Climate Continued from Page 4
“Why is the state promoting ag ease- ments through the Depar tment of Conservation if they’re not going to get counted in the 30x30 plan?” said Roschen, who submitted public com- ments on the draft in mid-February on behalf of California Farm Bureau. “Why is the state pushing enrollment in the Healthy Soils Program as a part of the natural working lands and climate-smart strategy, and yet 30x30 does not count it? “It exposes a flaw—that all of these
plans that they are putting out are so narrow, that they miss the larger pic- ture,” she said. Christina Beckstead, executive direc- tor of the Madera County Farm Bureau, weighed in that many on-farm practic- es are not included or recognized in the 30x30 draft document. “The practices that these farmers in this room and statewide are imple- menting, whether it is a soil-health pro-
gram or a conservation easement, the Williamson Act or an ag easement, are currently excluded,” Beckstead said. “It is very important that you please take the message back and tell (other state officials) that these are things farmers are doing voluntarily.” Hansen said the state’s climate policies are boosted by such volunteer efforts. “We need you,” she told the gathering. “We know that where there is activeman- agement on our landscapes, we see car- bonbeing sequesteredand storedandwe see climate resilience being built.” Napa County winegrape grower JohnnieWhite called out the state for its track record on management of its own working lands, adding, “It’s a lofty goal, but (the state) isn’t managing the land that it currently has. I don’t know how we’re going to get behind something like this when it’s not happening currently.” In response, Hansen said there is funding in the state budget to address state stewardship of state-owned lands, adding, “I take the point that everybody has to put their money where their mouth is.” Lake County farmer Daniel Suenram suggested that the state encourage urban residents to also contribute to the state’s climate goals. “You’re sitting here in a roomtalking to people who have a huge love of the land. Most of us are in agriculture because it’s what we love and not necessarily a job to us; it’s our way of life,” Suenram said. “Preserving the land is something that’s really important to us.” Hansen responded that “by no means amI here to suggest that our lands are the only path forward.” She said, “We think that we really need action across all different sectors and that we won’t be able to do it without every- body contributing.” (Chr i s t ine Souza i s an ass i s tant editor of Ag Alert. Shemay be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)
“Yes to active management because in many ways, we are not going to neces- sarily achieve the climate benefits or the biodiversity benefits without that active management.” CaliforniaFarmBureaupolicy advocate Taylor Roschen said member questions reflected concerns over “this very siloed action,evenwithinclimate,” inwhichmany feel that “the goal posts keepmoving.”
Venue® Herbicide Gets the Weeds Others Miss
www.californiabountiful.com
Glyphosate, Glufosinate, and Paraquat leave gaps in your weed control program for tree and vine crops. With Venue, you get fast, powerful control of troublesome
A Farm Bureau Production
broadleaf escapes including field bindweed, purslane, lambsquarters, and stinging nettle. Add the power of Venue to your tank this season, and get the weeds others miss. To learn more, contact your PCA or local Nichino America sales representative.
KVPT/18 KCAL/9 KUSI/18 KSBY/6
Fresno
Sun. 11:30 a.m.
LosAngeles SanDiego
Sat.
7:30 p.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m.
San Luis Obispo
Sun.
5:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
RFD-TV: Dish Ch. 231, DirectTV Ch. 345 Sun.
8:00 a.m.*
*Times listed are Pacific Time
Now trending
©2022 Nichino America, Inc. All rights reserved. Venue and Nichino America are registered trademarks of Nichino America, Inc. The Fujiichi-mark is a trademark of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd. Always read and follow all label directions. | 888-740-7700 | www.nichino.net
@cabountiful
16 Ag Alert March 23, 2022
Powered by FlippingBook