Make the best of your vegetable garden by preserving the fruit of your labor.

Canning is an activity that can be enjoyed with family and friends. Done safely, it’s an economical way to preserve your favorite foods at home. Understanding the science behind food preservation is key.

Visit the UC Hansen Agricultural Center for another Saturday at the Farm on April 30th. This month’s featured speaker, Dr. Hany Khalil, Food Science and Nutrition Professor at Cal Poly—San Luis Obispo will present: Fruit and Vegetable Preservation—Safety and Quality Consideration. Learn the basic principals of home canning to produce safe and high quality preserved foods. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Space is limited, reservations for presentation required. Call 805-525-9293 ext. 214 or email:sbmiller@ucdavis.edu. Send checks payable to: UC Regents. Cost: $5/person. UCHAC is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Rd in Santa Paula.

The UC Hansen Agricultural Center will be open on April 30th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Faulkner House tours, self-guided garden tours, and Master Gardener plant sale will also be available. If you would like to participate in these activities, no reservation required. For more information visit our website at www.uchansentrust.org.

Admission to the farm and parking are free.

(l-r) Alexus Galassi, Brooke Aguirre, Brandon Pina and Ashley Jackson at the South Coast Regional Spring Meeting.
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On March 18th Fillmore FFA members attended the South Coast Regional Spring Meeting which was held at King City High School. At the meeting members competed in public speaking contests, regional officer elections and received awards for their hard work throughout the year. Each FFA chapter keeps a record of their events and activities by having a chapter scrapbook. Chapters put everything from meetings to showmanship practice information in their scrapbook. The scrapbooks are judged on not only appearance but on how well they inform the reader. Along with other scrapbooks from the region, Fillmore FFA’s scrapbook was judged at the meeting and looked wonderful! Alexus Galassi ran for the Regional Reporter position as well as competed in the Job Interview contest. Brooke Aguirre ran for the Regional Vice President for Ventura Section position and also competed in the Prepared Public Speaking contest. Ashley Jackson and Brandon Pina represented the Fillmore Chapter as voting delegates for the officer elections. Although the chapter scrapbook wasn‘t awarded and neither Alexus nor Brooke placed in their competitions or won an officer position, the students had an amazing time seeing friends and meeting new ones!

Oh how this past year has flown by so quickly! It’s already time for chapter officer elections. This past week the three graduating officers read over applications and interviewed individuals who would like to run for this year’s officer team. At our next meeting, these students will be slated into officer positions and will present speeches. Then, members will vote and the new officer team will be revealed at our End of Year Banquet in May.

It’s definitely spring time out at the School Farm! Brittany Gurrolla’s heifer Millie gave birth to her calf! After waiting approximately nine months, Millie had a black bull calf on the afternoon of March 24th. Just like any other animal, heifers can have difficult labors, but lucky for Millie the calf was born in several hours. Congratulations to Brittany and Millie!

On March 27th, Fillmore FFA members went to Rio Grande High School to receive their State FFA Degrees. Those who received the degree are Sierra Blankenship, Marc Zavala, Craig Harvey, Candace Stines, Hilary Vigil and Brandon Pina. The State FFA Degree is the third highest ranking in the FFA Organization. Members must complete the requirements which include being in FFA for two years, have received the Chapter degree and have had an approved Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Along with members receiving their degrees, two Fillmore FFA members were given proficiency awards for their hard work. Riley Wright received her award for Vegetable Production and Alexus Galassi received her award for Agricultural Sales. In addition, Mr. Mike Bush was awarded the Gold Star Administrator award. Congratulations and good job to those who attended the Proficiency and State Degree Awards Ceremony!

Brooke Aguirre is Fillmore FFA's Chapter Reporter

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Welcome to Farm Watch...
Who are we? Over 600 Ventura County farms, ranches, nurseries agriculture supply and packing houses.
Farm Watch is really more than that. We are a virtual-rural, crime fighting community. Welcome if you are just joining us. Lets catch up on the last few weeks:
STOLEN CAR:
A week ago, I attended an Agricultural Insectary meeting in Oxnard. I heard a story from a Santa Clara Valley farmer who told me about Sheriff's Deputy Leo Vazquez.
Leo patrols the rural area where the farmer lives and has orchards. He told me that a few days earlier he received a random call from Leo. The Deputy told him that he was currently out on patrol on the other side of Fillmore and noticed an unknown person with the farmer's vehicle. Leo was suspicious, as he had always seen the vehicle parked at the owner’s farm. A loud laugh broke out with the farmer as he told Leo that he had just sold the car. He wanted me to thank Leo for "Watching Out" for the rural residents and paying attention to such detail.
The story didn't end there. Unrelated, and the a few nights later, we were honored to present Leo with the Santa Clara Valley Officer of the Year Award. It is no coincidence that Leo is Officer of the Year. He is an example of his fellow deputies that share the same drive to keep our community safe. Drop Leo an E-note at Leonardo.Vazquez@ventura.org
Trail Heads:
Our Ojai Valley Crime Watch folks have asked us to spread the word. Visitors to the Los Padres Forest in the Matillja Canyon area have been plagued with window-smash car burglaries. The suspects are looting cars when they see any bags, purses and towels.
Remember, always try to minimize what you leave behind. Lock what you must in the trunk and never leave anything in the passenger areas that you don't want to lose. Crooks know that if you throw a jacket or towel over something on the seat its “gonna” be yummy for them.... They are the bear, and the jacket in the car is covering the picnic basket..
Connex Burglar:
Pleasant Valley Road, Camarillo. Nighttime burglaries of farms and ranches will CONTINUED »

