California State University, Fresno

C A L I F O R N I A A G R I C U L T U R A L T E C H N O L O G Y I N S T I T U T E

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Lending institute targets finance professionals

TSee Mapping, Page 4

See Institute, Page 3

In this issue...Biosolids on apricots ............2

Labor force still elusive........3

Juice nitrogen measured ......5

CIMIS has a new plan ..........6

Field salinity distribution map will be created,used for precision farm management

Precision cotton farmingfeaturing the use of soilsalinity mapping is plannedfor an area in western Fresno

County this spring, with support from theCenter for Irrigation Technology (CIT).

The project is being conductedthrough a partnership between CIT andCotton Inc., a nationwide cotton-farmingcorporation based in North Carolina.

The work features a mapping pro-cess used for the first time in California’sSan Joaquin Valley, reported researchscientist Florence Cassel Sharmasarkar,who is overseeing the CIT portion of theproject. The process employs a measur-ing device attached to a tractor, enablingthe soil salinity distribution of an entirefield to be measured within a few hours.

“The West Side is known for its soil

salinity problems,” Cassel saidin outlining the reasons forthe project. “Our objective isto map and monitor the soilsalinity of two cotton fields.With this mechanized system,we can measure for soil salinityover a large area.”

By locating specific areasof the field where soil salinityis high, farm managers can takecorrective measures in thoseareas – such as planting moreseed and adding gypsum to thesoil – to enhance plant growthand production, Cassel noted.

Equipment used for the mappingproject includes a dual-dipole EM-38instrument manufactured by Geonics ofCanada. The unit is about three feet long

and uses electric current to induce amagnetic field in the soil. The strengthof the induced field is dependent uponseveral factors, including soil moisture,soil texture, and soil salinity.

he Center for AgriculturalBusiness (CAB) has joinedwith a local agribusiness entity

to offer a new program of specializededucation and training to business andfinance professionals.

It is called the California Agricul-tural Lending Institute (CALI). It willbe held in Fresno, California the weekof June 17-21.

The institute is designed toprovide in-depth training for lending

professionals who grant and manageagricultural loans, reported JamesCasey, professor in Fresno State’sDepartment of Agricultural Economicsand one of the event organizers.

“The goal of CALI is to providequality education preparing the partici-pants to be informed and effectiveleaders in agricultural lending, topromote the success of their financialinstitutions, and to promote the growth

CIT education specialist Tim Jacobsen controls custom-built hoist to lower sledge with EM-38 unit used formeasuring field soil salinity.

Mapping soil salinity

2 SPRING 2002 UPDATE

Study shows fruitmatures later in orchardtreated with biosolids

gricultural use of wastewater treatment plant sludge (also calledbiosolids) in fertilizer applications provides environmental andeconomic benefits through the reuse of nutrients and organicmatter. However, depending on the source and content of the

reached maturity later than did controlfruits. More early-ripened fruits werecollected from the 0 and 57 kg N ha-1

biosolids treatments. By the end of theseason fruits from all treatments ripenedsimilarly. Excessive N applied bybiosolids may have contributed to thedelay in fruit maturity of apricots.

“Although a delay in fruit maturationdid not affect overall fruit yields, it canimpact a grower economically becauseearly season fruit generally brings in ahigher price. However, an extendedgrowing season with the use of biosolidsmight be advantageous for bringing in ahigher price at the end of the seasonwhen less fruits are available. Moreover,a staggered ripening of fruits couldbenefit small growers, who need tospread out their harvests due to equip-

ment or market constraints.“After seven years of the study,

biosolids-amended soil containedsignificantly higher organic matter,which enhances soil quality and soilfertility. Although soil salinity in-creased, no negative effect on fruitquality and production was observed atthis time. Salinity levels may increase atdeeper depth over time and eventuallyaffect tree growth and developmentwithout salt management strategies.”

The complete final report for thisproject is available through theCalifornia Agricultural TechnologyInstitute (CATI) and may be viewedon the ARI website at ari.calstate.edu.For more information, Banuelos maybe contacted at 559-596-2881.

