NAPA COUNTY FARM BUREAU

NCFB pushes back on grazing regulation

January 2011.  Theft Prevention and Rural Safety

We want to alert you that several brazen rural theft cases occurred recently in Napa County.  Here are a few tips from Napa County Deputy Sheriff Jon Thompson and Farm Bureau to help prevent burglaries at your property:

The following tips may make you a less likely target.

1.      Install an alarm system, either one that tells the world with noise and lights, or a silent alarm to tip off the sheriffs.   

2.      Note suspicious vehicles, people and activities, and warn your neighbors and workers to do the same. Take down license numbers of such vehicles.  It always helps to have a description of not only the vehicle but the people associated with the vehicle as we respond.   This includes height, weight, hair color, eye color clothing description…etc

3. Check info on the California Farm Bureau website at www.cfbf.com/ruralcrime/metaltheft.cfm  for tips to prevent metal theft.  Deputy Thompson reports that the county is being terrorized with metal theft throughout the valley right now. If your have metal around their property it needs to be secured.  Any type of copper needs to be especially watched.
4.  Mark your equipment with an Owner Applied Number (OAN) to assist in recovery of farm machinery, equipment and even household goods.  O.A.N. is a program supported by numerous organizations and agencies including: the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force, the California Highway Patrol, California Farm Bureau Federation, United Agri-Business League and California State Grange.  Info at cfbf.com/ruralcrime/oan.cfm.
5. Post “No Trespassing” signs.  Rural crime begins with trespassing. Whether the crime involves theft, vandalism or other violations, a person has to enter property illegally to commit the crime. State law that took effect Jan. 1, 2004, increases the penalty for people who trespass on farms and ranches.   "No Trespassing" signs, in English and Spanish, are available to Farm Bureau members from CFBF. Signs in English cost $1.35 each. Signs in Spanish cost $1.62 each. Shipping costs will be added to each order. To order, call toll-free, 800-698-FARM; e-mail helpdesk@cfbf.com
6. To guard against solar panel theft:  Have a map of the panels with their serial numbers, so you can identify stolen property.  Ask your contractor or solar panel manufacturers to  embed RFID (radio frequency identification) chips inside the packages to discourage theft.
7. Use locking bolts; they do slow down the thieves.
   If you suspect anything, call the sheriff. Don't enter the scene, which could compromise evidence -- and don't mess with the thieves, they may be armed and dangerous. 
8. Contact info for Deputy Jon Thompson is cell 707-253-4280 or Jon.Thompson@countyofnapa.org .  The Problem Oriented Policing Program will always come out and make evaluations of people’s property (homes, business or rural ag land) to help prevent crimes from occurring. 

The NCFB, NVG, NVV, and P.I.N.A. met monthly to study the promise and consequences of GEO usage and the potential impact of GE crops, yeast, and bacteria should they be used by the Napa County wine industry. Please click here to read the position on the use of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) in viticulture and winemaking.

 The European grapevine moth is a known pest of grapes in Europe, the Mediterranean, southern Russia, Japan, the Middle East, Near East, and northern and western Africa.
 The Napa County Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to trap and survey in the area in an attempt to detect additional European grapevine moths. Regulatory actions are under review.
 Studies of the European grapevine moth internationally show that larvae feed primarily on the flowers and fruit of the grape, and that they can also feed on number of other hosts,  including olives, blackberries, cherries, nectarines, persimmons and pomegranates.

Best way to handle larvae infested fruit

Harvested winegrapes containing EGVM lifestages should pose minimal risk due to the nature of winegrape processing (crusher/stemmer/pressing), the acidity the of juice, and fermentation.  This would seem especially true for soft bodied larvae and most likely for pupae although this uncertain at this point. Proper composting or disposal of any waste product (as required under the LBAM program) should further reduce the survivability of any insect lifestages.  

Larvae infested fruit that is unharvested should be dropped from vines, placed into the middle of the rows, and disced into the soil. This would seem to be more effective and efficient than other options, such as off site disposal, chemical treatment, or leaving on the vine. Soil incorporation of infested clusters will not only prevent off site movement of larvae and pupae, but also expose these lifestages to mechanical and biological (micro-organisms, predators, etc.) action that should reduce any population that might emerge next season.

Programs that might compensate growers for crop loss/damage associated with European Grapevine Moth (EGVM)

A preliminary inquiry has been made to the USDA Farm Service Agency regarding any possible financial assistance available for crop loss or damage associated with EGVM.  Attached is some information about FSA’s Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program that growers might want to consider. It is important to note that in order to be possibly eligible for the 2009 SURE program, producers must have:  experienced more than 50% loss in this year’s crop,  losses determined to be exacerbated by weather conditions, been covered by crop insurance.

Questions about assistance and eligibility should be directed to the local FSA office in Dixon (707-678-1931).  Growers must be diligent in documenting losses attributable to EGVM and exacerbated by weather, and maintain the information in the event they want to consider or apply for assistance through the SURE program or any future program that might exist.   

2008 Farm Bill Fact Sheet

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008

The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, or simply the Farm Bill, is an omnibus bill covering nutrition and farm programs for 2008-2012. Click on the attached PDF document for more information.