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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07212015 - D.11RECOMMENDATION(S): CONSIDER accepting "2014 Annual Crop Report" and submitting the report to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact BACKGROUND: Sections 2272(a) and 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code require the County Agricultural Commissioner to submit an annual report to the State Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture regarding the condition, acreage, production and value of agricultural products in the county. An annual report shall also include what is being done to eradicate, control or manage pests and actions relating to the exclusion of pests or quarantines against pests. The report may include information about organic farming, biotechnology, integrated pest management and biological control activities in the county. The 2014 Crop Report provides core agricultural statistical data and programmatic information about Contra Costa County. It contains information about the many sources of food production in the county, including commercial and small-scale diversified farms, community and school gardens, nurseries, and livestock production. In addition, APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 07/21/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: 646-5250 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: July 21, 2015 David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: D. 11 To:Board of Supervisors From:Chad Godoy, Director of Agriculture/Weights & Measures Date:July 21, 2015 Contra Costa County Subject:APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Contra Costa County 2014 Crop Repot BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) articles on the drought, native plants, cherry production, urban agriculture and the work being completed by Weights and Measures staff illustrate the diversity of farming in the county and the work that the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office does to support a robust agricultural industry. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: The annual filing of a county crop report is required of the Agricultural Commissioner per sections 2272(a) and 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code. A negative action would delay filing or prevent submission. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: None ATTACHMENTS 2014 Crop Report CONTRA COSTA COUNTY 2014 CROP REPORT Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report2 Table of Contents Mission Statement The Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture / Weights and Measures, under the direction of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Pesticide Regulation and Division of Measurement Standards, is responsible for conducting regulatory and service activities pertaining to the agricultural industry and the consumers of our county. The primary goal of this office is to promote and protect agriculture while safeguarding the public and the environment. Our work as county Weights and Measures officials in the community ensures a safe place to live and a fair marketplace for trade. Agricultural Commissioner Chad Godoy Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Matt Slattengren Deputy Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Gene Mangini Steve Reymann Larry Yost Agricultural Biologists Karen Adler, Keri Brumfield, Chris deNijs, Mariah deNijs, Ralph Fonseca, Ivan Godwyn, Mortay Mendoza, Abdoulaye Niang, Lucas Pattie, Wil Schaub, Cecilie Siegel, Beth Slate, Jorge Vargas Weights and Measures Inspectors Gabriel Adebote, Patrick Bowen, Christine Buelna, Ngozi Egbuna, Harmeet Gill, Chris Michaels, Joel Rocha Administrative Support Roxann Crosby Sheree Nuxoll Information Technology Support Susan Wright Retiree Volunteer Suzanne Maddux Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Inspectors Betsy Montgomery Tom Wright Pest Detection and Pest Management Staff Simone Ackermann, Danilo Angcla, Lyndsay Bloxsom, Amanda Crosby, Nancy Dennis, Aaron Francis, Jatinder Gill, Herb Gilmore, Lou Ellen Kelly, Hardy Leopando, Phyllis Lewis, Edward Lujan, Rick Mata, Christine O’Boyle, Eldren Prieto, Craig Shoener, Lindsay Skidmore, Greg Spurlock, Oscar Zaldua Pest Quarantine Detector Canines Conan, handled by Cecilie Siegel Cairo, handled by Mariah deNijs Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer’s Letter ....1 Leading Crops ....................................................2 Small Steps We Can Take to Reduce Our Water Use .......................................2 Production Summary ..........................................3 Vegetable and Seed Crops ..................................4 Livestock and Livestock Products ......................4 Fruit and Nut Crops .............................................5 Field Crops ..........................................................6 Nursery Production .............................................7 The Benefits of Native Plants..............................7 Agriculture Today: The Many Sources of the Foods We Eat .........8-9 Certified Farmers’ Markets ................................10 Organic Farming ................................................10 Pest Exclusion and the K-9 Teams ....................11 Pest Management .............................................11 Pest Detection ...................................................12 What Happens When We Find an Invasive Pest? ..12 Weights and Measures .....................................13 Cherries in Contra Costa County.......................14 The Cost of Growing Cherries ..........................15 The Value of Urban Agriculture ......................16-17 Economic Impact of Urban Gardening and Farming in Contra Costa County .........................17 Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 1 Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer’s Letter Respectfully submitted, Chad Godoy Karen Ross, Secretary California Department of Food and Agriculture and The Honorable Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County I am pleased to submit the 2014 Annual Crop and Livestock Report for Contra Costa County in accordance with the provisions of Section 2272 and 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code. This report also includes information on additional topics including the California drought, native plants, cherry production and urban agriculture. The total gross value of agricultural crops and products in 2014 was $119,829,000, which is an increase of $23,017,000 or 23.8% from 2013. In general, demand and prices have remained strong for agricultural crops in Contra Costa County. Crop