California State Floral AssociationJune 28, 2013
In This Issue
Upcoming Dates
Governor Signs "Balanced" Budget
Fertilizer Tax Introduced
Labor Bill Creating Immigration Status Cause of Action Passes Committee
Growing California Video Series: Blooming Business
Ag Veteran Krysta Hardin to be Nominated USDA Deputy Secretary
Obama Announces Second Term Actions on Climate Change
3 Ways to Get More Time Out of Less
UCNFA Workshops ABCs of Plant Pathology in English and Spanish
CCF Exam Pro Classes
Fun 'N Sun Weekend® 2013
CORSAGES & BOUTS
Upcoming Dates

 

June 28-July 2   

AIFD National Symposium "PASSION" 

 Las Vegas, NV

    

 July 17-20  

2013 Fun 'N Sun Convention

Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort

Santa Barbara, CA

 

October 12-13 

Calif Flora 2013
Gallup & Stribling Orchids

Carpinteria, CA 



 


 

Visit our website:  

www.calstatefloral.com  

 

 

Governor Signs "Balanced" Budget

On Thursday, Governor Brown signed a budget with $96.3 billion general fund expenses.  The budget is advertised as "balanced, on-time and one that directs additional resources to California's neediest students and continues the implementation of federal health care reform, while continuing to pay down debt and build a significant reserve to prepare for future uncertainties."  The budget is projected to provide long-term fiscal balance with operating reserves.  

  

The budget builds on significant progress in chipping away at the state's "Wall of Debt." This year's budget commits $2.6 billion to continue to pay down budgetary borrowing of prior years. From its peak of $34.7 billion at the end of 2010-11, the outstanding debt is $26.9 billion at the end of 2012-13; under the budget the debt will be paid down to $4.7 billion over the next four fiscal years.

 

Most of the actions by the Governor were predictable.  Significant action impacting agriculture includes:

 

Water Board: The Governor reduced the budget augmentation by $319,000 and two positions.  In his statement he said, "This reduction is necessary to prevent an excessive fee increase on farmers. However, I am sustaining $650,000 and 5 positions to develop greater expertise in agricultural production at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The two largest agricultural regions of the state will benefit from the regional boards having greater internal expertise in agroecology, and agricultural soil and plant science.

 

Pesticide Regulation: The Governor reduced the augmentation to increase enforcement of state pesticide regulations by $250,000 and 2 positions. This reduction is necessary to help bring ongoing expenditures in line with ongoing revenues in the Department of Pesticide Regulation Fund. However, I am sustaining $383,000 and 3 positions to develop mitigation measures for toxic air contaminants. I will be working with the Legislature over the next few months to enact legislation that requires the development of control measures on pesticides.

 

Ag Education: I am sustaining funding for the Agricultural Career Technical Education Incentive Program for the 2013-14 fiscal year. This program was eliminated in my Local Control Funding Formula proposal consistent with my belief that local education agencies are in the best position to allocate their funding to meet local needs and priorities. Given the Legislature's support of this program, I will direct my Administration to examine whether this funding should continue as a separate categorical program into the future.

 

 
Fertilizer Tax Introduced

Throughout this year we have been reporting on a series of bills introduced to address the nitrate in groundwater issue.  Last week, AB 69 (Perea) was introduced to establish the Nitrate at Risk Area Fund to assist economically disadvantaged communities in developing and implementing sustainable solutions to supply clean drinking water.  AB 69 would establish a one percent tax on all agricultural or urban fertilizer sales and give the Department of Public Health the authority to increase the tax to four percent on or after January 1, 2016. The measure is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on July 3rd. The association is working with a coalition of ag interests to manage the measure stating that it is not needed in light of the industry's proactive approach to the nitrate issue and identifying other funding sources such as $455 million of federal funds at the Department of Public Health and a potential water bond currently under consideration.

 
Labor Bill Creating Immigration Status Cause of Action Passes Committee

Legislation that creates a new cause of action against employers for violations regarding immigration status passed the Senate Labor Relations Committee this week.  AB 263 (Hernandez) passed out of the Committee on a vote of 3-0 with two abstentions.  The bill creates a series of penalties including the 14 day suspension of business licenses for the first penalty, down to permanent revocation of licenses after the fourth violation.  The association is opposing the bill and working with a broad coalition of employer groups to stop or significantly amend the bill. 

 

 
Growing California Video Series: Blooming Business

Published on Jun 24, 2013

The next segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is "Blooming Business" a story about fresh cut flowers grown on the Central Coast.

 

Growing California video series: Blooming Business
Growing California video series: Blooming Business

 

 
Ag Veteran Krysta Hardin to be Nominated USDA Deputy Secretary

President Obama intends to nominate Krysta Hardin to be deputy secretary of agriculture, the department's number two spot, replacing Kathleen Merrigan who resigned three months ago. Hardin, chief of staff to Secretary Tom Vilsack since 2011, is a long-time industry veteran and well-respected. She's the former chief of staff on the House Agriculture Committee's peanut and tobacco subcommittee, and held several positions with former Rep. Charles Hatcher (D, GA).  Hardin served as CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts from 2004-2009, and was vice president of a Washington, DC lobbying firm from 1993-2004.

