Valley Ag Voice

08/09/2024

To properly defend Protestantism, we’ll start by defining it. Protestantism is an umbrella term to refer to Christians whose doctrinal beliefs arose from the Protestant Reformation.1 From the beginning of the Reformation in 1517, we see a variety of beliefs from so-called “high church” denominations such as Anglicans to “low church” denominations such as nondenominational. The reference to “high” and “low” church is to gauge the amount of ritual, liturgical readings, and the like that a denomination may use during its service.2 Protestants agree on the main issues, being found plainly in scripture and identified as the five solas, which are:
Follow the link to read on:
https://www.valleyagvoice.com/defense-part-one-identity/

05/09/2024

Tehachapi High School reinstated its Future Farmers of America program this semester after years of absence, driven by an increase in student interest. According to Andrea Paxton, Chief Administrator of Instructional Services for the Tehachapi Unified School District, recent changes to graduation requirements allowed for additional electives and agriculture classes.

“But right now, what we’re offering is an Introductory to Agriculture class, and that will be the first class that the students will take,” Paxton said. “And then we’ll be adding additional sections during subsequent years so that students will have a pathway in that field. Right now, we’re just working on developing what that pathway is going to look like.”

Paxton explained that several parents petitioned for the return of the FFA program over the years, but a lack of student interest stunted this request. Now, students seemed to have found a newfound enthusiasm for the opportunities within agriculture and 140 have enrolled in the class.

With the program still in its foundational stages, this year’s curriculum will begin by introducing students to the career possibilities the industry provides. Moving forward, Paxton explained, developing Career Technology Education will play a large role in the budding program.
Follow the link to learn more:

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  Tehachapi High School reinstated its Future Farmers of America program this semester after years of absence, driven by an increase in student interest. According to Andrea Paxton, Chief Administrator of Instructional Services for the Tehachapi Unified S...

04/09/2024

In 2014, mounting concerns around California’s severe drought and increasing regulatory pressures gave rise to a collaborative effort between Sustainable Conservation, Netafim USA, and De Jager Farms to revolutionize water efficiency and nutrient management for dairy farms in the Central Valley.

Nate Ray, CEO of De Jager Farms, spearheaded this effort, proposing that his operation’s lagoon water be utilized through drip tape to sustain feed crops in place of traditional flood irrigation.

Ray began experimenting with the Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Dairy Effluent system shortly after the passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

“SGMA, the framework of it, was in its infancy stages at that point that nobody really knew — we didn’t know if we were going to get our wells metered, nobody knew what the rules were,” Ray said. “We just knew that, to be good stewards of the land, to be sustainable for future generations, we were going to have to reduce the amount of water that we pumped out of the ground ourselves…but we understand the cyclical nature of how the weather patterns are, and we know that there is a time that we have to tap into that resource below us. As much as we can preserve that and not overdraft, that is our main goal.”

Ray brought in Sustainable Conservation and Netafim USA to enhance his ability to test the system. Since then, the SDI-E system has been used successfully on dairy farms to fertilize non-human consumables, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers and maximizing crop yields. The system saves over 2.3 billion gallons of water and 2.4 million pounds of nitrogen pollution annually across 4,432 acres of feed crops in California, according to a press release from Sustainable Conservation.

The SDI-E system continues to expand upon its efficiencies and recently secured a Conservation Innovation Grant from the National Resources Conservation Service for a first-of-its-kind pilot project at De Jager Farms where it will be adapted to irrigate and fertilize almonds...
As the project moves toward testing on human consumables, John Cardoza, project director at Sustainable Conservation, explained that food safety remains a top priority. With the official green light from the California Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Health, the project will implement rigorous safety protocols to ensure compliance with food safety standards during the testing phase.

