Howdy <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>!
Happy February! We had so hoped that when we sent out our February news, we would be celebrating with you that Punxsatawney Phil had predicted an early spring. But, no such luck... However if the 6 more weeks of winter weather bring rain along with them, then - hallelujah!
Until then - we've got lots of good things for you today...
- Last Month's Meeting
- Our next meeting
- Upcoming Events
- Legislative Activity
- Help Wanted
- Thank you to our 2021 Donors!
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In January, we enjoyed meeting at the Santa Paula Art Museum where John Nichols and Gail Pidduck shared with us their vast knowledge and experience in the art world - specifically - Art About Agriculture! If you haven't yet had a chance to see the show, please make plans to get their soon! The agriculture-themed art will be on display through March 6, and there are still opportunities for you to add a beautiful piece of agriculture-themed art to your personal collection.
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We are so excited about what's coming in February - olives!
Mark from Buon Gusto Farms has invited us to visit him for a tour and tasting on Tuesday, February 15 at noon. We will meet at the ranch, tour and taste, enjoy a light lunch and a little bit of CWA business. We hope you can join us.
If you'd like a little preview of our host and his story, click here to see a video about how he first got started with olives...
This meeting will take place on his farm, in the hills above highway 33 in Ventura. We should not expect to have cell service there, so if you want to come, please plan ahead!
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Feb 8-10 - National Ag Expo - Would you like to lend a hand at CWA's booth there? If so, click here to send us an email. It's great fun!
Feb 15 - VC-CWA meeting at Buon Gusto Farm
Mar 15 - VC-CWA meeting
Mar 22 - Ventura County Spray Safe Drive-In at the Fairgrounds - Can you lend a hand?
Mar 23 - Capitol Ag Day in Sacramento
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This month, our good friends at CoLAB are watching several things for us, and if you'd like to participate, please respond right away:
- The County BOS will be voting on plans to support the new organic waste processing rules on Tuesday, February 8 - please let them know what you think!
- The CA Fish and Game Commission needs input regarding potential new steelhead regulations by Saturday, February 12
Here are all the details from CoLAB:
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| Ventura County CoLAB Roundup - 01/31/2022 |
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February 8
BOS to vote on Organic Waste Processing Facility
In 2014, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 1383, establishing deadlines for cities and counties to implement programs that reduce organic waste going to landfills and reduce methane levels from landfills statewide.
The state law deadlines are here. As of January 1, 2022, all organic waste (including animal and plant-based food waste) must be recycled into compost or energy. If food waste is not composted, the County could face fines in the future of up to $10,000 per day.
But Ventura County has not permitted any local composting facilities to process food waste. All food waste collected in Ventura County is being collected and hauled by truck to businesses outside the County (mainly in Kern County).
Agromin has been working through the planning and permitting process to accept food waste at its composting facility between Santa Paula and Ventura city. If approved, this facility would be able to process a significant percentage of the County’s organic waste – and reduce the number of semi-trucks hauling food waste to Kern County in the name of “improving the climate.”
The Board of Supervisors will be voting on the final permit approval on February 8.
To send an email in support of approving this project, please email clerkoftheboard@ventura.org. |
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Petition to list the southern CA steelhead trout goes before the Fish and Game Commission
At its February 17, 2022 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) will be voting whether to grant a petition to consider the southern CA steelhead trout for protection under the state Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The anadromous population of the steelhead trout is already protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. This new petition would greatly expand the protections to include resident Rainbow Trout. The expanded protections would allow the state to allocate more water for "environmental use" and reduce water supplies for human use - including agricultural water, drinking water, and groundwater recharge.
The expanded protections also threaten approved and future infrastructure projects, such as bridge repairs, maintenance for water conveyances, and flood control projects, because of new permitting requirements and restrictive conditions.
Even worse: the petition is based on bad science, inaccurate data, and unsupported suppositions. United Water and several other water agencies have provided the Commission with accurate data and facts about historical and current steelhead and Rainbow Trout populations - but the Department of Fish and Wildlife did not consider the letters from the water agencies.
And most disturbing of all: the Commission is considering an action that is not allowed under state law. CESA only allows species and subspecies of plants and animals to be listed for protection. This petition requests protection for a subpopulation of fish - an action not permitted under state law. But the Commission is moving forward, despite the requirements of law.
