Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties
November 2016
State sets pesticide limits
Planting an idea
Rules on Telone not enough for some
Of the Land
Hall District Elementary School gets fruit orchard By TODD GUILD
By TODD GUILD Of the Land
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Pesticide Regulation on Oct. 6 announced an update to the way the pesticide Telone is used and managed in the state. Opponents, meanwhile, say the new rules do little to protect residents, and allows for increased use in some areas. The changes establish a limit of 136,000 pounds per every six square-mile area, which is known as a township. Currently, township limits are between 90,250 and 180,500 pounds per year. The new regulations also prohibit “rolling over” unused allocations of Telone from one year for use in future years. In the past, that practice allowed some farmers to use more than 136,000 pounds of the pesticide in a given year. Finally, the regulations ban the pesticide entirely during December, when weather patterns cause the pesticide to linger in the air. California is the only state to limit how much of the pesticide can be used annually in any area. Telone, also known as 1,3-Dichloropropene, is a fumigant pesticide that is injected into the soil to sterilize it before the crop is planted. It is Please turn to Page 4
Apples are aglow in the sun at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
LAS LOMAS — Hall District Elementary School’s garden is growing. Reestablished by a teacher two years ago after lying fallow, the garden recently yielded zucchini, peas and greens that served as a snack for students and a lesson for teachers. After a visit from Ukiah-based Common Vision on Sept. 21, the garden is now replete with 18 fruit trees that will one day supply apples, figs, plums, pluots and lemons, among other fruits. More than a source of healthy food, the garden will be a living classroom and tie in to recently adapted Common Core standards that require real-world, hands-on experience. “We’re bringing education not just to the classroom, but to the outside,” said Hall District After-School Coordinator Denise Phipps-Craig. The garden will be managed by an on-site coordinator provided by Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Fitness 4 Life program, which provides afterschool activities such as cooking, bicycling, dancing, swimming and nutrition. The school paid $1,200 for the orchard, a sizable reduction of the total cost thanks to a grant and free labor from Common Vision. For its part, Common Vision sends teams of people on a large, colorful bus to schools throughout the state to help establish orchards that produce food and act as living classrooms. The group Please turn to Page 5
Local ag firm works to go off grid By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land
The combined energy from the solar farm and the wind turbine offset 1 megawatt or 25 percent of the need to the facility during peak hours. Submitted photo
SOUTH COUNTY – Taylor Farms is known throughout South County, either as the employer of many in South County or from the vegetables on the table. But now the company is becoming known for its continued renewable energy efforts. Taylor Farms has been working with REC Solar, a leading provider of commercial solar and energy solutions. “Taylor Farms is an industry leader in the ag sector and at their level, green corporate values and sustainable branding matter,” said Katy Poniatowski from Antenna Group for REC Solar. “The company has turned to solar to help offset costs for irrigation, dehydrators, cold storage and other energy intensive agricultural activities while doing what’s best for the planet.” REC Solar completed a 1-megawatt (MW) project in
Gonzales at the Taylor Farms facility located at 100 Puente del Monte Ave. This latest system, which is located on the roof of the building, together with the existing wind turbine, can offset more than 25 percent of the facility’s energy consumption during peak periods. REC Solar has previously completed a solar project for Taylor Farms in Salinas, and is currently working with the company on projects for their facilities in the cities of Tracy, California and Dallas, Texas. REC Solar’s agriculture sector installations account for 45 MW of the company’s installed total of over 200 MW. Over the past 19 years, REC Solar has helped approximately 70 businesses in the agricultural sector, including growers, vineyards, nurseries, food and beverage processors and cold storage facilities, to manage energy costs and improve longPlease turn to Page 4
Second-grader Patty Diaz-Barajas helps to plant a fruit tree in the Hall District Elementary School garden. Photo by Todd Guild/The Land
Inside ... Farm tour
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‘Taste of the Pinnacles’
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Gonzales 4H
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Grape harvest
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2 The Land - October 2016
District receives approval to start solar project at SHS Project projected to save $4 million in energy costs By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land
