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February 2014 

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Contents
Annual Meeting
South County Advisory Coucil Meeting
Open House
Calendar

 

January

23 - Board of Directors Meeting  

 

February

20 - Board of Directors Meeting 

 

March

20 - Board of Directors Meeting  

 

April

12 - Open House

24 - Board Of Directors Meeting 

   2014
CCGGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
PRESIDENT

Layci Gragnani,  

Greenheart Farms

 
VICE PRESIDENT

Sandra Fischbein, Speedling Nursery

 
SECRETARY

Eric Djafroodi, Clearwater Nursery

 
TREASURER

Julie Hoyt, Crop

Production Services

 
DIRECTORS AT LARGE:

Dave Pruitt, Consultant

Ben Trogdon, Pacific Sun Growers

Butch Yamashita, Corey Nursery

Toni Kavaky, Viva Farms

                   

 

SPOTLIGHT

 

On November 6, 2013, Congresswoman Lois Capps visited CCGGA Grower Members; Greenheart Farms,

Ball Tagawa Growers, and Native Sons Wholesale Nursery.

 

Thank you for supporting our industry!   

Do you know someone who would benefit from becoming a member of CCGGA?

We're always looking to expand our membership, so please spread the word about our organization!
 
Good Neighbor Policy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Good Driver Awards and Awareness

On January 23, 2014, the Board of Directors voted to award the Good Driver recipients with a $25 gift card and certificate. At the end of the year, all Good Driver Award recipients will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.

In an effort to draw awareness to the program, CCGGA delivered over one hundred informational packets to neighbors around Stanton Road, Camino Caballo Road, and Mesa Road. 

 
Annual Report
Is available!
 
How does community development effect you?

Click the car to find out more!

 

Color of the Year
Radiant Orchid

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm."

 

-Leatrice Eiseman

Executive Director 

Pantone Color Institute�  

                   
Why We Grow
Reason #1:
 
Plants remove harmful household toxins.
  • benzene
  • formaldahyde
  • trichloroethylene
        
Find out more at:

                

Message from the President

 

Dear Members,  

 

We are heading towards the start of the spring season and the busiest time of year for our association. Our Annual Open House event is set for Saturday, April 12th this year, so please save the date! If you are interested in participating or making a donation this year, please contact Krista soon.

 

An important part of our Annual Open House event is our scholarship program. The scholarship is funded by proceeds from greenhouse participants as well as other community members, such as the Nipomo Rotary and Rabobank. Applications are online and easy to access by High School seniors or current college students. Another important part of the scholarship program is that children of CCGGA nursery members, with any college major, are able to apply. A scholarship flyer is available on our website, so please print that out and share it with your employees. This is a great way for our association to support future leaders in horticulture and also, to provide higher education for our employee's families.

 

Last year we raised $18,000 in scholarship funds and I hope that this year we can match or exceed that number! Please tell all of your family and friends about our Open House event!

 

Hope to see you all soon!

 

Cheers!

 

Layci Gragnani, President

Greenheart Farms

 

Annual Meeting Recap       
   

 

The incessant rain finally stopped and the clouds cleared for our annual meeting at the Edward's Barn. President Layci Gragnani welcomed everyone and gave us a rundown on the year's accomplishments; the most notable the reorganizing of the Good Neighbor Policy as it pertains to traffic to and from the nurseries. The newly elected CCGGA Directors for 2014-2015 were then introduced to the group.

 

Next was an update from Marty Settevendemie, County Agricultural Commissioner. It seems that the glassy -winged sharpshooter is finally on the ropes to the point where the AgDept is able to officially declare a state of eradication in the county.

 

Newly appointed Caren Ray, 4th District Supervisor and State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, our past Supervisor, were in attendance and it was very informative hearing from both of them on several subjects. Caren gave us a preview of a soon to be announced agreement or consensus within the North County Water Stakeholders group on the makeup of a new board. Katcho expressed his continued interest in our organization even though he now spends most of his time in Sacramento. Ben Trogdon then seized the moment to acknowledge and thank Katcho for all he has done for the CCGGA over the past few years.

 

Andy Caldwell, government watchdog, popular talk show host and founder of COLAB, talked to the group on a wide range of topics that he thought everyone should be aware of.

 

Dave Edenfield from McConkey gave a great presentation on how different generations are influencing plant buying trends. Another Dave, our own Dave Pruitt, next gave us a rundown on some products offered by iHort.

 

The final presentation was from Adam Pound representing AgraTech. They continue to be a major player in the greenhouse manufacturing industry...I forgot to ask him what the price of steel was up to.