Cardoza explained that tests will cover every aspect touched on by the SDI-E system, including the soils, lagoon water, freshwater, and tree tissues from the almond trees. The project will test whether the SDI-E system keeps water and bacteria below the soil’s surface or if they rise to the surface. This will involve monitoring the concentration of bacteria, testing the nuts at harvest, and observing if any bacteria make it onto the shells or nuts.

The pilot project is expected to run for three years, working with 2025 and 2026 cropping years before a final analysis and reporting in 2027, Cardoza explained...
According to Domonic Rossini, Western Agronomy Leader at Netafim USA, the end goal is for farmers to utilize natural resources and maximize production with limiting inputs. Typically, he explained, converting from a flood system to a drip system results in a 25% gain in production, and water consumption is reduced by roughly an acre-foot. Further, with sub-surface drip irrigation, water is not lost to the atmosphere due to heat and runoff.

“You know, farming is being restricted to less and less land...so if we can maximize what we have, it allows us to produce so we can keep feeding this growing population with safe food,” Rossini said.
Follow the link to learn more about the SDI-E system and pilot project:
https://www.valleyagvoice.com/central-valley-farms-lead-the-way-in-water-saving-irrigation/
Netafim USA Conservation

With a Conservation Innovation Grant, dairy effluent technology expands to almonds. By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice In 2014, mounting concerns around California’s severe drought and increasing regulatory pressures gave rise to a collaborative effort between Sustainable Conservation, N...

04/09/2024

Groundwater makes up roughly a third of California’s freshwater supply used for irrigation — a necessary resource to continue producing three-quarters of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and half of its vegetables. Yet, a new study finds that with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act imposing higher groundwater pumping costs, farmers may switch to crops that use less water.

According to a study led by the University of Maryland, California can meet SGMA’s groundwater targets, but doing so will cut fruit and nut production by a quarter and leave 50% more cropland unused.

“Our study found that farmers will ride out short-term increases in the cost of water, like during a drought, but as cost increases become permanent, they shift away from crops like fruit trees, which are long-term investments,” Louis Preonas, UMD Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics and study co-author, said in a release.

Preonas explained that fruit trees require a lot of water, but as high-value crops, the payoff balances the initial input. However, as irrigation tax increases become permanent and riskier, farmers are more likely to shift away from growing these perennials.

California produces 18% of the total U.S. crop value with a high percentage of specialty crops — and 80% of almonds on the global market — so large-scale shifts away from these perennial crops could have unintended economic ramifications. ..
According to Congressman John Duarte who represents California’s 13th district in the Central Valley, the shift away from perennial crops is a likely scenario as the state does not consistently deliver water year to year.

“I don’t know what years we’re going to deliver water to sustain any crops. We’ve had two very wet years in California… and we’re having drastic cuts to our water deliveries from the Bureau of Reclamation,” Duarte said. “I don’t know what irrigated agriculture is going to exist if after two of the wettest years on record, one of the wettest years on record and followed with a reasonably wet year with many of the reservoirs starting at 80% full, we’re still allocating 40% to our farm water deliveries.”
Follow the link for the full story and interview with Congressman Duarte:

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  Groundwater makes up roughly a third of California’s freshwater supply used for irrigation — a necessary resource to continue producing three-quarters of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and half of its vegetables. Yet, a new study finds that with the S...

30/08/2024

Despite receiving the submittal of a revised 2024 Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Kern County Subbasin in May, the State Water Resources Control Board proceeded with a public workshop on the former 2022 plan on August 29.

The rationale for doing so, according to SWB staff, is that based on a preliminary review of the revised plan, deficiencies remain that may further impact groundwater users in the basin.

“Any delay could further impact groundwater users in the basin if the basin is not guided back on track,” Jeevan Jayakody, senior engineering geologist with SWB’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Office said. “Because the deficiencies observed in new draft plans are similar to those identified in 2022 plans, the draft staff report is still relevant to getting the basin back on track.”

