The LAND and it's people

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

Inside ...Greenfield FFA 2

National 4-H week 3

AGventure 4

Water delivery 6

Birding Festival 7Please turn to Page 3

Please turn to Page 3Please turn to Page 5

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By BETH BOLYARDOf the Land

PASO ROBLES — Jack Creek Farms, one of the only pumpkin patch in the area 50 years ago, is now among many pumpkin, you-pick farms that

offer fall festivities and local organic merchandise, but the little farm off Highway 46 remains one with a deep rooted, Paso Robles history.

The fifth-generation farm, started by Miles Barlagio in the 1960s, is now run

Paso pumpkin farm with deep seeded history

Jack Creek Farms offers event throughout the holidays

Mandy and Becky Barlagio stand outside the family farm, Jack Creek Farms, off Highway 46 West in Paso Robles while preparing for upcoming fall festivities at the farm. Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land

By TODD GUILDOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — In a packed community room atop the Watsonville Civic Plaza building on Oct. 5, city and county officials described what they have done to prepare for the expected winter deluge, and what they will do in the event of flooding.

Residents were still filtering in to the packed room as the 6 p.m. meeting began, and the estimated 150 attendees surprised city officials, who were expecting 100.

The informational meeting was attended by Watsonville City Council members, several police and fire officials, city and county staff and County Supervisor Greg Caput.

It was prompted by news that heavy rains from an El Niño event are on their way, which could lead to rising waters in creeks and rivers and possibly flooding.

The officials were there to relay information such as where to get sandbags, what to do in case of flooding and who to call during emergencies.

They were also there to take questions from concerned residents.

“What do we do to prepare in case of emergency,” Mayor Nancy Bilicich asked. “We’re here tonight to tell you but we really want to hear from you too.”

Watsonville Public Works Director Steve Palmisano said heavy rains could overwhelm the city’s drainage system and cause some flooding if it falls too quickly.

“We have a very well functioning system, but it has its limitations,” Palmisano said.

He praised the workers who will be out

Helping the community prepareMore than 100 attend flood workshop Staff report

WATSONVILLE — A total of 3,220 volunteers picked up 6.2 tons of trash Sept. 19 at the 31st annual Save Our Shores Coastal Cleanup, said Ryan Kallabis of Save Our Shores.

In just three hours, the volunteers, which included more than 500 students, at 85 cleanup sites between Año Nuevo Bay and Arroyo Seco River in the Los Padres National Forest prevented nearly 6.2 tons of trash from entering the Pacific Ocean.

Priscilla Lopez of Watsonville said her concern for the environment led her to the event.

“I care about our environment so this event is a good way to help,” she said. “I came to the river levee because beaches aren’t the only area that need to be cleaned; all this trash could eventually be washed downstream to the sea so it is important to be here picking up trash as well.”

In Santa Cruz County, 2,015 volunteers removed 8,699 pounds of waste. In Monterey County, 1,254 volunteers removed 7,583 pounds of waste.

The total pounds of recycling removed in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties combined was 2,649 pounds.

Notable and unusual cleanup finds include nine shopping carts at Upper Carr Lake in Salinas, 27 needles at the Tannery Arts Center, two bicycles, four mattresses, 20 tires, and 35 battery

Volunteers collect more than 6 tons of trash

Priscilla Lopez volunteers her efforts to help pick up trash along the Pajaro River levee as part of the annual Save Our Shores Coastal Cleanup. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

By SAMANTHA BENGTSONOf the Land

GREENFIELD — The King City High School FFA are excited for the year ahead of them and showed their enthusiasm in a presentation made to the school board on Sept. 15 at Greenfield High School.

“We have over 600 members and we make up over half of the school’s enrollment,” said Tina Soares, Sentinel.

This year the FFA theme is “Step Up to the Plate and Lead,” which was chosen because the chapter is very competitive and the officers wanted to keep their chapter motivated to get out of their comfort zone. The Officers presented the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District board

King City High School FFA excited for the upcoming year

King City High School Officers pose for a picture after their presentation. Pictured, from left to right: Reporter Justin Mantel, President Matthew Umbarger and Treasurer Freddy Hernandez Front Row: Vice President Anyssa Trujillo, Historian Elle Skromme, Anna Martinez, and Sentinel Tina Soares.

