North Carolina Agricultural Leadership Development Program

2008 - 2010

California Study Tour

Agricultural Leadership Development Program

Made possible by grants from

Agricultural Leadership Development Programand contributions from

North Carolina Farm BureauNorth Carolina Grange Mutual InsuranceNorth Carolina Soybean Producers AssociationNorth Carolina State GrangePhilip Morris InternationalBayer CropScienceCape Fear Farm CreditCarolina Farm CreditCorn Growers Association of North CarolinaGolden Leaf Seed CompanyNorth Carolina Cotton Producers AssociationNorth Carolina Pork CouncilNorth Carolina Sweet Potato CommissionYARA North AmericaAgCarolina FinancialNorth Carolina Small Grain Growers AssociationProgram Participants

Throughout the program, participants focus on important agricultural issues they have identified for North Carolina and their communities. Training focuses on the following areas:

• Mastering Self

• Mastering an Understanding of Agriculture’s Environment

• Mastering Relationships

• Managing Social and Organizational Action

• Enhancing Participants’ Understanding of Global and National Aspects of Agriculture.

North Carolina Agricultural Leadership Development Program

Facts About California

• California is the 31st state entering the Union on September 9, 1857 and was first settled in 1769

• became a U.S. territory 1847 when Mexico surrendered it to John C. Fremont

• gold was first discovered in 1848

• the state capital is Sacramento

• 58 counties

• Leading industries include agriculture, manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), biotechnology, aerospace-defense, and tourism

• Principal natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural gas. • Death Valley, in the southeast, is 282 ft below sea level, the lowest point in the nation. Mt. Whitney (14,491 ft) is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states.

CALIFORNIA STUDY TOUR

February 9, 2010

CUESA HISTORY• 1992 – San Francisco public market collaborative conducts a one-time farmers market

• 1993 – Establishment of weekly Saturday California Certified Farmers Market

• 1994 – CUESA is established

• 1995 – Tuesday market established

• 1998 – Saturday market moves because of construction. Renovated

• 1999 – Collaborative merges its operation into QUESA and QUESA assumed control

• 2003 – Moved into Ferry Market, added Thursday and Sunday markets

• 2006 Temporarily suspended Thursday & Saturday markets

• 2009 – Reopen Thursday market in a new format

CUESA ACTIVITIES

• Certified state farmers market

• Educational programs• Market to table programs

• Monthly celebration of seasonal bounty

• Culinary classes

• Farm tours (5-6 per year)

• Chef tours • Website

• newsletter weekly

• Special events such as Sunday supper and Spring breakfast

February 10, 2010

February 11, 2010

February 12, 2010

• On average, close to 200 million acre-feet (MAF) of water from rain and snow is available in California

• Of that which does not soak into the ground, evaporate or is used for native vegetation totals about 82 million acre-feet of usable surface water in average years. Of that water:

California Water: Where Does Their Water Supply Come From?

• 48% goes to environmental uses such as instream flows, wild and scenic river flows, required Delta outflow and

managed wetlands.

• 41% is used by agriculture

• 9% is used by cities and industry.

• Most of the rain and snowfall occurs between October and April, while demand is highest during the hot and dry summer months

• About 75% of California’s available water occurs north of Sacramento, while about 80% of the demand occurs in the southern two-thirds of the state.

California Water: Where Does Their Water Supply Come From?

• Groundwater provides about 40% of the state’s water supply. In dry years, that percentage can go as high as 60%.

• California is prone to both droughts and floods.

California Water: Where Does Their Water Supply Come From?

Harris Farms

• Harris Farms was started in 1937

• It is one of the largest integrated farming operations in the Central San Joaquin Valley

• In addition to its five divisions, it grows 33 vegetables, fruits, and nuts

• It’s five divisions include:

• Harris Horse Farms – raising thoroughbred race horses

• Harris Ranch Beef Company – producing 200 million pound of beef

• Harris Feeding Company – largest cattle feeding operation on the West Coast and the 14th largest nationally

• Harris Inn and Restaurant

• Harris Fresh – with two brands of beef, “Farm Gate” and Harris Ranch”

February 13, 2010

February 13, 2010

Tulare County

• Number one agricultural county in the U.S.

• Raise over 100 crops

• Total value of agricultural commodities in 2008 was $5 billion

• Total harvestable acres was 1.5 million

• Top commodity groups was Fruits & Nut Crops followed by Livestock and Poultry Products, Livestock & Poultry, and Field Crops

February 14, 2010

Things We Learned About California

• Water is the major limiting factor in economic growth for all sectors of society

• Water utilization and conservation policies pervade society

• Regulations and policies related to environmental issues affect all sectors of society

• Sustainable agriculture is mainstream and promoted by both the farming and non-farming community.

• The public is educated about agriculture and its importance through venues such as museums

Things We Learned From California

• As the canary in the mine shaft is the early warning system for miners so is California the early warning for NC and other states with regards to water and other issues.

• Sustainable agriculture is something we can further develop in NC

• We must look for more ways to educate the public about the importance of agriculture

North Carolina Agricultural Leadership Development Program

2008 - 2010

California Study Tour