values vary from year to year due to many factors such as production issues, weather and market conditions. Some notable changes in values include: livestock and livestock products increased 52%; nursery products increased 50%; fruit and nut crops increased 25%; vegetable and seed crops increased 17%; and beans increased 35%. Cattle and calves showed a large increase both in numbers sold and in value. Fresh market and processing tomatoes saw a significant increase in harvested acreage. By contrast, cherry yield declined 59% due to unfavorable weather conditions that greatly reduced fruit set. Several crop categories exceeded one million dollars in value. These categories in decreasing order include cattle and calves, sweet corn, tomatoes, grapes, beans, alfalfa, rangeland, miscellaneous field crops, walnuts, miscellaneous vegetables, cherries, field corn, peaches and pasture. It should be emphasized that the values stated in this report are gross receipts and do not include the cost of production, transportation, or marketing of the products. The economic benefit of agricultural production is generally thought to be about three times the gross production value. We wish to thank the individuals, industry and organizations that supplied us with vital information to complete this report. Their cooperation is truly appreciated. I would also like to thank Karen Adler, Ralph Fonseca and all of my staff for their diligent work in compiling information for our annual crop report. Department of Agriculture 2366 A Stanwell Circle Concord, CA 94520-4807 (925) 646-5250 FAX (925) 646-5732 Branch Office Knightsen Farm Center 3020 Second Street P.O. Box 241 Knightsen, CA 94548 (925) 427-8610 FAX (925) 427-8612 Contra Costa County Chad Godoy Agricultural Commissioner Director of Weights and Measures Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report2 Leading Crops Small Steps We Can Take to Reduce Our Water Use On January 17, 2014, Governor Jerry Brown declared a State of Emergency in response to the ongoing drought. This trend has continued unabated, causing water shortages for growers and urban residents. It is clear that water is a limited resource in California and anything that we can do to manage it more efficiently will benefit everyone, from farmers to consumers. When we try to reduce our own water footprint, most of us consider the ways that we use water directly. Shortening showers, using less water for dishes, reducing unnecessary irrigation in the garden and refraining from washing cars are all great ways to lower water use. We also associate the drought with agriculture, since it is often reported that farmers use the majority of California’s water to irrigate crops. However, we don’t make the connection that the food we consume carries a water footprint in and of itself. The United States Department of Agriculture has shown that more than 25% of all the fresh water used for agriculture in the United States is lost through food waste. Food waste typically occurs in homes, restaurants and supermarkets when produce, dairy products, pantry items and meat are thrown away because they are damaged, spoiled or not wanted. By taking simple steps to purchase only the food that is needed in a household, eating what is cooked and limiting waste, every person can reduce their water use significantly. And if that weren’t reason enough, reducing food waste to the landfill also reduces the amount of methane that is produced from our household waste. Since methane is a greenhouse gas that is roughly 30 times more potent in its heat trapping capacity than carbon dioxide, reducing food waste, the raw material for bacterial emissions of methane, works to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. California farmers are working to increase water use efficiency and adapt their practices to the current drought, while still providing food to consumers at reasonable prices. We can support this effort by limiting our food waste and demanding that the places where we purchase food do the same. When food waste can’t be reduced, we can compost it locally or throw it away with other compostable material in the green waste bin rather than discarding it with household garbage. With these simple steps, we can reduce our water use and help conserve our existing water for the future. A Year of Food Loss Accounts For: >25% of all fresh water used for agriculture in the US $115 BILLION Leading single crops in Contra Costa County in 2014 Gross Value in millions of dollars Cattle & Calves 30.47 Sweet Corn 18.14 Tomatoes 15.88 Grapes 10.34 Beans 4.56 Alfalfa Hay 4.32 Rangeland 4.26 Walnuts 3.37 Cherries 2.48 Field Corn 2.16 Sources: “The Estimated Amount, Value, and Calories of Postharvest Food Losses at the Retail and Consumer Levels in the United States, USDA Economic Research Service, Online at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1282296/eib121.pdf and “One-third of Food is Lost or Wasted: What Can be Done”, National Geographic, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141013-food-waste-national-security-environment-science-ngfood/ dollars spent by US consumers on wasted food 1,160 pounds of food lost by a US family of fourMillions of Dollars0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 Cattle & Calves Sweet Corn Tomatoes Grapes Beans Alfalfa Hay Rangeland Walnuts Cherries Field Corn Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 3 Production Summary Gross Value Change in Gross Value Total Cultivated Acreage Change in Cultivated Acreage Ranking Category 2014 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 Vegetable & Seed Crops $41,710,000 $35,616,000 +17%7,567 6,422 +18%1 1 Livestock & Livestock Products $32,767,000 $21,509,000 +52%---2 2 Fruit & Nut Crops $21,295,000 $16,967,000 +26%3,627 3,217 +13%3 4 Field Crops $17,753,000 $18,526,000 -4%188,506 194,390 -3%4 3 Nursery Products $6,304,000 $4,194,000 +50%41 33 +24%5 5 Total $119,829,000 $96,812,000 +24%199,741 204,062 -2%-- Fruit & Nut Crops 17% Nursery Products 5% Field Crops 15% Livestock & Livestock Products 27% Vegetable & Seed Crops 36% 2014 Gross Production Values by Percentage Production values rose significantly in 2014. Livestock and livestock products drove this trend with a strong increase in value. Vegetable and seed crops also continued to increase in both acreage and value. