Can anyone please tell me what the weather will be for the next two months? I'm not kidding. I have to decide when to defoliate the cotton and that decision is balanced on if it is going to rain or not. Defoliate too soon and you lose yield. Too late and you get rained on. It's enough to drive a guy crazy.
The best advice I got from an old neighbor, years ago. John said, "Farm like it ain't gonna rain." He's right, but that is hard to do. There is so much at stake and there are so many variables that are out of my hands.
Below is a piece I did last year for the Fresno Farm Bureau-
Faith and Farming: Where I Find Strength
by Paul H. Betancourt
June, 2009
These days when people ask me how I am doing I often respond, “My son is in a combat zone, I have no water to farm and the economy is in the tank. But, me personally? I am fine.”
It is a brutal year on the farm. This time last year, fuel and fertilizer prices spiked. I thought surviving 2008 was going to be the challenge. I didn’t see this coming. There are no good choices. Almond prices are down. Cotton acreage has collapsed. The tree fruit guys have taken a beating. The dairy guys are losing big money every day.
I am not sure the world has any encouragement to offer. The State of California is essentially bankrupt. The gridlocked special interests have neither the will nor the ability fix anything, much less do the visionary and strategic work necessary to prepare for our future. The Federal government is following California’s example of ignoring the economic realities of income and expense. A three year drought is being aggravated by foolish water policy. I don’t see any help coming from the government. In fact, I would be thrilled if they just didn’t make things worse.
So, what gives me enough hope to get out of bed in the morning?
Bottom line? We are in good hands. I know it looks bad now, but we live in the Land of the Free, because of the Brave. I would rather live here now, with my problems than any other place at any other time in history. But, as much as I love my country and as much as I appreciate the blessings we have here, my confidence and hope are in my faith, not my citizenship.
To my friends and neighbors who have been up all night tossing and turning…
To my friends and neighbors who have that heavy feeling when they see all the bills piling up on their desk…
To my friends and neighbors who feel gut shot when a piece of equipment fails or the bugs move in…
…there is hope.
After thirty years I am finally beginning to understand the Book of Job. Job was a farmer who lost it all. In the first chapter of Job he learns that all his livestock, all his servants and all his children are dead. Unless we are aware of Old Testament practices we might miss the meaning of Job’s reaction. He tore his robe and shaved his head (Job 1:20). In Job’s culture tearing his robe and shaving his head were signs of extreme grief. Job was heart broken. That is a perfectly natural reaction to what had happened, and it is OK. It is OK for us to grieve loss like that. This ‘stiff-upper lip, real men don’t cry’ business is nonsense. Loss hurts. But, notice what Job did next, he worshipped. Job “fell to the ground and worshipped.” And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Wow, it takes a lot to say that in the face of complete loss. But, Job had his life in perspective. He wasn’t a Stoic who had dulled his emotions. Remember, a few moments earlier he had fully expressed his grief. But, in the face of grief he could still say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” How could he do that?
Edith Schaeffer, in her book ‘Affliction’, has a chapter on Job. Schaeffer writes, that the temptation presented by Job’s ‘comforters’ was not to ‘curse God and die’. The real challenge to Job was, “actually loving and trusting God when there is pressure being brought upon us not to trust Him.” (p.63). These are times when it can be difficult to trust God. As farmers our lives are more exposed to risk, more exposed to the natural elements than most other people. The markets are out of our control, the weather is out of our control. It takes faith in something to have the confidence that we will be all right. How did Job continue to “love and trust God” in the face of his losses?
The answer is buried deep in Chapter 19. Job responds, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, at the last He will take His stand upon the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet with my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25-6). Wow. Can I say that when I hurt? That has not been my usual first response. But, I am learning the strength that can be had when that is my perspective.
There are four things I am learning from Job-
-It is OK to feel and express our grief. Loss hurts and God is big enough to take it when we cry out.
-Worship is a good response when we hurt. Job tore his robes and shaved his head in grief. His heart was broken. But, he could still worship.
-Faith is an anchor, a foundation for our lives. “I know my Redeemer lives.”
In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tries to encourage us, “do not worry about your life, as to what you shall eat or what you shall drink; nor for your body as to what shall you wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
Your Heavenly Father knows you need all of these things. But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:25-33). I don’t live to farm, I farm to live. I live to seek His Kingdom.
