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New attractions, old favorites at Santa Cruz County Fair

Agriculture the next great technology frontier By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land

SOLEDAD — Food and water are the two most important elements to live from day to day. By 2050 there will be a huge gap between population of the world and the production of food. “At this point we are increasing food production by 1.4 percent and to actually meet that growth curve we need to be increasing food production by 1.75 percent per year,” said Jess Martin, director of research and operations at AgTech Insight. “Even though right now ag is extremely efficient in what they do we need to find more resourceful ways of developing and understanding the land.” With the advancement of technology, Martin said agriculture could experience its next big wave of innovation. “We are at an interesting time now where tech understands that they are looking at agriculture in a way that they haven’t in the past,” said Aaron Magenheim, chief executive officer. “A lot of other industries’ tech has gone and just changed them significantly but agriculture has been one of the few that really hasn’t been touched by technology.” Growers have made upgrades to tractors, GPS or different technologies that help them to plan their crop cycle to buyer needs. Magenheim, Martin and the team at AgTech Insight said that growers and technology are going to have to blend together to be able to meet the growing demand of a growing population. “One of the biggest problems with technology in the field is it just doesn’t quite fit into the operations seamlessly,” said Martin. “Everything is fragmented and Please turn to Page 4

October 2015

By TODD GUILD and ERIK CHALHOUB Of the Land

Jonathan Pilch (left), director of operations in restoration for Watsonville Wetlands Watch and Murray Fontes, principal engineer for the City of Watsonville, inspect Upper Struve Slough during a major restoration project. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Restoring Watsonville’s wetlands Project under way along Struve Slough By TODD GUILD Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — A stretch of Struve Slough along Main Street is getting a makeover, part of a twoyear restoration plan by Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the City of Watsonville. The multi-phase project will include removal of pesky invasive plants, and replanting native ones. Organizers say the work, which is funded by a grant from two state organizations, will help keep local ecosystems healthy. It will also include several opportunities for community volunteers to come lend a hand. The seven miles of trails that meander through Watsonville’s slough system are abounding with wildlife, from squat

black-crowned night herons to shy, swift foxes. After nightfall passersby might catch a glimpse of a great-horned owl sailing on broad, silent wings on its hunt for rodents scurrying among the underbrush. The Watsonville wetlands are the third largest freshwater wetland system on the California Coast. They are home for hundreds of resident and migratory bird species, serve as natural filters for the water draining to the ocean and act as a buffer between nature and the city. It also offers miles of walking trails for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life, with an estimated 10,000 people visiting every year.

WATSONVILLE — From a passel of pint-sized piglets to dozens of deepfried delicacies to megalithic monster trucks, this year’s Santa Cruz County Fair brought its usual eclectic mix of displays and activities. New this year was a monster truck show, a 110-foot drop tower ride and two new food booths offering Greek and Italian food. In addition, a new corn dog vendor offered a two-foot long monster jalapeño corn dog. Fairgrounds Manager Dave Kegebein said the fair now boasts an expanded midway with a bigger kiddie land. “We’re always really busy at the fairgrounds, but this is our big show,” Kegebein said. “We’re excited. It’s amazing the amount of volunteer effort it takes to put this on.” Dozens of people on Sept. 14 were putting the finishing touches on exhibits throughout the sprawling fairgrounds, as teams of judges gave their final inspections of baked goods, homegrown produce and art. Allen Morgan of Soquel will be displaying a mix of his homegrown habanero peppers, which he describes as some of the spiciest non-hybridized peppers in the world. Morgan was in the Harvest Building, representing Seed Savers Exchange, an organization that collects heirloom seeds from around the world.

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New outdoor garden debuts at Georgia Brown Garden features native plant landscape and walking path By BETH BOLYARD Of the Land

Georgia Brown’s new outdoor garden features California native plants, raised vegetable planters and a walking path. Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land

PASO ROBLES — Students at Georgia Brown Elementary School got a chance to walk through the school’s new native plant garden after an official ribbon cutting ceremony finally opened the garden, which is complete with a walking path native California plants and raised vegetable garden boxes. The project, an ongoing effort since April of this year, is a part of One Cool Earth’s initiative to bring gardening and conservation education into local schools through hands-on activities, composting and a variety of gardens.