FFA members who were awarded the Chapter FFA Degree.
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Last week at our monthly meeting, Fillmore FFA members and parents celebrated the Greenhand and Chapter Award Ceremony. The Greenhand Award is an achievement earned by first year members. In order to obtain the Greenhand award, students must be enrolled in an Ag. class, have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project, and demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Creed, Mission Statement as well as the FFA jacket. Fillmore members who have recently earned their Greenhand FFA Degree are as follows: Anthony Alamillo, Erika Garcia, Esneyder Gaytan, Felipe Cortez, Hellena Replogle, Zahydie Martin, Kayleigh Carpenter, Kristian Felix, and Ricardo Aparacio. For students to receive the Chapter Award they must have earned the Greenhand Award, have an SAE project in operation, know at least five steps of the Parliamentary Procedure, and have participated in the planning and improvement of chapter activities. Fillmore members who have earned the Chapter FFA Degree are as follows: Andrew Perez, Alexus Galassi, Christian Peritore, Hailee Smith, Brooke Aguirre, Jordan Carrillo, Micah Chumley, Oscar Negrete, Ryan Calderon, Sal Lopez, Saul Lopez, Yazmine Luna and Jennifer Martin.. I’d like to thank all the parents for attending the Greenhand and Chapter Ceremony and for making the delicious food for the potluck. I’d also like to thank Mr. Ricards and Wayne for always helping the members for FFA activities and more.

Are you a fan of California’s Agriculture? If so, you may be interested in purchasing a Cal Ag License Plate! This fundraiser is to help our states’ agricultural youth by reducing or eliminating the cost of leadership conferences like Made For Excellence, Advanced Leadership Academy and State Conference. With a Cal Ag License Plate on your vehicle, not only will you be showing off your support of agriculture but you will also be enhancing the California FFA Association. All proceeds will be used to improve Ag. Education, career awareness and training, and youth leadership development. The California FFA Association’s goal is 7,500 plates, but as of right now we only have about 1,000. The deadline for the fundraiser is April 17th at the State FFA Conference. As a chapter, we are trying to get as many plates sold as possible. If you are interested in supporting the FFA and California’s agriculture, please contact Mr. Ricards at jricards@fillmore.k12.ca.us or visit calagplate.com to order your plate today!

Brooke Aguirre is Fillmore FFA's Chapter Reporter

Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee members were recently joined by Cindy Klittich’s hardworking, 4H & Scout gardening club group for a succulent wreath and succulent plant potting workshop held at Sarah Hansen’s home. This cooperative effort produced a fine array of beautiful wreaths and succulent arrangements in pots worthy of any garden patio or porch needing drought tolerant, easy care plantings.

These wreaths & succulent plant pots were created as a fundraising effort to support the Fillmore Flower Show to be held April 16 & 17 at the Fillmore Senior Center. The wreaths & plantings will be displayed & available for a “suggested donation” at the Railroad Days coming March 26, 27 from 10am to 4pm. They will be displayed next to the Artist Guild artwork. Cindy Klittich will have them available next to her booth at the Farmer’s Market beginning in April & at TomatoMania on April 1,2 at Otto & Sons Nursery. You could also get them by calling Sarah Hansen at 805-524-0132.

The Fillmore Flower Show with a theme of “Fantasy of Flowers in Fillmore”, will be held April 16 & 17 at the Fillmore Senior Center. This year we will enjoy live music performed both days with Asher Smith playing violin & mandolin on Saturday & Nathalie Miliken playing classical music on piano, Sunday.

Brochures with entry information will be placed at the Fillmore Historical Museum, City Hall, Library and the Senior Center. Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee welcomes ALL volunteers who wish to get involved with the show set up on Friday, supervision or “take down”, after the show on Sunday. Donations are also welcomed. Contact Linda Nunes at 805-534-3021 for information.

On February 27 & 28th Alexus Galassi 13’ and Brooke Aguirre 13’ attended the 2011 South Coast Regional Officer Screening in San Luis Obispo, in the attempt to be selected to run for an officer position on the 2010-2011 Regional team. The South Coast Region consists of students from Monterey Bay to Canoga Park. The region is represented by a team of eleven students throughout that area. During the screening process the 42 applicants participated in ice breakers, relay races, team building activities and impromptu speeches. The applicants where also interviewed by three past regional officers. The screening process was to evaluate the applicants personalities and leadership qualities. After waiting a nerve-racking two hours for the retiring regional officers to deliberate, the applicants were seated to announce the slated positions. Alexus is slated for the 2011-2012 Regional Reporter position, and Brooke is slated for the 2011-2012 Regional Vice President for Ventura Section position. Both members will be running against their opponents at the South Coast Regional Meeting on March 18th. There, they will give a two minute speech, answer a thirty second question and hand out flyers to the delegates.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On March 4, 2011, at about 4PM, two males entered an orchard located near the 16000 block of South Mountain Road in Santa Paula. The suspects were in the process of stealing avocados and lemons when a local neighbor interrupted them. The neighbor left the area to contact the property owner. When the neighbor and the avocado rancher returned to the scene of the crime, the suspects had fled, but left the picked avocados and lemons behind.

Detective Albert Ramirez responded to the scene. After completing the preliminary criminal investigation, he observed two male subjects walking on South Mountain Road who matched the description of the alleged thieves. The suspects were detained and arrested for the theft of avocados and citrus fruit.

The suspects were identified as 26 year old Adrian Zavala Montiel and 41 year old Alejandro Ramos Pineda both from Santa Paula.

This arrest was made possible due to the “Farm Watch,” partnership between the farming community and the Sheriff’s Office. Farm Watch is a county wide electronic neighborhood watch program that is distributed to more than 600 farms, ranches, nurseries, and supply houses. In this case, because of Farm Watch, the rancher knew how to react and treat the crime scene to preserve potential evidence for immediate processing by deputies of the Sheriff’s Office.

