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Spring Ag Report 2019

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! T S R U B o t t u o b a s a w t i f i s a y l t n e g s a h t r a e e h t t a e r T t c i r t s i D s e c r u o s e R r i A y a B y e r e t n o M g r o . d r a b m . w w w 1 1 4 9 - 7 4 6 ) 1 3 8 ( 0 4 9 3 9 A C , y e r e t n o M t r u o C d u o l C r e v l i S 0 8 5 4 2 m o c . s r e d a e l r i a n a e l c . w w w o t o g n o i t a m r o f n i e r o m r o F . m p 0 3 : 6 t a , 9 1 0 2 , 6 1 y a M d l e h e b o t s d r a w A ! y a d o t r e d a e l a e t a n i m o N We are the premier source for all of your agricultural irrigation needs, whether you have row crops, a vineyard, orchard, or nursery. We provide personalized, professional service for all phases of your project, offering cutting-edge solutions to help you maximize your production. GILROY STORE (408) 846-8991 4450 Monterey Hwy. SOLEDAD STORE (831) 678-1182 2371 Relleum Dr. www.signatureirrigation.com Monterey Wine Festival Celebrates 43 years Now in its 43rd year, The Monterey Wine Festival has established itself as the premier wine & food event in Monterey. Guests will enjoy savoring bites of wonderful foods that pair well with beers and spirits and sips of world class wines. The fes- tival features many new ad- ditions like a cocktail camp, an array of cra spirits and more that keep guests hap- py and the palate alive with anticipation. Add in beer and live music and this a not to be missed celebration. Included in the Saturday ticket price is a Chowdah Challenge & Celebration! Professional chefs from the West Coast challenge them- selves to make extraordinary chowders and for the 43rd Annual Monterey Wine Festival, these restaurants are coming to pay homage to their own special and customer favorite chowders – the stuff that is legendary. Clam, Seafood and Creative Chowders are simmered to perfection and the order of the day. Guests can sample previous award winning chowders, pick their person- al favorites and enjoy cuisine that has become synony- mous with Monterey and coastal destinations. Included in the Sunday Ticket Price is another seaworthy celebration with a spotlight on the Kings of Calamari and Masters of Mussels! Locals and restaurants from afar bring the best in these two categories. Dif- ferent seasonings and fla- vor combinations allow for much to taste as through- out the day different offer- ings are released alongside an array of international cheeses, charcuterie and more. Guests continue the celebration with a com- pletely mouth-watering experience from wineries, spirits and beers and bounty of food. Event location for both days will be the Monte- rey Conference Center. Dates and event times are Saturday June 1, 2019 from 11am–4pm, and Sunday June 2, 2019 from 11am– 3pm. For More Information visit www.montereywine.com. Reimagining Organic Waste Local leaders, produce growers and processors join forces for a Monterey County Sustainability Working Group meeting Monterey County's agriculture sector is a leading supplier of lettuce, celery, broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, strawberries, and many other delicious and healthy products. The industry, however, is fac- ing numerous challenges related to the organic waste (culls) it produc- es, including decreasing disposal options, increas- ing costs, and increasing regulation and monitoring. The Monterey County Sustainability Working Group (MCSWG) met ear- lier this week to discuss this problem's challenges and potential solutions. Hank Brady, CalRecycle's Manager of SB 1383 (one of the new laws impacting the industry), emphasizes the importance of working together and acting now. "In order for California to meet its recycling and climate change tar- gets, every sector that generates organic waste will need to do its part to reduce organic waste disposal. This will require bold new actions and collaboration. It's critical that local stakeholders meet and work together so we can hit our targets on time and in the most cost-effective manner possible." Monterey County's agri- culture sector contributes $4.4 billion to the local economy. Ag culls (the by- product from processing fresh fruits and vegeta- bles) were once a revenue generator, but their dis- posal has recently become a significant cost of doing business. In the past, companies dealt with their organic waste individually, limiting opportunities for better overall management and infrastructure. Today, however, the industry is taking the first step toward working together to find cost-effective alternatives and opportu- nities. Without appropriate solutions for the agricul- ture industry, particularly processors, the region will struggle to cope with this problem. "Being conscious of all the impacts that farming has throughout the pro- duction process, dealing with agricultural culls and byproducts is imperative to our overall sustainability as an economic sector," says Norm Groot, Execu- tive Director of the Mon- terey County Farm Bureau. "Working together, we hope to find solutions that make sense for growers, processors, and shippers. I expect that there are many great ideas that can be shared, and working together these solutions can add value and sustain- ability to the supply chain of fresh vegetables and berries produced here in the Salinas Valley." The MCSWG meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss upcoming regulations, existing solutions, expand- ing infrastructure, and possible innovations for the long term. Represen- tatives from the agricul- ture industry, packers and processors, private haulers, and composters, as well as potential solution providers, were invited to attend. By sharing strategies, the in- dustry can avoid duplicate work, find efficiencies, and create productive partner- ships and programs. Henry S. Gonzales, Agri- cultural Commissioner of Monterey County, reiterated the potential for turning this material into a valuable commodity, if the right partnerships are formed. "The produce industry is constantly on the lookout for a more efficient, effec- tive, and economical way of doing business. Green waste has moisture, fiber and nutrient value…this is a business opportunity for a creative mind." Speakers for the event included Hank Brady, Cal Recycle SB1383 Manager; Melissa Kendrick, Exec- utive Director, Food Bank Monterey County; Patrick Mathews, General Man- ager/CAO, Salinas Valley Recycles; Tim Flanagan, General Manager, Monterey Regional Waste Manage- ment District; and Keith Day, Owner, Gabilan Ag Services. Artichoke Food & Wine Festival returns to Monterey June 1 & 2 In 1959, the Central Coast community gathered to cele- brate the harvest of an iconic vegetable, the artichoke. The region soon became known as the "Artichoke Center of the World." This June 1 and 2, festival goers will again gather to celebrate the 60th anniversary of what is now known as the Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center. The event features wine, food, cras, kids activities and all things artichoke as well as live entertainment and much more. Find out more details, ticket information and entertainment lineup, visit www.artichoke- festival.org. Cabrillo College 41st Annual Mothers' Day Plant Sale Cabrillo College announc- es that its 41st Annual Mothers' Day Plant Sale will be held May 10, 11 and 12 at the Horticulture and Ag Tech Center at the Cabrillo College Aptos Campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. The largest annual col- lege plant sale in Central California, the annual event features annuals, perenni- als, organic vegetables, fruit trees, hanging flower baskets, decorative native plants, and much more! All proceeds benefit the Cabrillo College Horticul- ture and Ag Tech program. Cabrillo's 41st Annual Mothers' Day Weekend Plant Sale hours are: Friday, May 10 – Friends of the Garden pre-sale, silent auction and refresh- ments ($25 memberships available at the gate), 3-7p.m. Saturday, May 11 (free to the public) 9am -2pm Sunday, May 12 (free to the public) 10am-2pm. Please visit: www.cabrillo. edu/academics/horticulture/ for more information

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