Agriculture

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Summer is here and it’s that time of year again for the farmers’ market at Steele Wines in Finley.  

The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties is happy to announce the availability of a free coupon booklet worth $20 (10 $2 coupons) for low-income older adults to be used for the purchase of vegetables and fruits.  

These booklets are issued to the Area Agency on Aging by the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Its purpose is to provide resources to low-income seniors in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs from Farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors.  

Area Agency on Aging staff will distribute coupon booklets on the following dates, rain or shine:

– June 23, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 7, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 14, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 21, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– July 28, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– Aug. 4, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

– Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Booklets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  

Those eligible for the coupon booklet must be at least 60 years of age and income cannot exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. 

A single person’s income cannot exceed $21,590 per year. A two-person family’s income cannot exceed $29,101 per year.

Participants can designate an individual (proxy) to act as their authorized representative to receive a check booklet. Talk with a representative at your local senior center to obtain a proxy form. 

July 14 is Senior Day at the Steele Wines Farmers’ Market. Join them in celebrating older adults.

For more information, please contact the Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties at 707-995-4680.

Todd Metcalf is the Adult Services Program Manager at Lake County Department of Social Services.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Farmers' Market will open each Friday from June 26 through Sept. 25.

The market will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Highlands Park, 14365 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. 

Enjoy fresh produce, crafts, music and food vendors.

Vendors may sign up online or at the first market event.

Booth fees are $12 for a 5-foot space and $22 for a 10-foot space.

For additional information please call 707-994-3600 or 707-799-6062, or visit www.clear-lakefarmersmarket.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County California Women for Agriculture chapter is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a potluck luncheon at the home of Marilyn Holdenried on Saturday, June 20.

All current and past CWA members are invited to join in honoring the charter members who gathered
at the Happy Valley Restaurant 40 years ago to form the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture.

The new chapter, one of the first in the state, elected officers that noon time: president, Marilyn Holdenried; vice presidents, Rosalie Sisevich and Frances Seely; recording secretary, Carolyn Henderson; corresponding secretary, Bernice Thomas; and treasurer, Toni Scully.

Their goals were “to generate a climate to keep agriculture a viable industry in the state of California,” and with the addition of “telling the ag story with science and data and working with elected local and state officials on agriculture issues” these goals are being carried out by today’s members.

The group is honoring those groundbreaking women who had the foresight when creating the name chose “for” instead of “in” agriculture because the organization is for any woman who supports and advocates for California farmers.

If you eat food and wear clothes you are involved in agriculture. Consider joining the CWA women
working throughout the state to protect California agriculture and the wide range of jobs it provides.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of the state’s economy, providing not only for ourselves and much of the U.S. and world’s food and related products.

Join the mission to educate consumers, decision makers and legislators. Visit www.lakecountycwa.org and Facebook, www.facebook.com/lakecountycwa .

If you would like to join in the CWA's 40th celebration on June 20 to honor the charter members of the Lake County chapter, R.S.V.P. to Marilyn Holdenried at 707-279-4456.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Farm Bureau (LCFB) Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the 2015 scholarship recipients.

The committee reviewed numerous applications and chose four local students who best met the eligibility requirements.

The LCFB Scholarship Program was organized to give financial aid to graduating high school seniors and college or vocational students who show a desire to pursue a career in the agricultural industry.

The scholarships are awarded annually and are based upon academic achievement, career goals, extracurricular activities, determination, leadership skills and a commitment to study agriculture. 

A total of $2,000 was awarded to four students. 

Lindee Jones and Blair Brookes each were awarded a $600 scholarship. 

Jones graduated from Middletown High School in 2012 and is currently attending Chico State University where she is studying to become an agricultural pest control advisor. 

Jones has interned with Lake County Farm Bureau and also with a local agribusiness company. She is the daughter of Michael and Karen Jones of Middletown. 

Blair Brookes is a 2014 graduate of Kelseyville High School who has also served an internship with the Lake County Farm Bureau. 

She is attending Cal Poly and has already achieved sophomore standing with heavy course loads each semester. 

Brooks is pursuing a degree in agribusiness, after which she plans to attend law school and focus on agriculture policy. She is the daughter of Steve and Lynn Brookes of Kelseyville. 

Glenn Mostin and Mary McCallister each will receive $400 scholarships.

Mostin is a graduate of Kelseyville High School who has gone on to study agriculture science at Butte College.

In the spring of 2016 he plans to transfer to Chico State University where he will finish his bachelor of science degree and then apply to become a California Certified Pest Control Advisor and Certified Crop Advisor. He also plans to seek a Qualified Applicator License. Mostin is the son of Dave and Cheryl Mostin of Lakeport. 

