Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties
Strawberries hold top spot, apples fall
October 2016
Day of the Agricultural Worker
Agricultural Commissioner releases crop report
Provides information to the public
By TODD GUILD
By SAMANTHA BENGTSON
WATSONVILLE — Strawberries held onto their top spot in the Pajaro Valley in the 2015 crop report, with 103,217 tons. That was a 3 percent increase from the year before. The number comes from the Santa Cruz County 2015 Crop Report, which was released Aug. 22 by the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner. The ubiquitous crop showed a slight decrease in acreage, but thanks to an early start to the season, there was a higher production yield. At the same time, Pajaro Valley’s apple crop took a precipitous drop. According to the report, farmers here grew 9.36 tons of apples, compared to just over 18 tons the year before. Sam Lathrop, who manages Prevedelli Farms, said the drop was caused in part by farmers switching to berry crops, which offer a better financial yield. In addition, apple trees take approximately five years to give fruit, compared to berries that can be harvested within a year, Lathrop said. Meanwhile, labor costs will continue to rise until 2020, when the state’s minimum
GREENFIELD — Dia Del Trabajador Agricola or “Day of the Agricultural Worker” brought many families out to Patriot Park on Aug. 28 to celebrate the contributions of the agricultural workers in the Salinas Valley. More than 20 years ago, a group of agencies called SCORE (South County Outreach Efforts) decided that it would be nice to recognize and celebrate the farm workers for their hard work and dedication. Patriot Park was packed with booths providing information about health care, housing, housing advocacy, PG&E information, recycling and reusing information and much more. Hartnell College staff members were on hand to talk about their offerings to the agriculture worker families. “HEP is a high school equivalency program that reaches out to students either directly or indirectly related to farm work,” said Dean of Education Services in South County Renata Funke. “These students get special benefits, they get help with textbooks and taking the tests which also costs money.” Currently HEP is trying to make its way to South County so that students can take classes at the Greenfield High
Of the Land
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Of the Land
A stream passes beneath a foot bridge at Deer Camp in Watsonville. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Santa Cruz County Fair draws crowds
Please turn to Page 4
By TODD GUILD Of the Land
Robert Hallett of Hollister shows a castle scene he made out of Lego bricks. Six years in the making, Hallett received the “Best Medieval” award at Bricks by the Bay in August, a convention in Santa Clara that drew Lego builders from across the nation. “It’s a Disneyland for grown ups,” he said. Erik Chalhoub/The Land
WATSONVILLE — Hundreds of people were waiting at the gates when the Santa Cruz County Fair opened Sept. 14, lining up at the gate and quickly fanning throughout the vast grounds. These early birds got a glimpse of a newborn calf, braved midway rides and watched musical and comedic acts. They also milled among food booths with choices ranging from fried to grilled to sugary to meaty, the inadvisable but enticing food pyramid of fairs everywhere. In the Fine Arts Building, tile mosaic artist Robin Russell was talking to visitors about pieces art on display there. Please turn to Page 3
Musicians provided the musical entertainment for the Day of the Agriculture Worker. Photo by Samantha Bengtson/The Land
Inside ... Gonzales FFA
2
Lakeside Organic Gardens
2
Soledad FFA
5
Pinto Lake
6
Wine harvest
6
2 The Land - October 2016
Gonzales FFA celebrates nine American Degree winners By KELLIE HICKS Of the Land
GONZALES — As most know, the Future Farmers of America (FFA), a club students can join upon becoming freshmen in high school, is one of those clubs that doesn’t stop at the end of the school year. For students at Gonzales High School (GHS) that fact is very true. The school year might end, but some are involved with animals for the Mid State or Monterey County Fair, some have summer projects and some are elected as officers and start planning for the next school year. When the National FFA Organization announced their list of American FFA Degree Recipients, the Gonzales FFA was proud to announce that they had a record nine 2014-2015 graduates that were on the list. The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA. The 2016 National Convention is less than two months away, and the theme is “Transform Purpose to Action.” This is the 89th National Convention and Expo; all American Degree recipients are invited. The qualifications are hard; first they have to receive Greenhand FFA Degree, the Chapter FFA Degree and the State FFA Degree, before they can try for the