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report4 Crop Year Harvested Acreage Production Per Acre Tons Harvested Value Per Ton Total Dollar Value1 Beans, Fresh Market 2014 477 4.80 2,290 $1,989.71 $4,556,000 2013 399 4.85 1,940 $1,732.00 $3,360,000 Squash 2014 61 5.91 361 $993.04 $358,000 2013 36 5.76 207 $725.40 $150,000 Sweet Corn 2014 3,263 10.45 34,100 $531.86 $18,136,000 2013 3,265 10.03 32,700 $427.54 $13,981,000 Tomatoes2 2014 3,105 35.61 150,130 -$15,879,000 2013 2,400 37.76 119,470 -$11,888,000 Miscellaneous3 2014 661 ---$2,781,000 2013 322 ---$6,237,000 Total 2014 7,567 ---$41,710,000 2013 6,422 ---$35,616,000 Contra Costa County sweet corn remained the leading vegetable crop due to continuing demand for this high quality product. There was also a significant increase in tomato acreage, including both fresh and processing tomatoes. Livestock and Livestock Products Vegetable and Seed Crops The gross value for cattle products increased significantly in 2014 due to high market prices. In addition, ranchers sold more cattle and took advantage of federal feed subsidies that were available because of the drought. Commodity Year Number of Head Total Liveweight Value Per CWT Total Dollar Value1 Cattle & Calves 2014 23,260 186,884 $163.04 $30,470,000 2013 19,100 157,382 $119.00 $18,728,000 Apiary Products4 2014 ---$597,000 2013 ---$881,000 Miscellaneous Livestock5 2014 ---$1,700,000 2013 ---$1,900,000 Total 2014 ---$32,767,000 2013 ---$21,509,000 1 Values represent rounded estimates based on data collected from producers, experts and literature 2 Includes both fresh market and processing tomatoes 3 Includes asparagus, artichokes, beets, cabbage, cardoon, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginseng, lettuce, okra, onions, geens, herbs, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins and radishes 4 Includes honey, wax and pollination 5 Includes chickens, ducks, emus, goats, hogs, llamas, ostriches, pigs, rabbits, sheep, turkeys, milk, wool and eggs Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 5 1 Values represent rounded estimates based on data collected from producers, experts and literature 2 Includes almonds, apples, apriums, asian pears, berries, citrus, figs, melons, pears, pecans, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, pomegranates, quinces and strawberries Crop Year Harvested Acreage Production Per Acre Tons Harvested Value Per Ton Total Dollar Value1 Apricots 2014 66 4.85 320 $3,489.16 $1,117,000 2013 89 3.70 328 $2,763.85 $907,000 Cherries 2014 494 0.99 489 $5,071.00 $2,480,000 2013 506 1.68 850 $3,613.00 $3,071,000 Grapes 2014 2,190 4.64 10,200 $1,013.35 $10,336,000 2013 1,734 4.59 7,960 $878.55 $6,993,000 Nectarines 2014 23 3.85 87 $5,631.56 $490,000 2013 33 4.22 137 $3,326.00 $456,000 Olives 2014 183 1.77 324 $759.63 $246,000 2013 179 2.29 410 $782.00 $321,000 Peaches 2014 101 4.10 414 $4,207.60 $1,742,000 2013 136 4.20 571 $2,823.00 $1,612,000 Plums & Pluots 2014 27 4.27 113 $5,249.80 $593,000 2013 32 4.62 146 $3,264.00 $477,000 Walnuts 2014 458 2.09 957 $3,522.00 $3,371,000 2013 393 2.28 896 $2,697.00 $2,417,000 Miscellaneous2 2014 87 ---$920,000 2013 117 ---$713,000 Total 2014 3,627 ---$21,295,000 2013 3,217 ---$16,967,000 Fruit and Nut Crops In general, fruit and nut prices were significantly higher in 2014 while yield for most commodities was generally lower. Grape and walnut production increased due to new vineyards and orchards starting to bear. In addition, grape prices increased by 15%, which raised the overall production value. Cherry production was down due to unfavorable weather conditions that greatly reduced fruit set. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report6 Crop Year Harvested Acreage Production Per Acre Total Harvested Unit Value Per Unit Total Dollar Value1 Alfalfa hay 2014 3,387 5.13 17,400 Ton $248.26 $4,320,000 2013 3,351 4.99 16,700 Ton $207.00 $3,457,000 Cereal hay 2014 3,166 2.69 8,520 Ton $154.88 $1,320,000 2013 1,920 2.68 5,150 Ton $149.30 $769,000 Field corn 2014 2,658 4.20 11,200 Ton $192.68 $2,158,000 2013 7,928 3.90 30,900 Ton $193.50 $5,979,000 Pasture 2014 5,450 --Acre $300.00 $1,635,000 2013 5,450 --Acre $300.00 $1,635,000 Rangeland 2014 169,000 --Acre $25.20 $4,259,000 2013 169,000 --Acre $25.00 $4,225,000 Wheat 2014 807 2.41 1,940 Ton $232.54 $451,000 2013 4,097 1.44 5,900 Ton $221.00 $1,304,000 Miscellaneous2 2014 4,038 ----$3,610,000 2013 2,644 ----$1,157,000 Total 2014 188,506 ----$17,753,000 2013 194,390 ----$18,526,000 1 Values represent rounded estimates based on data collected from producers, experts and literature 2 Includes barley, forage hay, hay (wild), rye, safflower, silage, straw, sudan grass and sorghum In 2014, field crop harvested acreage decreased, while production values increased slightly. Overall, despite price increases, the total field crop dollar value dipped slightly. Field Crops Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 7 Year Greenhouse Production in Square Feet Acres in Field Production Total Dollar Value1 Indoor Decoratives 2014 7,200 -$55,800 2013 36,000 0.10 $23,700 Vegetable Plants 2014 15,000 1.05 $417,000 2013 15,000 0.80 $239,000 Miscellaneous2 2014 21,425 39.00 $5,831,000 2013 82,600 29.90 $3,931,000 Total 2014 43,625 40.15 $6,304,000 2013 133,600 30.85 $4,194,000 Nursery Production 1 Values represent rounded estimates based on data collected from producers, experts and literature 2 Includes bedding plants, herbaceous perennials, Christmas trees, cactus, ground covers, propagative materials, ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit trees and cut flowers The Benefits of Native Plants Nursery production values continued to rise in 2014, demonstrating strong consumer demand. The diverse group of nurseries in Contra Costa County produces a wide selection of plants that fit a number of specialized niches, including heirloom varieties, native plants and fruit tree rootstock. These supply Bay Area residents as well as consumers from other parts of California and beyond. Contra Costa County nurseries offer an array of horticultural and food-producing plants to businesses and the public. With the current drought, the nurseries that offer native plants are seeing an upswing in sales. This is due to the multitude of benefits that these plants provide to yards, gardens and other vegetated sites. Since many native plants evolved in low precipitation environments, they are more drought-tolerant than other plants that originate in wetter climates. They supply habitat for native pollinators and have adapted defense strategies that provide protection from local pests. Native plants also generally require less maintenance and fewer inputs like pesticides. Research has shown that many types of wildlife, including birds, butterflies and beneficial insects prefer native plants, so growing them in your garden provides more opportunities to support and view wildlife. In addition, since open space areas have diminished due to urban growth, planting native plants can create corridors of habitat that help to maintain