THE LAND and its people

Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties

Assistance for droughtaffected, low-income households

Agricultural workers celebrated at event

By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of The Land

Monterey County receives $60,000 of Drought Water Program

By TARMO HANNULA Of The Land

MONTEREY COUNTY — Central Coast Energy Services, Inc. (CCES), in partnership with the Community Action Partnership of Monterey County, will provide drought-affected, low-income households in Monterey County with a one-time payment assistance benefit on residential water bills.

The Drought Water Assistance Program was announced by the California Department of Community Services and Development to promote water conservation and prevent disruption in vital water services for lowincome households.

The Drought Program, a $600,000 Community Services Block Grant, was distributed to 10 California counties where the unemployment rate is higher than the 2013 statewide average, the share of agricultural workers is higher than the state as a whole, and which are experiencing “exceptional” drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Classification System. The 10 counties that received the grant are Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus and Tulare. Each county was awarded $60,000.

“Monterey County Community Action Partnership is happy to work with CCES in the provision of this much needed assistance to low-income households,” said Margarita

October 2014

Carol, Dan and Dave Sanford in front of limestone barbecue he built at home on Junipero in Atascadero, 1955.

Three rock-solid generations at Sanford Stone

By CONNIE PILLSBURY For The Land

TEMPLETON — Dave Sanford smiles as he tells the story of the beginnings of Sanford Stone. “The way it started was really a fluke,” he says.

His father, Dan Sanford, was a Captain

GREENFIELD — Food is a necessity for all life to survive, and the people that work in agricultural fields are a major resource in getting food from the fields to tables every day. Greenfield honored those workers on Aug. 31 at Patriot Park.

“This event is a way of thanking the farmworkers for their hard work and dedication,” said Emma Bojorquez, South County Outreach Efforts chairperson.

The day is known as the dia del trabjador agricola or the day of the agricultural worker. It was started more than 20 years ago by a group of agencies called SCORE (South County Outreach Efforts). The group decided that it would be nice to recognize and celebrate the farm workers for their hard work and dedication.

Since South County is mostly agriculture, and in order to include not only the field workers but production workers, tractor drivers, irrigators and more, they chose to use the day of the agriculture worker.

The group also formed a subcommittee that decided that the celebration of the farm workers should include entertainment. The entertainment this year featured eight musical acts including Please turn to Page 2

at the Las Tables Forestry Station west of Templeton after serving as a Navy radioman in World War II. Dan and his crew at the station decided to build some rock retaining walls and Dan went to Ray Dubost’s nearby ranch to talk about getting limestone for the walls.

Please turn to Page 4

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Paso Robles Horse Park going to be larger venue Opening pushed back to spring 2015 due to changes

By PAULA MCCAMBRIDGE Of The Land

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Horse Park is expanding its first phase of construction in response to Class A promoters excited to get their events on the Paso Robles schedule.

That means a few-month delay in opening the park but also that the place will host grand-spectacle competitions much sooner than expected. The park was originally scheduled to open this fall, and there still may be some smaller events on site in coming months. The entire park is now scheduled to open in spring 2015.

“Because there’s so much interest in the park, we’re expanding now,” said Cathy David, parks spokesperson.

“Class A promoters have seen it and are very interested in hosting their events here. They’re already submitting applications for May 2015. It’s really exciting.”

Class A shows are the top of the heap, featuring the work of Olympic-level competitors. David said the park will draw equestrians from across the western United States.

During events, there will be vendors and, David Please turn to Page 4

Kids and adults enjoyed life-size versions of tinker toys and smaller versions. The event offered information for programs such as Hartnell courses, music, food, dancing, games and more to the workers who bring food to people every day.

Samantha Bengtson/The Land

Inside ...

Greenfield Livestock Team goes to MC Fair

2

Holman Ranch rich in history 3 CLCA Beautification Awards

5

Horesemen’s Club celebrates

5

Drought hurts avocado growers

6

2 The Land - October 2014

Greenfield Livestock Team goes to Monterey County Fair

Greenfield High School Livestock team attends Monterey County Fair. The team had weight champion goat, a Reserve Weight Champion goat, and a Reserve Weight Champion lamb. Photos by Adrian Tejeda

By ADRIAN TEJEDA Greenfield FFA reporter

GREENFIELD — Sixteen Greenfield High School students participated in the Monterey County Fair on Aug. 27-29.

