March 2016Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties

Inside ...Cutting of the Roses 2

Clam Chowder Feed 4

Soledad FFA 4

Ag Day Luncheon 5

Please turn to Page 3

Please turn to Page 3

Staff report

WATSONVILLE — The Agricultural History Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the history of agriculture on California’s Central Coast, has completed its living history farm feasibility study and has posted the final report online at www.aghistoryproject.org.

The study was conducted in two phases, over a period of eight months, and was designed to gauge the level of community support for a living history farm and perspective and opinion on the best model. The first phase involved a series of six discussion groups attended by representatives of the agricultural and Latino communities, education, tourism and other interests. Next, AHP conducted a public opinion survey

both online and in person at various public events.Overall, the results of the study indicated that

there is a strong desire for a living history farm. John Kegebein, AHP’s chief executive officer,

said, “It was the original intent of the AHP to create a living history farm when the organization was established in 1986 to help educate people about historical life on a farm and the raising of crops and animals, as well as tell the story of the cultural history of agriculture in the Pajaro Valley and the greater Central Coast area.”

A living history farm can provide education and skills-training opportunities for children and youth, volunteer opportunities for youth and adults, and add to the economic vitality of the region.

Anyone interested in helping AHP develop a master plan may contact Donna Bradford at 254-0614.

The feasibility study was conducted by Jennifer Pettley Marketing Communications and partially funded by a grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

Recent rains have created carpets of deep green grass in the area, especially along Larkin Valley Road in Watsonville. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

The petting zoo was a popular attraction with the children during the Agricultural History Project’s Day on the Farm in 2015. File photo by Erik Chalhoub/The Land

Ag History Project completes study

By TODD GUILDOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — Second Harvest Food Bank broke its own record during the holiday season, raising enough money and food for nearly 100,000 more meals than last year.

In an early morning breakfast meeting Feb. 5, the South County agency announced that it raised 4,166,490 meals to feed hungry families during the Holiday Food Drive, which ended Jan. 15.

The number is more than 96,000 higher than those in 2014.

Included in the fundraising endeavors were 4-H members who held a bake sale, Santa Cruz Warriors basketball players who auctioned their jerseys, and Twin Lakes Church Pastor Rene Schaefer, who encouraged donations by promising to cut off most of his hair.

Local students also raised money and collected food, as did businesses, county offices, service groups, and individuals.

“This was quite a thrill,” CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea said. “It was our most successful Holiday Food Drive ever, and it was so fulfilling for everyone to take a little time out of the day and come together to share a meal, share stories, and share in the satisfaction of a job well done.”

Dominican Hospital President and

Food bank shatters holiday recordMore than 4 million meals raised

By ERIK CHALHOUBOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — With more than 950 native plants waiting to be placed along Struve Slough, it would take quite a large force to complete the undertaking.

Fortunately, more than 100 volunteers were well-equipped for the task Feb. 6.

Volunteers of all ages convened on Upper Struve Slough for the annual World Wetlands Day celebration organized by Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the City of Watsonville.

In about an hour, the volunteers had planted more than 40 different species in a few locations along the slough, which lies between the Watsonville Square Shopping Center and Clifford Avenue, while listening to live music. Afterward, they were treated to free food as well as guided nature walks.

Jonathan Pilch, director of Watsonville Wetlands Watch’s Operations and Restoration Program, said the spot is one of the most visited out of the city’s seven miles of trails. As such, a lot of excitement was generated among the neighbors, he said, who showed interest in the project as Wetlands Watch prepared the spot in the days leading up to the event.

According to Pilch, most of the city’s storm drains flow into Struve Slough, making the restoration effort especially important. The project was funded by an urban greening grant the city received, Pilch said, adding that Wetlands Watch also recently received a grant from the Wildlife Conservation Society to continue planting up the slough.

“We’re improving water quality,” he said. “And of course there are a lot of great habitat benefits.”