2 The Land - November 2015

PUBLISHERJohn Bartlett

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EDITORErik Chalhoub

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EDITORIAL STAFFTarmo Hannula, Todd Guild, Luke Phillips,

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ADVERTISINGTina Chavez

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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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GREENFIELD — High School FFA Officers presented their schedule for the upcoming year with different events such as conferences, fairs, and more to the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Board on Sept. 16.

“This year we chose our motto to be

‘Will it be easy?No. Worth it? Yes,’” said Norvella Mendoza, president. “The reason why we chose this motto is to emphasize our learning.”

Beginning the new FFA year in June, the FFA members went to an overnight trip, in July an overnight officer retreat, an ice cream social in August and SOLC (Section Officer Leadership Conference) that Mendoza and Gissel Neri Corcoles, vice president, went to. In September they also held a movie and pizza night. Ending the month of September will be Blue and Gold Games at Toro Park.

During the next month, the FFA members will be attending the Monterey Bay Section Opening and Closing at Alvarez High School, a conference in Paso Robles, an overnight trip to Hollister for South Coast COLC, Greenfield Harvest

Festival, Greenhand Day, Greenhand Banquet and Farm Day.

“Farm Day is going to be a new tradition that we are going to start,” said Neri Corcoles. “We’re going to have kids from Cesar Chavez come and experiment and learn more about agriculture.”

In November there will be a Roy’s Swiss Sausage fundraiser as well as FFA

BIG and Co-Ops which will be hosted by Greenfield High School. During the month of November FFA members will also be raising funds with Thanksgiving Centerpieces. In December the FFA members will take part in caroling, a Can Food Drive, Holiday Gram Fundraiser and MB Section Creed at King City High School.

Greenfield FFA officers present their schedule

This year’s Greenfield High School Officers include Treasurer Ramon Fragso, Historian Lizbeth Ramirez, Historian Anthony Camacho, President Norvella Mendoza, Reporter Athena Ramirez, and Sentinel Damaris Ispache. Not pictured are Vice President Gissel Neri Corcoles and Secretary Lizbeth Cordova.

President Norvella Mendoza tells the board about the FFA events that occurred in June. All the officers presented their year plans to the SMCJUHSD board members. They plan to take 30 animals to this year’s Salinas Valley Fair.


KING CITY — Fall marks harvest time for farmers and “crush” season was certainly in full swing as Nick Azcona brought his olives to be crushed for olive oil.

Azcona brought his olives to the 300 block of San Antonio Street on Oct. 7 from Pine Canyon and contracted with Mill on Wheels, a mobile olive pressing service to make olive oil and olive paste. The olives ranged from green in color to some purple and yellow.

The process for Mill on Wheels begins by weighing the olives. Once the olives have been weighed the they go into a “hopper” conveyor and pass under a vacuum that takes out leaves.

Olives then fall into water where they get washed and are under an enclosed area. Once the washing process is complete the olives move onto a conveyor belt and go back up to be smashed, similar to a hammer-like situation with the pit and all. Then the malaxation kneads the paste like kneading dough. Water is stirred into the paste and the oil molecules clump together and concentrate. The oil is separated from the paste and goes inside the mobile mill and the paste is taken outside.

“We are harvesting the olives in Pine Canyon right now and we like a little bit of purple color in the olives,” said Azcona. “The oil looks like melted butter.”

Mill on Wheels is operated by master millers and in this case it was Clotide Julien and Yves Julien. The Juliens were also training a master miller for a mobile mill in Texas, Christine McCabe.

Fall is a perfect time for making olive oil

Olives in three stages of oil and paste production. Starting on the left, olives washing, drying on the conveyor belt on the way to the crushed and malaxation process. The malaxation process will knead the olives to release the oil.

The olives begin the oil making process by separating the leaves from the olives.

The final product to use for cooking.

The Land - November 2015 3

Pumpkin Farm

Volunteers

King City FFA

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

Greenfield FFA officers present their scheduleby his two great-granddaughters, Becky and Mandy Barlagio, who continue his pumpkin selling tradition as well as other fun events.

The women run the farm with the help of their mother, Joy Barlagio, where they sells local products at the on site mercantile, allow visitors to you-pick apples, pumpkins and heirloom tomatoes among other produce and hold annual events to celebrate various seasons.