Leo Delgado, Roseless Mendez and Kristian Mejia took swine projects to the fair. Andrea Garcia, Adrian Tejeda, Jasmin Romero, Maritza Trujillo, Norvella Mendoza and Gissel Neri Corcoles showed goats. Cherokee Williams, Fabiola Iniguez, Etzy Pizano, Rachel Garcia, Carolina Martinez, and Berenice Gomez showed their lambs. Giovanni Mendoza showed a

duck and a turkey.

The first day of the fair was Aug. 27 where Leo, Roseless and Kristian participated in the swine show. The swine team won sixth place in the pen of three.

On Aug. 28, the goat team participated in the market goat show where Andrea won third place in Novice showmanship, Norvella won Weight Champion and Adrian Reserve Weight Champion. Also that day, the lamb team participated in the sheep show where three students placed in Novice showmanship, Etzy in seventh place, Fabiola in sixth place, and Cherokee in fifth place. Rachel received Reserve

Berenice Gomez shows her lamb.

Weight Champion for her lamb project.

Giovanni participated in the poultry show on Aug. 29, where he got first place in Novice showmanship and third place in Senior showmanship.

The Greenfield High School Livestock team sold their goats, hogs and sheep successfully in the livestock auction on Aug. 30.

The team also participated in the vegetable judging competition in which Gissel won third place.

“Overall we had a fun experience and a great time,” said Tejeda.

Leo Delgado and Kristian Mejia show their pigs at the Monterey County Fair.

Ag Workers Continued from page 1

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Aventurero Musical, Ale Mujica, Banda Pachuco, Banda San Andres, Los Potrillos Musical, Grupo Impacto 5, Banda Peligro, and Mariachi Juvenil Santa Cruz.

The SCORE subcommittee also thought that “Dia del Trabjador Agricola” should serve as a chance to learn about all the services available to them. The committee decided to invite all the nonprofit agencies that provide services to come and do outreach to the farmworker.

“To get them to go to the agencies, we decided to issue them a ballot so they could take the agencies to sign after learning of services offered and with the ballot they could be eligible for raffles,” said Bojorquez.

The event is free and is made possible through donations, police department and nonprofit volunteers. Bojorquez reported that around 7,000 people attended the event.

Dia del Trabajador Agricola is held each year on the last Sunday of August.

The Land - October 2014 3

Holman Ranch rich in history

By DEBORAH MILLS Of The Land

SOUTH COUNTY — Holman Ranch is a step back into time of a traditional historic hacienda originally built in 1928, with the venue tucked away in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley. The setting is ideal for weddings, special events, family gatherings and corporate retreats.

On the 400-acre property is their estate grown vineyard and olive tree grove with a horse stable and arena.

The grounds surrounding the hacienda flows from area to area where it has its own unique charm and feel steeped with an elegant flair.

There are 10 guests’ suites with all the amenities of old world charm with an overtone of western allure.

The history of Holman Ranch began when California was still part of Mexico. Under the Crown of Spain, the ranch was part of the lands bestowed to the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo.

When the Mexican government secularized the mission lands, one of the first ranchers in Carmel Valley, Don Jose Manuel Boronda, was granted the Los Laureles Rancho — 6,625 acres that included what is now Holman Ranch.

Their ranch passed through many hands until the Pacific Improvements Company acquired it in 1882.

In 1928, a San Francisco businessman, Gordon Armsby, was attracted to the rich farmland and leisurely pace of Carmel Valley, and purchased 600 acres in the Los Laureles area of the Valley, including what would be Holman Ranch.

Armsby hired Clarence Tantau (of Del Monte Hotel fame) to design the home that would reside on his new property. Tantau and Armsby chose a classic Spanish-style hacienda, which proffered impressive stonewalls — all

built from local Carmel stone.

They installed handmade Mexican terracotta roofing and hand-carved oakbeamed ceilings. Nestled in a stand of mature oaks, nicknamed “Casa Escondida,” or “Hidden House,” the estate served as an exclusive hideaway for many Hollywood celebrities including Charlie Chaplin and Theda Bara.

The ranch passed through several hands since 1928 and in 1940, Clarence Holman, eldest son of Holman’s Department Store family purchased the ranch and converted it from a “gentleman’s retreat” into an architectural retreat working within the framework of the area’s natural beauty.

Holman expanded the structures to include guest rooms and one of the first swimming pools in the Valley.

This renovated resort entertained some of Hollywood’s finest, such as, Clark Gable, Vincent Price, Joan Crawford and Marlon Brando.

