'Silent Spring' arrived early for farmers in Madera
By Leon Emo Fifty or so years ago, as the warm glow over the Sierras signaled the coming day, vintage airplanes loaded with sulfur, malathion, DDT and other toxins would take to the air.
Piloted by veterans of World War II, one could say these were bombing missions. Except this time, instead of Germany or Japan, it would be over the fields of Madera County.
Landing strips were created on both the east and west side of state Route 99. Sometimes a county road was used with biplanes dodging trucks and cars while landing to reload and refuel. READ MORE...
2005 Year in Review
Students departed for Texas to begin a 30-day wagon train trip guided by the diary of William Huff, an 1850s gold prospector. READ MORE...
After modest start, a vision is realized
By Paul Stanford What started out as a vision for educating and building strong Catholic minds and souls in a one-room schoolhouse in 1927 has now become an important fixture in Madera as the legacy of St. Joachim’s School is firmly entrenched in the fabric of our community with the culmination being the celebration of the school’s 75th anniversary. READ MORE...
Analyst studies growth of farmers markets
By Ramona Frances Farmers, communities and shoppers all benefit from farmers' markets, said a food systems analyst who studied data collected on the growth of farmers' markets.
Madera's seasonal Farmers' Market, which opened the first time last summer and again this summer, has been added to the list.
"There was a huge rise in farmers' markets in the last 40 years," said Gail Feenstra, with the UC Davis Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, "and I wanted to find out why."
Feenstra said that in 1970 there were only 340 farmers' markets in United States, but by 2006 more than 4,385 farmers' markets were opened, an increase of 1,300 percent. READ MORE...
Black Mission Figs: Popular commodity this year
By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune Kevin Herman, the co-owner of Specialty Crop Company in Madera, has reason to be optimistic. The first picking of the large, attractive fruit successfully arrived into markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York earlier this season.
“The figs are typically purchased by the Mediterranean populations there,” Herman said. “A surprising amount goes to Canada because of the French population there. READ MORE...
Brothers fill onion, potato niche markets
By Ramona Frances Like family members before them, two Mendrin brothers help fill a niche market, growing potatoes and onions from soil in Madera County.
"Our great-grandfather, grandfather and father all grew potatoes here," Jacob Mendrin said. He and his brother Dave are growing potatoes, onions and specialty grass used for dairy feed.
Several decades ago, commercial potato sheds could be seen along the edge of the city of Madera, not far from The Madera Tribune office.
"My grandfather grew a few thousand acres in central and south Madera County," Mendrin said. READ MORE...
Chateau Lasgoity to bring back Zinfandel Rosé
- The Madera Tribune John Lasgoity first became enamored with wine making when he moved into his grandfather’s old house. His grandfather, who was a wine maker, still had some of his wine making equipment and it peeked Lasgoity’s interest.
“Making wine was my hobby,” Lasgoity said. “I started in 1988 and in 2000 my sister and I decided to start a commercial winery.” READ MORE...
Continuous Roll Machine impresses third generation farmer
By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune Third generation farmer Steve Bolderoff is impressed by the efficiency of the latest model of Korvan, the Continuous Roll Machine. He used the machine for the first time harvesting 180 acres of raisin grapes in southwest Madera County.
Not only did Bolderoff purchase the Korvan, but he decided to add the attachable raisin paper shredder to the raisin pick-up machine that functions in tandem with the Korvan. READ MORE...
Crop dusting in Madera County: the early years
By Leon Emo - The Madera Tribune In the darkness, before the sun rose above the Sierras to bring the gift of another summer’s day, the mechanic stepped onto the lower wing of the old Army Trainer and climbed into the open cockpit. He leaned over the edge to glimpse his cohort slowly turning the propeller that would push oil into the cylinders of the engine. READ MORE...
Director of Farm Bureau concerned about the future
- The Madera Tribune Madera County is the 13th largest agricultural county in California, but urbanization, regulations, lack of water and importation of agricultural products continue to batter farm families.
