Volume 64, Number 2 Summer 2012
Nevada Farm Bureau
CountryPolitan Queso Fresco at Sand Hill Dairy By Zach Allen Local... Fresh... Natural... Safe. These words are common when food discussions arise. The objective of many consumers is to buy local food from local farms. Isidro Alves owner of Sand Hill Dairy in Fallon, NV started making Queso Fresco in mid April. Queso Fresco is a Mexican cheese, translated as “Fresh Cheese” - made today, eat tomorrow. The cheese is being sold throughout Northern Nevada at local grocery stores and farmers markets. Sand Hill Queso Fresco is the only farmstead cheese being made in Nevada. Queso Fresco has only two ingredients, milk and salt. With only two ingredients the process may seem easy, but in reality it isn’t. Every batch of cheese needs to be the same. The texture, taste, and appearance cannot change from one batch to another. Quality control is really important to Alves. Not only is the quality of the cheese important, but food safety comes first. The cheese leaving Sand Hill Dairy is safe. “The cheese leaving Sand Hill Dairy is fresh, safe, and all natural,” said Alves. “The quality of the cheese is the same every time we make it.”
Food Safety
Prior to making cheese, Sand Hill Dairy had to go through a series of steps to be able to sell the cheese for public consumption. Because the cheese is farmstead, made on the farm, Sand Hill is basically a processing facility for their own raw milk. One step in getting certified was that the dairy had to be certified to run antibiotic testing on their own milk. Dairy processing facilities such as Model Dairy must run antibiotic tests on the milk, which is done prior to the milk entering their holding tanks. Sand Hill runs the same test prior to the milk entering the vat/pasteurizer. In addition to being certified to run antibiotic tests, Alves had to purchase “properly constructed equipment” to be able to sell the cheese. This equipment included a pasteurizer. In Nevada, in order to sell soft cheese the milk needs to be pasteurized. After the curds are hung to let excess whey drip, the cheese is put through a grinder. Here Isidro Alves is putting the cheese through the grinder to create a smoother texture.
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Sand Hill Dairy is required to keep records of the temperature that the milk is required to be at for pasteurization. The Nevada Dairy Commission checks the dairy’s records quarterly. The cheese is also subject to safety testing. The cheese is tested for salmonella, listeria, and E. Coli.
Cheese Making Process
Raw milk is sent directly into the kitchen where the vat/ pasteurizer is housed. The vat/pasteurizer is a dual purpose piece of equipment. In the vat/pasteurizer the raw cow milk is heated to 145 degrees for pasteurization. After the milk is pasteurized, vegetable rennet is added. Rennet causes the milk to coagulate and form curds. During this process the curds are separated from the whey. The curds are then cut and scooped from the vat to a cheese cloth lined bucket. The curds are then hung so extra whey can drip out.
Cheese maker Gabriel Hernandez adds salt and puts the cheese into molds. The final process is to package the cheese.
The next step in making Sand Hill artisan Queso Fresco is unique to their cheese making. The curds are put through a grinder. After going through the grinder the cheese will have a smoother texture. This process is a technique brought forth by cheese maker Gabriel Hernandez. Hernandez’s grandmother taught him how to make cheese in Mexico decades ago. After the cheese goes through the grinder salt is mixed in. There are no measuring cups, there is no recipe. Tasting the product and years of experience create a quality product every time. Sand Hill Queso Fresco is true artisan cheese. Alves has also recently added two flavors to the original Queso Fresco. The new flavor uses Provence Herbs, a blend of basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, oregano, fennel and lavender. The other new flavor is a hot pepper blend.