PUBLISHER John Bartlett publisher@register-pajaronian.com
EDITOR Erik Chalhoub editor@register-pajaronian.com
American FFA Degree. From service hours, to money earned and spent on projects, to leadership ability, time in the FFA and more are all factors that are taken into consideration for the degree. The following is the list of 2016 American Degree recipients from Gonzales FFA: Alma Rodriguez (UC Davis) Miguel Rodriguez (Cal Poly, SLO) Ivan Zarate (San Jose State) Luis Morales (Chico State) Lucio Bahena (Chico State) Rachel Ruelas (Hartnell) Vanessa Arroyo (Monterey) Juan Guerrero (Hartnell) Hugo Rico (Fresno State) “All of the graduates are now attending college,” said Eric C. Morasca, one of the Gonzales FFA Advisors. “The majority are majoring in Agriculture and two are studying to become Agriculture Educators.” Students who receive this honor devote most of their time in and out of school to their FFA agenda and to the Ag industry. “I can truly say these students are deserving of this award,” added Morasca. The FFA Officers for this school year’s FFA club are Sentinel - Jennifer Delgado, Reporter - Luis Sainz, Treasurer - Edwin Sanchez, Secretary - Marielena Ramirez, Vice President - Samantha Santos and President - Sergio Rodriguez. Their Advisors are Mrs. Birmingham, Mr. Gonzales FFA has all ready announced their 2016-2017 0fficers. The Gonzales FFA has been Morasca and Ms. Rodriguez. chartered since 1929. Submitted photo
Lakeside Organic Gardens to expand, consolidate Company tripling storage space By TODD GUILD Of the Land
EDITORIAL STAFF Tarmo Hannula, Todd Guild, Samantha Bengtson
ADVERTISING Tina Chavez tinac@register-pajaronian.com Adriana Novack anovack@register-pajaronian.com Allison Stenberg astenberg@register-pajaronian.com Sheryl Bailey sheryl@southcountynewspapers.com Jon Allred jon@southcountynewspapers.com
ART AND DESIGN Mike Lyon
The Land is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The Land made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. The Land is a division of the Register-Pajaronian and South County Newspapers.
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Dick Peixoto (left), owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens, chats with Watsonville City Manager Charles Montoya at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lakeside Organic Gardens headquarters on Sakata Lane. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
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WATSONVILLE — After years of working from multiple locations throughout Watsonville to harvest, ship and keep track of the voluminous amount of vegetables it produces, Lakeside Organic Gardens broke ground Sept. 6 on a new facility that will consolidate its operations. The new facility, located at 25 Sakata Lane, will boast 50,000 square feet of cooler space and another 50,000 square feet that will include administrative and sales offices. Construction is expected to wrap up in March 2017. The expanded cooler space doubles the company’s capacity, and will allow it to increase production, said owner Dick Peixoto. The current cooler facility on 220 Holohan Road, measuring a comparatively puny 16,000 square feet, makes it difficult to keep produce flowing from farm to cooler to truck, he said. The project will, among other things, allow Lakeside to farm on the 60-acre Sakata property the company purchased in 2014. “Physically we don’t have the space for it,” he said. “We’re shipping product 24 hours a day, and for some reason we can’t find any more hours in a day.” In addition to allowing more production volume, the new space brings together Pajaro Valley Laser Leveling and Pajaro Valley Irrigation, both part of the Dick Peixoto Family of Companies. Peixoto also said the company could be looking for new employees, thanks to the projected increased production. “This will definitely mean more jobs,” he said. Lakeside Organic Gardens was started in 1996 by Dick Peixoto and his extended family. The Peixoto family began farming in the Pajaro Valley in the late 1800s and perfected conventional growing throughout the 1900s. As their passions for harvesting the riches of the soil grew and evolved, the family made a decision to convert all their farms to 100 percent organic. The company is the largest family-owned and operated organic vegetable grower/ shipper in the U.S.