On Oct. 3, the farm held its popular Pumpkin Palooza event where families can bring their children buy any size pumpkin and paint it for free, just in time for fall.

The event featured a book signing with Betty L. Winter, the author of “A Pumpkin for Max,” a children’s book that was originally inspired by the Barlagio’s

roadside farm.While kids and parents waited for their

painted pumpkins to dry, kids participated in several activities available on the farm including dummy steer roping, an autumn maze, visiting with the bunnies, and other activities.

The annual pumpkin patch isn’t the only thing the farm offers visitors. There was a lineup of events through October that celebrate fall followed by other holiday events in November and December including tree sales, wreath making and pictures with Santa.

For information on Jack Creek Farms and their upcoming events, visit jackcreekfarms.com.

Jack Creek Farms, located off Highway 46 West in Paso Robles, offers seasonal you-pick pumpkins, apples, berries and tomatoes as well as seasonal events and field trips. Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land

with a Plan of Action (POA). The POA contained the King City High School FFA Chapter’s budget, calendar, historical facts and awards.

Currently the KCHS FFA Chapter holds 47 State degrees — a new record for the state of California, seven American degrees, 29 Section Proficiency winners, 9

Regional winners and eight State Finalists. KCHS FFA Chapter also holds the record of six State winners and three National finalists. Those three National Finalists interviewed in Louisville, Kentucky during the National Convention in October.

“Our goals this year mainly focus on pushing our members to step up to the plate

and aim for success,” said Anyssa Trujillo, vice president. “We would like to increase new opportunities for our members so that they may get more involved with FFA. We would also like to create a stronger and

closer bond to our community and we plan on doing this by serving at community dinners and paint the town blue and gold during FFA week.”

King City High School FFA Officers talk about their club in front of the School Board at Greenfield High School Library.

chargers at San Lorenzo River at the Felton Covered Bridge, half of a kayak at Seabright Beach and 22 Mylar balloons at Moss Landing.

When asked about the event, Annual Coastal Cleanup Coordinator Bronti Patterson said, “This year’s results were encouraging. We covered the same area as last year with almost the same volunteer turnout, but removed thousands of pounds less trash. SOS thanks all participants, supporters, and partners that helped make the 31st Annual Coastal Cleanup successful, especially the City and

Counties of Santa Cruz and Monterey, California State Parks, Greenwaste, and Waste Management.”

Executive Director of the Ocean Protection Council Catherine Kuhlman said she joined five others from her Sacramento-based organization on a trip to Santa Cruz County to help clean up in Watsonville.

“I’m just so happy to see so many people come out to pitch in today,” she said. “There are a lot of young people out as well and that is a good sign.”

Scores of volunteers showed up for the Coastal Cleanup. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

National 4-H Week took place Oct. 4-10. The theme for this year’s National 4-H Week is “4-H Grows Here.” Mission 4-H members raise animals, enjoy craft projects and help in the community. Mission 4H presents its officers for 2015-2016, their local group motto is “To Make the Best Better.”

Pictured, from left to right, front row: Morghan Mansfield, Historian; Cassidy Kuchta, Recreation Officer; Adam Guidotti,

Treasurer; Angelina Maydon, Recreation Officer; Yaneli Alcantar, Sergeant at Arms; Emily Braga, Health Living Officer. Left to right, back row: Alicia Massa, President; Kyras Headley, Communications/Reporter; Ashton Headley, Secretary; Anthony Shepherd, Vice President; Sabrina Rathbun, Historian; Lauren Mirassou, Historian. Not pictured: Autum LaMacchia, Sergeant at Arms

Submitted photo

Mission 4-H celebrates National 4-H week


Scurich InsuranceServices

Scurich InsuranceServices License #0436405

Servicing the Agricultural Community Since 1924

320 East Lake AvenueWatsonville, CA 96076Phone: (831) 722-3541

www.scurichinsurance.com

By BETH BOLYARDOf the Land

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Event Center transformed into a world of agriculture learning as more than 1,200 fourth-graders from across San Luis Obispo County came together for the 13th annual Great AGventure, on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Students from 25 different county schools attended the large-scale, interactive agriculture learning day and were accompanied by 45 teachers and more than 200 parent chaperones.