The garden, situated at the school’s north entrance, is unique according to One Cool Earth’s Greg Ellis, one of the project’s main facilitators, because of the combination of vegetables and native plants, which will bring in a variety of useful insects to the garden. “I’ve done gardens that were just veggies before and gardens that were just native plants,” Ellis said. “I think the combination of the two is the highest form of a garden because you get a lot of benefits from the native plants to the veggies, it actually brings in a lot of beneficial insects, and it just makes the veggie beds more Please turn to Page 4

A young denizen of the livestock display stares through the bars of its cage at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Photo by Todd Guild/The Land

Inside ... Ag tour

Condor Experience

Beekeeper

Drought at camps

School orchard

2 The Land - October 2015

Ag Tour focuses on drought By SAMANTHA BENGTSON Of the Land

MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents of South County and travelers from as far away as San Jose took part in the South County Ag Tour hosted by Monterey County and Rural Life Museum. The day began with coffee and doughnuts at the DeAnza building. Soon, about 80 people boarded two buses to travel toward the Nacimiento Dam and Reservoir, San Antonio Dam, Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center and the Redwings Horse Sanctuary. The tour guides for the bus ride were Craig Wiley, Will Taylor and Liam Taylor who talked about their experience in agriculture and the vineyards, fields and lands that the buses drove by. The Nacimiento Dam began construction in 1956 and then started operation in February of 1957. Mark Foxworthy, associate water resource engineer from the Monterey County Water Resource Agency, said that cost of construction was $7 million. The crest elevation is 825 above mean sea level and the spillway elevation

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

on the other lower side is 800 feet. With the Obermeyer raised the elevation is 820. “The height of the structure is 250 feet high and the maximum pool depth of the water is 190 feet deep,” said Foxworthy. The maximum storage capacity is 377,900 acre-feet and reaches 18 miles long and has about 165 miles of shoreline. The maximum elevation during a flood stage is 825 feet with a temporary capacity of 538,000 acre feet an a temporary surface area of 7,149 acres. On the level Outlet Works side, there is a Hydroelectric Power Plant that came online in 1987 and Nacimiento is not currently generating any electricity because the lake is too low with not enough head pressure. The dam is at 726 feet right now and the Hydroelectric Power Plant has to be shut down at 728 feet. “We are releasing 60 cubic feet a second for conservation releases to keep the fish alive downstream,” said Foxworthy. The Nacimiento Dam and San Antonio Dam are considering an interlake tunnel project that would run between the two reservoirs. The reason behind the interlake tunnel according to Foxworthy is that if Nacimiento reservoir were full and had storms coming in, storm releases would have to be made to increase the capacity of the lake for flood control. “With a gravity feed tunnel between the two lakes, we could use the capacity of San Antonio to take that water in preparation for winter storms instead of releasing it down the river and letting it flow out to the ocean,” said Foxworthy. “The San Antonio water shed is not as reactive, gets much less precipitation and takes a lot longer to fill.” Currently the Interlake Tunnel Project is in the process of selecting a design engineer. Construction on the project could begin in the next two years. The Interlake Tunnel Project is estimated to be near two miles long. The San Antonio Dam was completed in 1965 and started running in 1967, costing$12.9 million. The San Antonio Dam is 4.92 million cubic yards. Currently

the dam is at approximately five percent capacity. San Antonio holds a little bit less water than Nacimiento at 35,400 acre-feet when full. “Over the course of the summer we make releases for groundwater recharge and we make conservation releases to keep the habitat alive and protect the steelhead,” said Foxworthy. “We also make those additional releases so that we have a continuous river flow all the way down to Spreckels and then divert that river flow and use that for irrigation in the summer, when we have enough water to make those releases.” Right now, there is not enough water to make those releases and trap water in Salinas. If the dams were opened and released as much water as they could, the water would disappear somewhere around Soledad or Greenfield. In the next week the San Antonio Dam will be releasing 200 cubic feet per second and should see dead pool within two weeks. Dead pool, or physical minimum pool, is reserved for fish and wildlife habitats. The San Antonio Dam has multiple projects in the works for a tunnel and the conduit that should be down within the first two months of beginning work and repairs. The work should be completed by a mix of Monterey County Water Resource Agency employees and private contractors to make sure the work is done in a timely manner. The Ag Tour participants then enjoyed a lunch at the San Antonio Community Center which was the previous the Lockwood School. In 1921, Archie Weferley donated the property and the building was constructed. The Lockwood School also served as the high school from 1924 to 1931 and was part of King City High School District. Then in 1931 buses made an appearance and students went to King City High School. In the 1970s the building was determined not to be earthquake proof and the new school, San Antonio School, was built. The building was renovated in the late 1980s when Anita Longmire asked for the community to get involved. The building was remodeled

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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.

The Nacimiento Reservoir and Dam are 726 feet right now and can store a temporary maximum of 825 acre feet.

