The Land and it's people

AUGUST 2015Serving Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo Counties

Inside ...Watsonville development 2

STEM camp 3

Gonzales 4-H 4

Organic recycling 5

Green careers 6Please turn to Page 4

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By ERIK CHALHOUBOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — When Jesus Madrigal took over the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market from retiring

manager Nancy Gammons more than a year ago, he set a number of goals for himself.

First, make the market more family-oriented. Madrigal has worked to attract

New ideas taking shapeFarmers Market working with community organizations

Amelia Fernandez, 5, enjoys checking out the flower display at Santa Rosa Flowers at the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land By TODD GUILD

Of the Land

WATSONVILLE — For the first time in its history, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau on June 19 named two people as Farmer of the Year.

The award is presented annually, normally to a single farmer who has made an impact on the community beyond normal farming duties.

This year’s recipients are Marguerite Remde of Belle Farms and Chris Banthien of Valencia Creek Farms, both of whom farm olives and produce artisan olive oil.

In the midst of a scorching drought with no end in sight, their awards are appropriate, since their industry traditionally uses less water than other crops, according to the SCCFB.

Remde said olive trees are extremely drought tolerant.

“In many parts of Europe there are orchards that are not even irrigated,”

Two farmers earn annual honorMarguerite Remde and Chris Banthien share Farmer of the Year award

Chris Banthien

Marguerite Remde

By SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

GREENFIELD — In April the city passed a resolution that adopted water conservation measures and imposed a water surcharge on monthly water utility bills that would be effective at the beginning of June.

The purpose of the water surcharge was to encourage and promote water conservation. City water users would have the opportunity to participate in the Water Conservation Rebate programs to replace older and inefficient appliances with new appliances that use less water.

The rebates include a $150 rebate for residential customers who replace older, higher water use toilets, washing machines and dishwashers with high efficiency appliances. The rebates would be limited to three toilets, a dishwasher and a washing machine for each residential unit.

Rebates for installing a new hot water re-circulating pump would also be available. A building permit is required for the plumbing work but the permit cost would be waived. At the time of project completion the building inspector will verify the work is finished in accordance with the state plumbing code.

Are you thinking of replacing your lawn with very low or low water use plants? The city offers a rebate per square foot replaced. Taking out lawns and turf and replacing them with permeable landscape surfaces such as mulch, decomposed granite and permeable pavers is encouraged. The pop-up sprinklers would have to be replaced with a drip irrigation system. High water use plants such as turf seed, sod, vegetable gardens, vineyards, lawn ornaments, impervious surfaces, cement, decking, curbing, hot tubs, pools, building extensions, retaining walls,

City offers rebates for water conservation appliances and plants

By BETH BOLYARDOf the Land

PASO ROBLES — Not everyone is happy with Firestone Walker’s newly approved expansion, which is proposed to add 64,000 square feet of warehouse and office space at the 1400 Ramada Drive property and will require the removal of an oak tree on the property.

The proposal, approved by the Paso Robles Planning Commission June 23, will create an extra storage space for the facility on a vacant, three-acre lot currently being used for outdoor storage space adjacent to the Firestone campus as well as 39 extra parking spaces on the new warehouse building’s north side.

Craig and Cheryle Armstrong, owners of Arbiter Systems on Vendels Circle across from the Firestone campus, are displeased with the Planning Commission’s decision to move forward with the project and with Firestone’s decision to remove the oak tree on the property.

The oak tree, which was deemed “diseased beyond correction” and approved for removal by the City Council several years ago for a different project, is the subject for the Armstrong’s

An oak tree that stands on the Firestone Walker Brewing Company property is to be removed in order to make way for further development and parking at the location. Photo courtesy Cheryle Armstrong

Residents speak out about Firestone expansionNeighbors oppose oak tree removal

2 The Land - August 2015

PUBLISHERJohn Bartlett

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EDITORErik Chalhoub

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EDITORIAL STAFFTarmo Hannula, Todd Guild, Luke Phillips,

Allyson Oken, Samantha Bengtson and Hayley Thomas

ADVERTISINGTina Chavez

[email protected] Novack

[email protected] Stenberg

[email protected] Bailey

[email protected] Allred

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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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By TODD GUILDOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — A decade after the City of Watsonville annexed a 95-acre parcel near Highway 1 near Ohlone Parkway, and five years after the Manabe-Ow Business Park Specific Plan was approved, the weed-choked lot that once held strawberry fields could soon see its first industrial development.

Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx corporation has submitted a proposal to build a regional distribution center on a 25-acre portion of the property, Acting Community Development Director Keith Boyle said June 29.

The 194,000-square-foot facility would replace the company’s existing facility at 165 Technology Drive.

If approved, the plans would include infrastructure such as a road and bridge, water, electricity and sewer, which would in turn allow further industrial development on the Manabe-Ow property, said Interim City Manager Marcela Tavantzis.

“This is a great opportunity for Watsonville,” she said. “This development

brings us a regional center of an internationally recognized tenant, and many jobs suitable to our labor force. In addition, the construction of the infrastructure to serve this development opens the door for the creation of many more jobs.”

City staff has 30 days to review the plan to make sure it is consistent with the Manabe-Ow Business Park Specific Plan, Boyle said.

After that, the proposal will come back to the city for final revisions.

The specific plan, approved in 2010 by the Watsonville City Council, allows city officials to approve the project without council review as long as it meets specific plan guidelines, said Benjamin Ow of Ow Commercial, which will be developing the property.

It is unclear when construction would start, but a FedEx spokeswoman said Monday that it is scheduled to be complete by September 2016.

FedEx Communications Coordinator Nikki Mendicino said the site was chosen for its proximity to major highways and customers’ distribution centers. She also said the area offers a strong local community workforce.

Current employees will move to the new facility, and the company will hire new ones when necessary, Mendicino said.

The company has opened 11 new hubs and expanded or relocated more than 500 local facilities since 2005, she said.

The Manabe-Ow Business Park is a 95-acre site located just east of Highway 1 near Ohlone Drive. It boasts about 1 million

square feet of space for light industrial business, and another 30,000 square feet of retail space and 7.2 acres of work-force housing.

The plan for the FedEx facility includes a road and bridge for direct access from Ohlone Parkway, which was intended in part to allay concerns from residents in adjacent Seaview Ranch that development would increase traffic along Loma Vista Drive, which runs through the neighborhood.

The only access from that road will be for emergency vehicles.

“There would be no access through Seaview Ranch,” Boyle said. “That’s the good news. It would not impact the residential area.”

Ow called the proposal “a project that is 30 years in the making.”

The company purchased the land 10 years ago from William Bergstrom, who had been trying for nearly two decades to annex it from Santa Cruz County, Ow said.

Ow called the 2005 annexation of the Manabe-Ow property “the first huge hurdle.”

What followed was three years of discussions by the Manabe Ow Technological Advisory Committee, made up of Watsonville Wetlands Watch members, city officials, school district officials, businesses, residents and others.

“Really it was that team effort and community support that won over (the Local Agency Formation Commission) to make the annexation happen,” Ow said. “That was a highly political process, and there were literally hundreds of people

who came out in support.”The Watsonville City Council

unanimously approved the Manabe-Ow Specific Plan in October 2010, which lays out rules for traffic, building height, roads and environmental concerns, among other things.

The plan prohibits “big-box” stores and automobile sales, for example.

“We’re glad to see something happen there,” said Jim Van Houten, who served on the technological advisory committee for Watsonville Wetlands Watch. “It’s been a long time.”

Ow said he hopes the development will eventually help temper Watsonville’s unemployment rate.

“We see the Manabe-Ow Business Park as an opportunity to add jobs and promote economic development,” he said. “It has been a priority to develop something that the City of Watsonville can be proud of.”

Ow said his company has worked to further reduce the impact on the neighborhood from construction vehicles by routing construction traffic along Lee Road. Noise reduction plans call for the loading dock to face already noisy Highway 1, and for additional sound walls to help muffle noise.

In addition, the proposed height of the FedEx building is “substantially less” than that allowed under the specific plan, as is the projected “trip count” to and from the facility.

“We’re really proud of what we planned,” Ow said. “We think we have more than addressed the neighbor’s concerns.”

FedEx eyes Manabe-Ow propertyConstruction could herald in further development

Plans are all but sealed for a new FedEx distribution center to be built on a large swath of land on the Manabe-Ow property, sandwiched between Highway 1, the Seaview Ranch housing complex and Ohlone Parkway. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Students work on STEM projects during the camp at San Ardo Elementary School.

Read more on next page.

