic first aid and CPR class. If concerned about insurance, make an itemized list of personal property, including

January 2016

By TODD GUILD Of the Land

A field worker checks on a farm of raised beds on Casserly Road. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Please turn to Page 2

City welcomes new health center

WATSONVILLE — A group of fifth-graders stood on a staircase overlooking Palm Beach on Dec. 9, a vast landscape of rolling, grass-covered sand dunes stretching a mile south to the mouth of the Pajaro River. To the right, the roiling ocean pounded the shore. The students, fifth-graders from Mount Madonna School, were at Pajaro Dunes resort to clean up the beach and study the snowy plover, a bird that makes its home among the dunes. “We’re hoping to learn more about the snowy plover, and the things that threaten them,” said Sam Kaplan, 10. This included the bird’s natural predators and climate change. But they are under threat from several nonnatural sources, Sam said. Humans pose the biggest threat to the birds, leaving behind food that attracts predators such as skunks and raccoons. People also blithely stomp through the dunes and crush their nests, said Cecily Kelly, 11. Worse, they bring dogs that destroy the nests on off-leash romps, she said. The human influence doesn’t stop there. A recent study by Santa Cruz-based Save Our Shores found micro-plastics in the sands around the Pajaro River mouth, a first for a waste product normally found at sea, said spokesman Ryan Kallabis. Please turn to Page 4

Ribbon cutting and health clinic draw crowds By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land

GONZALES — November marked the beginning of a new era of health

care in South County. Hundreds locals gathered at the new Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center to take part in ribbon cutting and community celebration.

The city welcomed the opening of the Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center with a ribbon cutting. photo by Kellie Hicks/The Land

Speakers for the ceremony were Pete Delgado, President & CEO of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS), Carmen Gil of the Board of Directors for the SVMHS District, Gonzales Mayor Maria Orozco and Doctor Christine Ponzio, MD. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 10:30 a.m. but the public started lining up before 8:30 a.m. to take part in the free health screening and flu shot clinic. Almost 400 people took part, getting their flu shots and being tested for diabetes. Services that will be available in the Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center are annual physicals, diabetes screening, diagnosis and management, immunization, asthma care, laboratory services (including testing results onsite), sports physicals, school physicals, wellness programs and patient education. Outside the clinic a local caterer made healthy tacos for the crowd while Taylor Farms donated vegetable packs and fruit packs.

Mount Madonna School collected bits of broken plastic. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/ The Land

Inside ... Farmhouse Culture

Focus Ag

Chualar 4-H

Lakeside Organic

2 The Land - January 2016

Fermenting a change Sauerkraut company moves to Watsonville By TODD GUILD

Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — A California restaurateur and chef living in Germany found inspiration in a tangy, aromatic side dish called sauerkraut. Knowing that the dish would catch on with U.S. consumers, Kathryn Lukas returned to her homeland to found Farmhouse Culture, which began its life in 2008 in two small rooms in the Sash Mill in Santa Cruz. She has since created a series of sauerkraut flavors including garlic dill pickle, smoked jalapeño and spicy wakame ginger kimchi. Since its inception, the company’s packages of kraut have found their way into the coolers of natural food stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company has recently began to roll out “Gut Shot,” a new line of fermented, probiotic beverages. Having outgrown its humble childhood home, the company in May moved to a larger location on Lewis Road in

PUBLISHER John Bartlett publisher@register-pajaronian.com

EDITOR Erik Chalhoub editor@register-pajaronian.com

EDITORIAL STAFF Tarmo Hannula, Todd Guild, Luke Phillips, Allyson Oken, Samantha Bengtson and Hayley Thomas

ADVERTISING Tina Chavez tinac@register-pajaronian.com Adriana Novack anovack@register-pajaronian.com Allison Stenberg astenberg@register-pajaronian.com Sheryl Bailey sheryl@southcountynewspapers.com Jon Allred jon@southcountynewspapers.com

