SBCFB Weekly Newsletter

April 3, 2024

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

AgWest Farm Credit, Alexander Pump Service, Inc., All American Drilling, Aquatrex, Coastal Ag, Ellwood Ranch, Garey Store and Deli, Helena, Hometown Insurance Services, Litle Construction Inc., Nielsen Building Materials, Rarig Construction Inc., SAR Water & Construction

PURCHASE CALENDARS HERE

Census of Ag — USDA Releases State and County Profiles

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) continues to unveil data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture, including the release of newly-developed state and county profiles.


California is the leading agricultural state in the nation, with more than $59 billion in farm sales in 2022, and that accounts for 11 percent of the national total.



Of the state’s 63,134 farms, 62 percent are fewer than 50 acres, and 90 percent are family-owned.



NASS released the Ag Census on Feb. 13, 2024. Data points cover millions of pieces of information about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The once-every-five-years Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data down to the county level.

READ MORE HERE

CDFA Announces Vacancies on Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee

CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is announcing four vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee.



This subcommittee serves as an expert scientific panel on matters concerning efficient use of fertilizing materials and irrigation water. Members assist in setting research priorities for the FREP Grant Program and review and recommend research and outreach proposals for funding.

READ MORE HERE

Rare Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed. Officials Believe it Began on Texas Dairy

Just a week after discovering that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, was the cause of illness for several dairy herds throughout the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico and Kansas, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is now reporting that a human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has been confirmed in Texas. The case was identified in a person who had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with the disease.

READ MORE HERE

Understanding Cattle Grazing Personalities May Foster Sustainable Rangelands

Not all cattle are the same when it comes to grazing. Some like to wander while others prefer to stay close to water and rest areas.


Recognizing those personality differences could help ranchers select herds that best meet grazing needs on rangelands, leading to better animal health and environmental conditions, according to a new paper from the University of California, Davis, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

READ MORE HERE

Farmer Sentiment Improves as Interest Rate Expectations Shift

U.S. farmers’ outlook improved in March as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index increased to 114, 3-points higher than in February. While the Index of Current Conditions fell by 2 points to 101, the Index of Future Expectations climbed to 120, up by 5 points compared to February. The disparity between current and future indexes was primarily attributable to farmers’ perceptions that a financial downturn took place over the past year, coupled with expectations for some improvement over the next 12 months. The March survey was conducted from March 11-15, 2024.

READ MORE HERE

Farm Bureau at Work:

Legislative and Governmental Affairs Report from Sacramento

Agriculture Employment Policy



The Center for Jobs and the Economy has released the full analysis of the February Employment Report from the California Employment Development Department. With California now posting the highest unemployment rate in the nation, this report focuses specifically on unemployment data to provide crucial insights into the state of employment in California.


Key takeaways include:


• California's Unemployment Rate: California's unemployment rate reached 5.3% in February, the highest in the nation and the highest in California since December 2021.


• Unemployment Trends: Since August 2022, California's unemployment rate has risen steadily while post-pandemic job growth remains behind Florida, North Carolina, and Texas.


For additional information and data about the California economy visit www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Staff: Steven Fenaroli, sfenaroli@cfbf.com and Brian Little, blittle@cfbf.com

READ FULL REPORT HERE

Farm Bureau Extension: 2024 CE Series

California Farm Bureau presents the Farm Bureau Extension: 2024 Continuing Education Series held virtually. Join throughout the year for webinars featuring content that meets your pesticide continuing education (CE) requirements. Subject matter experts will share information immediately applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. CE certificates will be sent for each webinar attended after the successful completion of a simple quiz on the material.


Classes are presented via Zoom and held during the mid-morning hours on the specified dates. Check below for class dates. Cost is free for members and $400 for non-members.


• April 11 - Rodenticide Test Prep, Sub-Category for the PAC

• May 9 - Stewardship Practices for Pyrethroid and Neonicotinoid Insecticide Use in Vegetable Crops

• June 13 - Integrated Pest Management

• July 11 - Vertebrate Pest Control

• Aug 8 - Personal Protective Equipment

• Sept 12 - Application Inspection

• October 10 - Choosing the Right Pesticide

• Nov 14 - Preventing Common Violations


Click here for more information.