In 1989, Dorothy McEwen stepped in to preserve the Ranch’s historic past as a private estate and event venue. She planted a small vineyard and founded the stables.

In 2006, Thomas and Jarman Lowder learned of the property and fell for its charms. They bought the ranch and began restoring; refurbishing and updating the property back to its original grandeur.

They even took what was once a garage and made a private little chapel.

They added 17 acres of vineyards and wine caves. The expanded upon the hardscape and landscape keeping within the heritage of the hacienda giving it a fresh new look with a timeless appeal of old world flair.

Their motto, “Where the Past is always Present,” resonates with-in the picturesque grounds where anywhere your eye travels it is a feast for the eyes to behold.

The Lowder family who purchased the property in 2006 updated the landscape at Holman Ranch.

They utilized the framework of the existing oak trees and enhanced it with plant material that complement the grounds. Photos by Deborah Mills/The Land

Holman Ranch is known as the ideal setting for weddings, special events and family gatherings.

Attention to detail is evident at Holman Ranch; the ceiling of the main dining room had twinkle lights on the ceiling resembling stars in the night sky.

TVF opens new stand

Come harvest the best nature has to offer

By ALLYSON OKEN Of The Land

TEMPLETON — Fresh farm vegetables, fruit, flowers, eggs and honey — all of nature’s bounty — can be found at Templeton Valley Farms new farm stand on Climbing Tree Road in Templeton.

They offer more than just the farm stand experience. Anyone can come and harvest their food. To join in on the farm-to-table experience, the new stand is open Tuesday and Friday from 3-6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Owners Trina and Ed BaumsteigerRambuski had a vision when they started their small family farm in 2006. According to Trina, Ed is the man with the farming know-how after working on the family farm as a kid in Cuba, New York. With 50 years of farming in their family, it was a natural progression for them to start Templeton Valley Farms. Trina explained that they have some big plans for the future and are hoping to grow even more.

“We just finished our new farm stand made from our own adobe harvested on our land and straw bales,” said Trina. “It is completely green and energy efficient and it stays nice and cool to keep our produce fresh. We also want to welcome people to come by and harvest their own fruits and

veggies and have some fun getting down and dirty with us. Right now, we have some great fixings for making fresh salsa with our tasty tomatoes, fresh garlic, onion and Anaheim and habanero peppers. Our plans for the future are to make some community partnerships to provide more people with healthy food. We would also like to allow for gleaning and are looking into making connections with local gleaning groups.

Another vision is to have a barn on our property but that will take some time. We feel very lucky to be living our dream and providing great food to our community. It is really just a lot of fun.”

This year TVF will also be offering fresh-cut flowers in addition to the many other bounties of the harvest. For those that like fresh honey, TVF also has 10 beehives that produce raw golden honey. According to Trina their honey goes fast so to get in on the harvest, look for announcements on their web page.

In addition, TVF will also be producing pumpkins, gourds and decorative corn for the fall harvest. Trina and Ed welcome all out to choose a fresh pumpkin off the vine and enjoy a fun time with family at the farm.

Templeton Valley Farms is located at 880 Climbing Tree Road in Templeton.

For more information, visit www. templetonvalleyfarms.com.

The new adobe farm stand keeps the veggies and visitors nice and cool when looking for the best produce. Photos By Allyson Oken

Trina and Ed, owners & founders of Templeton Valley Farms

4 The Land - October 2014

Sanford Stone

Continued from page 1

Dan harvested the limestone and built the walls, which turned out so nice that others in the area wanted the stone for their projects. Dan spent his off hours harvesting stone, and that is when he decided he liked the idea of working with stone for a living.

He left the Forest Service in 1950, and made a deal with Dubost to harvest and sell the Adelaida limestone on his property for a small royalty of 50 cents per ton.

Dan’s wife, Polly, and infant daughter, Carol, lived in Arroyo Grande, so at first, Dan camped under a large oak tree near Dubosts with a cook stove and sleeping bag during the week. Later he and Polly, Carol and new son, Dave, moved into a small shack on the Dubost ranch. His only equipment was a pick and shovel and a pickup truck. Tall, lean and strong, he quarried, split and loaded the stone by hand.

By 1953, Dan built a home for his family on Junipero in Atascadero, using

the Adelaida limestone for a backyard barbecue. The business was growing, and in 1954 he purchased a small bulldozer.