“Board staff at this time continue to recommend that the State Board place the basin on probation at the February hearing. Pending further improvements to the plans, we ask that the Kern County Subbasin agencies continue to work with us to address the issues as identified in the staff report,” Jayakody said. ..
According to the Kern Subbasin GSAs and Technical Working Group, the revised 2024 GSP — which SWB staff has yet to thoroughly review — coordinated among the subbasin’s 20 GSAs to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses identified deficiencies.

For context, the Kern Subbasin is roughly 1.8 million acres making it the largest groundwater basin in California. According to Stephanie Hearn, senior water quality specialist at GEI Consulting and lead of the subbasin’s water quality subcommittee, 40 of the 71 basins with approved GSPs — many with multiple GSAs — could fit into the Kern Subbasin.

“By those standards, realistically, a minimum of 40 plus GSAs and GSPs could be managing the Basin, as opposed to the 20 GSAs who developed a single coordinated plan,” Hearn said. “All of the complexity notwithstanding, the 20 GSAs have come together to develop a 2024 plan that is highly coordinated and relies on standardized and best available data and methodologies to address the deficiencies.” ..
Several community members requested that SWB staff take time to adequately review the revised 2024 GSP before moving forward with probationary proceedings. Todd Turley, representing Farmland Reserve, Inc., emphasized that the efforts of the various Subbasin GSAs deserve recognition. He explained that if SWB staff thoroughly reviewed the revised GSP, it would become clear that the plan is adequate and does not warrant probation.

“The most recent submittal was conscientiously and carefully revised to specifically address previously identified deficiencies, including frequent check-ins with State Board staff along the way, soliciting feedback to ensure efforts were on track,” Turley said. “Consequently, we are very concerned that the State Board staff was primarily focused on the superseded GSPs instead of the well-coordinated GSPs submitted this past May.”

Community members also discussed the economic ramifications a probationary status would bring to the agriculture industry. According to Carmen Garza, who comes from a long line of farmworkers, farms and related industries in Kern County provide countless jobs, but placing the subbasin on probation would limit these opportunities. Garza joined the various community representatives urging the State Water Board to adequately review the revised 2024 GSP before making probationary determinations.

“When you consider your choice to either adopt the current Subbasin GSP or to initiate the state intervention process, I ask that you consider the citizens of the community sensitive to your decisions and the work that is being done to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act on a local level,” Garza said. “We want to keep our jobs, houses, and neighborhoods intact.” ..
Following the public comment period, E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Board explained that he understands the importance of agriculture in Kern County, and that the board and staff members will conduct a thorough review of the 2024 GSP.

“I know I can speak for us here broadly — we’re not looking to collect groundwater basins. The State Board administers water rights, water quality, oversees drinking water, [and] funds an incredible amount of infrastructure in the state. We have a lot on our plate already, and so we’re here truly to support you all and your leadership and work,” Esquivel said.

The State Water Board’s public hearing to consider designating the Kern County Subbasin as probationary under SGMA is set to take place on Feb. 20, 2025. Community members and organizations are invited to submit public comments before the Sept. 23 deadline.
Follow the link for more information on the workshop and how to submit a public comment:
https://www.valleyagvoice.com/kern-gsas-defend-new-groundwater-plan-state-water-board-staff-recommend-probation/

Kern County Farm Bureau

Residents and stakeholders urge the State Water Board to consider the revised 2024 Groundwater Sustainability Plan rather than relying on outdated assessments.  By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  Despite receiving the submittal of a revised 2024 Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the K...

28/08/2024

This week, Bakersfield will host the State Water Resources Control Board in two separate events focused on groundwater management within the Central Valley and Kern County Subbasin.

On Aug. 29, SWB staff will lead a second public workshop centered on Kern County Subbasin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan as well as its draft staff report — a key precursor to the probationary hearing scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025.

