Tag Archives: California

California Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Crime Prevention Program

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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

Agricultural Tourism And Its Effects

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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.