In a Tuesday report Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said that during the last thirty days the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating a large number of rural thefts throughout the county.

The thieves are mainly targeting large pieces of farm equipment or iron that has a higher scrap metal value, he said.

On Aug. 5 two I-beams valued at $2,000 were stolen from a bridge construction site in southern Glenn County, Jones said.

He said the Colusa County Sheriff's Office later received information that the items had been sold for scrap in their county. However, the items were identified by the victim and returned.

During the investigation into the I-beam theft it was found that a trailer used for the transportation of agricultural equipment was used in stealing the beams. Jones said the trailer also was found to be stolen from a local farmer in Glenn County.

Then on Aug. 11 a Glenn County farmer reported the loss of a large rice roller valued at $2,500 from his property in Ord Bend, Jones said.

Detectives from the Glenn County Sheriff's Major Crimes Unit – who Jones said previously been assigned the case – responded to investigate the theft.

During the investigation the victim was able to locate the property at a local scrap metal facility in Glenn County. Jones said detectives also were able to locate other pieces of farm equipment at the location that had been sold for scrap metal.

During that same week the victim that owned one of the pieces of equipment reported the theft of a laser tower which was stolen from an equipment pad in the Bayliss area, said Jones.

In that case, the victim was able to identify the tower, valued at $1,000. Jones said the property will be returned to the owner after the investigation is complete.

Jones said Det. Greg Felton and Det. Kelly Knight are diligently investigating the crimes and attempting to locate the owner of a straddle-bug equipment hauler that had also been scrapped. Local farmers are being asked to check their equipment storage sites for any missing items.

During July a farmer from Butte County reported the theft of an orchard leveler to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, Jones said. The leveler was valued at $18,000.

Jones said during the investigation Major Crimes Unit detectives developed enough information to obtain a search warrant for a residence in the rural area of Orland. During the execution of the search warrant the orchard leveler was located.

He said detectives also were able to locate approximately $29,000 worth of stolen property.

The investigation is ongoing, and Jones said arrests are expected in the future.

Anyone with information is asked to call Felton or Knight at 530-934-6431.

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Singer Dave Stamey will return to entertain on Friday, September 23, 2011, at the kickoff event for the annual Kelseyville Pear Festival. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Dave Stamey, former cowboy, mule packer, and dude wrangler returns to perform his award winning songs in the courtyard at the Wildhurst Vineyards, 3855 Main St. in Kelseyville on Friday, Sept. 23, starting at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person and include a sumptuous western style dinner cooked by Suenram's Smokin' "S" Barbeque, complimentary glass of Wildhurst wine and concerts under the stars.

Opening performance will be given by Lake Fiddlers featuring Andi Skelton and Eleanor Cook.

A wonderful selection of hand painted and decorated “artsy gourds” will be on display during the evening.

Each gourd is hand created by local artists of the Konocti Art Society. The gourds will be raffled during the 19th Annual Pear Festival, held on Saturday, Sept 24.

A portion of the raffle proceeds will benefit Kelseyville’s Lake Family Resource Center.

Tickets are available at Wildhurst Tasting Room, 3855 Main St.

For more information, call 1-800-595 WINE.

A young market goer buys fresh fruit from farmer Reggie Dewsnup with EBT (food stamp) tokens. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As the summer growing season peaks in Lake County, more local producers are offering fresh products at the Friday Night Farmers' Market in Clearlake and more local residents are able to purchase these products now that producers can accept EBT (food stamps) cards.

Farmer Ashley Hathaway grows in Clearlake and showcases a wide variety of herbs and vegetables including arugula, beets, cucumbers and tomatoes.

The market goers also will get to sample a wide variety of tomato types, including striped zebra, as well as carrots and potatoes from Pulver Farm of Hidden Valley.

Added to the other regional farmers, shoppers can do all of their fresh fruit and vegetable shopping from local and regional growers.

Not only do shoppers at farmers' markets get fresher and tastier produce, but shopping local is also a proven way to support the local economy.

According to Jennifer Brown, ACSW, who facilitates the EBT program for the market, the process is quite simple.

“People with EBT cards can come to the market and decide how much they would like to spend with the vendors,” Brown said. “We swipe their card for that amount and give them tokens equaling the same amount. They are free to shop with those vendors that sell Food Stamp eligible products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, and value added products like jams, pickles, breads and other bakery items. The producers then redeem the tokens and are reimbursed by check.”

Currently, the Friday Night Farmers' Market is the only farmers' market in Lake County that accepts EBT cards.

The market, located at Redbud Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, also includes prepared food, pickles, jams, honey and eggs, as well as local arts and crafts and live music.

For more information on the market, including a schedule of musical artists, go to www.lakeco-op.org and click on the calendar of events or call Market Manager Pharalee Travis at 707-637-2870.

A young Friday Night Farmers' Market market goer enjoys a freshly picked peach from Reggie Dewsnup. Courtesy photo.

SACRAMENTO – The USDA has designated the week of August 7-13 as National Farmers Market Week, and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is calling on Californians to recognize the state’s certified farmers markets for their role in the overall success of farmers markets nationally.

“California’s certified farmers markets are an important community venue to bring farmers and consumers together,” said Secretary Ross. “People are more interested than ever in local food and in having relationships with the people who produce it. Farmers markets are perfectly positioned for this.”

California leads the nation with 758 certified farmers markets – sales venues for certified agricultural producers selling healthy and high-quality produce directly to consumers.

Until 1977, regulations required farmers to properly pack, size and label their fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables in standard containers to transport and sell anywhere other than the farm-site.

Recognizing the importance of farmers to consumer sales, the department revised regulations allowing for the creation of California certified farmers markets.

These markets are now part of the fabric of many communities throughout the state. Furthermore, farmers markets are an important source of fresh produce to many seniors and low-income families who can purchase fruits and vegetables through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; the Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program; and the CalFresh program.

Both the number and size of farmers markets in California and the United States have grown dramatically in recent years, prompting state and national advocates of local farming to designate a week each year to take note of their benefits. California joins the nation in celebrating National Farmers Market Week.