County report wins award
By Reporter Staff
Posted: 06/09/2009
Just as Solano County embarks on a study of the local energy industry, the second spinoff report from the 2008 Index of Economic and Community Progress, the county received an award on the original groundbreaking report.
The California Association for Local Economic Development presented the County an Award of Excellence in Economic Development Programs for the Solano Index, 14 diverse indicator areas that measure the strength of the local economy and the health of the community.
"This tool brings together all aspects of the community to focus on attracting and retaining quality jobs," said Supervisor Michael Reagan. "Receiving this award from the people who do economic development for a living affirms that we are on the right track for improving the economy in Solano County."
According to the index, the county experienced unprecedented economic opportunities between August 2000 and August 2008, outpacing the state and the Bay Area in many areas, including growth in per capita income and several industry clusters.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Solano's award is historic
Solano's award is historic
By Reporter Staff/
Posted: 06/04/2009
The annual showcase of Solano agriculture at the California State Fair has earned the county the 2009 Agricultural Progress Award -- the first time a county has ever won it in the 17-year history of the award.
"Thank you for always making us look so good and sending us the best of the best," said Patti Garamendi, assistant general manager of programs at the California State Fair, at a Tuesday meeting of the Board of Supervisors, where she announced the award.
The award is presented by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed extensively through the course of a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the California State Fair Agricultural programs.
Solano won for its continual emphasis on agriculture in its award-winning county exhibit at the fair each year.
"We are extremely proud of the Solano County team that puts together our exhibit each year. They do a tremendous job of telling the rest of California that Solano County is a great place to live, work, learn and play," said Supervisor John Vasquez, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Since 2000, the Solano County State Fair Exhibit Team has honed the exhibit and its promotion of local agriculture. Through the use of interactive elements and entertaining themes, the public has been drawn to the exhibit. As a result, Solano County has taken top honors in almost every possible recognition category, including winning the Golden Bear, Best of Show and the People's Choice awards on many occasions.
"This is the only place in California where there are five Golden Bears," Garamendi said, commenting on the display of State Fair honors in the lobby of the County Administrative Center.
Garamendi also commented on the number of exhibit sponsors, which she encouraged other counties to emulate, and the commitment from the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard to be part of the annual event.
The award will be formally presented on Aug. 14, a week before the State Fair opens, at a gala dinner in Sacramento. More than 1,000 agricultural leaders from across the state are expected to attend.
By Reporter Staff/
Posted: 06/04/2009
The annual showcase of Solano agriculture at the California State Fair has earned the county the 2009 Agricultural Progress Award -- the first time a county has ever won it in the 17-year history of the award.
"Thank you for always making us look so good and sending us the best of the best," said Patti Garamendi, assistant general manager of programs at the California State Fair, at a Tuesday meeting of the Board of Supervisors, where she announced the award.
The award is presented by the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization that has contributed extensively through the course of a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the California State Fair Agricultural programs.
Solano won for its continual emphasis on agriculture in its award-winning county exhibit at the fair each year.
"We are extremely proud of the Solano County team that puts together our exhibit each year. They do a tremendous job of telling the rest of California that Solano County is a great place to live, work, learn and play," said Supervisor John Vasquez, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Since 2000, the Solano County State Fair Exhibit Team has honed the exhibit and its promotion of local agriculture. Through the use of interactive elements and entertaining themes, the public has been drawn to the exhibit. As a result, Solano County has taken top honors in almost every possible recognition category, including winning the Golden Bear, Best of Show and the People's Choice awards on many occasions.
"This is the only place in California where there are five Golden Bears," Garamendi said, commenting on the display of State Fair honors in the lobby of the County Administrative Center.
Garamendi also commented on the number of exhibit sponsors, which she encouraged other counties to emulate, and the commitment from the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard to be part of the annual event.
The award will be formally presented on Aug. 14, a week before the State Fair opens, at a gala dinner in Sacramento. More than 1,000 agricultural leaders from across the state are expected to attend.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
May 2009Table of Contents
- Real Estate Roundup ( April 2009)
- MARE ISLAND, VALLEJO lands Rail Car Firm
- Solano County economic and community progress index recognized by statewide organization
- Did you know?
Real Estate Roundup (April 2009)
Colliers International (www.colliersparrish.com)
- 437 & 441 Industrial, Benicia - 80,000 s/f Lease to Valero Refining Company
- 521 Stone Road, Benicia - 49,920 s/f Lease Renewal to Sears Logistics Services, Inc.