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A current picture of the San Antonio Dam which could benefit from the Interlake Tunnel Project. One potential drawback is that the two species of fish found in the two lakes might mate and produce a new species.

Lester Patterson III talks about his father and uncle’s vision to preserve the history and heritage of Lockwood, the Salinan People, William Randolph Hearst and the San Antonio Mission.

and turned into the Community Center. It was dedicated in 1991. The Community Center now serves as a thrift store open Sunday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and hosts Bingo and the Community Potluck. Lunch was provided by Susan and David Gill. The Ag Tour tourists once again boarded the buses and drove to the Nacitone Regional Interpretive Center. The Nacitone Museum is named after the San Antonio and Nacimiento water shed that runs from the coast to Hearst Castle through Lockwood to Bradley to Camp Roberts. “We’ve been working on this for 14 years and just last year the county headed the right way so we could start working on this,” said Lester Patterson III, Lockwood resident and donor. “We just got things going here within the last year. We are here to preserve the heritage.” Patterson’s father and uncle talked about how they preserve the history of Lockwood. A committee was formed and a decision to involve the Salinan people was approved. The Nacitone Regional Center will include information about Mission San Antonio De Padua, the Salinan People, William Randolph Hearst and the history of Lockwood. The Nacitone Regional Center will have a total of five buildings with the next project determined to be the Lockwood Store, which will be the building in the middle of the old town Lockwood replica. A big barn will be located next to the store, a saloon, the old Lockwood Hotel, and the final building will be the Meeting or Supper Hall. The final stop on the Ag Tour was the Redwings Horse Sanctuary which has been in Lockwood for approximately 15 years. Redwings started in Carmel under a different name. In the early stages, mostly horses were just adopted out. Then Redwings leased more land and some horses that weren’t adopted were able to gain sanctuary. “We actually do sanctuary for some that are too old, we have about 22 that are on medication and we offer sanctuary to those horses,” said Paula Tremayne, executive director. “We just started our new fosterto-adopt program. We do a year of foster and then if people are qualified we go out and look at the home.” If the interested parties are qualified then they can foster for year, then chose to adopt if they are able to. In the last year and a half Tremayne said that 17 horses have been fostered and two adopted. Currently there are 87 horses on the Redwings property. Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a 501 (c) 3 funded through fundraisers, endowments and public funding. The tourists then proceeded to meet some of the horses, donkeys, burros, minature horses, and ponies that reside at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary before heading back to the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum. A barbecue was prepared by the King City Rotary Club.

The Land - October 2015 3

Santa Cruz County Fair Several students from Watsonville High School’s agriculture class displayed the animals they raised in the class. That includes 16-year-old Martiza Lopez, whose 250-pound pig Pepper was sold at the auction. It was Lopez’s first experience with animal husbandry, and she said she still feels strange about selling Pepper for a future that likely includes becoming someone’s carnitas dinner. “I was scared at first,” she said. “I think I got really close to it.” Still, she said she will benefit from the daily work, with pigs auctioning for as much as $4 per pound. “The money I get is going to be invested in my education,” she said. No such ambiguity existed for sisters Bella and Lucy Tavel, both 9, who raised three pigs. They said they were excited about being at the fair, but expected no sad partings from their porkers. “At first I feel bad, but you’re not really attached because they’re kinda gross,” Bella said. Returning to the fair were favorites Rockets K9 Comets dog show and the AllAlaska Racing Pigs. Making its debut was Twinkle Time, a colorful show described as a “high-energy educational and bilingual bop concert for kids.” California’s record drought has impacted the number of submissions the fair received

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this year for produce, said Gina Locatelli, chair of the Ag/Hort Department. But while some plants have had a rough year, others have flourished, Locatelli said, pointing to a strong showing of peppers. Thirsty pumpkin plants have also been impacted, but that didn’t seem to affect Robert Brandon’s 534-pound pumpkin, which received Grand Champion in the adult category, and Logan Brandon’s 408-pounder in the junior category. It shows that farmers are able to adjust to a drought situation, Locatelli said. “People have gotten very clever with the way they water,” she said. The vegetable creatures category has seen a boon this year, especially from adult entries, who submit their creatures along with their children. “There’s a real artistic flair with these family farmers,” Locatelli said, adding that this year has seen a record number of adult submissions. Joseph Moules of Watsonville-based Country Hills Feed was busy unloading a family of pigs in the livestock area. This is the 15th year Moules has shown at the Santa Cruz County Fair with his family, bringing over a tradition of raising pigs from his hometown of Azores, Portugal. “I like the people, and I really like the animals,” he said. “I always like to see the kids enjoy seeing the animals.”