The size and scope of the event alone could make it one of the largest educational showcases of its kind in San Luis Obispo County, according to Lorraine Clark, the Coordinator for the San Luis Obispo County Agriculture Education Committee.

The morning of the event, groups of students were escorted through an arena “class” event about horses where horse riders showed off a few competition riding styles as well as talked about how to take care of a horse. The students also watched the horse riders herd a small group of cattle and were able to ask questions after the presentation.

The students also participated in five additional 20-minute demonstrations presented by various agriculture volunteers including roping practice, a horse power demonstration, butter making as well as demonstrations about feed, chickens, hogs, goats, cotton, insects, apple grafting, grapes along with a few display tractors.

Over 45 presenters presented each “AG-tivity” from various aspects of the agricultural industry, which demonstrated their role in the agriculture business.

The San Louis Obispo County CattleWomen, who have presented at the event for 13 years, showed students how to make butter out of heavy whipping cream by shaking the cream in a small container.

“The kinds get to make butter from heavy whipping cream, and that’s just as exciting as can be for them.” One of the SLO CattleWomen presenters said. “We tell them to keep shaking their containers until they hear a ‘thunka thunka’ noise. They’re always surprised when they get butter.”

The SLO Cattlewomen presenters talked with the students about how butter used to be transported through the Cayucos docks. When they were finished, students could enjoy their butter creations with a cracker.

The AGventure day was a huge help for students looking to learn more about agriculture and Emily Eckles, a fourth grade teacher at Lillian Larsen Elementary School in San Miguel, said the event helped students get excited about their agriculture curriculum.

“We just finished up learning about the California regions, so we just talked about the Central Valley and what it gives us,” Eckles said. “So this ties in with our curriculum.”

The entire program was free to local schools, including transportation costs and the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Fund made

the educational opportunity possible. Over 15,000 students have gone through

this program in the past 12 years and the

program’s goal is to demonstrate the importance of agriculture in everyone’s life and develop an understanding about this vital resource.

For information about SLO County Agricultural Education Committee, visit sloaged.org.

The Great AGventure a great hit

Students try their hand at roping a fake steer at the Great AGventure Wednesday, Oct. 7. Students from around the county participated in a large-scale, agriculture-learning event at the Paso Robles Event Center. Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land

Students listen to a presentation about swine at the Great AGventure. Photo by Beth Bolyard/The Land


around the clock, keeping the city safe during heavy rains.

“These people are out in the middle of the night,” he said. “These are people who are absolutely devoted to the community.”

“Much more is going on than you might imagine,” he said.

Solid Waste Division Manager Gabriel Gordo said the city has increased the amount of days workers are sweeping the streets, so that debris cannot build up in storm drains and impede water flow.

Workers are also focusing on cleaning the First Street channel, Gordo said.

Ruben Tellez, who works at the city’s recycled water plant, said workers routinely maintain the citywide system of pumps that operate automatically during heavy rains, and respond 24 hours a day to emergency breakdowns.

Water Services Manager Steve Hernandez said the city has added a second sandbag filling station at the Home Depot store on Green Valley Road after residents took away 100 tons of sand in 400 bags last year from Watsonville Fire Station 1.

Hernandez said that workers were patrolling last year during heavy October storms, monitoring storm drains and repairing the levees.

He said the department is ready to do the same this year.

“I’m very confident that if we had a

major event we would get through it,” he said.

Watsonville Fire Chief Pablo Barreto told the attendees that emergency workers will prioritize public service calls and calls for rescue.

Should a major emergency arise, the county will activate its emergency response team and Red Cross response, Barreto said.

He stressed, however, that residents can be prepared by getting and placing sandbags before the rains fall.

“Just a few sandbags can actually make a difference in protecting your property,” he said.

Finally, they should heed orders to leave if emergency officials deem it necessary, he said.

“When we start asking for evacuation, we really need you to be prepared and be ready to go,” he said.

Watsonville Police Lt. Saul Gonzalez suggested that residents subscribe to the Nixle alert system, which sends out emergency information to cell phones.

They can also subscribe to “Code Red” notifications, which also provides emergency information such as evacuation notices.

Watsonville Environmental Projects Manager Jackie McCloud said people living here can prepare for the rains

by cleaning the storm drains near their residences if safe.

They should also keep emergency supplies on hand, and develop emergency and evacuation plans with their families, McCloud said.

