Agriculture

colleenseelyandcarrots

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Seely Farm Stand is set to open for the summer season on Friday, June 15, to offer fresh local fruit and produce as they have done since 1976.

With its convenient location on Highway 20 in Upper Lake and its eye-catching seasonal produce displays, the family-run operation has become something akin to a landmark to local residents and a welcome stop for Lake County visitors and those making the journey from the Sacramento Valley to the Pacific Coast.

It was 36 years ago when Ed Seely first opened the popular roadside farm stand as a way to sell surplus Bartlett pears from his orchards during the month of August, subsequently growing it to include pears, peaches, apples, melons and all sorts of summer vegetables.

With an eye toward supplying premium fruit and produce and maximizing quality and freshness, picking is done in the cool of the morning to capture the best flavors of each of the crops. They custom pick only the largest and sweetest pears, peaches, apples and summer produce from their orchards and fields, and confidently stand behind all they grow and sell.  

Over the past several years, Seely’s daughter, Colleen Rentsch, has worked to expand the farm stand’s offerings at the request of their customers.

Today, in addition to Seely Farm products, the farm stand also is an outlet for other local producers, showcasing many of Lake County’s finest farm products.

Customers can select from an array of locally grown and made items including produce, honey, jams and jellies, salsa, artisan breads, and goat cheese.  

The Seely family is a founding participant of Farm to School, a program that provides fruit and produce to many of the local school districts.

The program is designed to improve freshness and nutrition of school meals to help lower childhood obesity rates while also helping young people understand where their food comes from through direct connections to local farmers.

Rentsch and Michelle Malm, Kelseyville Unified Food Services Director, together have been recognized for their innovation in the Farm to School program.

In May they were awarded a Star of Lake County for their contributions, and last November, were featured nationally in a segment on The Early Show on CBS News. To view the segment visit www.seelyfarmstand.com .

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through mid-November, Seely Farm Stand is located at 80 East Highway 20 in Upper Lake, just one-quarter mile east of the intersection with Highway 29.

For more information, visit www.seelyfarmstand.com .

seelyfarmstand

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Savor the flavors of Lake County produce and farm fresh products as farm stands and farmers’ markets open for the 2012 season.

From eggs and honey, which are available locally year-round, to plant starts, lettuce, strawberries, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, perennial plants, onions and more, are now available.

As spring ends and summer begins, more summer produce, such as corn, peppers, beans, tomatoes, peaches, and world-famous Lake County Mountain Pears, will soon be available.

There are many locations around Lake County where you can purchase produce and farm products directly from the farmer, which helps support the entire community and allows you to receive fresh, wholesome, and locally-grown produce.

According to the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), farmers today get less than 10 cents of the retail food dollar.

Local farmers who sell directly to consumers cut out the many middlemen and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm here in Lake County, doing the work they love, and residents can help to ensure a local food supply and keep local tax dollars within the county.

The following sources offer Lake County-grown produce for purchase directly from the farmer:

Lake County Farmers’ Finest Certified Farmers’ Markets
At Steele Wines, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. – noon, May through October
At Library Park, 222 Park St., Lakeport
Wednesdays, 4 p.m.-7 p.m., June through September
www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org

Friday Nite Farmers’ Market
At Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake
5 p.m.-8 p.m., June through October
www.clearlakechamber.com

Seely’s Farm Stand
80 E. Highway 20, Upper Lake, CA 95485
707-275-0525

Featuring locally grown fruits including pears, peaches, and apples; large variety of local seasonal produce, fresh cut flowers, pumpkins, gourds, decorative corn and cornstalks; and locally produced products: salsa, honey, jams, jellies, and cheese. Open June through November, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For a more detailed list of local farms and markets offering fresh Lake County products, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743 or to request a copy of the Lake County Farm Trails Discovery map.

quilttrailpearbasket

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Quilt Trail has moved into a new phase.

On Sunday, May 27, the first installation of Phase III of the Lake County Quilt Trail was installed on the Rainbow Ag hay barn, located at 1975 Argonaut Road, Lakeport.  

Facing west, the quilt square, named “Pear Basket,” can be viewed from Highway 29 while traveling in either direction. The GPS location is N 38° 59´35¨W 122°52´36¨.
 
The family of Leroy and Bernice Thomas gathered on Memorial Day weekend to honor and remember their parents.

The Thomases were married in 1942 and in 1943 moved their little house on a trailer from downtown Kelseyville to its present site at 3955 Thomas Drive. The road was named after his family. Leroy’s mother, Viola Thomas, lived close by.
 