Date: March 4, 2011
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clara Valley Sub-Station
Officer Preparing Release: Sgt. Dave Wareham
Follow-up Contact: Sgt. Dave Wareham 524-2233
Approved By: Captain O’Hanlon

February 23, 2011, Ventura, California….“2010 was a good year for Sunkist growers,” Sunkist’s President and CEO Russell Hanlin told the more than 800 growers who met February 23 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the citrus marketing cooperative’s 117th annual meeting.

“In 2010 we were faced with, and successfully overcame, many difficulties imposed by the weak global economy,” said Hanlin. “We ended the year strong and financially stable, increasingly more efficient and well-positioned for continued success.”

Sunkist’s overall revenues were impressive, topping $1 billion for the 10th time in the past two decades. Hanlin credited much of the past year’s success to the well coordinated efforts of the sales and production segments of Sunkist’s operations. “The coordination between our sales and marketing team and our packinghouses,” said Hanlin, “was the best I’ve seen.”

Growers at Sunkist’s annual meeting heard reports of the year just ended and updates on current crop conditions. They also had an opportunity to visit a large exhibition area where they could see first-hand some of the things Sunkist was doing to market their fruit as well as some of the many licensed products that carry the Sunkist brand name around the world. Sunkist is the world’s oldest and largest citrus marketing cooperative, owned by and operated for, thousands of citrus growers in California and Arizona who make up its membership.

Following the annual meeting, the newly elected board of directors met to elect their officers for the current year. Mark D. Gillette of Dinuba, California was elected to his first term as Chairman of the Board, replacing Nicholas F. Bozick of Mecca, California, who served as chairman for five consecutive terms, the maximum allowed under Sunkist by-laws.

Gillette is a fourth generation citrus grower who started the Gillette Citrus Company in 1983 with his father and brother. He is the managing partner of Gillette Citrus Company, a Sunkist-affiliated grower, packer and shipper of fresh citrus and grows Navel, Valencia and Moro oranges in Fresno and Tulare counties. Gillette has served on the Sunkist Board of Directors since 1999.

Re-elected Vice Chairmen for 2011 are William E. Chaney of Sun City, Arizona; Gerald Denni of Strathmore, California, and James Finch of Ojai, California.

Chaney represents the Allied Citrus Growers Exchange in Arizona where he serves as Vice President. A lemon and specialty citrus grower in the Yuma, Arizona area, he is President of Marlin Packing Company, Marlin Ranching Company, The Marlin Group, Inc. and Marlin Growers. An 18-year member of the Sunkist board, Chaney previously served as vice chair from 2001-05.

Denni, a Sunkist member since 1986, was elected to the Sunkist board in 2007 from the California Citrus Growers Exchange where he serves as Administrator. Denni grows several varieties of oranges including Navels, Valencias, Cara Caras and Bloods in the Lindsay and Strathmore areas. He is General Manager of Golden Valley Citrus in Strathmore and co-owner of Mittman-Denni Citrus Management, which manages over 1,800 acres of California-grown citrus.

Finch was elected to the Sunkist board in 2004 from the Saticoy Fruit Exchange. A third generation citrus producer, he and his family grow lemons, oranges and avocados in Ventura County, California. In addition to his agricultural interests, Finch serves as a Trustee of the Monica Ross School.

Bringing the board total to 27 are: Caroline Alfheim of Clovis, Calif.; Craig Armstrong of Palm Desert, Calif.; Nicholas Bozick of Mecca, Calif.; George Bravante of Visalia, Calif.; Allen Camp of Ventura, Calif.; William Chaney of Sun City, Arizona; Leslie Leavens-Crowe of Santa Paula, Calif.; Steve Cutting of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Burt Fugate of Santa Maria, Calif.; Russell Katayama of Orosi, Calif.; Gary Laux of Porterville, Calif.; Brad Leichtfuss of Fillmore, Calif.; Manuel Martinez of Loma Linda, Calif.; Samuel Mayhew of Oxnard, Calif.; Tom Mazzetti of Riverside, Calif.; Eric Meling of Ivanhoe, Calif.; Martin Mittman of Porterville, Calif.; Dick Neece of Porterville, Calif.; Cecilia Perry of Yuma, Arizona; Richard Pidduck of Santa Paula, Calif.; Kevin Riddle of Orosi, Calif.; Chuck Sheldon of Lindsay, Calif., and Randy Veeh of Visalia, Calif.

FFA members with South Coast Regional Advisor Mr. Greg Beard and Mr. Ricards at the Ventura Sectional Competition.
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The Made for Excellence (MFE) and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA) conferences were held last week and hosted by the California State FFA Officers. Mr. Ricards and our chaperon Rose Martin hauled eight FFA members to Visalia for the night to have an amazing experience. The theme for both conferences was Knowledge is Power. Zahydie Martin, ’12, Jennifer Martin, ’13 and Anthony Perez, ’12 attended MFE which was led by State Officers Casey Erickson, Jacqueline Garcia and Lindsay Anderson. They were divided up into different groups and worked on various team activities, like an obstacle course in which the team was blind folded except for the captain who led them to safety. The members were encouraged to identify their strengths and interests so they could combine them to discover the goals they could achieve. Mean while, Ashley Jackson, ‘11, Candace Stines, ‘12, Alexus Galassi, ‘13, Brandon Pina, ‘12 and Brooke Aguirre, ’13, were busy attending ALA which was led by State Officers Ben Graham, Vince Pellegri and Jessica Vazquez. At the conference, the officers talked about problem solving. Students discovered three important needs our state has which included water, alternative resources and food safety. Then they gained knowledge on these issues and made plans of attacks to fix these problems. The room was energized to the extreme as members participated in team contests like game show quizzes and a dance competition. Everyone who attended MFE and ALA had an amazing time and can’t wait for the 2011 California State FFA Conference in April!