County flood control manager Bruce Leclergue said the predicted “Godzilla” El Niño is expected to bring 130 percent above-average rainfall this month and November, and a whopping 220 percent in December, January and February.

“We’re paying a lot of attention to this and we’re very well positioned to deal with it depending on how it arrives,” he said.

Leclergue said the county closely monitors rainfall, keeping close tabs on rising river and stream levels and measuring rainfall down to the milliliter.

He pointed to recent efforts to improve South County’s levee system, which increased flow by 6,000 cubic feet per second.

That work, which included widening the channels and raising the height of the levees, was prompted by several large rainfall events that overwhelmed the system several times. Most recently, the levee broke and flooded Pajaro in 1995.

“We’re well postured to face this winter, as gloomy as it may be,” Leclergue said. “We got through those and we’ll get through this.”

Marilyn Rivers, who lives on Atri Court in the Bay Village neighborhood, said after the meeting that she came hoping to hear what officials are doing to prepare.

“It seems they have done a lot of planning and preparation,” she said. “I’m very happy about that.”

Neighbor Shirley Crum agreed.“I think they did a wonderful job,” she

said.

•••

How to get prepared for and get through heavy rains

• Call Watsonville’s customer service division for information at 768-3133

• Visit cityofwatsonville.org• Do not walk or drive in flooded areas.• Manhole covers can become dislodged

and create serious hazards such as open manholes.

• Avoid low-lying areas.• Register for Nixle alerts at local.nixle.

com/watsonville-police-department/• Register for Code Red alerts at scr911.

org• Retrieve free sandbags at Home Depot,

355 Green Valley Road, Watsonville Fire Station 1, 115 2nd St.

• Place the sandbags before rains start

The Great AGventure a great hit Flood Workshop Continued from page 1

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

SALINAS — Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) hosted an Agricultural Roundtable at the National Steinbeck Center on Oct. 7 with agricultural leaders from throughout the Salinas Valley to discuss a range of topics including water, crop protections, El Niño-related flooding, labor and maintenance of the Salinas River.

Participants included the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Monterey County Farm Bureau, the California Strawberry Commission, the Growers-Shippers Association and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.

“There is no substitute for hearing directly from growers about the issues of importance to agriculture and to that end, today’s forum was a success,” Alejo said. “The discussion was wide ranging, and included steps for preparing the Salinas River for the potential storms of El Niño, to securing state and local financing for the

construction of the Interlake Tunnel Water Storage from Lake Nacimento to Lake San Antonio.”

In Monterey County alone, agriculture supports more than 76,000 jobs and contributes over $8 billion to the local economy. The importance of agriculture to the Salinas Valley has been a central theme of Alejo’s work, including authoring legislation to streamline the process for adjudicating ground water rights (AB 1390; sent to the Governor); legislation to enable California to grant worker permits to undocumented agriculture workers (AB 20; to be reintroduced in 2015); and legislation to expedite the Interlake Tunnel Water Storage project connecting Lake Nacimento to Lake San Antonio, dramatically increasing the region’s water storage capacity.

“We were pleased to co-host and participate in today’s forum,” said Jim Bogart, President & General Counsel for the Growers-Shippers Association. “The issues discussed focused primarily on water and labor, which are of utmost

importance to our members. It was a pleasure to discuss challenges and brainstorm solutions with our members and legislators today.”

“The Monterey County Farm Bureau values the collaboration with our state representatives on issues of importance to the local agricultural community,” said Norm Groot, Executive Director

of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. “Groundwater sustainability, crop protection tools, and the availability of labor are our leading concerns and the hope is that next year’s legislative session can provide an opportunity to enhance food production in the Salinas Valley with common-sense approaches to everyday issues.”

Alejo meets with Salinas Valley agricultural leaders

Assemblyman Luis Alejo (center) speaks during the Agricultural Roundtable with Supervisor Simon Salinas (right) and others on Oct. 7 in Salinas. Contributed


SUBMITTED ARTICLE

LOCKWOOD — The first general meeting of the Lockwood 4-H Club held on Wednesday, Sept. 9, was called to order at 7 p.m. by Club President Bret Wilkins.

