After more than a year of debate, the endgame for the federal Farm Bill is now in full swing. And California farmers still stand to gain much from the legislation. On Thursday, environmental groups and several allied congressmen protested a move by the bill's negotiators to take about $1 billion from conservation programs to help pay for a new disaster-relief fund. Fewer dollars for conservation could affect California farmers, who have long clamored for compensation for the loss of land they cannot farm because of the federal Endangered Species Act. Record Net 4/4/08
In a new government report, farmers said they would make significant cuts in corn acreage this year in favor of soybeans. If they carry through with their intentions, the resulting additional soybean oil could help alleviate global shortages of cooking oil that have led to sharply higher prices, hitting poor countries hard. But a smaller corn harvest would most likely raise prices for that crop, which could also increase the prices Americans pay for meat. NY Times 4/1/08
California's native oak trees face daunting odds against survival. Most will never grow up to become the giant gnarled oak trees that provide California's iconic foothill and valley landscapes, as well as valuable habitat for a host of birds and mammals. "We have between 1 percent and 5 percent of our oak woodland left," said Zarah Wyly, manager of the Sacramento Tree Foundation's native tree planting program. CC Times 4/4/08
As the company turns 75 this year amid public and private festivities, outsiders say that the Gallo family has gained a measure of peace from the tensions and tragedies that have chased it through the generations. With annual sales of $3.5 billion -- about 70 million cases of wine -- Gallo is the nation's largest winemaker. One out of every five glasses of wine drunk in America is a Gallo wine. LA Times 4/4/08
The federal government plans to escalate its eradication of marijuana plantations in the backwoods of national forests this year, beginning in California with the deployment of larger strike teams and the controversial launching of miniature, remote-controlled spy planes to outfox growers, a top Bush administration official said Thursday. Sacramento Bee 4/4/08
Disagreement over just how many unattached table grapes can be sold in a package as U.S. Grade No. 1 has created a rift between California growers and produce sellers. They’re debating whether there should be a change in the standard. For three years, California growers of what is more than a $1 billion crop have been trying to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow more separated grapes to be included in packages. The News Tribute 4/4/08
Several pieces of legislation that could have far-reaching impact on California farmers and ranchers have been introduced in the state Senate and Assembly. Bill 1436 removes the sunset provision for accidental take of species listed under the California Endangered Species Act. That provision is set to expire Jan. 1, 2009. Current law allows the accidental taking of species listed under the California Endangered Species Act during routine and ongoing agricultural activities such as harvesting and ordinary pasture maintenance and renovation. Assembly Bill 2168, introduced by Assemblymember Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, would make it easier for farm stands to sell processed product. California Farm Bureau 4/2/08
California wine sales in the United States hit a record 457 million gallons last year, a 2 percent increase over 2006, the Wine Institute announced today. SJ Mercury 4/1/08
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the availability of $16.8 million in emergency funding to continue efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in California, Michigan and Minnesota. The emergency funding will be used to depopulate known tuberculosis-affected cattle herds, which is crucial to prevent the spread of the disease and to indemnify producers. USDA Press Release 4/2/08
After prodding from lawmakers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a list Thursday of all school districts nationwide that received ground beef recalled from a California slaughterhouse last month. Seven local school districts -- including Pajaro Valley Unified and Santa Cruz City Elementary -- and Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall are listed in the 226-page document. But it's not clear how many pounds of recalled meat each district received, which schools it went to, or when. SJ Mercury 3/28/08
Tiny quagga and zebra mussels are an invasive species that represent an environmental nuclear bomb for California's reservoirs and waterways. In Northern California, the East Bay Municipal Utility District considered closing three of its most popular fishing lakes - San Pablo Reservoir near El Sobrante, and Pardee and Camanche in the Sierra foothills. EBMUD opted instead for rigorous checks for all trailered boats and to ban boats from Santa Clara County, San Benito County and Southern California. SF Chronicle 4/2/08
School gardening is an important part of nutritional education, said Deborah Giraud, the UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor. Through growing their own food, students can learn about the process of farming from the raising of crops to the nutritional components of food. Press Telegram 4/4/08
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