Valley Headlines

A ‘ridiculous’ block on farm bill 

Office of Rep. Adam Gray. ‘It’s ridiculous’ that Congress stalls farm bill because kids are being fed.
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray ripped those demanding funding to feed poor families be removed from the Farm Bill. “It’s hard to take some of the people here seriously,” said Gray, noting that the main reason Congress has been unable to pass a Farm Bill in the past 6 years is because of conservative insistence that funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program be removed. He said learning “the farm bill blew up over a $30 billion cut” is “nonsense” considering the entire bill is $230 billion with the vast majority going to farmers throughout the nation. Gray said only “not-serious people” would “miss the opportunity” to pass a farm bill based on this alone. He asked rhetorically if it was “one of our country’s biggest problems that some kid or some family got a meal they didn’t deserve” and whether stopping that was “worth the tradeoff of further hurting our farmers?” Northwestern University Prof. Diane Schanzenbach responded that when SNAP funds to families are cut, those losses filter through the entire community and deprives low-income residents of access to fresh food and deprives farmers of access to customers. Gray responded, “I’m just blown away … that we’re all so obsessed with kids and families eating too much so that we need to devastate the agriculture economy.”

Farmers left holding the bag

The Office of Rep. Adam Gray: Rep. Gray stands up for Valley farmers in House press conference.
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray called the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration “sloppy” and said they pose a serious risk to farmers of the San Joaquin Valley and the rest of the nation. Gray, who was raised working in his grandfather’s dairy business, recalled the tariffs imposed during the first administration and the unreimbursed costs to tree-nut and dairy farmers, estimated at $683 million. He also noted a letter from top agriculture leaders in California representing more than 400 different commodities asking Congress to remedy the crisis by working to set up “precise, strategic changes to our trade policy.” Gray pointed out that the tariffs pose a significant danger to California’s family farms for which “one bad season can derail an operation for years.” But farmers don’t suffer alone. The Valley’s entire economy is predicated on agriculture, and when farming suffers so do workers in the fields, in processing facilities and every single business in the community. Gray said Trump’s “sloppy, blanket tariffs (have) stuck American farmers with the bill.”

Morning Ag Clips. Farmers fear tariffs could cost them one of their biggest markets in China. 
Synopsis: Soybean and sorghum farmers have “particular reason to worry” about tariffs and the retaliatory actions taken by the world’s largest emerging market -- China. Currently, half of America’s soybeans and half its sorghum are exported to China; with 34% additional fees added by China, this will create an excellent opportunity for other nations to fill a vacuum. Prices for both beans and sorghum have bottomed in the days since the tariffs were announced. Many growers say the tariffs will cost them at least $25 an acre, or just enough to push them out of business.

Successful Farming. Nearly 50 countries want tariff deals, Trump trade chief Greer says.
Synopsis: US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer echoed the words of National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett in saying nations are lining up to make deals with the Trump White House. He pointed to Argentina, Vietnam and Israel, saying they would reduce their own tariffs on US goods and lower other non-tariff barriers to their markets. “All of this is moving in the right direction,” said Greer. But he added, “We must become an economy based on producing real goods and services.”

Farmland value sinking fast

Western Farm Press. CA farmland values are plummeting – where’s the bottom?
Synopsis: It’s not just the price of unirrigated “white lands” in the South Valley that is falling. The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers says the impacts and ramifications of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has finally caught up with the state. This “significant price correction” is uneven, but land everywhere is selling for less – including the relatively water-rich Northern San Joaquin Valley. Janie Gatzman, one of the top appraisers in the state, said almond acreage that sold for $60,000 a year ago is now going for $44,000 or even the mid-$30,000s depending on the irrigation district. Gatzman co-authors the Trends Report, which estimates the value of irrigated land has fallen $17 billion. While prime vineyards in Napa can still sell for $500,000 an acre, water-challenged acres in western Fresno County are under $10,000. Oddly, cropland in Fresno Irrigation District is still going for $36,000. But land outside irrigation districts is well under $10,000 per acre.

Chavez continues to inspire

Fresno Bee. How UFW founder Cesar Chavez continues to inspire farm workers in CA. 
Synopsis: Having been raised in Earlimart, columnist Juan Esparza Loera recalls his familiarity with the labor leader and his family. He points out how today’s immigrants and farmworkers are inspired by Chavez’s pursuit of upward mobility and the American Dream.