SOLEDAD — At its board meeting in August, the Soledad Unified School District (SUSD) approved a contract with OpTerra Energy Services (OpTerra), to design and construct the first solar project for the district, at Soledad High School. “We’re excited, and our Trustees are excited about this project,” said Interim Superintendent Jorge Z. Guzman. “Coming in from the educational side of the house, there is an educational component. The instructional piece where students are going to take a look at, monitor if you will, it measures the amount of energy that the system is pulling in. So there is some scientific and mathematical pieces that are coming together.” The system will be in the main parking lot along Gabilan Street between the tennis courts and the school. The solar panels will shade the cars parked in the lot. It is projected to save $4 million in energy costs. The project is estimated to generate more than 745,000 kWh of clean electric energy,
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which is the equivalent to removing 257 tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere annually. Students will be able to monitor the system at a kiosk in the school, keeping track of energy produced, peak hours and other factors in the system’s day-to-day use. The project is funded through a $2 million, zero percent interest loan from the California Energy Commission, and is expected to be completed by February 2017. The energy savings associated with the project’s renewable energy production will save the district approximately $45,000 annually after loan payments – totaling over $4,000,000 in energy savings over the 25-year life of the project. “Aside from the financial rewards that we are going to get, this project also going to create jobs, locally,” said SUSD Chief Business Official Cesar Vega. This solar project is the first step in an energy saving program that SUSD hopes will leverage State of California Proposition 39 funding, which is provided to every public school district for energy efficiency upgrades. The potential scope of a district-wide project would include solar at all district sites. It also includes upgrading interior and exterior lighting with LED technology, which dramatically reduces energy costs and improves the learning environment and campus safety. “We are excited that our Trustees, they have the vision of green energy, green technology that minimizes our footprint on the planet,” Guzman said. The State of California has partnered with California schools to make adding programs such as solar energy to the school sites. OpTerra Energy Services will start building this initial project at Soledad High School in December while students are away from the school. The SUSD Board of Trustees approved the project in the meeting held March 9 of this year. OpTerra was selected through a competitive procurement process in April 2016. Construction is expected to begin in mid-December.
The first of many solar projects will be built here at Soledad High School. Modeled after the MCOE project the system will generate more than 745,000 kWh of clean electric energy. Photo by Kellie Hicks/The Land
The Soledad High School main parking lot. In this diagram the areas in blue will be the solar awning. Photo by Kellie Hicks/The Land
Council votes to join farmworker housing study By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land
GONZALES – The Gonzales City Council unanimously approved an agreement to participate in a farmworker housing study that spans two counties and four cities. The Sept. 19 vote means that Gonzalez will join Salinas Greenfield and Soledad, and Santa Cruz and Monterey counties in the Farmworker Housing Study and Action
Plan for the Salinas Valley and Pajaro Valley. The staff report from City Manager Rene Mendez discussed the need for housing for agricultural workers throughout the Salinas Valley. “The Salinas Valley jurisdictions have been working on this issue for a number of years,” he said. It is estimated that the study will cost $255,000. The last study of this kind was held
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roughly 15 years ago. This study will analyze the surveys and work to bring forward a plan of best practices in farmworker housing development, financing, and management. Other agencies, stakeholders and interested parties the Study will include the Monterey County Health in all Policies Unit, the Monterey County Housing Authority, affordable housing developers/ agencies including CHISPA, Eden Housing, Mid-Pen Housing, the Center for Community Advocacy, Communities in Relational Power for Action, agricultural and business groups including the County Farm Bureaus, the California Strawberry Commission, and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. At the end of the study the group hopes to prepare range of solutions in public, private, and non-profit building of housing among all the cities, partners, and both counties including finding sources of financing. The City of Salinas will be paying the most at $170,00, and will be the lead agency in the study. The other agencies have agreed to contribute a lesser amount. Monterey County: $25,000, Santa Cruz County: $20,000, City of Greenfield: $5,000, City of King: $5,000 and the City of Soledad: $5,000, and an optional additional $2,500. The City of Gonzales will also give $5,000 to the effort; the money will be taken from the 2016-2017 Successor Agency Housing Budget. Each city or agency will be part of the oversight committee.
