Published in the June 24 – July 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Jess Brown
Jess Brown
I have the distinct pleasure of recently being appointment executive director of the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau. This nonprofit group is the largest agricultural organization in the county with more than 1,000 members and has served as a voice for local farmers for more than 80 years. I have served as executive director of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau for many years and continue to hold that position.
The two farm bureaus have undertaken this exciting new joint adventure with the hope of making both organizations stronger and more efficient. Under this arrangement, each county will continue to have its own independent board of directors and focus on local issues. During my tenure at the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, we have created several innovative programs, including a separate agricultural education organization called Agri-Culture. Two of Agri-Culture’s programs have won national awards. We are looking at expanding Agri-Culture into Santa Clara County to develop its own unique program that will allow the public opportunities to learn more about and support local farming.
Another regional organization we are proud to have created is called Ag Against Hunger. Since its inception in 1990, Ag Against Hunger has provided more than 230 million pounds of fresh produce to people in need. The success of this program is due to growers’ generosity and interest in helping the community.
If you are interested in connecting with local farmers, I encourage you to get a copy of the 40th annual edition of the Country Crossroads Map. This free publication is jointly produced by the Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County farm bureaus. It lists farms in both counties that sell directly to the public. This guide will tell you where you can purchase fresh cherries, apricots, eggs, quail, and cut a perfect Christmas tree, and many other opportunities to enjoy our local bounty.
Nita Gizdich, Country Crossroads president, said, “The public has a unique opportunity to purchase more than 100 different commodities from our direct-sell farms listed on the Country Crossroads Map. It makes for a very enjoyable family outing.”
The map may be obtained by sending a No. 10-sized business size self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau located at 605 Tennant Ave., Suite H, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. You may also pick up maps at our headquarters between 10 a.m. and noon and 1 to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. You can also access an interactive version at www.countrycrossroadsmap.com. Larger quantities can also be delivered to businesses upon request.
How can you have a newspaper column about agriculture these days without mentioning water? California’s current drought has focused all of us on the importance of this resource. Unfortunately, many people want to point fingers at their neighbors such as Southern California or farmers. The best way to handle a crisis is to work together on solutions, not spend energy blaming others, which many times is unjustified.
The California Department of Water Resources has produced an informative graph showing where our water goes: 8 percent is urban use, 32 percent is environmental uses, 28 percent flows to the Pacific Ocean, 31 percent is for agricultural uses and 1 percent is for other uses. Our local growers have focused on water conservation long before the drought started. They have reduced their water use and continue to invest in ways to further reduce consumption. We are fortunate to have farming as part of our local economy. It’s an employer, generates tax revenues, and provides a local food source, among many other benefits. Keep watch for an upcoming report from the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office on the significant contribution agriculture makes to our local economy.
Jess Brown serves as executive director of the Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties Farm Bureaus and the educational organization, Agri-Culture. His community activities include past-president of the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, the Monterey Museum of Art, Cabrillo College Foundation, Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill Industries for Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of Leadership Santa Cruz County and chair of the Tannery Arts Center. Jess has volunteered in Africa for five years helping small-scale farmers.
