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Railroad Ties for Ranches and Vineyards

Rail Road Ties North BayRecycling old railroad ties to use in the ranch or vineyard can be a low-cost option for erosion control, retaining walls, stairs, fences, driveways, decorative borders, and more. Especially when paint or tile is added to the surface, railroad ties can easily transform into a highly-aesthetic addition to your design scheme.

A word of caution: The wood that composes old railroad ties is most often treated with a chemical called creosote. Creosote is used to protect wood from the harsh elements of nature and the brute forces of trains passing over.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, creosote is “used as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and sporicide to protect wood and is applied by pressure methods to wood products, primarily utility poles and railroad ties. … Creosote is a possible human carcinogen and has no registered residential uses.”

If you’re unsure whether or not your railroad ties contain creosote, then it is best to play it safe. This means always wear gloves when handling them; do not utilize them in or around vegetable gardens, herb gardens, ponds, or other wet areas to avoid contamination; and instruct children not to play on them (to avoid getting creosote on their hands and possibly ingesting it).

Here are a few ideas on how to use railroad ties to enhance the appeal and/or function of your ranch or vineyard:

Apply Paint or Tile for Decoration

If you want to paint your railroad ties to spice them up a bit, then be sure they do not contain creosote (painting on top of creosote usually doesn’t work because the paint cannot adhere to the surface).

The first step to painting a railroad tie is to clean it thoroughly. Once it dries, use spray paint or a paint brush to evenly coat the railroad tie (you can spice up the colors by using stencils or patterns, too). When the painting is complete, apply a coat of sealant to protect it.

If you want to use tiles instead of paint, be sure to apply wood filler and/or leveling compound to the holes and cracks to smooth the surface. You’ll then need to sand the entire railroad tie before securing the tiles to it.

Create a Retaining Wall / Prevent Erosion

Erosion can become a major issue when ignored. Pesticides and fertilizers can drift into water supplies, sediment can enter watersheds and harm certain fish, areas once good for gardening can become too sloped to be useful, and more problems can arise. A good retaining wall will improve drainage and properly direct water flow.

Basically, building a retaining wall begins with a trench. A sledgehammer and railroad spikes can be used to secure the new wall in place, and plastic landscaping fabric may help to prevent creosote from entering into the surrounding soil.

Other Ideas

You can also utilize railroad ties by making a border or a walkway, outlining a driveway, constructing outdoor steps, and stacking them to create a fence.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau 12th Annual Golf Tournament

Farmer Ranch TournamentTwo thousand thirteen marks the 12th year in which the Sonoma County Farm Bureau is bringing folks together and raising money for a good cause through the fun of sport. The golf tournament this time around is for the benefit of agriculture education, and will be held at Windsor Golf Course on June 14, 2013. The deadline for entry is Monday, June 3.

The proceeds support numerous agricultural education programs, including Ag Days, 4-H, FFA, California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, Young Farmers & Ranchers, Farm Bureau Institute, Summer Ag Seminar, and more.

The schedule of events is as follows:

  • 11:30 a.m. – Registration and Warm Up for Players
  • Noon – Box Lunch Provided for Participants
  • 1 p.m. – Tournament Begins
  • 6 p.m. – Dinner Followed by Awards Ceremony and Raffle

There are 3 main ways to get involved: Tickets, Team Sponsorships, and General Sponsorships.

Tickets

  • Individual Player tickets are $165 each, and they include lunch, dinner, tee prizes, carts, range balls, green fees, and beverages on the course.
  • Foursome Golf Packet tickets are $660. They include the same perks as outlined above, but for 4 players.
  • Dinner-Only tickets cost $40 each.

Team Sponsorships

  • Bronze Sponsor costs $850. It includes 4 players and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
  • Silver Sponsor costs $1,350. It includes 4 players, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, $50 in raffle tickets, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
  • Diamond Sponsor costs $1,850. It includes 4 players, company display booth on the course, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate banner displayed, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, $100 in raffle tickets, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.