The Land - October 2016 3
Tour highlights organic, family-owned farms By ERIK CHALHOUB Of the Land
CORRALITOS — Now in its third year, the Corralitos Open Farm Tour is back with more farms and variety of crops than before. Ten family-owned farms participated in this year’s tour on Oct. 9, up from six farms last year, said organizer Penny Ellis. Blossoms Biodynamic Farm, Dos Aguilas Farm, Thomas Farm and Whiskey Hill Farm joined the tour this year. Returning farms include Prevedelli Farms, Live Earth Farms and Terra Sol Nursery. Among a variety of events taking place on the tour, attendees tried their hand at apple pressing at Live Earth Farm, as well as took part in a U-Pick for olives at Dos Aguilas Farm. Ellis said one of the main goals of the tour is to connect the public with organic farming, from crops such as apples, herbs, squash and more. “You really get to experience a lot of different crops that are grown organically,” she said. “That’s really what this is about — connecting people with the farm so they can learn how things are grown sustainably and why it is important to grow that way.” Ellis said organizers of the tour have found the turnout and interest grow with each year. About 450 people attended the tour last year, she said.
On the tour ☞ Thomas Farm
1690 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos ☞ Lakeside Organic Gardens 2896 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville ☞Lonely Mountain Farm 161 Pioneer Road, Corralitos ☞New Natives Organic Nursery 1255 Hames Road, Aptos ☞Prevedelli Farms 375 Pioneer View Road, Corralitos ☞Live Earth Farm 1275 Green Valley Road, Corralitos Michael Wachtel, CEO of Whiskey Hill Farm of Watsonville, shows a tray of freshly harvested organic tomatoes in 2015. Whiskey Hill Farm was part of the Corralitos Open Farm Tour. File photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
“We’re really at a tipping point in the culture,” Ellis said. “People are becoming more aware of what’s going on around them, and they are becoming more involved.” This year, Alladin Nursery, 2905 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville, hosted the tour’s marketplace. There, tour
goers sampled food from entrepreneurs in El Pajaro Community Development Corporation’s Kitchen Incubator, as well as Corralitos sausages. Live music and local artisans round out the marketplace. For information, visit www. openfarmtours.com.
☞Terra Sol Nursery 240 Pioneer View Road, Corralitos ☞Blossoms Biodynamic Farm 358 Merk Road, Corralitos ☞Dos Aguilas Farm 1855 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos ☞Whiskey Hill Farm 371 Calabasas Road, Watsonville
Get ready Soledad for a ‘Taste of the Pinnacles’
By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land
SOLEDAD – October saw the opening of a new eatery in the City of Soledad. Taste of the Pinnacles is the brainchild of Fred and Gloria Ledesma. What started as a thought of having wine tasting at the Soledad Visitors and Gateway Center at 502 Front St., proved unfeasible. But Fred was unwilling to give up his idea of having wine tasting somewhere in the City of Soledad. So the search was on for a place to house the idea. Gloria was enlisted to be the selling agent for a small house on Main
Street and gave Fred a call, saying, “hey, you know that wine idea you were talking about? I think I found a place.” Fred laughs about his first reaction upon walking into the house that has been restored and converted into The Taste of the Pinnacles. “I came here and I looked around and said, this place is a piece of junk,” Fred said. But he said he saw past what the building was, to what it could be. Once he removed the clutter, he saw that the rooms had high ceilings and painted wood floors. Floors were stripped and all but a few boards were serviceable, and he saw that the walls are actually plaster covered redwood planks, not sheet-rock.
It took months to get the place into condition to host people. The front room now boasts a marble wine bar with 12 taps for the ales and beers. There are several tables and chairs for relaxing and visiting with friends, perhaps around the original fireplace. The business is now wired with a sound system, and there are televisions. The Taste of the Pinnacles will feature wines from South County, the Santa Lucia Highlands and from Northern San Luis Obispo County. They also have a variety of mainstream and microbrews and craft beers, ciders, lagers and ales. The Ledesmas are working on a small menu that includes cold and hot sandwiches, soups, and cheese trays.
