Category: FARMS – Central Valley CENTRAL: Fresno and South Fresno County

Fresno and South Fresno Counties

Trout and Salmon, Oh My!

FARMS Leadership | Central Valley Central & South | Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Location of Field Day:
California Department of Fish & WildLife – San Joaquin Hatchery – 17372 Brook Trout Drive, Friant, CA 93626

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors:
William Branch
Cheryl Moxley
Brian Erlandsen

Theme:
Aquaculture and Natural Resources

Summary of the Day:
Students from Patino High School, Sunnyside High School, Kerman High School, Reedley High School and Hanford West High School met on Wednesday, January 29th at The San Joaquin Hatchery of California Department of Fish & Wildlife. Students met and practiced an introduction and thank you practice for use in the day for introducing our hosts. We were joined by Cheryl Moxley who runs the FINS Program. The FINS Program is an interpretive nature trail designed to teach children the life cycle of trout. Given the slightly older nature of our group, she covered other more age-appropriate information such as native plants, grant funding information, and interpretive design. Next, students rotated between two programs with lunch provided by FARMS to split up these two rotations. The first was SCARF: A salmon restoration project for the San Joaquin River. This covered topics such as conservation, endangered species, and the science behind genetic matrixing and testing. Students fed these fish and also checked for the success rate of the tagged fish by using the scanner provided. Finally the SJH: The hatchery itself, where we discussed what it takes to raise fish, plant it out, and deal with such things as water quality, biosecurity, and fish health. At the end of the day, students presented thank you’s to all of our hosts. We had a really enjoyable hands-on day. We were very impressed with what the state of California does for our natural resources. Thank you again, William, Cherly, Brian and your entire team.

Dam Good Water

FARMS Leadership | Central Valley Central | Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Location of Field Day:
Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District – 2975 Farmersville Rd, Farmersville, CA 93223

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors:
Shane Smith – Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, Project-Administrative Manager

Theme:
California’s Water & Natural Resources

Summary of the Day:
On Wednesday, September 13, 2019, the Central Valley Central FARMS Leadership students from Patino High School, Sunnyside High School, Kerman High School and Reedley High School met at the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District. Students participated in a few Leadership activities in interviewing and introducing each other in practice and preparation of introducing our field day hosts. Shane Smith, Project-Administrative Manager with the KDWCD met with the students at the home office and shared a short powerpoint presentation with the students on why the dam was built. Mr. Smith also presented the Kaweah Delta Water Operations, What the district does, Groundwater Recharge, Stormwater Layoff and storage facilities. The group caravaned to the US Army Corps of Engineer office at the Dam. While here Mr. Smith also explained the importance of irrigation and Fuse Gates known as Tipping Buckets and Flood Control Activities. Students were able to walk down and see the 6 – 1 million pound tipping buckets up close. After lunch students spent time asking final questions about the day. We all enjoyed our visit to the Dam!

There are Kiwi and there are MEGA Kiwi

FARMS Leadership | Central Valley Central | Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Location of Field Day:
Citri Care – 43294 Road 120, Orosi CA 93647
Kliewer Packing – 41389 B Road 44, Reedley CA 93654

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: 
Katy Miller – Citri Care
Jerin Kliewer – Kliewer Packing

Theme: 
Leadership, Kiwi Genetics, Kiwi Harvesting & Kiwi Packing

Summary of the Day:
On Tuesday, October 15th, students from the Central Valley Central FARMS Leadership Program stepped out of the classroom in their first field day of the year.  Students started off the day with leadership activities in introducing each other that would, in turn, give students experience when presenting the field day hosts and speakers.  Katy Miller then spoke to the students about Citra Care and how they started growing the “Mega Kiwi”. We learned that Kliewer Packing has a genetic patent and has hired Citri Care to grow this amazing fruit.  After this short talk, Mrs. Miller took us to the canopy field where the kiwi was being grown. Students were able to see the Mega Kiwi being grown and had the opportunity to pick one Mega fruit and compare it to a regular size kiwi fruit.  Students were then treated to a lovely lunch at Martha’s in Orosi CA. After lunch, we met with Jerin Kliewer of Kliewer Packing. Mr. Kliewer showed the students the packing process from the trucks to the packaging.