Pilch said the plants were grown by students and volunteers at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center, located on the Pajaro Valley High School campus.

“Our volunteers work all year to grow them from seed to plant, so it’s really gratifying for them to get them all out of the nursery and into the ground,” he said.

Bill Adams and Bill Kottmeier were

Volunteers restore Struve SloughEffort part of World Wetlands Day celebration

2 The Land - March 2016

PUBLISHERJohn Bartlett

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EDITORErik Chalhoub

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ART AND DESIGNMike Lyon

The Land is published monthly. All rights reserved, material may not be reprinted without written consent from the publisher. The Land made every effort to maintain the accuracy of information presented in this publication, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. The Land is a division of the Register-Pajaronian and South County Newspapers.

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Wetlands DayBy SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

JOLON — Jan. 31 brought the rain and the annual Cutting of the Roses at Mission San Antonio de Padua.

The day began with a Mass in the morning followed by a brunch featuring breakfast burritos and cappuccino floats. The kitchen committee said that within minutes of Mass letting out there was a long line to get brunch. After brunch, the event and church-goers could grab a dessert and one of the most popular items was an apricot pie made by Lockwood native, Janice Banta.

Mission patrons could then continue their journey to the garden where they could get rose clippings to put in their own garden. Among the attendees was Dwight King and Mary Martin of Modesto.

“We’ve been planning to come to this for a couple of weeks after we saw it on the website,” said Martin. “It’s our first time at this Mission and we are trying to see all the California Missions.”

Continuing the stroll around the garden, local artists were showcasing their artwork paintings, jewelry and crosses.

Rebecca Riel, artist and gallery manager for Sol Treasures, showed her paintings that were inspired by landscapes, archeology and wildlife. Riel uses patterns that are found naturally in nature and brings those out in her paintings. Riel has also been taking a lot of pictures of the recent sunsets in South Monterey County and uses them as inspiration for her sunset paintings.

Taking the spot right next to Riel was Edward Hudson, whose artwork focuses on the historical aspect. Hudson said he likes to paint people and paint big so that the viewer can feel more of a connection to the people portrayed. Hudson researches his pieces to see what the people were wearing and what color it would be. Hudson has a painting that currently hangs at Mission San Antonio.

Janet Lynn of Cross Lynn Designs displayed her cross designs that are made of semi-precious stones and is a unique piece of art. Lynn started in Orange County but then

moved to Paso Robles. After Lynn saw the local art scene in Paso Robles, she said she wanted to do something different and came up with the concept for Cross Lynn Designs.

The proceeds for the Cutting of the Roses brunch go toward maintaining the parish at Mission San Antonio De Padua.

Enjoying art and brunch at annual Cutting of the Roses

Dwight King and Mary Martin took some rose clippings back home to Modesto during their first visit to Mission San Antonio. Photos by Samantha Bengtson/The Land

The kitchen staff served more than 100 people breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage links, rice, and potatoes.

Submitted article

KING CITY — Applicants are currently being sought for the 2016 Miss Salinas Valley Fair.

If you are a junior or senior high school girl; who is a resident or student of school districts in the counties of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Southern Santa Clara, Northern San Luis Obispo, Parkfield and Coalinga, think about applying for the title at this year’s Miss Salinas Valley Fair.

The deadline is March 14.The contest will be held at the

fairgrounds in King City, Saturday, March 26, and the winner will reign over the 2016 Salinas Valley Fair, which runs May 12-15 in King City.

Entrants will be judged on personality

(40 percent), a written test (25 percent), poise and appearance (20 percent) and horsemanship (15 percent). The 2016 Miss Salinas Valley Fair will receive a $2,000 scholarship, a sterling silver belt buckle and other prizes. Awards are also given to the winners of each competition category.

In addition to her many duties as Miss Salinas Valley Fair, the winner will have the opportunity to represent the fair at local and regional events including the California Rodeo in Salinas.