He loaded his 8-ton truck by hand and would often drive to Los Angeles with a load of stone that sold for $25-$30 per ton.

Eventually, Dan purchased a forklift, and for the first time, loaded the heavy rocks onto pallets by machinery instead of with his own hands. In 1958, he bought a lot on El Camino Real in Atascadero where he built another family home at the rear of the property and set up a retail stone yard in the front. That home, with its stone display walls, sits behind what is now Enterprise Car Rental.

“I worked stone with my dad since I was ten years old, and learned the trade and got more responsibilities as I got older,” explains Dave Sanford. He worked weekends at the Dubost quarry as he went through Atascadero High School, and helped customers at the stone yard in front

Today, the Sanford family, Jessica, Scott, Dave and Debi run Sanford Stone Company together.

Horse Park

of their home.

When Dave was 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, and spent one year in Viet Nam in the 1st Marine Division infantry north of Da Nang. “It was very hard on my mom when I enlisted,” he said. While he was gone, his dad sold the home and stone yard and was building houses, still using stone. Dave returned home at age 19, and had his own trucking business until 1981, when he decided to pick up the stone business and get it going again. He again worked with his dad, who always loved being out at the quarry.

By 1985, Dave was ready to open his own stone yard on a two-acre lot on Marquita Avenue in Templeton. In addition to working the Dubost quarry, he purchased a quarry in Kern County that produced ‘Shist,’ a popular gray-toned rock for pathways and walls. In 1989, Dave and wife, Debi, added a welcoming and homey office built by Real Log Homes of Missoula, Montana. “Dad and mom were extremely happy to see this, and dad would sit on a chair on the porch and look things over,” says Dave.

Today, the third generation of Sanfords is busy at work at the business. Jessica Sanford Porter, 37, and Scott Sanford, 35, “know the business inside and out,” boasts their dad, Dave. “I learned the quarry business from my dad, and they learned the retail business from me,” explains Dave.

From a half-dozen pallets of Adelaida limestone in the early days to over hundreds of pallets of 24 types of stone, the Sanford family has become the main supplier of stone for the area. When asked what was the key to his success, Dave Sanford replied, “Be honest. Give a fair deal. Be good for your word and do the right thing, and time will work in your favor.”

Carol, Polly and Dave Sanford in front of family home and Sanford stone yard on El Camino Real in Atascadero, 1960. (current location of Enterprise Rental Car)

Dan Sanford, founder of Sanford Stone in 1950, “liked to work the stone more than anything, and worked the quarry until shortly before his death in 2004,” says son Dave Sanford.

Continued from page 1

emphasizes, because the park is inside city limits, the city will collect sales tax from the site.

The park, the vision of former competitor, Linda Starkman, is 67 acres.

“She no longer competes, but she really has this vision and wants to leave this legacy,” David said. “She came here and fell in love with the area.”

Starkman’s 67-acre vision will have RV parking in back for event participants. 500 square feet — three acres — of turf went down in July. A sloped guest area will be fully covered in grass, and five arenas in the first phase of construction with the goal of expanding that number to six.

“There will be five total arenas,” David said. “The main arena will be twice as big as all the others combined, and the main arena can be reconfigured for smaller shows so more than one is going on at the same time.”

The turf arena is the largest. The others will be on sand. There is expected to be between eight and 10 shows each year, including local and junior events.

There will be a hay barn and stalls — 200 stalls in the initial phase of construction but with room to expand to 500.

All 67 acres, short of building pads, will

be concrete-free, David said.

“There will never be any concrete walkways,” she said. “The whole park will be maintained on dirt and grass. Every time it rains, the water goes right into the earth.”

The grass is a whole other story — a lot of care was put into finding a low-water turf that would be compatible with the Central Coast’s dry climate where water resources are scarce.

“It’s a Bermuda hybrid that’s heat and drought tolerant,” David said. “It can withstand 100-degree heat and goes dormant in the winter; when the temperature of the earth goes up, the grass will turn green again.”

Project Manager Chet Voss said the rural landscape within city limits is the perfect situation for a park like this.

“It’s in the city limits, so it’s convenient, but our neighbors are rural, so we’re not encroaching on anyone’s property,” Voss said. “It’ll probably be ready for spring, but we’ll be able to do little acts late this fall — we just got the last of our building permits.”

The Paso Robles Horse Park is located at 3801 Hughes Parkway in Paso Robles. For more information on the park, email info@ pasorobleshorsepark.com.

