Ohio LEAD Program – Class XI
Study Institute # 7 - National Trip – California
October 21-28, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Chairman: Fred Hammon
Scribe: Carol Haramis
8:00 am: Arrived at Great Valley Center. It is a
gorgeous sunny morning. Everyone is arriving from their host
families- laughing and well rested. Fresh fruit and pastries
were very nice. Laura serenaded the group.
8:30 am: Panel discussion on rural/urban interface
with Holly King. Ag Transaction Program, development rights,
economic, social and environmental issues.
9:40 am: Q&A with Holly King. Questions by Jan, Fred,
Jen W., Dave C. and Laura.
10:00 am: 10 minute break. The women commandeered the
men’s restroom.
10:10 am: Dr. Charles Corsiglia, DVM for Foster Farms
gave us a presentation on the Avian Flu. (During our
introductions Jennifer Keller proudly informed all present
that pork is NOW certified to be as lean as chicken breast
meat.) Dr. Corsiglia gave us a really good BASIC description
of what a virus is for us “scientifically challenged". He
explained that there is no pandemic as of now because the
virus doesn’t exist yet.
11:22 am: Q&A time and a wonderful buffet lunch.
During lunch Lee talked about his best LEAD experience. He
felt the diversity of the group was the best part. Jeff
spoke about land preservation in CA vs. OH (IO go Bucks !!!)
He thinks that OH (IO go Bucks !!!!!) is missing the boat.
Government doesn’t belong in the issue. Neighbor relations
were also an issue for him.
12:00 noon: Host families arrive.
12:25 pm: My time as scribe ends.
A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH MY HOST FAMILY
1:00 pm: Jay and I stayed with Ron and Karen Macedo.
Karen picked us up after lunch. Our first stop was at the
Holmar Cheese Factory where we met up with Laura and Christy
and their hosts. We took a very “cheesy” tour of the
factory. This place has marketing down to a science. Very
interesting and amazing.
2:00 pm: Jay and Ron Macedo planted alfalfa using a
REALLY big planting truck with the biggest boom I’ve ever
seen.
4:00 pm: We headed to the Stewart and Jasper Almond
Processing plant where the Macedos process their almond
crop. Stewart and Jasper also is their almond broker. On the
way to the plant we passed miles and miles of broccoli and
tomatoes being harvested by hand by migrant workers. “We’re
not in OH (IO go Bucks !!!) anymore, Toto”.
The Stewart and Jasper almond processing plant was easily
10x as large as the plant we toured our first day in CA. We
were able to talk to their almond broker, see their
pasteurizer and tour the cleanest plant of any kind I’ve
ever seen. By the way, Jay was very fashionable in his hair
net…I just looked goofy!
7:00 pm: We ended our day with a wonderful dinner
with our hosts at El Jardin Mexican restaurant where Jay was
held hostage by the men’s room.
THANK YOU, Macedo family for a great 2 days!!!!! |
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