Watsonville. There, the 29,000-square-foot facility brings the receiving, processing, packaging and shipping under one roof, along with office space. All told, 30 employees help send out more than 20,000 pounds of its products every week. Farmhouse Culture marketing director Jason Prziborowski and Chief Operating Officer Capp Culver both describe the products as delicious. But the products, which are teeming with trillions of naturally-occurring probiotic bacteria, offer a boost to the immune system, are an energy source and help build a healthy digestive system, Prziborowski said. According to the company’s website, sauerkraut contains vitamins C and K, is high in fiber and is a source of zinc and Workers at Farmhouse Culture prepare roasted jalapeño peppers to be made into a kraut. other minerals. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land It can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease, and contains compounds that have been shown to prevent the growth of come types of cancer. It is organic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free. “They’re definitely tasty, and they are good for you, and that’s a rare thing,” Prziborowski said. “Our founder created a product that does both.” The new Watsonville location includes a “temperature-perfect” fermentation room and a processing room. It also boasts a grey water system, which allows an adjacent farm to utilize the wastewater from the processing facility. The company sources most of its ingredients locally, including cabbages from Lakeside Organic Gardens. That means less time on the road for fresh produce, resulting in a better quality product, Prziborowski said. “We know where it’s coming from,” he said. “We can certainly say to our customers we have the best ingredients we can find.” ••• Farmhouse Culture products are sold at Whole Foods Markets and New Leaf Community Markets. For information, and a list of products and other locations, visit www. Ivan Acosta boxes up packages of smoked jalapeño kraut. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land farmhouseculture.com.

ART AND DESIGN Mike Lyon

The Land is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The Land made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. The Land is a division of the Register-Pajaronian and South County Newspapers.

831-385-4880

Thank you

for reading!

A product lineup at Farmhouse Culture includes various organic krauts and beverages. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

El Nino

Continued from page 1

furnishings, clothing and valuables; photograph your home inside and out, which will help settle insurance claims. Keep photos in a safe deposit box. Having a disaster supply kit is also a good idea. Stock your disaster kit with things like an ample supply of clean water, the recommended amount is at least one gallon per person, per day to make up a two-week supply. Other items that can be stored in the disaster kit are a supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener. First aid kit

and prescription medications should also be included. Flashlights with extra bulbs, matches, a clock, blankets or sleeping bags, plastic garbage bags, a map of the area, clean change of clothes and rain gear. In the case of important documents, have a list of important phone numbers, family, physicians, etc., a copy of insurance policy, credit cards and cash, special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members and inexpensive rabbit ears television antennas to use when cable goes out.

Having flood insurance in areas of high exposure is also advisable. Best advice in case of an emergency is to stay calm. Natural disasters are stressful and are made more so when not in a calm state of mind. If you are prone to panic attacks or stress reactions having a paper bag or closing your eyes and counting to 10 is the best medicine. Also being prepared reduces stress. Are you prepared?

The Land - January 2016 3

Focus Agriculture Class XXVI graduates

The 2015 Focus Agriculture graduates. Top row: Sheila McDaniel, Jacob Martinez. Third row: Sarah Hulick, Maritza Pozzi-Loyola, Eileen Hill, Meg Janes, Robin Boyle, Jon Sisk, April Jernberg. Second row: Jimmy Dutra, Alec Wasson, Rachel Montoya, Rebecca Garcia, Jimmy Panetta, Josh Morgan. Bottom row: Tom Takano, Brian Spector, Javier Gomez, Jess Brown. Not pictured: Shannon Brady, Marcus Frost. Contributed photo

Staff report WATSONVILLE — November brings graduation to the locally-based national award-winning Focus Agriculture program. A ceremony and reception was held at the Pajaro Valley Historical Association’s Bockius-Orr house on Beach Street in Watsonville on Nov. 27 for Class XXVI of the Focus Agriculture program. Focus Agriculture, a program of the organization Agri-Culture is a program that allows community leaders to learn firsthand about agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. The nine session program covers topics such as ethnic groups in agriculture, labor, new technology, land use, politics, the environment and health care. The members of the graduating class are:

• Robin Boyle, Director of Marketing and Sales, California Certified Organic Farmers

• Shannon Brady, Philanthropy Director, Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center • Jimmy Dutra, Councilmember, City of Watsonville • Marcus Frost, Director of Development and Communications, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History • Rebecca Garcia, Councilmember, City of Watsonville • Javier Gomez, Representative, State Assemblyman Luis Alejo • Eileen Hill, Associate Director, Cabrillo College Foundation • Sarah Hulick, Horticulture & Agronomy Research Scientist, Dole Fresh Vegetables • Meg Janes, Tax Manager, Plantronics, Inc.

• April Jernberg, Soil Conservationist, United States Department of Agriculture • Maritza Pozzi-Loyola, Private Event Director, Seascape Golf Club • Jacob Martinez, Executive Director, Digital NEST • Sheila McDaniel, Land Use Planner, Santa Cruz County Planning Dept. • Rachel Montoya, Controller, Sambrailo Packaging • Josh Morgan, Manager, Café Cruz • James Panetta, Prosecutor, Monterey County District Attorney’s Office • Brian Spector, Principal, Spector Corbett Architects, Inc. • Jon Sisk, SVP-Director of Real

Estate/Construction, Santa Cruz County Bank • Tom Takano, Educator • Alec Wasson, President, Idea Farming, Inc. The graduation ceremony included a graduation certificate plus an Assembly Certificate prepared and presented by Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s office. “This was an excellent class,” AgriCulture President Steve Bontadelli said. “We are appreciative of the speakers and participants for giving their time during the year.”

