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San Diego County Farm Bureau News
July 2008: Vol. 21. No. 7

MONTHLY COLUMNS

President's Message

Share Your Water Woes To Publicize Depth of Ag's Plight
by Chuck Badger

SAs we head into the longer, hotter days of summer, we’ll all feel the heavy blow of water cutbacks, and the situation appears to be worsening. With the governor’s announcement last month of a state-wide drought, the Municipal and Industrial water users of the state have been put on notice. And the rationing of water for these customers looks like a real possibility for ‘09. That means probable further cutbacks for our ag community.

We really have two water problems in Southern California—short term and long term. The short term problem is partly caused by the Delta smelt with which we are now all too familiar. If our water deliveries from the Delta were returned to normal, our short-term water problems would be nearly solved. In order to draw attention to the matter, San Diego County Farm Bureau member Eric Anderson drove his tractor to Sacramento over Memorial Day weekend! He garnered the attention of many reporters and asked the governor to encourage President Bush to convene the “God Squad,” an Endangered Species Act Commission that could overturn Judge Wanger’s decision to cut back our water deliveries because of the smelt. The commission has met only four times in the history of the ESA, and they decided only one of those appeals in favor of people over endangered species. While it is a long shot, we need to continue to publicize our problems to hasten a resolution to the smelt problem.

In the long term, our governor has been trying to push the legislature to pass infrastructure improvement bonds. We need more water storage and conveyance to move the water around the Delta to Southern California. While most Californians realize the need for such infrastructure, extreme environmentalists oppose both ideas. We farmers must pressure local politicians who bow to these extremist views. Politicians must do what is right for all citizens of the state—to develop and update our water delivery system.

Both the short- and long-term solutions require us to make our plight known to the public and policymakers. I need your help to accomplish this task. Please call me with your individual story about how the water cutbacks are hurting your farming operation. I’ll find a way to get your story to the media and key politicians. We must stand up for ourselves with one loud, strong, continual voice! I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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From the Executive Director

Farm Bureau is the Logical Organization to Form Local Monitoring Group
by Eric Larson

In an atmosphere that includes higher prices for less water, labor uncertainty, import pressure, and ridiculous fuel costs, the last thing Farm Bureau wants to do is ask you to write another check. We don’t want to, but we are going to do it anyway.

In response to the environmental movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, state and federal regulations were adopted to protect water quality. Over the years, the big polluters were identified and forced to clean up their act. Now the effort has reached down to the smaller sources of possible pollution, including the farms of San Diego County.

For the past several years, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the state agency tasked with local clean water enforcement, has been satisfied that farm runoff was being addressed through permits for dairies, nursery inspections, and the assumption that everyone else was applying best management practices. Well, we are now on the verge of a big change. The RWQCB now wants proof that farms are not causing pollution from fertilizers, chemicals, organic materials, or anything else leaving the farm in irrigation or stormwater runoff. There is only one way to provide that evidence: Take water samples below the farms and conduct laboratory tests.

San Diego County farmers are not the first to face this challenge. In Southern, Central and Northern California, numerous farm groups have been in place for years taking water samples and providing test results as required by their regional boards. Their work has already proven that a collective effort is the model to follow. The challenge here is that there are more than 5,000 farm sites in 11 different watersheds. It gets a bit more complicated with many of the farms embedded in urban neighborhoods. You are right if you think this sounds expensive.

As the region’s largest farm organization, it became evident to the San Diego County Farm Bureau’s board of directors that this organization is the only practical group to take on this challenge. If Farm Bureau left every farmer to fend for his or her self, the cost would be exorbitant and the effort taxing. Yes, Farm Bureau will be asking you to write a check for the collective endeavor, but the alternative of having the individual burden of proof through a direct permitting relationship with the RWQCB is not at all attractive.

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From the Ag Commissioner

Fighting Invasive Weeds in San Diego County
by Bob Atkins, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

Your County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) battles to prevent the introduction and establishment of all types of invasive organisms including insects, disease, rodents, birds and noxious invasive weeds. When such weeds become established, the California Department of Food and Agriculture coordinates the statewide efforts to eradicate or control them. To focus local efforts, the legislature established Weed Management Area (WMA) authorities with the Agricultural Commissioner as the leader. In 2001, a San Diego County WMA was established, which is a diverse organization of private landowners and city, county, state, federal agencies and any other interested group for the common purpose of removing non-native invasive weeds.