- 536 Stone Road, Suites G&H, Benicia - 4,608 s/f Lease to ThyssenKrupp Safway, Inc.
- 4727 Mangels Blvd, Fairfield - 1,441 s/f Commercial Condo Sale to Sierra Pacific Investment Co.
Cornish & Carey (www.ccarey.com)
- 2320 Cordelia Road, Fairfield - +/- 26,700 SF Leased to Certified Coatings
- 3001 Bayshore Road, Benicia - +/- 4,400 SF Leased to GEM Mobile
- 299 Beck Avenue, Fairfield - +/-150,000 SF Leased to Meyer Corporation
Grubb & Ellis (www.grubb-ellis.com)
- 4949 Fulton Drive, Fairfield - 10,000 sf lease to O’Hara Metal Products
- 4949 Fulton Drive, Fairfield - 5,000 sf lease to The Picture Company
Premier Commercial (www.pcres.net)
- 2350 S Watney Way, #C-H, Fairfield - 9,600 sf leased to Vortex Int'l Enter
MARE ISLAND, VALLEJO lands Rail Car Firm
On May 6, 2009 Lennar Mare Island, LLC (LMI) announced that it has signed a lease with Alstom Transportation, Inc. (Alstom), an international transit company, for more than 112,000 sq. ft. of office and manufacturing space in Building 599, one of Mare Island’s largest structures. The company will bring 20 new jobs to Mare Island.
“LMI is pleased to welcome Alstom to the Mare Island business community,” said Jason Keadjian, spokesman for LMI. “Alstom’s operation will result in a significant investment in Mare Island.” Light industrial and manufacturing users like Alstom represent the majority of the more than 2.5 million square feet of commercial space currently occupied on Mare Island.
Alstom and LMI are investing more than $1,000,000 toward the reuse of Building 599, including improvements to the building’s roof, exterior lighting, office space, and a railroad spur for the company’s use. As part of their operations, Alstom will also be responsible for maintaining the rail lines to Building 599, and will add a rail spur approaching the building. Alstom will be working with Amtrak to refurbish rail cars used for Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor service. Alstom plans to host a grand opening for the new Mare Island operation sometime later this year.
Located at 450 Pintado Street between Nimitz and Railroad Avenues, Building 599 has a history with rail transportation uses, as it was previously leased by Kinkisharyo International, which manufactured light rail cars for the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority.
Alstom Transportation is a promoter of sustainable mobility; the company develops and markets a complete range of systems, equipment and service for the railway market. The company is an international leader in the development of transportation, light rail and energy infrastructure, and has more than 80,000 employees worldwide.
Lennar Mare Island, LLC is master developer of Mare Island located in Vallejo, Calif. and currently owns 650 acres. LMI was selected by the City of Vallejo in 1997 to implement the Mare Island Reuse Plan, which includes roughly 7 million square feet of commercial and industrial space, 1,400 homes and many recreational amenities.
___________________________________________________
Solano County economic and community progress index recognized by statewide organization
The Solano County Index and Economic and Community Progress p
roject, initiated in February 2007 under the direction of the Solano EDC, has been recognized as the outstanding Economic Development Program for 2008.The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) selected the Solano County study for its award of excellence at its recent annual meeting.
Michael Ammann, EDC president, said CALED’s award demonstrates the importance of the index for the future of Solano County.
“The index helps us tell the story of how we are doing as a community,” Ammann said. “It also gives us the empirical data to take advantage of opportunities that will expand the prosperity of the people who live and work in Solano County.”
The first report on the index was presented in November 2008 and several workshops have been held since then to engage a diverse community group to address challenges that were identified in the phase one report. The index researchers are also analyzing five industry clusters, and the first focused on life sciences in Solano County, released earlier this year. The energy industry cluster is scheduled for release later this year.
The index project grew out of a series of Solano County Economic Summits, proposed by the Solano County Board of Supervisors and facilitated by Solano EDC. Later, the county awarded EDC a contract to fund the ongoing index study which is conducted by Collaborative Economics.
EDC Vice President Sandy Person, called the index “a critical tool for economic development in Solano County. It could not have been conducted at a better time. As we move out of the recession in California the data gathered through this ongoing index research will benefit EDC’s membership. Through EDC we will be able to keep our outreach efforts focused and update marketing plans based on what we learn from the index studies” Person said.
