President's Message

June 2012

The Farm Bureau is hosting an informational meeting on the new groundwater quality regulations set to the hit the streets in early August on Thursday, June 21st at 11:30am.  If you use water on your place, either surface or well water –you will now be subject to water quality standards that never before existed.  And although it’s pretty bad to have the State breathing down your canal – it isn’t all bad.  Have you seriously considered joining the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition?  They’re the good in it and take on the regulatory burden and mountains of paperwork so you don’t have to.  Come by and learn about the Coalition and these new regulations –it will be well worth your time, and lunch is provided (please RSVP).

The Farm Bureau is also hosting a Meet & Greet for the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) in Madera County.  If you or anyone you know might be interested in this fantastic organization, please send them our way.  The YF&R is more than a mere coalition of agricultural youths –it’s a large support network that lasts with these young people throughout their lifetimes.  As interest in maintaining the family farm or ranch continues to show a track record of being on the decline –maintaining strong organizational bonds through networks like the YF&R is so important.  Please mark your calendars for the evening of June 21st, at 5pm.  Light hors ‘devours will be provided.

Lastly, although not quite as warm and fuzzy as the first two –the Farm Bureau filed a major class action environmental lawsuit against the California High Speed Rail Authority this month.  In close collaboration with our attorneys, we feel that the evidence against the Authority’s environmental document being adequate or truthful is solid.  Filing the suit was the first step. Seeking a Preliminary Injunction against construction will be the next.  Attorneys are expensive and this is truly a David and Goliath fight.  Any support you can provide will go to good use.  Please find the insert in this month’s paper to find out more details.

My final thought for the day –
How come when people fill out applications, under “Emergency Contact”, nobody puts “911”?

Have a great month!

See Ya!

Tom Rogers