50 years ago: Lincoln High students learn farm management

50 years ago Population 3,179 (U.S. Census 1960 and 1970) LHS farm: Nick Greco, who grew up on a farm near Point Arena then studied agriculture at California State University Chico, is giving students first-hand experience in farm management in a class offered at Lincoln High School. The vocational agriculture program is nothing new to Lincoln High, but a special school farm management class has a new approach and just might be one of the most worthwhile vocational programs offered. The students no longer have to wait for local property owners to offer small parcels for practical "field" experience. Two and a half years ago, the U.S. Air Force approved a long- term lease arrangement with the school district for 715 acres off Dowd Road. For many years the land was used only for communication purposes. A total of 85 antennas were placed on the huge parcel of land. The Air Force still uses portions of the property as seven antennas remain along with a communications building. But most of the property has been sitting barren – until a school farm began last year. The first-year students planted 50 acres of oats and after harvest sold the oats and straw, earning approximately $3,000. Under Greco's management – and that's what he chooses to call himself, a manager rather than an instructor – the students, along with numerous youths participating in a Regional Occupation Program from Auburn, have planted an additional 180 acres in oats and are currently preparing other fields for planting and making other improvement. "This is a great opportunity for students to learn about farming in a practical way, in the field," says Greco, in his first year at Lincoln High. "The specified improvements under the lease are getting first priority but we are also working on some long-range plans." The specified improvements include perimeter fencing of the entire property as well as fencing across the property and establishing six miles of fire breaks. Greco says that the class is getting great assistance from the Soil Conservation District in Auburn in developing some long-range goals. The soil is mostly clay and currently there is little irrigation, limiting the land to cereal crops, but the class has recently completed the dredging of an existing 10-acre pond in the middle of the property. "Actually, there are two ponds and we plan to establish one for wildlife and the other as a catfish pond," says Greco. During past years the pond boundaries were not regulated and much general flooding of the property occurred. "By digging out the ponds we should be able to control the water flow and keep water in the ponds year-round," he adds. Greco hopes to add other cereal crops, legume, alfalfa and perhaps some livestock to the program. "Eventually we should be able to irrigate from the pond." During the school year about 30 students will participate in the daily two-hour class. He currently has seven students enrolled by personnel changes at quarter breaks. The class meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. daily. "The students pretty much do everything on their own. They are taught many things in the field and left to become proficient, much the same as one would in any vocational position." Greco keeps financial records, but other bookwork on the farm's management is maintained by the students. He is optimistic about this year's crop, which is more than three times larger than last year. And there is still another 200 acres currently being prepared for planting. The program receives assistance from the Western Placer Unified School District. This year's budget is $7,000. The county also provides funds through the ROP. The student farmers have purchased and leased equipment, borrowed some and have received some donated pieces. Students learn to operate the various farm tractors, larger rigs and backhoes as well as learn equipment maintenance in the field. Greco maintains his optimism about the program's future. He hopes that someday the property will provide not only a break-even business and a successful program in vocational agriculture, but also a wildlife and nature area. Note: The Lincoln High Future Farmers of America chapter was founded in 1955. The farm now stands at 940 acres and is the largest high school farm in the U.S. For more on Lincoln FFA, including photos of the farm, visit LincolnFFA.org. 75 years ago Population 2,410 (U.S. Census 1940 and 1950) Civil defense: It was business as usual with the City Council in their regular meeting last Tuesday evening, despite the failure of the municipal bond election to pass. The entire council was on hand to care for several major items of business. In a move which is expected to bolster Lincon's Civil Defense efforts, the council authorized the purchase of $1,569.15 worth of hose and other equipment from the American Rubber Co. to be used on the Fire Department's auxiliary pumper. Mayor Clarence Hughes pointed out that the equipment will be vital in case of disaster, particularly a disaster which would disrupt Lincoln's water supply. The pumper would be used in such case to pump water from Auburn Ravine. City Council: City Engineer Art Reitter told the city fathers of work he has been doing on a city map. He told them that due to surveyor's errors of the past, plus the original laying out of the city, many errors were causing delays in the work and running up the expense of the survey. He asked the city to pay him for additional work which he found necessary above the contract price when he had taken the job originally. The council voted to pay him his contract price plus cost, a figure which is expected to run $500-$1,000. In explaining the survey, the engineer said many of the street lines were off as much as five to ten feet and in one case, one of the streets in Hoitt's Addition was 40 feet wide at one end and 60 at the other. The map, when completed, will include grade markings and storm sewer grades. 100 years ago Population 1,324 (U.S. Census 1900, 1910, and 1920) Ad: Tofft Hardware ran the following ad: "Gift sale begins at Tofft Hardware Store Monday morning, January 11 at 8 o'clock sharp, a high-grade electric range given away FREE, no cost to you. "For every dollar spent with us we give you a chance to secure this high-grade range absolutely free. The tickets are negotiable. You can sell them, buy them, or give them away, or keep them for yourself. "This range is no toy or imitation. A genuine high-grade article for which you will pay $175.00 anywhere. Come in and let us explain our plan. "A ticket with every .25 cent purchase." Note: Tofft Hardware was in business for 99 years. For more history relating to Lincoln businesses from the past, please visit the Lincoln Area Archives Museum in Beermann Plaza, 640 5th Street. They are open Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gift shop sells note cards with photos from Lincoln's past at a very reasonable cost. The museum is non-profit, receiving no funds from any government agency, and visits are free. The only funds received are through donations and memberships. They also give excellent downtown walking tours by appointment, free of charge. Please consider dropping what you can spare in the donation box. Thank you for reading! MBO