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RIPON The Almond Hull- ers & Processors Associa- tion concluded its 33rd An- nual Convention and Trade Show at the Fess Parker DoubleTree in Santa Bar- bara. Some 440 people reg- istered for the convention, which offered educational and networking opportuni- ties for AHPA members. "This was our most well-attended convention ever, and featured speak- ers who discussed the crit- ical issues impacting our members' businesses," said Kelly Covello, president of AHPA.One of the best at- tended sessions focused on the most critical issue im- pacting California agricul- ture, drought. "There is broad consen- sus about the challenges we face with our water supply in California," said Dee Dee D'Adamo, di- rector on the State Wa- ter Resources Control board."Considering that California almond growers are responsible for almost 80 percent of the worldwide supply and 100 percent of the U.S. supply, the unprec- edented drought our state is facing will have significant repercussions in the com- ing year for consumers," said Covello. Visit www.ahpa.net. AGRICULTURE 33 rd a lm on d co nv en ti on a tt ra ct s re co rd n um be rs Our American Na- tional CattleWomen Region VI meeting at Lake Tahoe had a boat ride on the "Tahoe Paradise" to Emerald Bay. We cir- cled Fannette Island with a view of the "Tea House" on top. A buffet supper was en- joyed as we crossed the smooth lake. The day be- fore there had been white- caps. We drove highway 50 go- ing, and were amazed at the lack of snow on Echo Summit. The white cean- othus, scotch broom, flan- nel bush and dogwood was in bloom. Our return trip was through the Feather River Canyon. The area from Reno westward was dry and brown as they didn't get the winter snow or rain. Sierra Valley was not the lush green, but the closer to Quincy we drove, the greener the meadows and timber feed were. Span- ish Creek and the Feather River looked like late Au- gust or September since they were not flooding and rushing with water. The mountain peaks had little snow covering. We were privileged to have Dr. Frank Mitloehner , Air quality Specialist in Cooperative Extension and Professor at UC-Da- vis speak to us about air quality. Air pollution can travel from China in four days, and they burn much dirty coal. Container ships burn un- refined oil, and we saw the result at New Year's time when we drove over the Grapevine into the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The ground was brown because of the drought, and the air was just as brown because of the smog. We couldn't see the mountains that were trapping the dirty air because the smog was so thick. We were told that Fresno has the worst air quality, and one fourth of the chil- dren use inhalers. Fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal cause car- bon dioxide CO2 in the air, while plants take out CO2 and give oxygen. A FAO 2006 study said that livestock produces 18% of green house gases, which is a higher share than transportation, since they didn't compare equally. It was just gas burning. BBC was the first to re- port that people didn't read the admission that trans- portation was 26% and beef cattle was only 1.4%. The most carbon foot- prints come from beef pro- duction in Brazil, China and India. Dr. Mitloehner has re- cently been elected chair- man of a global United Na- tions FAO project to bench- mark the environmental footprint of livestock pro- duction. He serves as work- group member on the Pres- ident's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and as a mem- ber on the National Acad- emies of Science Institute of Medicine committee on "A Framework for Assess- ing the Health, En- vironmental, and Social Effects of the Food System." During the busi- ness meeting, the five state cattle- women presidents reported on what their states were accom- plishing. Nevada president is Tracy Shane of Carson City, New Mexico president is Madalynn Lee of Al- amogordo, Utah president is Beth Anderson of Cal- lao, Arizona president is Di- ana Hemovich of Young, and California president is Tam- mie McElroy of Gridley. Elections were held for representatives from Region VI to the following ANCW committees. Madalynn Lee elected to Ways & Means, Karen Moller, Palo Cedro will be on Membership & Communication, Shirley Rasmussen, Parkfield was elected to Policy & Proce- dure and Tammie McElroy was elected 2015 Region VI director following Su- zanne Menges, Safford, AZ. Sheila Bowen, CCW first vice president was general chairman of the meeting, and thanked Leslie Joost, In- termountain president for the Hospitality Room with snacks and beverages. Re- becca Been, Caliente had "I Love Beef" tote bags filled with goodies for all 82 attend- ees. Other members of the committee handled registra- tion, etc. Sounds like fun. Our sponsors were Farm Credit who hosted the beef luncheon, California Cat- tlemen's Assn., California Beef Council. CattleWomen units from Alameda, Fresno/Kings, Humboldt, Kern, Plumas/ Sierra, San Benito, Siski- you, Tehama and Tulare. Cattlemen Associations from Kern, Napa, Solano and Tehama counties. A. L. Silencer chute, Amanda Martin, Bissett Ranch, Carver Bowen Ranch, Cat- tlemen's Livestock Market, Cockrell Ranches & Lodg- ing, El Rancho espanol de Cuyama, Barton ranch, Krause Ranch, Orland Live- stock Yard, Siskiyou An- gus & Hereford Ranch, Turlock Livestock Auc- tion Yard, Valley Repub- lic Bank, Varozza Ranch, Western Cowman Mag- azine and Z Tags North America. Mother'sDaygi I had a wonderful Moth- er's Day gift when daugh- ter Linda brought a weed- eater and whacked the tall grasses and milk weed in the front flower bed and un- der the peach trees. Noth- ing could have pleased me more, since I haven't found a young person who is will- ing to pull weeds for some spending money. Trail