The flag salute and 4-H pledge were led by Sergeant at Arms Josh Riley. Vice President Jewel Anthony welcomed new members and guests to the club meeting. The club was advised that Seralyn Colton was selected as the Club Photographer over the summer and she will be taking pictures of the club’s ongoing participation and activities throughout the year.

Community Club Leader Staci Wilkins installed the 2015-2016 clubs’ officer team. The minutes from the June General Meeting were provided electronically and in paper form to the members for review. A motion to approve the minutes as read was made, seconded and passed. The Correspondence Report was given by Club

Secretary Megan Weferling, who reported a thank you letter was written to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store in Salinas for their

generous donation of yarn and other craft items that were provided to Lockwood and other 4-H clubs within Monterey County for use in their projects. The treasurer’s report was read by Club Treasurer Rachel Wilkins. A motion to approve the treasurer’s report was made, seconded and passed.

The many adult volunteers who attended this meeting talked about their projects for this year so members know what to expect and can make an informed decision about what they want to sign up for. There were many projects to select from including various livestock, fashion revue, bowling, metal working, archery, first aid/CPR, baking, and more. Several prepared reports were read by club members to give a recap or update regarding ongoing club activities. It was reported that Rachel Wilkins received Grand Champion Meat

Pen at the Monterey County Fair. Members were reminded that the Monterey County Achievement Night was held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Spreckels.

National 4-H Week was held from Oct. 4-10. Members are encouraged to wear their uniform and reach out to community members to discuss the program. The membership was also advised that Hannah Wilkins was the successful recipient of the club’s Scholarship Award for the 2014-2015 year. Recreation Leader Penny Riley led two games for the club, including “Two Truths and a Lie” so the members could get to know the officer team and a game called “Hats” where members dressed up in a hat and told a story about it. The members whose birthdays happened over the summer were called up and the club sang them happy birthday before they received a treat.

By TODD GUILDOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency on Oct. 1 unveiled three projects that will help local water officials better deliver water to the drought-parched Pajaro Valley, and improve the quality of the water.

The projects are expected to reduce the amount of water taken from the aquifer after years of overdraft and subsequent saltwater intrusion.

PVWMA hydrologist Brian Lockwood said the agency can only provide 70 percent of the current annual 10,000 acre-feet demand. An acre-foot of water is about 326,000 gallons.

The first project is a 1.5 million gallon storage tank, and new pumps at the Recycled Water Facility on Clearwater Lane. This will help PVWMA treat and store water at night when agricultural demand is low to be used for irrigation when farmers need it.

The project will produce an estimated 750 acre-feet per year. It will be paid for through a $900,000 grant from Gov. Jerry Brown’s emergency drought response efforts. The remainder will be funded by a low-interest State Revolving Fund drought emergency loan.

A new pipeline, also at the Recycled Water Facility, will allow the agency to blend clean water with the ocean water being drawn from wells impacted by saltwater intrusion into the aquifer.

That project will deliver water from the north end of the system near Sunset beach south to Elkhorn Slough.

Finally, an 8,000-foot pipeline along Bluff Road near Jensen Road will help deliver fresh water to farmers in a 180-acre area of farmland severely impacted by saltwater intrusion.

“This is really the last big gap in the delivered water system as it exists,” said Lockwood.

Stuart Kitayama of KB Farms, which has crops in that area, said his business has been impacted by the salty water.

Kitayama said that 60 percent of the water he uses for irrigation comes from the water recycling plant. KB Farms has been using recycled water since the plant was built in 2002.

“This takes pressure off our pumps and gives us better water,” he said.

The projects are part of the PVWMA Basin Management Plan. In all, they will cost $4.77 million, much of which is covered by state and federal grants. They are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

For a future project, Lockwood said PVWMA will study ways to capture and store the 2,400 acre-feet water that is drained every year from College Lake, and which flows to the Monterey Bay.

“These are going to help us provide adequate recycled water supply to the community,” said Watsonville Public Works Director Steve Palmisano.