Research scientistGary Banuelos (farleft) and graduatestudent SajeemasPasakdee evaluatefoliage samplesfrom trees treatedwith biosolids.

“Class A biosolids, the highestquality of treated sewage sludge, havebeen approved for application to agricul-tural farmland without site restrictions.In our study, composted biosolids wereapplied to apricots at four rates basedupon total nitrogen: (control), 57, 170,and 340 kilograms of nitrogen perhectare. After seven years of biosolidsapplication, levels of heavy metals insoil, plant, or fruit tissue were notsignificantly detected.

“Biosolids provided sufficientnitrogen (N) to apricot trees without anyadditional applications of N fertilizer.The significantly higher N concentra-tions of leaf tissue observed for the treesfrom the biosolids treatments suggestedluxurious N consumption by the tree.Over time excessive N uptake may resultin more vegetative growth, increasedcanopy cover, and may lead to excessiveshading of the fruit. This occurrence maydelay fruit ripening.

“Most significantly, our results showthat composted biosolids significantlydelay apricot fruit maturation of thePatterson variety. Fruits from the 170and 340 kg N ha-1 biosolids treatments

Abiosolids, their application also can cause excessive accumulation ofinorganic elements in the soil. As a means of determining specific effectsof fertilization with biosolids on apricots, plant/soil scientist GaryBanuelos, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water ManagementResearch Laboratory, directed a study of trace element accumulation inan apricot orchard treated with biosolids. The research was supported bythe USDA and the California State University Agricultural ResearchInitiative (ARI). Key results from the study are outlined in the followingexcerpts taken from the project final report, entitled “The Effect ofComposted Biosolids on Fruit Qualityand Trace Element Accumulation inField-grown Apricots.”

UPDATE SPRING 2002 3

Center for Agricultural Business

Farm labor force remains difficult to define

Upcoming events

of agriculture in California and thenation,” Casey said of the program.

Joining CAB and the AgriculturalEconomics Department to sponsor theinstitute is the San Joaquin Valley AgLenders Society, a professional organi-zation that supports professionals inagricultural lending and finance.

CALI is designed to be a two-yearprogram, Casey explained. The first-yearsessions will focus on the loan processand those agencies and institutions thatprovide cooperative services to lendinginstitutions. The instructional segmentis to begin Monday, June 17; on theevening of June 16 a welcome dinnerwill be held at the residence of FresnoState President John Welty.

The second-year sessions, set fornext summer, will focus on maintainingand servicing loans, with a special

emphasis on problem loans. Each of thetwo resident sections will be competency-based, with the participants assignedproblems and exercises to be completedand submitted to the faculty as a portfolioat the end of the session, Casey said.

Successful program participants willbe awarded a certificate of completionfrom California State University, Fresnoand a certificate of accreditation from theSan Joaquin Valley Ag Lenders.

“The institute has arranged for adistinguished faculty with expertise inall areas of the lending process,” Caseysaid. Faculty include senior professionallenders, university faculty in agriculturalfinance, and ag lending professionals.

Cost to attend the first-year programis $1,500. For registration details or aflier, call (559) 278-4405 or visit the CABwebsite at cati.csufresno.edu/cab. Seatingis limited; registration deadline is June 1.

from Page 1

Institute: Two-year program envisioned

Immigrant farm laborers inCalifornia continue to com-prise one of the most impor-tant yet undefined segments

of the state’s work force, accordingto a report recently completed byresearchers for the Center forAgricultural Business (CAB).

Farm workers play a critical rolein the state’s economy by supplyinghand labor for virtually all of the state’sagriculture production. However, thepopulation and other details of thispowerful labor force remain cloudybecause of several factors – a key onebeing many workers’ undocumentedstatus, notes research director AndrewAlvarado, professor at Fresno State andsenior research associate of the Centerfor Agricultural Business.

Alvarado’s survey of some 300 farmworkers last year was conducted as partof an effort to obtain information for useby state agencies such as the Employ-ment Development Department (EDD)and others who offer services andsupport to workers.

Since the farm labor force hasalways been one of the most difficultgroups to learn about through employerrecords, Alvarado sent survey teams to

farms, fields and labor camps topersonally interview workers.