“Our ideal candidate is a young woman who loves the Salinas Valley Fair and wants to be an ambassador for the Salinas Valley at local events,” said TJ Plew, CEO Salinas Valley Fair.

Entrants may enter more than once but only win one time. There is no entry fee for the privilege of competing.

Applications are available at www.SalinasValleyFair.com or send your request for application by e-mail to SVF@SalinasValleyFair.com. For information, contact the Salinas Valley Fair Office 385-3243 or Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition Director, Darla Mantel, at 595-1250 or email dm_mantel@yahoo.com.

The 72nd Annual Salinas Valley Fair will run May 12-15 at the fairgrounds in King City. The family friendly event attracts more than 33,000 guests and 1,000 livestock exhibitors from five counties. For information on how to exhibit livestock, art, photography, school projects, crafts, baked goods and more, contact the Salinas Valley Fair at 385-3243 or www.SalinasValleyFair.com.

Miss Salinas Valley Fair seeks competitors

The Land -March 2016 3

Holiday Food Drive Co-Chair Nanette Mickiewicz said the efforts help keep everyone in the county healthy by providing nutritious food.

“This is why Dominican caregivers and staff have been such passionate supporters of Second Harvest for 20 years, and why we have donated more than a million healthy meals for local low-income families in that time,” she said.

Former Santa Cruz Mayor Hilary Bryant, who is finishing the last of her two terms as Holiday Food Drive co-chair, called the announcement “especially moving.”

“We blew past our goal of four million meals, and the excitement in the room when we revealed the number was electric,” she said.

Elliott-McCrea said that all the funds and food go to the community members who need it.

“It’ll help children, families, farmworkers, veterans, the elderly, and so many others who need a helping hand,” he said. “Second Harvest will distribute the food through its network of 200 agencies and programs in Santa Cruz County. I’m

so proud to be a part of this. This is caring, this is community, this is feeding hope.”

Groups and individuals that made

substantial contributions to the Holiday Food Drive will be honored at an awards dinner to be held on March 9 at Hotel

Paradox in Santa Cruz. For information, visit www.thefoodbank.

org.

Food Bank

Wetlands Day

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

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Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea (right) at the agency’s Meal Reveal with a group of food bank supporters. Second Harvest raised 4,166,490 meals during the holiday season. Photo by Chris Ryan/Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County

among the volunteers, digging holes and burying the plants in the ground. Both are currently part of Wetlands Watch’s seven-week docent training program.

“We’ve learned already quite a bit about the wetlands,” Adams said. “We think it’s a worthwhile project and we want to make a difference with the community.”

Kottmeier said not too many people are aware of Watsonville’s wetlands, but rather are more familiar with Elkhorn

Slough outside of the city.“It’s an underappreciated area,” he said.Adams said the event is a chance to raise

awareness of the natural resource located in Watsonville.

“In addition to conservation, it’s an opportunity to get the community interested,” he said.

World Wetlands Day marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on Feb. 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Rasmar.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch and the City of Watsonville have been holding restoration events for the international celebration for nine years.

Wetlands are not only important for flood control and water quality, but they are also a crucial habitat for wildlife, Pilch said.

“We want to take the chance to celebrate with the rest of the world about how important wetlands are,” he said. “They do

so much for our community.”And with the recent rains hitting the

region after more than three years of drought, Pilch noted the sloughs are the “fullest they’ve been in at least five years.”

“You can see the wildlife really responding to that,” he said. “It’s great for wildlife, it’s great for all the people who enjoy the trails. It’s just that much more beautiful out here.”

More than 950 native plants were placed along the slough. Photo by Erik Chalhoub/The LandMore than 100 volunteers gathered at Struve Slough for the World Wetlands Day celebration Feb. 6. Photo by Erik Chalhoub/The Land

4 The Land - March 2016

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By SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

KING CITY — The Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum’s annual Clam Chowder Feed served more than 1,600 people on Jan. 29.