What Jesus is saying in the Sermon on the Mount echoes what King David said in Psalm 37. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord. And He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the one who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old; Yet, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:23-26).
I love my family, I love my country and I love my community. I am proud of what I do as a farmer growing food and fiber and caring for the environment. But, those are not what I live for-those are not where I draw my strength. Things are rough on the farm right now. I can’t change the weather and the global conditions that are affecting my farm. Faith is not a band aid to make things better. Faith is a way of life that gives me perspective on times like these.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Some thoughts on immigration reform
Kerman Harvest Festival this weekend. Always fun to see everybody. Nothing like carny food. The weather has been fabulous. Cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. Mid-80's. I love Fall weather.
It's been kind of quiet on the farm this week. Busy, but nothing new. I thought I would post my latest op-ed. It was picked up in the local press. Immigration reform is not only an issue in the US, but around the world. The former UN Secretary General listed the current global migration as one of the great issues of our age. After I was quoted in the Economist a few years ago a German reporter flew out to LA and drove to Kerman to interview me on the subject. Voters in Europe are selecting more conservative governments on this one issue. Here's my two cents.
We Will Not Solve the Immigration Issue by Penalizing Employers
By Paul H. Betancourt
Copyright September, 2010
So the way to solve the problem of illegal immigration is to penalize employers? Are you serious?
The Obama Administration is suing Arizona for enforcing federal law.
Cops aren’t allowed to ask.
Teachers say they don’t want to be immigration enforcement officers, they just want to teach.
Doctors and nurses say they don’t want to be immigration control officers either. They just want to care for patients.
It looks like employers are the last ones standing.
There are advocates, journalists and academics that say the only way to control immigration is employer sanctions because jobs are what are attracting immigrants. OK, I’ll agree that jobs do attract immigrants. Will you agree there are other things that attract immigrants?
Citizenship for children who are born here?
Free education?
Free health care?
I’d be willing to support employer sanctions if we tighten up on these other attractants also. This is where things get sticky. It has been tried before.
1986-Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
We started working the issue of illegal immigration over twenty years ago when the problem was a lot smaller. IRCA is behind the rule that you have to prove a right to work when you apply for a new job. Through IRCA many people received work documents. But, IRCA eventually failed because the only way to enforce it was to issue national identity cards and the ACLU and their merry-men went to war over that issue. They are right, to enforce anything resembling immigration reform we are probably going to have to issue some kind of national identity card. That is an unpalatable thought for some people.
1994- Prop 187
Many of you remember this one. California voters approved restrictions on social services for the undocumented. This was eventually struck down by the courts. What amazed me during this debate was the reaction of the people in the education and health care communities. Teachers were saying, “We don’t want to be immigration officers, we just want to teach kids.” Nurses and doctors were saying the same thing. What makes you think I want to be an immigration officer? I have a farm to run and a crop to bring in. I am not an immigration officer either.
This notion that employment is the only attraction for illegal immigration is nonsense. Yes, employment is a huge issue and it needs to be addressed. But, the fact is there are other attractants, free public education, free health care and opportunity for one’s children come to mind.
It is political suicide for conservatives to bring up the issue of the Fourteenth Amendment, but it is an issue that should at least be discussed. After the Civil War Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment to grant citizenship to the freed slaves who otherwise had no legal standing. It was a good move. However, it leaves us with the de facto situation where if a child is born within our borders it automatically becomes a US. Citizen. We assume this is normal in other countries, but it is not always so. We often talk about doing things like the Europeans. Well, one European country, Switzerland, does things another way. In Switzerland, just being born in Switzerland is not enough to be proclaimed a Swiss citizen, at least one of your parents has to be Swiss also. I am not saying that we have to follow the Swiss example on this, just a reminder that there are alternatives.
A Step Toward Solution-
The most reasonable solutions I have seen on the issue of immigration reform were proposed by President George W. Bush. His proposals were sliced and diced from both sides of the aisle, but they have the merit of being reasonable and practical. Bush started on immigration before 9/11 and might have succeeded if that attack had not changed our whole national agenda. In 2006 he brought up the issue again. President Bush had five principals in his proposal: Secure the borders, Temporary Worker Program, Hold employers accountable, Face the reality that millions are already here, Honor our tradition as the melting pot and embrace our common identity as Americans.
