Agriculture Today - December 2008

State Required Safety Training

• Hosted Heat Illness Prevention Workshops
• Co-hosted Cotton Harvest Safety Training Workshop
• Co-hosted Tractor Safety Classes
• Hosted Private Applicator Continuing Education Classes
• Hosted Haz Mat Transportation Class

Agriculture Publications - Communications

• Produced Monthly Newsletter: Agriculture Today
• Produced Weekly Electronic Newsletter: Friday Follow-Up
• Prepared New Releases on Newsworthy Subjects
• Contributed to CFBF’s Paper: Ag Alert
• Assisted with CFBF’s Magazine: California Country
• Provided Outreach to Media
• Answered Media Inquiries

Rural Crime Prevention

• Organized and Promoted Informational Meetings with Law Enforcement and Elected Officials on Prevention Strategies
• Encouraged and Provided Participation for Metal Theft Legislation Support (AB 844, SB 691, and SB 447)
• Provided Metal Theft Safety Signs and Materials
• Provided Media with Background Information and Interviews

Rural Crime Prevention
Encouraged and provided participation for Metal Theft legislation support (AB 844, SB 691, and SB 447)

Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Eagan expressed the need for tougher laws for metal and wire thefts at an informational meeting updating the status of current state legislation affecting metal and wire thefts was held at the Fresno County Farm Bureau office in May.

It took some time, but California now has tougher laws against metal thefts, a problem that has plagued farmers and the rural community for many years.

The provisions of AB 844 (Berryhill) went into effect on Dec. 1 and the provisions of SB 447 (Maldonado) go into effect on Jan.1. These bills improve record keeping and reporting requirements and payment methods for junk dealers and recyclers. 

FCFB was instrumental in setting up roundtable discussion with local officials, law enforcement, growers, building industry, utilities and community organizations to address this crime wave. In addition, FCFB co-hosted seminars and events to facilitate discussion between industry representatives and lawmakers.

Ultimately, three bills were signed into law, strengthening the toolbox for law enforcement and providing our counties with the power to make the necessary changes needed to step enforcement in their area.

Air Quality and Transportation

• Participated in Meetings and Negotiations of the Air Resources Board Truck Rule
• Participated in San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Citizens Advisory Committee
• Supported Tie-Down Exemptions
• Discussed Changes Created by AB 32 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Educated Membership on Burn Rule (4103) – Emergency Exemption for Orchard Removal Burning
• Participated in Various State-Wide and Local Meetings and Hearings
• Co-hosted Informational Meeting in Easton with ARB Staff on Truck Rule

Water

• Educated Legislators Outside the Central Valley About the Importance of Water to Agriculture and our Communities
• Testified in support of the water rationing and drought resolution to the Fresno County Board of Supervisor’s
• Provided media background and interviews on water rationing and drought situation
• Participated with the California Farm Water Coalition and the Central Valley Awareness Committee
• Supported Endangered Species Act Reform
• Worked with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s Drought Relief Task Force
• Coordinated Media Interviews with Growers and Interest Groups

Labor

• Worked with Legislators and Interest Groups to Combat Card Check/Mediated Elections Legislation
• Provided Updates on No-Match Social Security
• Disbursed Labor Supplies and Postings Materials
• Discussed AgJOBS Legislation with Both State and Federal Legislators
• Outreached to Farm Labor Contractor Education on Heat Illness Prevention
• Participated in the Central American Labor Summit
• Conducted Media Background and Interviews

Labor
AgJobs and Immigration Reform

Honduras President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales is interviewed by KFTV Univision Channel 21’s Sayra Vazquez.

This year, FCFB participated and hosted several meetings and events to assist lawmakers with necessary information for making informed decisions. Looking ahead with the new administration and the possibility of passing AgJOBS in 2009, there is reason for optimism.

“There appears to be a great willingness to take-up immigration reform and AgJOBS, but it will have to wait its turn,” said Jack King, CFBF national affairs director.  King explained that there still as some of the same political dynamics in Congress, but the party in power now tends to be “more friendly” toward immigration reform.

However, the reality of managing a troubled economy and other issues, such as health care, may result in a delay in immigration reform legislation, be it comprehensive or individual components, such as an Ag JOBS-type of guest worker program.

Land Use

• Supported the Continuation of the Williamson Act
• Participated in the Fresno County Blueprint Process - Model Farmland Conservation Program (California Partnership for the SJV/COG/AFT/FCFB)
• Hosted, Organized and Promoted Fresno County Agriculture Land Conservation Committee (ALCC) Meetings and Hearings
• Worked with the Fresno County Agriculture Commissioner to Strengthen Fresno County Right to Farm Ordinance
• Commented to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on Site Proposals

Member Activities

• Hosted Coffee Talks (Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Mims, etc.)
• Hosted FCFB’s Media Night
• Hosted FCFB’s Annual Banquet
• Hosted FCFB’s 2008 Fresno County Supervisor Candidates Forum
• Attended Farm Bill Update with Secretary A.G. Kawamura
• Hosted FCFB’s Meeting of the Members
• Provided New Discount Program – Office Depot

Legislative / Government

• Monitored and Advocated with Federal, State, and Local Legislators
• Met with Administrative and Regulatory Agencies
• Assisted the California Assembly’s Agriculture Committee in organizing a 2008 Agriculture Hearing
• Attended Meetings with Federal, State and Local Officials
• Provided Advocacy on Behalf of State Propositions

Ag Education

The 2008 Farm and Nutrition Day was a huge success, thanks to the army of presenters, volunteers and sponsors who helped put together the interactive field trip on April 4 for third-graders at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds. Here, Fresno County Entomologist Norm Smith brought his vast display of insects to share with students. Next year's Farm and Nutrition Day will be on March 20.

• Conducted the Annual Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Future Advocates for Agriculture Concerned about Tomorrow (FAACT)
• Successfully Carried out the Third Annual Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Farm & Nutrition Day
• Provided Top Off Bids for 4-H and FFA Livestock Owners
• Contributed to the Fresno State/AG One Foundation Endowment
• Conducted Fabulous Food Machine Classroom Presentations
• Conducted Presentations by Staff to both Ag-Related CSUF Classes and Community Organizations
• Participated in the Fresno Fair Education Program
• Set Up Tours and Presentations for Various Individuals and Groups

Community Partnerships

• Greater Area Fresno Chamber of Commerce
• Big Fresno Fair
• Central Valley California Women in Agriculture
• Fresno Ag Roundtable
• Fresno County Office of Tourism
• Fresno County Blossom and Fresh Fruit Trails
• Fresno Council of Government
• Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s, Rural Collaborative
• Nisei Farmers League
• California Citrus Mutual
• California Grape and Tree Fruit League
• California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
• Raisin Bargaining Association
• Dairy CARES
• Western United Dairymen
• County Farm Bureau’s
• California Farm Bureau Federation

Casework
FCFB Members receive advocacy and assistance with their problems and issues

FCFB has qualified staff to help members with particular issues. Examples of the type of assistance requested range from assistance with County Ordinances, Immigration and Customs Enforcement questions, Air Resources Board Proposed Truck Rule, Burning Permits, to land use concerns such as the Williamson Act.

Since the summer, FCFB staff was successful in helping more than 100  members with their individual requests. Members are urged to contact FCFB Governmental Affairs Coordinator Teresa Plascencia at (559) 237-0263 with specific issues.