The all-you-can-eat clam chowder event saw its return to the Orradre building after the renovations that were made to the building last year. Families and friends gathered at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds and dined on clam chowder, spinach, rolls and desserts.

In the kitchen, the Tankersley family and Vanoli family prepared the clam chowder. The Tankersley and Vanoli family also took over the dessert line and passed out desserts to hungry community members.

Helping to deliver the clam chowder, spinach and rolls to patrons were members of the King City Blue Ribbon 4-H, Rural 4-H, Greenfield FFA, King City FFA, Troop 1 and Troop 350 from Fort Hunter Liggett.

“This is my first time helping at the Clam Chowder Feed and I’ve been having a lot of fun,” said Ramon Fragoso, Greenfield FFA. “It’s been a good experience coming here and helping with this fundraiser.”

The Clam Chowder Feed has been around for 21 years in King City and before that took place in Soledad. More than half of the tickets sold were take-out orders for the community to enjoy at home.

Clam Chowder Feed serves more than 1,600 people

Greenfield FFA helps out at the Clam Chowder Feed for the first time. Photo by Samantha Bengtson/The Land

BY ANGELITA CISNEROSFor the Land

SALINAS – On Saturday, Jan. 30, Soledad High School FFA was invited to the Third Annual Future Farmers Of America Field Day.

Soledad FFA took six members to compete in Vegetable Crop Judging Contest and Floriculture. Angelita Cisneros, Duway Martinez and Ruby Romero competed in Vegetable ID. The Vegetable Crop Identification contest consists of identifying common vegetables, pest, diseases, etc. along with the judging of several classes of vegetables.

Yessenia Romero, Destiny Jaime and Jairo Rodriguez competed in the Floristry Competition, this competition required members to identify plants and judge flower arrangements. Participants also demonstrate skills in flower arranging and the preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.

Overall, Vegetable Crop contestants received fourth place, meanwhile Floriculture received six place.

Soledad FFA attends Hartnell Field Day

(From left to right) The members of Soledad’s Future Farmers Of America that attended the Field Day were Ruby Romero, Duway Martinez, Angelita Cisneros, Destiny Jaime, Jairo Rodriguez and Yessenia Romero. Submitted photo

The Land -March 2016 5

Staff report

WATSONVILLE — National Agriculture Day Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, March 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Heritage Hall located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

The luncheon aims to promote an understanding of food production as well as fostering an awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy.

The 2016 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award will be announced. To engage the youth of the area, poster and poetry contests are underway in the local K-12 grade schools, and the winners will be announced at the luncheon.

A live auction will be held during the event.

Proceeds help support the Santa Cruz Farm Bureau’s Scholarship Fund and Agri-Culture’s educational programs. The auction supports the production of the 2016 Santa Cruz State Fair Booth.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, call 724-1356 or 724-5821.

National Agriculture Day luncheon scheduled

Laurel Jones, president of Cabrillo College, was the featured speaker at the National Agriculture Day spring luncheon in 2015. File photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Staff report

SANTA CRUZ — Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks announced five naturalist-led backpacking trips will be offered in four State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains during summer.

The Guided Backpacking Adventures Program will travel trails in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Castle Rock State Park, Butano State Park and Portola Redwoods State Parks. Trips will range from 11.5 to 31.5 miles, with durations of one to three nights in the backcountry.

State Parks naturalists will lead the hikes. Friends, Sempervirens Fund, the Waddell Creek Association, Mountain Parks Foundation and the Portola and Castle Rock Foundation are sponsoring the trips, which began as a State Parks pilot program in 2015. Two trips were offered in Big Basin Redwoods State Park last year.

“Increasing access to State Parks is a priority for us,” said Bonny Hawley, executive director of Friends. “The Guided Backpacking Adventures Program is one way we can share the amazing natural beauty of our State Parks with visitors and help them experience areas of our State Parks they may not normally visit.”

The 2016 backpacking adventures include:

• Skyline to the Sea 40th Anniversary Adventure, Big Basin and Castle Rock State Parks: June 23-26. Cost: $250.

