Agriculture briefs

<p class="bold allcaps">Allen bill would pay farmers to convert to organic crops</p> <p>The state Assembly has approved a bill by Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-Santa Rosa, that would give up to $250 to farmers who seek to get their crops certified as organic.</p><p>The measure would use industry and private sources to fund the program, similar to a federal program that allocates up to $750 to farmers who are going organic.</p><p>Small family farms need a leg up to transition into organic farming, Allen said. He proposes to help them achieve certification with taxpayer funds.</p><p>“It's a positive thing for California, for the economy and for our farmers,” said Allen.</p><p>The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.</p><p>A similar bill was vetoed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who argued such a program would be too time-consuming for the state Department of Food and Agriculture to administer.</p><h3>Farm safety training workshop on May 17</h3> <p>A workshop on safety training for farm and related workers will be given May 17 at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 970 Piner Road in Santa Rosa.</p><p>Workshop topics will include pruning and pesticide safety training, heat stress, field hygiene and the safe operation of forklifts, tractors and all-terrain vehicles. Participants will learn about proper fitting of respirators and medical evaluation documentation.</p><p>The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be conducted in English.</p><p>Cost is $75 for members of Sonoma County Farm Bureau and $105 for non-members.</p><p>Advanced registration is required by May 11. To register, contact the Farm Bureau, 544-5575, or info@sonomafb.org.</p><h3>Spread of Sudden Oak Death to be measured May 19</h3> <p>Ranchers and other property owners on May 19 can join in an annual monitoring day for Sudden Oak Death in Sonoma County.</p><p>“Sudden Oak Death Blitz 2012” will train volunteers to take samples and help document the presence and spread of the disease.</p><p>Volunteers will be trained at three locations: 9:30-10 a.m. at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 Napa St.; 10-10:30 a.m. at the Sebastopol Vet's Building, 282 High St.; and 10-10:30 a.m. at the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park.</p><p>The blitz is hosted by the UC Cooperative Extension and the Sonoma County Master Gardeners. To register, go online to http://ucanr.org/sonomasod or call Lisa Bell, 565-2050.</p><p>Sudden Oak Death is a serious, exotic disease that is killing tanoaks and several oak species in 14 coastal counties in California.</p><p>— Staff and wire reports. Submit items to Staff Writer Robert Digitale at robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com.</p>