“For the first time in history, the United States has imported more ag products than we exported,” said Julia Berry, executive director of the Madera County Farm Bureau. “That should concern every American.” READ MORE...
Distinguished Graduates recall fond memories of St. Joachim
By Tami Jo Nix The annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week at St. Joachim School commemorates the benefits of a Catholic education. Each year during Catholic Schools Week the school nominates an alumnus to the National Catholic Educational Association to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award. READ MORE...
Exotic fruits of nature
By Ramona Frances Consumers who believe a good tomato comes in one color could be in for a big surprise.
Exotic heirloom tomatoes maturing into colors of mahogany, bronze purple, apricot blends, rose hued, dark and pastel lemon, variegated red with stripes of gold, gold with stripes of bronze or mature green, tie-dyed or random patterned fruit might blowout any previous idea of what a tomato is suppose to look like.
"Biting into one of my tomatoes is an explosion of taste and texture," said grower John Teixeira. "When you fill out a card to rate the tomatoes at a tomato tasting event, we ask people what comes to mind when they rate a tomato number 1." READ MORE...
Farming For Health
By Wendy Alexander - The Madera Tribune The Lehman family, clockwise from bottom left, Alex, Shane, Taylor, Joshua, Justin and Jackie are eager to tout the health benefits of pomegranates. After cultivating almonds for over 20 years, the family decided to try their hand at Pomegranates. READ MORE...
Farmland being paved over
By Ramona Frances Persons traveling west on Howard Road have only a short distance to go before new housing meets vineyards. Peering out the window of a newly framed home, the view opens wide to rows of lush green vines, with leaves that provide cover for the tiny developing fruit they hide. Handled with care, then left alone, the miniature clusters will develop into full sized grapes.
A cluster of houses sits where a vineyard used to be. "Farmland is being paved over at an astounding rate. California is losing about 50,000 to 100,000 acres of valuable farmland per year, said Senator Jeff Denham, R-Merced. "At that rate, we could see the end of some of America's most productive regions in my children's lifetime. Like the orange groves of Anaheim, Calif., farming could be a memory of the past, replaced by asphalt and concrete." READ MORE...
Flavored Raisins
By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune As chef Hector Medina of the Vineyard Restaurant already knows, flavored raisins can be used in many ways. A relatively new product, fruit juice infused raisins are being put to good use by the Epicurean and chef at the Vineyard restaurant.
Specialty raisins are being used to add a spark to salads, entrées and desserts. Medina takes a food and demonstrates its versatility by showing varied ways of using the product. READ MORE...
Grapes shown to protect against diabetes
By For The Madera Tribune A new study shows that consuming grapes protects against the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and significantly reducing diabetes in rodents. Naturally occurring antioxidants in grapes, polyphenols, are showing a beneficial impact, according to reseachers.
"The protective effect of grapes was quite significant and very exciting," said Susan J. Zunino, Ph.D. of USDA Agricultural Research Service at UC Davis where the study was conducted.
"We observed firsthand their effect on two of three critical components for the prevention of type I diabetes: the preservation of the beta cells and the inhibition of inflammation." READ MORE...
Grower trys hand at new crop
- The Madera Tribune After growing grapes and almonds together for over 20 years, Madera farmers Alex and Jackie Lehman have decided to try their hand at cultivating pomegranates as well.
The couple founded Home Grown Cellars last year to sell the chilled and pasteurized pomegranate juice that comes from fruit they grow, harvest, press and process themselves. After just two years, Home Grown Cellars has produced about 600 gallons of pomegranate juice. READ MORE...
Jeep dealerships become Operation Gratitude drop zones to support troops
By For The Madera Tribune To help kick-off Operation Gratitude’sholiday donation drive and reach American troops overseas, Jeep is expanding its partnership with Operation Gratitude by making the nearly 2,800 Jeep dealerships nationwide, including Pistoresi Chrysler Dodge Jeep, official drop zone locations. READ MORE...