Since 2001, this WMA has coordinated the efforts of stakeholders to reduce invasive weeds throughout the county. The WMA has reduced the density of the invasive weed perennial peppercress by 50 percent in San Dieguito River Park from 350 acres through repeated treatments. It has developed a county-wide GIS database of invasive weed infestations and locations which will be updated this year. Also, the WMA provides training, outreach and networking through free seminars twice a year to improve recognition and treatment of invasive weeds.

The WMA and AWM also have applied for and received several grants over the past few years to support the removal of invasive weeds. The highest priority weeds are those weeds listed in Title 3, California Code of Regulations, Section 4500 and include perennial peppercress, yellow star thistle, spotted knapweed and purple loosestrife, which are found at various locations in San Diego County. We also have treated arundo, eucalyptus, tamarisk and cape ivy, etc., under contract with other agencies. Our methods range from hoeing in sensitive sites, using off-road spray equipment, to hiring goats to reduce weed populations. Currently, we have teamed with the University of California, Cooperative Extension (UCCE) in exploring different techniques for controlling perennial peppercress adjacent to organic agriculture.

Along with UCCE, many organizations are involved in the battle to eradicate invasive weeds. An Internet search of these types of organizations yielded 50 different local groups in San Diego County alone. One prominent example of these is California Horticultural Invasive Prevention Partnership (Cal-HIP) whose membership includes growers, nurseries, Master Gardeners and professional associations. This group develops voluntary alternatives to reduce the number of invasive plant species sold and planted in California.

As mentioned, early recognition of noxious weeds is important. Often, once a weed infestation is identified, it is already so large that containment is difficult and expensive. If you see an unknown weed, please contact my office. Additionally, educating the public so they can report new and hopefully small infestations will make a major difference in controlling the spread of invasive weeds. The next San Diego WMA training will be conducted in conjunction with the Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Weed Management Area in December 2008. For more information, please call (858) 694-8988.

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Farm Bureau has been working for you . . .

  • Sent letters to state legislators on need to fund Diaprepes root weevil eradication
  • Met with USDA Secretary Edward Schaffer
  • Installed water awareness display at San Diego County Fair
  • Met with UCCE and poultry farmers on manure disposal issues
  • Opened City Heights Farmers' Market
  • Testified at Bay/Delta hearing on importance of secure water source
  • Gave presentation to LAFCO on local farm water crisis
  • Appeared on KPBS radio show on Farm Bill
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The Ag Crime Blotter

by Elisabeth Silva, Deputy District Attorney, and Jackie Cruz, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Agriculture Crime Prevention Specialist

Nursery thefts are going through the roof. Several commercial nurseries in San Diego and the rest of Southern California are taking large hits on plant containers, stakes, fertilizer, plants, and even vehicles. The list of stolen material often resembles a landscape order, detailing large numbers of specific plants. Also, many items are being stolen after normal business hours of the day the products were delivered, so make sure your deliveries—especially pesticides and containers—are stored in separate and secured areas. Losses from thefts are averaging about $6,500 per hit. The Sheriff’s Department is receiving more reports and license numbers, so keep up the good work and continue reporting any and all thefts immediately.

Gas is hot. Another rising commodity theft is fuel, which is being stolen from wind machines, above-ground tanks, and anywhere else thieves can find it. Some thieves are even drilling holes in locked tanks to steal the fuel, which could ruin the entire tank.

Protect your copper valves. As the value of copper rises, so have copper thefts. Copper valves were recently stolen from a local water district. Copper thieves will also rip through drywall in buildings under construction. According to Fallbrook Sheriff’s Lieutenant Alex Dominguez, all metals are now considered precious metals in that any kind of metal that has recyclable value is vulnerable to theft. Metals thefts have been known to cause several thousand dollars worth of damage for copper that will only net the thief a few hundred dollars. The thieves have also been caught pounding, bending and drilling holes in perfectly good pipe to make it look like it was discarded.
Nursery employee pleads guilty to grand theft. An 18-year employee at Briggs Tree Company who was caught stealing approximately $1,400 in trees last October recently pled guilty to grand theft. Thanks to GPS technology installed on the employee’s company-issued phone, the employee, who was a driver for Briggs Tree, was connected to four other thefts when the GPS revealed locations the employee had visited over the course of several months, which helped lead to his arrest. He is now on felony probation and made full restitution. Unfortunately, the judge did not feel additional custody was warranted. Since no other restrictions were imposed by the conviction, he immediately found other employment in the green industry. Briggs Tree General Manager Donny Dabbs invested a lot of time and resources to make sure that the right person was held accountable for this theft. Alissa Adams, Briggs Tree’s Sales Manager, helped recover the plants, and her memory was tested mightily by defense counsel at the preliminary hearing. Dabbs is disappointed that the penalties were not stronger to deter repeat offenses of nursery crimes. “The judge did not send a strong enough message to the community,” Dabbs said. “A felony conviction isn’t enough of a penalty, so these kinds of crimes will happen again. But despite all the time and effort it took me to pursue this case, I’d do it all over again. I’m not going to let them get away with it.”

