The next time you pour some California wine or enjoy some California olives, you can thank the Spanish missionaries. Between 1769 and 1823, they established 21 missions in California. In the process, they also established the foundations of agriculture in California. According to Mission Administrator Brother Joe Schwab, religion was clearly the top priority for the missionaries, but agriculture was a close second. State Librarian Kevin Starr says the Spanish Padres brought olives, grapes, citrus, pears and apples to California. The missionaries also take credit for making California's first wine and pressing its first olive oil. The man who led the founding of California's missions was Father Junipero Serra. Some consider him the founding patron saint of California agriculture. In fact, Father Serra is now being considered for sainthood. He is now the Blessed Father Serra, a step towards becoming a saint. For more information about California's missions, you can check out these Web sites: http://www.escusd.k12.ca.us/missiontrail.html or http://gsh.org/ohsweb/mission.html. If you have questions or comments about this story, please E-mail us at calheart@kvie.org.