• A Night Among the Ancients, Portola Redwoods State Park: July 9-10. Cost $100.

• Waddell to Waterfalls, Big Basin State Park: July 23-24. Cost $100.

• One Night, Three Waterfalls, Big Basin State Park: Aug. 13-14. Cost $100.

• Butano to Waddell — the Trail Less Traveled, Butano and Big Basin State Parks, Sept. 16-18.

Registration is now open, and is limited to 10 people per trip. Children 13 and older must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 21 or older; children younger than 13 are not allowed on the trips.

For information, call 291-8273, email backpacking.adventures@parks.ca.gov or visit www.thatsmypark.org/parks-beaches/guided-backpacking-tours.

Backpacking tours offered in Santa Cruz Mountains-area parks

6 The Land - March 2016

Staff report

WATSONVILLE — The City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department announced the winner of the 2016 Watsonville Strawberry Festival poster contest.

Local artist Priscilla Martinez has been selected as the contest winner for her art submission entitled, “Images of Watsonville.”

When asked about what inspired the artwork, Martinez said, “I wanted to include bits and pieces of what makes up Watsonville.”

The winning entry will serve as the official poster for the 2016 Watsonville Strawberry Festival. In addition, the artwork will be included on Festival souvenirs.

Martinez is a Watsonville native who at the age of 10 created her first art piece. This is the third year in which she has won the Watsonville Strawberry Festival poster contest.

The 22nd annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival will take place Aug. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Watsonville.

For information, contact Israel Tirado at 768-3247.

By KELLIE HICKSOf the Land

GONZALES – The discussion of cannabis dispensaries and cultivation has been a hot topic throughout the nation and in the city of Gonzales it has been no different.

The city has held public meetings and it has been discussed at many City Council meetings.

During the meetings, members of the community were very passionate about their reasons for and against the topic. Some spoke about how they or a relative used cannabis to help symptoms and pain from medical conditions while others talked about their worry of crime rates rising, about Gonzales youth being exposed to substance or the lifestyle.

For the City of Gonzales and all cities in the state of California, the race was on to get legislation on the books to keep control of distribution, use and cultivation at the city level. If no ordinances were on the record and adopted early enough to be part of the city code on March 1, then the State of California would have control and would be in control of how dispensaries and cultivation were handled in the State and in the cities that did not have their own rules in place.

For the City of Gonzales, first was the adoption of a resolution that recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting the establishment of medical marijuana

fispensaries in the city.The Council and Planning

Commission considered the adoption of the ordinance amending Title 12- Zoning Regulations of the Gonzales City Code, to prohibit the establishment and operation of medical marijuana dispensaries. Now adopted, the amendment defined the term “medical marijuana dispensary,” and prohibits such facilities in all zones, districts, properties and areas within the city, and will prohibit the city from issuing an approval, permit, license or other entitlement for the establishment of the operation of such a facility.

The second ordinance was for regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana within city limits.

The adoption of the resolution recommending that the City Council consider and adopt an ordinance amending Title 12-Zoning Regulations of the Gonzales City Code, regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana in the city. The ordinance covers cultivation-related issues such as security requirements, employee restrictions, visibility restrictions, location of facilities, operation and business requirements, city processing requirements, including but not limited to the requirement for permits and related agreements, and requirements concerning compliance with state and county laws, rules and regulations.

Regulation is now under the control of the city.

Submitted article

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a joint agreement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to increase employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for military veterans and their spouses.

USDA Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary Lanon Baccam signed the agreement along with Eric Eversole, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Eversole, a Commander in the Navy Reserve, also serves as the foundation’s President of Hiring Our Heroes. Baccam, a U.S. Army and Iowa National Guard veteran who served in Afghanistan, is USDA’s Military Veterans Liaison.