Are you aiding crimes of opportunity? According to Lt. Dominguez, most crimes are actually crimes of opportunity because people don’t properly secure their valuables. Make sure you always lock your vehicle doors and close all windows. Never leave your car engine running when you make quick errand stops. At home or on the worksite, always lock windows and doors. Know your staff, your inventory, and office equipment and where they are all located. Keep items in a central and secure location. Lt. Dominguez emphasized it is never a bother to call the Sheriff about safety and security issues.

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FFA Ag-tivities

Warner Springs High School FFA

Throughout the year, the Warner Springs FFA holds many activities, such as barbecues for the school, a benefit auction to help earn money for state conference, and hosting a field day where 23 schools compete in 11 different competitions. The latter is the biggest school day of the year, when our usual attendance of 75 students is raised to 300.

Our FFA has developed a school-wide conservation program that serves our community as well as surrounding communities. Our programs include the community recycling center, oil recycling, worm composting, the swine unit, and our oak tree planting day. We have teamed up with the La Jolla Indian reservation to replant in the burn areas. On oak tree planting day, the whole school learns through presentations by local firefighters about the importance of oak trees followed by the actual planting of hundreds of trees.

At this moment we have small shelters that are not adequate for our animals. We are planning to team up with the Escondido ROP brick laying class, which has helped us in the past by building our swine unit. We are hoping to receive community support from donations of supplies to build our new barn (see Wish List, right).
We raised $4,000 through our benefit golf tournaments for our college tour trip, where we visited 10 major agriculture colleges. The highlight of the tour was a visit with several of our past graduates. In San Francisco, we visited the Maritime Museum and walked along Fisherman’s Wharf. We also visited the Tulare Farm Show Expo.

Our agriculture program allows members a variety of pathways to success and the opportunities to use what we have learned. We compete in small engines, trouble shooting and repair, floriculture, farm power, livestock judging, and we also offer livestock breeding projects. All together, during our four years of FFA, we develop a working knowledge of physical science, biology, chemistry, and mechanical engineering, firmly setting us on a successful college pathway.

Warner Springs FFA Wish List

Our wish list includes the following items that we need for our new barn:

  • Concrete block
  • Cement
  • Rebar
  • Metal Roofing
  • Metal Pipe
  • Corral Panels
  • Fencing

If you can help the Warner Springs FFA by providing any of these items, please contact the Farm Bureau at (760) 745-3023 or High School FFA instructor Sherri Freeman at (760) 782-3517, Ext. 50.

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Featured Articles

Farm Bureau to Form Runoff Monitoring Group

by Nancy Walery

As the next step in state and federal stormwater runoff regulations takes shape and causes concern among members of the local agriculture community, the San Diego County Farm Bureau board of directors has approved the creation of a runoff monitoring group for Farm Bureau members located in the Regional Water Quality Control Board’s San Diego region.

Adding to the long-held mandate for Best Management Practices which require no pollutants be allowed to leave the farm in irrigation or storm-water discharges, the new standard will redefine the use of runoff waivers and require growers to select one of two options to fulfill runoff monitoring requirements: 1) Report directly to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), or 2) join a local monitoring group, such as the one SDCFB is in the early stages of forming.

Growers opting to work one-on-one with the RWQCB will be required to pay the hefty sum of $18,000 for the program. However, by joining a monitoring group, that $18,000 fee would be spread among the participants in the monitoring group. Additional funding to sustain monitoring group operations and testing of runoff water is typically through assessments and acreage fees based on the intensity of the type of agriculture.

Existing monitoring groups in the state have been structured in several different ways. Some were established as new or existing 501(c)(3) organizations; others are coalitions of commodity groups; while others use the local water district or county Farm Bureau as the program administrator. SDCFB has not yet determined if its monitoring group will be a direct Farm Bureau function or a 501(c)(3) controlled by Farm Bureau.