YOUR FARM BUREAU HAPPENINGS


JUNE 7th, 2024

11:00 am - Range Opens

11:30 am - Registration & Lunch

1:00 pm - Tee Off Time & Ball Drop

6:00 pm - Dinner & Awards

2024 SBCF 3rd Annual Golf Tournament & Ball Drop

The Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau and GAATE Foundation is excited to announce our 3rd Annual Golf Classic at the beautiful Glen Annie Golf Course will be held this year on Friday, June 7th, 2024. Make sure to mark your calendars and tee up your friends for a fun day out on the golf course.


DOWNLOAD SPONSORSHIP FORM



Save the Date!

AUGUST 17, 2024

4:00 pm - Cocktails

5:00 pm - Dinner

6:00 pm - Live Auction

2024 Celebrate Harvest Dinner & Live Auction

With great pleasure, the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau is pleased to once again host an evening in celebration and showcase of Santa Barbara County’s agricultural bounty. Please join us Saturday, August 17th for a fun night of drinking & dancing, delicious locally grown food, and an amazing live auction!

We are proud to celebrate the hands that feed us!

2024 Ford Farm Bureau Survey

As a valued Farm Bureau member, you are invited to participate in this short survey inquiring about your current experience with the Farm Bureau incentive program offered by Ford. Your feedback in the survey is extremely important and will provide Ford Motor Company with valuable information about the program.

 

This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Your responses will be anonymous and used only by Ford Motor Company.

SURVEY LINK HERE

FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT

CFB members receive an upgraded John Deere Rewards membership (Platinum 1) unlocking EXTRA DISCOUNTS on equipment, parts, and merchandise. Register today, and explore all that Rewards has to offer. Check out the savings on the following equipment categories:


Commercial Mowing — $200 to $1,700 off

Residential Mowing — $50 to $150 off

Utility Vehicles — $100 to $300 off

Tractors — $200 to $300 off

Compact Construction — $550 to $1,400 off

Don’t wait – visit JohnDeere.com/Farm Bureau today to register! **Details and Restrictions**

Must be a valid member of Farm Bureau for 30 days

A valid member email address is required for eligibility.

FEATURED BUSINESS MEMBER

Every day, in every way, we embody the spirit of true community banking.


American Riviera Bank opened for business on July 18, 2006 in Santa Barbara, California with the support of approximately 400 local shareholders. The Bank is a full service community bank, focused on serving the lending and deposit needs of businesses and consumers in our community. The Bank has six full-service branches, located downtown in Santa Barbara, the upper village of Montecito, near the Calle Real Shopping Center in Goleta, in Santa Maria, in downtown San Luis Obispo, and in downtown Paso Robles. In addition, the Bank has Residential Lending and Commercial Lending offices in Downtown Santa Barbara, and a Loan Production Office in San Luis Obispo and a Commercial Banking Center in downtown Santa Maria.

Need to Renew Your Membership or Want to Join?

We can make that easy for you!



Click here to Renew or Join today!


Thank you to our Silver Members!



Ballard Adobes, LLC

Thank you to our Business Members!

Auto

Larry's 8 Day Auto Parts



Rio Vista Chevrolet


Banking

American Riviera Bank


Community Bank of Santa Maria


Contractors

Santori Woodworking Inc.


Clay's Septic & Jetting Inc.


Energy & Utilities

Pacific Gas & Electric Company


Equipment Rental & Sales

Milpas Rental


Quinn Company


Farms & Ranches

Acquistapace Farms


Innovative Produce


Martinez Orchards, Inc.



Red Blossom Sales Inc.


Ricci Farms


Farm Supplies

Farm Supply Company


Jim's Supply Co.


Floral

Johanne's Flowers, Inc.


Insurance

Holmes & Holmes Insurance Agency


Hometown Insurance


Labor

Growers Ag Labor LLC


San Lucas Ag Service


Management

Coastal Vineyard Care Associates


Hampton Farming Company


Market

El Rancho Market


Non-Profit

People's Self-Help Housing


Santa Barbara County Food Bank


Petroleum

JB Dewar, Inc.


Valley Pacific Petroleum Services Inc.


Rodent Bait & Equipment

Wilco Distributors, Inc.