Project to improve water deliveryExpected to be finished by the end of the year

Gold shovels and balloons mark the spot where ground will be broken for part of the project. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

An upbeat kickoff celebration was staged where Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency unveiled three projects that will help local water officials better deliver water to the drought-parched Pajaro Valley, and improve the quality of the water. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

The 2015-2016 Lockwood 4-H Officers were installed at the first general meeting of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Pictured, from left to right: President Bret Wilkins, Vice President Jewel Anthony, Treasurer Rachel Wilkins, Secretary Megan Weferling, Sergeant at Arms Josh Riley, Recreation Leader Penny Riley and Photographer Seralyn Colton. Photo by H. Wilkins

Lockwood 4-H Club meets


Seed Dynamics is specialized inseed-applied plant protectants

SEED DYNAMICS Inc. The Seed Preparation Professionals®

1081 Harkins RoadP.O. Box 6069

Salinas, CA 93912Telephone (831) 424-1177 • Fax (831) 424-0174

Staff report

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — The Board of Trustees of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County on Sept. 25 approved $300,000 in additional matching funds to a $6.3 million federal grant to help build the Coastal Rail Trail from Wilder Ranch State Park to Coast Dairies. The Land Trust committed the bulk of the matching funds for this five-mile segment earlier this year, with a $3 million pledge.

The Land Trust joined the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) in the effort to help build the Rail Trail in August of last year, when the nonprofit’s board approved a $260,000 match for a segment of the trail from downtown Watsonville to Lee Road.

“I am thrilled that the Land Trust has come forward to support this project,” said Ryan Coonerty, Third District Supervisor and Commissioner of RTC. “Because of their commitment to match federal and state grants, 25 percent of the 32-mile trail will be built in just a few short years. We

are fortunate to have an organization like the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County in our community.”

Coonerty also said matching funds will come from the CA Coastal Conservancy.

RTC requested an additional Land Trust match due to adjustments made to the federal grant. A grant amendment extended the North Coast segment by nearly half a mile, tacking on an additional $600,000 in estimated costs. The amendment also pushes for an earlier completion date, probably by 2018.

“The Rail Trail project is off to a strong start, and we are so excited to be part of this effort that we believe will transform transportation in our county,” said Land Trust President Terry Corwin.

The Land Trust launched a $20 million campaign in October that will raise funds for a variety of projects, including the Coastal Rail Trail. Gifts to the Coastal Rail Trail and other campaign projects can be made now on the Land Trust website at www.LandTrustSantaCruz.org or by calling 429-6116.

Land Trust commits additional $300,000 to Rail Trail

By TARMO HANNULAOf the Land

WATSONVILLE — The 11th annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival, which has roped in bird enthusiasts from as far away as Great Britain and Canada, wrapped up on Sept. 26.

Field trips for beginners to experts fanned out around the region to take in such avian treats as great horned owls, elegant terns, California condors, parasitic jaegers, red knots and shearwaters.

“This is my first time to join the festival,” said Charlotte Cunningham of Atwater. “I read about it on the City of Watsonville’s website. What a great way to be outdoors in the fresh air. It’s so exciting to learn new areas, learn about nature and meet other people that are interested in birding.” Cunningham said she took advantage of the Birders Marketplace at the festival’s headquarters and bought a high-end pair of Nikon binoculars.

“I didn’t want to run all over looking for the right pair and the lady at the booth helped me get exactly what I needed,”

Cunningham said.Birds spotted on field trip on Sept.

24 include Heerman’s gull, red-necked phalarope, the Nutall’s and downy woodpeckers, peregrine falcon, willets, least sandpiper and Eurasian collared-dove.

Annie Balian of Aptos said the beginning birders field trip she attended Sept. 25 was her first adventure with the festival.

“I read about it in the paper and it sounded like a good way to learn about the birds of the area,” she said. “I got my binoculars, my camera, sunscreen and a hat so I’m ready to take it all in.”

Event Coordinator Debbie Diersch said more than 300 people registered this year.

“I am very pleased with the festival so far,” she said. “It feels lovely. There have been fantastic field trips and people are reporting seeing a lot of wonderful birds including some we don’t see all the time. Everyone I have spoken to said they just loved their field trip.

Diersch said highlights included a golden eagle spotted at Elkhorn Slough and a chestnut-sided warbler at Andrew Molera State Park.

Common and uncommon sightings at Birding Festival

Shorebirds, including long-billed curlews, marbled godwits, elegant terns and sanderlings congregate in the waters of Moss Landing Harbor. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

A long-billed curlew works the mud flats of Moss Landing for food. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land

Rusty Scalf heads up a field trip for beginning birders at Moss Landing as part of the Monterey Bay Birding Festival. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/The Land


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