The Land - August 2015 3

Farmers Market Continued from page 1

402 Bassett St. • King CityPh: (831) 385-3507 • Fax: (831) 385-3508

TANKERS • LOWBOY • VEGETABLE HAULINGCody Bassetti (831) 320-2667

Serving the farming community

since 1984

more community organizations, those that offer activities for families, to set up shop during the weekly Friday market.

As an example, the Agricultural History Project now visits the market monthly, promoting their Second Saturday on the Farm event. On July 10, the organization set up its mechanical cow, a popular attraction that drew crowds of children.

Madrigal said the market recently received a permit from the city that allows it to play amplified music weekly. He is currently looking for local bands to perform.

The market is also working on establishing a resource booth, Madrigal said, adding that he is inviting nonprofit organizations to compile information on their resources, which can be handed out during the market.

“In the past, we have been approached by families with different needs and because we don’t have the information on hand we cannot help them without having them come back or giving their phone number,” he said. “I think that if the market has an informational booth where people can obtain resources, more people will stop and ask for help.”

Education and providing healthier food choices is another major goal on Madrigal’s

list. He mentioned he is in initial talks with organizations such as the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust and Jovenes Sanos to establish programs at the market.

He is also hoping to expand a partnership with Watsonville High School’s Future Farmers of America program, which frequently holds a booth at the market. Madrigal said he is looking to inform market-goers on the differences between buying from a farmers market versus a supermarket.

“We want to educate the community to see that eating fresh and local is a lot more beneficial and healthier than buying it from a grocery store,” he said.

And local produce is important to the market. Madrigal said with the exception of two vendors, who are from Fresno, all vendors are from the Pajaro Valley area.

Madrigal added that Women, Infants & Children, a program of Community Bridges, will distribute $20,000 this year for families to buy produce. Also, the Seniors Council distributed $3,700 on June 26 for seniors to purchase produce.

The Watsonville Certified Farmers Market, currently in its busiest time of the year, runs Fridays from 3-7 p.m. on Peck and Union streets. For information, call 588-7366.

Irie Cabral, 6, and her brother, Bradley, 4, pose for a photo with a model of a Holstein dairy cow, presented by the Ag History Project, at the Farmers Market. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Jesus Madrigal is the manager of the Watsonville Certified Farmers Market. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Submitted article

SAN ARDO — During their three days at STEM Camp, a classroom of South Monterey County students got to assume the roles of Avengers, Survivor castaways, and a CSI team. What better way to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) than by launching rockets, tying knots, and doing forensic research?

STEM Camp took place June 17-19 at San Ardo Elementary School. The summer learning program was funded by Chevron, coordinated by the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), and offered free of charge to K-12 students in South Monterey County.

“We see this as an investment in a community where we operate,” said Adam Alvidrez, Community Engagement Specialist with Chevron. “Students get excited about STEM in general, and maybe that sparks a passion for STEM-based careers in such industries as aerospace or agriculture.”

Using plastic bottles, water and a bicycle pump, students learned about propulsion on Avengers Day. Successful

rocket launches were greeted with cheers, while unsuccessful efforts meant a trip back to the drawing board.

“That is the scientific method,” said Brandon Swift, MCOE STEM coordinator. “We design, we test, and then redesign until we get it right.”

As Survivor castaways, students learned the basics of tying Alpine Butterfly and Bowline knots — useful skills when camping, climbing or even moving furniture. Dr. Catherine Reimer, San Ardo Union School District superintendent, sat in on the knot-tying exercise.

“The students really enjoyed the hands-on experience,” said Reimer. “We are extremely grateful for what Chevron has provided in this community. For students in rural areas, this is an exceptional opportunity to be exposed to STEM instruction.”

Other camp activities included the Human Knot, Styrofoam Balloon Boat races, and creating 3-D topographic models from a flat map.

Students from schools in the San Ardo, San Lucas, San Antonio and King City Union School Districts attended the camp.

South County students learn scientific principles at STEM camp

This students tests out his rocket project. Submitted photos


Farmer of the Year

Firestone

Rebates

Continued from page 1



Scurich InsuranceServices

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she said.Remde and Banthien got the honor at

the 98th Annual Meeting held at Kitayama Brothers in Watsonville.

“The board of directors felt it was appropriate to honor Marguerite and Chris because of their dedication to the community and their significant contributions within Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley,” SCCFB President Jess Brown said.

Remde’s farm, Belle Farms, irrigates its orchard with a drip system, which incorporates solar power and utilizes an existing reservoir, avoiding the need to irrigate from a well, SCCFB representatives stated in a press release.