Monitoring groups are tasked with establishing and staffing the program and ongoing operations, registering participants, and hiring a consulting engineering firm to conduct the testing. The testing from the engineering consultant involves select sampling sites downstream from farms in watersheds; taking water samples and testing for compliance; and reporting back to the monitoring group which, in turn, reports the data to the RWQCB. If pollution is discovered, efforts will have to be made to rectify the situation.  

While the SDCFB monitoring group is still in the early stages of formation, it has established a fee structure for early signups so that it can begin generating revenue to fund the program. Because it will be promoted as a member benefit, Farm Bureau membership is mandatory to participate in the monitoring program. An entrance fee of $1,000 per member has been set; however, members who sign up by Dec. 1, 2008 will pay only $500, and members who sign up between Dec. 2, 2008 through June 30, 2009 will pay $750. After July 1, 2009, all members joining the monitoring group will pay the full $1,000 fee.

Every grower must form or join a monitoring group to monitor water quality compliance and report to the RWQCB by Dec. 31, 2010. That date is the same deadline for growers who choose to go it alone and register directly with the RWQCB. By Jan. 1, 2011, monitoring groups and individuals must file a Notice of Intent with the RWQCB.
Full details about the program, including additional funding sources beyond the entrance fee, will be explained in a complete information letter expected to be mailed to Farm Bureau members within the next 60 days.

The march toward monitoring

1969 – Fire on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio and an oil platform blowout in the Santa Barbara Channel garner public attention and give birth to the clean water movement.

1969 – California legislature adopts the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. The legislation creates nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards to oversee the state’s regulatory effort.

1972 – Congress adopts and President Nixon signs the Clean Water Act. CWA introduced a permit system for regulating easily identified “point” sources of pollution including industrial facilities, government installations, and confined animal feeding operations.

1983 – Agriculture in California given a “waiver” from the requirement to report waste discharges because runoff is considered “non-point” or dispersed.

1987 – Clean Water Act amended to include non-point sources in regulations.

1988 – California adopts its own non-point program and directs Regional Boards to act.

1999 – California legislature declares all waivers will expire in 2003 and must be renewed with strict conditions. 

2002 – Waiver readopted by San Diego Regional Board and requires all farmers to apply best management practices and subjects nurseries to inspection to ensure compliance with runoff regulations.

2007 – Waiver readopted with added provision that farmers must individually or in a monitoring group test runoff and report results to the Regional Board to prove compliance.

2010 – Farmers must be a member of a monitoring group or establish their own direct relationship with the Regional Board for runoff testing.

An Interview with Val Mellano

Val Mellano has been the Environmental Issues Advisor for water quality and waste/manure management at the UC Cooperative Extension since 1990. She is also serving as the Acting County Director for UCCE while Terrell Salmon is on sabbatical until March 1, 2009. She holds a BS degree in Animal Science and an MS degree in Plant Pathology from Montana State University, and she earned her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from UC Riverside. Mellano’s primary focus with UCCE is water quality as it relates to agricultural production, and she has worked in the areas of non-point source pollution, TMDLs, water reuse and the agricultural waivers. Much of her work also involves agricultural waste management, manure management, and land use issues as they relate to agricultural land use and conversion to other uses in San Diego County.

FB: The title “Acting Director” now appears after your name at UCCE. How did that come about?

Mellano:  Our County Director, Terry Salmon, is currently on sabbatical leave until March 1, 2009. He is working on research projects on ground squirrel control at various locations in California and Australia. In his absence, I am the Acting County Director.

FB:In your new position, you are now responsible for budgeting. Is the state’s fiscal crisis directly affecting the local UCCE effort?

Mellano: We really have three funding sources for our office—the County of San Diego, the State of California, through the University of California, and the federal government, through the USDA. As a result, we have all three budgets to worry about. The County of San Diego has been very fiscally responsible, and we will probably be able to get through this year without a big impact to our department from the County. The impacts of the state and federal budgets are not yet clear, and we really don’t expect a final answer until September. However, we do know that we will not be allocated any funds for mailing and some other programmatic efforts, which will make us rely on electronic communications more.

FB:As Acting Director, do you have to scale back your previous assignments?

Mellano: I knew about a year in advance that I would most likely be in the Acting County Director’s role, so I finished a few projects and have minimized others. However, there are still some things that will remain on my agenda for quite a while, such as water quality issues and manure management in the county.