Janell Moules (left) and Joseph Moules of Watsonville hold four piglets at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Photo by Todd Guild/The Land

A dahlia display sits among dozens of other flower varieties in the Floriculture Building. Photo by Todd Guild/The Land

FFA and 4-H students show their pigs to the judges. Photo by Erik Chalhoub/The Land

Pinnacles Partnership announces ‘Pinnacles Condor Experience’ SUBMITTED ARTICLE The Pinnacles Condor Experience is a new condor education and fundraising program presented by Pinnacles Partnership. The first portion of the program includes free lectures on these birds and the efforts to save them. The second part of the program is a day-long learning adventure at Pinnacles National Park that focuses on the many natural wonders of the park with a special emphasis on the endangered California Condor. The educational lectures and guided hikes will be held at Pinnacles National Park on Oct. 10, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5 for a fee. The free lectures at Central Coast and Bay Area REI stores will be presented by Richard Neidhardt. Neidhardt is a member of the condor team at Pinnacles National Park and also the board chair for the Pinnacles Condor Fund at Pinnacles Partnership. He will use his hands-on knowledge to lead classes covering the history and current status of the condor; their life cycle, behaviors, and habitat; information about the bird and its role in nature and society; and the Pinnacles Condor Program including condor release in the wild, monitoring, concerns, and the future. Neidhardt and Pinnacles Partnership will also be hosting “Pinnacles Condor

Experience” days at Pinnacles National Park. Participants will be able to enjoy this day-long adventure for a fee. This educational fundraiser benefits Pinnacles Partnership and the Pinnacles Condor Fund. Participants will join birding experts, condor volunteers, and Pinnacles National Park experts in condors, birding, botany, wildlife, and geology for eight hours in Pinnacles National Park. Participants will begin the Pinnacles Condor Experience adventure at 8:30 a.m. in a Pinnacles classroom. Lectures will provide details about the California Condor and other Pinnacles birds as well as geology, flora, fauna, and history of the park. Mid-day, participants will choose between the Condor Gulch trail - a 900foot climb to a California Condor overlook site - or a flat hike through Pinnacles riparian habitats. Each hike is composed of 15 people (per trail choice) and is guided by two or more experts. These familyfriendly hikes are paced for ease and enjoyment. After the hike all participants will join again with guides and teachers for a meal that revisits the day’s adventures and wraps up lingering questions. These fall programs are made possible through a donation from Hacienda de Léal. Hacienda de Léal is a pet-friendly boutique hotel located in the historic mission city of San Juan Bautista. They provide many guest amenities including boxed lunches

for the hike. Request the special “condor rate” when you make a reservation for your visit to Pinnacles National Park at www.haciendadeleal.com. The class sizes for the REI lectures will vary depending on location and preregistration is highly recommended. Visit www.pinnaclespartnership.org/events to download a list of pre-registration links

and instructions for each REI location. Register for the Pinnacles Condor Experience days at Pinnacles National Park at www.pinnaclespartnership.org/events. Pinnacles Partnership is a nonprofit corporation supporting programs and projects at Pinnacles National Park since 2007.

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4 The Land - October 2015

Restoring Wetlands Through the years the sloughs have been severely altered by the people who live here, from farmers reshaping the land to builders creating roads and neighborhoods. But that activity as been combated through the years by organizations such as Watsonville Wetlands Watch, which has worked for years to restore the sloughs to their natural state. Jonathan Pilch, the organization’s Director of Operations and Restoration, said the work will include planting some 4,000 native plants, which were grown at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center at Pajaro Valley High School. The work, which costs just over $70,000, is funded by grants from the California Urban Greening Program and the Habitat Conservation Fund. Watsonville Principal Engineer Murray Fontes said the project has allowed the city to combine forces with Watsonville Wetlands Watch.

Ag frontier

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“We feel that, with this partnership, we can do more than if we work alone,” he said. Pilch said the restoration work has already drawn some bird species to return to the sloughs, including burrowing owls, nesting osprey and the first nesting pair of bald eagles in Santa Cruz County, which fledged new chicks this year. “These projects will restore critical habitat for birds and other wildlife, beautify the trails, and improve public safety by improving visibility throughout the trails,” he said. “These trails are highly used, and we know this work will be important to a lot of people. We want to encourage the community to come out to help with these exciting projects.” The work fits in with Watsonville’s 2012 Urban Greening Plan, Pilch said. ••• For information, visit www. Brittany Cotton and Von Jones of Labor Ready collect trash in Struve Slough. Photo by Tarmo watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. Hannula/The Land

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everything is proprietary, so you end up with five, six systems out on your ranch. Once you have five different log-ins that you can’t remember half of them, it all just creates problems.” Martin said that for technology to work and be the next acceleration in agriculture, communication standards need to developed and increases the flow of information throughout “the ranch.” “Technology is increasing greatly,” said Martin. “Hopefully at some point in the near future we will be able to narrow that information down to figuring out exactly what we are spending per row or per plant even, based on yield not on per acre. A lot of that technology is coming in our direction but it’s going to take some guidance.”

