Standing room only for the Emergency Freeze Meeting at the Farm Bureau conference room

After more than a week of sub freezing temperatures at the beginning of January, severe freeze damage has been reported in almost every growing region on the Central Coast. All of the top commodities have been hit hard, but none as hard by the harsh temperatures as the Avocado and Citrus industry. At an emergency meeting held at the Farm Bureau office on January 18, Assemblyman Blakeslee facilitated a group discussion with 80 local farmers, governmental officials and local media in the hopes of answering their questions. "In the aftermath of the emergency, timely assistance is essential. We need to bring all local, state and federal resources to bear to help our farmers – people’s livelihoods are at stake," said Blakeslee.

At the meeting local farmers, one by one, shared their preliminary losses in search of support. “It was the coldest weather in 20 years,” said Dave Crowther of Cambria “Among our losses, we lost all the fruit from a 20-30 acre block of mature avocado trees.” San Luis Obispo farmer, Craig Righetti reported loosing 50-60 percent of his 2007 avocado crop and is very concerned with the 2008 crop.

Gabe Filipe, field rep for mission produce and local grower, has surveyed the damage at various farms throughout the Central Coast, "extensive damage, upwards of 100 percent fruit loss, can already be determined in many areas of Cambria, Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande and the Nipomo Mesa." 

Many farmers battled the unrelenting freeze for more then a week. “We used every tool we had to mitigate the damage,” said Bob Staller of Morro Creek ranch who irrigated from 4 p.m. till sunrise everyday for a week and employed helicopters at $850 per hour, to force warmer air down toward the trees, which were suffering from temperatures between 24 - 25 degrease. “Even with our efforts we estimate our losses at upwards to 50 percent,” said Staller.  One farmer burned up to 10,000 gallons of fuel each day to prevent his crop from freezing, and received mixed results.

Bob Lilley, County Agriculture Commissioner reported that county losses had already reached $26 million dollars by mid-January. “Approximately, 60 percent of the 2007 avocado crop worth an estimated $11.5 million, and 50 percent of the 2007 citrus crop worth an estimated $2 million dollars was lost.”

One week before the emergency meeting, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency, making 10 counties who were adversely affected by the weather eligible for special assistance. Assemblyman Blakeslee has been working with the Governor’s office, the State Office of Emergency Services, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioners, and Farm Bureau to ensure that the needs of local farmers are represented.  "We are working closely with the Secretary of Agriculture to cut red tape and find new funding sources as quickly as possible," said Blakeslee.

Losses continue to be reported at the County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office. “What’s important is that anyone affected by the freeze report their damage soon,” said Lilly. The County Agriculture Commissioner’s Office is collecting information on all agriculture losses. Reports can be filed by calling Laura at (805) 781-5917.   

Jennifer Anderson the County Executive Director with the USDA Farm Service Agency of San Luis Obispo County was also in attendance to educate farmers on how they can receive aid. “Once farmers report their losses to the County Ag Department it is important that they contact our office to see what kind of aid they are eligible for.” The Farm Service Agency can be reached at 434-0398 extension 2. Anderson also said that it is very important for Farmers and Rancher who were affected by the freeze to take pictures and keep any receipts associated with the repair of damage caused by the freeze.

Two USDA ad hoc programs could be the answer these farmers are looking for relief. The 2007 Tree Assistance Program (TAP) and 2007 Crop Disaster Program (CDP) programs would provide federal grant money to farmers who surpass a 35 percent loss threshold. Similar programs have aided farmers in the past when Congress has made the funds available.  Both Congressman McCarthy and Congresswoman Capps have pledged to lobby their political colleagues to fund these two programs and bring relief to this area.

Help is on the way from the State and National level.