Two thousand ten is upon us and is already showing us what a difference a year makes. As I write to you the sound of rain persists outside of my window as it has for the entire week. Water is, and will be, a very large issue for us into the coming year and beyond. It is my pleasure to write to you about such issues and others that will affect our farming future and the very food that we eat in our county.

I had the distinct pleasure of being a seated delegate at our CFBF Annual Meeting held just recently in Anaheim. The meeting opened on a solid note ?OUR FUTURE, OUR FARMERS?. The link between what we enjoy as nourishment for our bodies and the people who grow it was exemplified in a short video that touted numerous celebrity chefs that made it very clear that our farmers are the true stars. Our farmers, who provide the amazing bounty they are able to choose from allows them to do what they do.

The breakout sessions consisted of various topics ranging from the new diesel regulations that are being mandated to the widespread use of Twitter and Facebook changing the way we communicate and do business now and in the future. I participated in the diesel session where a state bureaucrat politely tried to explain the myriad of rules and regulation, do?s and don?ts, why?s and why not, related to complying with the California Air Resources Board requirements on diesel engines in the State of California, no easy task. The program itself is undergoing changes and modifications even as I write. Ultimately it will be up to the individual to seek out the necessary information from the state as it applies to his or her specific situation and type of vehicle.

On the technology front, more and more farmers are making use of new electronic media. Not only to broaden their markets but provide a real understanding to the public at large as to what it takes to sustain a farm. Very important in an age where a supermarket erases the lines between what is locally fresh in season and what is not. People want to know how their food is grown and how the land is being cared for. Truly, in the history of mankind no one is more capable or well suited to that goal than the American farmer.

As we move forward into this New Year make that effort to gain knowledge that will make you a better informed Farm Bureau member. Share with your friends and family the importance of our farming heritage. Support your local 4H or go to a county or state fair. Be mindful of your elected officials and where they stand on agriculture. Are the regulations they propose going to expand or curtail your food freedoms? Do we want to be able to feed ourselves or rely on imported nourishment? If this economy has taught us anything it?s that the salt of the earth life can bring rewards like no other. OUR FARMERS live it everyday and they are OUR FUTURE.

I want to personally thank all of you who take the time to read this Newsletter and allow me to share it with you.

In Contra Costa County, the NRCS works primarily through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary cost-share program that facilitates the adoption of conservation-based practices on farms and rangeland through financial incentives. NRCS works with the applicant to identify resource issues on the property and to develop a Conservation Plan. The Conservation Plan will include practices that address these issues and provide potential solutions. The EQIP program can then provide cost-share to eligible applicants in order to implement these practices.

Each fiscal year, the Concord Service Center receives funds to distribute to EQIP applicants. This funding is divided 50/50 between cropland and rangelands. In 2009, approximately $400,000 was distributed to Contra Costa County producers through NRCS programs. For cropland, typical practices include conversion to drip irrigation systems, installation of hedgerows as pollinator habitat, irrigation water management, cover crops, and chipping annual orchard pruning's. For rangeland, typical practices include solar pumps, pipelines, tanks, troughs, and cross-fencing for better livestock water distribution, and treatment of noxious weeds. Many practices target wildlife habitat and can be implemented on farms, ranches, and any adjacent natural areas, including owl boxes, bat boxes, brush piles, and riparian improvements.

Other programs and opportunities are also available through the NRCS, including special funding initiatives to replace tractors and engines for air quality improvements, funding for organic operations, and funding for Integrated Pest Management programs.

The cost-share rates are based on 50% of the average cost to purchase materials and install/implement these practices. Applicants who have been farming less than 10 years, make less then half the median income for the county, or those who are part of a social group that has been historically underserved, are eligible for higher reimbursement rates.

The deadline for EQIP applications in 2010 was January 15th, but sign-ups for 2011 have already begun. Conservation planning for these applications will continue until next year?s deadline starts a new cycle.

As long as you can show a thorough good-faith effort to be in compliance, ICE may well overlook a limited number of errors that can?t be corrected. ICE has reported an employer inspected several times with good results might receive a three-year moratorium on investigations.

Brentwood FFA has organized and been involved in many events around the Brentwood community. In the beginning of the year, we built a float and took part in Liberty High School?s homecoming parade to help spread the word of the FFA around downtown. Also, during the homecoming football game, we sold kettle corn as a fundraiser. We have also served dinner to our towns? Rotary Club as well as prepared and served breakfast to all the teachers at Liberty High School.

Currently we have been working on a project that involves some of our members speaking to the eighth graders at some local middle schools in an attempt to educate them about the FFA so they will want to join the FFA next year as freshmen. We are also in the process of organizing a meats judging team that will compete in various FFA field days throughout the year. There is also the possibility of many other teams to forming in the future. A few of our members will also be applying for their FFA State Farmer Degree.