Madera chapter of FFA Kentucky bound
- Released to the Madera Tribune In late October, 12 members of the Madera Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) will make the journey of a lifetime as they travel to Louisville, Ky. to attend the National FFA Convention with the California FFA Delegation.
Students will participate in leadership workshops, attend FFA sessions led by the National FFA officer team, and be inspired by motivational speakers. READ MORE...
Madera FFA Best Informed Greenhand
- Released to the Madera Tribune The Madera FFA Best Informed Greenhand (BlG) team recently competed at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the FFA State Finals, where they were named State FFA champions.
The team’s five FFA freshman members - Zach Pruitt, Mika Petrucci, Heidi Richardson, Ali Baltz, and Vincent Urena - competed against 73 other teams from all over California. Each team is made of five members and the contest is the largest of all contests held at the State FFA Finals. READ MORE...
Madera prepares for water loss over SJR lawsuit
By For The Madera Tribune - Don A. Wright For almost two-decades a lawsuit has been fought over where water from Millerton Lake should go.
The Natural Resources Defense Council sued the US Bureau of Reclamation, which operates Friant Dam and the Friant Water Users Authority and represents water users, to restore salmon on the San Joaquin River.
When water leaves Friant Dam, there are three directions it can go: to the south down the Friant/Kern Canal, to the north by way of the Madera Canal or west down the natural river channel.
Most people see San Joaquin River water running down the natural channel between bluffs when driving on State Routes 99 and 41. Farther west, at Gravely Ford, the land flattens out and the river's course swings north near Firebaugh in the lowest point or trough of the valley. In the broad and flat portion of the valley floor, the river channel shifted and during dry years, even before Friant Dam, there often wasn't enough water to reach the confluence of the Merced River. READ MORE...
Opinion: Build new dams, or brace for water shortages
By For The Madera Tribune - Senator Dave Cogdill For years, the Legislature has consistently chosen to ignore the state's pressing water-supply issues, despite every indication that a water shortage looms as the next major economic crisis.
All the while, the problem has grown larger. California's population is expected to grow by 500,000 to 750,000 people each year, with the greatest growth expected in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. Current projections show that we will need up to an additional 4 million acre-feet of water over the next 25 years to meet the increased demand. An acre-foot is the amount of water a family of four uses annually.
Additionally, experts at the state's Department of Water Resources project that California will lose 25 percent of its snowpack by 2050. Snowpack is nature's reservoir. With its decrease, we must find a way to store water for dry years and provide increased flood protection for wet years. READ MORE...
Opinion: Stopping thieves from cashing in on agriculture thefts
By For The Madera Tribune - Senator Jeff Denham From diesel and ag equipment to metal theft, thieves are making out like bandits at the expense of California farmers and ag businesses.
According to the Agricultural Crime Technology and Operations Network Projects, metal theft increased by 100 percent in 2005 compared to the theft rate of the previous year.
Even worse, in 2006 the theft rate jumped by 400 percent. The theft of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, brass and bronze is out of control. READ MORE...
Pesticide application for crops down to a science
By Leon Emo - The Madera Tribune In the 21st century, pesticide use has become a safer and more valued entity for farmers hoping to harvest the maximum and most profitable yield from their crops. In the middle part of the 20th century, such was not always the case.
The 1950s saw aerial application of chemicals become the standard for protecting fields from pests, weeds, mite and mildew. READ MORE...
Pistachios lower cholesterol, provide antioxidants
By For The Madera Tribune A handful of pistachios may lower cholesterol and provide the antioxidants usually found in leafy green vegetables and brightly colored fruit, according to a team of researchers.