Leroy Thomas grew up on the Argonaut Road property now owned by Ann and Frank Davis. The Davises were operators and landowners of the former Riley Feed Store.

The intersection of Argonaut and Thomas Drive was a wonderful selection because of all the memories held by the family.

It is easy for visitors to enjoy the quilt block display. Right across the street from Rainbow Ag is another LCQT block, “54 40 or Fight,” installed at Steele Winery, 4350 Thomas Drive.

quilttrailthomasfamily
 
Thomas grew pears all his life and was active in the local farming co-operative originally known as the Lake County Fruit Exchange. He was one of the original members and later served on the board. The co-op became known as Mt. Konocti Growers.  

Thomas became president of the California Canning Pear Association and was active in all phases of the pear industry, locally and state wide.
 
Bernice Thomas was a homemaker raising three girls. She was actively involved in all aspects of the farming operation. She was a charter member of the California Women for Agriculture group and held several offices.
 
The Thomases three daughters are Connie (Thomas) Wright, Lori (Thomas) McGuire, and Jeannie (Thomas) Lewis.  

The girls, and later their children, were involved in many phases of pear farming. They drove tractors and forklifts, drove hauling trucks, moved sprinkler pipes, raked brush, lit smudge pots and sold pears from their home.

Everyone helped during the summer harvest. Pear farming was a way of life for the whole family.
 
Leroy Thomas passed away in 1996 and Bernice Thomas in 1998. They were married for 54 years and spent all but the first year of their married life at the Thomas Drive location. The entire family is very proud to have the Pear Basket square displayed in their honor and to be a part of the Lake County Quilt Trail.
 
LCQT will take applications for a waiting list.  For more information about the quilt trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or contact Bethany Rose, 707-263-5744, or visit Kerrie’s Quilting Shop at 1853 N. High St., 707-263-8555.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cash prizes and a new category await participants in the 31st annual California Farm Bureau Photo Contest, which begins June 1.  

If you are a member of the Lake County Farm Bureau or another county Farm Bureau, you can enter your photos in the 2012 California Farm Bureau Photo Contest.  

The contest gives amateur photographers who are Farm Bureau members an opportunity to capture photos that best highlight California agriculture.

New for 2012, contributing members of the California Bountiful Foundation also are eligible to enter.

The grand prize winner will earn a cash prize of $500, while prizes will also be awarded to first- and second-place winners in each of five categories.

First-place winners will receive $250 and second-place winners will receive $100.

The new category, California’s Bounty, joins the returning categories: Kids and Critters on the Farm; All in a Day’s Work on the Farm; Rural Scenic; and Budding Artists.

Aspiring shutterbugs 13 years and younger who are children of Farm Bureau or California Bountiful Foundation members are encouraged to enter their photos in the Budding Artists category.

Presented by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, prizes for this category include a total of $350 in cash and copies of the book, “Imagine this… Stories Inspired by Agriculture.”

Photos may be in color or black and white. They must be printed on photographic paper and measure at least 5 by 7 inches, but no larger than 8½ by 11 inches, unmatted and unframed.

Photos must have been taken in 2011 or 2012. Judges will consider the photo’s composition, lighting, creativity and agricultural message.

The contest is open only to amateur photographers – those who do not regularly receive income from photography.

All photos become the property of the California Farm Bureau and may be published in Ag Alert newspaper or California BountifulSM magazine and other promotional items.

Winning photos will also appear on CFBF Web sites: www.cfbf.com , www.agalert.com and www.californiabountiful.com .

All entries must be postmarked by Sept. 29.

Entry forms and official contest rules are available online at www.cfbf.com and www.californiabountiful.com and from the Lake County Farm Bureau office located at 65 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

For more information, contact Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Claudia Street at 707-263-0911.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – There's a big crop of dogs waiting for new homes this week at Lake County's animal shelter.

They range from young pups to older dogs, in all sizes.

Thanks to Lake County Animal Care and Control’s new veterinary clinic, many of the animals offered for adoption already are spayed or neutered and ready to go home with their new families.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

6shepmixpup

Female shepherd mix

This female shepherd mix is 11 weeks old.

She weighs nearly 12 pounds, has not yet been altered, and has a short brown and black coat.

Find her in kennel No. 6, ID No. 32877.

7blabmix

Male Labrador Retriever-pointer mix

This male Labrador Retriever-pointer mix is 13 weeks old.

He is not yet neutered, and has a black and white coat.

He is in kennel No. 7b, ID No. 32827.

7clabpointerpup

Female Labrador Retriever-pointer mix

This female Labrador Retriever-pointer mix is 13 week old.

