Valley Headlines

Valley farming is in crisis

Ag Alert. Land values plunge as groundwater law dims farm prospects.
Synopsis: Farm Bureau reporter Caleb Hampton talks to Oakdale’s Janie Gatzman – one of the state’s preeminent ag-land appraisers and a self-described “canary in the coal mine” – to learn about falling land values and the ripple-impacts across the entire sector. “We continue to see this divergence between the values of properties that have multiple sources of water and properties that are reliant on wells only,” said Gatzman. She said SGMA-based state action against water districts and falling commodity prices have pushed land prices off a cliff. Pistachio orchards in Tulare County are selling for a quarter of what they would have fetched in 2022. Meanwhile, Stephanie Anagnoson says she is getting at least 1 email per day reporting a dry well and state officials say reaching sustainability will require pumping reductions of another 20%. The loss in land value hits small farmers hardest, crushing their ability to get operational loans. Farmers are knocking over trees and planting nothing in their place. As Janie put it: “We’re trying to get the word out that this is a huge issue.”

Turning water into casino game

Project Syndicate. The promise and peril of water markets.
Synopsis: The Global Commission on the Economics of Water issued a report saying the best way to distribute water is to put a price on it. Interestingly, it notes with approval the size of Australia’s nascent water market as rights worth $2.7 billion were traded last year. On the other hand, in Chile huge agribusiness firms have acquired almost all of the water rights, destroying small farms and leaving indigenous communities with dry wells. It has also led to environmental degradation in several nations. In California, “speculative water hoarding is a growing problem.”  
MAD Note: Most interesting was the word choice in describing the sale of water rights in Australia: It “generated” $2.7 billion. “Generated” for whom? Sure, farmers got a portion. But speculators undoubtedly got a whole lot bigger portion. There has never been a marketplace that couldn’t be -- or hasn’t been -- gamed. To see the importance of water to farming, read the Farm Bureau story on ag land values. As water becomes more difficult to obtain, land values crash. Next, look at who ends up owning land. In Fresno, yet another investment bank (making 5 in all) has put in a claim on the Assemi family’s farms totaling 55,000 acres.

What Valley campaigns cost

CA Globe. Democrats, GOP have poured record-setting amounts into House races this year. 
Synopsis: Three of the top-20 most expensive Congressional races of all time can be found in CA this year. One of those is CA 13, where Adam Gray is trying to unseat millionaire John Duarte – who has raised $3 million. Gray has brought in $2.6 million. Other interested parties are spending even more, meaning the total spending on campaigns will surpass $12 million. The numbers are even higher in CA 22, David Valadao is being challenged by Rudy Salas. And that pales in comparison to what is being raised and spent in Southern California.

Of ‘Doom’ and golf balls

Merced Golden Wire. Merced College presents ‘Temple of Gloom’ Haunted House.
Synopsis: There are some disturbing photos with this Facebook note, but no details on when the “Temple” will be open to the public.
MAD Note: Valley Solutions to the rescue. A quick search finds the Merced College Theater Department’s Fall 2024 Haunted House will run intermittently from Oct. 18-30, doors opening at 6 pm. Tickets are $10. Call 386.6644 for details.

Ceres Courier. It’ll be raining golf balls once again for a good cause.
Synopsis: The area’s “most extreme raffle” will feature thousands of golf balls being dropped 100 feet from the Sheriff’s helicopter, Oct. 26. If the golf ball you bought is closest to a bull’s eye, you win a prize. Proceeds benefit Faith Home Ranch’s programs for adult teens. This is the fifth year for the event, which raised $60,000 last year.

Avian flu ‘baffling,’ ‘scary’

Ag Alert. Though prepared, dairy ‘baffled’ by spread of bird flu.
Synopsis: CA dairy farmers have been bracing for the arrival of bird flu since April, but now that it’s arrived the impact is still shocking. The virus has been found in milk though no positive cases have been found in the barns. (Pasteurization kills the virus.) Most farmers have tightened security, putting locks on their farm roads. “We thought we were being very careful,” says Joey Fernandes of Tulare County, adding: “How is it spreading?” Once bird flu hit one of Fernandes’s dairies, it spread exponentially. “It’s nothing short of a complete disaster.” State veterinarian Annette Jones says when a new dairy is infected, every dairy within 6 miles is tested. Currently, the state is attempting to monitor 1 million cows, which is overwhelming labs. Farmers doubt the disease is spread through the air, because respiratory symptoms fade quickly. They believe it is through mammary glands. The recent heat wave stressed cows, increasing the death rate. Some older cows are unable to meet production metrics after recovering, and have been euthanized.