"Pistachio amounts of 1.5 and 3 ounces-one to two handfuls-reduced risk for cardiovascular disease by significantly reducing LDL cholesterol levels, and the higher dose significantly reduced lipoprotein ratios," said Sarah K. Gebauer, graduate student in integrative biosciences, Penn State, to attendees at the Experimental Biology meeting recently held in Washington, D.C. READ MORE...
Planting and staking young trees
By For The Madera Tribune - Michelle Lestrange Neighborhoods are springing up everywhere so nurseries are busy with new homeowners buying plants for vacant back yards. Fall is a great time of year to plant trees because plant energy is devoted to root growth. When spring comes, trees are established and ready to grow. READ MORE...
Repeal of Williamson Act could change the face of Central Valley's landscape
By The Madera Tribune - Ramona Frances and Glenna Jarvis Like other important regions in California, people seeking a place to work and live outside of a large city are changing the landscape and spurring people to ask what Madera's future really holds.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the valley has lost more than 40,000 acres of farmland to development. But as long as a percentage of land contains farms, livestock, row crops, tomatoes, cotton, orchards peaches, almonds, figs and pomegranates, we are safe. As long as food is available and businesses continue along, our community is safe.
Richard Johnson: 2005 Senior Farmer of the Year
By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune Senior Farmer Richard Johnson likes to run his farming operation like a well-oiled piece of machinery. With an eye for order and efficiency, he is deliberate in his approach to farming and in his approach to life.
Johnson muses over life and takes pleasure in trying new things, working to improve what has been done before. READ MORE...
Scientists measuring the flight of Red Imported Fire Ants
By Ramona Frances Agriculture scientists who measure the distance ants fly and record weather conditions that trigger aerial swarming have come closer to understanding how ants spread in California.
Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) found in the Chowchilla area in late 1990s are an ongoing challenge for California Department of Food and Agriculture, which works relentlessly to slow down or prevent the spread. RIFA, sometimes found in beehives, are believed to have hitchhiked on wooden hives placed in orchards during almond bloom, and from there built mounds in the orchards. Since RIFA were discovered, ongoing efforts have been underway to keep the invasive ants contained, if not eradicated. READ MORE...
Senior Farmer of the Year: Vernon Martinezzi, his life, his family
By Ramona Frances His life, his family
One more name has been added to the the list of Madera farmers recognized for significant contributions to the community. Vernon Martinazzi will be honored during the Senior Farmer Dinner at Madera Municipal Golf Course tonight.
Described as an exceptionally hardworking and a man with "a big heart." Vernon's son Eddie Martinazzi may have shared a deeper truth when he said his father was motivated to get work done so he could go hunting and fishing. READ MORE...
Sherman Thomas Ranch makes transition to organic farming
- The Madera Tribune The Sherman Thomas Ranch in Madera has made a successful transition to organic farming.
Mike Braga has been the manager at the Sherman Thomas Ranch for eight years. He started working at the ranch in 1979.
Since Braga has become the manager, the methods of farming used at the ranch have changed. READ MORE...
Shopping cart issue addressed
Abandoned shopping carts are becoming a regrettable part of our urban landscape. During our last rain, our Graffiti Abatement Team picked up 177 shopping carts during a six-hour period. READ MORE...
Study shows no weight gain with almond consumption
By For The Madera Tribune New preliminary research presented at the Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in Washington, explores the effect of almonds as they travel through the body.
From chewing and satiety to digesting and nutrient absorption, this new research indicates that the health benefits of almonds take affect the moment they enter your mouth.
Previous studies have observed that despite the addition of a handful of almonds to a daily diet, subjects do not gain weight. Thus researchers have been studying the chewing and digestion of almonds to learn more about how the nutrients from almonds are absorbed and why eating almonds is so satisfying. READ MORE...
Testing for a disease-resistant vine
By For The Madera Tribune A new hybrid grape vine developed to resist infection from Pierce's disease is expected to produce enough grapes this season to permit a small first harvest.
If the results are favorable, the resistant "vinifera crosses" may be certified for release in two or three years.