“Today’s agreement opens the door for thousands of service members who participate in Hiring Our Heroes events around the world to benefit from USDA’s vast array of tools and resources,” said Baccam. “This new partnership strengthens USDA’s ongoing efforts to help veterans pursue rewarding careers in farming, ranching, or in the fast-growing agriculture and food sectors.”

The agreement establishes a new partnership between USDA and Hiring Our Heroes, a program that helps military veterans, transitioning active

duty personnel, and their spouses and partners with training and opportunities to find meaningful employment when entering the civilian workforce.

Since 2009, USDA has provided $466.8 million in farm loans to help more than 6,868 veterans purchase farmland, buy equipment and make repairs and upgrades. Our microloans, which offer smaller amounts of support to meet the needs of small- or niche-type farm operations, have also grown in popularity among veterans. Since it was launched in January 2013, USDA’s microloan program has provided more than $25.8 million in support to help veterans grow their farming businesses.

Recently, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also expanded its collaboration with the Department of Defense to better reach the nearly 200,000 service members transitioning from military service to civilian life each year. Through a career training and counseling program, called the Transition Assistance Program, or TAP, USDA provides information on a wide variety of loans, grants, training and technical assistance available for veterans who are passionate about a career in agriculture.

For information on how USDA can help military veterans transition into agriculture as a career, visit www.usda.gov/veterans.

Submitted article WASHINGTON – Agriculture

Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new step to support farmers transitioning to certified organic production, by expanding a crop insurance option to allow producers to purchase insurance coverage that better reflects their product’s actual value.

“Consumer demand for organic products continues to increase and the industry has experienced remarkable growth, representing more than $39 billion in U.S. retail sales,” said Vilsack. “This growth creates opportunities for farmers and businesses across the country. Expanding the safety net for farmers wanting to enter the organic market ensures they have the tools and resources they need to meet this growing demand while protecting their operation.”

The organic sector is growing, and certified organic products often return higher profits for farmers. It can take producers three years, however, to transition from conventional to certified organic production. Previously, producers of transitional crops were only able to insure them at the same price as a conventional producer. But today’s announcement enables producers to insure transitional crops to their contract price (within approved limits).

Producers transitioning to certified organic production can now use the Contract Price Addendum to cover their crops at a higher price than traditional crops. The Contract Price Addendum allows farmers transitioning to organic production to insure certain crops at their contract price rather than the published U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) price election.

RMA has also expanded organic premium price elections to 57 crops, up from four in 2011, providing organic producers the option to protect their 2016 crops closer to the market value. Barley, rice and wheat are among the crops for which organic price elections have been added. New additions for 2017 will include grapefruit, lemons and oranges.

For example, under the Contract Price Addendum, a producer in Nebraska can use a contract price for millet up

to a maximum of $7.34 per bushel (for transitional) or $8.44 (for certified organic production), as opposed to using the existing RMA price elections of $3.67 (for transitional) or $4.22 (for certified organic production). A Contract Price Addendum fact sheet is available online at http://go.usa.gov/cyFGR.

Since 2009, USDA has strengthened programs that support organic producers as they grow, thrive and respond to increasing consumer demand for organic products. Last year, USDA reported that U.S. certified and exempt organic farms sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008. The U.S. retail market for organic products is valued at more than $39 billion, and in 2014 there were 19,474 certified USDA organic operations in the United States, representing nearly a 250 percent increase since 2002. Worldwide, in 2014 there were nearly 28,000 certified organic operations in more than 120 different countries. More information about USDA’s support under this Administration for organic producers and businesses can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. Contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about the program. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers or online at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

The sales closing date is the last day to buy a new policy or change an existing policy’s coverage level. Producers can find sales closing dates for the crops in their states by referring to RMA’s regional office state directory. Current policyholders also have until the sales closing date to make any changes to their existing contracts.

A list of commodities eligible for the Contract Price addendum is available online at www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/organics/cpa_eligibility.html.