Cathy David, Paso Robles Horse Park spokesperson, talks about the plans for the new venue.

Photo by Paula McCambridge/Of the Land

Project Manager Chet Voss said the rural The Paso Robles Horse Park is located at landscape within city limits is the perfect 3801 Hughes Parkway in Paso Robles. situation for a park like this.

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The Land - October 2014 5

CLCA San Luis Obispo Chapter hands out Beautification Awards

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The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) recently held its 4th annual Landscape Beautification Awards for the San Luis Obispo Chapter at the Madonna Inn. The awards were presented by Debbie Arnold, 5th District County Supervisor.

Landscape Projects were entered from Paso Robles to Santa Maria.

Judges were Rene Emeterio, CEO of Specialized Landscape Management Services, Inc., of Simi Valley, and Klaus Kumme, president of Kumme Landscaping, of Castaic. The emcee for the night was Michael Kneeskern of Central Coast Landscape Products.

The Sweepstakes Award, best overall project — sponsored by Landscape Contractors Insurance Services — was presented to KD Janni Landscaping.

The John Thomas Memorial Award, best residential project — sponsored by Ewing Irrigation — was presented to Earthscapes.

In the Small Residential category — sponsored by John Deere Landscapes — AAA Landscaping swept the category taking both first place and Outstanding Achievement.

In Medium Residential — sponsored

by Central Coast Landscape Products — first place went to Addison Landscape while All Seasons Landscaping took Outstanding Achievement.

Addison Landscape won first place in Large Residential — sponsored by Zum Wilkins — and Sage Ecological Landscapes won Outstanding Achievement.

In Residential Estates — sponsored

by Sanford Stone — first place went to Addison Landscape and Paradise Environments won Outstanding Achievement.

The first place award for Small Commercial Construction — sponsored

by Hunter Industries/ FX Luminaire —

Drought Program Zarraga, Monterey CAP county director.

CCES will now provide eligible applicants with a one-time payment of up to $100 on water utility accounts in addition to water conservation information.

Applicants that demonstrate an extreme hardship may be considered for additional assistance. CCES estimates the Drought Water Assistance program funding will benefit approximately 500 households in Monterey County.

“This program will be of increasing importance to people as rising conservation water rates take effect in our communities,” said CCES Executive Director Dennis Osmer.

CCES will partner with local water utility companies to coordinate payments for applicants who have a current, past due, or disconnected water account. Applicants

went to St. Francis Landscape.

KD Janni Landscaping took first place in the Large Commercial category — sponsored by Hunter Industries/ FX Luminaire.

In Sustainable Landscape — sponsored by The Atascadero Mutual Water Co./Citiesof SLO and Paso Robles — first place went to Addison Landscape.

In Hardscape — sponsored by Air Vol Block, Inc — Addison Landscape won first place while AAA Landscaping took Outstanding Achievement.

The first place winner of the Small Residential Maintenance — sponsored by American Marborg — was Earthscapes, with St. Francis Landscape winning Outstanding Achievement.

In Large Residential Maintenance — sponsored by Farm Supply — Addison Landscape won first place while Paradise Environments won Outstanding Achievement.

In Small Commercial Maintenance — sponsored by The Atascadero Mutual Water Co./Cities of SLO and Paso Robles — first place was awarded to Madrone Landscapes and the Outstanding Achievement went to AAA Landscaping.

KD Janni Landscaping was awarded first place in Large Commercial Maintenance — sponsored by American Marborg — and Madrone Landscapes received Outstanding Achievement.

“Congratulations to the companies that took home awards this year and to all those who participated in this year’s event,” organizers stated. “Thank you to all of our sponsors; the event would not have been possible without your products and services.

A very special thanks to Chairman, Bruce Courter, of Day Star Enterprises Inc. for his countless hours of service to the CLCA and the Beautification Awards; committee members Shawn Sousa of AAA Landscaping, Kevin Daugherty of Red Boots Studio and Gina Hall of All Seasons Landscaping for their incredible effort in making the 4th annual Landscape Beautification Awards such a success.”

Continued from page 1

will also have the option to apply for CCES’ regularly administered programs – the Home Energy Assistance Program which provides a one-time per calendar year credit on home energy bills and the free Home Weatherization Program.

To apply for the Drought Water Assistance Program, applicants must selfcertify how they have been affected by the drought, reside in Monterey County, and meet the following monthly gross income guidelines: 1 person, $972; 2 persons, $1,310; 3 persons, $1,649; 4 persons, $1,987; 5 persons, $2,325; 6 persons, $2,664; 7 persons, $3,002, 8 persons, $3,340.

