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Summer Is Sonoma: Tips to Avoid Heat-Related Health Issues

Sonoma Ranch Working out in the heat and under the sun during the summer months can have devastating effects on the mind and body, especially when the proper precautions are not taken. If you work outside or employ workers who spend long hours out in the elements where heat is an issue, consider reading through the following tips to ensure a safe and happy summer season on your ranch, farm, or vineyard.

As you work, your body produces heat. This heat is then released from the body through sweat. However, sometimes sweating isn’t enough to properly cool you down. So when you combine this fact with high temperatures and hot air outside, it is very possible to quickly become uncomfortable. The situation can become dangerous if you’re sweating out all of your water but your body still is too hot.

The negative effects of heat usually begin to affect the body before the person in harm’s way even realizes it, especially in humid and still conditions—since it takes longer to release heat under these circumstances.

Here are a few tips to help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim of heat-related health issues:

  • Rest often and work slowly — This will help your body release heat properly. If you take breaks and work in the shade as often as possible, your body will not become so heated through movement and the sun’s rays. Also, if it’s possible to begin work early in the morning, then you can avoid some of the afternoon heat.
  • Wear protective coverage — Wearing a hat and/or other cover that blocks the sun’s rays will also reduce the amount of heat your body absorbs.
  • Drink water — This one may seem obvious, but it is important to drink water and not anything alcoholic or caffeinated. Do not wait until you’re thirsty to drink, either. In order to replace the sweat your body needs to release to stay cool you must drink roughly one quart or more per hour. Moreover, it is better to drink smaller amounts of water more frequently than it is to drink large amounts all at once. After a few days of working under such heated conditions, your body will become acclimated and you’ll be able to sweat more appropriately.
  • Be aware of the warning signs — Early warning signs include loss of concentration, stamina, and/or strength. Other common signs of overheating include headache, cramps, nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, and fainting.

The best way to avoid heat-related health issues is to use your best judgment. Be sure not to overwork yourself. Moreover, pay close attention to how you and the people around you feel and act. If you or another person exhibits any of the warning signs mentioned above, then it is important to quickly find shade, loosen clothing, drink some water, and fan the body until the issues subside. Overlooking the warning signs can lead to more than simply fainting; it can cause a heat stroke and possibly even death.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau Presents ‘Love of the Land’

Sonoma County FarmLove of the Land” is an annual event held by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau to support agricultural education, scholarships, and ag-related activities in the classroom, as well as to protect clean water and farm lands in the Sonoma area. The event is open to the public, and the festivities will include great Sonoma County food and wine, an auction, and awards for some of the county’s most important contributors.

This year’s Love of the Land will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s Vineyard, which is located at 3575 Slusser Road in Windsor. Event parking will be located at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, 4401 Slusser Road.

The event starts at 5 p.m., beginning with tastings of Sonoma County wine and food until 7 p.m. After the tasting, a dinner will be served featuring an array of Sonoma County-grown treats. Immediately following the benefit dinner will be the awards presentation and live auction.

The reservation deadline for this event is July 5. Reservations can be made online or by phone at (707) 544-5575.

This Year’s Award Recipients

The award recipients for 2013 that will be honored after the benefit dinner include Lee and Carolyn Martinelli Family of Forestville, Tish Ward of the Atwood Ranch, and Saralee McClelland Kunde.

Lee and Carolyn Martinelli Family of Forestville will receive the award for “Farm Family of the Year,” because of their long ties to Sonoma County.

Tish Ward of the Atwood Ranch will receive the “Luther Burbank Conservation Award” for her environmental ethic and strong passion for land and nature. You can read more about Tish Ward here.

Saralee McClelland Kunde, a grape grower, agricultural leader, philanthropist, and significant figure in Sonoma County’s food and wine scene, will receive accolades and be inducted as an official member of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall of Fame. You can read more about Saralee McClelland Kunde here.

Tickets and Donations for “Love of the Land” 2013

An individual ticket granting general admission and seating is available for $65. A reserved table with seating for 8 people is priced at $700. And finally, a corporate sponsor table—which includes a private table for 8 guests, recognition at the event, in the program and on the Farm Bureau website, and a listing in the post-event coverage—costs $1,250. You can get your tickets by clicking the “Buy Now” button under the Tickets section here.