Remde graduated from Saint Mary’s College as a double major in Economics and French, and moved to Watsonville in 1992 to work for Bargetto Winery.

She began farming in 1994, and she and her husband soon decided that grapes and olives make the perfect pair for their farm

They now produce award-winning olive oil and sell their products at various farmers markets.

Remde is a member of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Market, the Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. She is also active in her children’s schools and extracurricular activities and donates her products to many charities.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Remde said. “It was a huge surprise, and a really, really nice one. That organization is made up of so many great people, and there are so many farmers I respect.”

Chris Banthien, who runs Valencia Creek Farms, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a marketing degree.

She moved to California in the early ‘80s, bought her farm in 1989 in Aptos, which was then an abandoned apple orchard. It now has olive groves and terraced fields of flowers, as well as a home and barn/workspace.

She planted her first 100 olive trees in 1994, which were imported from Pescia, Italy.

That orchard has grown to more than 2,000 olive trees.

Banthien produces the award-winning Colline Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

She is described as being generous with her products to charity events.

She is a board member of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Market, a member of the California Olive Oil Council and the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.

“There are many things I love about farming,” she said. “The outdoor, active lifestyle and creating products people enjoy are equally wonderful.”

Chris Banthien was also named Farmer of the Year. Contributed photoMarguerite Remde (second from left) was named Farmer of the Year. She is shown with her husband Steve and children Audrey Belle, Garrett and Myles. Contributed photo

discontent, who requested a current study be done on the tree to see if the previous diagnosis still holds true.

Cheryle Armstrong believes the tree has come back to full health having been trimmed after the initial diagnosis.

“It was approved 13 years ago, but it looks like a thriving oak tree,” Armstrong said. “The tree is thriving after trimming.”

Constance Gannon, the executive director of Greenspace – The Cambria Trust, a San Luis Obispo County North Coast environmental protection organization, also wrote a letter of support for the preservation of the oak to the Paso Robles City Council members urging the council to reconsider the removal of the

tree.Historic trees are considered resources

that fall under the California Environmental Quality Act according to the organization and with the vicinity to the original El Camino Real, Greenspace believed the tree could be historically significant. The organization also believes with the number of dead and dying trees on the coast, every effort should be made to preserve healthy trees.

“With the large number of dead and dying coastal live oaks and black oaks due to the drought, every tree counts,” Gannon said in the letter.

Richard Hawley, the acting executive director of Greenspace while Gannon is

on sick leave, was available to comment on the issue and stated the state of trees in California is dire and not making an effort to preserve them was quickly going to be a thing of the past, stating that more trees were being removed in California than were being planted.

“Our general stance on trees is that, given the severity of drought, trees have more standing than a car. The days of taking down trees are numbered,” Hawley said.

Hawley emphasized the importance of Paso Robles citizens to make a stand for the oak tree while following certain protocols such as sending letters expressing concern to the company, stating that a friendly

appeal could go a long way.“It’s up to citizens in Paso Robles.

It would be a shame for this to go to wayside,” Hawley said. “It’s a friendly appeal, it’s not to be antagonistic.”

Armstrong wants to work together with Firestone Walker to preserve the tree and looks forward to working with them in the future.

“We are willing to work with firestone,” she said. “Willing to continue to work with (Firestone) to preserve the tree and make things work.”

A representative at Firestone Walker was not available to comment.

sheds, trellises, playground materials and fences do not qualify.

These rebate programs only apply to residential water customers. Proof of purchase and installation of each item for

which a rebate is available are required. For applications visit City Hall public counter or visit the city website at ci.greenfield.ca.us/index.aspx?page=319.

Gonzales 4-H announces new officersSubmitted article

GONZALES — Gonzales 4-H announced its 2015-2016 officers.

The new officers are: PRESIDENT - Andre MaturinoVICE PRESIDENT - Brittni LombardiRECORDING SECRETARY - Caitlyn PinedaCORRESPONDING SECRETARY - Kelsey RichardsonTREASURER - Cassi CalabroHEALTH OFFICER - Lucas BarbaHISTORIAN - Jasmine GuillenREPORTER - Yesenia DuranSUNSHINE BEARER - Lauren RichardsonFLAG BEARER - Nico MontesSERGEANT AT ARMS - Nicholas Barba and Colt RubboCOMMUNITY LEADERS - Christina Kaupp and Mark Richardson

Enrollment is taking place right now so if you are interested in signing up for Gonzales 4-H, email the club at [email protected] or call Christina at 320-8400.


By SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

GREENFIELD — Although the topic of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries has been discontinued for the foreseeable future, some residents still show interest in learning more and becoming educated on what having Medical Marijuana Dispensaries would mean for the City of Greenfield.

Resident Gabriel Trujillo approached the City Council during their meeting on June 9 wanting to know the status of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.

“The reason that I ask that is I went to a mixer in Salinas and Salinas brought up a good point,” said Trujillo. “They have a bunch of delivery services going around and none of that money is staying in Salinas it’s going directly to the state. They want to go ahead and make an ordinance where the money stays in Salinas and 10

percent goes to the schools.”Trujillo said that one of the reasons

or desires for the schools to get funds is because in South County kids are more of a statistic of who is going to be a gang member, end up in jail, or Juvenile Hall.

“I’m quoting this from a Monterey County School teacher, ‘Every school in America has teachers working for free on a daily basis,’” said Trujillo. “‘Go by any school parking lot early in the morning, late afternoon or even at night or on the weekends, and you will see them. No overtime, no bonuses, or promotions on the line just doing it for their students.’ Teachers are using their free time and often investing their own money in children literacy and prosperity and their future.”

A few months ago a study was done by WalletHub and an article was published by Forbes about the Most and Least Educated Cities in America, Salinas was ranked second, Modesto fifth, Visalia sixth, Bakersfield seventh and Fresno as number

10. Among the Most Educated was San Jose at seventh and the only California city to make the top 10.

“What people need to understand by setting an ordinance here in town, we can keep tax money here and especially in our schools,” said Trujillo. “Right now our tax dollars are going to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. We want the revenue to stay here in Greenfield and go to Greenfield High School or however you City Council members decide to go ahead and use that money.”

Another resident, Allison Steinmann, expressed concern over the press release which talked about the city no longer wanting to discuss dispensaries.

“It is clear in the press release that the residents will not consider moving forward on this matter,” said Steinmann. “This statement speaks on my behalf and I in no way gave permission for this statement to be made. This statement speaks for what residents? Like I said, not me. I take insult

to someone speaking for me without my permission.”

Steinmann said that the workshops that would have educated the public on alternative medicine which includes medical marijuana. Steinmann says that the residents of Greenfield had not been informed about the facts of alternative medicine.

“In the five years that I’ve lived here in Greenfield I’ve seen the opportunity for new and thriving large-scale businesses be passed by for Greenfield and I don’t understand that,” said Steinmann. “As an education professional in Greenfield I hear the wants and the needs of the parents and the teachers all the time that they want to see Greenfield grow. They want to see bigger things here. Our surrounding South Monterey County cities have surpassed the Greenfield economics and their populations are smaller than Greenfield excluding Soledad which includes the 11,000 inmates in their population.”

Some residents want to know more about Medical Marijuana Dispenaries


WATSONVILLE — As the City of Watsonville’s landfill is expected to close in three years, further diminishing Santa Cruz County’s landfill space, the Santa Cruz County Grand Jury is recommending the county step up its organic waste composting system.

The grand jury released its report June 25.

According to the report, the grand jury found that while the cities and county of Santa Cruz are in compliance with state laws requiring diversion of recyclables from the landfills, new laws will require “significant investment” in composting infrastructure.

The county currently uses the Monterey Regional Waste Management District facility in Marina for a pilot composting project, but depending on an out-of-county facility is not a viable long-term solution, the grand jury advised.

After a 2003-2004 grand jury report recommended efforts to increase recycling, the county, as well as cities, have adopted what is called “Zero Waste” resolutions, and banned many recyclables from the landfills.

The grand jury praised the county for extending the life of the landfills through

these practices, yet noted that compostable food waste is not allowed as part of “green cart” organic recycling.

In its report, the grand jury focused on organic solid waste, because it amounts to more than one-third of the county’s waste stream, it stated.

The grand jury pointed to Assembly Bill 1826, a piece of legislation that requires local jurisdictions to develop organic waste recycling programs by Jan. 1, 2016. The pilot food waste composting projects implemented by the county and the City of Capitola count toward compliance, the report stated.

Watsonville and Scotts Valley do not have an organic composting program, as they are waiting to evaluate the county’s long-term solution, according to the report.