To request information or an application for the program, Monterey County residents can call CCES at 888-728-3637.

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Atascadero Horsemen’s Club celebrates 50th anniversary

By ALLYSON OKEN Of The Land

ATASCADERO — To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Atascadero Horsemen’s Club presented the Atascadero Library with a book fitted with a plaque on Sept. 9 as a way for the club to preserve the moment in history with a book that will be on the shelves at the library for many years to come.

From left to right, Atascadero Horsemen’s Club president Club president Kathy Kathy Redden, Treasurer Kathy Frankel and Joe Laurenzi, Redden explained what the the regional librarian for the county, came together at club is all about and how one Paloma Creek Park Tuesday evening to commemorate the might join in the fun. club’s 50th anniversary. Allyson Oken/The Land “It is our 50th anniversary,” it says, ‘Atascadero Horsemen’s Club in Redden said. “We do a lot for our community. We are having our celebration of their 50th anniversary, 196440th annual Toys for Tots drive this year. 2014, presents this book to the Atascadero We collect toys of the Marine Corps and Library.’ We couldn’t be happier to give this book to you.”

Atascadero Loaves and Fishes as well.

Joe Laurenzi, regional librarian for the “For fun we have trail rides once a month and also do trail work. We have meetings county, was received the book on behalf of with guest speakers to educate the public. the Atascadero Library. He was excited to It is a lot of fun, doing day riding and horse invite the group out to the new library and camping. It is a lot about camaraderie, we informed them of the strides the library has are a family riding club. Anyone can join made to offer more to the community.

“The new library is up and running,” he by visiting www.atascderohorsemensclub. said. “If any of you have donated to the com.”

As the barbecue quieted down, Friends of the Library, I would like to say treasurer Kathy Frankel presented the thank you. I would like to welcome you commemorative book to a representative all to the library to enjoy our new facility. of the Atascadero Library. She explained We have between four and 600 people at that the book was fitted with a plaque to the library a day. We are expanding the activities we offer to seniors and children. commemorate the special occasion.

“Tonight we are going to be presenting It is very exciting. Technically, this book is a book to the Atascadero Library in being presented to the community because commemoration of our 50th anniversary,” it is your library. I just have the keys.”

To learn more about the Atascadero said Frankel. “We are really looking Club, visit www. forward to our celebration because we Horsemen’s also want to invite our members to the atascaderohorsemensclub.com. To see the new library. I found this beautiful book book at the Library or to find out more about horse breeds and it has beautiful about community events visit, www. images. It has been fitted with a plaque and SLOLibrary.org.

6 The Land - October 2014

Avo Grave Yard: Two hundred and fifty acres of avocado stumps now blanket the hillsides at Morro Creek Ranch after the owners chose to stump the groves to conserve water and protect the trees. Photo By Allyson Oken

Drought putting the hurt on avocado growers Morro Creek Ranch solution—stumping

By ALLYSON OKEN Of The Land

MORRO BAY — With drought impacting California’s once flourishing ag industry, local avocado growers are having to make some tough choices. Morro Creek Ranch has chosen to stump its avocado tress because of the lack of water, according to ranch manager Alan Cavaletto.

The ranch produces an average of 2 million avocados a season for Morro Bay locals and the state’s avocado market. The practice of stumping fruit producing trees has been around for years. According to Cavaletto, what it entails is using heavy machinery that turns the treetops into mulch. The mulch is left at the base of the tree to protect the earth around it and inhibit

what water is there from evaporating to quickly.

Then Cavaletto’s team will prune the trees neatly, apply a simple latex waterbased paint to prevent sun burning of the trunk and continue to cut back over growth so the tree remains dormant. Cavaletto said that it is a sad coming to work and seeing all of the trees bare.

“This business is in my blood,” said Cavaletto. “I am a fourth-generation avocado farmer and grew up working on the family farm in Goleta, Santa Barbara.

It makes it hard to come to work everyday and see what people are calling the avocado graveyard. It was the only route we could take in this drought. It was either stump the trees or let them go and re-plant because we just could not keep trucking water in. It was more cost-effective to stump the trees and

hope that the rain season this year will yield some serious rain. Though if it doesn’t, we will most likely be finished.”