If you’re interested in making a donation to the live or silent auctions, click here to download the PDF form.

Donations ideas include gift baskets, time shares, guest accommodations, sports memorabilia, outdoor adventures, wine pairing dinners, cases of wine, arts, crafts, tools and supplies, equipment rentals, or even cash donations. All donors will be recognized in the program, as well as in Sonoma-Marin Farm News and on the Farm Bureau website.

To see photos from last year’s “Love of the Land,” as well as a write up by Tim Tesconi detailing the event, visit: http://sonomafb.org/Farm+News/Farm+News+Archive/2012/Aug+12/Love+Land+Success.htm

Drought Tips to Ease Water Worries

US Drought Monitor 2013Long, hot summers in California—especially in the interior valleys—tend to spread worries and fears across the state. That’s because running low on water makes farmers everywhere question how well their crops will do and how much money they stand to lose as a result of irrigation water cutbacks.

According to AgAlert, “the season’s final survey of the Sierra Nevada snowpack … found only 17 percent of average levels. At the same time, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported its water transfer pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were operating at about 20 percent of capacity, due to the dry conditions combined with restrictions intended to protect fish species. San Luis Reservoir, a summer supply pool for both the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project, stood only about 50 percent full.”

These low water levels often force farmers, ranchers, and vineyard operators to find ways to conserve water and make the most of what they have available. Take a look at the tips for conserving water below, and know that the process isn’t always a quick fix, but ultimately your efforts will produce noticeable results.

Water Conservation Techniques

  • Effective watering techniques – This is a great place to start when trying to save water, and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors can assist you if need be. Effective watering techniques include watering early in the day to reduce evaporation loss and watering less frequently (but for longer amounts of time). It’s also imperative to regularly check all hoses and sprinklers for leaks, and you can easily reduce water waste by making sure all sprinklers are positioned correctly and watering plants only. You can even ask your water provider if they’re currently offering any coupons or discounts on water-saving irrigation equipment.
  • Eliminate weeds – Weeds compete with your other plants for water. Placing landscape fabric between the soil and your mulch will minimize weeds and allow for more of the water to go where it’s supposed to.
  • Rain barrels – This is another good way to minimize the effects of a drought. Collecting rainwater will certainly increase the amount of available water.
  • Water-conserving irrigation systems – There are several options to consider if you’re planning a water-conserving irrigation system: (1) A drip system, (2) furrow irrigation, (3) alternate furrow irrigation, and (4) surge irrigation—to name a few. IrrigationTutorials.com states, “While sprinkler systems are around 75-85 percent efficient, drip systems typically are 90 percent or higher.” Implementing the right irrigation system will not only reduce soil percolation, but also will minimize surface runoff losses.
  • Reduce fertilizer use – Using compost instead of fertilizers will increase water retention and decrease erosion. Moreover, adding mulch to the soil surface will increase the penetrability of clay soils, increase the water-holding capacity of sandy soils, and reduce the amount of water lost by evaporation.
  • Provide partial shade – If you have plants in containers, then you can prevent them from drying as quickly as they would in warmer, windy areas by providing some shade.

California Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Crime Prevention Program

Rural crime preventionIf you are a farmer, rancher, or vineyard operator in the state of California, then you should be aware of the many benefits of the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Crime Prevention Program. The purpose of this program is to improve communications between agricultural communities and the local law enforcement agencies that serve them.

Rural crimes are a big problem, and one of the best ways to help prevent further crimes is to come together. By raising awareness, establishing effective lines of communication, and watching out for one another, the issue of rural crime can hopefully be somewhat contained.

Illegal dumping, vandalism, and theft are only the tip of the iceberg, too. Fraud, identity theft, and meth labs are also big issues to look out for.

California farmers and ranchers make up a substantial percentage of all U.S. farm crimes, so here are some tips provided by the CFBF to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

“No Trespassing” Signs

While signs are not necessary around land that is cultivated or fenced, farmers and ranchers are required to post “No Trespassing” signs around their non-cultivated and non-fenced land.

If you are a Farm Bureau member, the CFBF will provide you with “No Trespassing” signs in both English and Spanish. These are a great, easy way to discourage potential thieves.

Bin Location Program

To date, the Bin Location Program has retrieved 770 missing and/or stolen bins. California’s crop farms, shippers, and processors are repeatedly experiencing a significant loss of bins, and this loss translates to a costly problem.