The survey teams found that,despite increased interdiction alongthe U.S.-Mexican border by the U.S.Immigration and Naturalization Service,thousands of immi-grants enter thecountry illegallyeach year in search of employment,paying a usual fee of $2,000 per personto “coyotes” to smuggle them across theborder. The survey teams also foundthat, despite federal laws requiring legalresident status, workers continue to gainemployment without the proper docu-mentation.

“A major factor leading to inaccu-rate enumeration of the work force isthe undocumented status of the majorityof those employed in the region,” notesAlvarado in his report titled “TheCentral San Joaquin Valley Farm LaborWork Force – 2001.”

Other factors hindering agenciesseeking information include the “fluidityof the work force”; that is, workers oftenshift from one farm site to anotherwithin a week or even daily, performingdifferent tasks in different crops fordifferent farm owners. In addition, themajority of farm workersinterviewed indicated theywork for farm labor contractorswho often move workers from job to job.

The closest estimate the EDD canmake of the farm labor population isbetween 100,000 and 200,000, withthe figure rising to slightly more than200,000 in peak summer harvest monthsand falling to about 100,000 during thewinter months, Alvarado noted.

The survey teams learned that mostwho come to work are planing to stay inthe United States permanently. Only 15percent said they intend to return to theircountry of origin.

April 26 – The Third Annual Central CoastWinegrape Labor and Employment LawSymposium at the Paso Robles Golf Clubin Paso Robles, California. For details, call(559) 278-4405.

April 29 – Agricultural Safety ResourceAlliance Napa Breakfast Meeting, inCalistoga, California. For details, call (707)942-5111.

May 9 – Fifth Annual Agricultural Labor andEmployment Summit, at Harris Ranch inCoalinga, California. For more information,call (559) 278-4405.

June 12 – AgSafety Breakfast Meeting,Fresno, California. For more info, call (559)278-4405.

See Labor, Page 8

4 SPRING 2002 UPDATE

I

Center for Irrigation Technology

Mapping: Process requirescalibration for each field site

Irrigation topicsIrrigation topicsIrrigation topicsIrrigation topicsIrrigation topicsto be addressed into be addressed into be addressed into be addressed into be addressed insummer sessionssummer sessionssummer sessionssummer sessionssummer sessions

WSoil samples are then taken from 12

field locations to calibrate the datarecorded by the EM unit. The data arecombined to create a salinity distributionmap the farm manager can use for soiland/or crop treatments in specific areas.

“The goal is to see uniform yield, inspite of soil salinity,” Cassel said.

Additional soil salinity mapping isplanned for other areas of the West Sidethrough a grant from the CalFed pro-gram, a partnership between Californiaand federal water agencies aimed atsolving water and drainage problems.

The mapping project will measuresoil salinity in different areas following

crop irrigation treatments withvarious combinations of freshcanal and drainage water.

ndustry leaders overseeing themanufacture of irrigation equipmentand agricultural chemicals have

from Page 1

(Above) CIT's FlorenceCassel Sharmasarkar

shows on-board computerused in tractor for soil

salinity mapping. (Right)Sledge being dragged

behind tractor.

orkshops addressingirrigation, chemigationand pump design will

(DPR), which is charged with protectingthe state’s water supply from pesticidecontamination. The DPR has commis-sioned a task force to help developpolicies and standards regulating the useof chemigation equipment and pesticides.

“The overall program is aimed atprotecting the environment from chemi-cal degradation in a manner that issensitive to other agricultural issues,”stated Ed Norum, consulting engineer for

be offered to farm and irrigationsystem managers this spring andsummer at the Edison AgTAC inTulare, California.

The seminars are hosted by theCenter for Irrigation Technology(CIT), include a continental break-fast and are offered free of charge.For more information call TimJacobsen at (559) 278-5752. Topreregister, call AgTAC at 800-772-4822. Workshops are as follows:

May 14 – Introduction to Drip-Micro Irrigation System Design,from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Workshoppresenter Perry Continente of ToroIrrigation will discuss head workscomponent design and selection,infield component design andselection, understanding manufac-turers’ technical literature, optimiz-ing factors affecting system design,and chemical injection.