The Land - October 2016 3
Santa Cruz County Fair A lifelong Watsonville resident, Russell said she has been coming to the fair all her life. She found her calling to tile mosaics after she took a class on the subject, and then made several pieces to give to friends and family. Many of these were so pleased with her work they told her she should consider doing it on a grander scale. She has now been showing her art at the fair for two decades. “It’s like a good book you don’t want to put down,” she said. “I can leave this world behind and create as hours fly by.” In the Floriculture Building, Watsonville Bonsai Club member Maggie Brubaker was on hand to talk about the elegant, hand-shaped plants ranging from 1-year-old to an estimated 210-year-old Sierra juniper. A member of four different bonsai clubs in two counties, Brubaker has been a devotee of the practice for three decades. “I’ve always liked gardening, and I like the artistic value,” she said. In the livestock area, 6-year-old Aurora Massey was gazing at a sheep, which was munching on a pile of hay. Marjorie Gregory of Aptos said she came early with her two sons, 4 and 7, to avoid the crowds and see the displays in their earliest stages. She said the fair was a tradition when she was a child, and she wants to do the same for her own kids. “It’s just a fun, easy day,” she said.
Continued from page 1
John Baer and his step-granddaughter, Ariana, 4, are wowed by the giant pumpkin exhibit at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
This free style ikebana arrangement was created by Terry Hirahara. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Leslie Howland spends time viewing the photography exhibit. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Monterey County receives $1.3 million for agriculture conservation Submitted article WASHINGTON — Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) announced that the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCD) was awarded $1,300,695 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This federal grant will fund model cooperatives of Monterey County farmers in two small watersheds in the Lower Salinas Valley to protect surface water quality with collaborative water and
nutrient conservation practices. “When we promote healthy eating through fresh fruits and vegetables, we also have to promote healthy lands and waters,” said Farr. “This grant will fund this important work that I helped support through the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance and other efforts. As the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I work closely with the USDA and will continue advocating for innovative solutions
to support farmers and improve our environment.” According to Paul Robins, the RCD’s executive director, “It gives us a breadth of expertise for addressing the questions of science, economics and trust that are necessary for coming up with credible steps forward that both water quality regulators and farmers can consider with a straight face. This project would not be possible without the leadership of the Central California Grower Shipper Association,
The Nature Conservancy, the Central Coast Wetlands Group, the University of California, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.” This grant is made through USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which funds projects to spur innovative conservation initiatives on both rural and urban farms across the country.
4 The Land - October 2016
Day of the Ag Worker School. A five-year grant was just approved for $500,000. Hartnell College just recently began offering diesel mechanics classes at Greenfield High School from the high school and the population outside the high school. Agriculture worker families also had the chance to hear from Central Coast Energy Services Incorporated who offer assistance with residents PG&E bill. Central Coast Energy Services help the agriculture workers with up to $307 annual. The group also helps with energy efficient upgrades to homes for free. “Most of these families can’t find the assistance they need so that’s why we come together to build these resources for these families in our community,” said Community Outreach Specialist Dahlia Ortiz. Central Coast Energy Services Inc. is a nonprofit agency that has been around for 30 years. Project Sentinel provided information on fair housing rights and discrimination to the event goers. The project is a nonprofit agency that can help with basic questions, investigations, give legal referrals, and more. Project Sentinel has an office in Salinas but are willing to come down to South County to meet with people in need of its services.
Continued from page 1
Photos by Samantha Bengtson/The Land
Migrant Education had families try their hand at the wheel to win prizes.
Strawberries
Clinica De Salud provided medical check ups during the event at Patriot Park.