Aaron Magenheim and Jesse Martin of AgTech Insight explain that for agriculture to meet the growing demands of the population, technology could bridge the gap. Samantha Bengtson/The Land

Garden

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beautiful.” The garden was primarily funded by two grants, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s School Yard Habitat program, which helped pay for native plants and irrigation, and a Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention grant from the SLO County Health Department, which paid for the vegetable beds. The native plants were grown at Liberty Continuation High School as part of a student-run nursery and more than 30 dads, moms, and children helped provide labor to install the garden. The outdoor garden was mainly a turf removal project and will serve as a demonstration for how to convert waterconsuming lawns into native habitats and

drought tolerant landscapes. The fourth- and fifth-graders will adopt the vegetable beds and in an effort to increase their excitement about fruits and vegetables and outdoor learning. One Cool Earth has been working with the Paso Robles Unified School District for several years and recently acquired a $1 million grant to create sustainable landscaping, campus gardens and permeable parking at several area schools Greg Ellis (right) and Principal Ellalina Emrich Keller (left) celebrate with students after the ribbon Georgia Brown Elementary School’s new outdoor garden is cut. over the next few years. Currently Georgia Brown has a large Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land food garden and compost area that have the only schools in the county with such a education to the next level.” been implemented at the school since One progressive waste reduction program. The bench that sits in the middle of the Cool Earth started working with the school Ellalina Emrich Keller, the principal at garden was also dedicated to the school’s in 2013. The school has since reduced its Georgia Brown, held the school’s program head custodian, Daryl Coulter, who has waste by nearly 75 percent and is one of in high regard stating that the program been with the school two years and the benefited students as well as taxpayers. district for nine years and spends time “We have a composting program at tending the garden and the grounds making lunchtime and in the classroom and pretty upkeep of the gardens possible. much the only thing we are throwing away “My family’s all here,” Coulter said of are milk cartons because they have wax his affection for the school. “All 158 kids on them,” Emrich Keller said. “We’ve and staff; they keep me motivated.” reduced our waste by almost 75 percent The bench is made from a local License #0436405 from what it was three years ago. Along woodworker who uses already fallen with that, we are not wasting taxpayer’s lumber to create unique outdoor furniture money, so there’s more money going pieces. the Agricultural Community Since 1924 toward the kids.” One Cool Earth will continue to provide Emrich Keller was also grateful to see sustainable conversions and educational the garden finally complete and open for opportunities for students in the North children and faculty to use. County as well as other parts of the county “I’m just so thrilled about it,” Emrich and their efforts to bring conservation into Keller said about the new garden. “It’s an local schools will be seen more over the amazing outdoor learning environment next few years. for the students where they can take the “That’s the purpose of this garden,” Ellis classroom right out to the outdoors. We said. “The native plants, they attract insects, were also able to replace a lawn that was just humming birds; it really is a learning sucking up water, and instead we were able lab. Students get to see what California 320 East Lake Avenue to provide life for the students, and food vegetation is like without having to get on Watsonville, CA 96076 for the students, and an outdoor learning the bus.” Phone: (831) 722-3541 center for the students. It’s amazing and To learn more about One Cool Earth One Cool Earth has been phenomenal for and other countywide projects, visit www.scurichinsurance.com the past few years, they’ve been taking our www.1coolearth.org.