The Taste of the Pinnacles has become a family affair with Fred and Gloria’s children having helped out in one way or another. Their son Freddy will be the official barbecue chef, and tri-tip sandwiches are on the menu too. It took almost a year for the house to be changed. There is a room that when open, allows for more seating, but can be closed for private parties. They hope to host live music a couple times a month. The Taste of the Pinnacles is scheduled to be open Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
4 The Land - October 2016
Taylor Farms
Continued from page 1
term business stability with clean solar energy. “Taylor Farms is a leader in the agriculture industry, and now in sustainability, because we know it’s the right thing to do,” said Nicole Flewell, director of sustainability at Taylor Farms. “Not only are we taking care of the environment but we’re also providing ourselves with reliable and cost
effective energy sources.” Alan Russo, senior vice president of sales and marketing at REC Solar said that the agriculture community was one of the first to embrace solar technology because of the business and environmental benefits. “We are proud of the work we are doing to help such a critically important industry thrive in California, Hawaii and across the
Workers mount the solar panels to the roof of the Taylor Farms facility in Gonzales. Submitted photos
Pesticides
nation,” Russo said. Taylor Farms is a Salinas-based, family-owned business and based in Salinas, California with twelve operating companies throughout North America. REC Solar announced that, in conjunction with Taylor Farms, it surpassed 100 installations for the agriculture sector. The installation is part of Taylor Farms’
commitment to investing in renewable energy sources across the country, company officials said. The company has plans to add a second wind turbine and a cogeneration plant expected to create an additional 2 MW of power for the plant that will offset another 50 percent, bringing the total to 75 percent of their own power generation.
A view of the completed solar installation on the roof of the Taylor Farms facility in Gonzales
Continued from page 1
used to control insects, nematodes and other organisms in the soil that threaten crops such as sweet potatoes, almonds, strawberries, grapes and carrots. Telone has been used in the U.S. since 1954 and in California since 1970, mostly in the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast. The EPA classified it in 2007 as a likely carcinogen, and it is included on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer. As a restricted material, Telone can only be applied by certified personnel under a permit from a county agricultural commissioner. “These changes reflect my commitment to a more effective approach to protecting the public from harm from pesticide use, particularly fumigants,” said DPR Director Brian Leahy. “The new method for limiting use guards against harm from the extended use of this fumigant, while retaining it as a tool to fight pests that could otherwise harm California agriculture.” The new limits were developed after a comprehensive risk assessment of the chemical, and after reviewing data from air monitoring, Leahy said. “DPR is continuously revising and updating how pesticides are used in California,” he said. “While our studies continue to show that we have been protective of human health, I believe
Ohlone Elementary School is shown surrounded by agricultural fields. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released a list of proposed rules that would restrict pesticide application around schools. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
that overhauling the way we manage the pesticide, to be based upon a fixed annual amount, will be health protective and
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simpler to manage.” Mark Weller, co-director of Californians for Pesticide Reform, said the rules will allow 50 percent more Telone to be used in some townships. Weller added that the new regulations came despite objections by scientists in the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. DPR has in the past banned Telone because of its associated cancer risk, Weller said. “Once again, DPR has chosen to listen to Dow Chemical instead of agency scientists,” he said. “It’s beyond me how DPR can spin this as an improvement. And it’s simply egregious that DPR has again ignored the voices of the frontline communities most at risk, who have repeatedly demanded better protections from this cancer-causing chemical.” Health advocates also point out that the December ban on Telone won’t do much for residents living near Pajaro Valley strawberry fields, since the heaviest use occur in the fall, much of it around schools. “We need better protections from Telone at our schools and in our communities, but DPR has given us less,” said Francisco Rodriguez, president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers. “The new
regulation allows for more Telone use in every township in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. It’s outrageous.” California farmers used more than 13 million pounds of Telone in 2014, mostly on strawberry crops. That number is increasing as methyl bromide is phased out. Fumigant pesticides raise special concern because of their tendency to drift away from the fields where they are applied. A monitor operated by DPR at Shafter High School in Kern County recorded Telone in 2013 at four times DPR’s level of concern for cancer risk, even though use around the school was roughly two-thirds the maximum annual allotment. “There has to be a better way to grow food that doesn’t increase kids’ cancer risk,” said Gary Rodriguez, a fourth-grade teacher in Shafter. “We know that Telone is present in Shafter air at dangerous levels, even though it’s not used heavily nearby. This is one pesticide that needs to be phased out immediately. It’s hard to understand why DPR doesn’t do more.” ••• For information, visit www.cdpr. ca.gov/docs/whs/1_3_d.htm or www. pesticidereform.org.