Applications accepted for Focus Agriculture Staff report WATSONVILLE — Applications are currently being accepted for Class XXVII of Focus Agriculture, a “first-in-the-nation” program, designed for selected community leaders to learn about agriculture in Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. The program consists of once-amonth, daylong seminars, held over a period of nine months. Speakers, ranging from elected officials to representatives from environmental groups, address the class. The sessions cover such topics as: environment and technology, ethnic groups in agriculture, regional diversity of commodities produced, and many farm tours and hands-on experiences. Twenty-one people will be selected for Class XXVII. “Many people who are involved in the community are interested in agriculture,” said Agri-Culture President Steve Bontadelli. “Focus Agriculture was created to allow community leaders an opportunity to learn, through discussions and hands-

on experiences, about local agriculture. We are proud that the program received a National Award in 2011.” Alumni of the program include: John Laird, California Secretary of Resources Agency; Zach Friend, Supervisor; 4th District Supervisor Greg Caput; Jimmy Panetta, Monterey County District Attorney; Willy Elliott-McCrea, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank; Bud Colligan, Founder/CEO, South Swell Ventures; Ted Burke, Owner, Shadowbrook Restaurant; Michael Watkins, Superintendant of County Office of Education; and Ceil Cirillo, Tannery Arts Center. Seminars will be held one full day per month commencing March 11 and ending Oct. 21. Applications are available online at www.agri-culture.us or at the AgriCulture office, 141 Monte Vista Ave. in Watsonville, and by calling 722-6622. Applications are due Jan. 15.

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4 The Land - January 2016

Beach Clean Up

Continued from page 1

Micro-plastics come from larger pieces of discarded plastic and frequently wind up in the bellies of both marine and shore animals, Kallabis said. “To find them here is unusual,” he said. Save Our Shores, along with Petalumabased Point Blue Conservation Science, were on hand to help the students with the cleanup and add to the educational arm. The trip was the opening salvo in a group project that will take until April to complete, and will include a movie about conservation efforts, beach cleanups and several projects. A blend of science, social studies, political science and art, the project is an annual one for the fifth-grade class, teacher Jessica Campbell said. As part of the project, the students will petition local restaurants to stop offering single-use plastic straws, thought to be a large contributor to micro-plastics. They will also contact state and local lawmakers about other issues they consider important. The focus on the snowy plover is far more than a passing fancy on a cute animal, said Zoey Ocampo, 10. “If you lose one part of the ecosystem, the animals that depend on them also disappear,” she said. “By saving them we save the ecosystem.” Sam said the project is also a way to bring the plight of the snowy plover — and hopefully all threats to the environment — to the forefront of public perception. Students from Mount Madonna School head out to the beach at Pajaro Dunes to learn about the environment and to aid staff from Save Our “I hope we can also raise awareness of Shores in picking up plastic trash. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land other animals,” he said.

Chualar 4-H makes Thanksgiving happen for nine families By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land

CHUALAR — Every year the youth of the Chualar 4-H get together to make Thanksgiving possible for three to four children from Chualar School and families each year. This year they almost tripled that. “Usually we donate three or four and this year the families in our club were beyond generous and the kids dropped off nine baskets today,” said Angie Horwath, Community Leader for Chualar 4-H. The baskets they delivered include everything the family could need for Thanksgiving dinner along with a gift card to purchase perishable items. The Chualar 4-H have been collecting food for this project for several years and intend to continue this and other community projects in the future.

