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From Our Farm to Your Table Come see us at the Turlock Certified Farmer's Market this summer for farm fresh produce and flowers!
JUNE 2019
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C O N T E N T S TUSD FARM FULL OF LIFE.................................................4 TC STUDENT MAKES HISTORY.........................................6 CHATOM 4-H................................................................7 LIVESTOCK AUCTIONS...................................................8 LEADER AT CERES HIGH..................................................9 FAIR CANCELS POULTRY SHOWS..................................10 ANNUAL FARM TO FACTORY TOUR...............................11 PUBLISHER
HANK VANDER VEEN
EDITOR
SABRA STAFFORD
DESIGN
SHARON HOFFMAN
WRITING & PHOTOGRAPHY
JEFF BENZIGER DALE BUTLER ANGELINA MARTIN
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TUSD Farm full of life BY ANGELINA MARTIN
The livestock pens are full, flowers are flourishing and the orchards and gardens are just weeks away from producing ripe fruits and vegetables at the Turlock Unified School District Farm, which has seen a flurry of activity in recent months that is sure to continue into the summer. Since TUSD acquired land along East Taylor Road for the District Farm in 2013, the space has grown from a vacant field into what now serves as an agricultural hub for students of all ages. The farm is a frequent field trip stop, and students participating in the FFA are able to keep their animals and other projects at a safe location. Soon, the District Farm will achieve one of its main goals when students begin selling produce and flowers from the farm’s gardens at the Turlock Certified Farmers Market in July. “It’s a really big milestone,” TUSD Coordinator of Applied Horticulture and Environmental Studies Laura Brem said. “It’s amazing to see the difference just from earlier this fall to now seeing the vegetable and flower gardens thriving now. The kids are responsible for all of that.” The plants for much of the produce, like tomatoes,
Photos contributed
Photos contributed
Student interns and volunteers have been hard at work this summer, picking fruits and vegetables and tending to the orchards.
Turlock Junior High School students plant different produce at the farm in April, which will soon be sold at the Turlock Certified Farmers Market in July.
eggplant and peppers, were originally planted by the
a field trip in early April. Since then, students have
high school Farm Management classes in January
taken care of the plants themselves, and over the sum-
and February, as well as by first graders visiting on
mer both paid interns and student volunteers dedi-
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cate time to ensure the gardens are well taken care of. “At 6 a.m. they’re here weeding, deciding what to plant and where to plant it, setting up irrigation systems; it’s a neat experience for the kids to be able to start it and see it grow all the way from a seed to now helping out at the market,” Brem said. The District Farm also celebrated the completion of its new state-of-the-art swine facility in March, which features
a waste separator and pump, a pressure washer and self-operating eave inlet vents. The swine barn is currently home to 29 pigs who will head to the fair in about three weeks. “It’s an amazing difference from the other facility they had — it’s far cleaner, and the animals are healthy and staying cool,” Brem said. “Both the pigs and the kids are thriving in the new environment.” Dairy heifers, goats, sheep and even
rabbits are a few other animals that call the farm home, and now those who drive by will likely know the animals are there thanks to the farm’s new iron fencing, entry gate and 15-foot entry structure complete with “TUSD Farm” signage. Even with all of the exciting changes and developments that took place on the District Farm this school year, there’s still more planned for the next. The farm will soon partner with Uni-
versity of California, Davis, to create a haven for honey bees at the site. “I think the farm is being well utilized at this point and we’re just excited to see it grow,” Brem said. “I am so impressed with all of our students and how diligent they are out here. It’s so neat getting here at 6 a.m. and seeing the kids show up...I think that’s a real benefit for our students and our district.”
The farm is now home to dairy heifers, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits.