The grand jury recommended that the cities of Watsonville, Capitola, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley join with the county to form a regional agency to develop a large-scale organics recycling system located within Santa Cruz County.

After a grand jury report is released, the agencies in question typically have up to 90 days to respond. The agencies are not, however, bound by law to follow the recommendations.

To view the entire report, visit tinyurl.com/q3wesbc.

Work needed on organic waste recycling, report statesGrand jury focuses on landfills

Staff report

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Nearly 200 volunteers fanned out across area beaches July 5 to help pick up after Fourth of July revelers.

Rachel Kippen, director of programs, said workers from Save Our Shores teamed up with volunteers in cleanups held at Davenport Main Beach, Cowell and Main Beach, Seabright State Beach, Twin Lakes State Beach, Sunny Cove, Moran Lake, Seacliff State Beach, Hidden Beach, Casa Verde Beach, Del Monte City Beach and Carmel City Beach.

In total, 182 volunteers prevented 1,947 pounds of debris from entering the water in two hours, according to Kippen.

Cowell and Main Beach was the dirtiest site with more than 676 pounds of waste removed, Kippen said. Davenport Main Beach came in second with 412 pounds of trash. The most common items found were cigarette butts and fireworks. Volunteers also found broken beach chairs, barbecue

grills and pop up tents.During last year’s Star Spangled Beach

Cleanup, 320 volunteers prevented 1,894 pounds of trash, Kippen said, from polluting 15 beaches along the Central Coast. This year, SOS focused the number of cleanup sites to 11 in order to concentrate volunteers into teams to give locations the attention they needed.

“We tend to get nervous on holidays that create a three-day weekend as increased foot traffic often leads to an increase in trash left in the sand. I was pleasantly surprised by how clean many locations were this year,” said SOS Program Coordinator Bronti Patterson. “I attribute this success to our dedicated volunteers who led outreach and cleanup efforts as well as this sense of responsibility from our community to protect our beautiful coastline.”

In past years, SOS has seen trash cans overflowing at the beach on July 5, so the nonprofit teamed up with the City and County of Santa Cruz, GreenWaste,

California State Parks and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to increase the number of trash cans and dumpsters on the beach during Independence Day weekend.

Volunteers collect nearly 2,000 pounds of trash

Petra Mottishaw, a sanctuary steward with Save Our Shores, helps with the annual beach clean up at Seabright State Beach. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land



WATSONVILLE — Phones in hand, a group of students combed the beach of Pajaro Dunes and the adjacent Watsonville Slough July 8, searching for Snowy Plover nests while tracking down native plant species.

Using an iPhone app called EasyTrails, the students mapped out the coordinates where they found clusters of native plants such as pickleweed and Indian paintbrush. The data will then be uploaded to Google Maps to show where certain plants thrive.

The 12 students are part of Watsonville Wetlands Watch’s inaugural Green Careers Summer Institute for Pajaro Valley Teens, a paid four-week long program aimed to expose youth to green jobs in the community.

During the weeks, the students focused on four areas: organic agriculture, water quality monitoring, digital mapping and natural resource management.

“This is an opportunity to plug students into the plethora of green careers that exist right here in our community,” said Noelle Antolin, director of education programs

at Watsonville Wetlands Watch. “They can see the access that they have to a real job that can generate real income without having to go anywhere.”

The students on July 8 were in the third week of the program, which focused on digital mapping. Earlier in the week, the group met at Digital Nest, where the students were introduced to mapping and why it is relevant.

Local experts in the field were also on hand for a career panel, giving students the opportunity to ask them questions about their work.

Such skills are becoming valuable in the agriculture industry, Antolin said, as people with knowledge of geographic information systems are in high demand. Growers are increasingly using these systems to map out irrigation and different soil types, for instance.

Antolin said Wetlands Watch recently completed a two-year pilot program at Pajaro Valley High School with the Santa Cruz County Regional Occupational Program.

While the program focused on green careers, organizers realized that the strict classroom structure was limiting for the students, who were unable to go out in the

field for hands-on experience, Antolin said.Determining the program wasn’t quite

working out as it was intended to, Wetlands Watch began revamping the program in January and getting their community partners involved.

As a result, the program received much support from local organizations and county departments. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education Work for Youth program is paying the students during the four weeks, while the City of Watsonville Public Works Department and the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency are providing training in water quality monitoring. Other organizations providing support include the County of Santa Cruz GIS Department, Cal State Monterey Bay and Digital Nest.