General Sponsorships

  • 19th Hole Awards Dinner Sponsor is $1,200. It includes 1 Player, company banner and booth at dinner, company collateral on dinner tables, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, and company logo in Rules and Schedule handout.
  • Company Logo Golf Ball Sponsor is $1,000. It includes 3 balls for each player, each with custom corporate logo.
  • Corporate Sponsor is $650. It includes company display booth on the course, tee sign with company name/logo, corporate banner displayed, website recognition, corporate logo in Sonoma-Marin Farm News, and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
  • Beverage Cart Sponsor is $500. It includes logo and signage on beverage cart, and one non-golfer company representative who may ride along in the beverage cart.
  • Hole Sponsor is $300. It includes company display booth on the course and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.
  • Tee Box Sponsor is $150. It includes company name/logo displayed at hole and a company logo on promotional materials, relative to sponsorship level.

To RSVP and complete your purchase online, visit the official Sonoma County Farm Bureau 12th Annual Golf Tournament website here: https://sonomafb.org//Annual+Events/Golf+Tournament.htm

Anyone wishing to download, print, and fax in their RSVP can get the registration form here: https://sonomafb.org/pdf/Golf_Registration_Form_12.pdf

RSVP forms should be faxed to the Sonoma County Farm Bureau at (707) 544-7452.

All questions should be forwarded to Steven Knudsen, communications and development coordinator, at (707) 544-5575 or steven@sonomafb.org

Scholarships for Children of Sonoma County Vineyard Workers

Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship FundWilson Winery, located in Sonoma County, is gearing up for its 12th annual fundraiser effort supporting the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the fundraiser is to provide support and educational opportunities to the children of Sonoma County vineyard workers. It’s been reported that this year Wilson Wineries will donate over $10,000 in scholarships to deserving youth in the area.

Scholarship amounts range from $700 to $2,000 each. They are open to high school seniors continuing their education and to students who are already in a college, trade, or technical school. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013.

There is also a fundraising event for the cause, which includes appetizers, dinner, wine, entertainment, as well as a live auction, a silent auction, and a raffle. Anyone who donates $2000 of goods, services, or cash will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the event.

Here’s some information on this year’s event:

  • The event will take place from 6-10p.m. on May 11, 2013
  • Early bird-priced tickets are $75 (tickets must be purchased by March 31st); tickets then go up to $90 per person after March 31st
  • The location is Soda Rock Winery, 8015 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg, CA  95448

There are 3 other ways—in addition to attending the event—for the public to show their support of this scholarship program:

  1. Send your tax-deductible donation to the address below
  2. Donate to the silent auction
  3. For growers and vintners, donate $1 for every 1 ton of grapes produced

For more information on the event, the scholarships, or the different Wilson Artisan Wineries, visit http://www.wilsonwinery.com or call the Sonoma County Farm Bureau at (707) 544-5575.

Background Information on the Scholarship Effort

It was in 2001 that Wilson Artisan Wineries established the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund. The project has distributed more than $100,000 in scholarships so far, in cooperation with the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Foundation.

In 2012, 20 students from Sonoma County were selected as recipients of the Wilson Artisan Wineries Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship. The students are now attending Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, U.C. Davis, U.C. Santa Cruz, Sacramento State University, and San Francisco State University.

“It literally just got started by seeing all my guys working for me, and all the hardships they’ve gone through and all their kids,” says Ken Wilson, owner of eight wineries operated by the Wilson family. “You look at it all and say, ‘Wow, we need to help out a little bit.’ The scholarships came from that.”

Wilson Winery, deLorimier Winery, Soda Rock Winery, Pezzi King Winery, Jaxon Keys Winery, Mazzocco Winery, Matrix Winery, and St. Anne’s Crossing Winery are the eight wineries owned by Diane and Ken Wilson.

Agricultural Tourism And Its Effects

Sonoma County AgritouristLiterally millions of folks participate annually in some form of agritourism in the state of California alone. The farms and ranches that perpetuate this increasingly popular tourism niche provide a plethora of agricultural activities for visitors to enjoy, and that is exactly what keeps them coming back for more.

Agricultural tourism is defined as a commercial endeavor at a farm, ranch, or other agricultural institution that is intended not only for the enjoyment and/or education of visitors, but also for the gain of additional income for the owner.

A romantic getaway at a secluded ranch, a bed and breakfast at one of California’s famous vineyards, and a destination wedding in the mountains or on the coast are just some of the things bringing people into California from all around the globe. Kid-friendly activities such as corn mazes, hay rides, and fields full of farm fresh produce just waiting to be picked and enjoyed are great ways to include the entire family on an unforgettable agritourism adventure.