Photos contributed
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TC student makes school FFA history BY ANGELINA MARTIN
Since his freshman year, Turlock Christian High School junior Austin Aschwanden has followed in his father’s footsteps, playing an active role in the success of his family’s almond shelling business. The student’s hard work has paid off, as his dedication to his young career recently made school history at the California State FFA Convention. Aschwanden was awarded a State Proficiency in Ag Processing at the statewide event in April — the first student in TC history to take first place at the convention. The school’s FFA program was started just seven years ago, and has shaped Aschwanden into the student he is today, he said. “FFA isn’t just driving tractors or doing a bunch of hand labor on a farm. There are leadership opportunities, and FFA is even involved in the government side of things,” he said. “It’s more than just working on a farm or having an animal.” Aschwanden began working for his
family business, Skittone Almond Sheller, when he first entered high school, starting out as a forklift driver. His duties have expanded since then, and today, he trains potential drivers at the facility in addition to working in the fields with his father, running the processing plant during harvest and maintaining the plant, fixing problems when breakdowns occur. This experience led him to enter his work as a project at the state convention this year for the second time. He entered last year, he said, but didn’t make it past the first round of sections. This year, he found success. “In the FFA, a lot of it is focused on leadership. I showed specifically the part of working in the almond sheller when I started off my freshman year training and learning the plant, then eventually this year when I ran the plant on my own for a day,” Aschwanden said. Running a plant at age 17 is impressive to most, but Aschwanden said he had to earn respect amongst those older than him. “I’ve learned how to work with new hires and try to slowly earn their respect...I’m
young and in an almond industry with a bunch of older people who have been around for a while,” he said. “I’ve gotten to where they’ll respect what I have to say when I’m teaching them a job.” Aschwanden said he’s wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps ever since he was a toddler. He has a passion for fixing problems — especially in a large-scale operation like the almond sheller. “It went from being just something that my dad does to me now knowing how the industry works and understanding the plant,” he said. Though young, TC’s ag program has found success through the years. Aschwanden said TC FFA’s future is uncertain, however, as its advisor is leaving at the end of the year. He hopes to see the program continue to flourish as his senior year approaches. In the meantime, he has big aspirations on his mind. “Next year I plan to keep working at the sheller, and at the next convention try and win Star Farmer. It’s an extremely presti-
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Photo contributed
Turlock Christian High School junior Austin Aschwanden was recently awarded a State Proficiency in Ag Processing at the California State FFA Convention, becoming the first student in TC history to win first place at the event.
gious award that will allow me to add everything on my project, like my field work and every single hour I’ve worked.”
Chatom 4-H a longstanding tradition BY ANGELINA MARTIN
Chatom 4-H Club members are gearing up for the 2019 Stanislaus County Fair, where they’ll show projects like livestock, crafts and food. For the rural Chatom community, the annual hustle and bustle of 4-H is a tradition that dates back decades. Chatom 4-H co-community leader Denise Holmes was a member of the club about 25 years ago, she said, and today she helps over 100 students in the program not only raise animals like cows, sheep, swine, goats and rabbits, but teaches them life lessons as well. “4-H gives the kids the opportunity to learn valuable skills like leadership and community service, and even just basic responsibility, which is lacking these days,” Holmes said. This year, Chatom 4-H has more members than usual due to some smaller clubs in the area disbanding. Chatom has been able to absorb students looking for a new club to join, bringing a mix of new and old faces into the program. Many families who move closer into Turlock or to other communities like Hilmar often still choose to participate in Chatom’s 4-H Club.
Photo contributed
The rabbit show at the fair is just one project that’s popular among Chatom-4-H Club members.
“What’s cool about our club is that we get a lot of returning families who were either in the club or their parents were in the club. A lot of our members are from Hilmar and Turlock, but their parents used to go to Chatom
or Mountain View,” Holmes said. The reason, Holmes added, could be that Chatom’s 4-H Club has remained true to its country roots over the years. The program is well-known for its success in showing animals, and many former Chatom 4-H Club members have gone on to excel at the high school level in FFA. “There are clubs out there that aren’t necessarily more rural or country-oriented, so they tend to have a lot of the video arts or photography which can also really include what kids like to do these days,” Holmes said. “Our club has always been known more for the animal aspect because that’s where the roots are.” Holmes and her sister were avidly involved in Chatom’s beef project when they were members in the 90s, but when they left the club the project left with them. When she became a leader for the club she was able to bring the project back, and today students are once more preparing to show beef cattle at the fair. “Right now, everybody’s just out working with their animals or preparing their projects that are going to fair in the next few weeks,” Holmes said. “The animals have to be fed every day and taken care of, so these kids are learning all about responsibility.”