Purchase Sand Hill Farmstead Cheese at the following Northern Nevada Farmers Markets and Retail Locations Farmers Markets
Fallon Tuesday Night Farmers Market 310 South Taylor St., 5-8PM 3rd & Curry St. Farmers Market - Carson City Saturdays 8:30AM - 1:30PM Kahle Park Farmers Market Stateline, NV Fridays 4-7PM
Retail Locations
Fallon Main Street Cafe Rincon Latino Market Skips Market Fernley El Tepyiac Market Casa Del Sol Market
Reno Great Basin Food Co-op Yerington La Chapala
Isidro and Heather Alves with their two boys Brady and Brenan selling Sand Hill Queso Fresco at the Fallon Tuesday Night Farmers Market.
Summer Edition | Page 2 | www.nvfb.org
Chevy Confidence New Promotion Adds Value to Farm Bureau Member Incentive
On July 10, 2012, Chevy announced a new summertime incentive program called Chevy Confidence. Chevy Confidence adds value to the Farm Bureau Private Offer incentive. The Chevy Confidence promotion has two main parts that operate in conjunction with each other. The first part of Chevy Confidence is preferred pricing. Customers are offered a “no haggle” price on every new 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet. The preferred price will include all of the applicable retail cash incentives and provide the customers with a convenient, no need to negotiate, shopping experience. If you are an eligible Nevada Farm Bureau member you will get an additional $500 Farm Bureau member incentive. The second part to this exciting summer incentive is the Chevy LOVE IT or LEAVE IT return policy. With this return policy the buyer can take advantage of preferred pricing; can drive the vehicle for up to 60 days and, if you don’t want to keep the vehicle it can be returned at the full purchase price, including state taxes - refunded without question. This applies to purchased vehicles only, not leased vehicles. The Love It or Leave It return policy requires the vehicle owner to own the car for at least 30 days and drive it no more than 4,000 miles. If the buyer wishes to forgo their opportunity to return the vehicle at the initial purchase, you will receive an immediate $500 discount for the purchase price. This immediate discount can be combined with Farm Bureau incentive for a total price reduction of $1000! This great summertime promotion ends September 4, 2012. This promotion, combined with the $500 Farm Bureau
incentive, provides a great opportunity to buy a new Chevy!
Farm Bureau Incentive
Nevada Farm Bureau members can receive a $500 incentive on all qualifying GM vehicles, all Cadillac and Chevy Volt excluded. To qualify for the $500 incentive • Members need to be active in a participating state Farm Bureau for 60 days • Members must be 18 years or older • In Nevada, a new member officially becomes a member at the time they are entered in the Nevada Farm Bureau membership database • The address on your drivers license must match the number of the certificate
$500 Incentive Certificate
Qualifying members can print their own certificate proving they are an eligible Nevada Farm Bureau member. After printing your certificate take it with you to the dealership to receive the $500 incentive. Print your certificate today by visiting https://www.fbverify.com/GM. You will need your Nevada Farm Bureau membership number and zip code. Contact the Nevada Farm Bureau at www.nvfb.org or call 1-800-992-1106 for any questions regarding the Farm Bureau member incentive. To see a list of eligible vehicles visit www.nvfb.org/gm.