Andrew Walker, a University of California Davis geneticist, heads the project.
"We chose vinifera cultivars from a broad range of flavors, colors, tannin structure and production levels," he said, "so we could advance the resistant-winegrape breeding program on many fronts." READ MORE...
The beauty of landscaping for water conservation
By Ramona Frances There is a way to have beautifully landscaped property and not use an excessive amount of water. Voluntarily using a gardening method that conserves water now is more sensible than waiting for ordinances requiring it.
Several recent events, such as increased population, have dramatically increased the demand for water. Madera Valley Water, a private water company in north Madera County, uses designated watering days, a common conservation practice for over a decade. Since the company is owned and controlled by homeowners using the water, there is an invested interest to conserve. READ MORE...
The Catholic community supports St. Joachim School with volunteer organizations
By Tami Jo Nix St. Joachim School is such a fine institution because it is an intricate part of the fabric of Catholic life in Madera. Many civic leaders serve on the various governing boards that oversee the operation of the school. READ MORE...
The legacy of St. Joachim School
By Paul Stanford Although St. Joachim School is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a source of quality education, this anniversary celebrates much more - love, service, charity, faith and the instilling of Christian values and morals which have become the legacy of this school which opened in 1927. READ MORE...
The worst weeds in Madera
By Ramona Frances The most accepted definition of a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Weeds are typically thought of as a plants that hinder the growth of cultivated plants such as crops or garden plants.
They may also be thought of as something that contaminates pastures used for grazing livestock.
Madera County has its share of weeds that are not farmer friendly. READ MORE...
Third generation farmer grows six varieties of peaches
By Tami Jo Nix - The Madera Tribune Running a dairy and growing cotton is how J.L. Freeman founded the Freeman family farming operation in Madera. His son Art grew up farming and after high school majored in agriculture at Fresno State University. Art married the former Lorraine Nygren and they now have two sons.
While Art is now mostly retired, his son Loren has assumed the reins of the family operation. READ MORE...
Unique way to include walnuts for better health
By For The Madera Tribune The next time you reach for salad greens and dressing, consider adding walnuts.
Research out of the University of Texas Health Science Center shows that walnuts contain a fair amount of melatonin, a hormone that protects cells against oxidative damage.
"The ingredients in walnuts would be expected to reduce the incidence of cancer, delay or make less severe neurodegenerative diseases of aging, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and reduce the severity of cardiovascular disease." READ MORE...
Vintage celebrates 22 years
By Tami Jo Nix Vintage Buick Pontiac Cadillac GMC is celebrating 22 years of service to Madera. READ MORE...
Warm weather brings new optimism for challenged tomato farmers
By Ramona Frances - The Madera Tribune In contrast to last year’s bumper crop of specialty organic tomatoes, this year’s crop has faced one blight after another. Not all is lost, however.
“The early tomatoes looked squirrelly,” tomato farmer John Teixeira said. “But the flavor is starting to come on now with warmer weather. The fruit might come out of it, but its not as pretty as last year. You see more blemishes, but the flavor is fine.” READ MORE...
What started out as a vision for educating and building strong Catholic minds and souls in a one-room schoolhouse in 1927 has now become an important fixture in Madera as the legacy of St. Joachim’s School is firmly entrenched in the fabric of our community with the culmination being the celebration of the school’s 75th anniversary.
The annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week at St. Joachim School commemorates the benefits of a Catholic education. Each year during Catholic Schools Week the school nominates an alumnus to the National Catholic Educational Association to receive the Distinguished Graduate Award.
St. Joachim School is such a fine institution because it is an intricate part of the fabric of Catholic life in Madera. Many civic leaders serve on the various governing boards that oversee the operation of the school.
Although St. Joachim School is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a source of quality education, this anniversary celebrates much more - love, service, charity, faith and the instilling of Christian values and morals which have become the legacy of this school which opened in 1927.