June 11 – Complying with Chemi-gation Legal Requirements, from8 a.m. to noon. Presenters TimJacobsen and Ed Norum of CITwill discuss chemigation practices,wellhead protection, label language,mandatory rules and regulations,hardware specifications, andenforcement. Includes lunch.

July 9 – Introduction to Well andDeep Well Turbine Pump Design,from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presentersfrom several companies will addresswell specifications, constructiontechniques, development andrehabilitation, sand control, andrebate programs for efficiencyimprovement. Includes lunch.

Task force to address chemigation issues

been invited to join farm managers andrepresentatives of state government andeducational institutes on a task force tohelp develop policies and standards forchemigation in California agriculture.

This task force is being coordinatedby the Center for Irrigation Technology(CIT) in cooperation with California’sDepartment of Pesticide Regulation See Task Force, Page 7

Once the unit is calibrated withactual field soil data determined bylaboratory analysis, it can providesalinity measurements through readingstaken from above the soil surface.

A CIT design team led by consult-ing engineer Ed Norum constructed ahoist and sledge for dragging the EMunit behind a tractor.

To map soil salinity distribution,the EM-38 unit is dragged back andforth across the field. As the unitmoves along the ground, it takesconductivity readings which are enteredinto an on-board computer every fewseconds. Database softwareand geographical positioninginstruments on the tractorinteract in recordingthe data.

UPDATE SPRING 2002 5

Viticulture and Enology Research Center

Methods tested for measuring juice nitrogen

“It is important forthese winemakers tohave valid analyticalprocedures...”

Upcoming events

I

Researchers compareFormol, other methodsin effort to provide moreoptions to winemakers

Enology studentKarina Nufferconducts a titrationprocedure withassistance fromgraduate studentJeremy Weintraub(center) andchemistry professorBarry Gump.

ncreased internationalproduction and marketingof wine and grape productshave raised the quality level

required for California wine producersto successfully market their products.

In an effort to help state winemakersavoid getting “stuck” with lower-qualitywines, Fresno State chemistry professorBarry Gump is leading a research effortto provide more accurate methods formeasuring nitrogen content of grapejuice.

Nitrogen is a key element necessaryfor successful fermentation, and it ispresent in grape juice in many typesof molecules, Gump noted. However,

only certain molecules readily releasenitrogen in a way it can be consumed bythe yeast during winemaking; therefore,a key to successful winemaking isaccurately determining the amount ofassimilable nitrogen in the juice prior tofermentation.

“It is important for these wine-makers to have valid analytical proce-dures, as well as knowledge of how andwhen to apply these procedures to bettermonitor the production of their wines,"Gump said. “Stuck or sluggish fermenta-tion can produce substantially inferiorwines, in addtion to compromisingprocessing efficiency.”

A “stuck” fermentation occurs whenthere is not enough assimilable nitrogen

for the yeast to consume, and thefermentation process halts before all thesugars are properly converted to alcohol.

In collaboration with researchersfrom Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo andVirginia Tech University, Gump isanalyzing four methods to determinewhich are most consistent and accuratefor measuring nitrogen “nutrition” ofgrape juice. The four methods includeFormol titration, two spectrophotometricmethods, and a high-performance liquidchromatography method.

The Formol method already is usedextensively but is being analyzed todetermine correlation with other meth-ods, Gump said. Each method requiresits own specialized equipment andtraining. Development of additionalmethods besides Formol would providewinemakers with more options.

“There are labs where the range ofequipment varies. We want to findmultiple ways of doing analysis so thatwinemakers can function in whateverlab they find themselves,” Gump said.

Another phase of the project isanalyzing management practices of thevineyards from which the grape sampleswere harvested. That will help research-ers to determine correlations betweenvineyard management and juice nitrogen.

Laboratory studies so far have

indicated that the Formol and spectropho-tometric methods are the most consistentand reliable for measuring nitrogennutrition. Gump and his colleagues havepresented preliminary results at severalconferences and will continue the workduring the coming year. For more infor-mation on the project, Gump may becontacted through Fresno State’s Depart-ment of Chemistry at (559) 278-2103.