GV Wire. Special Report: Avian flu is devastating dairies in CA’s Central Valley.
Synopsis: Reporter Edward Smith writes about the 100 dairies where hundreds of infected cows have been found. He primarily quotes Landon Fernandes of Tulare County and Anja Raudabaugh of Western United Dairies, who believe the virus might be spreading nose-to-nose, but could also be carried on truck tires or boots. One problem is that most USDA programs are for smaller dairies, not California’s concentrated operations. Raudabaugh questions why only 11 humans have been infected.

KSEE / CBS47. Central Valley dairy farmers concerned with avian flu spread.
Synopsis: Story quotes Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Ryan Jacobsen saying farmers have never “seen anything like this.” In infected herds, farmers are seeing a doubling of cases every day. “It’s very contagious and spreads very quickly once it gets on a facility,” said Jacobsen. Worse, we don’t know how it spreads. Hot weather makes it worse.

Next: Glassy-winged sharpshooters

Ag Net West. Glassy-winged sharpshooters found in Stanislaus County.
Synopsis: Finding even one of these bugs is cause for a five-alarm response, which is what Stanislaus County has provided. The moth carries Pierce’s Disease, a bacterial infection that destroys grape vines and other leafy plants. The moth was found in a trap in Turlock six weeks ago; since then, 54 more adult moths and 11 egg masses have been discovered nearby, all on residential properties. The area will be sprayed through November, 2026.

LB mayor threatens colleague

Westside Express. Mayor sends threatening letter to Lewis.
Synopsis: Los Banos Mayor Paul Llanez – facing two opponents and dismay over his support for embattled city manager Josh Pinheiro – has sent councilwoman Deborah Lewis a letter threatening legal action. Sent from Llanez’s city email to Lewis’ city email, it accuses her of violating closed-meeting and personnel disclosure rules. He is angry because Lewis divulged in an open meeting that she had just learned that yet another member of the city’s executive team had quit – this time after only 8 months. The councilwoman recounted Pinheiro’s explosive tirade during the closed portion of the Oct. 2 meeting. Since the tirade was not part of the meeting’s published agenda, it is not protected. The Express learned that Pinheiro had asked the departing employee to keep her resignation secret until after the last council meeting preceding the Nov. 5 election. Llanez did not explain exactly what kind of legal action he is seeking. Lewis recommends the city attorney not waste taxpayer money pursuing legal action.
MAD Note. Full disclosure: The story was reported and written by Mike Dunbar (yes, MAD).

Next up for Turlock city manager

Turlock Journal. Council appoints Eddy as acting city manager.
Synopsis: First, Reagan Wilson has taken time off to attend to medical issues. Gary Hampton was named his interim replacement, but he quit abruptly Tuesday so as not to run afoul of CalPERS rules. So, the city quickly appointed deputy city manager Sarah Eddy acting interim city manager. Reporter Kristina Hacker notes that it’s not unusual for Turlock’s city manager to change.

Main Library closing for a year

Modesto Bee. Modesto Library will close for major renovation; reopening expected in 2026.
Synopsis: It was OK to use asbestos 53 years ago when Stanislaus County’s main library on I Street was built. But now it will take awhile to remove it. Staff will move out to Sisk Road. Librarian Sarah Dentan hopes to provide services such as Story Hour at locations nearer the old building. Part of the $18 million renovation will be paid for through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Canada’s move echoes in Valley

Sacramento Bee. Canada’s expulsion of India’s diplomats echoes CA Sikh’s fears: “Staggering.”
Synopsis: Following an investigation into multiple murders by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Justin Trudeau said it was necessary to expel India’s diplomats. He said they “pose a threat to public safety in Canada.” This news comes as roughly 50 people have embarked on a march from Bakersfield to Sacramento, with the number of marchers expected to grow as it moves north. There an estimated 170,000 Sikhs living in California, with many families having been here over a century.

Corrections

Source: Valley Solutions.
Synopsis: The first name of the Congressman from Fresno is Jim Costa. An incorrect first name – that of a former Valley Congressman – appeared in Tuesday’s Valley Solutions. Also, Josh Harder represents the northernmost portion of Stanislaus County often referred to as “the triangle.” In a previous edition, it was incorrectly stated Harder no longer represents any of Stanislaus County. The editor apologizes for his momentary (hopefully) confusion.