According to Cavaletto, the entire team made the decision to stump the trees with the hope that the rain will come and save the grove. Bob Staller, who has owned the land since 1978, obviously trusts that stumping is the way to go after agreeing to do so to his groves of 30 to 40 year old trees.

Cavaletto said that they still have fruit because they harvested early, but the trees only produced about half the amount of viable fruit.

Cavaletto said, “We have kept just about 20 acres of trees as well as preserving our certified organic grove. We cut back about 250 acres of trees. This is a lot, but if the rain comes we will see a great crop in 2017, when the trees are back to peak-production

state. The great thing about stumping is that when the trees recover they tend to produce way more than ever. So we hope that all will go according to plan and we will have a great crop come 2017.”

This type of action is being taken all over California. According to Cavaletto, because the California avocado is underproducing this year, much of the fruit in the market is coming from Peru. This helped flood the market with avocados and keep the cost from skyrocketing.

Morro Creek Ranch still has avocados and oils for purchase. To learn more about this local avocado producer and to see the fruits of their labor, visit www. morrocreekranch.com.

Stress relief leads to bamboo venture Villa starts Paso Robles Bamboo Farm and Nursery

By NATASHA DALTON For The Land

PASO ROBLES — Gavino Villa turned to farming after a successful career as an engineer.

He considered his work at Lockheed Martin to be “important and exciting.”

“But I was one of many,” Villa says. “The project was huge, and my part in it was small.”

Being stuck in a cubicle and commuting in the Bay Area traffic didn’t appeal to him either.

“I commuted 15 miles, but it would take me about an hour,” Villa recalls.

Afterward, he needed to unwind — so he turned to gardening.

“We were lucky: we had a big backyard,” Villa says. After planting his first bamboo, he discovered that it thrived on only 10-20 percent of the water needed by other plants

of the same size.

“Bamboo is grass, and its roots are only about 18 inches deep, so my watering was done in a matter of minutes,” Villa explains.

That, as well as bamboo’s natural beauty, encouraged Villa to start experimenting with its other varieties.

Soon, his entire yard was surrounded by bamboo. The house was in the middle of a city, but stepping into the yard felt like entering an oasis.

“There you’d think you’re somewhere in South America, “Villa says.

Everyone loved it. That gave Villa the idea to grow bamboo commercially.

“I wanted to be my own boss,” he says, “to go back to the open air, to earn my money with my own brains — and my own sweat.

“I find it interesting that we, humans, give up our freedom so easily by locking ourselves up in a cubicle, where a computer

monitor becomes our whole world,” Villa adds.

He wanted nothing of the sort.

In 2000 he bought an old dairy farm in Paso Robles, but the transition was gradual: for seven years he commuted to Fremont, and in his spare time worked on his own projects in Paso Robles.

“It’s good that I have so much energy,” Villa laughs.

The work paid off and by now the place that didn’t have a blade of grass on it when Villa first found it turned into Paso Inside of the bamboo forest, the plants only branch out at the Continued on Page 7

top, leaving long strong stalks bare: that allows for a good airflow and perfect visibility.

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The Land - October 2014 7

Breathing new life into an Explore Templeton history Visit the Museum open Friday-Sun 1-4 p.m. old school Old Pleasant Valley School gets a new flag, but hopes for more

By HAYLEY THOMAS For The Land

PASO ROBLES — A group of concerned local residents aim to breathe new life into an old school.

On July 4, a group of about 30 celebrated a flag-raising event at the old Pleasant Valley School, located off Ranchita Canyon Road and Estrella Road near San Miguel.

Later in July, the A group of 30 people took part in a flag-raising ceremony community members met at the old Pleasant Valley School in July. Courtesy of again for the first-ever Pleasant Valley Community Foundation Pleasant Valley Community Foundation board meeting constructed nearby. In the 1970s, the specifically dedicated to addressing the structure was retrofitted for earthquake future of the historic structure, which specifications, according to McCoy. dates more than 100 years old.

A Los Angeles transplant, McCoy said According to board chair Robert he has no strong past personal connection McCoy, the group has plenty of work with the school. However, four of the six ahead. board members do.

“We have a number of improvement “They remember when the school was items we need to take care of, including still used, and it’s important to them.” painting, which we will probably do McCoy said. “We’ve had quite a few this fall,” McCoy said. “There’s some work days, where we’ve cleaned it up a foundation deterioration and some dry bit already.” rot as well, which we will need to start The group is not just in need of physical soon.” labor: McCoy said the school could use Funding is needed to complete these a working website and public relations repairs. According to McCoy, the group person to throw successful fundraising raised about $200 in donations at the flag- functions. In the end, McCoy said the raising event. During the gathering, locals school house could be beneficial for a re-strung a new flag onto an existing number of community groups, including school flagpole that had been neglected 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. for years.

