Agriculture:
*Report: Farmers, ranchers hit hard by health care costs -- About a third of California's farmers and ranchers are forced to buy health insurance through the costly individual market because they have no access to lower-cost group coverage, according to a report Wednesday by a group dubbed the "Access Project" and commissioned by the California Endowment. Family farmers and ranchers who purchased health coverage through the individual market spent approximately $4,600 more on premiums and out-of-pocket health care costs than those farmers and ranchers who obtained group health coverage from off-ranch or off-farm employment, the report says. Central Valley Business Times 7/23/08
*California fruit and nut review – An in-depth update of growing conditions in California for a number of crops. The 2008 California grape crop is shaping up to be an average crop despite frost damage that occurred when unusually cold temperatures hit California during the middle of April. The 2007-2008 California Navel orange forecast is 99.0 million cartons, unchanged from the April forecast, but up 43 percent from the 2006-2007 production. California's 2008 almond production is forecast at a record 1.50 billion meat pounds, up 3 percent from May's subjective forecast and 8 percent above last year's crop. Western Farm Press 7/23/08
Farmland prices favor sellers, but for how long? -- Values for farm and ranch real estate vary by location, and agricultural property experts say the current market definitely favors sellers. But, they warn that there are financial clouds on the horizon. Tighter lending criteria and uncertainties about water supply are among the factors overshadowing the current "sellers" market for agricultural properties. As a result, very little agricultural property is changes hands. California Farm Bureau Federation 7/23/08
*Specialty Crop Block Grants $2.8 Million in Funding Available -- Secretary A.G. Kawamura has announced that $2.8 million in federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Funds will now be awarded on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. "Our goal is to stimulate innovation in marketing California's specialty crops by funding projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to meet and exceed the needs of people around the world—people who rely on our products, solutions and services," said Secretary Kawamura. CDFA Press Release July 18, 2008
Doc helps launch Kaiser farmers markets -- Since founding the market at the Oakland Kaiser campus five years ago, Maring has tweaked and expanded it, helped establish 29 other markets at Kaiser locations all over the country. To him, it's all about getting produce to busy people, old people, young people, even patients in the hospital. Inside Bay Area 7/23/08
*Downer cattle law signed -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Tuesday to crack down on the sale of downed cattle for human consumption in response to the largest beef recall in U.S. history. Sacramento Bee 7/23/08
Water:
Farmworkers rally at state Capitol for water bond -- Hundreds of farm workers plan to rally at the state Capitol in support of placing a water measure on the November ballot. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein have proposed a $9.3 billion water bond to build reservoirs, encourage conservation and restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. SF Chronicle 7/23/08
Levee funds are still dry -- San Mateo County does not have enough money to fix a levee that was deemed unsafe by the federal government, a county official said Tuesday, putting thousands of southern Peninsula residents much closer to the reality of paying high flood-insurance fees. Approximately 1,000 feet of Redwood City-area levees were deemed unsafe in April. SF Examiner 7/23/08
Profs Urge End to Fluoride in Water -- Over 1,750 professionals signed a statement urging Congress to stop water fluoridation until Congressional hearings are conducted. They cite new scientific evidence that fluoridation, long promoted to fight tooth decay, is ineffective and has serious health risks. See statement: http://www.fluorideaction.org/statement.august.2007.html Folsom Telegraph 7/23/08
*Flood of plans muddies water supply solution -- The California water crisis has stimulated a cascade of proposals from political leaders, think tanks and state agencies, aimed at improving the reliability of water supplies and the environment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. California Farm Bureau Federation 7/23/08
Health:
The Number of West Nile Virus Cases in California Goes Up to Seven -- The West Nile virus situation seems to be getting worse, as the first case in San Diego county has been reported. In 2007, the first West Nile case for this area was recorded at the end of August. Eflux 7/23/08
Food and restaurants:
California appeals court backs flexible rules on meal breaks -- The long-running dispute about California's rules governing on-the-job meal breaks flared up again Tuesday, with an appeals court ruling in favor of flexible policies favored by employers. The 4th District Court of Appeal said employers aren't responsible for making sure their workers take their meal and rest breaks. The employers are only obliged to make those breaks available, the court said. Jot Condie, president of the California Restaurant Association, said the decision means workers will have greater flexibility in deciding when to take a break. Sacramento Bee 7/23/08
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