populations of wildlife. You can find more information about natives at cnps.org. For resources on invasive, non-native plants, check out http://www.plantright.org/ Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report8 Contra Costa County agriculture is diverse and historically rich. Many people from around the Bay Area are familiar with the eastern part of the county because of the U-pick cherry orchards and farm stands. The majority of the fruit, vegetable and field crops are concentrated in and around the Agricultural Core, an area near Brentwood that is zoned to maintain economically viable blocks of agricultural land. Livestock production has also been an important part of the agricultural economy for decades. In 1940, cattle production accounted for 18% of the total calculated crop value of the county and in 1970, it provided 23% of total gross production. By 2000, due in part to a surge in nursery production, cattle values accounted for only 8% of the total. However, at present livestock and livestock products are once again the biggest single commodity in the county, providing 25% of the gross value of Contra Costa’s agricultural production. While large-scale farming and livestock account for a majority of the agricultural production in the county, there are also many small-scale producers and business owners that contribute to our county’s agricultural diversity and provide a growing quantity of produce to local and regional food systems. The international Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) notes that, “Agriculture – including horticulture, livestock, fisheries, forestry, and fodder and milk production – is increasingly spreading to towns and cities. Urban agriculture provides fresh food, generates employment, recycles urban wastes, creates greenbelts, and strengthens cities’ resilience to climate change.”1 Contra Costa County has been the starting ground for a number of these urban and suburban diversified small-scale farms. In the late 1970s, the Contra Costa Community Gardening Project and several independent initiatives in Richmond established 16 community gardens around Contra Costa County. In this same period, a handful of school gardens were established and pioneering programs in horticultural education began. By the early 1980s, the county’s first farmers’ markets opened in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. Since then, the urban gardening and farming movement in Contra Costa has continued to grow. This year there are over 40 community gardens and 30 Certified Farmers’ Markets that bring locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables from farms to consumers. Most impressively, there are now over 60 school gardens around the county, many of which are part of larger multi-school educational gardening programs. Small-scale diversified farms ŠProduce a variety of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products by employing ecological principles including nutrient recycling and biological control agents that reduce the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers ŠUse direct marketing avenues like farmers’ markets, farm stands, CSAs2 and direct sales to restaurants ŠOffer classes and volunteer opportunities to the public focused on food production, composting, marketing, cooking, nutrition and other agricultural skills ŠFind a profitable niche by differentiating their products from more widely available commodities by unique quality, taste, appearance or harvest time Nurseries ŠSpecialize in particular plants that provide value to homes and gardens such as natives, vegetable seedlings, plants that provide pollinator habitat, drought-tolerant ornamentals, herbs and flowers ŠProduce plants for landscaping, gardening, home use and habitat restoration ŠRetain a historical significance and promote both small and large-scale enterprises, especially in the Richmond area where old greenhouses are still used for production today Agriculture Today: The Many Sources of the Food We Eat Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 9 Commercial Farms ŠProvide a diverse array of crops including grapes, cherries, walnuts, sweet corn and tomatoes ŠMarket crops commercially, although many also diversify by using more direct channels like farmers’ markets, U-Picks and farm stands ŠUtilize larger tracts of land and tend to grow crops in blocks that are rotated annually ŠConsist of organic and conventional production 1 Source: http://www.fao.org/urban-agriculture/en/ 2 CSA refers to Community Supported Agriculture, where individuals support a local farm by purchasing a share of the harvest that is usually supplied in the form of produce baskets that are provided throughout the harvest season Agriculture Today: The Many Sources of the Food We Eat Community Gardens ŠSustain crops that aren’t always available in grocery stores like heirloom varieties or have ethnic or cultural value ŠProvide access to nutritionally rich foods that may otherwise be inaccessible to low-income families and individuals ŠProvide green space in urban neighborhoods and are credited with reducing urban blight ŠAdd beauty to the community and heighten people’s awareness and appreciation for living things School Gardens ŠProvide innovative teaching tools that allow educators to incorporate hands-on activities in a diverse array of interdisciplinary, standards- based lessons ŠCreate opportunities for students to discover fresh food, make healthier food choices and become better nourished, expanding on First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative ŠBuild classroom relationships, provide physical activity, improve teamwork, beautify the environment and instill a positive work ethic ŠProvide pre-employment training in production gardening, hydroponic farming, culinary and food service training Livestock production ŠEncompasses primarily large acreages used in beef cattle and calf production, but also includes other types of livestock ŠContains an extensive amount of land devoted to rangeland and pasture with much of this land also serving as public open space ŠControls the growth of non-native grasses and forbs through managed grazing, which allows other desirable plants like wildflowers and native grasses to maintain viable populations ŠReduces fuel load, which along with other rangeland management tools such as prescribed burning, helps mitigate fire risk Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report10 0 200 400 600 800 1000 Nursery products Barley Tomatoes Pluots/Plums/Plumcots Nectarines Misc. Fruits and Nuts Pears/Asian pears Apricots Squash Sweet Corn Cherries Misc. Vegetables and Herbs Pistachios Peaches Beans/snap Pasture/Rangeland 2.7 9.0 9.2 