Supervisor Michael Reagan worked actively with EDC to create the county summit meetings.
“In the few months since the Solano County Index was released, we have seen this incredible tool bring together all aspects of the community to focus on our shared challenges and opportunities in attracting and retaining quality jobs,” Reagan said. “This award from the people who do economic development for a living (CALED) affirms that we are on the right track for improving the economy of Solano County.”
The Solano Index and life Science Cluster Study can be viewed at www.solanocounty.com/economicindex.
Did you know?
Did you know that there are over 30 wineries located in Solano County within three overlapping Appellations: The California State Appellation, Solano County Green Valley Appellation & Suisun Valley Appellation.
Support your local vintners and wineries!
The Solano Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in Solano County communities through the attraction, growth and retention of business and industry.
Solano EDC Team
Mike Ammann, President (mike@solanoedc.org)
Sandy Person, Vice-President (sandy@solanoedc.org)
Pat Uhrich, Office Manager (pat@solanoedc.org)
Andy Turba, Special Projects (andy@solanoedc.org)
Solano Economic Development Corporation
360 Campus Lane, Suite 102, Fairfield, CA 94534
Phone: (707) 864-1855 Fax: (707) 864-6621
Website: www.solanoedc.org
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
UC DAVIS TO AWARD 7,400-PLUS DEGREES FOR 2008-09
UC DAVIS TO AWARD 7,400-PLUS DEGREES FOR 2008-09
University of California, Davis
June 1, 2009
UC Davis will award about 7,445 degrees for 2008-09 as it completes the academic year with commencements through June 14.
Information for ceremonies, guest speakers and degrees to be awarded
follows:
June 6 -- School of Medicine: Condessa Curley, a Southern California physician and founder of Project Africa Global; 10 a.m., Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts; 85 Doctor of Medicine and 19 Master of Public Health degrees.
June 10 -- School of Education: Carlos Garcia, superintendent of the San Francisco United School District; 4 p.m., Mondavi Center; 14 doctoral degrees and 101 master's degrees (included in Graduate Studies) as well as 131 teaching credentials.
June 11 -- Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Vianna, alumna and winemaker with Chimney Rock Winery; 4 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 491 doctoral and 640 master's degrees.
June 12 -- College of Biological Sciences: 10 a.m., ARC Pavilion; 870 Bachelor of Science and 30 Bachelor of Arts degrees. As this college, established in 2005, transitions to awarding degrees, an additional 125 B.S. degrees for the college will be awarded by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. As well, the College of Letters and Science will award 170 B.S. and five B.A. degrees for the newer college. These numbers are included in the totals for the two colleges.
June 12 -- School of Veterinary Medicine: 10:30 a.m., Mondavi Center;
118 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, 18 Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degrees, eight B.S. degrees, 40 certificates recognizing completion of residency.
June 12 -- College of Engineering: Steve Robinson, astronaut and college alumnus; 3 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 430 B.S. degrees.
June 13 -- Graduate School of Management: Pam Marrone, founder and chief executive officer of Marrone Bio Innovations; 10 a.m., Mondavi Center; 143 Master of Business Administration degrees.
June 13 -- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board; 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 1,340 B.S. degrees.
June 14 -- Letters and Science: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., ARC Pavilion; about 2,445 B.A., 550 B.S. and 50 Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees.
At a May ceremony, the School of Law awarded 16 Master of Laws and
192 Juris Doctor degrees.
Tickets are required for all ceremonies. The campus will offer live and on-demand webcasts of ceremonies at http://commencementvideo.ucdavis.edu.
Numbers of degrees include those earned since last spring's commencements and estimates of those to be awarded this season.
Certificates and teaching credentials are not included in the degree total.
In 2007-08, the university awarded 7,558 degrees including 5,785 bachelor's, 873 master's, 500 doctoral and 400 professional degrees.
Media contact(s):
* Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu
University of California, Davis
June 1, 2009
UC Davis will award about 7,445 degrees for 2008-09 as it completes the academic year with commencements through June 14.
Information for ceremonies, guest speakers and degrees to be awarded
follows:
June 6 -- School of Medicine: Condessa Curley, a Southern California physician and founder of Project Africa Global; 10 a.m., Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts; 85 Doctor of Medicine and 19 Master of Public Health degrees.
June 10 -- School of Education: Carlos Garcia, superintendent of the San Francisco United School District; 4 p.m., Mondavi Center; 14 doctoral degrees and 101 master's degrees (included in Graduate Studies) as well as 131 teaching credentials.