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RATING
Livestock auctions for 2019 Stanislaus County Fair
Pre-Fair horse events Pre-Fair horse events will begin June 22 in the FoodMaxx Arena. Come by to see horsemanship and talent at its finest. Gymkhana will also be a part of this fantastic traditional event. Post entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. June 21. “Fair simply wouldn’t be the same without our horses,” said Carl Richter, Horse Department Superintendent. “They are a familiar symbol of the Stanislaus County Fair that keep families coming back year after year – it’s tradition!”
STAFF REPORTS
There will be a new date for the 52nd Annual Replacement Heifer Sale this year. The event is set for 2 p.m. July 14 in the Thurman Pavilion B8. The 55th Annual Beef Sale will be held at 7 p.m. July 19. The 55th Annual Junior Livestock Auction will be held on July 20 with Market Hogs at 8 a.m.; poultry, rabbits, market sheep and market goats at 9 a.m.; and Sale of Champions (market sheep, goats and swine) at noon. In 2018, livePhoto contributed stock increased in entry numbers Reserve Supreme Champion in the 51st Annual Replacement with total gross Heifer Sale in 2018 was Mariah Agueda, from Hilmar FFA, selling her heifer at $3,600. sale of animals sold at the Fair auctions exceeding over $1.4 million. FFA and 4-H members sold 125 heifers at the 51st Annual Replacement Heifer Sale, grossing $285,550 ($2,302 per head). Supreme Champion was Benjamin Shinkwin, from Central Catholic FFA, selling his heifer at $5,200. Reserve Supreme Champion was Mariah Agueda, from Hilmar FFA, selling her heifer at $3,600. The 54th Annual Junior Livestock Auction grossed $821,726 for FFA and 4-H members. Sold at auction were four poultry pens, four market turkeys, 23 rabbits, 178 goats, 178 sheep, 345 swine, and 54 steers. The 54th Annual Market Beef auction grossed at $292,807. Brennen Keeney, from Waterford 4-H, donated all his winning proceeds from the market hog auction to the family of the fallen fire fighter, Braden Varney, of Cal Fire who lost his life battling the blaze at Yosemite National park. Keeney was able to raise $9,862 from the sale auction. For more information about livestock events at the Fair visit www.stancofair.com. JUNE 2019
June 22 Starting at 7:30 a.m. 4-H / FFA Horse Showmanship4-H/FFA and Independent Juniors - English Classes 4-H/ FFA and Independent Juniors - English Trail Classes 4-H/FFA and Independent Juniors - Western Classes 4-H/ FFA and Independent Juniors - Western Trail Classes
June 23 7:30 a.m. — 4-H/FFA and Independent Juniors – Gymkhana Classes 6:30 p.m. — Gymkhana
2019
L I V E S T R E A M
JULY 17 7PM-10:30PM
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FFA & 4-H
FFA forms leader at Ceres High BY DALE BUTLER
Adam Rantz will end his Future Farmers of America career the same way it began. The 2019 Ceres High School grad will be showing and selling a pig at the Stanislaus County Fair for the fifth and final time. “A relationship is formed,” he said. “You get attached to the animal. It’s sad to see the animal go. But you go into the project fully knowing what’s going to happen in the end.” The process for this year’s competition started in March when Rantz purchased a Hampshire swine from Golden State Genetics in Turlock. “When I first got the pig, it weighed 40 pounds,” Rantz said. “I’ve been feeding him twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. It teaches you a lot of responsibility and about timemanagement skills. You enjoy the process of raising it.”