What can you do to help?
Please send an email to: fgc@fgc.ca.gov
no later than Saturday, February 12
To ask the Commission to REJECT the petition
to list the southern CA steelhead!
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I can already hear you saying it...
"But what should I say in my email?"
If that's giving you trouble, here's a subject line and content that you can use! Please copy the content below into your email, update it as you feel necessary, key in your name and identifying information at the bottom, and send this to the Commission. Thank you!
Subject: REJECT the petition to list the southern CA steelhead!
To: California Fish and Game Commission (the Commission),
PLEASE do not grant the petition to consider the southern CA steelhead trout for protection under the state Endangered Species Act (CESA).
The effects of this would be widespread and extremely detrimental! The water supply for all human use will be impacted. This includes agricultural water use, drinking water, and groundwater recharge. The action would also threaten both approved and future infrastructure projects, like bridge repairs, maintenance for water conveyances, and flood control projects, because of the need for extensive negotiation over new permitting requirements and restrictive conditions.
Even worse: the petition is based on bad science, inaccurate data, and unsupported suppositions. United Water and several other water agencies have provided the Commission with accurate data and facts about historical and current steelhead populations - but the Department of Fish and Wildlife did not consider the letters from the water agencies.
And most disturbing of all: the Commission is considering an action that is not allowed under CESA. CESA only allows species and subspecies of plants and animals to be listed for protection. This petition requests protection for a subpopulation - an action not permitted under state law. But the Commission is moving forward, despite the requirements of law.
Let us value Humans.
Thank you,
*** YOUR NAME HERE ***
*** NAME OF YOUR FARM OR BUSINESS ***
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Last but not least - Don't miss this deadline!
Return your Annual LCA/Williamson Act questionnaire
by MARCH 1
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The County has mailed out the Annual Questionnaires! If you have a Land Conservation Act (LCA) agreement with Ventura County, you MUST complete and submit your questionnaire by March 1.
If you have not received your annual questionnaire in the mail, please contact the County Assessor's office immediately to ensure you continue to receive your property tax credit for being enrolled in the program to preserve agricultural working land.
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| Local Government - Future Meeting/Hearing Schedule |
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| February 8, 2022: Board of Supervisors |
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- 11:30 A.M.: Organic waste processing facility - Conditional Use Permit approval
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| March 1, 2022: Board of Supervisors |
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- 2:00 P.M.: Zoning Ordinance Amendments - Farmworker Housing
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| March 22, 2022: Board of Supervisors |
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- 1:00 P.M.: General Plan - Annual Report
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VC CoLAB
Collaboration for Sensible Regulatory Solutions |
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Want more news from Ventura County CoLAB?
Check us out on FACEBOOK |
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Would you like to get more involved with VC-CWA? It doesn't have to take a lot of your time and you know, we all reap what we sow... If you'd like to help us plan special events, our presence at the County Fair, Farm Day, or lend a hand administratively, click here to drop us a note. Thank you!
There are also several opportunities to get involved at the CWA District and State level:
1. Someone from our Central Coast District is needed to serve on the Nomination Committee. You will be working with the State Parliamentarian (Joan Webster Joanwebster33@msn.com). This "job" does not take too much time and is a valuable part of CWA.
2. We also need to Identify a Central Coast District representative to serve on the Finance Committee. This person will work with the State Treasurer and the Fund Development Director for Statewide fundraising. If you have any questions about this position, please contact the Finance Committee Chair (Rose Tryon rmtryon05@gmail.com) This "job" is also not too time-consuming, and is a great way to get to know our CWA sisters from around the state.
3. Our Chapter needs to identify a Chapter member to be our contact person for the Ag Booster BBQ. This could be a fun job! The BBQ is held in September in Madera and is always a great time.
4. Our Chapter also needs to Identify a Chapter member to be our contact person with the CWA Legislative Outreach Directors (Barbara Levake barbara@blevake.com and Carol Chandler carolchand@aol.com). This connection will keep us up to date on important policies and legislation at the state and national level.
If you're interested in any of these opportunities, please contact our Central Coast District Director, Mary Vanoni: mvanoni@sbcglobal.net
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We are so thankful for you, your connection to VC-CWA, and your willingness to share your knowledge and skills with others.
We look forward to seeing you!
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