Project funding was provided by theCSU Agricultural Research Initiative, theVirginia Wineries Association and theAmerican Vineyard Foundation.

April 26 – Sulfur Best Management Practicesand Reduced-Risk Weed ManagementWorkshop, at California State University,Fresno. For more info: (559) 278-2089.

May 6-8 – Barrel and Barrel AlternativesSymposium at California State University,Fresno. For more info: (559) 278-2089.

June 2 – 20th Annual Celebration of Wine:In Honor of the California Grape, at theCoombs’ Riverbend Ranch in Madera,California. For tickets: (559) 244-5741.

June 26-28 – American Society for Enologyand Viticulture Annual Meeting, and FresnoState Viticulture and Enology Alumni andFriends Reunion, in Portland, Oregon. Forreunion details, call (559)-278-2089.

6 SPRING 2002 UPDATE

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FFFFFor more CIMIS infor more CIMIS infor more CIMIS infor more CIMIS infor more CIMIS informormormormormation...ation...ation...ation...ation...

Northern DistrictJamie Dubay(530) 529-7367pixley@water.ca.gov

Central DistrictMark Rivera(916) 651-7029mrivera@water.ca.gov

San Joaquin DistrictSteve Ewert(559) 230-3334sewert@water.ca.gov

Southern DistrictSergio Fierro(818) 543-4652sergiof@water.ca.gov

CIMIS information is published quarterly in the CATIUpdate newsletter. Articles are provided by the CaliforniaDepartment of Water Resources, CIMIS program staff.

For more information about CIMIS or its programs,contact any of the following representatives at these offices:

lf you are unable to reach a CIMIS representative nearyou, call the CIMIS Helpline at 1-800-922-4647.

Weekly ETo Comparisons for FresnoWeekly ETo Comparisons for FresnoWeekly ETo Comparisons for FresnoWeekly ETo Comparisons for FresnoWeekly ETo Comparisons for FresnoFresno: 12/01/01– 02/28/02Fresno: 12/01/01– 02/28/02Fresno: 12/01/01– 02/28/02Fresno: 12/01/01– 02/28/02Fresno: 12/01/01– 02/28/02

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"Non-ideal" weather station site studies plannedVisit the CIMIS home page at the

following address:

www.cimis.water.ca.gov

CIMIS Station #80 Fresno StateCIMIS Station #80 Fresno StateCIMIS Station #80 Fresno StateCIMIS Station #80 Fresno StateCIMIS Station #80 Fresno State

Note: The first column is a 1-daytotal, the last column is a 5-day total,and the rest are 7-day totals.

CIMIS is in preparation to conductseveral “non-ideal” site studies duringthe year 2002/2003. “Non-ideal” sitesare weather station sites that do notconform to the basic definitions andrequirements of reference evapotranspi-ration (ETo). ETo is the amount of waterthat is lost to the atmosphere by thecombined processes of evaporation fromthe soil and plant surfaces and transpira-tion from standardized vegetationsurfaces (grass or alfalfa). The standard-ized vegetation surface for CIMISstations is grass.

Standardization of surfaces onwhich weather stations sit requires,among other things, that the surfaces befully covered with well watered, activelygrowing vegetation. CIMIS has adoptedthese standards and developed thefollowing major criteria in selecting sitesfor its stations:

• A station should be sited within theregion it is meant to represent.

• A station should not be located in a

transition area between differentclimates.

• Avoid topographic depressions andhigh points.

• Avoid wind obstructions within 100yards, abrupt crop/vegetation changeswithin 50 yards, roads within 50 yards,small rivers within 100 yards, largerrivers within 200 yards, and lakeswithin 1,000 yards of the site.

Unfortunately, many areas of the state,especially urban areas, do not have such“ideal” sites. It has been commonpractice for such areas to use data eitherfrom the closest CIMIS station or from“non-ideal” sites within the area. Usingdata from the closest CIMIS station islikely to result in errors because ofdifferences in microclimates. On theother hand, using data from “non-ideal”sites within the same microclimate is

also likely to result in errors because ofdifferences in surface conditions.