11.4 15.0 16.5 17.2 23.5 16.5 27.0 28.0 31.9 38.6 43.7 163.5 982.0 Certified Farmers’ Markets Organic acreage continues to rise in Contra Costa County. In 2014, there were 1,449 acres certified for organic production. This is an increase of 59 acres or 4% from 2013. The number of organic farms registered for organic production in the county remained the same from 2013 with 17 farms growing organic crops. Organic Farming Many consumers don’t realize what is meant by a Certified Farmers’ Market. People come to farmers’ markets to purchase local, high quality specialty produce and products directly from the farmer who grew them. Often, they don’t recognize that there is a certified section in each market, nor do they notice that each producer with fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, honey, eggs and cut flowers has a certificate that is displayed at his or her stall. The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures inspects growers who plan to sell at a farmers’ market within each county to certify what they are producing. During a site inspection, we document the types and amounts of crops being grown, post- harvest storage practices and harvest season. All of this information is put onto a Certified Producer Certificate that the producer must post at the market. Certified Farmers’ Markets can only be run by certified producers, non-profits, or government agencies. The individual or group that organizes the market also registers and provides general information about the market to the county. Throughout the period when the market is open to the public, agricultural inspectors walk the markets to check that these producers have certificates and what they have for sale matches what is on the certificate. In this way, the office of the County Agricultural Commissioner endeavors to maintain the equity of the market by ensuring that consumers grow what they sell. In 2014, there were 30 Certified Farmers’ Markets in Contra Costa County. Of those, 16 were seasonal and 14 were open year-round. In addition, three of these markets served local hospital populations. These markets were run by a total of eight different market associations or individual parties. Organic Crop Acreage Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Concord Todos Santos Plaza Martinez Contra Costa County Hospital Walnut Creek Kaiser El Cerrito San Pablo Ave. Richmond Main St. San Ramon Sherwood Sports Park Concord Todos Santos Plaza Antioch Kaiser San Ramon Bishop Ranch 3 Martinez Court St. Richmond Barrett Ave. Martinez Main St. Rossmoor El Cerrito San Pablo Ave. Brentwood Walnut Creek Diablo Valley Shadelands Clayton / Danville / Orinda Pinole / Pittsburg Pleasant Hill / San Pablo San Ramon Bishop Ranch 2 Antioch Sommersville Walnut Creek North Locust Moraga Alamo Kensington Martinez Main St. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 11 Pest Exclusion and the K-9 Teams Pest Exclusion Statistics Post Office/UPS/FedEx Package Inspections 47,230 Truck Shipment Inspections from Within California 2,190 Truck Shipment Inspections from Other States 123 Household Goods Inspections for Gypsy Moth 145 Non-native Pest Interceptions 20 Canine Detection Rejections 58 Quarantine Pest, Certification and Markings Rejections 207 Pest Management Contra Costa County staff use integrated pest management methods including surveying, monitoring and chemical applications to control or eradicate certain exotic weed pests on public and private land. In 2014, the major weed species treated were: Artichoke Thistle - 511 sites; Purple Star Thistle - 232 sites; and Perennial Pepperweed - 51 sites. In addition, biologists surveyed areas for barbed goat grass, hoary cress, japanese dodder, japanese knotweed, oblong spurge, pampas grass, russian knapweed, red sesbania, woolly distaff thistle, white horse nettle, smooth distaff thistle, purple loosestrife and kangaroo thorn, treating as needed. Where feasible, mechanical control methods were used. The mission of the pest exclusion program is to keep exotic agricultural and environmental pests out of the state of California and to prevent the establishment or limit the spread of newly discovered pests within the state. Non-native plant pests that become established in California can cause enormous market losses as a result of quarantines imposed by other states or countries that restrict or prohibit the ability of California growers to market and ship their agricultural commodities. The Department of Agriculture has two key roles in the pest exclusion program: (1) quarantine regulatory compliance and enforcement and (2) service to the agricultureal industry and the public. We meet these objectives by regularly inspecting commodities entering our county that pose a risk of harboring agricultural pests. Examples include: incoming plant shipments at nurseries; UPS, Postal Service, and FedEx terminals; sites where landscaping is installed; and outdoor household articles from areas where the gypsy moth is present. Our agricultural detector dogs, which are funded through a federal program, play a pivotal role on our inspection team. These dogs are trained to find fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil or live animals shipped in packages. In one of our most recent successes, Cairo and his handler Mariah deNijs intercepted a package containing 25 pounds of unshelled walnuts at a USPS distribution facility. The walnuts, which originated from Pennsylvania, were found to be infested with the A-rated pests Hickory Shuckworm (Cydia caryana) and Walnut Husk Maggot (Rhagoletis suavis).The A rating signifies that the organism is prohibited entry into California and is subject to confiscation and destruction. In this case, neither of the pests are currently found in California and if they were to become established, they would cause significant damage to the walnut industry. The find was even more important because these walnuts were being shipped to Yuba County, where walnuts are the number one crop. If the infested material had been allowed to transit to its final destination, the likelihood that the pests would have found a host to continue reproducing would have been very high. Instead, our dog team alerted on the infested package. The walnuts were subsequently confirmed to contain A-rated pests and destroyed, ultimately preventing a possible infestation. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report12 Pest Detection Pest detection activities ensure that new quarantine pests do not find a home in our county. Exotic invasive pests can trigger quarantines costing millions of dollars in lost revenue while necessitating large increases in pesticide use to control the pest. Contra Costa County pest detection specialists monitor insect traps throughout the county, using pheromone and other attractant lures to detect insects of quarantine significance. At the first sign of an invasive pest, steps are taken to eradicate it so that the population doesn’t become established. Pest Peak Number of Traps Total Annual Trap Services Pest Peak Number of Traps Total Annual Trap Services Apple Maggot 8 100 Asian Citrus Psyllid 715 1,388 European Grapevine Moth 63 514 Fruit flies (McPhail & Champ) 812 20,941 Glassywinged Sharpshooter 980 5,684 Gypsy Moth 583 891 Japanese Beetle 603 1,010 Light Brown Apple Moth 45 232 Mediterranean Fruit Fly 809 10,181 Melon Fly 751 6,962 Oriental Fruit Fly 854 12,276 Oriental Fruit Moth 15 780 Pine Shoot Moth and Nantucket Pine Tip Moth 6 34 Vine Mealybug 63 363 Gypsy Moth 583 1,002 Khapra Beetle 16 18 What Happens When We Find an Invasive Pest? In early July, pest detection specialists found three male guava fruit flies over a three day period during routine detection trapping in the Bay Point neighborhood of central Contra Costa County. All three were found in traps that contained a lure that mimicks the pheremone that female oriental, guava and similar Bactrocera fruit flies release to attract males. When a pest of quarantine significance like the guava fruit fly is found, a multi-pronged approach is employed to eradicate it. A Proclamation of Eradication Project is issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture that outlines a work plan for the eradication. A delimitation area is created in which additional traps are deployed to determine the extent of the infestation. Agricultural staff also investigate how the fly may have arrived and employ a technique of male eradication to break the life cycle. In addition, hold notices are issued to owners of properties where the flies are found to restrict movement of potentially infested host fruit. The response is targeted to ensure that the guava fruit fly, which is native to southeast Asia and China, doesn’t become established in California. Since it feeds on fruits like guava, peach, citrus, cherry, fig, pomegranate and melon, it could have a potentially devastating effect on agriculture. If the pest were to become established, the larvae or “maggots” would destroy fruit tissue, making the fruit unmarketable. Pesticides would be used to combat the feeding damage, resulting in additional environmental and food costs. For commercial producers, the presence of a serious pest would also result in the loss of export markets due to quarantines imposed by other states and countries. For fruit growers in Contra Costa County, allowing the guava fruit fly to become established would cause significant damage. Estimated annual economic losses for an unabated population that spread throughout the state run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 13 Measuring Devices Devices Registered Devices Inspected1 Weighing Devices Devices Registered Devices Inspected1 Vehicle Fuel Station Meters 7,602 6,027 Light Capacity Retail Scales 2,090 2,200 Electric Submeters 7,184 430 Heavy Capacity Retail Scales 322 245 Water Meters and Submeters 5,968 607 Vehicle/Railway Scales 99 123 Vapor/LPG Meters and Submeters 4,345 188 Prescription/ Jewelers Scales 61 46 Taxi Meters 305 889 Livestock/Animal Scales 19 22 Other Measuring Devices 416 183 Other Weighing Devices 39 25 Advertisement & Transaction Verification Locations Registered Inspections Conducted Quality Assurance Registered Audited Petroleum Gas Stations 286 271 Weighmaster Locations 105 22 Price Verifying Scanner 1,150 164 Service Agent Devices -1,073 1 Includes reinspections Weights and Measures The Contra Costa County Division of Weights and Measures promotes a fair and equitable marketplace by performing inspections of packages and commercial weighing and measuring devices for accuracy. This ensures that the sale of harvested crops, livestock, animal feed, vehicle fuel and other commodities is based on an honest weight or measure. Contra Costa County Weights and Measures inspectors test a large variety of devices for accuracy. There are scales ranging from jeweler’s scales used for tiny gemstones all the way up to scales that can weigh a fully loaded railroad car. You can be sure commercial scales and meters are accurate because a Weights and Measures official has tested them. Before they can be put into commercial use, devices are inspected to make sure they are accurate and approved for that use. After the inspection, the inspector seals any adjustable parts that might affect how they perform. Each commercial scale that passes inspection will have a paper county seal that is visible to consumers. Additional regular inspections are performed on devices to ensure continued accuracy. Examples of scales that are tested include railroad scales, livestock scales, vehicle scales and produce scales (counterclockwise from top left). Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report14 Cherries in Contra Costa County By Janet Caprile, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor U-Pick Cherries In recent years the Brentwood U-Pick cherry orchards have become one of the most successful and well known agri-tourism enterprises in Contra Costa County. About 60% of our orchards are U-pick or direct marketed and about 40% are picked for commercial shipping. This robust mix of U-pick and commercial shipping operations is quite unique among our agricultural crops. Sixty-five percent of our cherry orchards are 10 acres or less. Cherries are a great crop for small farmers and rural ranchettes. They are one of the first crops to come off in the season (so there is less time for something to go wrong with the crop) and until recently, they didn’t need any sprays, so it was a good crop around home sites. The U-pick arrangement also solves the increasing labor problem that many growers face as the customers do the picking themselves! The U-pick operations tend to be smaller orchards and account for about 30% of all the cherry acreage in the county. But even though there may be fewer U-Pick acres, they are the most visible cherry acres and are an important avenue for consumer education. They connect people to where their food comes from, which garners support for agriculture by promoting a better understanding of what it means to grow, harvest and eat freshly grown produce. Cherries can be a high risk crop if rain comes during harvest and splits the cherries or when the crop is light due to warm winter temperatures. So although 70% of our acreage is commercially picked, packed and shipped, most of these growers also have a U-pick operation because it helps them offset their risk due to