Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/27887
4C – Daily News – Saturday, March 26, 2011 Agriculture & farm The heavy rains this past week convinced the Tehama County Cattle- men to postpone the Field Day until April 9. When I empty an inch of rain, and the people at Manton have two or more inches in the same storm, it makes it too wet. The creeks are flowing, and the ground is soggy. The pasture that will be the parking lot would be torn up, and many cars stuck in the soft ground, if the people did brave the weather and come. Cattle- men pride their selves on being the original environ- mentalist taking care of the land; postponing for two weeks is a good idea. Remember back in Jan- uary when I had only 9 tenths of an inch of rain? People were watering their lawns, and ranchers were worried about anoth- er year of drought. *** Tehama County was well represented at the 33rd annual California Cattlemen’s Association Cattle-PAC annual Steak & Eggs Legisla- tive Breakfast at the Sutter Club in Sacramento. Jerry and Joan Hemsted, War- ren and Jane Barnes, Bill and Maudie Grego- ry, Jean Barton and CCA 2nd Vice President Darrel Wood made the trip in the wind and rain. It was a record atten- dance this year with more than 200 atten- dees. Members came from the Oregon border coun- ties of Modoc and Siskiy- ou southward to San Diego County. Attendees heard self introductions from the senators, assem- bly members and agency staff in attendance. The CCA staff said that Governor Jerry Brown would attend the break- fast, and I thought “I don’t believe that,” since I think I had heard that Governor Pete Wilson was the last to attend a CCA Legislative Breakfast. The Governor men- tioned that he owns 2,500 acres of inherited land that is used as a cattle ranch by his neighbor in northern California. Later CCA President Kevin Kester in his concluding remarks mentioned “Governor, we will be sending you a membership application since you own land that is ranch Field Day rained out; Legislature visit 4-H All Stars Courtesy photo Chairman of the Senate Water Committee Senator Jean Fuller, Bakersfield, visited with Tehama County Cattlemen Bill Gregory, Jerry Hemsted, Darrel Wood, Woody Barnes during the California Cattlemen's annual Steak & Eggs Legislative Breakfast.Wood is also CCA 2nd vice president, and Hemsted is CCA past president. Jean Barton used for grazing cattle.” Governor Brown men- tioned the state is more divided and challenging than 28 years ago since the two parties are more divergent. They used to increase taxes to build roads, and now they just float more bonds. There should be a relationship of what you spent to income. There was more discussion about the budget, but I don’t remember him mentioning the Williamson Act which is CCA‚s highest level prior- ity. Lands enrolled in the Williamson Act will con- tinue to provide habitat for plants, fish and wildlife only if the Williamson Act remains a viable tool for landowners. CCA strongly encour- ages that the Legislature maintain the integrity of the Williamson Act by retaining at least $10 mil- lion in subvention funds in the 2010-1011 State Bud- get. In addition, we sup- port retaining SB 863 to provide an incentive for county governments to uphold contracts with landowners in a way that retains local control over contracts and minimizes the financial impact on landowners. Speakers included Assemblywoman Fiona Mau, (District 12, San Francisco) who believes Blueberry Class March 26th @ 10am April 1st & 2nd Garden Prep Class 10AM Call for Reservations 527-0886 Red Bluff Garden Center 527-0886 in the Williamson Act, and has visited farmers and ranchers across the state to learn about agri- culture. Chairman of Senate Ag Committee Senator Anthony Cannella, (Dis- trict 12, Ceres) mentioned that this was the “first time he had steak for din- ner and next morning for breakfast. California needs to stop the barriers.” For example, California laws governing semi-truck livestock trailers are the most stringent in the country and require live- stock transporters to pur- chase custom-built trailers to operate in the state. Out of state haulers, who help move a significant portion of the state’s herd to mar- ket are also required to meet this standard, result- ing in reduced availability and increased transporta- tion costs. Another rule: Ranchers with light-duty pickups with flat or utility beds are required to obtain a com- mercial permit and pay additional fees to the state only because the pickup does not have a standard truck body bed. Chairman of Senate Water Committee Senator Jean Fuller (District 18, Bakersfield) spoke of the challenges for enough water domestically and for agriculture. California Secretary for Agriculture Karen Ross complimented the cattlemen and cattle- women for the California Rangeland Trust, and keeping the land in agri- culture. Learning the Wrong Thing Over and Over Does NOT qualify as “Experienced” (Does it?) That’s why Flue Season has a complete training and testing