Western Milling Labor in the Agriculture Industry

Program: Advanced

Region: Central Valley

Field Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Location of Field Day: Western Milling, Goshen CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Anna Spivak, Mark Krebsbach & Brian Brower

Theme: Personality Index Quiz, Mock Interviews and Truck Driving Laws and Regulations

On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, the first field day of the Central Valley FARMS Leadership Advanced Program was held at Western Milling in Goshen CA. Here the 6 ladies from Patino High School, Central Valley Christian High School and Kerman High School participated in Western Millings Personality Index Quiz presented by Human Resources Anna Spivak. Ms. Spivak went into detail with our Advanced students on how to read the results and what type of career would fit their individual personalities. During lunch, provided by Western Milling, Mark Krebsbach, Commodity Trader and Ms. Spivak held mock interviews with our students. The ladies received first-hand experience of introducing themselves to prospective individuals in an interview typesetting. Following lunch and this short exercise, Brian Bower and Mr. Krebsbach spoke about new labor laws and regulations for truck drivers. Today was a very informational day for us all and we appreciate the team at Western Milling for taking time out of their busy schedule to teach us what is important to know about the industry and hiring process.

Forestry and Wildlife in Agriculture

Program: FARMS Leadership Program

Region: Central Valley Central

Field Date:  Monday, April 8, 2019

Location of Field Day: Reedley College

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Kent Kinney

Theme: Forestry and Wildlife Program

On Monday, April 8, 2019, Patino and Sunnyside High School students joined at Reedley College for the last field day of the 2019 FARMS Leadership Program.  A student volunteer introduced Mr. Kent Kinney, the Forestry Professor at Reedley College. We then joined a Fish and Wildlife Biology Lab Class in fishing for count in the colleges pond.  After this exercise, students joined the mule packing team in the barns. Each group of 4 students watched the Mule Packing demonstration before demonstrating it themselves. The students were taught how to properly pack the mule for overnight adventures and in case of undesirable weather to keep their supplies dry for the trip.  Finally, our day ended with a guided River Walk on the Kings River with students from the Forestry Lab class. Students have to know all of the type of trees and shrubs seen out on the walk and taught our students and then quizzing them. What an amazing day at a college that is practically in our own backyard.

Water Banking

Program: FARMS Leadership Program

Region: Central Valley North and Central Field

Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2019

Location of Field Day: Meyers Water Bank, Firebaugh CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Jason Dean

Theme: Water for Farming

Upon arrival, students ate breakfast and participated in an introduction and Thank You Presentation. Following meeting our host partners, the students watched a video on Meyers Water Bank presentation as well as a Video Display & Discussion led by Jason. We were then joined by a falconer and her 2 birds. She displayed the birds and explained how they are used in rodent control on farms and wildlife preserves. We were then taken to the actual site and enjoyed lunch and a nature walk. Finally, students participated in a hands-on student service project for Meyers Water Bank and then we closed the day with presenting Thank You’s to our hosts.

A little bit of this and that….

Program: FARMS Leadership Program

Region: Central Valley Central

Field Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019

Location of Field Day: Peterson Packing House, Kingsburg CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Vernon Peterson

Theme: Packing House, Chickens and a Trout Release

Summary of the Day:

Our day started off with a tour of the Petersons Citrus Packing House, where students rotated between Quality Control, Administration, Security, and Loading.  The students rotated between the 4 jobs for about 30 minutes each. In quality control, students learned how to test the citrus to the specifications for sale in each category.  In the admin office, students learned how to bill, shipping/receiving and distribution works. At some points, the packing shed will run 24 hours a day. In the security office, students learned how to keep the machines running and that the employees were carefully completing the tasks at hand.  Finally, students help load and keep track and pack the pallets that went onto the trucks and out to the stores.

After lunch, Mr. Peterson took us to his family’s chicken ranch.  He showed the students how quickly the chickens grew and how his employees cared for the chickens and the houses they lived in.  He showed us how technology-based is houses were as they continuously kept a temperature of about 70-90 degrees depending on how old the chickens were.  

