The agriculture reporter for the Stockton Record, Reed Fujii, pointed out the incongruence of Hollywood's image of agriculture and the real California industry in an article published today.

"If you think farming is the simple life, have another thought," Fujii wrote. "A new listing of federal, state and local agencies that farmers in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties may have to deal with runs 46 pages."

The listing he refers to was created by UCCE ag labor advisor Gregory Billikopf. Agencies and Agriculture 2007 (pdf) serves as a directory of public agencies involved with farming. It was last updated in 1993.

"It is not as bad as it looks," Reed quoted Billikopf. The farm advisor pointed out that many of the listings include university agricultural programs and nonprofit groups, such as the California Farm Bureau Federation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers and National Farm Worker Ministry.

Reed wrote that a quick scan of the document provides some idea of the regulatory burden faced by farmers.

"Employment issues might be addressed by the Hour and Wage Division of U.S. Department of Labor, its Occupational Health and Safety Administration, Cal-OSHA (the state version) and California Employment Development Department, not mention the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service and state Franchise Tax Board.

"Environmental issues might fall to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state Department of Pesticide Regulation, Department of Water Resources and regional San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, just to name a few."

Other ANR stories pubished today:

Campbell Soup donates to UCD ag institute  Sacramento Bee

New fumigant draws praise  The Salinas Californian