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November 9, 2011     Indian Valley Record
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November 9, 2011
 
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6A Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 Indian ValleyRecord On working toward a coun.ty ag "culture" R.EPORTER'S NOTEBOOK a do-it-ourselves plan. Using methods developed by the Rocky Mountain Insti- tute's Economic Renewal Pro- gram, UC Davis facilitators Gall Feenstra and David Campbell led discussion on lo- cal resources -- natural, hu- man, governmental and physi- cal -- for which products and markets could be created or strengthened. Participants expanded on information and feedback gathered atthe Oct. 7 Sustain- able Agriculture workshop. From consumer to producer education, from problems to solutions, the freewheeling discussion began to develop identifiable assets, problems and opportunities. Here in the mountains, weather and a short growing season hamper farmers and ranchers. Crop diversity is al- so a problem: Most arable land is in livestock Or livestock feed production. In addition, USDA food safe- ty standards and lack of infra- structure can be prohibitive for small-scale producers. Wolf Pack Meats in Reno is the only alternative available meat packing facility for small-scale ranchers and it's under threat of closure. In some California counties, community supported agricul- tural (CSA) cooperatives are prohibited, which limits effec- tive utilization of economies of scale. It's fortunate and unfortu- nate that Plumas County only has one CSA, High Altitude Harvest, run by Elizabeth Powell through Plumas Rural Services. The CSA has made great progress bringing fresh pro- duce from local growers to our tables. However, Powell still has trouble expanding the pro- gram and obtaining affordable equipment such as tillers or greenhouses. Another CSA in the area could help through shared work and equipment, increas- ing demand and making fresh food more affordable and ac- cessible. For the last 60 or so years, much of our economy has been timber-based. But litiga- tion and production costs. have made even fire salvage an .uncertain business. The work of the Hergei:-Fein. stein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act has been stalled in court time and again by environmental groups that subscribe to the laissez-faire ap- proach to forest management. Rather than wait for govern- ment agencies or a large em- ployer to address our econom- ic woes, this ag group is MONA HILL Staff Writer mhill@plumasnews.com Last week 20 people with as- sorted interests and responsi- bilities related to agriculture gathered at the County Annex to identify and discuss projects to promote Plumas and Sierra counties' agriculture, livestock and fiber production. The working group's efforts are directed at finding a way to enhance and strengthen the ag sector of our local economy. What is different about this group is that its members are not seeking government enti- tlements or earmarks: This is considering ways to address our economic problems with the resources and infrastruc- ture already inplace. Whether one calls it a spirit of entrepreneurship, self-de- tei'mination or independence, such a plan could include a composting facility for forest products and other biomass utilization, a meat producers' cooperative, allotments, agri- tourism and a host of other business ideas. Plumas residents Valerie Nellor and Cindy Noble have a long cherished dream of a lo- cal composting facility. Others, including Gabe Miller, of Feather River Land Trust, and Kathy Tedford and Solomon Sweeting, small-scale producers, support a coopera- tive meat producers' facility. Powell believes there's a need for more farmer training to develop high elevation growing, marketing and busi- ness skills. Other possibilities include a cidery that takes advantage of the area's heirloom apple trees and remnant orchards, and value-added ag products such as jams and jellies made from local berries. Another possibility includes a year- round farmers market. The fall color season pre- sents an opportunity to com- bine the county's harvest fes- tivals, fall color and farm tours to bring leaf peepers to Plumas County. Plumas County's history from first peoples to now has a history of all of these activities. As page 178 of the Oct. 14 draft General Plan (countyof- plumas.com) notes: "Although agriculture is a relatively small industry in Plumas County in terms of jobs, it plays a significant role in the history of the County as well as in the current landscape. Agriculture provides not only local food production, agricul- tural lands make up open space and scenic vistas that are an intrinsic part of the Plumas County environment." Further, the draft plan states: "The people of.Plumas County ... have allbeen in agreement that the agricul- ture and timber resources contribute to the reason they live in Plumas County. They agree that these resources constitute the working land- scape that is important to the maintenance of local economies, sense of place, recreational values and also for the ecosystem services that are important." Representatives from Plumas County Environmen- tal Health and Sierra County's Health and Human Services Department also demonstrate local government's willing- ness to facilitate and support these ambitions. Plumas Rural Services, Plumas County Food Policy Council, Quincy Natural Foods and many other agencies, groups and individuals at the meeting share a concern for food safety and security. Every. one there wants to promote af- fordable access to local food- stuffs. Everyone present last week supports improved local producer-to-table distribution and marketing systems to get Plumas and Sierra county food on residents' dinner tables. Why care? Whether as meat-and-pota- toes or tofu-and-rice, access to fresh, affordable, healthy food affects everyone. Once upon a time in Ameri- ca, it was our chief export-- more than 80 percent. Over time, that number has dwin- dled to less than 20 percent (agclassroom.org). A majority of food produc- tion costs is tied to the cost of oil: Machinery, fertilizer, en- ergy and transportation all use oil to process, package and deliver food to our tables. As the price of oil rises and oil reserves diminish, those costs will increase. In addition, alternative fuel production -- ethanol -- has driven the price of corn sky- ward, making a staple food in- creasingly expensive. The more we can produce right here, the more control we have over our economic destiny. Plumas County Draft General Plan agricultural policies Protect agriculture and tim- berland as a productive use of resource lands: protect lands of economic importance for their production of food, or fiber or forest productsi as ar- eas that recharge ground wa- ter basins, for their protection of scenic, natural and recre- ational resources. Protect and Promote a healthy farm, ranch, forest products economyi dire Use policies that support agr;culture,and forestry by allowing compatible uses that are accessible and convenient, recognize and pro- tect needed infrastructure, mit- igate conflicts between agricul- ture and forestry and nonagri- culture and forestry uses. Protect and Promote sustain- able food systems: Identify uses that compliment and promote the expansion of sustainable foods produced in the County, identify appropriate locations for processing facilities. Source: Oct. 14, 201 I, General Plan draft (countyofp/umas.corn) ;OOD THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2012 i SUSANvlLLE 1 2385 Main St. 257-8883 I l(00UlNCY East Main St. 283-1450 Bus yard receives funds E)elaine Fragnoli Managing Editor dfragnoli@plumasnews.com Public transit projects in California are receiving bond funds to upgrade transit ser- vice, purchase eco-friendly buses and modernize transit stations tO create jobs across the state. The 138 projects will receive $214 million from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter- approved transportation bond, Need help REPI NG CONSTRUCTION 81NC[ 1S)84 General Building Contractor Calif. Lic. #453927 (530) :283-2035 which includes $3.6 billion to improve public transit in Cali- fornia. The Plumas County Trans- portation Commission will re- ceive $243,930 for the Plumas County bus yard. The project includes covered, secure park- ing for transit buses and a small storage and office struc- ture, all within the existing maintenance yard. The county currently parks the transit buses on land it rents from Central Plumas Recreation and Park District. Another component of the project is replacement of fuel facilities so public works has its own year-round fuel sup- ply, which it can buy at bulk rate. The larger, more auto- mated tanks will also allow for better record keeping. Solar panels on the parking structure are also a possibility. The $243,930 will not cover the whole project, said John Mannle, of Plumas County Public Works. Total cost is $645,000. But he expects a spring bond sale will result in additional funds. "These projects are a direct investment in our state's pub- lic transit system and will help energize California's economy," said Acting Cal- trans Director Malcolm Dougherty. "Not only will these projects help create jobs, they will also reduce traffic congestion, protect the envi- ronment by reducing green- house gas emissions and pro- vide Californians an alterna- tive to rising gas prices."