The Land - October 2016 5
Fruit Orchard
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also installs watering systems. After establishing the orchards, the organization returns periodically to provide upkeep and maintenance services. To date, Common Vision has planted more than 8,000 trees at 235 schools from San Diego to Sacramento. “For us, school gardens and school orchards are outdoor living labs, and let kids get their hands dirty and form a connection with the food they eat,” said Executive co-director Michael Flynn. ••• Common Vision depends entirely on donations and grants. To make a contribution, or for information, visit www.commonvision.org.
Common Vision volunteer Pilar Sanguinetti (wearing a hat) teaches a group of students about the roots of a pomegranate tree as they prepare to plant it. Photo by Todd Guild/The Land
Volunteers clean up area beaches Staff report WATSONVILLE — Trash bags and buckets in hand, volunteers fanned out across the Monterey Bay Area on Sept. 17 to clean up a number of beaches during the Annual Coastal Cleanup Day. In Watsonville, 191 volunteers participated, including 100 volunteers from Watsonville and Pajaro Valley high schools, according to Tami Stolzenthaler, environmental education coordinator for the City of Watsonville. Volunteers
collected 1,463 pounds of trash and 594 pounds of recycling from the Pajaro River, the Watsonville Sloughs and Palm Beach. In three hours, 3,148 volunteers at 75 cleanup sites between Waddell Creek Beach in Northern Santa Cruz County and Big Sur in Monterey County prevented 10.5 tons or 20,955 pounds of trash from entering the Pacific Ocean during Save Our Shores’ 32nd Annual Coastal Cleanup. In Santa Cruz County, 2,092 volunteers removed 8,403 pounds of waste. In Monterey County, 1,056 volunteers
removed 12,552 pounds of waste. “It’s a great day for coastal cleanup, thousands came out,” said Save Our Shores Executive Director Katherine O’Dea. “We thank everyone for all they do to keep our ocean paradise clean and beautiful. It was great engaging with the community. It was also wonderful to see so many kids join with their parents, learning how to care for the beach.” According to Save Our Shores, cigarette butts were the number one item removed from the Monterey Bay National Marine
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6 The Land - October 2016
Gonzales 4-H announces Club Officers The Gonzales 4-H has announced their 2016-17 Club Officers. The officers were installed at the group’s August meeting. They are (left to right) Nico Montes - Health Officer; Ashley Gardoni - Vice President; Holly Bettencourt - Sunshine Bearer; Erick Lombardi - Corresponding Secretary; Lauren Toomey - Historian; Cassi Calabro Treasurer; Colt Rubbo - Sergeant at Arms; Jaylen Calabro - Flag Bearer; Caitlin Pineda - Recording Secretary; Schanell Myers - Sergeant at Arms and Brittni Lombardi is the 2016-17 Club President. The Gonzales 4-H Community Club Leader is Christina Kaupp. Submitted photo
PV Water provides basin plan update Staff report WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency announced progress has been made on the implementation of the Basin Management
Plan Update adopted in 2014. The plan addresses three areas: conserving existing water supplies, increasing the use of existing water supplies including recycled water, and developing new water supplies.