weather and labor shortages. When the crop is light it can be difficult to find a commercial crew to pick the crop. However, the U-Pick customers enjoy spending time strolling in the orchard to find the perfect cherry and they will simply leave the split ones behind. Varieties Our acreage has grown from about 400 acres in 1990 to 900 acres in 2014. In 1990 our acreage was primarily Bing, the standard variety for the California cherry industry. Now about 75% of our acreage is Coral Champagne, a University of California (UC) variety selected, named and introduced as an excellent variety for Brentwood by UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Ross Sanborn. Coral Champagne is a variety that has excellent eating and shipping quality like Bing, but ripens a little earlier so growers can get good prices at the front end of the market window. The remaining 25% of the acreage is comprised of a number of other cultivars that help to offer variety and extend the season such as Brooks, Bing, Lapins, Rainier, Sweetheart, Tulare and Utah Giants. New pests We have had two pest introductions in recent years that have threatened our cherry industry: Cherry Buckskin disease and Spotted Wing Drosophila. We have overcome both due to a strong working relationship among local growers, UC Cooperative Extension and the Department of Agriculture. Cherry Buckskin disease had been found in neighboring San Joaquin County in the 1980s and had the potential to devastate our unsprayed, U-pick cherry industry if it got into this county. UC Cooperative Extension began coordinating an annual survey with the help of their Master Gardener volunteers, the Department of Agriculture, Mid Valley Agricultural Services and the local growers to look for this difficult-to-identify disease and keep it from getting established here. When we found the disease in 2002, we stepped up our survey, initiated eradication efforts and took an aggressive approach to prevent establishment. The disease is now almost entirely eliminated and our cherry industry continues to grow, unaffected by this disease. Spotted Wing Drosophila is a small vinegar fly that was found in Brentwood towards the end of the 2009 cherry harvest sea- son. This brand new pest to the U.S. invaded the entire Pacific North- west that year. UC Cooperative Extension worked furiously with researchers throughout the west to find a solu- tion to this new pest. By the 2010 season they had management plans and extensive grower education programs in place that allowed our local growers to successfully control it. During the next few years the research team continued to fine tune the management program to make it as safe and environmentally- friendly as possible. UC Cooperative Extension worked extensively to develop management practices that were compatible with the unique needs of our U-Pick industry. We now have organic options and bait sprays that have been widely adopted in the Brentwood area and work particularly well in our multiple variety, U-pick orchards. A Spotted Wing Drosophila adult Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 15 The Cost of Growing Cherries UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics in conjunction with University of California Cooperative Extension Services all over the state continually put together production cost studies for various crops. For cherries in California, research shows that farmers, on average, gain a 13% profit after all production costs are considered.1 Production costs and returns for cherries vary by location and over time for any particular farming operation. This variability stems from differences in the following: For example, while our cherry producers grossed an average of $5,071 per acre on cherries in 2014, based on a 13% profit projection from the cost study, the grower may only see a profit of about $659 per acre. For a small grower with 5 acres, this means that the grower needs to spend $22,059 in order to earn $3,296 in total profit. The cost study shows that cherry producers, like many farmers, assume an enormous amount of risk by investing in a crop without knowing what the yields will be when the cherries are harvested. Sample production cost studies for many commodities are available and can be requested through the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, UC Davis. Current studies and some archived studies can be obtained from county UC Cooperative Extension offices or downloaded from the department website at http://coststudies. ucdavis.edu 1 Costs can also be calculated differently depending on the intended use of the cost estimate. The information in this publication serves as a general guide for establishing and producing sweet cherries in central California. To avoid drawing unwarranted conclusions for any particular farm or group of farms, the reader must closely examine the assumptions used. If they are not appropriate for the situation under consideration, adjustments in the costs and/or returns should be made. 34% Packing 22% Picking/Harvest 16% Land/Overhead 13% Prot 10% CulturalCosts 5% Labor ŠCapital, labor and natural resources ŠType and size of machinery ŠCultural practices ŠSize of farm enterprise ŠCrop yields ŠInput prices ŠCommodity prices ŠManagement skill Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report16 The Value of Urban Agriculture By Rob Bennaton, Bay Area Urban Agriculture Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension 1 Source: http://www.who.int/gho/urban_health/situation_trends/urban_population_growth_text/en/ 2 Source: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb12-50.html 3 Adapted from the APA Definition, 2011. See UC Urban Ag Website: http://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanAg/ for more information In 2013, the world’s population crossed a threshold never before surpassed in history: greater than 50% of the world now lives in cities and metropolitan areas.1 This trend carries over to Contra Costa County, which is home to a number of cities. As a matter of fact, “The San Francisco-Bay Area is the nation’s second most densely populated area at 6,266 people per square mile, followed by San Jose, CA (5,820 people per square mile)… Of the ten most densely populated urbanized areas, nine are in the West, with seven of those in California.”2 As cities grow, one key question many are asking is how humanity will continue to sustain itself in terms of food systems that maintain both our environment and a sustainable quality of life. We all want an environment that includes healthy water, soil and air that we can enjoy for generations to come. To support a beneficial quality of life for all, urban agriculture considers social