Fresno Bee. Proposed national park celebrates Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement.
Synopsis: The Forty Acres on the outskirts of Delano would be designated for protection as a nationally significant site. It’s where Latino and Filipino farmworkers laid out the table-grape boycott that called attention to the plight of farmworkers across California. Sen. Alex Padilla says making the Forty Acres and other sites national shrines would “pay proper homage to Cesar Chavez’s tireless work for the dignity, respect and equal treatment of workers.” Sites in San Jose and Phoenix would also be protected.

No water in Diablo Grande

Modesto Bee. Diablo Grande resort in Stanislaus County fears water could be shut off to homes.
Synopsis: Last week, the Kern County Water Agency terminated its agreement with Western Hills Water District for nonpayment. That means the 1,300 people living in 600 homes in what was once envisioned as a major golf and residential development in the foothills west of Patterson could be left without water. Western Hills’ board president said the operation loses from $150,000 to $200,000 per month and is $2.6 million in the red. Supervisor Channce Condit met with residents Monday and Supervisor Terry Withrow said he wants everyone involved to help find a solution. The project uses only about 400 acre-feet of water per year, but the development also owes $3.7 million to Patterson for sewer fees. Meanwhile, about 120 residents are behind on their water bills, owing $236,540.
MAD Note: Only a headline writer in North Carolina would call the Diablo Grande development a “resort.” It hasn’t been a “resort” since the original developers went bankrupt.

OC Register. Higher water rates vs. the right to water.
Synopsis: The Orange County Register editorial board reminds us that every Californian has a “right to affordable water” per a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2012. Decrying proposed rate increases from mega-wholesaler Metropolitan Water District, the Register says the “affordable” part is being ignored. 
MAD Take: Hmmm. Since Metropolitan gets upward of 40% of its water from the canal that’s within sight of Diablo Grande, seems like it should be possible to work out a deal with the world’s largest water wholesaler. After all, that’s Met’s business – selling water. Also sounds like the state needs to help find a solution before the folks at Diablo Grande are deprived of their human rights.

Woodward boat ramp closed

KCRA. Woodward Reservoir closes boat launch amid threat of invasive species.
Synopsis: The threat of golden mussels has caused operators of Woodward Reservoir – Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts – to close the boat-launch ramp at Woodward. The mussels reproduce prodigiously and can irredeemably clog pipes and machinery used to treat and transport water.

Body cam video released

Modesto Bee. Body camera footage released of Stanislaus deputy’s use of force in traffic stop.
Synopsis: Deputy Alexander Helms pulled over an Audi driven by Joshua Rhodes in Patterson. Helms eventually pointed a pistol at Rhodes and tased both him and his passenger – who was taking video of the entire episode. Rhodes is now charged with resisting arrest, and the woman is charged with obstruction. Her cellphone video has gone viral, at least locally, causing a furor in Patterson and resulting in a press release from the SO advising anyone pulled over to remain “polite and respectful” toward officers. Bianca Lopez of Valley Improvement Projects has criticized Patterson police (the SO) in the incident. The SO says it will bring in a third party to “ensure that our deputy properly interpreted and evaluated law and policy … so that we can ensure that if there was an improper application of law.”

Soderstrom has 6 HRs

Modesto Bee. Soderstrom ties MLB lead with 6 homers, but A’s fall to 0-4 in West Sacramento.
Synopsis: It’s been a breakout season for Turlock native Tyler Soderstrom, who hit his fifth and sixth homers of the season for the A’s in their 5-4 loss to the Padres Monday night. Soderstrom is tied with Linden-native Aaron Judge for the lead in the major leagues. The A’s still haven’t won a game in their temporary home. But attendance was strong at 9,502.

Students can’t return to UC

ABC30. Visas revoked for ‘a few’ international students at UC Merced. 
Synopsis: UC Merced confirmed that visas of “a few” students have been revoked, and they will not be allowed to return to the campus. One student spoke out, calling the action “totally unfair.” The university’s statement said, in part: “Our office of International Affairs is working with these UC Merced students to navigate the process and encouraging them to seek legal counsel.” Due to privacy laws, the university could not identify the students. UC Berkeley said 6 of its students have also been denied reentry.

Asterisk a shining star 

Valley Sun. Chowchilla’s Asterisk Talley second in Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Synopsis: The 16-year-old Chowchilla amateur – whose name means shining star in Greek -- was 11 under par and finished just 1 stroke behind Carla Escuder, 21, of Spain. On the final day she eagled the first hole to pull within 1 shot of the lead but couldn’t close the gap. Still, she is undaunted. “I think it tells me that I can play with anybody,” she said. “And I don’t have to be scared of any course or anybody in the field.”