More information on risk management tools available for organic farmers can be found on the RMA organic crops website. Visit www.usda.gov/organic to learn more about USDA’s resources for organic agriculture.

USDA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation join forces

City lays groundwork to keep control of cultivationSales of cannabis and dispensaries blocked by council

USDA expands insurance options for farmers transi-tioning to certified organic

Watsonville Strawberry Festival poster contest winner announced

Courtesy City of Watsonville

The Land -March 2016 7

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By SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

KING CITY — The City Council moved forward with allowing commercial cultivation of medical marijuana, banning dispensaries and mobile delivery.

Jan. 26 was the second reading of ordinances that would allow cultivation, keep the ban on dispensaries and ban mobile delivery. The council was also voting on an ordinance that would not allow any of those within city limits.

“I’m excited to know that you are considering the cultivation but I’m hoping that sometime in the near future you’ll also consider the dispensary and/or delivery service,” said Connie Bauer, resident. “I think for people in South County that’s an issue for people who have to travel quite a ways to get their medication.”

Commercial cultivation would only be allowed within buildings with the

possibility of translucent lighting that would allow for sunlight to come through. The facility would also require artificial lighting.

Mayor Pro-Tem Karen Jernigan said she liked seeing the emphasis on security within the ordinance about video cameras and guards because it was taking a step forward in public safety. Jernigan hesitated because after researching the topic, she found it was more complex and confusing and was skeptical about the amount of tax money the venture would bring in.

“What I have heard is that the money is generated, a lot would go toward enforcement costs and that to me is also very complex,” said Jernigan.

A motion was made in favor of the commercial cultivation, ban on dispensaries and a ban on the mobile distribution of medical marijuana by Mike Lebarre. The motion was carried with three in favor of the ordinance and two against.

BY KELLIE HICKS

SOLEDAD – It’s been a long dry winter, at least for the people who have been waiting for the Soledad-Mission Recreation District to reopen the pool for its spring session. For South County residents the waiting is over.

The Soledad-Mission Recreation District (SMRD) opened its door and pool for locals to come take a dip. Whether it is for lap swim, swimming lessons or for just family fun time just splashing around the pool is ready.

The SMRD has programs year around, but each winter it closes down the pool for any maintenance it might need during the time of year that public use dwindles. By closing during the winter they ensure that the pool will be ready for spring, summer and fall use.

The first of February the pool opened its doors and allowed swimmers into the pool for Lap Swim. Registration for swimming lessons started in the middle of January for all ages. Students from six-months and up, youth or adults will be placed in classes according to their skills.

“Come in and get in,” said Andy Sarabia

from SMRD. Girls Softball Registration is open

until the end of the week. Register at the Soledad Swimming Pool office.

The SMRD hosts an art classes once a month, with an adult painting class on Thursday and a youth painting class on Friday. The classes are styled for everyone, even those who claim they have no artistic skills are surprised how easy it is to walk out with a piece of art they painted themselves.

And don’t forget the Late Night Swim on Friday nights, and their movie nights during summer. The SMRD has a Facebook account, just search for “Soledad-Mission Recreation District,” they also have Instagram @SoledadRec. Their website is www.soledad-mission-recreation-district.org. They also have a newsletter to sign up to.

For information, call 678-3745, or stop by the swimming pool office at 570 Walker Drive in Soledad.

Submitted photo

Soledad-Mission Recreation District pool reopens for spring season

King City to allow medical marijuana cultivation

Courtesy City of Watsonville

8 The Land - March 2016

STEP UPStep up to the driver’s suite: Kubota’s new M135GX. Crowned with the largest Kubota cab ever built, and one of the largest available in its class. You’ll enjoy the panoramic view from the ergonomically designed operator’s platform, with more headroom, more legroom — more work-all-day-in-comfort kind of room. So step up, because like every Kubota, the reliable and efficient M135GX works hard today and holds its value tomorrow. Ready to take the next step?

See your local Kubota dealership to learn more.

C&NTRACTORS

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