Continued from page 1
wage will be $15 per hour. All of that, coupled with the rising costs of water, fertilizer and other farming essentials, paints a bleak picture for the future of apple production in the Pajaro Valley, Lathrop said. Prevedelli Farms, which grows several specialty varieties of apples and sells
them at farmers markets, has carved itself a comfortable corner and has no plans to change. But that is not true for many apple farmers, whose options in the Pajaro Valley are limited to wholesale, farmers markets and to S. Martinelli & Co. “It has to do with how much a grower
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can survive on,” he said. Most apple growers are nearing retirement, while new ones will likely look to crops that offer better financial incentive, Lathrop said. “You’re not seeing younger growers coming in to grow apples,” he said. In all, the county produced $625.4 million, which was nearly a $9 million increase from 2014. Raspberries took a backseat to strawberries, with 9.4 tons produced,
followed by nursery crops and blackberries. “Santa Cruz County’s agricultural industry remains strong,” Agricultural Commissioner Juan Hidalgo said. “When you include jobs provided by processing, transportation, marketing and other farmrelated services, agriculture continues to play a leading role in our local economy.” ••• For a look at the full report and reports from previous years, visit www.agdept. com.
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A start up orchard of S. Martinelli’s Co. apple trees thrive on a farm along Lakeview Road in Watsonville. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
The Land - October 2016 5
Soledad FFA attends NPS Centennial By ANISSA LOPEZ-CHAVEZ Soledad FFA Reporter
SOLEDAD — On Aug. 27, Soledad FFA members participated in celebrating the National Park Service Centennial at the Cesar Chavez Park. Among the many activities, attendees had the chance to dig and dance in the past to vintage Californian music. Participants experienced a “living history,” meeting actors portraying President Theodore Roosevelt and the Buffalo Soldiers. The celebration was attended by Congressman Sam Farr, Soledad community members, members of the Rotary club and the Soledad Fire Department and Soledad High School’s NJROTC, just to name a few. Soledad FFA’s Vice-President, Matthew Zamudio stated, “FFA truly appreciates having the opportunity to participate in such a historic event for our community. Not only did we learn about local history, we got to share history of our organization and agriculture.”
Submitted photo Caine Valdez and Ruby Romero, Soledad FFA Officers stand alongside the Buffalo Soldiers as they celebrate the 100th birthday of the Pinnacles National Park.
Rural America is back in business By THOMAS VILSACK Contributed to the Land
We know when rural communities do well, America does well. Rural America provides us with the food we eat, the water we drink and the energy we use, not to mention a disproportionate percentage of the nation’s military that keeps us safe from threat. That’s why it’s good news that in all corners of rural America, we’re seeing real, positive change take hold for the first time in the years since the Great Recession. Today, rural populations have stabilized, meaning more and more people — especially young families — are electing to stay in rural America rather than leave for the city. Better job prospects are helping that trend. Rural counties added more than 125,000 jobs in both 2014 and 2015, after job losses averaging 200,000 per year during 2008-2013. As a result, the rural unemployment rate has dropped below 6 percent for the first time since 2007, which is impacting falling poverty rates. From 2012-2014, we saw rural child poverty fall by 3 percentage points. And new data indicates that 7.9 million fewer people are struggling to provide adequate food for themselves or household members than when President Obama took office. In fact, food insecurity for children is at the lowest level on record — meaning our children are able to access nutritious food in higher numbers than in the past. Taken together, these benchmarks of progress should give us great hope for the future. Over the past eight years, the Obama Administration, led by USDA, has vigorously invested in the rural way of life, strengthening the small towns and rural communities that so many call home. We’ve supported the heart of the