The workshop serves as an opportunity for Kern County agricultural leaders to engage with state regulators and influence the future of groundwater management. Despite the progress demonstrated by local Kern Subbasin GSAs in the revised 2024 GSP submitted in May, the SWB’s draft staff report and workshop will focus on a review of the deficiencies present in the obsolete 2020 and 2022 GSPs.

If the Kern Subbasin is placed on probation, it will mark the official transfer of groundwater management from local control to the state. As such, landowners with wells within the Subbasin would be required to register their wells with the State Water Board and pay a minimum fee of $20 per acre-foot of groundwater pumped and a registration fee of $300 per well per year.

The public workshop will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hodel’s Country Dining, 5917 Knudsen Drive Bakersfield, CA 93308. ..
On Aug. 30, local stakeholders will have another opportunity to engage with the State Water Board at a luncheon at the Stockdale Country Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sean Maguire, appointed to the board in 2018 by Governor Jerry Brown, will be hosted by The Maddy Institute to provide insights into the challenges and strategies involved in managing California’s water resources.
Follow the link for ticket information:

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  This week, Bakersfield will host the State Water Resources Control Board in two separate events focused on groundwater management within the Central Valley and Kern County Subbasin.   STAFF WORKSHOP On Aug. 29, SWB staff will lead a second public work...

26/08/2024

As pistachio harvest begins, American Pistachio Growers partnered with locally-owned restaurants in the Central Valley to celebrate the third annual Pistachio Week, running from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1.

Pistachios are one of California’s four official state nuts along with almonds, pecans, and walnuts, as declared by former Governor Jerry Brown in 2017. This designation is fitting given that California supplies approximately 99% of the nation’s pistachios.

Follow the link to find participating restaurants:

By Valley Ag Voice Staff  As pistachio harvest begins, American Pistachio Growers partnered with locally-owned restaurants in the Central Valley to celebrate the third annual Pistachio Week, running from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1.   Pistachios are one of California’s four official state nuts along wit...

24/08/2024

Fresno County’s 2023 agricultural production value rose by 6.1% compared to its 2022 crop report. Melissa Cregan, Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, informed the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 20 that the county’s 2023 gross agricultural production value reached a record $8.59 billion, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth. This county record is just shy of Tulare County’s 2022 record of $8.61 billion.

Crop reports are intended to summarize the acreage, production, and value of agricultural commodities and are not representative of gross returns to producers or actual net profit.

“Fresno County’s agricultural strength is based on the diversity of crops produced, included in the 2023 report are over 300 different commodities, 73 of which have a gross value in excess of $1 million,” Cregan told the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. “Fresno County continues to supply the highest quality of food and fiber nationwide and abroad, exporting 114 unique commodities to more than 90 countries around the world.”..
Several commodities were highlighted in the report for joining the “Multi Club,” with values reaching the million- and billion-dollar mark. In comparison to 2022, milk values dropped from over $600 million to over $500 million — tomato values reached $601,389,000, surpassing milk values at $538,349,000...
Cregan explained that the annual crop report provides an opportunity to recognize growers, shippers, ranchers, and other businesses instrumental to the agriculture industry in Fresno County.

Supervisors Sal Quintero and Pacheco echoed this sentiment in their remarks, thanking the hard-working agriculture producers and workers in the county.

“The men and women of the county are resilient in that we rise to the challenge each and every year, but without the hard-working men and women who help harvest the crops, it would all be for naught,” Pacheco said. “The crops would rot in the field, the cows would be un-milked, and we simply couldn’t do it without all the people that help us.”
Follow the link to read on:
https://www.valleyagvoice.com/fresno-county-ag-production-reached-8-59-billion-in-2023/

21/08/2024

Bloom Fresh International — the largest global premium fruit-breeder company — unveiled its 28,000-square-foot Discovery Center and Breeding Campus in McFarland, California on Aug. 20. The facility’s official inauguration comes one year after AMFRESH Group, EQT Future, and Paine Schwartz Partners acquired International Fruit Genetics, and merged it with Special New Fruit Licensing Group to create Bloom Fresh.