Agritourism also includes roadside farm stands, farmers markets, tours, classes, workshops, fairs, festivals, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, “U-pick” activities (fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers), winery weddings, orchard dinners, historic buildings/museums, youth camps/retreats, barn dances, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, camping/RV accommodations, guest ranches, and more.

In addition to the fruits, vegetables, and herbs commonly found at roadside stands and in farmers markets, other popular items sold by farms and ranches include jams, oils (olive, garlic, peanut, hazelnut, etc.), grass-fed beef, soap, and goat’s milk.

Moreover, on top of the profits this agritourism brings into the state, there are also many new jobs and a substantial opportunity for growth that come along with this seemingly ever-increasing trend, too. Farms and ranches see this as a way to increase both visibility and profitability. And one of the most exciting realities of agritourism is that there is literally no limit to the possibilities.

In fact, the more innovative these agritourism contributors become with their endeavors, the more unique and potentially profitable they will become. Basically, there is no recipe for success or fixed manner of creating a successful agritourism operation. Further advancement in agritourism translates to the state of California becoming more alluring as a whole.

According to the research article “California agritourism operations and their economic potential are growing”—authored by Rilla, Hardesty, Getz, and George—if you’re searching for a unique agritourism experience, then word of mouth is arguably the best way to find what you’re looking for. In addition to asking the locals what activities they suggest, you can also search for roadside signs, websites, and regional brochures—the next most popular forms of marketing according to the article.

In terms of the non-monetary benefits of agritourism, the future is something that the majority of the farmers and ranchers are considering heavily. Many contributors to the agritourism industry believe that their endeavors will greatly affect future generations in positive ways by preserving family traditions and maintaining natural wonders.

For the Kids: Sonoma-Marin ‘Farm News for Kids’

kids farmThe first half of 2013 will indeed be a very busy time for the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. The organization has two very special events planned in the near future for young people in the Sonoma-Marin area who wish to learn more about agriculture and/or get involved in the important work of the nonprofit.

Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers
On February 20, at 6:30 p.m. PST, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau (located at 970 Piner Road in Santa Rosa) will host the first meeting of the new, reorganized Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers organization. This meeting is open to young agriculturalists—between the ages of 18 and 35—who live and work in Sonoma and Marin counties.

Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers is an organization—much like a prep course—for young people who are passionate about agriculture and want to learn more about its vital role in Sonoma and Marin counties. The organization is part of a state and national organization which develops the leadership skills of members through volunteer efforts. In addition to the age requirement, the only prerequisite to become a member is an interest in agriculture.

Sarah Reynolds, who is an agriculturalist from Butte County and chairman of the California Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, is the guest speaker. Reynolds will discuss leadership opportunities and other benefits of being a Young Farmers & Ranchers member. There will also be free barbecue provided for all in attendance.

The two people in charge of leading the effort to re-establish the Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers, which has been dormant for several years, are Taylor Serres and Jennifer Beretta.

For further information or to make reservations for the meeting and barbecue, you should contact Taylor Serres by phone at 707-695-9144 or by email at TPSerres18@yahoo.com.

“Farm News for Kids”
“Farm News for Kids” is a new publication being produced in Sonoma County by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. The intention of this once-a-year agricultural education publication is to provide information to children and their families on topics pertaining to agriculture within Sonoma County. This very special publication will become available on March 15, 2013.

In this full-color, 24-page, magazine-type publication will be Sonoma County agriculture information, food safety tips, and English and Spanish lessons, as well as news articles, activities, stimulating graphics, and even trivia questions for kids. The purpose is to provide children with a fun and exciting way to learn more about agriculture and the origins of the food we all consume.

Estimated combined readership for this publication is 23,000 kids and their families. You can find yourself a copy at most local agricultural education events, such as Ag Days, Petaluma Ag Day, and Harvest Fair Ag Day.

If you’re interested in advertising within the publication, the deadline to submit is February 22, 2013. Prices range from $50 to $1,600.

You can download the advertising contract here: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Farm_Bureau_Advertising_Contract-12.pdf.

You can download the advertising rate and size sheet here: http://www.sonomafb.org/pdf/Farm_News_for_Kids_Ad%20Sizes_and_Dimensions-13.pdf.