American dream, helping more than 1.2 million families buy, repair or refinance a home in rural America, creating more homeownership opportunities than any other previous seven-year period in USDA’s single-family housing program’s history. We’ve invested in 8,350 critical community facilities like schools, libraries, hospitals and public spaces that improve the rural quality of life. We’ve facilitated the 21st century basic infrastructure of broadband in areas that desperately needed it, enabling access to new or improved high-speed Internet service for six million Americans who live and work in rural areas. We’ve also set up the next generation of rural Americans by investing in a new economy focused on biobased products and manufacturing; lifting the potential of conservation and natural resources to expand recreation and business opportunities; building a local and regional food system that supports millions of new jobs; and supporting the world’s greatest production agriculture system which has produced record exports and record profits for our nation’s farming families. We’ve proven time and time again that an investment in rural America is a good bet. And to that point, we’ve helped unlock billions of dollars in private capital that is now flowing into rural businesses across the country. I’ve always believed that the potential of rural America is limitless, but in these eight years, I’ve seen the proof. With the steadfast support of our partners across the nation, and historic investments from President Obama and his entire Administration, I’m proud to say that change has come to our rural communities. ••• Thomas J. Vilsack is the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
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6 The Land - October 2016
Pinto Lake closes, again Toxin level rises, researchers studying problem By TODD GUILD Of the Land
WATSONVILLE — City officials on Sept. 9 closed Pinto Lake, citing health concerns from toxic bacteria. Meanwhile, a UC Davis researcher is studying how the bacteria affects people who live near the lake, or who boat or fish there and use the adjacent park. City scientists on Friday found that levels of the toxin microcystin were 25 times higher than the 0.8 parts per billion listed by the World Health Organization as being dangerous to humans, said Watsonville Environmental Projects Manager Jackie McCloud. Microcystin is a toxin that comes from cyanobacteria that blooms in the lake. McCloud said the high levels of bacteria at the city park were likely boosted by warm summer temperatures and the shallow water caused by the floating island that recently became lodged there. Waters near Villas del Paraiso, she said, were a comparatively low 1 part per billion. Still, city officials are warning residents to avoid the water entirely. “We would prefer the public to stay away,” McCloud said. The city will test the water every two days and reopen the lake when the toxin drops to a safe level, McCloud said. City officials closed the lake in October 2015 for the same reasons. City researchers hope to reduce the problem by treating the lake with environmentally safe aluminum polymers that binds onto the phosphorus that feeds the blooms. That project is funded by a $750,000 grant the city received in 2014. Problems with microcystin have plagued the lake since 2005, threatening humans
and wildlife and occasionally making the lake all but off-limits for recreation. The toxin has also been found along Corralitos Creek, Pajaro River and the San Lorenzo River. Officials have linked more than 30 sea otter deaths to the toxin, which flows from the lake through the slough system and into the ocean. It is harmful to people and animals, and can cause skin rashes, nausea, diarrhea and liver and kidney damage. Because some of these symptoms also come from such maladies as food poisoning and allergies, doctors and veterinarians often won’t diagnose microcystin exposure without asking patients about recent recreational activities, said UC Davis PhD student Sharon Brummitt. Brummitt hopes to change that with a study in which she will survey people who use the lake and the park, such as fishermen and boaters. The aim, she said, is to determine how and when these health impacts occur. While most cases come from exposure to the water, researchers believe the toxin can in some cases be carried through the air, Brummitt said. Brummitt hopes the study could be a tool for cities and states facing similar problems. She is recruiting volunteers for the study through September. The volunteers will fill out a survey, and do weekly follow-ups. The study is expected to last for six months. ••• For information, email pintolake@ ucdavis.edu.