This transfer came with an acknowledgement of the value of Cooperative Extension programs and a recommendation to our County Administrator to try to find money in next year?s budget to fund us after June 30. At the same time they also acknowledged that next year?s County budget situation is expected to be even worse than this year so future County funding for Cooperative Extension was still uncertain.

Due to the loss of most of our administrative support staff, we have had to reduce the hours that the office is open to the general public. We are now open Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 1 pm; closed Fridays. Advisors and their program staff are in the office working at other times, there is just no clerical staff in the front office.

I am no longer able to hold dedicated Monday afternoon office hours in Knightsen. But I am certainly just as available to do farm calls and provide information to local growers. I?m only a phone call away. I will also continue with the Cherry Buckskin survey, my Tree Pest Update Program, the Crop Currents newsletter and research into managing our newest pest ? the Spotted Wing Drosophila.

Main office number is (925)646-6540 or you can reach me at (925) 646-6129 or jlcaprile@ucdavis.edu or call CCCFB office for a listing of other UCCE Agricultural resource personnel and phone numbers for Contra Costa County. For more information on our programs visit http://eccontracosta.ucdavis.edu/

By Janet Caprile, Farm Advisor, Agricultural Crops

Our Lives begin to end
The day we become
silent
About the things that
matter.

March 10th - Corned Beef with a guest speaker

April 14th - Ham Dinner

This year looks to be a busy one for Farm Bureau. The water wars are on, and CCCFB is working with 4 other counties to protect our Delta quality. This couldn?t happen without your membership dollars, so thank you!

In December, I was fortunate to be able to attend the CFBF Annual Meeting in Anaheim. It was truly enlightening to be with other Farm Bureau staff and directors as policies were set and to see the election of 2010 State Officers. The time flew by and before you knew It the meeting was over and attendees were full of helpful knowledge and inspiring ideas to carry then through the year. At the Concord office a new project for the year is to spruce up the outside with the help from Master Gardner member Shirley Olsen. Shirley has generously volunteered her services to help out with the landscape surrounding the office. We are also in the process of renting out the last available office in the building. If you know of anyone in need of a nice 400 sq ft office have them call the office 925.672.5115.

Along with the new year brings more fun activities for CCCFB. January 13th was a Knightsen Spaghetti feed prepared by our own Pat Hobbs. Pat served a delicious meal, great raffle prizes were organized by Harriett Zych with proceeds going to aid Ag in the Classroom fund. Preparations are being made for the 17th Annual Crab Feed. Jerry Dinelli and Wayne Reeves will again be preparing a fabulous meal of crab, pasta, and salad. Harriett has gathered over 60 nice raffle prizes to be awarded that night, again to benefit Ag in the Classroom.

I am busy getting ready for not only our monthly meetings (1st Wed. of every month at 7 PM) but also the CCCFB Annual Meeting to be held Saturday, March 27 at the Driftwood Yacht Club in Oakley. Call the office if you are interested in attending.

The 8 clubs in our county are planning Outreach programs to get the word out about our fantastic program; fund raising to keep the special events happening for the youth; and continuing to educate the youth about our county resources.

The State 4-H office has not let us know exactly what they are planning in order to keep the 4-H program alive in our county as well as the state. rumor still has it we are looking at restructuring in order to keep costs down.

I serve Contra Costa County FB as well as Solano and Alameda Counties at the state level (District 11) for the Young Farmers and Ranchers. My appointment to the State Board is a two year appointment.

What is YF&R

For those of you who are not familiar with the YF & R, we are a part of the Farm Bureau who all have a common interest ...farming and ranching.

YF & R is designed for ages 18-35 and does not require membership in the Farm Bureau but has the same beliefs and values.

Our focus is to keep and develop the talent we have within our industry and to keep enthusiasm in our cause.

How can you get involved?

This is the all call for CC Farm Bureau Members to help create and identify the new leaders that will take over the leadership role in the future. If you are interested or know someone else that is interested in learning more about what the YF & R is, please contact Betty Walker at the CCCFB office, or email me at eric.kuehl@simplot.com

Now is a great time to get involved as we have our State Leadership Conference coming up in March. This year?s conference will be held in Sonoma County in Rohnert Park. We have two excellent tours scheduled to see what agriculture looks like in Sonoma, as well as two days of leadership training and fun! The conference dates are March 12-14 and registration is currently open at a cost of $125, a great bargain for all who attend. For more information you can go to http://www.cfbf.com/yfr/ and click on the Leadership Conference link.

Agriculture is the backbone of our county and we need to make sure that our voice is strong and unified our communities both politically as well as philanthropically. Please help me in identifying new leaders for our future.