Yes, I see that holding employers accountable is one of Bush’s principles. Can you see there are also other issues? We are not going to solve this issue by trying to balance the whole equation on the backs of the employers.
It's been kind of quiet on the farm this week. Busy, but nothing new. I thought I would post my latest op-ed. It was picked up in the local press. Immigration reform is not only an issue in the US, but around the world. The former UN Secretary General listed the current global migration as one of the great issues of our age. After I was quoted in the Economist a few years ago a German reporter flew out to LA and drove to Kerman to interview me on the subject. Voters in Europe are selecting more conservative governments on this one issue. Here's my two cents.
We Will Not Solve the Immigration Issue by Penalizing Employers
By Paul H. Betancourt
Copyright September, 2010
So the way to solve the problem of illegal immigration is to penalize employers? Are you serious?
The Obama Administration is suing Arizona for enforcing federal law.
Cops aren’t allowed to ask.
Teachers say they don’t want to be immigration enforcement officers, they just want to teach.
Doctors and nurses say they don’t want to be immigration control officers either. They just want to care for patients.
It looks like employers are the last ones standing.
There are advocates, journalists and academics that say the only way to control immigration is employer sanctions because jobs are what are attracting immigrants. OK, I’ll agree that jobs do attract immigrants. Will you agree there are other things that attract immigrants?
Citizenship for children who are born here?
Free education?
Free health care?
I’d be willing to support employer sanctions if we tighten up on these other attractants also. This is where things get sticky. It has been tried before.
1986-Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
We started working the issue of illegal immigration over twenty years ago when the problem was a lot smaller. IRCA is behind the rule that you have to prove a right to work when you apply for a new job. Through IRCA many people received work documents. But, IRCA eventually failed because the only way to enforce it was to issue national identity cards and the ACLU and their merry-men went to war over that issue. They are right, to enforce anything resembling immigration reform we are probably going to have to issue some kind of national identity card. That is an unpalatable thought for some people.
1994- Prop 187
Many of you remember this one. California voters approved restrictions on social services for the undocumented. This was eventually struck down by the courts. What amazed me during this debate was the reaction of the people in the education and health care communities. Teachers were saying, “We don’t want to be immigration officers, we just want to teach kids.” Nurses and doctors were saying the same thing. What makes you think I want to be an immigration officer? I have a farm to run and a crop to bring in. I am not an immigration officer either.
This notion that employment is the only attraction for illegal immigration is nonsense. Yes, employment is a huge issue and it needs to be addressed. But, the fact is there are other attractants, free public education, free health care and opportunity for one’s children come to mind.
It is political suicide for conservatives to bring up the issue of the Fourteenth Amendment, but it is an issue that should at least be discussed. After the Civil War Congress passed the Fourteenth Amendment to grant citizenship to the freed slaves who otherwise had no legal standing. It was a good move. However, it leaves us with the de facto situation where if a child is born within our borders it automatically becomes a US. Citizen. We assume this is normal in other countries, but it is not always so. We often talk about doing things like the Europeans. Well, one European country, Switzerland, does things another way. In Switzerland, just being born in Switzerland is not enough to be proclaimed a Swiss citizen, at least one of your parents has to be Swiss also. I am not saying that we have to follow the Swiss example on this, just a reminder that there are alternatives.
A Step Toward Solution-
The most reasonable solutions I have seen on the issue of immigration reform were proposed by President George W. Bush. His proposals were sliced and diced from both sides of the aisle, but they have the merit of being reasonable and practical. Bush started on immigration before 9/11 and might have succeeded if that attack had not changed our whole national agenda. In 2006 he brought up the issue again. President Bush had five principals in his proposal: Secure the borders, Temporary Worker Program, Hold employers accountable, Face the reality that millions are already here, Honor our tradition as the melting pot and embrace our common identity as Americans.
Yes, I see that holding employers accountable is one of Bush’s principles. Can you see there are also other issues? We are not going to solve this issue by trying to balance the whole equation on the backs of the employers.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Life on the farm can be busy and quiet at the same time. I don't have much new to report this week. We have been busy with field work. We haven't even really got to servicing equipment in the shop yet.
