SBCFB Weekly Newsletter

October 14, 2026

PURCHASE CALENDARS HERE

Strong Roots Early Registration Prize Drawing!

To be automatically entered in a drawing to win one of three valuable prizes, register by Friday, October 30th. The drawing will be held on, and the winners will be notified, November 16th.

Prizes are:

Grand Sierra Resort Spa Package
Annual Meeting Room Upgrade at Grand Sierra Resort (three night maximum)
California Farm Bureau Gift Basket

Find Out More HERE

No purchase necessary. Limited to persons at least 18 years of age who reside in California. One entry per person.

Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau Member Benefit

Located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Eagle Eye Firearms Inc. is a full-service firearms dealer, manufacturer, and hunting outfitter serving sportsmen, hunters, and shooting enthusiasts throughout California. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in custom rifles and handguns, firearm sales and transfers, ammunition, optics, gunsmithing services, and hunting-related gear. Eagle Eye Firearms is committed to providing knowledgeable customer service, quality products, and expert guidance for both new and experienced firearm owners. The shop is also an authorized California Department of Fish and Wildlife licensing agent, offering hunting and fishing licenses for outdoor enthusiasts.

Just one session left in this year's series!

November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)

Wildfire Preparedness

One prepared home can help protect an entire neighborhood.

Creating and maintaining defensible space is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk and help protect your community.

Defensible space tips:

Zone 0 (0–5 feet): Remove combustible materials such as leaves, mulch, and firewood from around your home.
Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Trim vegetation, remove dead plants, and keep grass short.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce excess vegetation and create space between trees and shrubs.

Prepared communities recover stronger. Talk with neighbors about emergency plans, evacuation routes, and local resources before disaster strikes.

Learn more about ways to help protect your home from wildfire:

firefightersonyourside.org

2026 Voter Guide

Get the PDF HERE

Imagine This… Story Writing Contest

Read More HERE or email alyssa@learnaboutag.org

Ag Rep Director Position Opening

Santa Ynez Water Group is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Director and Alternate Director positions on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

To qualify, a candidate must:

Be an owner or representative of an owner of property located within the boundaries of the EMA GSA and involved in Commercial Agriculture (as defined in the JPA), and which produces at least 2 acre-feet per year of groundwater from within the boundaries of the EMA GSA to support Commercial Agriculture on said property.
Be a resident and registered voter within the boundaries of the EMA GSA; and
Not be party to any pending litigation against the EMA GSA, other than as a party to a groundwater rights adjudication affecting the EMA GSA (no such adjudication is pending).

Please be aware that the Agricultural Director and Alternate Director positions on the JPA Board are public official designations, where individuals appointed to these positions are subject to the requirements of the Fair Political Practices Act, Public Records Act, Brown Act, and other applicable public laws and regulations. If you are interested in applying for the Agricultural Director and/or Alternate Director position, please email santaynezwatergroup@gmail.com to receive an application. All applications must be completed and submitted to the Santa Ynez Water Group by 5:00 PM PST on October 30, 2026.

California Farm Bureau Submits Comments on the U.S. Forest Service Roadless Rule

California Farm Bureau supports rescinding the Roadless Rule to give local forest managers greater flexibility to actively manage forests, reduce wildfire risk and maintain access for grazing and other multiple-use activities.

Read More HERE

Trump’s Executive Order on Dyed Diesel Will Offer Little Relief, Farmers and Truckers Say

With less than a month to go before the November election, diesel prices continue to hit record highs

Farmers, truckers and economists say a move to cut taxes on diesel will provide little relief from record-high fuel prices that have soared since the U.S. attacked Iran months ago.

Industry groups said they appreciate President Donald Trump’s executive order expanding the use of a diesel now reserved for off-road work, but farmers already have access to the fuel and many have already wrapped up harvest. Truckers will struggle to navigate differing state rules.

“In the context of diesel prices that are over two dollars more than they were last year, it just doesn’t come close to closing that wound,” said Matt Perdue, president of the North Dakota Farmers Union.

With less than a month to go before the November election, diesel prices continue to hit record highs as some farmers transport their crops for processing and others rush to complete their fall harvest. Many have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared thanks to refinery constraints and supply disruptions amid the Iran war.

Read More HERE

Processed tomato growers hope for market recovery

Harvest has started for processing tomatoes in California, with most growers expected to wrap up by the end of October.

It’s been a tough period for California processing tomato growers as contracted acreage has declined during the past couple years. But with a steady start to the harvest season, growers say they’re on the road to recovery.