 
Obama Announces Second Term Actions on Climate Change

President Obama reaffirmed this week his Administration's commitment to action to deal with climate change, starting with directions to EPA to move ahead with "strict limits" on power plant emissions - responsible for about 40% of emissions - and instructions to the State Department to reject the XL Keystone Pipeline if builders/operators can't guarantee it won't increase greenhouse gas emissions (GHS).  He also restated his intent to use the power of executive orders if Congress doesn't go along.

 

Obama announced the plan during a speech at Georgetown University, and said his goal is to prepare the country to "adapt" to the effects of climate change and "assert a leadership role" internationally.  He cited weather impacts on crop production, telling his audience higher food prices that result "get passed on to you, the American consumer."  He talked about smaller snowpacks in mountain regions and the impact on water and tourism, saying "Americans across the country are already paying the price of inaction through (higher) insurance premiums, state and local taxes and the costs of rebuilding and disaster relief."

 

Congressional members from both sides of the aisle who represent fossil fuel states immediately questioned the plan, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R, KY) calling it a "war on coal," adding the plan was "tantamount to declaring a war on jobs."

 

The plan also calls for international cooperation between the U.S. and China, India and other polluting nations to work toward reducing global warming by reducing GHG emissions.

 

The EPA action on power plant emissions carries a September 20 deadline. This effort has been plagued by controversy since first proposed several years ago, and the agency has revisited the issue several times.  On the Keystone Pipeline, the President said he's instructed the Department of State which must approve the application because it crosses the border from Canada through the U.S., to green light the pipeline application "only if it does not significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution." A preliminary State Department assessment said the project is unlikely to have "substantial impact," rejecting opponents' allegations the project would significantly increase GHG emissions, according to one press report.  

 

Obama also targeted chemicals in air and water, including sulfur, arsenic and mercury. He said the U.S. can cut three billion tons of GHG by 2030 through greater efficiency markers on appliances and federal buildings. Incentives for greater energy efficiency were cited, as was post-2018 fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks.

 

Also part of the White House plan is a short-term task force of state, local and tribal leaders to advise the federal government on how to improve "resiliency" to weather changes. The project will look at improving hospital reaction to climate change; update flood-risk standards on federal infrastructure projects and efforts to help communities prepare for and deal with droughts, fires, and a program to help farmers and ranchers gain tools to maintain productivity in the face of changing weather. 

 
3 Ways to Get More Time Out of Less

You can achieve more in a constrained market without running your employees into the ground. These three steps will get your team focused on the work that really drives growth.

 

Across the country, businesses are being pushed to do more with less. Typically this has taken the shape of longer hours, later nights, and a big group of unhappy employees. Achieving in a constrained market should not mean spending more time at the office doing less exciting work; it means that you should stop wasting time.

 

There are three steps managers and staff can take toward a more efficient, more productive organization. By 1) identifying and focusing on your biggest priorities, 2) completing two objectives every week, and 3) outsourcing work, you will find a smoother running organization that employees are happy to contribute to every day.

 


 
UCNFA Workshops ABCs of Plant Pathology in English and Spanish July 24, 2013 in Parlier

 

ABCs of Plant Pathology (English and Spanish) 

 
Kearney Ag Research and Extension Center
Walnut Room
9240 S. Riverbend Ave.
Parlier, CA 93648

 

July 24, 2013

8:00am - 11:30am English

12:00pm - 3:30pm Spanish

 

Map and driving directions 

 

Moderator: Michelle Le Strange, Farm Advisor, UCCE Tulare and Kings Counties

 

English Presenter: Dr. Deborah Mathews, Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension, Plant Pathology & Assistant Plant Pathologist - Ornamental Crops, UC Riverside

 

Presentador (Sesi�n Espa�ol): Dra. Mar�a de la Fuente, Asesora Agr�cola, UC Extensi�n Cooperativa Condado de Monterey

 

Continuing Education Units: DPR and CCA units requested

 

This half-day workshop focuses on aspects of plant pathology that are relevant to greenhouse and nursery production of ornamental plants. Attendees will learn about the Disease Triangle consisting of host, pathogen and environment. The interaction of these three components is the foundation of plant pathology. The various types of pathogens that affect ornamental crops including fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses will be presented. Other topics will include emerging plant diseases such as Boxwood Blight and Impatiens Downy Mildew, sampling diseased plants for testing, diagnosing plant diseases, and rapid assays for identifying pathogens. Methods for preventing or managing diseases including sanitation and integrated pest management will be introduced. A hands-on session at the end of the workshop will enable attendees to see live examples of local plant diseases.

 

 

 

CCF Exam Pro Classes

CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED FLORIST (CCF)

EXAM PREPARATION CLASSES SCHEDULED

 

The California State Floral Association (CSFA) &  

The California Certified Florist (CCF) Program

 

Present:

CCF Prep Classes

 

Sunday, September 22nd

 

Two Locations:

 

A To Wholesale Floral Supply Inc.  

1511 E. McFadden Avenue,

Santa Ana, CA  92705

 

Northern California - Location To Be Announced

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

 

For More Information call the CSFA office at 916-448-5266 or go to the CCF website at:  www.californiacertifiedflorist.org 

 

 



Fun 'N Sun Weekend� 2013

July 17-20

Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort

Santa Barbara, CA