There is also the added benefit of bringing The six-member board plans to meet a dash of history to the current generation every other Tuesday at the school house of kids. with the aim of bringing the space back “It’s over 100 years old,” McCoy said. from the dead.

“We’d love for people of all ages to look “We’d like to fix it up, clean it up, through the window and be able to see and see it used again for community how a one-room school house was set up, meetings or other uses like that,” McCoy originally.” said, adding that the Pleasant Valley For more information, call McCoy at Community Foundation would use the 467-9737 or visit the Old Pleasant Valley space to raise funds for the existing, School on Facebook. The school house is modern Pleasant Valley School. located at 2030 Ranchita Canyon Road According to McCoy, the old school near Estrella Road. The group meets house was last used in the 1980s, but fell every other Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the into disrepair when the new school was school house.

Bamboo

Continued from page 6

By ALLYSON OKEN Of The Land

TEMPLETON — There is a rich history to delve into here on the Central Coast and in Templeton anyone can be transported back in time. All it takes is a trip to the Templeton Historical Museum Society where a docent will show anyone around for free from 1-4 p.m.

Friday through Sunday.

Museum Director Darrell Radford takes great pleasure in sharing and celebrating the The treasures in the converted railroad warehouse will history of the quaint town of wow anyone. Photos By Allyson Oken Templeton. He explained that the Templeton Historical Museum Society is a nonprofit that has been preserving Templeton’s history since 1989.

“This museum was a dream of local Albert Horstman who donated much of our collection in the early 90’s,” said Radford as he walked through the main building showing off the many historical artifacts from John Wayne’s hat to the collection of Templeton High School memorabilia.

“We have quite a few interesting artifacts on display like this refrigerator with the coil on top like an antenna. Then in the original railroad warehouse we have a pristine 1926 Model T. We were given this car after its original owner’s kids found it sealed in a shipping crate with less than 100 miles on it. Then over here we have one of the first fire engines in Templeton.

It is all polished up from the 4th of July Parade and looks really great. Over here The main building holds some of the we have the ball of packing string. This interesting art was found in the original Templeton Post For history buffs a visit to the Templeton Office and was apparently collected by the workers at the time because packing string Museum can be a great way to spend an was so expensive. We have many pictures afternoon. As a nonprofit they always and interesting exhibits and offer tours accept any and all donations to keep the upon request to any group that wants to collection in good condition and to funds restoration projects. Also anyone with learn more about Templeton history.”

Radford went on to explain what a a collection of historical artifacts that master fete it was to create the space they may not be kept in the safest condition have for display. THMS actually moved can donate it to the THMS so it can be two historical buildings to make the space preserved and put on display for future they have today. Putting the original generations.

To learn more about the THMS, visit the railroad warehouse on stilts to move it web site at www.templetonmuseum.com. to its present location. Most recently, the The THMS are currently open from 1 to 4 historic Templeton blacksmith shop was p.m. Friday through Sunday. donated to the THMS. Experience a once in a lifetime bond with your unborn baby on our 155” ultrasound theater.

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Paso Robles Bamboo Farm and Nursery is open to visitors. Here, Gavino Villa is leading a tour through a four month old bamboo grove. Photos by Sasha Dalton

Robles Bamboo Farm and Nursery.

Bamboo’s incredible versatility lends it to many uses: from home construction to the manufacturing of light bulbs and phonographic needles.

But Villa, who knows firsthand the pressures of working in an office, specializes in privacy screens, both indoors and outdoors.

“Bamboo is very adaptive,” Villa explains. If planted in a particular pattern, say a circle, the plants on the outer edge develop thick foliage along their stalks,

while the inner stalks remain mostly bare.

They lean forward and form a natural cathedral “roof” around the circle, creating beautiful outdoor rooms.

A plant that releases 35 percent more oxygen into the atmosphere than any other plant of the same size and doesn’t require any fertilizers or pesticides certainly deserves more public attention.

“I agree,” Villa says. “Bamboo grows fast, and it’s really beautiful.”

To learn more, visit www.PasoBamboo. com or call 805-712 1759.

8 The Land - October 2014

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