ride Today the Tehama County CattleWomen with about 40 horseback riders are enjoying a trail ride in the Flournoy area on the Quiet Hills Ranch. JeanBartonhasbeenwriting her column in the Daily News since the early 1990s. She can be reached by e-mail at jbar- ton2013@gmail.com. CattleWomen meet at Lake Tahoe, see results of drought JEAN BARTON COURTESYPHOTO The Tea House atop Fannette Island in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. You can see the white ring, and how much lower the lake is this year due to the drought. By Claire Lester The Livestock Judging, Horse Judging and For- estry teams of Red Bluff FFA headed down to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo May 1 for the State Finals compe- tition. On the way there, the Livestock and Horse judg- ing teams stopped at mul- tiple farms along the way to practice judging live an- imals. Upon arriving that night, everyone went to visit the San Luis Obispo farmers market. At the farmer's market, there were numer- ous stands where people can buy anything from straw- berries to soup to a tri-tip dinner. The next morning, the Livestock and Horse judg- ing teams practiced mem- orizing and giving sets of reasons in preparation for the competition the next day. Later, Red Bluff FFA vis- ited the famous Hearst Cas- tle. Youth saw a video about the history of the castle be- fore riding a bus up the mountain and taking a tour of Hearst's magnificent home on a hill. Next, ev- eryone headed to the beach for a few hours of relaxing in the sun, swimming and mentally preparing for the competition the next morn- ing. That night, the en- tire group went to the fa- mous local steakhouse, McLintock's, to enjoy a de- licious, fun-filled dinner. On the last morning, the teams went to the competi- tion at Cal Poly. After sev- eral hours of evaluating an- imals and giving memorized reasons for the livestock and horse judging kids, and measuring and identifying plants for forestry, the fi- nal competition of the year came to an end. In the main gym, awards were handed out to the top teams and individuals. Forestry won fifth high team and Live- stock and Horse judg- ing both made improve- ments on their team scores. Finally, Red Bluff FFA loaded in the vans and headed off on the long drive back to Red Bluff. Everyone arrived home at 3 a.m. with a sense of exhaustion, but an even stronger sense of ac- complishment, happiness and blue and gold pride. FFA Re d Bl uff c om pe te s in finals at San Louis Obispo COURTESY PHOTO Red Bluff FFA students who traveled to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for state finals. Farmers, advocates and consumers may attend the free California Grange Farmers' Bill of Rights meeting series. Meetings will take place at 10 a.m. May 31 at Chico Grange, at 2775 Nord Ave. Chico, and at 10 a.m. June 7 at Western Yolo Grange, 16787 Forrest Ave. Guinda. Since 2012, California Grange has held public fo- rums in grange halls around the state, creating a Farm- ers' Bill of Rights, a decla- ration supporting agricul- tural professionals and en- thusiasts. "Farming is an essential part of every healthy com- munity," states President Bob McFarland. "It is im- portant that consumers, retailers and regulators understand and respect the needs and expectations of the people who grow our food. The Farmers' Bill of Rights will promote aware- ness and appreciation for the tillers of the soil." The Grange is the oldest agricultural organization in the country. The first Cali- fornia Grange was formed in 1870. Today, there are 10,000 members serving 185 com- munities across the state. The Farmers' Bill of Rights demonstrates the Grange's support and advocacy for California farmers. Thus far, discussions at the meetings have produced a list of common concerns facing farmers. The grow- ing list for the Farmers' Bill of Rights includes: • A farmer has the right to provide access to fresh fruits, vegetables and prod- ucts to encourage healthier food choices at home and in schools. • A farmer has the right to use and store any water that comes from or falls on their land. • A farmer has the right to grow crops without dan- ger of pollution from off- farm sources, whether that pollution be genetic or chemical, borne by water, soil or air. • A farmer has the right to germinate, save and use their own seed. • A farmer has the right to protect agricultural land. • A farmer has the right to produce safe and healthy food free of overreaching government interference. For information, call Cal- ifornia Grange at 916-454- 5805 or email info@califor- niagrange.org. MEETINGS Grange to host Farmer's Bill of Rights meetings Jean Barton RUNNINGS ROOFING SheetMetalRoofing ResidentialCommercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane Ownerisonsiteoneveryjob ServingTehamaCounty 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 No Money Down! "NoJobTooSteep" " No Job Too Flat" FREE ESTIMATES CA. LIC#829089 Smog Check (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. starting at $ 29 95 + $ 8 25 certificate SERVICESATLOWERPRICES All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K MembersWelcome Servicing your disposal needs in Tehama County, and the City of Red Bluff including Residential, Commercial, and Temporary bin services. GREEN WASTE OF TEHAMA A WASTE CONNECTIONS COMPANY 530-528-8500 1805 AIRPORT BLVD. RED BLUFF, CA GreenWasteisaproud supporter of local events. STOVEJUNCTION The TheNorthState'spremiersupplierofstoves 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com Over 25 years of experience Tues-Sat9am-5pm• ClosedSun&Mon Now Carrying! GreenMountainGrills & Accessories Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties FARM » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, May 17, 2014 MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5