FB: Is manure management a relatively big issue in San Diego County?

Mellano: Manure management has been a big issue since I started here almost 20 years ago. We have a lot of animals in San Diego County, and also a lot of people who are not really aware that manure is part of raising animals. The most pressing issues have been with the poultry industry. They are in the typical situation for agriculture, where they started out in a remote area, and housing encroached on their operations. The biggest complaints come from water quality, flies and odors that affect the neighbors’ ability to enjoy the outdoors in their yards.

FB: How are they disposing of their manure now?

Mellano: The poultry industry here has traditionally dried their manure, stacked it and sold it to large-scale vegetable producers in other parts of the state or in Arizona. This system works well as long as it never rains. If it does rain, the manure gets wet, odors and fly breeding increase substantially. It is becoming more difficult to find growers who are consistently willing to take the manure too, because of situations like the current Salmonella outbreak on tomatoes. The vegetable growers are not willing to even risk the perception that their product may be contaminated. The bottom line is that the poultry producers have been dependent on outside growers to take their manure, and that end user can stop accepting the manure at a moment’s notice. The producers can be left with a big issue on their farm if they can’t get rid of the manure.

FB: Why is composting a superior option?

Mellano: Composting manure is a practice that is used worldwide for manure management. Optimum composting occurs when the manure is mixed with a carbon source, such as green waste, horse bedding, wood shavings or straw. The material will heat rapidly, killing fly larvae, most weed seeds and disease-causing organisms. In addition, it will reduce odors and increase the water holding capacity of the material, avoiding runoff issues. A product is created that is far more acceptable if it needs to be stored on-farm for any period of time, and it is marketable while also being a great soil additive.

FB: What have been the barriers for poultry farmers in managing their manure?

Mellano: State regulations are mostly based on the volume of material on the farm at any one time, which are manageable for most producers. Local zoning restrictions have prohibited the growers from bringing in the carbon sources, such as green waste, bedding, etc. and mixing it with the manure for the purposes of composting. This has kept the poultry producers from composting their manure and has created numerous neighborhood battles because of the issues with flies, odors and runoff.

FB: How can this problem be solved?

Mellano: We are working hard to put together a program between the poultry producers and the County that will change the zoning requirements and allow the importation of green waste and other carbon sources to mix with the manure for the purposes of composting. All parties are in agreement that this is a necessity, and we are working to set up the parameters that will create the fewest problems for all involved, as well as the neighbors that are impacted by the poultry operations in their neighborhoods.

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Employer-Employee: Farm Employment Issues

UI claim raises SSN no-match issues
by Nancy Walery

Reprinted from Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) Newsletter

A new twist on an old theme has started to appear via Employment Development Department (EDD) claims for unemployment insurance. The old theme is the mismatching of the claimant’s name and Social Security number (SSN).

A FELS subscriber reported he received a UI claim for a person he had never employed. The claimant’s SSN, however, is the SSN being used by one of his current employees.

This raises several concerns. One is that the UI claim might be charged to the company’s UI account despite the discrepancy. Another is that if it were to learn about the no-match and that the subscriber’s employee lacks employment eligibility, the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) might assert the no-match gave the subscriber “constructive knowledge” of that lack, at least where the employer had failed to take reasonable steps to resolve the discrepancy.

So, the question is: How should this be handled? The answer is much the same as when dealing with a Social Security Administration (SSA) no-match letter.

The first step is to review your records to ensure the employee’s data was entered correctly. This means you will need to have a copy of the employee’s Social Security card or IRS Form W-4.

Report to Social Security any correction to the employee’s data using Form W-2c and to EDD by returning the UI claim form with the corrections.

If the employee’s data is correct, then notify EDD that the person named in the claim never worked for your company and that you refute the UI claim. Also, notify EDD that you employ another person using the SSN being used by the UI claimant.

Finally, notify your employee in writing that another person is using his/her SSN and that (s)he should try to resolve the issue with SSA. Ask the employee to notify you of any resolution to the SSN discrepancy.

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SDCFB to Host CDFA California Agriculture Vision Public Listening Session July 8

Be heard and help develop priorities for agricultural policy

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are holding a series of listening sessions across the state that provide a forum for the agriculture industry and public to provide input into the planning of a strategic agricultural vision for California. The listening session for the San Diego region will be held Tuesday, July 8 at the San Diego County Farm Bureau office from 9 a.m. to noon.

