Hello. Well it certainly has been a very dry rain year. Other than occasional shower, there has been nothing good to say about our rainfall this year. Nothing in the forecast as far as rain goes to get excited about yet. Other than cold weather for the first full week of March, the lack of rain will mean we will start watering our crops earlier and because of a lack of snow a shortened surface irrigation season. This will be a challenging growing season to be sure. MCFB stands ready to assist your needs regarding disaster assistance applications if the time comes.
Also in this issue of the newspaper is our Executive Director’s piece about the high speed rail property acquisition happenings and our MCFB workshop at the end of the month to discuss the details of property acquisition and imminent domain. The Authority is in the process of sending out letters to begin land acquisition.
Farm Bureau is here to be a source of information and to help you understand this process and protect your rights. Please call the office if you receive one of these letters and stay in contact with us so we can assist you.
We had a great panel of speakers at our Trade Issues Conference. Thank you to our speakers, Brian Grunenfelder with the United States Trade Representative’s Office, Joel Nelsen, with California Citrus Mutual, Barry Bedwell, with the California Grape and Tree Fruit League, Kevin Kester, with the California Cattlemen’s Association, and Caroline Stringer, with the California Almond Board. Thank you to our sponsors Agriland Farming Company, Bank of the West, Citizens Business Bank, Columbia Canal Company, Foster & Parker Insurance Agency, GAR Tootelian Inc., Greenleaf Orchards, Ltd., Helena Chemical Company, Madera Irrigation District, Madera Pumps, Inc., Mordecai Ranch, Pacific Gas & Electric, Paramount Farms, Picayune Rancheria of the Chuckchansi Indians. It was a lively and informative morning.
Our next upcoming event is the Scholarship Wine Tasting. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 5th, at the BMX Ranch, formerly known as the Cobb Ranch. This year it will be an evening event between 5:00 and 8:30pm with entertainment by cowboy poet and comedian Baxter Black. Plan on being there with us, as this will be a great evening for a truly worthy cause!
Quote of the Month; Money can’t buy happiness but it’s a lot more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes than on a bicycle.
See Ya!
Tom Rogers