Chualar 4-H collected enough food to help nine local families have a happy Thanksgiving. Submitted photo

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The Land - January 2016 5

Lakeside Organic Gardens makes major donations By TARMO HANNULA Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — A wealth of needy people around the Pajaro Valley got an extra boost as far as toys, food and other goods this week thanks to Lakeside Organic Gardens. Owner Dick Peixoto said that since his company had another profitable year of growing, packing and shipping high quality organic produce, he was able to hand out more than $375,000 to various Pajaro Valley organizations. In the spirit of giving and inspiration, Peixoto and his wife, Marisela, made this their fourth consecutive year of community giving. Peixoto hopes, in turn, this will inspire others to give to their community and to be a part of something bigger than themselves or their company. “Here at Lakeside when we have a good year we like to give back to our community,” Peixoto said. “We especially focus on those most in need, children and also ag education. This isn’t about me, but, rather, our whole company and our incredible workers who make this happen.” Peixoto said the gifts were made possible by the hard work of every person who is employed by Lakeside Organic Gardens. As in past years, Peixoto said he is simply carrying the check on behalf of the whole company. On one of their stops on Dec. 22, Marisela and Dick Peixoto handed a check for $25,000 to Watsonville Fire Captain Kurt Vojvoda who was representing the Toys for Tots program. “His generosity is tremendous,” Vojvoda said. “Dick has helped so many people, especially the needy. This is a huge donation that will go a long way. It represents the biggest donor from a single party and we are grateful for that.” The Peixotos then walked across Second Street to Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes and handed Executive Director Kristal Caballero, another check for the same amount. Operation Manager at Lakeside Organic Gardens Juan Gonzalez said he thoroughly enjoys working for Peixoto. “He’s just a wonderful boss and very

Dick Peixoto (left), owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens, and his wife, Marisela, hand a $25,000 check to Watsonville Fire Capt. Kurt Vojvoda to aid the Toys for Tots program. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

generous, not only with his employees, but with his community,” he said. “Dick is up there with the great bosses. He always has a smile and he’s a good leader.” Lakeside Organic Gardens was started in 1996 by Dick Peixoto and his extended family. The Peixoto family began farming in the Pajaro Valley of California in the late 1800s and perfected conventional growing throughout the 1900s. As their passions for harvesting the riches of the soil grew and evolved,

the family made a decision to convert all their farms to 100 percent organic. Lakeside Organic Gardens has now become the largest family-owned and operated solely organic vegetable grower/ shipper in the USA. ••• The organizations who got donations this year are: California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom, CASA of Santa Cruz County, Dominican Foundation

Katz Cancer Resource Center, Families in Transition in Santa Cruz County, Toys for Tots, Jacob’s Heart, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Salinas Circle for Children, The Salvation Army, Second Harvest Food Bank, Survivors Healing Center, Teen Kitchen Project, Jovenes Sanos, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Monarch Services and Youth NOW.

Donors to match Land Trust donations Staff report WATSONVILLE — Two anonymous Land Trust donors will match every donation, of any amount, until the end of January. Land Trust Board Chair Katherine Beiers announced the “no limits” challenge at the nonprofit’s Board

meeting this month. Funds raised during the challenge will go to meet the $20 million goal for the Land Trust’s Great Land and Trail Campaign. The campaign seeks funding to build the Rail Trail, trails at San Vicente Redwoods and Watsonville Slough, and to build a Wildlife Tunnel under Highway

17. The campaign will also protect 400 acres of farmland. “These two donors are inspired,” Beiers said, “and they want to inspire others.” She said one of the donors told her, “If those of us who can afford it don’t step forward, why should anyone else.” Land Trust President Terry Corwin

said the total raised during the No Limits Challenge would be tracked on the group’s website. She said there was no goal for the effort. “It’s unlimited, so it’s up the community to decide, one donation at a time,” she said. For information, visit www. LandTrustSantaCruz.org.

Slough getting a refill

Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center

Thanks to recent steady rains Harkins Slough in Watsonville is starting to fill back up. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Taking part in the free flu shots and health check was Harold Wolgamott.

6 The Land - January 2016

FFA Chapters come together to sing Christmas Carols By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land

GREENFIELD — FFA members from five chapters in the Salinas Valley came together for their holiday tradition of caroling down El Camino Real in Greenfield. The FFA Chapter members from Greenfield, Gonzales, King City, North Salinas and Soledad high schools met at Greenfield High School to start their caroling and celebrating the holiday season. “It’s our tradition and every year we celebrate the annual Christmas Carol in our FFA program so it’s a great opportunity to get to know members and get to have fun around the community,” said Anthony Camacho, historian for Greenfield FFA. Yajaira Garcia said that she was really excited to be Christmas caroling with the FFA members. This marks Garcia’s first year and said that it also helped her to get into the holiday spirit. “This is a nice way to get into the holidays spirit and celebrate Christmas,” said Diana Maldando, Greenfield FFA member. “Caroling is really enjoyable and fun.”

Another float of FFA members.

FFA members from five different clubs came together to go Christmas Caroling down El Camino Real.