Emperor Pork Chop now weighs 180 pounds. A total of 12 students from Ceres High will show and auction off livestock at the 2019 Stanislaus County Fair, including nine pigs, one steer, one heifer and one lamb. All of animals are housed at the Ceres Agricultural Center. The student farm is located on a 6.5-acre parcel of ground behind Hidahl Elementary School. Ceres Unified School District has spent $1.5 million building livestock facilities at the site. “We’ve gotten a lot of support from the school district and state,” he said. “The old farm had a lot of issues. It was falling apart. “We’re able to keep our animals healthier and happier because we’re working with them in larger spaces,” Rantz added. Rantz joined FFA the summer before ninth grade. He was Ceres High’s chap-
ter president during his senior year. “I’ve had a lot of younger students look to me for guidance,” he said. “It’s a lot of responsibility. You plan and run all of the meetings. It’s a great community to be a part of. Coming in my freshman year, I wasn’t quick to make friends and didn’t like to talk. I got more and more involved because of FFA. I’ve definitely gotten a lot better at being a leader and interacting with people. I’ve gained public-speaking skills. I’ve given presentations to the school board and superintendent. It’s been a fun experience.” Rantz received a total of $5,450 from eight scholarships during Ceres High’s Senior Awards Night. He will major in Bio Resource Agricultural Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “For the longest time, I couldn’t decide between architectural or agricultural engineering,” he said. “FFA was a big push towards agricultural engineering.”
Photo by Dale Butler
Recent Ceres High School grad Adam Rantz walks Emperor Pork Chop, his 180-pound pig, from an exercise pen and to the swine facility at the Ceres Agricultural Center. Rantz will be showing and selling his pig at the Stanislaus County Fair this July.
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No fancy chicks at 2019 Fair
StanCo Fair cancels poultry shows amid virus concerns BY ANGELINA MARTIN
The appearance of a threatening poultry virus in Northern California has forced the Stanislaus County Fair to put all poultry shows on hold this summer. The California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed in March that a chicken raised by a backyard bird owner in Alameda County tested positive for Virulent Newcastle Disease, less than a month after a quarantine was placed on poultry owners in Southern California. While CDFA and the United States Department of Agriculture are not aware of any other cases of the virus in Northern California, they are actively investigating and taking precautions to prevent any spread of the disease. As a result, the entities recommended all fairs evaluate their poultry shows. Though the population of poultry in California impacted by the virus is small, some poultry gatherings are considered higher risk. Rather than take any chances, Stanislaus County Fair officials decided to forgo this summer’s poultry shows altogether. “In the best interests of our community and the poultry industry, we have decided to cancel our poultry show for 2019,” Stanislaus County Fair CEO Matt Cranford said. “We understand the impact this decision will have on the youth in our livestock program and wish we had other alternatives. But in accordance with recommendations by CDFA, we will have to postpone our show and hope that this disease is quickly eradicated in our area.” VND is a nearly-always fatal respiratory infection in poultry which has no cure. While birds may seem healthy, they’ll die within days of being infected. The virus can be spread from bird
to bird, and can also be transmitted by people who have VND on their clothes or shoes, and by equipment or vehicles that can transport the disease from place to place. While there are no human health concerns provided that any meat or eggs are cooked properly, people who come in direct contact with the virus may develop conjunctivitis-like symptoms or run a mild fever. In a letter to poultry exhibit organizers in January, CDFA State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones said the virus has been present in California since May 2018, with the outbreak causing devastating effects on backyard bird populations in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. So far, nearly 500,000 backyard and commercial birds have been euthanized. “The primary way in which the disease spreads is by seemingly healthy birds being moved,” Jones said. With the virus already confirmed in the Bay Area, cancelling poultry shows is a preventative measure being taken by not only Stanislaus County Fair, but in other Northern California counties like San Mateo and at fairs like Tehama District’s in Red Bluff. The poultry show is usually a popular destination for Stanislaus County Fair goers, with categories including poultry dress up, a youth mini show and the birds entered for show by local 4H and FFA members. According to the fair’s marketing and communications director Adrenna Alkhas, there were 120 exhibitors for poultry and 450 birds entered. Pitman High School Ag Department Chair Luke Gocke said that he realizes the decision to cancel such a beloved event was one made with the community’s best interest in mind. “You want kids to have an opportunity to show, exhibit their animals JUNE 2019 10
Photo contributed
While poultry shows, such as the chicken dress-up contest, are popular at the Stanislaus County Fair, officials have cancelled all poultry exhibits this year to prevent the spread of Virulent Newcastle Disease.