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The Land - October 2015 5

Business is abuzz

Local beekeeper in second successful career

essential for the estimated 800,000 acres throughout California. Mockabee said California farmers AROMAS — Rich Mockabee’s produce 85 percent of the world’s almond comparatively ordered house in the supply. In addition to providing hives for Aromas hinterlands gives little indication of the buzzing pandemonium of tens of pollination, Mockabee is a member of thousands of Italian honeybees just outside. three local beekeeper clubs, manages more The only clue one hot Tuesday in August than 200 hives and sells honey, royal jelly and beeswax products at farmers markets. was a lone bee clinging to a curtain. He also removes swarms throughout the “That’s one of my girls behind you,” tri-county area Mockabee said, pointing to the runaway. Mockabee tried to launch his business 15 The fugitive bee was one of multitudes whose kith and kin were entering and years ago, but with only a few hive boxes, exiting a dozen or so hive boxes at a full-time career and little knowledge of the work required of beekeeping, it fizzled. MockaBees Apiary. He retired in 2010 from the rental Other boxes were scattered in agricultural fields throughout Santa Cruz business and was ready to try again after County and beyond, their denizens charged studying the craft and, more important to with helping farmers pollinate their crops. him, speaking with professionals. “Now, I have the time to look after Rich Mockabee, owner of Mockabees Apiary of Aromas, inspects a bee hive. Photo by Tarmo As the fall and winter approach, the Hannula/The Land hives will be moved to help pollinate them,” he said. A friendly man with an encyclopedic almond fields, a thriving business for both Like anyone involved in the agriculture farmers and beekeepers, whose hives are knowledge of his business, he said he MockaBees Apiary industry, Mockabee and his bees are feeling hasn’t even cracked many farmers markets days of the reference books in his the burn of the drought, since crops depend on water and bees depend on the plants. library. Tuesday “I learn more through The bees are also affected by the myriad Old Monterey Marketplace meeting and talking to forces causing the worldwide collapse of bee colonies, not the least of which is 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. (summer), 4 p.m. people,” he said. 7 p.m. (winter) According to Mockabee, Varroa destructor mite, a small insect that Alvarado and West Franklin streets a strong colony contains a can kill entire colonies. Despite the challenges of his profession, Monterey queen and as many as 50,000 bees, only a few thousand of Mockabee said he enjoys talking to his Friday which are males. It is their customers and, when he can, educating Watsonville Plaza sole job to mate with the them about the world of bees. “It’s interesting, dealing with the bees,” Downtown Watsonville Plaza queen — once — and die. Fridays, 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. year-round The females, meanwhile, are he said. “There are always new things to Main and East Beach streets tasked with seeking out nectar learn.” ••• and, in their 30 days of life MockaBees Apiary can be reached via Sunday will produce just a teaspoon mail at PO Box 731, Aromas, California Marina of honey. Marina Everyone’s Harvest Certified In fact, he is quick to point 95004. Mockabee can be reached at 247-4093 Farmers’ Market out to his customers that he 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. doesn’t actually produce any or via email at MockaBees@aol.com. For information, visit www.facebook. 215 Reservation Road Rich Mockabee makes four kinds of honey, including of his honey products. com/MockaBeesApiary. orange blossom (right) and wildflower. Photo by Tarmo “I just steal it,” he said.

By TODD GUILD Of the Land

Hannula/The Land

New canes replace old canes By TONY TOMEO Heavenly bamboo, or simply “nandina,” is one of those many plants that almost never performs like it should. The intricately lacy foliage is so appealing while plants are young, and changes color with the seasons. The red berries can be comparable to those of holly. Unfortunately, healthy plants grow, and then ultimately get shorn into globs of disfigured leaves and stems. The same abuse afflicts Oregon grape (mahonia), mock orange (philadelphus), forsythia, lilac, abelia and all sorts of shrubby plants that really should be pruned with more discretion. Their deteriorating older stems should be pruned to the ground as new stems grow up from the roots to replace them. It is actually not as complicated as it seems. This pruning process, known as “alternating canes,” prunes the plants from below. It is a standard pruning technique for maximizing production of blackberries, raspberries and elderberries. It is similar to grooming old stalks from bamboo and giant reed, even if it does not prevent them from spreading laterally. The deteriorating older stems, or ‘canes’, are easy to distinguish from newer growth. Old canes of Heavenly bamboo and Oregon grape become heavy on top, and flop away from the rest of the foliage. Old canes of mock orange and lilac get gnarled and less prolific with bloom. Aging abelia and forsythia canes become thickets of crowded twigs. The newer stems are likely a bit lower, but are not so overgrown. Since the foliage is not so crowded, it is displayed on the stems better. Their blooms or berries are more abundant. By the time new growth becomes old growth, there will be more newer growth right below