June 11 -- Graduate Studies: Elizabeth Vianna, alumna and winemaker with Chimney Rock Winery; 4 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 491 doctoral and 640 master's degrees.
June 12 -- College of Biological Sciences: 10 a.m., ARC Pavilion; 870 Bachelor of Science and 30 Bachelor of Arts degrees. As this college, established in 2005, transitions to awarding degrees, an additional 125 B.S. degrees for the college will be awarded by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. As well, the College of Letters and Science will award 170 B.S. and five B.A. degrees for the newer college. These numbers are included in the totals for the two colleges.
June 12 -- School of Veterinary Medicine: 10:30 a.m., Mondavi Center;
118 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, 18 Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degrees, eight B.S. degrees, 40 certificates recognizing completion of residency.
June 12 -- College of Engineering: Steve Robinson, astronaut and college alumnus; 3 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 430 B.S. degrees.
June 13 -- Graduate School of Management: Pam Marrone, founder and chief executive officer of Marrone Bio Innovations; 10 a.m., Mondavi Center; 143 Master of Business Administration degrees.
June 13 -- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board; 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., ARC Pavilion; 1,340 B.S. degrees.
June 14 -- Letters and Science: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., ARC Pavilion; about 2,445 B.A., 550 B.S. and 50 Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees.
At a May ceremony, the School of Law awarded 16 Master of Laws and
192 Juris Doctor degrees.
Tickets are required for all ceremonies. The campus will offer live and on-demand webcasts of ceremonies at http://commencementvideo.ucdavis.edu.
Numbers of degrees include those earned since last spring's commencements and estimates of those to be awarded this season.
Certificates and teaching credentials are not included in the degree total.
In 2007-08, the university awarded 7,558 degrees including 5,785 bachelor's, 873 master's, 500 doctoral and 400 professional degrees.
Media contact(s):
* Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu
Monday, June 1, 2009
Fairfield Budweiser plant to convert the brewery's wastewater into methane gas
Fairfield Budweiser plant to convert the brewery's wastewater into methane gas
By Ben Antonius
Daily Republic
May 29, 2009
Construction crews work inside a million-gallon tank being built last year at the Fairfield Budweiser plant to convert the brewery's wastewater into methane gas. The project was one of several energy saving measures the plant has taken recently Photo by Brad Zweerink file 2008 Anheuser
FAIRFIELD - It was with great fanfare than Anheuser-Busch in April debuted a 6-acre field of solar panels. But the company's next project could put that to shame.
Busch hopes to build a 400-foot wind turbine at its Fairfield brewery, a massive undertaking that would aim to harness the strong, steady winds blowing through the area.
If built, the turbine would likely generate about 15 percent of the brewery's annual use, plant manager Kevin Finger said. That is about five times the production of the solar field.
'The feasibility for wind out here is pretty good,' Finger said.
The company has already obtained city approval for the structure, as well as a sign-off from Travis Air Force Base, which has tangled with wind projects before because of concerns they could affect the base radar system.
It is the latest in a series of projects to offset energy use at the facility, following the solar panels and an earlier project called BERS -- for bio-energy recovery system -- that offset about 15 percent of the brewery's natural gas usage.
Fairfield was the 11th Anheuser-Busch brewery to get a BERS system, but the first to get a solar array. It would also be the first to have it's own wind turbine, Finger said.
'It has all been done by design,' he said. 'The technology is continuing to advance and it makes more and more sense for us.'
See the complete story at the Daily Republic online.
By Ben Antonius
Daily Republic
May 29, 2009
Construction crews work inside a million-gallon tank being built last year at the Fairfield Budweiser plant to convert the brewery's wastewater into methane gas. The project was one of several energy saving measures the plant has taken recently Photo by Brad Zweerink file 2008 Anheuser
FAIRFIELD - It was with great fanfare than Anheuser-Busch in April debuted a 6-acre field of solar panels. But the company's next project could put that to shame.
Busch hopes to build a 400-foot wind turbine at its Fairfield brewery, a massive undertaking that would aim to harness the strong, steady winds blowing through the area.
If built, the turbine would likely generate about 15 percent of the brewery's annual use, plant manager Kevin Finger said. That is about five times the production of the solar field.
'The feasibility for wind out here is pretty good,' Finger said.