Last Wednesday the Fillmore Chapter attended the Ventura Section Public Speaking, Job Interview and Cooperative (Co-op) Quiz Competition at Camarillo High School. As a chapter, Fillmore placed 4th for the Co-op Quiz. Alexus Galassi, ’13, placed 3rd for Prepared Public Speaking, her speech was arguing the importance of Certified VS. Uncertified Farmer’s Markets. She also placed 1st in Job Interview. Brooke Aguirre, ’13, placed 2nd in Prepared Public Speaking, her speech was on Farm Theft and ways to prevent becoming a victim. Alexus and Brooke will be attending the South Coast Regional Meeting on March 8th to compete in Prepared Public Speaking against others in the region. Congratulations Fillmore FFA members!

After the heavy rains this past weekend, members took advantage of the sunshine Monday morning to clean the school farm in preparation for the Tractor Competition this Saturday. Wish us luck as we show off our tractor skills to other FFA Chapters!

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The 2011 World Ag Expo, held in Tulare, CA, was over 2 million square feet of land covered in agriculture machinery and equipment! In other words, a farmer’s paradise.

Fillmore FFA started the fun-filled day bright and early as we loaded the bus along with Santa Paula FFA at 6AM. A couple of hours later we found ourselves listening to Michael Peterson, a motivational speaker who came to talk to the FFA members, explain that “life is full of uncertainty” and we should “deal with the uncertainty with out hesitation.” Mr. Peterson’s main goal during his speech was to have us realize that “when you change the things you look at, the things you look at will change,” meaning that we shouldn’t look at the bad in the picture, but the opportunity in it. After the motivational speaker, we were given the chance to roam through the show. We saw many different types of machinery like John Deere tractors, tillers and implements. Students also got to experience seeing Fillmore member Brandon Pina, ’12, test drive various tractors. Don’t worry folks, they checked his driver’s license! As well as displays, there were about 1600 agri-business booths including everything from chemicals to technology. Students who are enrolled in the Ag Fabrications class were excited when they came across the welding tent. There, members were able to see new welding tools and helmets being demonstrated. All the business representatives were excited to see the 2,000 FFA members in attendance. I even got to enjoy hearing a farmer’s FFA story from when he went to high school. The World Ag Expo. was definitely a great way to show students just how many job opportunities agriculture has to offer. The Fillmore and Santa Paula FFA chapters enjoyed their visit to the World Ag Expo and look forward to attending next year’s event.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The UC Hansen Agricultural Center (UCHAC) will kick off its Saturday at the Farm education series on February 26th. This year the center will broaden the scope of agricultural related topics featuring a variety of speakers from agricultural programs at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, as well as UC Cooperative Extension-Ventura.

This month’s speaker, Dr. Rafael Jimenez, a professor of Dairy Science at Cal Poly, will present A University Professor’s Point of View on Cheese: Past, Present, and Future. Get an insight into cheese making: history, technology, varieties, flavors, and textures—10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Fee: $5/person. Space is limited, reservations required. Call 805-525-9293 ext 214 or email: sbmiller@ucdavis.edu.

The center will be open on February 26th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for self-guided Faulkner House, garden tours, and Master Gardener plant sale. If you would like to participate in these activities, no reservation required. For more information visit our website at www.uchansentrust.org. UCHAC is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Rd in Santa Paula. Admission to the farm and parking are free.

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Our rural community of 600+ farms, ranches, supply and packing houses, nurseries and oil fields.
Keeping one another safe in rural Ventura County!

It's Sunday at noon and a perfect time to write Farm Watch. We are getting a light rain that will be perfect for our Ag Community.

As we look at our mild weather in February and a possible early Spring, we need to think about what the "Ag Crooks" are thinking about. We have to stay one step ahead of them.

Early Spring means, soil temperatures rising and fertilizer applications kicking in. Last year we lost a record amount of fertilizer by crooks stealing thousands of pounds of fertilizer from farms, County-wide. Sometimes they would take 2-3 thousand pounds in a night.

Remember, Agriculture Detective Ray Dominguez ask you to not keep-long term storage of bagged fertilizer in the field-side chain link yards. Try to get the delivery timely with the application. We know it is not always possible, but be on alert.

GOOD NEWS:
As you recall on April 17th, 2010, Sheriff Gang Deputies Bill Meixner and Beau Rodriguez were involved in a near-death patrol car crash on Highway 126 east of Santa Paula. They were both severely critically injured and each spent nearly a month in the hospital and eight months in physical therapy. Beau has just returned to work two weeks ago and typical “Beau,” he set out as active as ever combating gangs in Ventura County. Bill Meixner is starting back to work in a few weeks. We can’t wait for Bill to be back. If you get a chance and welcome them back: beau.Rodriguez@ventura.org and Bill.meixner@ventura.org

EXPLORERS:
Before, I forget, a big congratulations to our Sheriff's Teen Explorers who all went to Arizona and competed against explorers from all over the western USA. We are proud to report that our boys and girls from all over our Ventura County rural communities won many awards and had a great time. These kids are our future leaders in our communities and we should all be proud..

Young Farmers & Ranchers:
A shout out to our young farmers and CONTINUED »

Applications are now being accepted for Class 42 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP). Growers, farmers, ranchers and individuals working in allied businesses and organizations are encouraged to apply.

