Executive Address

June 2016

HeadshotJust a quick note to let everyone know what’s going on and what to look forward to…It’s June if you haven’t realized it yet, which means the year is just about half over, and harvest is around the corner.  In preparing for harvest, with the help of American Grape Harvesters and Midland Tractor, MCFB will be hosting a Tree and Vine Harvest Safety Training on June 28th at Madera Fairgrounds.  Topics will include general agricultural practices, heat illness, tree harvest safety, vine harvest safety, and more.  If you missed the heat illness, slips/trips/falls/back safety training, or the tractor safety, those topics will also be covered, so make sure to sign up.

As for water, it’s great that Madera County received allocations this year, but we are facing SGMA regulations, which means everyone including white area growers need to be informed on what’s to come.  MCFB is working with the County and local water agencies to schedule public outreach meetings in both the Chowchilla Subbasin and the Madera Subbasin.  So far we plan to have a brief discussion during Chowchilla Water District’s Grower meeting on June 15th, followed by a white area meeting on June 30th in Chowchilla.  If you are a white area grower that would like to attend one of these events, please call the office and let us know.  More information will be coming out with specifics for the June 30th meeting, so please keep an eye on your emails.

MCFB will be hosting an Ag Harvest Celebration and Annual Meeting October 22nd at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds.  This event will be a spin-off of last year’s Ag United Celebration, where we all come together to unify farmers, ranchers, landowners, and agricultural businesses.  It will be family friendly event, which will include dinner, a speaker, scholarship presentations and the election of our officers.  If you would like to help by sponsoring or purchasing tickets for this event, please contact us.  More information will be coming soon.   Try to stay cool this month!