 

President Layci wrapped up the meeting with a few more updates and a raffle.

 
Dan Jones
Pacific Sun Growers   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             
South County Advisory Council Meeting
January 27, 2014
 

Residents Mike Barry and Dennis Delzeit representing the neighborhoods around Viva Farms including Camino Caballo and Mesa roads gave a presentation to the South County Advisory Council meeting outlining their collective complaints about the increased truck traffic at Viva Farms/ Plant Source. Mr. Barry and Mr. Delzeit asked the SCAC to send another letter to the County Supervisor requesting a re-inspection of Viva Farms/Plant Source and to call a Town Hall meeting to discuss the impact of increased distribution on the neighborhood.

 

The SCAC called County Code Enforcement Officer Art Trinidad to the floor to explain the previous year's results from the investigation. The purpose of the county's investigation was to determine if the primary production at Viva Farms/ Plant Source was classified as nursery (permitted in the rural residential area) or warehouse/distribution (excluded in the rural residential area). Trinidad conducted a thorough onsite investigation, in which he witnessed the greenhouse growing and distribution aspects of Viva Farms/ Plant Source. The investigation included a comparison of other large nurseries. Monetary gain was considered irrelevant to actual land usage.

 

He determined distribution contributed a small percentage of the total per acre usage. Distribution is qualified as operations associated with nursery use. Due to this qualification, Viva Farms/ Plant Source were not required to apply for a Discretionary Permit. Under a Discretionary Permit, the applicants are responsible for notifying neighbors and providing opportunities for those involved to speak against the proposed change or expansion.  

 

In conclusion of the investigation, Viva Farms/ Plant Source were found to be a typical nursery operation.   As County Code Enforcement Officer Trinidad stated,"The only difference is that it goes through a residential area."  The audience erupted with comments and disagreement.  Art Trinidad continued, "if things have changed, then we are willing to revisit the issue". Residents persisted that Viva Farms is "not a typical nursery". Several Residents assured "we are not against nurseries or small business. Our hope is that the distribution/ trucking aspects of Viva/Plant Source would be relocated to a different zoning."

 

County Code Enforcement Officer Trinidad warned that excluding nursery distribution in this zone sets an unconstitutional precedent under the current interpretation of the law. Viva Farms/ Plant Source have not done anything illegal. Toni Kavaky represented Viva Farms/ Plant Source. She highlighted the self-imposed changes they have made over the last year to reduce traffic. They have adopted a 7am to 7pm hours of operation (with the exception of peak holidays) in which they keep detailed logs of incoming and outgoing traffic. Trucks are not allowed on the roads before 6:45am and must leave before 6:45pm. Drivers are to adhere to a 25 mph speed limit. Non-compliant employees and drivers have been fired and replaced. Toni encouraged residents to get as much information on non-compliant drivers so they can be dealt with quickly. A resident acknowledged Toni for the changes made to reduce J-braking on Pomeroy.

 

SCAC also presented an email from Steve Pyle, Owner of Viva Farms/ Plant Source stating plants are being rerouted to their other facility to reduce traffic. Mr. Pyle suggested re-opening Viva Way to decrease traffic on Camino Caballo. He strives to uphold the CCGGA's Good Neighbor Policy and is participating in the Good Driver Policy.

 

According to CHP Officer Olsen, there have been no tickets issued or non-compliant truck inspections after a year of concentrated enforcement. The operation poses no safety threat from the California Highway Patrol's perspective. Residents inquired if the trucking could be considered public nuisance. Officer Olsen informed, "Truck noise is exempt".  

 

The SCAC proposed a motion to write a letter on behalf of the residents to the county to re-investigate Viva Farms/Plant Source and call for a Town Hall meeting to further discuss the issue. The motion passed.

 

Amy Spence

CCGGA Administrative Assistant

 
 

CCGGA MEMBERS!     

 

Don't miss the chance to have your logo featured on every reusable bag given out at Open House. Bag Sponsorship is the perfect way for our Associate Members to get involved with Open House. Please contact Krista Herlihy for more information.

 

The  Central  Coast  Greenhouse Growers Association (CCGGA) was founded to provide a cohesive organization that acts as a good neighbor within the local and regional community, providing information and education to neighbors; other community groups or businesses; and county, state, or federal agencies.
 
The CCGGA acts on behalf of its members in resolving issues that may arise with neighboring communities, as we work to coexist and enjoy the numerous benefits the Central Coast provides for both living and growing high-quality plants.