This vision will be used to guide public policy and investment priorities at the state and national level for the next 20 years. This important planning will affect everyone who produces, ships, processes, markets, eats, drinks or uses California agricultural products.

“The Ag Vision will give California agriculture the opportunity to design its future through 2030,” said Al Montna, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “This will not be a document to gather dust, but an action plan to secure the viability of this industry for today and years to come.”

Public input is essential for the agricultural vision to fully represent California. This includes perspectives from farmers, ranchers and processors as well as nutrition, conservation and rural development groups. Farm Bureau members are encouraged to share their viewpoint at the listening session on four key questions (see sidebar, right).

Speakers will receive five minutes to present their perspective on one or more of the questions in the sidebar, right. For those speaking, please be sure to also provide a written statement. If you cannot attend the session, you are invited to submit your written statement to agvision@cdfa.ca.gov by July 18, 2008.

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CDFA’s California Agricultural Vision

To speak at the July 8 listening session or submit written comments, you are invited to address one or more of the following questions. If speaking in person, please be sure to also provide a written statement:

  • What is your vision for California agriculture by 2030?
  • What will be the biggest challenge in achieving that vision?
  • In 2030, how has public perception of agriculture changed?
  • What is a "must have" in an Ag Vision for California?

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Summer Temperatures Increase Heat-Related Injuries

by Dick Beckstead, R.N., LPCO,
SDCFB Board Member, Rural Health & Safety representative

As summer temperatures climb, so does the chance for heat-related illnesses and injuries. Whether on the job or off, it is particularly important during the warmer months to take the time to protect yourself, your family and your workers from heat-related illness and injury, which can be dangerous if early warning signs are not recognized.

Overheating can happen to anyone, even people who are young and fit. The harder you work, the more heat your body has to lose. When conditions are hot and humid, or if there is a source of radiant heat, your body must work even harder to get rid of heat. Heat stress occurs when the body builds up more heat than it can cope with. In its less severe form, it can lead to cramps, rash and exhaustion. One of the most serious threats to persons working in a high-temperature environment is heat stroke, but any kind of heat stress can lead to death if not treated quickly. Remember, prompt action is paramount, and cooling by any means, including a dunk in the creek, is better than nothing.

By knowing the four types of heat injuries and their symptoms detailed in the following table in their order of severity, you can be better prepared to prevent their occurrence.

Prevention is Better

  • Drink small amounts of water frequently. Be sure to avoid alcohol because it increases the loss of body fluids.
  • Try to schedule hot jobs for cooler times of day or cooler seasons of the year. This isn't always possible in agricultural operations, but do the best you can.
  • Take rest breaks in cool areas and add more workers to reduce the workload or shorten the workday.
  • Gradually adapting to heat will reduce the severity of heat stress.
  • Mechanize heavy jobs and when possible increase air movement with fans or coolers.
  • Clothing can affect heat buildup, so it is recommended that loose, lightweight and light colored clothing be worn.Do not use salt tablets.
  • Taking salt tablets can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and seriously affect workers with heart disease.

Heat illness prevention CD available

California Farm Bureau offers Farm Bureau members the CD, Heat Illness Prevention: Requirements for Agricultural Employers, which contains valuable information regarding compliance with the Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention regulation. Published by Farm Employers Labor Service, the CD is available in English and Spanish and includes a variety of educational and training resources, from injury and illness prevention program guidelines, to training materials and forms, sample policies and procedures, and more.

For a copy of the free CD, contact the Farm Bureau office at (760) 745-3023.

Farm Bureau's 2008 Award-Winning Display at San Diego County Fair Focuses on Water Conservation

San Diego County FairWater conservation is a community-wide endeavor, but its success depends on strong leaders who possess the art of powerful persuasion to engage the masses. As the most frugal water consumers, farmers are well-suited to this leadership role. This year’s Farm Bureau fair display, which again earned the “San Diego County Award” for the best display of local agriculture, carried the theme, “Working Together to Conserve Water,” and was dedicated to driving the conservation point home.

Featured in the display were four Farm Bureau member companies (Sunlet Nursery, Am-Sod, Stehly Farms Organics, and Premier Color Nursery) whose water conservation practices have saved an impressive amount of water. Oversized photos, printed courtesy of Bob Wigand Photography, featured ways each company was making a difference in their water consumption bottom line, followed by simple steps the public can take to help conserve water in similar ways. Display tables were loaded with eye-popping colorful fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and more, thanks to the generous donations from Farm Bureau members.

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