Food & Farm News
Real Audio» May 27, 2005 «
Get ready to flip those steaks and burgers
It's prime time for the beef business. The California Beef Council says Memorial Day weekend ranks as the biggest sales time of the year. Consumers bought more than 80 millions pounds of beef the week of Memorial Day a year ago. That's 12 percent higher than during a typical week. For most of the nation, the holiday weekend marks the start of the outdoor grilling season, although here in California many people use their grills year-round.
Klamath Basin farmers welcome spring rain
While much of California has been awash with above-average rainfall this season, it's been a dry year along the Oregon border. Farmers in the Klamath Basin welcomed rains that reached the region earlier this month. They say that helped them save water, by providing natural irrigation for recently planted crops. The basin snowpack remains only one-third of average. But farmers will be able to produce crops by using irrigation water sparingly.
Rural crime prevention program clears hurdle
Legislation designed to continue a successful crime-prevention program cleared another hurdle in the state Senate yesterday (Thursday). The bill would extend the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program, which coordinates activity against farm-and-ranch crimes in eight counties. The program would cease on June 30th if the Legislature fails to act. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill, which next goes to the Senate floor.
State Fair to honor CFBF Administrator Gomes
The longtime administrator of the California Farm Bureau Federation will be honored as the 2005 Agriculturalist of the Year by the California State Fair. George Gomes will receive the award this summer. The state fair said it chose Gomes because of his "enduring commitment" to California agriculture. He joined the Farm Bureau in 1987 after serving as chief deputy director of the state Department of Food and Agriculture.
On the Calendar:
The cutting of a giant strawberry shortcake is among opening-day festivities today (Friday) at the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.
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