LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The 2012 Lake County Fair provided the Lake County Farm Bureau with multiple opportunities to participate, support and have fun.

On Friday, Aug. 31, 400 elementary students from around the county were treated to individualized fair tours.  

The local 4-H office does a wonderful job organizing this annual event and reaches out to the community in search of docents to help guide the tours.

Docent volunteers including Lake County Farm Bureau Second Vice President Glenn Benjamin and his wife Dana DiRicco-Benjamin, along with staff members Claudia Street and Kristen Krohn, helped guide classes through the livestock barns.  

Lake County Farm Bureau also provided each teacher with a goodie bag filled with educational materials from the California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom, the recent issue of California Bountiful magazine, a copy of the 2011 edition of “Imagine This – Stories Inspired by Agriculture” and other classroom supplies.

Another way Lake County Farm Bureau supports local youth each year is through the purchase of an animal at the Junior Livestock Auction.  

Local 4-H and FFA members not only learn how to properly raise an animal during the project year, but they learn the importance of developing sound business practices and effective marketing skills.  

Prior to fair time, 4-H and FFA members often venture out in to the community in an effort to encourage buyers to bid on their animal.

This year, Lake County Farm Bureau purchased a hog raised by Erin Evans of the Anderson Marsh 4-H Club.

Following on last year’s success, Lake County Farm Bureau sponsored the Farmer for a Day booth in the Floriculture Building.  

Highlighting the bounty of our local agriculture, this booth featured two Lake County producers.  Sabina and Pascal Hue de Laroque were present on Thursday and Friday with their delicious jams, fruit spreads and flavored boutique vinegars.  

On Sunday, Janine Grothe of Two Bee Garden Farm displayed her handmade dried wreaths and beautiful, fresh cut flowers.

The Lake County Fair is a wonderful time to have fun, visit with friends and celebrate our local agricultural heritage.  

Lake County Farm Bureau appreciates the efforts of the fair board, staff and the many volunteers and is already looking forward to 2013.

Lake County Farm Bureau strives to protect and promote farming and agricultural interests throughout Lake County and to find solutions to challenges on the farm, at the ranch home and throughout the rural community. Lake County Farm Bureau is Lake County’s largest farm organization, representing over 550 farm families and individual members.

For more information, contact Claudia Street, executive director at 707-263-0911.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Think fresh local produce ends with Labor Day? Need inspiration? Want ideas?

Lake County harvests are in full swing right now and our local farmers are thrilled to be able to share their bounty with you.
 
Starting on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m., and continuing every Saturday until the end of the season on Oct. 27, a variety of products available that day will be featured during a demonstration and tasting.

Taste it, like it, buy the ingredients right there at the market and make it at home that day. Some of the featured ingredients on Sept. 8 are goat cheese and tomatoes.
 
The Saturday Market at Steele Wines – located at Thomas Drive and Highway 29 – runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, from May through October.

For more information see www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org or call Cornelia 707-263-6076.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Dessert makers are again invited to celebrate the annual pear harvest by entering the Kelseyville Pear Festival’s annual pear dessert contest.

Experienced cooks and beginners alike are encouraged to enter their favorite pear dessert.

The desserts must be ready to eat and may contain any variety of pears. The pears can be  fresh, canned, frozen or dried.

Do you know that pears have many health and nutrition benefits? They are rich in vitamin C, contain fiber and have been described as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits.

The high content of pectin in pears may make them useful in lowering cholesterol levels. Pear juice, being rich in fructose and glucose, serves as a very quick source of energy.

The entries must be accompanied with a legible copy of the recipe that includes the name of the dessert and the entrant with a contact phone number. The entries must be in a disposable container.

To be considered in the judging, desserts must be delivered to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, Friendship Hall, between 11 a.m. and noon on Friday, Sept. 28. Judging will follow at 02 p.m.

All recipes become the property of the Kelseyville Business Association and the Pear Festival Committee for  future publication and promotion.

For an application go to www.kelseyvillepearfestival.com/events/contests .

I read in the Record Bee that on Aug. 15 Scott De Leon, director of Lake County Water Resources,  requested diversion of funds from algae harvesting to weed abatement.  

I am appalled at the request and particularly appalled that it was approved by the Board of Supervisors unanimously.  

This while triple-digit heat yet no one in the water at the public beach because it is overwhelmed with algae and health warning signs posted.     

Businesses like Main Street Café and Cactus Grill have outside eating areas that can’t be used because of the foul stench.

How many lakeside resorts in Clearlake have had reservations canceled because the water looks and smells like a sewer?

How can you in good conscience, representing this area, vote for funds to be diverted away from algae harvesting? Instead, shouldn't you be demanding an accounting of where they are harvesting and to what effect? In the waters around Clear Lake it would appear they are not being effective.

I read the studies found on the Lake County Water Resources Web site done by UC Davis.

In addition to recommendations to control nutrients coming into the lake, there also was the recommendation to use aluminum sulfate across the lake to remove phosphorus from the water to reduce the growth of algae. This has been used on many lakes including in California and when applied correctly is safe for fish.  

According to these authors, such an application would improve the water quality in 2013 and be continued for several years.

Please ask that this vote moving funds from algae harvesting be restored. Also please ask why we haven't considered using aluminum sulfate to control the growth of algae.

Mark Burkdoll lives in Clearlake, Calif.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Do you have a signature pear dessert that’s better than anything else out there? Does everyone else love it, too?   

Then the Kelseyville Pear Festival has got a challenge for you.  

The festival is once again inviting cooks who have original or old family favorite recipes to enter the Pear Dessert contest.  

The contest this year is again sponsored by Lake Parts in Lakeport.

The only criterion is that the recipe must contain pears. Fresh, canned or dried make no difference, and, you may submit more than one dessert.  

Judges expect the pear to be the star of the dessert and will be looking for taste, texture and appearance when making their decision. Grand prizes consist of gift certificates to area restaurants.

Desserts should be submitted to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, Friendship Hall, Third Street, Kelseyville, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28.

Judging will take place later in the afternoon and the winners will be announced midday at the festival on Saturday, Sept. 29.

After judging, the desserts will be donated to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church.

All recipes become the property of the Kelseyville Business Association for future publication and promotion.

Please bring your dessert in a disposable container and bring a legible copy of your recipe.  

Applications can be filled out at the church or can be located online and printed at www.kelseyvillvepearfestival.com .

For more information, contact Janice Stokes at 707-279-1544.