According to Josep Jove Estiarte, interim CEO of Bloom Fresh, this marks the company’s largest investment to date into the breeding of table grapes and cherries. Being in Kern County enables Bloom Fresh to collaborate closely with local growers, ensuring that new varieties are quickly validated and adapted to the region’s conditions.

“We are at the heart of the table grape industry in California… [when] breeding grapes, you need to breed them at the right place because when you do the selection, it’s a natural selection process. So, you need to do it based on the expression, and the expression is 100% associated with the area where you grow them,” Estiarte said. “If you want to have the real potential of a variety, you need to grow in the real place where everything else grows.”..
The 150-acre Discovery Center in McFarland is developing several IFG table grape varieties, but some are already patented and commercially available in California. During a facility tour, Elena Aguaron, USA and Canada Commercial Lead for Table Grapes explained that growers can obtain Bloom Fresh patented varieties through Wonderful Nurseries, Sunridge Nurseries, and Casa Cristal Nursery.

Estiarte explained that Bloom Fresh works closely with growers in California to understand the region’s unique challenges including high labor costs and water restrictions.

“By working together with the growers, we understand the challenges. And by understanding the challenges, we can do something about it,” Estiarte said. “So, certainly, this is one of the strongest points that we have, is this working collaboration and closeness with the table grape industry in California to address the issues that they are facing today.”..
Bloom Fresh’s labs utilize a natural process to develop varieties with ideal genes rather than utilizing genetic modification. The center strives to create varieties that produce high yields, have an appealing taste and crispy texture, and are less labor intensive.
Follow the link to read on:

Global fruit breeder strengthens collaboration with California growers at new 150-acre site. By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice Bloom Fresh International — the largest global premium fruit-breeder company — unveiled its 28,000-square-foot Discovery Center and Breeding Campus in McFarla...

09/08/2024

FARM HELP NEEDED!

Can you operate tractors of various sizes? Can you repair drip lines and help keep our pomegranate trees and vegetable gardens in top shape? We are looking for you!

Part-time to start, with the potential for full-time. The starting pay is $17 per hour, with an increase after three months.

Apply today, and let’s grow together! Call 661-932-5731 and ask for Stephen.

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08/08/2024

Chris Parlier Retired Law Enforcement and Former Bakersfield City Councilman Announces Campaign for District 2



BAKERSFIELD—Today, August 7th, Chris Parlier a retired Law Enforcement Officer with the Department of Justice and former City Councilman, officially announced his candidacy for Kern County Second Supervisorial District.



“I am excited today to announce my candidacy to run for District 2 Supervisor! My whole life has been about serving the public and protecting our communities. As your supervisor, I will be focused on Public Safety. My record as a Bakersfield City Councilmember proves that I am ready to lead on day one,” Parlier stated. “District 2 has been without a voice for too long. I am prepared to be that voice for the residents of Kern County’s second district.”



As a proven leader with a strong track record of public service, Chris Parlier is ready to bring his experience and dedication to the role of District 2 Supervisor. As Vice Mayor of the City of Bakersfield he led the charge to allocate the precious resources to add 100 officers to Bakersfield streets. His commitment to public safety, fiscal responsibility, and representing the unique needs of District 2 will be invaluable in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our community.



Chris Parlier honorably retired as a special agent with the California Department of Justice. He served 8 years representing the residents of Bakersfield City’s Ward 7. He is married to his wife Debbie, and they have two adult children. They also have two grandchildren with two more on the way. Parlier’s dedication to his family and community is matched by his commitment to addressing the challenges facing Kern County.



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05/08/2024

At the first-ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day hosted by the American Pistachio Growers in July, a panel of experts discussed water security in California’s agricultural sector and the pending biological opinions set to come out in November.