Supplemental water deliveries have expanded south of the Pajaro River in North Monterey County this summer with the completion of new pipelines funded through $1.5 million in grants. PVWMA also has received $300,000 in grant funding to support water conservation programs, a major tenant of the BMP. Conservation provides about 40 percent of the reduced groundwater pumping needed to solve the basin problems over the next two decades. Additionally, PVWMA is increasing recycled water storage at the Watsonville Area Recycled Water Facility. This joint project with the City of Watsonville is
underway now. Another project, upgrades to the Harkins Slough Recharge Facility, is planned during the implementation of the BMP and, together, these projects are to provide a 30 percent reduction in groundwater pumping in the basin. Supplemental supply projects, such as one proposed to put water from College Lake to beneficial use, are also planned for the future to provide new sources of water to replace groundwater pumping. The BMP Update is being implemented over a 20-year period, and requires water rights and environmental issues to be resolved for the supplemental supply projects.
Medical marijuana facilities review committee approved by Greenfield By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land
GREENFIELD — In a unanimous decision on Sept. 27 the City Council approved a seven-member medical marijuana facilities review committee. The council also looked at its process for approving a review committee for the issuance of medical marijuana facility licenses. “We’ve got about 13 applications,” City Manager Susan Stanton said. “I think it’s important for the city council to specifically decide who is going to be on the review committee.” David McPherson would consider the medical marijuana facilities eligibility and qualifications. Then the review committee will meet with the applicants that have been reviewed by McPherson. Stanton recommended the Community Services Director, the City Manager, the police chief, one city council member, a planning council chairperson or designee, a clergy council representative
or general city resident to serve on the committee. McPherson also gave a recommendation on Sept. 23 to include the fire marshal. “I think adding a fire marshal is a good idea, but as far as adding another resident I’m not sure about that,” Council Member Leah Santibanez said. “If you don’t get a clergy person that wants to participate you already have the choice of a clergy person or a city resident.” Greenfield Union School District Board President Juergen Smith called for an environmental impact report. “Let’s see how overall this will affect our community,” he said. “Specifically how it affects water.” Another resident suggested that the City Council members worked with the schools to come up with a program to talk to the students about the effects of marijuana.
The Land - October 2016 7
Cool summer leads to late grapes
Basor Terrace Vineyards is 4.5 acres on Whiting Road. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Greenfield FFA officers meet with school board By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land
GREENFIELD — Members of the Greenfield High School Chapter Future Farmers of America met with South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Board recently to speak about their goals for the school year and the activities on tap. “The theme for the 2016-2017 school year we chose growth,” President Gissell Neri Corcoles said. “We wanted members to grow as leaders, and to serve the community with purpose.” The motto for the Greenfield High School FFA year is “Cultivate Success” to recognize the hard work of the FFA students on their Supervised Agricultural Experiences projects and public speaking competitions. The Greenfield High School FFA Chapter has four goals for the upcoming
year. The Chapter would like to encourage its members through extended enthusiasm, increasing chapter recognition and increasing student success at the national and state levels. The chapter’s fourth goal is to increase notifications through public notification. “On Tuesday we had our second annual chapter meeting which was very successful,” Corcoles said. “We had more than 230 members attend.” The Greenfield High School FFA has several conferences and activities planning over the course of the school year, including the Monterey Bay Section opening and closing ceremonies, Chapter Officer Leadership Conference in Hollister, the Greenfield Harvest Festival, eighth-grade recruitment assembly at Vista Verde Middle School, and a canned food drive.