We have been polling the almond trees to knock down the nuts the shaker left behind. We also picked up the irrigation pipe left in the field. That's heavy work. Glad the weather cooled off for that. Built up a road so we can get it oiled. Once it is oiled well it will give off less dust when cars drive by. Less dust in the almonds means less mites in the trees. The trees stay stronger and I don't have to spray for mites. A win-win-win.
We do have to spray for aphids in the cotton. We have had a small population for the last month. Most bugs don't go away by themselves. This last week the aphid population has exploded right as the bolls are starting to open. The honeydew from the aphid can ruin the cotton fiber, so it is time to smoke the little buggers.
There are two issues at play. One is IPM, Integrated Pest Management. we have talked a little about pesticide use. I think pesticides are an important tool in growing food, but I agree we shouldn't go off will-nilly. IN fact, I can't afford to go off and spray at the first sign of trouble. Some of this material costs $500/gallon. And we thought gasoline as high.
Those fabulous folks at our universities have developed what we call Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a combination of understanding your crop, the pests, the chemistry, the ecosystem and the economics of the situation. We don't spray when the first bug shows up. We monitor the fields regularly. We keep an eye on bad bugs and beneficial insects. Researchers have worked out the economic thresholds. One lygus bug in fifty sweeps of a hand net is not going to hurt us. Fifteen lygus bugs in fifty sweeps will kill us in June, but not in September.
So, with the aphid- a few aphid in early August, not a problem. A lot of aphid in early September is a problem. I would really rather not spend the money, but it impacts the quality of the cotton fiber.
This leads to the next issue, globalization. In a globalized world quality counts. I compete with cotton growers all over the world. The relative cost of transportation is cheap. So mills can be fussy and choose cotton from where they want. I found out long ago there are few premiums for good quality but the deductions for poor quality are immediate and large. Fortunately we have had a reputation for good cotton in California since the 1920's. But, we earn that reputation by being careful with our crops. I'll write more about globalization and how it affects me on the farm some other time.
We had a great dinner last night. Heidi, Will, the kids and Sheryl's aunt and uncle came over for dinner. Getting to the end of the BBQ season. So along with the burger we made sure to have fresh roasted corn on the cob. One thing we have in the area that is hard to find in other places are grape stumps. The smoke form the grape stumps even flavors the corn roasted on the grille. Mmmmmmm. Dinner was followed with another peach cobbler. A little port wine really brings out the flavor of the peaches. A noisy, rambunctious evening filled with good food and good conversation. Great way to end a week.
I hope y'all have a great week.
P
We have been polling the almond trees to knock down the nuts the shaker left behind. We also picked up the irrigation pipe left in the field. That's heavy work. Glad the weather cooled off for that. Built up a road so we can get it oiled. Once it is oiled well it will give off less dust when cars drive by. Less dust in the almonds means less mites in the trees. The trees stay stronger and I don't have to spray for mites. A win-win-win.
We do have to spray for aphids in the cotton. We have had a small population for the last month. Most bugs don't go away by themselves. This last week the aphid population has exploded right as the bolls are starting to open. The honeydew from the aphid can ruin the cotton fiber, so it is time to smoke the little buggers.
There are two issues at play. One is IPM, Integrated Pest Management. we have talked a little about pesticide use. I think pesticides are an important tool in growing food, but I agree we shouldn't go off will-nilly. IN fact, I can't afford to go off and spray at the first sign of trouble. Some of this material costs $500/gallon. And we thought gasoline as high.
Those fabulous folks at our universities have developed what we call Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a combination of understanding your crop, the pests, the chemistry, the ecosystem and the economics of the situation. We don't spray when the first bug shows up. We monitor the fields regularly. We keep an eye on bad bugs and beneficial insects. Researchers have worked out the economic thresholds. One lygus bug in fifty sweeps of a hand net is not going to hurt us. Fifteen lygus bugs in fifty sweeps will kill us in June, but not in September.
So, with the aphid- a few aphid in early August, not a problem. A lot of aphid in early September is a problem. I would really rather not spend the money, but it impacts the quality of the cotton fiber.
This leads to the next issue, globalization. In a globalized world quality counts. I compete with cotton growers all over the world. The relative cost of transportation is cheap. So mills can be fussy and choose cotton from where they want. I found out long ago there are few premiums for good quality but the deductions for poor quality are immediate and large. Fortunately we have had a reputation for good cotton in California since the 1920's. But, we earn that reputation by being careful with our crops. I'll write more about globalization and how it affects me on the farm some other time.