and participate in these unique experiences. However, you want students to learn industry-level standards and procedures,” Gocke said. “Unfortunately, the poultry industry needs to take precautions for the longevity and benefit for everyone involved.” Turlock High School ag advisor Kevin McGuire echoed Gocke’s sentiFFA & 4-H
ments. “Here at Turlock High School, we are disappointed that our poultry exhibitors will not be able to show this year,” he said. “However, we understand that this sacrifice is for the security of the entire poultry industry and we are more than willing to assist in any and every way possible.”
Annual farm to factory tour held at Ceres High Third-graders get up close look JEFF BENZIGER
Many youngsters, even in a relatively rural city like Ceres, have little understanding that food comes from someplace other than a store. So to help in their education of agriculture, Ceres High School put on a special day of Farm to Factory Tour. Approximately 1,000 third-graders from Ceres elementary schools were bussed to CHS on March 29 where they rotated through stations manned by students and adults who told them about crops, animals and careers. Students saw and heard about beef cattle, sheep and draft horses, and were allowed
Photos by Jeff Benziger
Ceres High School FFA student Katye Hood shows third-graders how to calm a chicken.
Photos by Jeff Benziger
Ceres High School FFA student Emily Silva holds a rabbit for visiting thirdgraders.
to dig for worms, hammer nails into wood and watch robotics demonstrations. Students also were able to see tractors and other farm implements. The event allowed Ceres to showcase locally grown products, such as dairy and almonds. Ceres High FFA student Alexia De LosReyes asked if it was students’ first time
to see a pig and many hands went up. She explained that pigs roll in the mud to cool themselves absent a perspiration system. De Los-Reyes also made a point to speak to a pig’s high level of intelligence and the students were interested to learn that pigs have twice the sense of smell that humans do. “Their sense of smell is very strong,” said De Los-Reyes, who had sleepy 10-weekold pigs at her feet. “And they’re very, very smart.” She explained that the pigs are raised by FFA students to be shown and sold at the annual Stanislaus County Fair. In the goat corral, Kyli Bickley and Alexis Alvarez dispensed facts about goats and carried the animals close to the fence so students could feel their coarse hair. “This is awesome,” said teacher Carol Goerhing, a teacher at Carroll Fowler. “I was born and raised on a grape farm and I think this is one of the absolute best things.” School Board Trustee Valli Wigt, who also has a strong background in agriculture in the Westport area, came down to tour the activities with Ceres High School Vice Principal Ed Pelfrey. “This event is a perfect opportunity for the kids to see different careers, to see different manufacturing, the robots and to know where their food comes from,” said Wigt. “Without events like this I don’t think the kids would really know about different animals and stuff.” Vendors like Universal Technical Institute told about their products. The City of Ceres displayed information on water conservation and the importance of not polluting storm drain water. Tim Holveck, owner of the Denair-based Rolling H Carriage Co., brought along draft horses. He explained how the large horses are cared for and all about various items of tack. Inside one classroom, third-graders were given a puppet show which highlighted water safety and stressed the importance of staying out of irrigation canals in the Valley. In the petting zoo area contained by walls of baled hay, FFA members educated students about their animals. Emily Silva held rabbit “Shadow” being raised for the fair and Katye Hood showed how holding a chicken upside down helped to calm it around the students. Students also were allowed to see the solar projects of the Ceres High Manufacturing Production and Green Energy Academy. JUNE 2019 11
Photos by Jeff Benziger
Sam Vaughn Elementary School third-graders Amoni Burrise, Sophia Powers and Abby Powers express a variety of reactions to worms dug out of a compost pile during the Farm to Factory Tour at Ceres High School.
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