Ag Alert. April 5, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT | IMPERIAL VALLEY FARMING

employees. H-2A workers fill hotel guest ledgers, creating jobs for staff who tidy their rooms when the workers leave each morning for the fields. According to a 2019 study, ripple effects from Imperial County’s agriculture sector generated $1.4 billion—nearly half as much as the sector’s direct output—and employed 7,000 people. “It would be very easy for me and all of the other farmers to take money to fallow our land,” said Imperial County farmer Mark Osterkamp, referring to programs in which farmers are paid not to grow crops. “That’s all well and good, except that it destroys the local economy. I’ve lived here my whole life. I don’t want to see it all dried up and ruined for some dollars.” Despite having water rights that are se- nior to those of major Western cities, the Imperial Valley has faced mounting pres- sure to share its water with the cities as their populations soared in recent decades. The farmers know cities need water, but bear- ing that burden can be hard to take. “All they’re doing is transferring wealth out of Imperial Valley to Phoenix and Las Vegas,” Leimgruber said. The valley is already hurting. In addition to its economic straits, drought has brought environmental challenges. As reduced wa- ter use starves the Salton Sea of the agricul- tural runoff that has long fed the basin, dust from the exposed lakebed blows across

the region, where one in five children have been diagnosed with asthma. “In other places, they have a lot more money and resources,” said Ibarra, the Sure Helpline advocate. “What’s going to happen if we have even less?” Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the Imperial Valley to highlight the construction of geothermal plants, which aim to tap the valley’s lith- ium deposits—among the world’s larg- est—and power the country’s shift to clean energy. There is optimism the industry will bring wealth and jobs. However, large- scale lithium extraction is new, difficult and expensive, and some experts predict it will be years before its potential is realized. The Inflation Reduction Act includes $4 billion to address the Colorado River crisis. If farmland is fallowed, some of that money might be used to pay farmers and prop up local economies. But whatever investments are made, locals worry a shift away from farming will leave some behind. Just 14% of Imperial County residents aged 25 and older have college degrees. For many peo- ple, regardless of language or education, farms have provided a steady livelihood. “There are no other jobs,” Oliva Gonzalez said in Spanish. For 20 years, Gonzalez woke up at 3 a.m. to work in the fields, har- vesting lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower to support her family. “I did it for my children,” she said. “Now, they are professionals.”

Irrigators Alonso Cervantes, left, and Roberto Mariscal stand in an alfalfa field west of Calexico where they work. The agriculture sector employs one-sixth of all workers in the Imperial Valley.

Both of her daughters graduated from San Diego State University. One is a licensed psychologist. The other is a paramedic. Esther Bejarano, programs manager for Comité Cívico del Valle, recalled attending an El Centro elementary school surround- ed by farmland. “I would be out there play- ing, and I would see my parents harvesting lettuce in the field,” she said. “I remember my father getting home from work, and I had to take off his boots and clean the mud from his toes. When you go through those things, it makes you proud of what they did and gives you a sense of wanting to do something for your community.” That pride in the Imperial Valley’s heri- tage, and desire to see the region prosper, runs deep in a community that has worked the land for generations. “I have employees

whose fathers and grandfathers worked for my family,” said Leimgruber, whose grandfather immigrated to the valley from Switzerland in 1918 and helped construct the All-American Canal. “I want my em- ployees and their kids to be successful.” Despite its challenges and its uncertain future, the valley is irreplaceable for those who have spent their lives there. “I grew up here,” said Ibarra, who re- turned to the Imperial Valley after living in Los Angeles, and enjoys its environment and pace of life. Now that she is expecting her second child, she is more certain than ever she wants to stay. “I prefer it here for my kids,” she said. (Caleb Hampton is an assistant editor for Ag Alert. He may be contacted at champton@cfbf.com.)

The Produce Safety Rule is Here; ARE YOU READY?

Agricultural Market Review

Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS), an aliated company of the California Farm Bureau (CAFB), has partnered with the Safe Food Alliance through a California Department of Food and Agriculture grant contract. What sets Safe Food Alliance, FELS, and Farm Bureau apart is their total of over 100 years of experience and our dedication to providing technical guidance and leadership to the California agriculture community. Most farms are required to have at least one designated supervisor who has been trained in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule. Upon completion of the course, attendees will receive an ocial certicate from the Association of Food & Drug Ocials.

Quotations are the latest available for the week ending March 31, 2023 Year Ago Week Ago Latest Week Livestock Slaughter Steers – 5-Area Average Select & Choice, 1150–1460 lbs., $ per cwt. 135-138 162-163 165-167 Hogs – Average hog, 51-52% lean, Iowa-Minn. market, $ per cwt. 100.46 74.73 73.70 Slaughter Lambs – $ per cwt. 125–175 lbs. National weekly live sales 193-250 125-250 133-156 Field crops – basis prompt shipment Barley – U.S. No. 2, $ per cwt. Truck, Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock No Quote No Quote No Quote Cotton – ¢ per lb., Middling 1 3/32” Fresno spot market 93.50 77.10 80.03 Corn – U.S. No. 2 yellow $ per bu. trucked 9.11 8.57 8.78 Alfalfa Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Region 1, Northern Inter-mountain 320 (F/G) No Quote 17 (G/P, per bale) Region 2, Sacramento Valley No Quote No Quote No Quote Region 3, Northern San Joaquin Valley No Quote No Quote No Quote Region 4, Central San Joaquin Valley 385-440 (S) No Quote 400 (G/P) Region 5, Southern California 19-20 (P, per bale) 23 (P, per bale) 25 (P, per bale) Region 6, Southeast Interior 330-365 (P/S) 360 (P/S) 340 (P) Oat Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Northern California, dairy No Quote No Quote No Quote Oats – U.S. No. 2 white, $ per cwt. Statewide, trucked price No Quote No Quote No Quote

Dry Beans – Grower FOB prices Baby Limas, $ per cwt, (sacked) Large Limas, $ per cwt. (sacked) Blackeye, $ per cwt. (sacked)

No Quote No Quote No Quote

Rice – Milled No. 1 Head, FOB No. Calif. mills Medium grain, $ per cwt. Wheat – U.S. No. 2 or better, winter, $ per cwt. 13% protein, Los Angeles, trucked price

49-52

70-72

7.70 No Quote Provided by the California Farm Bureau as a service to Farm Bureau members. Information supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market News Branch. * ADF=Acid detergent fiber; (S) = Supreme/<27%ADF; (P) = Premium/27-29; (G) = Good/29-32; (F) = Fair/32-35. No Quote

The Food Safety Training Partnership is offering these training courses throughout California. You can find more information and register at

foodsafetytrainingpartnership.com, or call 916-561-5672. Supported by California Department of Food and Agriculture

April 5, 2023 Ag Alert 11