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AG EDUCATION BETTER THAN EVER
Fall Transition to see this time of year- those are our local lemon or
avocado orchards!
As I have mentioned before, fruits and vegetables are
in the Ag seasonal, meaning certain products grow in our region for
a certain time and then the weather signals them to shut
Industry down, flower, ripen, etc. depending on the commodity.
You won’t see a complete disappearance of all vegetables
in our area; broccoli will be a predominant player grown
over winter still, and before you know it, farmers will be
planting again soon for their first crop of 2025 that will be
Seasonal produce available in our region ready for harvest as early as March or April.
On the processing side of the industry, it is amazing
BY JYNEL GULARTE, RIVER RD. to see all of the equipment from our local salad plants
be packed up and shipped down to Yuma. Many of the
Howdy neighbors! It’s Jynel again, your local farm friend here to workers will also head down south for about 5 months as
talk about agriculture and fall transition! As I had described back well to work the winter season in Arizona.
in our March issue, the transition was happening from Yuma, As the weather cools down and farm work slows for
Arizona, back to the Salinas Valley. Now, at the end of our Salinas those of us who do not do the winter season down south,
season, we will transition to Yuma or Oxnard from Salinas! it is a great time to catch up on any odds and ends on
Looking around the county, you may see more “empty” or the farm. Tasks that were put off during the year can be
bare fields- the technical term is fallow ground. This basically attended to, projects like updating infrastructure can now
means that no crop is being grown, and the ground is unplanted. be taken care of, a lot of equipment gets fixed, budgets are
If you look out onto our most famous wine region, the Santa assessed, seeds are ordered, and planting schedules form
Lucia Highlands, you will see bare vineyards or leaves falling to prepare for the coming year. It is a busy time in farm
as the vines begin to shut down for the winter. I like noticing offices, too, as year-end planning and reporting begins.
all the patches of green still in the Highlands, which are easier I have included what is in season for November. I hope
you all give thanks for the blessings in your life and take
a moment to appreciate all of the hard work that farmers,
farm workers, tractor drivers, irrigators, and ranchers
have done to bring food to your Thanksgiving table!
Jynel Gularte lives in the River Road
community and works for her family’s
local farm. She is excited to help spread
awareness about the agricultural way of
life in the Salinas Valley and the bountiful
produce that’s grown here.
Ag is crucial to our economy, our livelihood, and our dinner tables. Learn more about our
local ag industry as Jynel Gularte takes us through a farmer’s life. Contact Laurie.Martin@ With a gift of appreciated stock or mutual funds, you
n2co.com with any questions you have for Jynel.
IN SEASON NOW
November
VEGGIES FRUIT
Artichokes Apples
Beets Grapes
Brussels Sprouts Kiwi
Mushrooms Lemons
Peppers Oranges
Potatoes Pears
Radishes Persimmons
Sweet Potatoes Pomegranates
Winter Squash Walnuts
36 November 2024
Inspiring Local Philanthropy
Tips for Year-End Giving
BY AMANDA HOLDER, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
is tax-free). The remainder creates a fund at the Foundation
to benefit any nonprofit you choose.
4) USE YOUR IRA FOR GIVING
If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable
Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to the CFMC for the causes you
care about. Gifts made from your IRA (up to $100,000 per year) are
not taxable income and may qualify towards your RMD.
You can make an IRA gift to the Foundation to pass through to one
or more nonprofits, add to a fund (excluding DAFs), or create a
Charitable Gift Annuity. You can even make an IRA QCD through
Monterey County Gives! to benefit multiple nonprofits with one set
of instructions and receive a partial match.
Living life to the fullest and being better than ever in the 50+ crowd is celebrated on this page. Contact
Laurie.Martin@n2co.com or phone 272-4620 to share your accomplishments.
Though the Community Foundation for Monterey County
(CFMC) works with individuals, families, and businesses
to enhance their philanthropy throughout the year, many
people focus their donations during the year-end giving
season. Here are five giving options to help you make a
meaningful difference.
1) CREATE A DONOR ADVISED FUND
This is a great way to claim a tax deduction now and
support your favorite nonprofits over time.
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) can be created quickly
and easily at the CFMC with a gift of $5,000 or more.
avoid paying capital gains tax and receive an immediate
income tax deduction.
2) DONATE REAL ESTATE OR STOCK
Gifts of real estate or stock are good options to benefit
both the nonprofit recipient and donor with an income
tax deduction and capital gains tax savings. A gift of
appreciated stock is one of the most tax-savvy ways to
support your favorite causes. Rather than selling the stock
and donating cash, capital gains tax can be avoided by
donating the stock directly to the Foundation or nonprofit
of your choice.
3) CONSIDER LIFE-INCOME GIFTS
Life income gifts such as Charitable Remainder
Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuities offer immediate
tax deductions and income for life (a portion of which
Greet HWY 68 Loop 37