CIMIS is planning to conduct astatewide study to investigate thepossibility of installing stations in “non-ideal” environments and converting thecollected data into an equivalent “ideal”condition. This would be achieved bysetting up paired “ideal” and “non-ideal” stations in a given study area andcorrelating the data.

A preliminary technical advisorycommittee representing differentregions of the state has been formed.The committee met twice in March andwill continue meeting regularly duringthe study period. The advisory commit-tee will be dynamic in that its member-ship will change as investigationproceeds. CIMIS welcomes any oneinterested in participating in this studyand encourages those interested tocontact Kent Frame at (916) 651-7030or Bekele Temesgen at (916) 651-9679.

UPDATE SPRING 2002 7

State ZipCity

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Mailing Address

(These publications may be viewed in their entirety on CATI's World Wide Web pages,located at cati.csufresno.edu. Single copies are also available by mail at no charge.)

Publications availableUpdate:

Spring 2002

Ordering Information:Check the publication(s) desiredand mail or fax form to:

CATICalifornia State University, Fresno2910 E. Barstow Ave. M/S OF115Fresno, CA 93740-8009Fax: (559) 278-4849

r The Central San Joaquin Valley Farm Labor Work Force – 2001,by Andrew Alvarado. Pub. #020302.

Researchers complete reportson eutypa and 2,4-D projects

Task force: Reportto go to state DPRfor consideration

CIT and cochair of the task forcealong with CIT Director DavidZoldoske. The task force willproduce a document for the DPRthat proposes specific actions thatwill help form the basis for theDPR’s future program and activi-ties, Norum said.

Chemigation, the injection ofagricultural chemicals into wateras it is being delivered to fields orcrops, is an approved method ofpesticide application for nearly one-third of all registered active ingredi-ents in California, Norum said. Thepotential risk of chemical injectionis backflow of contaminated waterinto wells.

When a pumping system shutsoff, vacuum pressure can pulltreated water back into the groundor other water source. DPR regula-tions require a backflow preventiondevice on all chemigation systems.However, since chemigation is arelatively new technology, manyfarm managers, as well as regulatoryofficials, are unfamiliar with thedifferent types of equipment.

CIT already has providedtraining to regulatory officials onthe use of required safety devicesand acceptable alternatives forchemigation systems, Norum noted.

“We are now turning our effortsto raise the regulated community’sawareness of the instructions onpesticide labels regarding backflowprevention,” he said.

Norum said the goal of the taskforce is to have its report to theDPR by the end of summer.

For more information on taskforce activities, contact Norum atCIT at (559) 278-2066, or atedward_norum@csufresno.edu.

from Page 4 T wo new CATI reports outliningmethods of controlling fungaldisease on plants and pesticide

impacts on soil are now available forordering, viewing or downloadingthrough the California AgriculturalTechnology Institute (CATI).

The reports provide the latestinformation gained through researchsupported by the California StateUniversity Agricultural ResearchInitiative (ARI).

The Eutypa study was directed byresearch scientist Sanliang Gu, whoholds the Ricchiuti Chair of ViticultureResearch at Fresno State’s Viticultureand Enology Research Center (VERC).Eutypa dieback is a fungal disease thatattacks grapevines in growing regions allover the world. It has recently beendiagnosed in vineyards in California’sSan Joaquin Valley.

Gu has determined from his studythat Eutypa appears to be preventablethrough the use of modified pruningmethods. The full report on this study,including details of treatments andresults, is available on the ARI websiteat ari.calstate.edu. It is titled “Influenceof Training Systems, Pruning Practices,and Soil Types on Eutypa DiebackIncidence and Severity, ViticulturalPerformance, and Wine Quality in

Cabernet Sauvignon Grapevines.”Printed summary reports also are

available from CATI. For more informa-tion on this study, Gu may be contactedthrough VERC at (559) 278-2089.