The panel, moderated by Don Wright, founder of Water Wrights, included Congressman John Duarte, Johnny Amaral, Chief Operating Officer of Friant Water Authority, Steve Blumenshine, Executive Director of California State University’s WATER (Water Advocacy Toward Education Research), William Bourdeau, President of Bourdeau Farms, and Lindsay Cederquist, Director of Water Resources at Maricopa Orchards...
As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Committee on Agriculture, Duarte emphasized the widespread mismanagement of resources in the U.S.

“We are abandoning resources across America everywhere we can,” Duarte said. “Whether it’s mismanagement of our forests, flushing our water out to the ocean with no objective gains under the Endangered Species Act, destroying irrigated landscapes up and down the state, whether it’s farms, urban landscapes, or ecological resources. We’re doing this in oil and gas. We’re doing it in mining and minerals. So please don’t feel special. This is a broad theme, and I can’t look at it as innocent mistakes by disconnected bureaucrats.”

Expanding on the theme of resource mismanagement, Amaral elaborated on the critical role of biological opinions in agriculture. These opinions serve as guiding documents for the rules and regulations that govern water allotment.

“But what really matters is those are the guiding documents that determine how water moves in California, where 80% of the rainfall and snowpack happens north of the Delta, but 80% of the demand for water is south of the Delta,” Amaral said. “So, you can see why that plumbing matters for all of you here. Any time a document like that is being put together with a political calendar as part of that motivation or consideration, watch out.”

Biological Opinions — BiOps — are documents prepared by federal agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service, under the Endangered Species Act. These opinions assess the impact of a proposed federal action, like construction projects or land use changes, on endangered or threatened species and their habitats...
In 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation requested to reinitiate Endangered Species Act consultation for the long-term operations of the CVP and SWP with the new BiOp expected in November 2024.

Meanwhile, the interim operations plan, essentially the old BiOps, governs current water movements. Amaral cautioned that the forthcoming BiOps could impose stricter regulations.

“What’s being developed, what’s being contemplated for the new BiOps that I talked about earlier is something worse…than what’s being implemented today,” Amaral said.

As the industry anticipates new biological opinions in November, panelists urged agricultural stakeholders to stay informed and prepare for potential changes that could reshape water management practices in the region.
Follow the link for the full story:

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice At the first-ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day hosted by the American Pistachio Growers in July, a panel of experts discussed water security in California’s agricultural sector and the pending biological opinions set to come out in November. The pane...

04/08/2024

Over several years, Trent Horn and others have listed several problems they believe should give pause to anyone who professes Protestantism. He focuses on two main issues: first, an issue with sola scriptura, and second, what he calls the Protestant creed problem...
Horn contends that Protestants disagree on major issues, and these disagreements show that protestants can’t agree on the essentials of Christianity; the problems he brings up are: Can Christians lose their salvation? Does baptism save infants? Can Christians deny sola scriptura or sola fida? Can Protestants truly hold to church tradition for teaching? Are Catholics Christian? Horn posits these questions should be answered within scripture and uniformly amongst Protestants.

More recently, in response to the Southern Baptist Convention’s inability to adopt the Nicene creed, Horn posted an article about the problem Protestants have with creeds. He touched on this in his 2022 article, though this one focuses on the issues specifically with creeds in Protestantism. Horn goes on to show Protestants using the creeds and early councils as guardrails to keep us within the bounds of orthodoxy while we read and interpret scripture. He says this position is incoherent as it ends up two ways: either you start in solo scriptura or “So it fails in one of two ways. First, if this whole paradigm treats scripture, the creeds, and the early church as being equal in authority, then it’s not sola scriptura. Because if sola scriptura is true, these sources cannot be equal in authority because sola scriptura says that scripture is the only infallible authority.”
Follow the link to read on:

By Joshua Stevens, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice  Over several years, Trent Horn and others have listed several problems they believe should give pause to anyone who professes Protestantism. He focuses on two main issues: first, an issue with sola scriptura, and second, what he calls the Prote...