Agriculture Daily News March 19

A lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in San Francisco, contends that the Park Service and its local administrators have “systemically discriminated against plaintiffs on the basis of their disabilities,” failing to make adjustments, required for decades, to assist people with restricted mobility, poor or no vision, hearing loss or other needs. Federal law requires the Park Service to provide universal access to its land and attractions. People with disabilities say they cannot gain entry or use many of the Golden Gate area’s historic buildings, trails, museums, restrooms or water fountains. NY Times 3/18/08

 

State officials announced Friday afternoon that California would join Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in urging U.S. exporting facilities to turn away Mexico-bound Canadian cattle. California's decision follows an order issued March 4 by the Texas Department of Agriculture that would stop state-operated exporting facilities from allowing Canadian cattle to pass through to Mexico. Earlier this month, Canadian and Mexican officials signed an agreement that allows Canada to trade breeding cattle less than 30 months old. But Mexico prohibits imports of U.S. breeding cattle, with the exception of dairy heifers under the age of 24 months. Bizjournals 3/18/08

 

Tuesday's "Celebrate" breakfast at the Monterey Fairgrounds showcased the diversity of challenges facing Monterey County's largest industry. The breakfast, sponsored by local agriculture groups and the Monterey County Fair, was a kickoff to National Ag Week, March 16-22, designed to celebrate "the importance and success and progress of agriculture," said Connie Quinlan, executive director of Monterey County Agricultural Education, Inc. But in Monterey County, where agriculture was a $3.5 billion industry in 2006, leafy greens standards, immigration policies, pest eradication and beef cattle handling practices are just some of the challenges facing those in agriculture.  Monterey Herald 3/19/08

 

Lawmakers failed to come up with new farm bill legislation by the March 15 deadline and as a result the Senate and the House of Representatives last week voted for an extension to April 18. California Farm Bureau Report 3/19/08

 

California’s agricultural secretary defended plans Tuesday to continue aerial spraying for the light brown apple moth this summer, saying it’s the only way to prevent long-term devastation.At the Monterey County Fairgrounds, Secretary A.G. Kawamura attempted to reassure the public by explaining the facts of the eradication plan and addressing widespread concerns about the aerial spray. He said the agency will hold public meetings throughout the state before June 1, when spraying is set to resume. The spray effort could cost as much as $74 million. The Californian 3/9/08

 

A new UC Davis Olive Center center opened in January under the umbrella of the university's Robert Mondavi Institute, which also houses the campuses' Department of Viticulture and Enology, the scientific names for grape-growing and wine-making. Olives have been growing in California for more than a century, but most of the state's 600 oil makers are of recent vintage.  Collectively, they produce 500,000 gallons of  olive oil each year, a tiny fraction of the 75 million gallons Americans consume butCalifornia's output is expected to increase fivefold in the next five years. SJ Mercury 3/19/08

 

Two statewide environmental organizations, the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, said they will file a public trust, waste and unreasonable use of water and method of diversion petition with the State Water Resources Control Board on March 19. They contend the Board has failed to halt the continuing ecological collapse of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary by permitting excessive amounts of Northern California water to be pumped to western San Joaquin mega-farms and Southern California. Indy Bay 3/19/08

 

A series of workshops will be held throughout California’s Central Valley later this month and in early April to discuss the future of the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board is conducting the workshops to gather comments on the program elements and environmental information that should be considered in the development of a long-term program.  Western Farm Press 3/19/08

 

Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri on Ag Day 2008 - “It’s off the Hook” @ State Capitol Building, March 25 CDFA Press Release

 

Schwarzenegger’s plan for Delta sustainability. DWR will start the public process to study the environmental impacts of a Delta conservation plan including alternative water conveyance, implement new statewide water conservation initiatives, and strengthen emergency response plans for the Delta. DWR Press Release 3/17/08