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The Land - January 2016 7

No crab for Christmas Toxin persists, leaving fishermen in the lurch By TODD GUILD Of the Land

MOSS LANDING — Holiday revelers planning yuletide feasts had to do it without Dungeness crab, or pay premium prices for the coveted crustaceans imported from out of state. That is after tests conducted recently showed high levels of naturally occurring domoic acid in the water off the West Coast. Based on similar tests by California health officials, state authorities delayed the Nov. 7 opening of sport Dungeness crab season, and the Nov. 15 start of the commercial season. Rock crab fishing, normally permitted year-round, was also closed. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin linked to “red tide” algae blooms, fueled this year by El Nino weather patterns. At low levels, the toxin can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal. Federal food safety rules require clean tests two weeks in a row before the ban can be lifted. When the closure — the first of its kind — was announced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Director Charlton Bonham said he did not make the decision lightly. “But doing everything we can to limit the risk to public health has to take precedence,” he said. But Tommy Hart, who fishes for crab, albacore and salmon, is skeptical that the closure was necessary. Crab fishing boats sit idle in the Moss Landing Harbor due to a massive toxic algae bloom hovering along the coast from Oregon to Santa Canadian officials in 1987 reported an Barbara. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land outbreak among mussels and shellfish, and in 1991 an outbreak resulted in brown pelican deaths, according to a study by the stores, which normally have cold cases Institute of Marine Biosciences. packed with crab during December. “There has never been a person who has New Leaf Community Markets been sickened or killed,” Hart said. Procurement Director Rory Treat said Still, CDFW spokeswoman Jordan stores offered a “very limited” amount of Traverso said that the domoic acid is Dungeness crab from Washington State, normally dissipated by the Christmas for which customers paid high prices. season. As an alternative, New Leaf is selling The high readings this year by the crab cakes made from blue crab imported California Department of Public Health, from Maryland. or within the Pajaro Valley Unified Staff report she said, left them with no choice. Hart said the negative attention from School District boundaries, or be a “When public health tells us there is a the closure will likely leave a stain on the WATSONVILLE — Agri-Culture is member of the Santa Cruz County Farm significant risk to public health we have to industry once it reopens. now accepting applications for the 2016 Bureau. Criteria for the scholarship take that seriously,” she said. “Even when we get to go, there is are based on student leadership skills, Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship. The closure is devastating for crab probably no consumer confidence,” he The $4,000 award is for a student a demonstrated commitment to the fishermen, who derive approximately said. entering or currently attending college industry, grades and financial need. 8 percent of their yearly income from Now, piles of crab pots sit idle, along The deadline for submitting and majoring in agriculture. This award Christmastime crab sales, said Joe Garcia, with boats and other equipment that still will be allocated for the remaining years applications for the Agri-Culture captain of the Helma. must be maintained. in college (maximum of four years) Scholarship Program is Wednesday, Officials say Oregon’s season will “It’s killing me,” Hart said of the closure. with verification of registration for each Feb. 24. likely open Jan. 1, and Washington State “I haven’t run out of money, but a lot of my To request an application, contact session of full time classes. This award is importing a limited amount to California friends can’t pay their rent.” is made possible through the Jimmie the Financial Aid office at your school Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund and or the Agri-Culture office, 141 Monte a $2,000 contribution from American Vista Ave. in Watsonville, call 722-6622 or email agri-culture@sbcglobal.net. AgCredit. To be eligible for the scholarships, Applications are also available at www. students must live in Santa Cruz County agri-culture.us.

Applications available for scholarship

Hidalgo appointed Agricultural Commissioner Staff report WATSONVILLE — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on unanimously appointed Juan Hidalgo to a four-year term as the county’s Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. Hidalgo succeeds Mary Lou Nicoletti, who is retiring at the end of the year. He has completed state licensing requirements required for the position under the California Food and Agricultural Code, has a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and has worked in Santa Cruz County since 2004, including serving as Deputy Agricultural Commissioner since 2012. “I’m honored to be appointed Agricultural Commissioner,” Hidalgo said. “Agriculture is very important in Santa Cruz County and I look forward

to continuing to protect agriculture, as well as the environment and the safety and welfare of Santa Cruz County residents.” The responsibilities of the office are multifaceted, including protecting the county’s agricultural crops, assuring compliance with state and federal regulations during the application of fumigants and pesticides, and protecting consumers by verifying the accuracy of weights and measures of commercial commodities. “Juan’s background, experience and intelligence will make him an excellent Agricultural Commissioner,” County Administrative Officer Susan A. Mauriello said. “He is familiar with local issues, communicates effectively with a variety of stakeholders and is ready to assume this important leadership position.”

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