CALP is operated by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF). For more than 40 years, CALP has provided an advanced leadership development experience for emerging agricultural leaders. During an intensive 20-month program, fellows are immersed in topics including leadership theory, strategic thinking, strategic agility, effective communication, personality traits, theories of motivation, critical thinking skills, complex social and cultural issues, and change management. Fellows are exposed to dynamic classroom presentations, experiential learning opportunities and selected readings. CALF invests approximately $45,000 per fellow to participate in the program. The cost of the program is underwritten by individual and industry donations.
Seminars are delivered by four partner universities – Cal Poly, Pomona; Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; CSU Fresno; and UC Davis. Additional segments are provided by Santa Clara University and National Defense University’s Industrial College in Washington, D.C. Fellows participate in a 10-day national travel/learning seminar and a 15-day international travel/learning seminar.

“There is a tremendous need for individuals who can provide strong and effective leadership for their businesses in our dynamic and complex agriculture industry, as well as our communities, our state and our nation,” said CALF President and CEO Bob Gray. “Ag Leadership fellows acquire the tools to enhance their leadership skills and contribute to their – and their organizations’ – long-term success.”

Since it was first delivered in 1970, more than 1,100 men and women have participated in the Ag Leadership Program and have become influential leaders and active volunteers in the agriculture industry, government, communities, business and education.

Candidates interested in applying can download the application and required forms at www.agleaders.org. The deadline for applications is May 16. A new, three-phase application process has been implemented this year. The first phase is brief written application to determine a candidate’s eligibility for the program. The second phase requires a more detailed written application from a candidate. The final phase is a face-to-face interview with a screening committee.

February is very busy for Fillmore FFA! First, along with Santa Paula FFA, we will be attending the Tulare Farm Show on February 9th. There we will learn about tractors and different crops they have at their farm. Then on the 11th and 12th we will be traveling again to Tulare County to attend the Advanced Leadership Academy and the Made For Excellence Conferences in Visalia. There we will learn team working skills, communication techniques and take part in entertaining workshops. The workshops will help us discover who we are and what we have to offer to our community. A few days after the conferences, the Fillmore Chapter will be competing against other chapters in the Ventura Section in a Cooperative Quiz, job interviewing and public speaking contests. These are Career Development Events (CDE’s) which are designed to help prepare students for the job market by teaching them to think critically, communicate clearly and to perform effectively. On February 19thFillmore FFA will be having a Farm Cleanup for the School Farm. Not only will we be picking up trash, but also weeding and sweeping areas. This is necessary because on the 26th Fillmore FFA will be hosting a Tractor Contest. The day will consist of students competing in tractor driving and maneuvering competitions. All FFA Chapters from the South Coast Region are invited. As if February isn’t busy enough! On the 27thand 28th students will be applying for the Regional Officer Screening in San Luis Obispo. We have several students who will be attending this in order to obtain an officer position on the 2011-2012 South Coast Regional Team. We will interact with other FFA members from the region and be interviewed by past officers. National FFA Week is February 19th-26th. FFA Week is a chance for members to educate the public about FFA programs and Agriculture. Fillmore FFA is excited to show other students what our organization is about. If you would like to purchase a wonderful 2011 Fillmore FFA Calendar for $10, please email Booster member Kathleen Aguirre at fiveaguirres@aol.com or call the Fillmore High School to contact Mr. Joe Ricards.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Breanna Berrington with Mr. Guicci.
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Erin Berrington with Patches.
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On January 15th and 16th, Breanna and Erin Berrington of the Piru 4-H club attended the 22nd Annual Sierra Winter Classic Steer and Heifer Jackpot Show in Porterville, California. A jackpot show is another opportunity for kids who are raising animals for the Ventura County Fair to show their project animals. Instead of auctioning off the animals, they have the opportunity to win buckles, feed, show equipment, and money.

Breanna’s steer Mr. Gucci, weighed in at 782 pounds, and was entered in the Prospect Market Steer Division. She placed 3rd overall in her class. In Intermediate showmanship (ages 13 to 15), Breanna placed 3rd overall out of 48 other showmen. This is Breanna’s second year raising a market steer.

Erin’s heifer Patches weighed in at 502 pounds, and was entered in the Grade Heifer Division. This is Erin’s first year in 4-H, and her first time entering a show ring. Erin placed first in her market class and had the chance to compete for Supreme Champion. In showmanship, Erin was entered into the Junior Division (ages 9 – 12) and walked away with 2nd place out of 15 other showman!

For these two girls, it was their first jackpot show of the season. Breanna and Erin received valuable instruction and feedback from the judges as they gear up for more competitive livestock shows this spring. The next show they plan on attending is Cal Poly’s 2011 Western Bonzana Junior Livestock Show held in Paso Robles. Breanna and Erin would like to thank Randy Silva and Family of Silva Cattle for their commitment in helping them prepare for the jackpot shows.

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Welcome to Farm Watch.

Our last E Chat newsletter was December 11th.
I know your watching the Rose Bowl as I type on this incredible Saturday afternoon, but after the game read this and take a peak at the attachments.
We are joined by 22 new members. Over 650 Ventura County farmers, ranchers, Oil, nurseries and packing supply house members.

What a way to start 2011.

New Years:
Speaking of 2011 and the New Year, many of us at the Ventura County Sheriff's Farm Watch attended the New Year's Eve celebration of the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.
The primary corporate sponsors were all well known Agricultural leaders.
We were amazed to see the faces of so many active rural families, community leaders, including farmers, cattle ranchers and oilmen all mingling the night away in a Calavo Street warehouse in Santa Paula. Their goal was simple, raise money to support the youth.