The company has already obtained city approval for the structure, as well as a sign-off from Travis Air Force Base, which has tangled with wind projects before because of concerns they could affect the base radar system.
It is the latest in a series of projects to offset energy use at the facility, following the solar panels and an earlier project called BERS -- for bio-energy recovery system -- that offset about 15 percent of the brewery's natural gas usage.
Fairfield was the 11th Anheuser-Busch brewery to get a BERS system, but the first to get a solar array. It would also be the first to have it's own wind turbine, Finger said.
'It has all been done by design,' he said. 'The technology is continuing to advance and it makes more and more sense for us.'
See the complete story at the Daily Republic online.
High-profile wine
High-profile wine
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | May 31, 2009
FAIRFIELD - It started, perhaps ironically, in Napa Valley.
That's where Steve and Linda Tenbrink, scions of a longtime Suisun Valley farming family, met vintner Abe Schoener, who has built his reputation on a style of experimental winemaking aimed directly at challenging long-held Napa traditions.
Between them, Schoener and the Tenbrinks have formed a relationship that is putting Suisun Valley grapes on their grandest stage yet.
'We are trying to really build the Suisun Valley into being a well-known place that is as good, if not better, than Napa,' Linda Tenbrink said.
These days, Schoener works in Suisun Valley as winemaker at the Tenbrinks' fledgling vineyard. Through an agreement with the family, he also uses their winery for a side effort called Scholium Project, a nationally-recognized undertaking. Its wines have been variously described as 'bizarre' and 'fascinating.'
'Half the wines it makes in any given year are exquisite. The other half are shocking and sometimes undrinkable,' the New York Times reported after a Scholium tasting at the Suisun Valley winery.
In years past, that level of attention would have been an unheard-of development, but it is a welcome one. Growers in the valley have long argued that they were held back not by the quality of their grapes or the skill of their winemaking, but by the lack of prestige afforded to the appellation compared to the adjacent Napa and Sonoma valleys.
It's an assessment both the Tenbrinks and Schoener share.
For his part, Schoener isn't sure how much Scholium Project is doing to actually raise the profile of the region. He only uses Suisun Valley grapes in one of Scholium's many wines, a petite sirah called Babylon. He also said the area is starting to get attention without his help, noting a recent high-profile review of a Suisun Valley wine called Manifesto!
'To some degree the wines of Suisun Valley . . . are becoming better known on their own,' he said. 'It is also true that I had the wine writer of the New York Times visit the Tenbrink winery and taste for two hours. That probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the Scholium Project.'
The Tenbrink family -- who also produce tomatoes, peaches and walnuts -- has grown wine grapes for more than a decade. However, it wasn't until recent years the family explored producing wine themselves.
See the complete story at the Daily Republic online.
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | May 31, 2009
FAIRFIELD - It started, perhaps ironically, in Napa Valley.
That's where Steve and Linda Tenbrink, scions of a longtime Suisun Valley farming family, met vintner Abe Schoener, who has built his reputation on a style of experimental winemaking aimed directly at challenging long-held Napa traditions.
Between them, Schoener and the Tenbrinks have formed a relationship that is putting Suisun Valley grapes on their grandest stage yet.
'We are trying to really build the Suisun Valley into being a well-known place that is as good, if not better, than Napa,' Linda Tenbrink said.
These days, Schoener works in Suisun Valley as winemaker at the Tenbrinks' fledgling vineyard. Through an agreement with the family, he also uses their winery for a side effort called Scholium Project, a nationally-recognized undertaking. Its wines have been variously described as 'bizarre' and 'fascinating.'
'Half the wines it makes in any given year are exquisite. The other half are shocking and sometimes undrinkable,' the New York Times reported after a Scholium tasting at the Suisun Valley winery.
In years past, that level of attention would have been an unheard-of development, but it is a welcome one. Growers in the valley have long argued that they were held back not by the quality of their grapes or the skill of their winemaking, but by the lack of prestige afforded to the appellation compared to the adjacent Napa and Sonoma valleys.
It's an assessment both the Tenbrinks and Schoener share.
For his part, Schoener isn't sure how much Scholium Project is doing to actually raise the profile of the region. He only uses Suisun Valley grapes in one of Scholium's many wines, a petite sirah called Babylon. He also said the area is starting to get attention without his help, noting a recent high-profile review of a Suisun Valley wine called Manifesto!
'To some degree the wines of Suisun Valley . . . are becoming better known on their own,' he said. 'It is also true that I had the wine writer of the New York Times visit the Tenbrink winery and taste for two hours. That probably wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the Scholium Project.'