Sharon Brummitt (left), a PhD student from UC Davis, works with Jackie McCloud, environmental projects manager for the City of Watsonville, at Pinto Lake City Park where studies are underway into several varieties of algae. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Officials have temporarily closed Pinto Lake altogether due to hazardous levels of algae. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Santa Lucia Highlands anticipates low yields, high quality for 2016 harvest Submitted article MONTEREY COUNTY — The 2016 wine grape harvest in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is likely to begin in about four weeks. Early reports from the vineyards indicate another high quality, smaller than normal Pinot Noir crop. Winegrowers in the S.L.H. are also relieved that smoke from the large Soberanes fire has not been a problem. Some of California’s finest vineyards call the Highlands home: 3,200 acres of Pinot Noir and 2,100 acres of Chardonnay are planted there. Jason Smith of Paraiso Vineyards and Smith Family Wines, stated that “the growing season has been a good one. The potential Pinot Noir crop is larger than last year but still smaller than normal. The main difference from the past two years has been the return of very cool nights - allowing the vines to rest and provide the long “hang time” that our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir love. We’ll probably begin picking Pinot in early September; the Chardonnay harvest will start mid to late September and be done in early October. Overall, we are
excited about the coming vintage; just wish there was more of it.” Smith has many friends and associates that are dealing with the large Soberanes fire, near Big Sur. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks close to the fire zone. In the S.L.H., we’ve been fortunate; smoke from that blaze has not been an issue for us.” Longtime Highlands’ grower Steve McIntyre is also happy that fire concerns have not added to his normal pre-harvest planning: “the majority of the smoke is headed to the southeast or out to sea. In the Salinas Valley, the same marine dynamics that create our winds and fog off Monterey Bay have provided a protective inversion — the smoke is trapped on top of the inversion layer. In the afternoon, our famous winds scour the hillside vineyards and clean out the air under the inversion.” Steve McIntyre continues that he is enthusiastic about the coming crush’s potential: “We’ve had a remarkable string of successful vintages here in the Highlands. While crop loads are down, the vines are very focused on the remaining fruit. It should be another high quality year.”
The Land - October 2016 7
The Santa Cruz County Fair!
A Holstein cow is leery of the camera. Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Large mushroom growing building flattened by fire
Smoke rises up from a fire that engulfed a large mushroom growing building at Monterey Mushrooms on Maher Court in Prunedale. Contributed photo
By TARMO HANNULA Of the Land
PRUNEDALE — A large mushroom growing building at Monterey Mushrooms burned flat to the ground Aug. 30. Reno Ditullio Jr., battalion chief for Cal Fire and Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District, said firefighters got a call at 7:50 a.m. about a building on fire at 777 Maher Court. The first firefighters to arrive found a 300-by-50-foot single-story building fully engulfed in flames. “Crews went into a defensive operation
and managed to save surrounding buildings,” Ditullio said. “There were numerous exposure threats.” Ditullio said the burned building was largely empty and no mushrooms were growing in it at the time. No injuries were reported. Since the building had just been remodeled, the damage estimate was placed around $1.2 million. Ditullio said firefighters contained the fire at 10:30 a.m. and mop up operations continued into the afternoon. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
4-H Club members show their pigs in the market competition. Tarmo Hannula/The Land
Sambrailo Packaging’s new crop box promotes organic growers Submitted article WATSONVILLE — Sambrailo Packaging recently introduced a new stock print row crop box in partnership with California Certified Organic Farmers for CCOF-certified organic growers. The box states “Certified Organic Fruits and Vegetables” on the sides in an effort to help small organic farmers promote certified organics right from their fields. The idea came about earlier this year after Sambrailo Packaging sponsored their second San Francisco wholesale market tour for CCOF growers. As Sambrailo’s Marketing Manager Jennifer Evans was touring the coolers of large organic wholesale distributors, she noticed a lack of distinction on many of the boxes that had organic produce packed inside of them. “Just like at retail, I felt that it was important for growers to promote organic at all levels in the supply chain,” Evans said. “If our efforts help small organic growers promote ‘certified organic produce’ and grow their businesses because of it, then there is a huge benefit to everyone in the
organic growing community.” The first “Certified Organic” stock print box that is available for CCOFcertified growers from Sambrailo Packaging is approximately 23-by-15by-12-inches and fits a five-down pallet configuration. The box can be used to pack romaine, green or red leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, kale, chard, carrots or beets, and it has up to a 35-pound weight capacity. The flat boxes are available for drop shipment by the pallet or for pick-up in smaller quantities direct from Sambrailo’s main warehouse location at 800 Walker St. in Watsonville. To order the “Certified Organic” boxes, CCOF-certified growers should contact Evans directly at j.evans@ sambrailo.com. CCOF growers should follow the same art approval process that they would normally follow with CCOF by submitting the box art with their label art to CCOF. Once the label with the art is approved by CCOF, orders can be processed by Sambrailo Packaging.
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