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Beat the Summer Heat with Supplies from Grainger Step outside and you immediately feel the summer heat. Record heat and drought are being felt throughout the country, and Nevada is no exception. Working and playing outside can be difficult in these hot summer months. Staying safe is important, and Grainger offers a number of supplies to help keep you safe when outdoors and indoors. In addition to large selection of products, Nevada Farm Bureau members receive 10% off purchases and free freight. Grainger carries products to help keep you cool outside, inside, and help fight drought. Keeping People Cool Cooling Hats Hydration Packs Sports Drinks Portable Coolers Shade/Shelter Mobile Fans Sunscreen First Aid Products
Keep Facilities Cool Air Conditioners Fans Generators Water Hoses Thermometers Ventilation Window Blinds Misting Units
Fight Drought Drip Irrigation Systems Sprinkler Systems Lawn & Garden Fabrics Rain Barrels Garden Hoses Sprinkler Pumps Well Pumps Shovels
Grainger also offers some valuable Heat Safety Tips. People should stay indoors as much as possible, especially during the hottest part of the day; dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes and wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors; avoid overexerting yourself - take frequent rest breaks in air-conditioned or shaded area; stay hydrated and limit intake of alcoholic beverages. We can’t prevent the heat, but here are some tips to prepare for heat. Grainger recommends - make sure to clean air conditioner ducts, weather-strip doors and windows to keep cool air in and hot air out, install shade sources like awnings, shades, and blinds, plant trees and grass where possible as vegetation helps reduce urban heat islands, and irrigate foliage around the building to reduce fire risk. To take advantage of free freight and 10% savings visit www.grainger.com and use Grainger account number 809019789. Nevada Farm Bureau members can also shop in store. Grainger has two branches in Nevada: • 2401 Western Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89102-4815 Phone: (702) 385-6833 • 900 Packer Way Sparks, NV 89431-6441 Phone: (775) 331-7504
New ID# For Choice Hotels Discount Nevada Farm Bureau has a new discount ID for Choice Hotels. The new number is 00209930 and replaces the old number.
Choice Hotels® Savings Card Nevada Farm Bureau - ID# 00209930
choicehotels.com • 800.258.2847
The previous discount ID will end July 1. It is suggested that you start using the new ID#. To make reservations visit www.choicehotels.com or call 800-258-2847. For all member benefits visit www.nvfb.org/benefits.
ChoiceHotels.com Only authorized association members may book using the Choice Hotels® Significant Organization Savings program. The rate ID# may not be distributed externally. Members may be required to show proof 12-130/02/12 of affiliation with the organization at the time of check-in.
www.nvfb.org/benefits Summer Edition | Page 4 | www.nvfb.org
Retail Prices for Meats, Dairy and Eggs Decline Slightly WASHINGTON, D.C.—Retail food prices at the supermarket declined slightly during the second quarter of 2012 with protein staples—meats, cheese, milk and eggs— showing the greatest drops in price, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $50.91, down $1.56 or about 3 percent compared to the first quarter of 2012. Of the 16 items surveyed, 12 decreased and four increased in average price compared to the prior quarter. The cost for the overall basket of foods fell about one-half of 1 percent compared to one year ago. Most of the quarter-to-quarter decrease in the marketbasket of foods was due to lower retail prices for sliced meats and dairy products. “The decline in retail meat prices for the second quarter is not unexpected,” said John Anderson, an AFBF senior economist. “Wholesale meat prices trended lower at the end of the first quarter of the year and consumers are benefiting from that as retail prices have followed suit.” Reversing increases in the prior quarter, shredded cheddar decreased 36 cents to $4.29 per pound; sliced deli ham decreased 19 cents to $5.24 per pound; orange juice decreased 19 cents to $3.17 for a half-gallon; bacon decreased 17 cents to $4.04 per pound; large eggs declined 16 cents to $1.61 per dozen; toasted oat cereal decreased 14 cents to $2.99 for a 9-ounce box; bagged salad decreased 11 cents to $2.74 per pound; apples decreased 9 cents to $1.50 per pound; sirloin tip roast decreased 6 cents to $4.69 per pound; and flour decreased 3 cents to $2.62 for a 5-pound bag. Two items continued declines from the prior quarter. Whole milk declined by 17 cents to $3.36 for one gallon and boneless chicken breasts decreased by 10 cents to $3.09 per pound. Four items showed modest retail price increases: ground chuck increased 12 cents to $3.65 per pound; Russet potatoes increased 5 cents to $3.06 for a 5-pound bag; white bread increased 3 cents to $1.88 for a 20-ounce loaf; and vegetable oil increased 1 cent to $2.98 for a 32-ounce bottle.