John Basor shows his latest harvest of Viogneir and red Gewurztraminer he grew at his 4.5acre vineyard on Whiting Road. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
By TARMO HANNULA WATSONVILLE — An unusually cool summer has led to a late harvest for local vintner John Basor. While Basor and his wife, Jelka, and family members have harvested some of the 4.5 acres of Basor Terrace Vineyards on Whiting Road, there is still some Gewürztraminer and Viognier grapes awaiting late harvest. “We started harvesting some of the Pinot Grigio grapes almost a month ago for Deux Puix Wines in San Francisco,” Basor said. “One block of the Viognier on the east side of the vineyard ripened almost three weeks later than the west block. We didn’t have very much sun in most of the month of August and the first part of September. We had cool weather so what’s why it took longer; it’s been a long season.” Basor said that one of the most difficult tasks in harvesting this year was trying to locate pickers. He said he had to team up
with his wife, and daughter, Luci, and son, Ivo, to pick more than half of the crop. Some of their friends pitched in as well. The crop yield, which has been going on since 2005, varies from six tons to 26 tons a year. This year they rounded up about 15 tons. Typical tasks in maintaining and harvesting the grapes include pruning, picking or mulching the brush, fertilizing, irrigating (three or four times), removing suckers, grafting, de-budding, removing new laterals, installing the canopy net, spraying, hedging, de-leafing and chasing gophers. Being from the Konavle Valley in Croatia, Basor said he learned to work with grapes from his parents where, among other things, they stomped the grapes with their bare feet. He has bolstered his wine knowledge by taking world wine and other classes at Cabrillo College. “It is especially a lot of fun when your own bottle that you made turns out to be good wine,” Basor said.
Governor signs bill to protect farm workers from pesticide poisoning Staff report SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed AB 2892, a bill by Assemblyman Luis A. Alejo (D-Salinas) and the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee that will protect agricultural workers who regularly handle highly toxic organophosphate and carbamate (OP/CB) pesticides. OP/CB pesticides are especially dangerous because exposure can lower the level of a worker’s cholinesterase, an enzyme essential to the proper functioning of the nervous system. Cholinesterase depression can lead to blurred vision, diarrhea, increased respiratory secretions, tremors, seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death. “While the use of these dangerous pesticides has declined, millions of pounds are still applied every year,” Alejo said. “We need to better protect the hardworking men and women who harvest our food in the fields. I thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of this legislation. Lives are at stake.” AB 2892 enhances the California
Medical Supervision Program, which requires employees who handle OP/ CB pesticides to be monitored by a physician-medical supervisor. Monitoring cholinesterase levels enables detection of overexposure so that action, such as removing the employee from further exposure, can be taken to prevent worker illness. AB 2892 improves the California Medical Supervision Program by requiring that cholinesterase test results be transmitted to the state for continued program and employee evaluation and improvement. It also requires medical supervisors to register with the Office of Health Hazard Assessment so that OEHHA can provide outreach and oversight of participating physicians. And it requires medical supervisors to report depressions in cholinesterase levels so that the Department of Pesticide Regulation and local agricultural commissioners can appropriately track and follow up on over-exposure cases. AB 2016 received near unanimous bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature. The Assembly approved it 75-1 and the Senate 38-0.
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Proudly serving our customers and communities for 70 years
OPEN 7 DAYS!
Seed Dynamics is specialized in seed-applied plant protectants 1081 Harkins Road P.O. Box 6069 Salinas, CA 93912 Telephone (831) 424-1177 • Fax (831) 424-0174
SEED DYNAMICS Inc. The Seed Preparation Professionals®
• AIR COMPRESSORS • AUTO TOOLS • CHAIN SAWS • GENERATORS • GARDEN TOOLS • LOG SPLITTERS • MIXERS
• FORKLIFTS • MANLIFTS • LIGHT TOWERS • REACH LIFTS • BACKHOES • TRUCKS • TRAILERS
WE PAY THE SALES TAX ON RENTALS!
& MORE!
Now! SEVEN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS Santa Clara
408-727-0822
2550 LAFAYETTE ST.
Hollister
831-638-1999 2610 SAN JUAN RD.
Campbell
408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE.
Watsonville
831-722-0334 285 W. BEACH ST.
www.AToolShed.com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED
Morgan Hill
408-779-7368 95 E. MAIN AVE.
Santa Cruz
Salinas
3700 SOQUEL AVE.
210 W. MARKET ST.
831-477-7133 831-424-7368
WE DELIVER