Food & Farm News

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Foodlink and farmers donating to that organization

Lack of water may cause research to dry up

University researchers are considering suspending agricultural research projects at the West Side Research and Extension Center near Five Points. The facility receives irrigation water from the Westlands Water District, which told growers not to expect any Central Valley Project water this year. A well at the facility can only produce enough water for 50 acres of the 320-acre parcel. That water is needed to keep research on permanent crops with enough water so as not to cause long-term damage to the trials.

Third-graders get a farm experience

Monterey County is holding its annual Farm Day Experience today (Thursday) in Salinas. All 7,800 third-grade students in the county and 1,500 teachers and adults are invited to participate. Growers will share how they produce the food students eat. All segments of the farm economy will be represented, from cattle ranchers to produce growers and nursery operators. It is said to be the largest education event of its kind in the nation, although other counties offer similar programs. Monterey County Agricultural Education, a non-profit organization, provides funding.

Farm Bureau leaders donate to food bank

The American Farm Bureau leadership and young farmers conference is being held in Sacramento starting today. In addition to developing leadership skills, the 1,500 attendees are collecting donations for Foodlink, which distributes goods to food banks throughout the state. Farmers are collecting many California-grown products, from fresh fruits and nuts to cheese and canned goods. In addition, the American Farm Bureau will make a substantial cash donation during ceremonies Saturday.

Preservation efforts protect farmland

Since 1996 the California Farmland Conservancy Program has provided $63 million to permanently shield 41,000 acres of the state's best farmland from development. Recently 300 acres in Yolo County were added to the protected land. The property owners worked with the City of Davis and the Yolo Land Trust to create the agricultural easement on the land. Owners plan to plant almond and walnut orchards on the land, which is about a mile from the Davis city limits.

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