McCallister is a senior at Kelseyville High School who plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College to explore career avenues in agriculture. 

Once she has narrowed her focus, she hopes to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to work for a degree in her chosen agricultural field. She is the daughter of Jeff and Donelle McCallister of Kelseyville. 

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Farm Bureau is preparing for Celebration 2015, an annual event combining the Love of the Land Dinner with its 92nd Annual Membership Meeting.  

This event format blends Farm Bureau’s fundraising efforts to benefit farm-focused programs and scholarships, with a very brief annual meeting of the members into one memorable evening.  

Celebration 2015 will be held July 16 at Cole Creek Equestrian Center.  

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a wine social provided by the Lake County Winery Association as they pour award-winning local wines. A delicious barbecue dinner will be prepared by the Kelseyville FFA.  

Scholarship recipients Blair Brookes, Glenn Mostin and Mary McCallister of Kelseyville, and Lindee Mae Jones of Middletown will be on hand to receive recognition for their outstanding achievements.

The fourth annual dessert auction will round out the evening, along with other fundraising efforts that benefit farm-focused programs and scholarships. The Kelseyville Boy Scout Troop No. 45 will be on hand for assistance at the event.

Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Tickets are $35 each and are available at the Lake County Farm Bureau office located at 65 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport or by calling 707-263-0911.

Farm Bureau members, guests, family and the general public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Dave Rosenthal, LCFB president, or Janelle McCormack, LCFB administrative assistant, at 707-263-0911. 

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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – At its meeting in early May, the Lake County Winegrape Commission board of directors seated three recently elected directors who are looking to advance Lake County’s wine industry through increased local involvement, expanded sustainable winegrape growing, and renewed energy.

Two new directors, Keith Brandt and Bruce Merrilees, joined incumbent David Weiss in taking their seats on the board, which comprises eight directors, seven of whom are Lake County winegrape growers elected by other eligible growers, and one a public member, appointed by the board chair.

Ballots are tallied by a third-party auditing firm with election results certified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Directors serve two-year terms.

Other directors include Jonathan Walters, Brassfield Estate Winery; Broc Zoller, Zoller Vineyards; Bill Oldham, Oldham Vineyards; Bonnie Sears, Beckstoffer Vineyards; and Bill Brunetti, public member.

The board also elected its officers for the coming year with Walters serving as commission chair, Zoller as vice chair, and Sears as secretary-treasurer.

The recently seated directors bring experience and perspectives to help the commission in its work to represent Lake County winegrape growers in its marketing of the region’s winegrapes.

Merrilees is interested in “getting the locals involved.” Formerly with Bella Vista Farming Co. and now with Shannon Stahl Vineyards, the New Zealand native moved to the United States in 2003.

Merrilees said his goal is to reach out to Lake County residents and businesses to get them involved in the county’s wine industry.

“I feel like the county can’t fail if the locals are on board with it,” he said.

He pointed to his local and international education and experience as assets he brings to the commission board.

Merrilees holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science from Lincoln University, New Zealand.

Brandt, citing his experience as director of compliance with Shannon Ranches, said his goal for his term on the board is to assist the county’s growers in their pursuit of certification of sustainable winegrowing.

He said he would like to encourage winegrape growers to become certified sustainable as another step toward improvement of wine quality for Lake County.

“I’d like to spark an interest in sustainable winegrowing among our small-acreage growers,” Brandt said. “It would go a long way to propel the quality and the perception of quality of winegrapes in Lake County.” Brandt holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from CSU Fullerton.

Weiss cites the strengths of the commission and his desire to build on the organization’s 24-year history of advancing the industry as his main reasons for continuing to serve.

“My personal priority will be to assist in the recruitment and development of prospective candidates to one day join the board and reinvigorate the organization with new ideas and energy that will sustain us into the future,” Weiss said.

Weiss’ agricultural leadership runs deep, having served on the commission board in many roles, most recently as its vice chair, and as a former board member of the California Association of Winegrape Growers for six years and board chairman of the California Pear Advisory Board for seven years.

Weiss holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University.

The two new directors take seats previously held by Peter Molnar who served the maximum of four consecutive terms and Buz Dereniuk who did not seek another term.

The Lake County Winegrape Commission is a marketing order established in 1991 to promote the region’s premium winegrapes and to assist winegrape growers through marketing, research, and educational programs.

For more information about the Lake County Winegrape Commission, call 707-279-2633 or visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org .

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