Hey Tim, what does Boys and Girls Clubs of Ventura County have to do with Farm Watch?
Heck, I'm a new Farm Watch member and thought this is all about rural crime?

Its simple, crime rates have dropped every year for the last four years. However, crime-fighting as we know it is about to change. Across the State, we are seeing a new era of policing fiscal cutbacks, prison crowding and the effects of recession. The impacts of those State Wide issues are changing our crime fighting models.

We are real good at catching crooks and putting them away in jail and prison. That keeps our communities safe.
What we are in need of is preventing the crimes in the first place.
Farm Watch is committed to fill that need and be the vanguard for the new direction of fighting crime.
How? a Tri Facto Partnership of our rural community.
It consist of three categories.
#1 The Sheriff's Department, Public Safety and allied agencies such as Behavioral Health.
#2 Youth Mentor programs such as Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Future Farmers, Young Riders, 4-H and Boys and Girl Scouts. There are so many others of course.
#3 Most important, and that is you! We need you to support youth programs and spread the word about Farm Watch. Forward this to your friends.

GANGS:
Support any of your favorite Ventura County youth mentor programs.
Our deputies do. It's funny but Cops like to keep a low social profile. In the sense, I don't know what it is, but I have seen this over and over during the last 25 years. As a whole cops just don't like to toot their horn. I have attached a PDF photo that I intercepted in a briefing room of our Sheriff Gang Officers painting over graffiti this week. They are so humble and may be mad that I attached it, but it is worth the thousand words I could describe how our Gang Officers Deputy Cesar Salas and Greg Cadman work behind the scenes 7 days a week preventing and suppressing gang crime.

These two are leaders in the three-way approach to stop gangs in their tracks. We are proud of these officers.

They understand that being a gang officer is best understood by looking at the eagle on the back of your dollar bill. Take a peak. Nothing has changed since our founding fathers. One side of the eagle has 13 arrows, for us as cops and gang officers.. That's 13 Sheriff's Gang and Special Enforcement Deputies, representing the zero tolerance of gang criminal activity. The other Eagle claw is holding the single olive branch. Solo, a simple branch, but yet as powerful as 13 arrows. It is a sign of peace, a humble and helping hand, out to teach, mentor and prevent youth from entering gangs.

Gang Deputies Greg and Cesar track, intervene and suppress well over 150 of the 3340 county wide gang members.

At Farm Watch we thank them. Drop them a E-Note if you have time.
Encourage them and the work they stand for.. greg.cadman@ventura.org cesar.salas@ventura.org

Fruit Fraud:
Two weeks ago on a nice weekend day, Oxnard Resident Vanessa Ruiz decided to enter one of our Farm Watch member's fruit and vegetable market. She had an accomplice. Together they forged Christmas gift certificates and started a shopping spree in the farmer's market. Unknown to them, our farmer at this market is an extremely active Farm Watch member. Wrong day for Vanessa, Score is: Farmer one, Crook zero...
The Farm Stand called the Sheriff's Department who had a plain clothes officer on scene in 2 minutes. The Deputy watched the two shop and at the end arrested them for 2 counts of burglary and 2 counts of forgery. Folks this is not someone who needs the help of food share. These crooks with rap sheets who were selling these fraudulent certificates, a criminal enterprise.
District Attorney Greg Totten felt the same as us and the farmer. Thus Vanessa Ruiz was held for trial in court for these felony counts. We appreciate the D.A Office and their commitment to us farmers and rural residents of Ventura County.

VLF:
Don't worry it's not another citrus predator. VLF stands for Vehicle License Fees. California Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, just introduced legislation this week for State Sheriff's and Chiefs that is vital to maintaining local levels of public safety. Under the current law, 0.15 percent of the vehicle licensing fee paid by California drivers is placed into the Local Safety and Protection Account, which is used to fund a variety of our Sheriff and Ventura County law enforcement programs. This is not a new tax or fee but has been a part of our car registration for years

It is set to sunset in June 2011, which leaves local Ventura County agencies looking at the prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars for deputies and officers. Assemblyman Chesbro has stated that if the fee is removed it would ..."dramatically impact our ability to provide adequate services, especially in rural areas...” You can help by supporting the State Sheriff's and California Chiefs.

Wood Cutters:
Not exactly, but once again we have had more firewood thefts. This is exactly why we have Farm Watch. Farmer Dell getting his firewood stolen does not make the mainstream media. However, at $160 a cord, it does effect our ranchers who sell Avocado and Citrus wood to supplement their income. We received an email from a Santa Paula Farm Watch member. They informed us that their foreman caught 2 men in their orchard with a truck load of wood. They said they were friends of their neighbor and did not realize they were on wrong property. This was a ruse and the foreman knew better. Remember we just had this in the Grimes Canyon area. Keep an eye on the wood stockpiles. If they steal wood, trust us they will be back for equipment.

Lock Swap:
One of our Ojai Municipal Water companies is dealing with burglaries who think they are so smart. The suspects removed the locks from a front gate to a reservoir and replaced it with their own lock. They broke in and stole tools and 75 feet of copper wire. Remember we saw this last year when crooks were doing the same thing in the Sespe Oilfields. Our Ojai Detectives can use your help. If you have any tips, please email Captain Chris Dunn at chris.dunn@ventura.org

Koenigstein:
A suspect broke into a ranch at the 12,000 block of Koenigstein Road in Upper Ojai. They took small power tools. It appears they used force and kicked in the side door of a shed.

Hobson Burglar:
It's rare that we report crime up on the Rincon. Our rural neighbors up there are a tight knit community. A unknown suspect broke into a campground R.V in broad daylight and stole a purse with valuables. The purse was recovered in the bushes. We have to keep an eye on the transients who like the railroad track area. Always be careful to lock up and put away valuables.