California tomato processors this year contracted 185,000 acres, the lowest in more than 30 years, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The 2026 season also marks the third-consecutive year of declining acreage and the first time in more than 50 years that California farmers planted fewer than 200,000 acres of the crop.

Read More HERE

Woman Farmer Series Spotlights Global Swine Reproduction Specialist

Lídia Sbaraini Arend will share insights from a career working across continents and production systems Oct. 28 at free MU Extension webinar

Lídia Sbaraini Arend, global reproduction specialist for Topigs Norsvin will speak at a free webinar noon Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The event, part of University of Missouri Extension’s Pearls of Production global speaker series in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, is open to participants worldwide.

“As a woman whose career has spanned multiple continents, cultures and production systems, Arend brings a unique global perspective to agriculture,” said Heather Conrow, MU Extension field specialist in livestock and statewide poultry specialist. “Her experiences highlight the value of diverse perspectives and international collaboration in advancing the livestock industry.”

Read More HERE

Mixing Plant Material With Manure May Be Key to Profitable Biogas Production

Researchers find ‘grass-to-gas’ strategy could make method of reducing pollution and generating energy cost effective on large dairy farms

The U.S. dairy industry is a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, with manure storage and handling representing a significant source of methane. Anaerobic digestion — a biological process in which microorganisms break down biodegradable organic matter — of cow manure has been widely studied as a strategy to mitigate manure-related emissions while producing renewable energy. That energy comes in the form of biogas that can be used to generate electricity or make renewable natural gas. But adoption of the strategy has been constrained by costs. Now, a team led by researchers at Penn State may have found a way to make the process profitable.

The researchers, who recently published their findings in Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, reported that mixing manure with plant biomass can increase methane production — which is necessary for biogas — and improve the economic feasibility of farm-scale anaerobic digestion. They found that winter rye, a tough, cold-hardy cereal grain planted in the fall to protect and enrich the soil over the winter months, is particularly useful for this application.

Read More HERE

Determining the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your farm

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company.

Farm machinery, chemicals, stored manure and livestock are just a few injury or illness hazards on farms and ranches. The right personal protective equipment (PPE) helps minimize exposure and the risk these types of hazards pose to health and safety.

“I remind myself and others to stop and think about the hazards of every job we do on the farm, then think about PPE that might protect you,” said Nationwide Risk Management Consultant, farmer and agronomy specialist Derek Hommer.

Identifying hazards and risks

Think about these types of hazards in assessing what poses you the greatest physical risk on your farm or ranch:

Chemical. Pesticides, fertilizer, stored manure and cleaning products can generate toxic fumes. Read and follow any product labels and follow any PPE guidelines. Likely PPE includes chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, face coverings, aprons, closed-toe shoes and respirators.
Physical. Safety goggles, ear protection, welding aprons/chaps, leather gloves and steel-toed boots all help prevent injuries when working with power tools and farm machinery that create physical injury risk.
Biological. Exposure to bacteria, viruses or parasites from animals, manure, water or grain can cause serious illnesses. Wearing PPE like nitrile gloves and face coverings (surgical, N95 or full-face respirators) can help minimize risk of infection and illness.
Environmental. Extreme temperatures, high noise levels and UV rays can lead to long-term adverse health effects. Match PPE to the specific environmental hazards you face, like sunscreen when working in direct sunlight. Be aware of temperature extremes, dress appropriately and work in teams so workers can monitor one another for heat- or cold-related illness.

Read More HERE

FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT

AVIS

PAY NOW™ AND SAVE UP TO 35% OFF AVIS RENTALS

California Farm Bureau members can save up to 35 percent off Avis base rates with PAY NOW* for max savings with an Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number. In addition, enjoy additional offers** like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. Visit www.Avis.com/CAFB or call 1 800-331-1212 to make a reservation.

Avis Car Rental operates one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,450 locations in more than 165 countries.

If you have member benefit questions, please call 916-561-5500 or visit your local FB office.

*Discount rates may vary between 10 and 35 percent, depending on time of year, availability, selection of PAY NOW™, and other factors.

**Farm Bureau discount may NOT be stacked with other AWD corporate or membership discounts.

Learn More HERE

FEATURED BUSINESS MEMBER

Grainger

Farm Bureau members get special member prices on selected categories and brands from Grainger, PLUS get free standard parcel shipping on all standard Grainger products.

Get started with your price savings using 3 easy methods:

Present the California Farm Bureau account number at time of purchase, go to https://www.grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger.com® account using that account number; or call Grainger customer service at 1-800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number.

To be sure you get your Farm Bureau member prices, always reference California Farm Bureau’s organization account number when visiting your local branch, making a telephone order, or when setting up your personal account online.

Learn More HERE