We had a great dinner last night. Heidi, Will, the kids and Sheryl's aunt and uncle came over for dinner. Getting to the end of the BBQ season. So along with the burger we made sure to have fresh roasted corn on the cob. One thing we have in the area that is hard to find in other places are grape stumps. The smoke form the grape stumps even flavors the corn roasted on the grille. Mmmmmmm. Dinner was followed with another peach cobbler. A little port wine really brings out the flavor of the peaches. A noisy, rambunctious evening filled with good food and good conversation. Great way to end a week.
I hope y'all have a great week.
P
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Fall on the Farm
Ahhhh, summer is almost over. Cooler weather on the way.
We have cut off water on the cotton. Now we will see if the bolls fill out.
This season on the farm is for working in the shop. Servicing and repairing equipment before harvest. I have mentioned before how my uncle said you don't have to be a great mechanic if you service equipment. Grease is cheaper than parts. That advice has driven us for a long time.
A few years ago I was riding with a pilot friend and we were talking about how airplanes get an Annual, where they go through every detail of the plane thoroughly. They, of course, can't pull over to the edge of the field or the side of the road if they have problems. I thought, we need to do that with the tractors. So, that is what we do- an Annual on each tractor and piece of equipment. Questionable hydraulic hose? Change it. The first year Ruben mentioned a dash light in his tractor- change it. Our repair costs are still the same, but our downtime during the season is way down. We still have some problems, but we prevent a lot of simple problems and we get a lot more done each day once the tractors start rolling. If you are going to have something, you are going to have to take care of it. This is a case of taking care of the tools by which we make our living.
Elsewhere on the farm-
The blackeyes have been cut and they are drying.
Also, the almonds at the house have been shaken and they are drying. This is unusual. We have never shaken this variety before the 20th of September. This year it is three weeks early. Most crops are ten days to two weeks behind normal. I am not sure I understand. But, they were ready. Good thing we don't just blindly follow the calendar. There is a value to checking the fields and understanding the crops. If we had waited till the normal time for harvest we would have had a lot of nuts stuck on the tree because they had dried out.
I can't take credit for this. We were getting ready to water again and Raul asked, 'Are you sure?' The nuts seems open and ready to be shaken. I had been looking down, at the soil and weed conditions. When I looked up I could see he was right. Thanks Raul, good job.
I hope y'all have a great week.
P
We have cut off water on the cotton. Now we will see if the bolls fill out.
This season on the farm is for working in the shop. Servicing and repairing equipment before harvest. I have mentioned before how my uncle said you don't have to be a great mechanic if you service equipment. Grease is cheaper than parts. That advice has driven us for a long time.
A few years ago I was riding with a pilot friend and we were talking about how airplanes get an Annual, where they go through every detail of the plane thoroughly. They, of course, can't pull over to the edge of the field or the side of the road if they have problems. I thought, we need to do that with the tractors. So, that is what we do- an Annual on each tractor and piece of equipment. Questionable hydraulic hose? Change it. The first year Ruben mentioned a dash light in his tractor- change it. Our repair costs are still the same, but our downtime during the season is way down. We still have some problems, but we prevent a lot of simple problems and we get a lot more done each day once the tractors start rolling. If you are going to have something, you are going to have to take care of it. This is a case of taking care of the tools by which we make our living.
Elsewhere on the farm-
The blackeyes have been cut and they are drying.
Also, the almonds at the house have been shaken and they are drying. This is unusual. We have never shaken this variety before the 20th of September. This year it is three weeks early. Most crops are ten days to two weeks behind normal. I am not sure I understand. But, they were ready. Good thing we don't just blindly follow the calendar. There is a value to checking the fields and understanding the crops. If we had waited till the normal time for harvest we would have had a lot of nuts stuck on the tree because they had dried out.
I can't take credit for this. We were getting ready to water again and Raul asked, 'Are you sure?' The nuts seems open and ready to be shaken. I had been looking down, at the soil and weed conditions. When I looked up I could see he was right. Thanks Raul, good job.
I hope y'all have a great week.
P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
