Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1089740
Campbell 408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE. Morgan Hill 408-779-7368 95 E. MAIN AVE. Hollister 861-638-1999 2610 SAN JUAN RD. Salinas 831-424-7368 210 W.MARKET ST. Santa Clara 408-727-0822 2550 LAFAYETTE ST. Santa Cruz 831-477-7133 3700 SOQUEL AVE. Watsonville 831-722-0334 285 W. BEACH ST. •AIRCOMPRESSORS • AUTO TOOLS • CHAIN SAWS • GENERATORS • GARDEN TOOLS • LOG SPLITTERS • MIXERS • FORKLIFTS • MANLIFTS • LIGHT TOWERS • REACH LIFTS • BACKHOES • TRUCKS • TRAILERS www.AToolShed.com 1-800-A-TOOL-SHED WE DELIVER EQUIPMENTRENTALS&SALES WE PAY THE SALES TAX ON RENTALS! SakataSeedAmericaSupportsPMA'sCenterfor Growing Talent Program SakataSeedAmerica is starting 2019 on a positive note, announc- ing a two-year donation of $15,000 per year ($30,000 total) to sup- port Produce Marketing Association's 'Center for Growing Talent' initiative through the company's charitable giving program, Sakata Gives. Founded in 2005, the Center for Growing Talent is a charitable organiza- tion whose mission is to provide industry-specific solutions to attract, de- velop and retain talent for the produce and floral in- dustries. The success of the program is dependent upon charitable giving, sponsorships and in-kind gi s to support the mission to grow industry talent. The Center for Growing Talent's work includes leadership programs and events such as Career Pathways: designed to attract the best and brightest university students to careers in the fresh produce and floral industry, and the Emerg- ing Leaders Program: a program that prepares high-potential leaders to embrace increasing levels or responsibility and challenges for future leadership roles. Sakata Seed America's President and CEO, Dave Armstrong, states, "we're honored to be a support- er of PMA's Center for Growing Talent. Contrib- uting to building future talent to ensure a stron- ger, smarter global supply chain is a top priority for Sakata and the industry as a whole. We hope to demonstrate our com- mitment to the future of our industry through our partnership with Center for Growing Talent." The Sakata Gives program is spearheading the company's charitable giving and ensuring op- portunities that support the program's pillars and company mission. "The Sakata Gives Program is the cornerstone of Sakata's corporate social responsibilities initiative. We strive for a program that is responsive and inclusive, both for our community and industry, as well in support of our Sakata colleagues striving to be the corporate good citizens they choose to be. We are thrilled to partner with The Center for Growing Talent, an organization that is driving such positive results for our industry. Stay tuned – this is just the begin- ning for Sakata Gives!" says Jamie Kitz, Program Development for Sakata Gives. Monterey Bay Community Power Delivers $4.4 Million in Cost Savings Nearly one year a er Mon- terey Bay Community Power (MBCP) began service in March of 2018, tri-county's newest public agency is already making good on one of its primary goals; cleaner energy at a lower cost. For the agricultural community alone, cost-savings for just nine months of service in 2018 totaled out at over $800,000. "As a major agricultural engine in the Monterey Bay, Dole is constantly exploring opportunities to help reduce costs and create better end products for our custom- ers" says Tom Messenger, Facilities Manager at Dole Fresh Vegetables. "Monte- rey Bay Community Power delivered on its promise for carbon-free electricity and its customer rebate which Dole greatly benefited at over $50,000 in bill savings this year." All MBCP customers received a 3% rebate on the MBCP Electric Generation Charge in 2018, delivered as a bill credit and serving as the means by which cost savings over PG&E is passed on. Looking ahead, agricultural and commercial customers will receive re- bates quarterly or biannually depending on energy usage, and residential customers will continue getting their rebates in December. In addition to providing a cost-savings through rebates, MBCP is cuing up additional funds for Energy Programs which provide businesses and residents with financial incentives and funding for things like elec- tric vehicle (EV) purchasing and leasing, installing EV charging stations and even co ve ring the co sts to inst all solar on affordable housing. In partnership with Grid Alternatives, MBCP Energy Programs will begin rolling out this spring with the affordable-housing solar installations. The majority of program funds – topping $6 million – and the formal application process for EV inc entiv es and EV infr a- structure will be available in late April. "Since before our agen- cy was formed, one of our stated goals has been cost stability and supporting the economic vitality of our region," shared MBCP CEO, Tom Habashi. "It is very exciting and rewarding for all of us at MBCP to be produc- ing more quantifiable results in our first year of operation, and we've got a growing list of additional benefits being passed on to the communi- ties that we serve." Goal setting and strate- gic planning is a constant undercurrent at MBCP. Prior to launching last year, MBCP was already engaged with the agricultural community through workshops and di- rect outreach to county farm bureaus and the Grower Shippers Association. These days, MBCP is deepening these connections directly with the farms they serve to collect data and input as part of a comprehensive ag- ricultural needs assessment. "We're building relation- ships and gathering feed- back, so we can help our ag- ricultural community unlock economic potential through innovative energy solutions," explains Matthew Willis, MBCP Manager of Energy Business Development. Agricultural customers who are interested in engaging with MBCP are encouraged to reach out to Mr. Willis at (831) 641-7207 or mwillis@ mbcp.org. MBCP is a not-for-profit Community Choice Energy agency established by local communities to source carbon-free electricity for Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties while retaining PG&E's role deliv- ering power and maintaining infrastructure. MBCP sup- ports Tri-County economic vitality by providing cleaner energy at a lower cost, supporting low-income rate payers, and funding local renewable energy projects. Provided photo | FARM | SANTACRUZSENTINEL.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 2 C