issues, economics and equity in the context of a healthy local environment. Urban agriculture is a way to support healthy families, communities and the envi- ronment, while reaping the associated social and environmental benefits that come from bringing people together to grow food. “Urban agriculture includes production, distribution and marketing of food and other [agricultural] products within core metropolitan areas and at their edges”.3 It is inclusive because anyone can learn how to grow his or her own food and enjoy the benefits. Urban food production ranges from carrots growing in a balcony container pot to a local urban farm growing produce to feed a low income community lacking access to healthy food. It comes in all shapes and sizes: urban farms, community and school gardens, and parks, and can be for-profit, non-profit, community/school-based or a hybrid model. Urban agriculture provides stacked social, health, economic and environmental advantages to communi- ties. Social impacts of urban agriculture include safer spaces, community building and intergenerational/ cross-cultural integration and understanding. Economic impacts cover increased farmer income through market expansion, saved or locally-used food-dollars and social and economic reevaluation through asset-building. Some health impacts are improved nutrition from increased fruit and vegetable consumption, low-intensity physical activity and the therapeutic effects of gardening on mental and rehabilitative health. Environmental impacts include a lower carbon footprint from reduced food- miles traveled, increased water conservation and decreased organic materials entering the waste stream. In addition, urban agriculture generally uses fewer chemical inputs and enhances soil conservation. This does not mean that every urban agriculture project or farm offers all of these benefits because each site is unique. Projects must be designed and implemented with speci- fic goals in mind, and the type of hybrid model that results will have many of these benefits. But the picture is not all rosy! Cultivating food in urban areas has its challenges and the urban growers have their burdens to bear as well. Participation and buy-in of area residents is essential to the success, viability and safety of urban agriculture projects. Managing soil quality issues by testing soils, building raised beds, adding organic material and being aware of a specific site’s history, especially if it is an industrial one, are key factors to consider. Legal issues such as liability/permitting, leases, food safety, heavy metals in soil and local zoning regulations are also crucial points to recognize. Another challenge has been that urban agriculture projects have historically been subsidized by government funding earmarked for education and outreach, but attempts to become financially self-sustainable haven’t always succeeded. After all of these realities are resolved, the traditional agricultural issues of production, small farm business management, food safety in post-harvest handling and processing come to the forefront as well. Contra Costa County - 2014 Annual Crop Report 17 Estimated Annual Value of Urban Gardening and Farming Food Production Projects1 Acres (avg)2 Sq. ft.Value/Project3 Total Value Community Gardens 41 1/8 5,445 $8,168 $334,868 School Gardens 60 1/16 2,723 $4,084 $245,025 Urban Farms and Demonstration Gardens 6 1/2 21,780 $32,670 $196,020 Charity Gardens 4 1/4 10,890 $16,335 $65,340 Gleaning4 1 ---$80,000 Estimated Total ----$921,253 Economic Impact of Urban Gardening and Farming in Contra Costa County In March 2013, Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) launched a multi-faceted initiative to support urban gardening and farming (UGF) in Contra Costa County. SCOCO conducted a first-ever inventory and survey of urban gardens and farms in the county and compiled a comprehensive on-line directory of gardens, projects and supporting programs. In the process, SCOCO documented the work of a number of organizations that are working to create a local food system and connect people to the land. These growing spaces provide land for people who want to grow their own food, schools that teach our kids about food, nutrition and other core subjects through garden-based curricula, urban farmers, co-op neighborhhood gardening groups, gleaners, farmers’ markets, backyard farm circles and more. 1 Urban Gardening and Farming Projects. Source: Sustainable Contra Costa’s Directory of Urban Gardening and Farming Projects in Contra Costa, http://sustainablecoco.org/gardendirectory 2 Gardened areas are rough estimates not based on actual site measurements 3 Values are based on an estimated square foot value of $1.50 based on information from Gardens for All and the National Gardening Association, http://www.gardenresearch.com/files/2009-Impact-of-Gardening-in-America-White-Paper.pdf 4 Gleaning figures are based on the estimate of 80 tons of produce or 160,000 pounds per year harvested and donated to the food bank at a price of $0.50 per pound in Contra Costa County You can find more information about valuing urban food production at: http://sustainablecoco.org/, https://communitygarden.org/resources/research/ and http://foodsecurity.uchicago.edu/research/community-gardens-2/ Given these challenges, the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) conducted a statewide Urban Agriculture Needs Assessment. One of the main findings was that urban agriculture is a priority for UC Cooperative Extension, which has over 120 UCCE academics involved in some aspect of urban agriculture throughout California. Another was the need to develop technical literature that was adapted to the urban context and audience on soil quality, pest management and irrigation. The assessment also led to the establishment of an ANR Urban Agriculture Collaborative Team and website (http://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanAg/) with a vast array of information on urban agricultural production, distribution and marketing. Urban agriculture provides the opportunity for livable cities that allow for an urban existence in which healthy families and communities can coexist without compromising the environmental and natural resources needed by future generations. Let’s grow together! Agriculture is an everchanging industry, and food is produced in a variety of ways by farmers, gardeners and ranchers of all sizes. Here in Contra Costa, the Department of Agriculture / Weights and Measures actively seeks to promote communication and cooperation between producers and their communities to support a viable agricultural industry in the present and future. Contra Costa County 2014 Annual Crop Report