it. In fact, the regular removal of aging canes stimulates growth of new canes. This is the time to prune Heavenly bamboo and Oregon grape, just because the oldest foliage is as bad as it will get after the warmth of summer. Mock orange, forsythia and lilac should get pruned while dormant through winter, but are commonly pruned just after they finish bloom early in spring. Abelia should probably wait until spring because new growth can look sad through winter. Highlight: glossy abelia With indiscriminate pruning, glossy abelia, Abelia X grandiflora, will never develop its natural form, with elegantly long and thin stems that arch gracefully outward. Sadly, almost all get shorn into tight shrubbery or hedges that rarely bloom. If only old stems get selectively pruned out as they get replaced by fresh new stems, mature shrubs can get eight feet tall and twelve feet wide. Against their bronzy green foliage, the tiny pale pink flowers that bloom all summer have a rustic appeal. In abundance, they can be slightly fragrant. The tiny leaves are not much more than an inch long. Vigorous young canes that shoot nearly straight out from the roots slowly bend from the weight of their bloom and foliage as they mature. Partial shade is not a problem for glossy abelia, but will inhibit bloom somewhat. Young plants want to be watered regularly. Old plants are not nearly so demanding, and can survive with notably less water. If alternating canes is too much work to restore old and neglected plants, all stems can be cut back to the ground at the end of winter. New growth develops quickly. Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at lghorticulture@aol.com.

6 The Land - October 2015

Drought doesn’t stop campers or park use Park officials taking water-saving steps By TODD GUILD Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — Hoping to beat the triple-digit heat for which the Central Valley is known, Sacramento resident Mike Duffy came to Sunset State Beach recently, along with his two daughters and wife for three days of camping and beachbumming. Duffy said his wife made reservations six months early, as the spots fill up quickly. The foursome planned to go kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, but were going to spend most of their time relaxing in the campground, shaded by towering trees and surrounded by green farm fields. Judy Maynes came from her Berkeley home with her four grandchildren and their parents. She had set up an impressive array of cooking implements, food stores, camping supplies and a giant tent. Maynes said she was drawn to the campground for its proximity to emergency services and other campers, in case something went wrong. And, of course, for the stretch of sand and surf a short walk away. “There’s nothing better than the beach,” she said. Marina Ellefson, 9, of Ben Lomond, came with her family for, “the beach, and the trees that are good for climbing.” Her friend Noah Newtree, 8, agreed. “I like how there’s so much shade from the trees,” he said. Both said they liked “the sunset place,” and pointed to a nearby cliff overlooking the ocean, where they watched the sun disappear beyond the water, as dolphins frolicked and whales sent up plumes of water. A sign at the campground kiosk informed passers-by that the campsites were all full, and a worker there said that’s been the norm throughout July and August. “It’s been a busy summer,” said State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Bill Wolcott. Wolcott said that day use in the South County area state parks is up slightly, and that the campgrounds are normally booked throughout the week in July and August. The campers, and those who come for

the day, all are flocking to parks across the state despite the ongoing drought, which has prompted officials to shut off or restrict showers and take other water-saving measures. In Santa Cruz County, and across the state, campers are getting less water for every quarter they pump into the automated timers, while beach goers are staying sandy after the state shut off the rinse-off stations. So far, however, Wolcott said there have been few complaints. “Most people are fairly understanding about the water problems in California,” he said. More than 85 million people visit California’s state parks annually. Park officials estimate that shutting off outdoor rinse stations will save more than 18 million gallons of water annually. “California is facing extremely severe drought conditions,” said California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat. “It is important for all Californians to conserve water at home, at work and even when recreating outdoors.” Workers at the state’s 270 parks have also installed of low-flow toilets, showerheads, faucets and spigots, and installed portable toilets and sanitation stations. They have also placed a high priority on leak detection and repair. Santa Cruz County Parks officials say that visitation and use is up slightly, but that a lack of irrigation on some sports fields has led to a decline in use there. “It’s been an extremely busy season,” said Facilities Division Program Coordinator Mary Chavez. Chavez said the county runs 59 sites, where people can rent facilities for picnics and events such as weddings. The county also runs neighborhood parks and dog parks. Timed showers at Simpkins Swim Center, meanwhile, have been shortened. While parks officials are still watering high-use areas, they have stopped irrigating others, Chavez said. “It’s not feasible to maintain certain places when we’re reducing water use,” she said. That has led to some trees dying off, leaving workers to trim or remove them entirely, Chavez said.

Mike Duffy of Sacramento relaxes in the shade at Sunset State Park while camping at the popular campground. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Marina Ellefson, 9, (center) and Noah Newtree, 8, talks about their camping experience at Sunset State Park. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Clover Corner By MEGAN WEFERLING Club Secretary

LOCKWOOD - At the general meeting of the Lockwood 4-H Club held in June, the members held officer elections for the upcoming year. After tallying the votes, the results were as follows: Bret Wilkins was elected President, Jewel Anthony will be Vice President, Rachel Wilkins was selected as Treasurer, Megan Weferling will be the club’s Secretary, Josh Riley returns as Sergeant-at-Arms, Penny Riley was elected Recreation Leader and Seralyn Colton was chosen as the club Photographer. The newly elected officer team has met several times over the summer with Community Club Leaders Erik and Staci Wilkins for training and team building

exercises to prepare for a fun year with returning and new members. As part of the plan for this year, the officer team is looking forward to reaching out to the local community in search of new members and adult volunteers. Some of the projects currently offered to club members include welding, forging, archery, fashion, different crafts and various animal projects. Never heard of 4-H? Not sure if it’s for you? Come to the next general meeting and learn about what the program currently offers. Club members are always looking for new things to learn and if you are interested in volunteering your time to offer a new project, consider becoming a certified adult volunteer.