In another project, Fresno Statebiology professor Alice Wright has com-pleted the first phase of a study on theresponse of soil microorganisms to yearsof applications of the pesticide 2,4-D.

Many microorganisms are able tometabolize 2,4-D. However, widespreaduse of the chemical over many years hasresulted in its buildup in soils in someareas, threatening to contaminategroundwater.

Wright is using cloning techniquesto replicate sections of genes in thebacteria Ralstonia eutropha and isobserving the response to differentstimuli. Her goal is to prompt thebacteria to respond to smaller amountsof 2,4-D more quickly, and to consumemore than they normally do.

Wright’s first-year report is avail-able for viewing and/or downloadingfrom the ARI website. A printed sum-mary report also is available throughCATI. The project report is titled, “CrossRegulation of 2,4-D Pathways in SoilMicroorganisms.” For more informationWright may be contacted through theBiology Department at (559) 278-2001.

8 SPRING 2002 UPDATE

CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURALTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

California State University, Fresno2910 E. Barstow Ave. M/S OF115Fresno, California 93740-8009

Update is published quarterly by the California Agricultural Technology Institute

College of AgriculturalSciences and Technology

California State University, FresnoSpring 2002

CATI Publication #020401

Voice number: (559) 278-2361Fax number: (559) 278-4849

Director of Operations: Joe BezerraPublications Editor: Steve Olson

Non Profit OrganzationU.S. PostagePAIDFresno , CAPermit No. 262

Address Service Requested

Labor: Trend indicates fewer workers may come

In the event of incorrect address information or extra copies to your workplace, please return thisaddress label by mail or fax with your requested changes. CATI fax number is (559) 278-4849.

from Page 3

Of those who do stay in the UnitedStates to work, the rate of incomeadvancement is slow because of severalfactors – a key one being language.

More than 90 percent of surveyedworkers were born in Mexico, and 87percent have a very limited under-standing of English, Alvarado re-ported. And without command ofthe English language, it is difficultto move into jobs outside farm work.

However, there are skill levelswithin the farm labor arena throughwhich workers move, Alvarado added.For example, many younger immigrantsfirst find jobs picking stone fruits such aspeaches or nectarines, for which they arepaid hourly.

Those with more experience oftenmove into commodities such as citrus orthe table grape harvest, where their skillenables them to earn more through piece-rate compensation.

The majority of farm workers (63percent) reported living in single-familyhomes, mostly rented, and often withother families in the same house.Another 25 percent reported living inapartments, and nine percent in trailerhomes. Only two percent reported livingin government-subsidized housing, andfewer than one percent said they lived in

visited a doctor in the United States.According to Alvarado, interviews

with farm labor contractors indicated thatthe size of the labor force decreased in2001. Increased patrol by border agentsand high “coyote” fees may have madethe border crossing more prohibiting.

If this is the start of a trend, it isprobable that the farm labor forcewill diminish within a decade or less,Alvarado said. Apparently that has notconcerned growers, at least not yet, henoted. Data from California's Departmentof Food and Agriculture show continued

increases in plantings of the most laborintensive crops, including citrus, tableand wine grapes, and peaches.

Copies of Alvarado’s report areavailable from the California AgriculturalTechnology Institute. See the publica-tions order form on Page 7 to request acopy, or visit the CAB research publica-tions directory on the CAB website,located at cati.csufresno.edu/cab.

Increased patrol by border agents and high“coyote” fees have likely made the bordercrossing more prohibiting.

farm sheds or motels.When the primarily young, male

immigrants come to the United States toseek work, it is usually through contacts

with friends or relatives alreadyhere. After they find a job,nearly two-thirds depend onsomeone else for transporta-tion to and from the work

site. They pay an average of$5 per day for a ride in a vehicle

that carries an average of seven workers.Nearly all riders indicated they “always”or “almost always” use seat belts.

Primary health care for farmworkers is virtually nonexistent, fortwo reasons, Alvarado noted: the nearlycomplete absence of employer-providedhealth insurance, and the undocumentedstatus of the majority of the workers thatmakes them ineligible for governmentsupported health care.

Nevertheless, nearly half theworkers surveyed indicated they had