My Last Will and Testament:
No, not mine......
However, I just had this last will and testament emailed directly to me. I thought I would share it.

Tim "I am Mrs Jennifer Woodward ,my spirit lead me to write you this email.I write you with heavy tears in my eyes and great sorrow in my heart because my Doctor informed me that I will die in 3 weeks time due to my complicated health issues (CANCER). Based on this, I want to will my money($10,000,125 USD) to a faithful person who would utilize it as I will instruct hence I contact you because, having grown up in the orphanage, I have no family to take care of it.The funds will be used to assist charity organizations, the orphanage homes and help the people involved in any form of natural disaster. I will wait to hear from you if you can handle this task with honesty. God bless you. Jennifer."

So of course Jennifer really wants me to send her my bank routing number and account number so she can deposit the funds. I have never met her. I imagine she lives abroad. Next she will want me to send her a money order or wire her money to cover the taxes. Folks, these scams are every day. Why? Because they work. These low life, bottom-feeding crooks prey on you and me and our sense of community, giving and helping one another. Help others by educating them and share these scams..

Wood Bandit:
No, not another wood-pile bandit. These crooks are still hitting farm workers cars on the Wood Road, Hueneme Road farm belt. They just broke into cars and stole items. They smash windows in broad daylight, preying on our hard working farm workers. Let's talk about that more next as our 2011 New Year Farm Watch Resolution.

2011 Farm Watch Resolution:
Farm Watch is all about community. It is a virtual neighborhood of shared Ventura County rural life. Preserving what we value.

Let's make our 2011 Farm Watch goal two fold:

First: Increase our rural quality of life and help prevent crime that effects our farm, Ag and ranch workers.
We can make a difference. Last year we set up some farm worker bi-lingual crime prevention education classes. Detective Taurino worked hard with the Farm Bureau and Ag Association. We received input and help from the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard. Drop us an email at Farm Watch. We want to send deputies out to meet and greet your foremen, ranch and farm workers and install a trust with them to use 911 to help that three way partnership. we solved many rural crimes this last year because they stepped up. We will need even more help from them in 2011.

Second: Gang prevention with our youth.
Fighting Rural graffiti is a start, It can be the cancer of rural life. Gangs are driven out of the Ventura County urban areas by increased suppression and gang injunctions. Where do they go? To our farm, ranch and oil lands. They spray up our pumps fences and sheds. Almost acting out, marking territory.

Folks, It's not "wall art," its a crime. Lets hit this quality of life issue with the arrows and olive branch approach. On your behalf, "Support and Report." Support our youth organizations, support your community, support stopping this cultural derailment and Report Graffiti, report suspicious cars in your fields and rural areas. Report Farm Watch to your friends and help us help one another.

Together we are stronger and more committed.

Calls For Service:
Don't forget you can go to our Sheriff Website at www.vcsd.org and check out calls as they happen. In addition, you can click on a county map of your neighborhood and check calls on, our near your street during the last week. These features are real cool.....

Be safe Farm Watch,

Your Friend

Tim

Tim Hagel
Captain
Patrol Services

The Ventura Country Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 27,2011, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 pm for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments, 7:00 for our Rose Celebration, and our speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Ventura Rose Society meeting will feature Robert Funai, Curator of the A.C. Postel Garden in Santa Barabara speaking on "Buds, Blooms, Birds, and Beaches: Springtime in New Zealand."

Mr. Funai's talk should be very enlightening for all Ventura County Gardeners.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information contact: Janet Sklar at 818-993-6622 or Dawn-Marie Johnson at 805-523-9003

Welcome to Farm Watch, 600 + farmers -ranchers- nursery and oil field operations united to preserve rural communities.

What a better way to start 2011 than with Farm Watch ...Good News!!!

Today we are sending out a special E-Note edition about an arrest by our Agricultural Crimes Unit.

Captain Rick Barrios just sent us this arrest information and wanted to thank all the members of Farm Watch who provided the important leads, evidence and Farm-side video surveillance tapes of the suspects.

"hey Farm Watch-We couldn't have caught them without you."

Detective Ray Dominguez works in Rick's unit and has been heading up the 14-month long investigation and task force to stop the burglary wave hitting our Ventura County rural communities, farms , ranches and nurseries.

As you recall last month Ray and the Major Crimes team arrested two of the primaries from the organized rural-theft ring.

Last week, the Major Crimes Unit served warrants and made an additional arrest. The Major Crimes Unit has been working non-stop on these cases.

Here are the details from Rick:

Nature of Incident: Search & Arrest Warrant Service

Location of Search Warrants: 800 Block W. 80th Street, Los Angeles, CA

900 Block W. 80th Street, Los Angeles, CA

5000 Block Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Date & Time: January 07, 2011 / 7:30 am

Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau - Agricultural Crimes Unit

Arrestees Address Age

Jose Dominguez Los Angeles, CA 22

Osman Enamorado Los Angeles, CA 23

Henry Briones Los Angeles, CA 26

Details:

In July 2010, the Sheriff’s Department’s Agricultural Crimes Unit identified a pattern of activity related to burglaries at construction sites and farms located in the rural areas of Ventura County. A task force comprised of detectives from the Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Departments was formed to investigate this series of burglaries.

During the course of investigating the nearly fifty (50) burglaries in Ventura County alone, detectives learned that suspects were conspiring to commit these burglaries and were targeting “Conex” type metal storage containers.

The suspects used various cutting tools to force entry into locked storage containers to steal tools including air compressors, welding machines, water pumps, drills, saws, grinders, and various hand tools. The stolen property was being taken to a “fence” in Los Angeles County to be sold for cash.