Funding for the program is provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Strong Foundation and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education Work for Youth Program.

Other activities during the institute included a tour of organic agriculture at Lonely Mountain Farm in Corralitos and a group bike ride through wetlands trails by Bike Santa Cruz County.

Environmental Education Specialist

Darren Gertler said the students were “really into” the program, excitedly “mapping away,” even forgetting when lunch time was.

“That says how they feel about it,” he said.

Rocio Sanchez, who graduated from Pajaro Valley High School in June and plans on attending UC Los Angeles in the fall, said she’s recently become involved in environmental issues.

“It’s something really important that we need to start looking towards,” she said. “Rather than have it be something ‘green,’ it should be something that’s normal and conventional.”

Rodrigo Garcia, who is entering into his senior year at Pajaro Valley High School, said he plans on studying plant science at UC Santa Cruz.

“It’s really fun,” he said of the program. “I’m learning things I didn’t know I’d be interested in.”

After completing the program, the students will participate in wetland activities through the fall at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center. They will also help prepare plants for Wetlands Watch’s third annual Habitat Festival and Native Plant Sale on Oct. 3.

Taste of green careersSummer institute gives students job skills

Indian paintbrush is one of the plants students were counting at Pajaro Dunes. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Rocio Sanchez works on digitally mapping the land and surrounding vegetation at Pajaro Dunes. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

At the last meeting of the year, King City Blue Ribbon 4-H Club donated about 20 stuffed teddy bears to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office to be given to traumatized children. Presenting the bears to Crime Prevention Specialist Donna Galletti and Deputy Kennedy are chairpersons Mary and Andy Pozzi.

On June 7, about 70 King City Blue Ribbon 4-H-ers, relatives and friends enjoyed an end-of-the-year barbecue at Star Farms in San Miguel. Swimming, kayaking, volleyball, football, good food, and just relaxing was enjoyed by all. Members attending were: Athena Perez, Jarely Vazquez, Janice Burnes, Madison Owens, Jose Armenta, Natalie Vazquez, Brenna Owens, Jesse Ledezma, Jannelle Armenta, Elias Gonzalez, Ricky Delgado, Sebastian Garcia, Andres Cervantes, Andrew Williams, David Gonzalez, Megan Flores, Yaaressi Pineda and Andy and Mary Pozzi.


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By TARMO HANNULAOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — On June 20 the public got a rare chance to a glimpse behind the scenes of five area farms thanks to the annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House.

For six years in a row the free event has introduced the public to how crops, flowers and decorative plants are grown, harvested and shipped. Visitors were also able to peer into the past and learn about the history of the various growers via signboard and photo displays.

Tour organizer Kathleen Williford said that she was impressed with the turnout.

“The weather is perfect and there have been large crowds at each stop,” Williford said. “So far it’s been a wonderful day.”

At Kitayama Brothers in Watsonville guided tours were provided to the public

to unveil their flower growing operation. Since each venue on the tour singles out an organization to donate proceeds to, Kitayama chose the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Funds were raised by flower sales and from a table set up by Lakeside Organic Gardens that offered a wealth of locally grown vegetables.

“I actually worked here for a short while so it means a lot to me to come back and get a sense of how they are doing,” said Debbie Hannas of Aptos. “It’s the first open house event I’ve been to. I think it’s a great idea; there’s so much to learn.”

Ted Kitayama, one of the founders of the business, was on hand to greet visitors.

President of Kitayama Brothers, Robert Kitayama, said the day went well.

“Even though we had nice weather attendance was slightly down,” he said. “We had about 700 people come this year, where last year we had over 1,000. We’re

What’s in that greenhouse?Five area farms open doors to public for annual tour

Ted Kitayama is one of the founders of Kitayama Brothers that was established in 1969 in Watsonville. Photo by Amy Bartlett/The Land

People take advantage of low prices for produce at Kitayama Brothers on San Andreas Road during the sixth annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Gerbera daisies were for sale at Kitayama Brothers. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

very thankful for all the people that took time to come out.”

The other tour participants this year were Succulent Gardens in Castroville, California Pajarosa in Watsonville, McLellan Botanicals and Four Winds

Growers, both of Aromas. Watsonville Wetlands Watch also joined the open house for the first time this year to educate the public about drought-resistant native plants.


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The Land and it's people

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