The CFBF website features a form to report missing or found bins, in an effort to return them to their rightful owners. To report, all you need to know is the type of bin and identify any markings or registered brands on the bin. The form can be found here: http://www.cfbf.com/bins/

Solar Panel Theft

The Rural Crime Prevention Program also offers tips provided by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office Problem-Oriented Policing Program on reducing your risk of becoming a victim of solar panel theft:

  • Ensure all solar panels have serial numbers. This allows owners to verify which panels have been stolen and provides law enforcement officers with evidence when stolen property is recovered.
  • Use locking bolts to secure solar panels and make them more difficult to remove. You can also put epoxy over the bolts, weld them down, and/or run aircraft wire through all panels to secure them to the frame.
  • Place tamper-evident stickers with the owner’s name on all panels. This way, if the panels are stolen the stickers can be used to identify the owner.
  • Utilize alarms specifically for solar panels.
  • Employ security cameras to cover your solar fields.
  • Place a fence around the panel systems to make getting to and removal of the panels more difficult.

For more information on the Rural Crime Prevention Program, and for more information on identifying meth labs and avoiding fraud and identity theft, visit the CFBF website here: http://www.cfbf.com/index.cfm

Benefits of Being a Farm Bureau Member

California Farm BureauFarm Bureau membership sure does have its perks. The Sonoma County Farm Bureau offers 4 different membership types, and the benefits include savings on insurance, wine, farm supplies, and more. Members can also feel good about supporting local agricultural education programs, helping to inform and protect family farms, and assisting with advocacy efforts and programs that ensure the well-being of our environment.

Types of Membership

“Agricultural Membership”

Agricultural Membership is offered to rural property owners; farmers and their family members; service sector businesses and their employees; and farm, processing, or winery employees who work with farmers—basically anyone connected to production agriculture. The cost is $185 per year.

“Associate Membership”

Associate Membership applies to anyone without direct correlation to agriculture, such as those who do not receive any income from an agriculturally related job or business. Anyone who wants to support California agriculture while simultaneously gaining access to the many benefits offered through membership, but are not in any way connected professionally to agriculture, should consider this option. The cost is $72 per year.

Here are just a few of the perks of an Associate Membership:

  • New member acknowledgement in Farm News
  • Receive CFBF’s California Country and Ag Alert, 3 issues of the Sonoma-Marin Farm News, 6 issues of CFBF’s California Country magazine, and the SCFB Annual Directory
  • Affiliate member ranch sign

“Business Membership (Silver Level)“

Farm Bureau membership can help your business grow by providing a means to meet and work with farmers.  The cost for this basic Business Membership is $195 per year.

Your business will enjoy:

  • Entry into the Business Referral Network
  • Free business card advertisement in Sonoma-Marin Farm News (reaching 10,000 + customers)
  • Advertising discounts of up to 15 percent in the Sonoma-Marin Farm News
  • Farm Bureau Business Member Plaque
  • 12 free issues of the Sonoma-Marin Farm News

“Business Membership (Platinum Level)“

At $495 per year, the Platinum Level option for businesses includes all of the previously mentioned perks as well as a free annual 1/4 page ad in Sonoma-Marin Farm News and the option of including one additional individual to your membership.

Wine Discounts

From Acorn Winery to Wilson Winery, there are currently over 50 wineries in the Sonoma County area providing Farm Bureau members with exclusive discounts. These “Member Only” savings change from winery to winery, so visit the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Wine Discount website here: http://www.sonomafb.org/Wine/Wine+Discounts.htm

You can also download a PDF file with a list of participating wineries here: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Wine_Brochure_4-11.pdf

If you’re a winery wanting to join the program, click here to download the Winery Discount form: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Winery_Discount_2011.pdf

Insurance Discounts

From home and auto to health and pet insurance discounts, a Farm Bureau membership can save you big money on insurance premiums.

A list of participating agencies can be found here: http://www.sonomafb.org/Membership/Insurance+Services.htm

Business Member Directory

The Business Member Directory is great for any member looking for discounts on new equipment, rental equipment, and/or certain agricultural services.

To learn more about the specific discounts offered by the dozens of participating businesses, visit the Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Business Member Directory website here: http://www.sonomafb.org/Membership/Business+Member+Directory.htm