The Tenbrink family -- who also produce tomatoes, peaches and walnuts -- has grown wine grapes for more than a decade. However, it wasn't until recent years the family explored producing wine themselves.
See the complete story at the Daily Republic online.
2008 Crop Report: Ag production reaches all-time high again
2008 Crop Report: Ag production reaches all-time high again
Increasingly favorable commodity prices helped set an all-time high for agricultural production in Solano County for the second year in a row.
The gross value of the more than 80 crops was $292.8 million in 2008, up almost $25 million, or 9 percent from the previous year, according to the Solano County Crop and Livestock Report released May 28.
“While the gross value is a record high, it does not reflect the total contribution of agriculture. Transportation, processing, marketing and other farm-related services re-spend agricultural dollars to the benefit of the local economy and pushes that number even higher,” said Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jim Allan.
Nursery products remained the No. 1 crop at $43 million; however, its value plummeted 24 percent from its all-time high of $56.6 million in 2007.
“The nursery industry was hit hard by the economy, with fewer housing starts lowering demand for ornamental plants. However, nursery products remain a significant aspect of Solano County’s agricultural efforts,” Allan said.
Values increased in nearly all field crops due to favorable commodity prices, overcoming lower yields related to drought conditions. Field crops were valued at $89.4 million, up 63 percent from $54.8 million in 2007. Alfalfa and processing tomatoes experienced both higher commodity prices and increased yields.
An added element of the Crop Report focuses on the international trade. Thirty-seven commodities, including endive, grapes, tomatoes and hay, are exported to 45 countries across six continents.
Solano County Top 10 Crops
2008 2007 % Change
Nursery Products
$43,056,300 $56,610,700 -24%
Alfalfa
$42,889,900 $24,679,900 74%
Tomatoes, Processing
$29,850,600 $23,955,200 25%
Cattle & Calves
$23,321,100 $23,273,200 0%
Walnuts
$19,948,100 $21,955,300 -9%
Milk, Market
$16,437,000 $17,022,200 -3%
Grapes, Wine
$11,064,700 $8,095,000 37%
Wheat, Irrigated
$8,335,200 $5,338,800 56%
Sunflower Seed, Certified
$8,224,200 $5,117,000 61%
Corn, Field
$8,081,600 $6,761,100 20%
Posted: May 28, 2009
Increasingly favorable commodity prices helped set an all-time high for agricultural production in Solano County for the second year in a row.
The gross value of the more than 80 crops was $292.8 million in 2008, up almost $25 million, or 9 percent from the previous year, according to the Solano County Crop and Livestock Report released May 28.
“While the gross value is a record high, it does not reflect the total contribution of agriculture. Transportation, processing, marketing and other farm-related services re-spend agricultural dollars to the benefit of the local economy and pushes that number even higher,” said Solano County Agricultural Commissioner Jim Allan.
Nursery products remained the No. 1 crop at $43 million; however, its value plummeted 24 percent from its all-time high of $56.6 million in 2007.
“The nursery industry was hit hard by the economy, with fewer housing starts lowering demand for ornamental plants. However, nursery products remain a significant aspect of Solano County’s agricultural efforts,” Allan said.
Values increased in nearly all field crops due to favorable commodity prices, overcoming lower yields related to drought conditions. Field crops were valued at $89.4 million, up 63 percent from $54.8 million in 2007. Alfalfa and processing tomatoes experienced both higher commodity prices and increased yields.
An added element of the Crop Report focuses on the international trade. Thirty-seven commodities, including endive, grapes, tomatoes and hay, are exported to 45 countries across six continents.
Solano County Top 10 Crops
2008 2007 % Change
Nursery Products
$43,056,300 $56,610,700 -24%
Alfalfa
$42,889,900 $24,679,900 74%
Tomatoes, Processing
$29,850,600 $23,955,200 25%
Cattle & Calves
$23,321,100 $23,273,200 0%
Walnuts
$19,948,100 $21,955,300 -9%
Milk, Market
$16,437,000 $17,022,200 -3%
Grapes, Wine
$11,064,700 $8,095,000 37%
Wheat, Irrigated
$8,335,200 $5,338,800 56%
Sunflower Seed, Certified
$8,224,200 $5,117,000 61%
Corn, Field
$8,081,600 $6,761,100 20%
Posted: May 28, 2009
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