Finally, students from the FARMS (Center for Land-Based Learning) program at Patiño School of Entrepreneurship took a field trip in February to Peterson Organic Farms and the Kings River North Riverside access point.  The students learned about organic farming practices and assisted with the Kings River Conservation District and Kings River Conservancy (KRC) trout release to plant and repopulate the Kings River. Students had the opportunity to meet local leaders and watch the KRC video about education and the role of the river.

Feeding Animals in Agriculture

Program: FARMS Leadership Program

Region: Central Valley South

Field Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Location of Field Day: Western Milling Goshen CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Mark Krebsbach  | Chad Pinter | Eric Brandenburg | Buster Freeman  |

Theme: Grains and Milling

On Tuesday, February 19th the Central Valley South FARMS Leadership Program consisting of El Diamante High School, Lindsay High School and Mt. Whitney High School met at Western Milling in Goshen CA.  Students were treated to breakfast burritos upon our arrival. The leadership team was determined and they were in charge of introducing our hosts for the day. We were welcomed by Mr. Chad Pinter, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Western Milling along with his welcome Mr. Pinter presented the company overview.  Next, the students were split into two groups and rotated through a Mill Tour with Buster Freeman and a Retail Tour with Todd Willeke. After our Mill and Retail Tours, we met back in the conference room with Mark Krebsbach, Ag Leadership Foundation Class 48. During lunch, the students sat with individuals from different departments at Western Milling.  We were joined by Reina Carbajal, Human Resources; Rene Urquia, Environmental Health and Safety Director; Rebecca Norred, Office Manager; Stan Dillon, Maintenance; Joel Karlin, Economist. They talked about and asked questions of how they got into agriculture, their college choices and what they did during their workday at Western Milling. Then a student from each group introduced their guest to the whole group and they told the entire group what they did at Western Milling and how it’s different from where they thought they would be.  Finally, Mark Krebsbach led a “Who am I” workshop asking the students to tell the group about who they are. Students did share what they wanted about themselves with the group. It was a great time for the students to be vulnerable. They really opened up to the group about themselves and did a great job. We appreciate what Mark and his colleagues at Western Milling do for our group. As always it is a great day we spend at Western Milling.

SJVC Veterinary Services

FARMS Leadership Program

Central Valley Central FARMS Leadership

Thursday, January 24, 2019

San Joaquin Valley College, Fresno CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors:  Fara Singh

Veterinary Services

Upon arrival, the students practiced more leadership staples as well as learning to write thank yous and properly Thank our hosts.  After the actual SJVC Students got on to the floor to work with the animals we divide our students into 3 groups. In each 20 Minute rotation students were put through a learning demonstration.  The different areas were Dental, Contrast Study, Physical Exam, Jerry Dog Surgery, Scrub in Demo and finally, students dissected Owl Pellets. We were treated to a Pizza Lunch provided by SJVC. After lunch students completed a career questionnaire and we discussed the CAP Presentations and talked about possible FARMS Advanced opportunities.

Student Chuyeng Xiong said, “My favorite trip that I went on was to SJVC pet tech program because we got to see how the nurses perform x-rays on the animals and care for the pets. The practice routine examinations on the pets I found interesting but did not like to watch. Learning how to properly handle the lab equipment and lab samples were cool too.”

Agriculture Research

FARMS Leadership Program

Central Valley Central

Thursday, December 6, 2018

USDA Research Center, Parlier CA

Field Day Host(s) and Mentors: Dr. James Throne; Dr. Craig Ledbetter

On Tuesday, December 6, 2018, the Central Valley Central FARMS Leadership Program that consists of Patino High School and Sunnyside High School visited the USDA Ag Research Center. In the morning, students brushed up on their Leadership and Introduction skills. We were then joined by Dr. James Throne for Center overview. He shared with the group what this USDA location does day in and day out and how they are funded. The students were then split into two groups and rotated through these two topic areas: Insect acoustics and Almond Breeding. Students enjoyed a Baked Potato Bar lunch and then finished out the day at the Second Rotation as Outlined Above. Students were able to ask questions that may not have been answered by Dr. James Throne & Staff