Farmers' Bulletin

April 2026

Update on Colusa County Farm Bureau meeting schedule:

Our next meeting will be on May 18th at 6 pm, but going forward, meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month at 6 pm.

Farm Bureau Members, Your Voice Matters – Join us for a legislative visit to the Capitol on May 26th!

Lobby Days offer a unique chance to meet directly with legislators and their staff, share your story, and advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Whether you’re an experienced advocate or new to Farm Bureau, your participation is encouraged.

First time attending? No problem. We provide issue briefings, talking points, and staff support to help you feel confident and prepared.

*Registration required by May 22nd*

UCCE CORNER:

• May 7 — Emerging Pest Management Tools - A deep dive into pheromone-based solutions with specialists from Suterra (1 hr Other)
• June 11 — Nobel's Orchard Essentials (1 hr Other)
• July 9 — Rodent Management Innovations - Integrated approaches to managing ground squirrels from UC experts (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)
• August 6 — Regulatory Refreshers - Annual Updates on laws, regulations, and pesticide use around schools and sensitive sites (1 hr L/R)
• September 10 — SPM Program Updates - Insights from the Sustainable Pest Management team (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)
• October 8 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Schools (1 hr L/R)
• November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)

Register Here

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the 2026 farm bill with a 224–200 bipartisan vote. The $390 billion measure, formally titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, now advances to the Senate for consideration. Congress has not passed a comprehensive five-year farm bill since 2018.

Debate intensified around the removal of a key pesticide provision tied to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authority under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, especially as the U.S. Supreme Court considers related legal questions in Monsanto v. Durnell. Supporters of the amendment argued it prevents protections for pesticide manufacturers, while critics say its removal creates uncertainty for farmers and could lead to inconsistent state regulations.

Beyond that issue, the bill has drawn mixed reactions across agriculture. Some groups praise its support for conservation, trade, and the farm safety net, while others argue it falls short for family farms and favors larger agribusiness interests. As the Senate prepares to take it up, the outcome (and potential changes) remain to be seen.

G & L Rominger, LLC

Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) introduced Senate Bill 921, which sought to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help offset the cost of overtime wages for farmworkers.

Co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, the bill aimed to expand overtime opportunities for workers while easing financial pressure on agricultural businesses. However, SB 921 ultimately fell short in committee and will not advance this session.

Despite the outcome, discussions in committee were notably more constructive than in past years. Industry leaders, including Bryan Little, and others in the agricultural labor community remain optimistic that the groundwork laid this year could improve the bill’s chances moving forward.

Past Farm Employer Labor Service (FELS) webinar videos and PowerPoint presentations are available online.

It's more important than ever to let your representatives know your feelings about issues that are important to you!

It’s easy. Click the link below to sign up to receive emails and text messages alerting you to critical legislation that will impact California agriculture. The alerts allow you to send messages directly to your elected representatives with a few clicks on your phone or computer. 

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FarmPAC works hard to support candidates who champion practical solutions and push back against unnecessary regulations.

Your contribution helps elect leaders who are committed to protecting and promoting the farming way of life. 

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California Bountiful magazine has been absorbed into AgAlert. You can still find it's content online, here.