program. Our certified technicians are not getting their “exper- ience” at your home. Spring is chimney clean- ing time if you want to save money: Our lowest price of the year with no price increase for up to 3 years. Limited Time! 527 3331 “You’re the best.” Jean Bradley – Gerber “I can trust you” Dr. E. Reasor, Redding 766 Antelope Blvd. (next to the fairgrounds) Chimney Sweeps 527 3331 THE Chimney Professionals Flue Season Assemblywoman Con- nie Conway (District 34, Visalia) mentioned the cattle industry represents a way of life. Senator Doug LaMalfa and Assemblyman Jim Nielsen were present and visited with their con- stituents. Following breakfast attendees broke into regional groups to visit some of the legislators in their offices at the capitol. The purpose of the visits was to put faces with the cattlemen, instead of just a name, so the legislators know who they are work- ing on behalf of and what issues are important to ranchers. Ag Day at the Capitol was a damp affair, but the California CattleWomen and Cattlemen had a booth with the tri tip sand- wiches, beef recipes, and information about beef. CCW Beef Promotion co-Chairwomen Rebecca Been and Amanda Barrett came from Kern County with a small red convert- ible with the theme “Beef Drives California.” Many attendees didn’t realize the many by-prod- ucts that come from beef including lubricants from fats and proteins; antifreeze, the glycerol from fatty acids; steel ball bearings, from bone char- coal; glue for auto bodies from colloidal proteins; car polish and wax, from fatty acids; biodiesel and fuel, refined from fat; asphalt, binding agent from fat; hydraulic brake fluid; and leather hides for upholstery. The “I love Beef” bumper stickers were pop- ular with young and old. *** You have seen the small block ads in the Daily News for Baxter Black appearing live at the State Theatre, April 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 general admission, $30 for premi- um seats to $50 for VIP and the meet and greet Baxter Black in the IOOF Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. They can be pur- chased at The Loft, Red Bluff Chamber, Durrer’s Farmers Insurance, and Sparrow’s Antiques. KBLF will be broad- casting 30 second spots, with Baxter Black’s voice advertising the event. Black is being sponsored by Tehama County Cattle- Women and Red Bluff Sunrise Rotary. Jean Barton can be reached at jbarton@theskybeam.co m. The Tehama County 4-H All Star Team is planning a required community service project. The team consists of Jessica Foss and Ashton Hubbard. Because both Jessica and Ashton are planning careers in veterinary medicine they have chosen to work with the Tehama County Animal Care Center for their community service project. They are working with the animal care cen- ter to put on an open house event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at the care center. The event will include a high school art contest, with the winner having the opportunity to paint a mural at the cen- ter; live music; free food; carnival games; center tours; and discounted adoption fees for care center animals the day of the event. The All Star Team is hoping to increase community awareness about the center and help find homes for many of the animals. Donations of food and prize items would be greatly appreciated. For more information call All Star Advisor Debbie Spangler at 354-4530. Selection to the county 4-H All Star team is the highest honor a 4-Her can achieve at the county level. The selection process for next year’s team will begin with a required informational meeting at 6 p.m. on April 7 at the 4-H office. For more information about the All Star program please call the office at 527-3101. Nut fest to feature celebrity chef A veteran of the restaurant industry and leading pro- ponent of the Slow Food Movement, acclaimed chef Michael Touhy of Grange, an innovative farm-to-table restaurant next to Sacramento's Citizen Hotel, will combine food educa- tion and tasting with an exclusive cooking demonstration at the California Nut Festi- val. The festival will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Patrick Ranch in Chico. In addition to the main stage with Touhy, this culinary event features cooking with nuts demonstrations by local restaurants and artisan producers, live music, an art show and samples of locally produced gourmet food, wine and brews. “As we continue to improve and restructure the Cal- ifornia Nut Festival, we are pleased and honored to welcome Chef Michael Touhy from Grange to Chico to showcase his culinary expertise at our event,” said Kathy Chance, lead organizer of the festival. “Chico is where the nuts are from, and we are continuing to make our presence recognized in food communities through- out the state at the California Nut Festival.” For more information, visit www.californianutfesti- val.com or call 519-1882. Tickets are $20 per person at any Tri Counties Bank branch location and $25 at the door or online at www.californianutfestival.com.