LAKE COUNTY – Celeste Settrini, president of California Women for Agriculture, was the guest speaker at the year’s first meeting of the Lake County Chapter of CWA.

Gathering at Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay for a convivial evening that included music by David Neft were 57 members, guests, and prospective members interested in learning more about the current challenges being faced by the local farming community.

The group was welcomed by chapter president Toni Scully, Lakeport, who introduced Sausha Racine, Lakeport, vice president; Bonnie Sears, Lakeport, secretary; and Paula Bryant, Hidden Valley Lake, treasurer.

Area representatives Nellie Dorn, Kelseyville; Linda Juntunen, Lakeport; Matilda Robinson, Upper Lake; and Sue Steiner and Sally Beckner, south county, were acknowledged.

Present at the event were past president Margaret Eutenier, newsletter editor; charter president Marilyn Holdenried, sunshine chairman; Janice Stokes, historian; and past presidents Wilda Shock and Carolyn Henderson-Rohner. Also present was Diane Henderson, CWA liaison to the Lake County Farm Bureau board of directors.

Retiring co-presidents Joanne Van Eck and Stephanie Green, secretary Mireya Turner, and treasurer Carol Robertson were thanked for their volunteer service to the organization during the past two years.

Settrini, a fourth generation Monterey County and San Benito County cattle rancher and member of the Salinas Valley Chapter, has vowed to visit all 22 CWA chapters in California during her two years as state president.

Lake County was her first stop, where she expressed her appreciation for the partnership enjoyed by agricultural affiliates in this area.

She noted that 2010 provides several opportunities for involvement at the local and statewide level. CWA will have a presence at the World Ag Expo in Tulare next month, as well as during a joint meeting in March with the California Cattlewomen. Members from throughout California will gather in Sacramento on March 23 for Capital Ag Day, meeting with legislators and other elected officials.

Scully invited the Lake County members to meet the challenge of educating their neighbors about local farming practices and operations.

“They need to see our family farmers as responsible stewards of the land, toiling on farms and ranches that have proven to be sustainable over generations,” she said, adding that CWA should “enlist the help and support of all people who want to help protect our ability to farm.”

Community members interested in learning more about helping to sustain an agricultural way of life in Lake County are invited to contact Toni Scully at 707-263-7327, or write to P.O. Box 279, Finley 95435.

Data gathered during the census is essential to determining how federal monies are spent on things that matter most to you: Health care, education, jobs, home ownership, community safety, community services, aid for children and seniors and more.

Most fieldwork positions last a few weeks or more and pay $11.50 per hour. Mileage is reimbursed at government rates.

Everyone hired by the Census Bureau must take a 30-minute basic skills exam. These test sessions are being scheduled now throughout the county. To apply call 1-866-861-2010.

The U.S. Census Bureau is an equal opportunity employer. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Lake County has many circumstances that require special interpretation of "mainstream" gardening information. Soil texture, structure and fertility receive attention. Irrigation water quality is a concern for many gardeners. Wildlife pests (critters) are also an issue for some gardeners.

Utilizing 25 years of small farm and nursery experience in Lake County, as well as 12 years of nursery experience in Sonoma County, Hoyt attempts to integrate scientific agricultural information with common everyday gardeners' observations and intuition.

Students will be encouraged to observe and respond to landscapes. A recurring question in this class is "How does this landscape make YOU feel?" There are no right or wrong landscapes in this class. A gardener's landscape is their personal choice! This class will help you make that an informed choice!

Learn about hundreds of types of trees, shrubs, vines, flowering plants and food plants adapted to Lake County conditions. An important aspect of this class is learning about science based methods to estimate garden water use. This combined with basic irrigation management will allow gardeners to optimally water their landscapes while reducing waste, thus conserving their precious water resources.

Students will learn 20 different aspects of their garden environment and will be encouraged to consider thirty different types of "wants" for their garden. Students will evaluate their own resources for landscaping.

AGR 54-Home Landscaping class begins Feb. 2 and ends April 27. It runs Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m., and the following five Saturdays: 9 a.m. to noon, Feb. 3, Feb. 20, March 6, March 20 and April 17.

Call the Mendocino College Lake Center at 707-263-4944 for more information.

Ruth Angst, luncheon chairman for the Fire Sirens, has a delicious menu prepared consisting of vegetarian lasagna, salad, rolls, coffee/tea, and dessert.

The featured speaker during lunch is Dr. Korby Olson, superintendent of the Middletown Unified School District.

The cost at the door is $5 per person, which is retained by the organization serving lunch.

The Fire Sirens raise funds to purchase emergency equipment for the South Lake County Fire Protection District.