Sheriff's Detectives investigating this series of burglaries identified four (4) primary suspects. Based on the evidence collected at the various crime scenes, detectives were able to link the suspects to in excess of fifty (50) burglaries.

The evidence used included, DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence, shoe impression analysis, and the use of various surveillance techniques.

On 1-07-2011, Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives served Search Warrants & Arrest Warrants at the locations noted above.

Jose Dominguez was arrested and charged with seventeen (17) counts of Penal Code Section 459 – Burglary.

Jose Dominguez was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.

Arrest Warrants were issued for the other three (3) suspects linked to this series of burglaries.

Briones and Enamorado are in custody for their part in a similar burglary in Riverside County.

Wilfredo Jimenez is still outstanding. He can run but eventually Ray and his team are going to catch him.. Wilfredo: Here is our message to you..

Stay out of Ventura County! Or if you want to visit the rest of your friends turn yourself in.

Be safe Farm Watch,
your friend
Tim

GEOFF DEAN SHERIFF
John Chrombach
Assistant Sheriff -Patrol

Tim Hagel
Captain
Ventura County Sheriff

VISALIA, CA. The California citrus industry is taking a collective gasp after hearing a potentially deadly invasive pest made its way into a commercial grove in Ventura County.

The Asian citrus psyllid – an aphid-like insect that feeds on the leaves of citrus trees and other citrus-like plants – can be a carrier of a fatal citrus tree disease, Huanglongbing, also known as HLB or citrus greening disease. While not harmful to human health, HLB destroys production, appearance and value of citrus trees, and the taste of their fruit and juice. Once a tree is infected with the disease, there is no cure and the tree will eventually die. It is considered a death sentence for California citrus – both commercially as well as in urban areas where homeowners enjoy growing and eating their own citrus.

The discovery – in the La Conchita area of Ventura County – is the fourth commercial find in the state in the past year. Other finds include three in Imperial County, the most recent being last month near Calexico.

“As alarming as it is, we learned from other parts of the world this pest can travel quickly and easily,” said Ted Batkin, president of the California Citrus Research Board. “The research board is increasing its resources in the region to augment the state’s efforts in inspection and trapping.

“We’re all on alert. This serves as a reminder to the state, the industry and the science community that we must continue our aggressive efforts in finding this pest and mitigating its impact on our citrus.”

Alongside the commercial discoveries, urban areas – typically residential yards – in which the pest has been found include Yuma, Imperial, San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties, sparking a quarantine in those areas.

The pest and the disease have already caused devastation in Asia, India, parts of the Middle East, South and Central America, and Florida. The pest and the disease have also been found domestically in Louisiana, South Carolina and Georgia. In Florida, the psyllid and HLB are ravaging the citrus industry, destroying acres of trees and putting the state’s $9.3 billion citrus industry at risk. The insect pest, in the absence of disease, is also found in Hawaii, Texas and California.

“While all tests in California have thus far come back negative, it is only a matter of time as the disease migrates toward California,” Batkin said. “We feel we’re making great strides in our trapping and detection, and in our collaboration with national and international colleagues in working toward solutions to limit the affect of the pest and the disease. But this discovery in another commercial grove just tells us we have to take that diligence to an even higher level.”

Reports from South America show HLB is making its way to the U.S. border. At an October tri-national meeting of industry leaders, scientists and government officials from the U.S., Mexico and Belize, attendees learned of nearly one-third of the more than 6,000 tests in Belize have come back positive for HLB. Belize first discovered the pest in 2005 and presence of the disease last summer. In August 2009, HLB had been found in six citrus trees in El Cuyo, Mexico, which is located on the Yucatan peninsula and near the city of Merida. Merida is located several hundred miles north of Belize.

For more information and to find out what to look for, visit www.CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org. If you think you have found a psyllid, act fast and call the CDFA hotline at 800-491-1899.

Enlarge Photo

Good Afternoon Farm Watch...
We just got back a few minutes ago from staffing your rural Deputies and Sheriff's teen mentors as volunteers at the Piru Parade. What a great snapshot of rural life. Hay wagons, kids on bicycles, kids being pulled by animals, pickups filled with cub scouts and Middle school children marching to holiday tunes.

We want to thank Sheriff's staff Jane David and Leanne Thompson for all their help making this a true community event. They passed out over donated 2000 books to children.
It was all part of our literacy campaign to prevent crime.
Really, it chokes you up and makes you proud to be a rural resident of Ventura County.

Speaking of being proud......

VALOR:
What is Valor? We all have it. The military defines Valor as: The qualities of a hero or heroine with exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle). Yesterday (December 10th), Deputy Traci Salmon displayed valor when she battled for her life and won after being brutally attacked in a rural area of Casitas Pass. Traci had responded to a 911 hang up call that went bad. Alone, battling hand to hand with a crazed suspect, she refused to give up. She fought with all her might, shot and stopped the man trying to kill her, called for help and displayed her Valor.

It doesn't surprise me as Traci is a friend to all of us in Fillmore and Ojai, an Iraq War veteran and one of our best deputies.

After she put out her emergency message, and followed her training , she kept the suspect contained. In minutes, Fish and Game Wardens, USFS Rangers and fellow local police, CHP and deputies swarmed the area.

Because of her actions, she saved lives.........You can see her amazing and complete story at any of our local online news media.

Today, she is my definition of Valor. She is alive today because of her Valor.

Please take a moment and write a note to Traci at traci.salmon@ventura.org she would love to hear your words of encouragement. We can't wait for her to be back at work.....

FOOD SHARE:
Feeding our CONTINUED »