“Wholesale meat prices trended lower at the end of the first quarter of the year and consumers are benefiting from that as retail prices have followed suit.” - John Anderson, AFBF Senior Economist
Dairy products were generally down year-to-year, reflecting the effects of increased dairy production this year. Bacon prices are also down from last summer’s record levels. The year-to-year direction of the Marketbasket Survey tracks with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (http://www.bls.gov/cpi/) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped. “Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Anderson said. Details about USDA’s new Food Dollar Series may be found online at http://www.ers. usda.gov/publications/err-economic-research-report/ err114.aspx. Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this quarter’s $50.91 marketbasket would be $8.15. AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly Marketbasket Survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the marketbasket was updated during the first quarter of 2008. According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 74 shoppers in 28 states participated in the latest survey, conducted in May. See Milk & Egg Trends on Page 7...
Several items showing a decrease in retail price from quarter-to-quarter also showed year-to-year decreases. Summer Edition | Page 5 | www.nvfb.org
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Milk and Egg Trends... For the second quarter of 2012, shoppers reported the average price for a half-gallon of regular whole milk was $2.21, down 25 cents from the prior quarter. The average price for one gallon of regular whole milk was $3.36, down 17 cents. Comparing per-quart prices, the retail price for whole milk sold in gallon containers was about 25 percent lower compared to half-gallon containers, a typical volume discount long employed by retailers. The average price for a half-gallon of rBST-free milk was $3.57, up 15 cents from the last quarter, about 40 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($2.21). The average price for a half-gallon of organic milk was $3.92, down 27 cents compared to the prior quarter, about 70 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($2.21). Compared to a year ago (second quarter of 2011), the retail price for regular milk in gallon containers was up about 2 percent, while regular milk in half-gallon containers rose 9 percent. The average retail price for rBST-free milk increased 6 percent compared to the prior year, while organic milk was up 13 percent. For the first quarter of 2012, the average price for one dozen regular eggs was $1.61, down 16 cents compared to the prior quarter. The average price for a dozen “cage-free” eggs was $3.29, down 10 cents compared to the prior quarter but nearly double (90 percent higher) the price of regular eggs. Compared to a year ago (second quarter of 2011), regular eggs were essentially unchanged while “cage-free” eggs increased 3 percent.
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Existing Farm Bureau Bank vehicle loans are excluded from this offer. * Rate disclosed as Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and is based on automated payments (ACH) and acquiring one of the following collateral protection products: Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) or Major Mechanical Protection (MMP). Additional discounts do apply for purchasing more than one collateral protection product. The advertised APR of 2.99% is effective as of 6/15/2012. Final APR may differ from the loan interest rate due to additional fees (such as a loan documentation fee) which may be applicable. For a $25,050 vehicle loan with a term of 36 months, a 45 day first payment date and a 2.99% APR, the monthly payment will be $727.76. To qualify for the disclosed rate, customer must be a Farm Bureau member. Finance charges accrue from origination date of the loan. Rates and financing are limited to vehicle models 2003 and newer. All loans are subject to credit approval, verification, and collateral evaluation. Other rates and financing options are available. Non-member rates may be 1-3% higher than posted rates. Loans for RVs, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs, watercraft and commercial vehicles may be 0.50% higher. This offer is not available in all states and rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Farm Bureau, FB, and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by, and used by Farm Bureau Bank FSB under license from, the American Farm Bureau Federation. 0612_Nevada_VLwRateAd.indd 1
Summer Edition | Page 7 | www.nvfb.org
6/19/2012 9:30:38 AM
Inside This Issue... Local Queso Fresco ..................................... Cover Chevy Confidence ........................................ Pg. 3 Summer Safety with Grainger ...................... Pg. 4 Retail Food Prices ...........................................Pg.5 Nevada Farm Bureau Federation 2165 Green Vista Dr. Suite 205 Sparks, NV 89431 1-800-992-1106 nvfarmbureau@nvfb.org www.nvfb.org
Ag Fast Fact Today 97 percent of all U.S. farms and ranches are family owned (by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations)! Just 3 percent are owned by non-family corporations. Source: USDA-ERA; ARMS Survey, 2009
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