She has a black and white coat, brown eyes and floppy ears, and has not been altered.

Find her in kennel No. 7c, ID No. 32828.

8alabheelermix

Male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix

This male Male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix is 13 weeks old.

He has a short red and white coat, and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 8a, ID No. 32829.

8blabmix

Male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix

This male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix is 13 weeks old.

He has a short black and white coat, and has been neutered.

He's in kennel No. 8b, ID No. 32830.

8clabheeler

Male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix

This male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix is 13 weeks old.

He has a short black coat and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 8c, ID No. 32831.

8dlabheeler

Male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix

This male Labrador Retriever-blue heeler mix is 13 weeks old.

He has a short black coat and has been altered.

He's in kennel No. 8d, ID No. 32832.

13shepherdcollie

Shepherd-border collie mix

This male shepherd-border collie mix is 5 years old.

He weighs 50 pounds, and has a long brown and black merle coat.

He's in kennel No. 13, ID No. 32879.

17sage

'Sage'

“Sage” is a 5-month-old female border collie mix.

She weighs just under 12 pounds, has been spayed and has a short, black coat.

She's in kennel No. 17, ID No. 32048.

pointerpit20

Pointer-pit bull terrier mix

This male pointer-pit bull terrier is 11 months old.

He weighs nearly 50 pounds, has a short black and white coat, and has been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 32696.

jackrussell22

Female Jack Russell mix

This female Jack Russell terrier mix is 3 years old.

She has a short tan and white coat, weighs nearly 26 pounds and has not yet been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 22a, ID No. 32482.

jackrussell24

Male Jack Russell mix

This male Jack Russell terrier mix is 6 years old.

He has tricolor markings and a short coat, weighs 19 pounds and has not yet been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 24b, ID No. 32483.

26labmix

Labrador Retriever mix

This female Labrador Retriever mix is 1 year old.

She has a short black coat, weighs 44 pounds and has been spayed.

She is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 32639.

aramis27

'Aramis'

“Aramis” is a 2-year-old shepherd-greyhound mix.

He has been neutered, weighs nearly 62 pounds, and has a short coat with brown brindle markings.

Find him in kennel No. 27, ID No. 32594.

chihuahua28

Male Chihuahua mix

This male Chihuahua mix is 10 months old.

He weighs 11 pounds, has been neutered and has a short coat.

He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 32746.

chimix29

Male Chihuahua mix

This male Chihuahua mix is 2 years old.

He has a short black and white spotted coat, weighs just under 10 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 29, ID No. 32732.

huskymix30

Male husky mix

This male husky mix is 4 years old.

He has red and tan coloring, weighs 56 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 30, ID No. 32738.

bostonterrie31

Boston Terrier mix

This male Boston Terrier mix is 10 months old.

He has a short black and white coat, weighs nearly 18 pounds, and has been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 32745.

minpin32

Male miniature pinscher mix

This male miniature pinscher mix is 2 years old.

He weighs 11 pounds, has a short black coat with brindle markings, and a docked tail. He has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 32, ID No. 32744.

boss34

'Boss'

Boss is a 10-month-old male boxer-shepherd mix.

He weighs 66 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 34, ID No. 32721.

Adoptable dogs also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dogs_and_Puppies.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Dogs listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Another local organization has issued a statement in opposition to Measure D, a marijuana cultivation on the June 5 ballot.

The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is opposing Measure D, “the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Act of 2012.”

The initiative attempts to qualify marijuana as an agricultural crop. “We believe this initiative threatens the integrity of the 'Right to Farm Ordinance' and we are concerned about its land use provisions and the lack of adequate grower regulation,” the group said in a written statement.

Commercial growers, both conventional and organic, must apply for spray permits and follow specific rules for handling pesticides, employee safety training, pesticide use reports and record keeping, and are periodically inspected for compliance.

As long as marijuana is not legally recognized as an agricultural crop, it cannot be regulated the way traditional county crops are, the group said in its statement.

Another concern for the group is that Measure D would override existing zoning laws, allowing cultivation in residential areas, including vacant parcels, where agricultural practices are not allowed under existing rules.

“This poorly written initiative has negative consequences for our environment, economy and quality of life,” the organization said.

Also having come out in formal opposition against Measure D are the Lakeport City Council, Clearlake City Council, Lake County Board of Supervisors, Lake County Board of Education, Sierra Club Lake Group, Lake County Deputy Sheriffs Association, Lake County Farm Bureau, Kelseyville Business Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Buckingham and Clear Lake Riviera homeowners associations, and the Lake County Association of Realtors’ Board of Directors.

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