The Land - October 2015 7

Planting an idea Organization helps WHS build orchard

The orchard was planted on a formerly weed-choked area of the school’s farm. Photo by Erik Chalhoub/The Land

By TODD GUILD Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — A weed-choked lot on the outskirts of Watsonville High School is now home to 18 fruit trees, and will soon hold several row crops thanks to the work of dozens of students and of a company whose mission is to establish permanent orchards. Once they begin to bear fruit, they will provide persimmons, apples, figs, mandarin oranges, pomegranates, lemons, apricots and pears. That organization is Common Vision,

which sends teams of young people on a large, colorful bus to schools throughout the state to help establish gardens that produce food and act as living classrooms. Common Vision also helps those schools maintain their orchards with annual visits and continuing education. Executive co-director Michael Flynn said the Ukiah-based organization has orchards at 215 schools, 16 of which are in Santa Cruz County. The overarching mission, Flynn said, is teaching that the supermarket is merely the final stop on a journey that invariably begins with a seed in the soil. “In most cities there is a real disconnect

Watsonville High School students work to plant one of 18 trees at a new orchard on the campus. Photo by Erik Chalhoub/The Land

in knowing where food comes from,” he said. In addition, the student’s lessons on topics such as climate change, and soil degradation are often centered somewhere else. They might understand the problem, but are rarely given the solution, Flynn said. “We want the students to understand that their own neighborhoods are their environment,” he said. “A place where they can make a difference.” Agriculture teacher Erin Carrus said the rest of the farm field will be planted with artichokes and other row crops, all of which will be sold at the Watsonville

Farmers Market. “This is amazing,” Carrus of the planting. “This organization is wonderful, and this is very well organized.” She added that the $500 the school paid for the planting was a fraction of what it would have cost without Common Vision’s help. Flynn said the organization depends on donations from several companies for materials and supplies and other things. To make a contribution, visit commonvision.org.

Jack Ranch Pioneer Museum Submitted article You’ve probably seen the Jack Ranch Café on your way to Fresno or Bakersfield on Hwy. 46 east. Maybe you stopped there for breakfast or lunch or to study the gleaming monument to actor James Dean who was killed in a car accident just a halfmile away. But how many of you know who exactly Jack was? The Paso Robles Pioneer Museum is featuring an exhibit on Mr. R.E. Jack, namesake of the ranch and a true pioneer. R.E. Jack was a hard-working ranch manager who borrowed money to buy half of what had previously been known as the Rancho Cholame. Over the next century he and his family built the spread and dealt with the extraordinary changes happening not only in the farming and ranching environment, but also on the central coast and the world as a whole. Just shy of 100 years after purchasing the ranch, R.E.’s son, Harold, sold the property to the Hearst Corporation. The size and

uniqueness of the ranch had already left its legacy in the north county, including the beautiful Jack House and gardens on Marsh Street in San Luis Obispo. Photos and artifacts about the Jack Family history have been collected in collaboration with the San Luis Obispo History Center, Cal Poly Special Collection, and the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum. “We are showing through photographs and displays the history of the wool and cattle trade, Indian and Chinese labor, and artifacts such as Howard Jack’s one-of-akind vaquero saddle,” Museum President Bonnie Nelson said. Expanding from the agriculture of the Jack Ranch, the Pioneer Museum has open a display dedicated to the early farmers of the area. In those days, everything started with the family farm, food was produced and preserved and horses were used to cultivate and harvest the hills of the area. At one time, the Paso Robles area was second in grain production in the state and farmers needed to sell their crops, so

alliances were formed. The most important was the Farmers Alliance; it stood as an important part of this community for many years. In the 1920s, almond trees were planted on the hills around Paso Robles; the dry land almonds were very tasty and were popular with candy makers. Paso Robles became the “Almond Capital of the

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The second new exhibit depicts life on the family farm, and how early settlers would go about selling their crops to the Farmers Alliance. Submitted photo

R.E. Jack, namesake of the ranch and pioneer, is featured in the new exhibit at The Paso Robles Pioneer Museum. Submitted photo

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8 The Land - October 2015

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