California Farm Bureau is Supporting Agrotourism Bills SB 620 and AB 2635 | |
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Farm Bureau is supporting SB 620 by Senator Mike McGuire(D Healdsburg). SB 620 because it will create more affordable access to the outdoors and expanded camping opportunities across California, while opening up new economic opportunities in rural areas. Low-impact camping harnesses the financial power of outdoor recreation to create sustainable revenue for farmers, rural landowners, and small businesses while supporting conservation of natural, undeveloped landscapes.
Farm Bureau is supporting AB 2635 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D Thousand Oaks) which would give increase liability protections to an agritourism professional. The bill was heard in Agriculture Committee on April 10 and passed out. It will next be heard in Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Find out more of what CFBF is working on in this week's Farm Bureau at Work.
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: Join us on May 3rd at Giuseppe's Pismo to Support the SLO County Foundation for Agricultural Awareness | |
Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Contestants Vie for $100K | The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 15 for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities. | | | |  |
Cal Poly Rodeo goes on despite muddy conditions thanks to earlier prep | Saturday morning's competition took place at Madonna Inn, allowing the soil to rest, which prevented rain from getting into the soil as the athletes and animals competed. | | | |
State Government: Check Out This Week's Farm Bureau at Work | |
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CFBF's Farm Bureau at Work- April 5, 2024
Pesticides
The Assembly Environmental Safety Toxics Materials Committee met on April 9th. California Farm Bureau staff testified in opposition of AB 1864 Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D San Rafael) having to with pesticide use around schools. While there is not a problem with agricultural applications around school sites, we are concerned about the new addition of all applications must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI), even not restricted use materials within a ¼ mile of a school site. This would overwhelm the current NOI restricted use requirements and impact the ability of the California Agricultural Commissioner to conduct their program in an efficient and effective manner. The committee also heard AB 2552 Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D Glendale) concerning the elimination of First-Generation Rodenticides. This legislation would expand the definition of wildlife habitat area to include open space land. It would also prohibit use within 5,000 feet of wildlife habitat areas and provide private right of action which effectively would incentivize lawsuits anytime this material is used. Both bills were approved by the committee, Farm Bureau and other related agricultural interests will continue to oppose these as they work their way through the policy committee process.
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Federal Government: 2022 EPA Emissions Inventory Highlights Agriculture's Sustainability Strides | |
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- NASS to Discontinue July Cattle Report & Others
- EPA Finalizes PFAS Drinking Water Rule
- Congress Targets May Introduction for the Farm Bill
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2022 EPA Emissions Inventory Highlights Agriculture's Sustainability Strides | 2022 U.S. ag emissions are the lowest in ten years. | | | | |
Farm Groups Urge Senate to Pass Tax Relief Legislation | A coalition of farm groups this week urged senate leadership to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. Micheal Clements shares more on what the legislation provides agriculture. | | | |
Environmental: Study Finds Benefit in Clustering Organics | |
Two local fishermen groups sue developers, the California Coastal Commission, and the California State Lands Commission over offshore wind projects | Offshore wind farms could harm local fish species and the SLO County fishing community's way of life, according to a spokesperson for two local groups... | | | | |
Study finds benefit in clustering organics | A new study by researchers from the U.S. and Canada found that organic agriculture can increase pesticide use on nearby conventionally farmed fields. | | | |
Produce/Orchard: UC Studying Agave as Drought-Resistant Crop | |
California blueberries gearing up for a better season | California blueberries season is on track for a good year, with volumes expected to increase in the next few weeks. | | |
Organic strawberries benefit from soil treatment | Organic strawberry growers in California have increased adoption of a technique that suppresses soil-borne pathogens and, in some cases, weeds, leading to more robust plants and improved yields. | | | | |
California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support | EXETER, Calif. -- Today, Presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds... | | |
UC studying agave as drought-resistant crop | An interdisciplinary team of scientists and researchers from University of California, Davis, are studying agave plants in the Golden State as farmers are turning to the crop as a potential drought-tolerant option of the future. | | | |
Labor: New Date for Workplace Violence and Unions on the Farm Free Webinar- April 29th | |
California workers could get compensation easier under new plan | State Senator Dave Cortese's Bill 1299 would shift the burden of proof in heat illness claims more towards the employer. | | |
CA Supreme Court expounds on term "hours worked": Employee's time spent on employer's premises awaiting and undergoing an employer-mandated security check is compensable. | Diligent employers always want to ensure that their employees are fairly paid for their time worked. Thus, it is crucial to stay up-to-date on the scope of the t | | | | |
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USDOL is Inspecting California Farms! Are You Ready?
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is actively enforcing federal wage and hour and agricultural employment requirements with farm labor contractors and growers. California has also stepped-up onsite visits through its Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF). Many employers are not fully prepared for potential consequences, which can include substantial citations and, in extreme circumstances, criminal prosecution.
Don’t hope you go unnoticed! Rosasco Law Group CEO Erica Rosasco will train you to be ready for an inspection. Employers and their supervisors should familiarize themselves with their rights before state or federal inspectors arrive. How you handle an investigation can make a huge difference!
When? May 1, 2024, 10:00 AM
Where? Your phone, laptop, tablet or your favorite web-enabled device
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Business Member Spotlight:
Electricraft Inc.
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Family owned and operated, the experienced and friendly staff at Electricraft has been providing exceptional electrical installation, repair service and general electrical construction to San Luis Obispo County since 1984. Electricraft, Inc. was founded by Jon P. Treder, a San Luis Obispo resident since 1970, and, under the direction of Jon W (Wes) and Jacob Treder, continues to provide superior quality service, repair and construction while keeping up to date on today’s ever-changing technology.
Fully insured and licensed by the state with a large bonding capacity, the Electricraft field foremen, office staff, and state certified electricians have a combined 300+ years of general electrical construction, service, project management, and turnkey design/build experience. Give Electricraft a call today for all of your contractor needs. There is no project too big or too small for the experienced staff at Electricraft – from repairing light fixtures in homes, to installing the latest solar technology, to large industrial electrical construction – there’s no need to look any further than Electricraft.
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Agricultural Business Support Members
Coastal Tractor
Renewing Agricultural Members
Frederick Hoey and Warren Lilly
New Agricultural Members
Erin McAbee, Casey Nick and Jesslyn Blank
Renewing Associate Members
JoAnn Switzer, Morris & Garritano Insurance, and Robert Newlon
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Featured Member Benefit:
Parrot Health
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As a Farm Bureau member, you now have access to RespondR, the most cutting-edge emergency response platform on the market today. You can SAVE 50% on membership prices with the special
annual rate for Farm Bureau members. Our easy-to-use platform works on iPhone, Android, and wearables and is excellent for keeping the whole family safe. With a simple button press, your
profile and exact GPS location will be forwarded to first responders readily equipped for any emergency. Additionally, up to five emergency contacts of your choosing can be notified with a nonemergency check-in button.
Visit parrothealth.com/cafb.
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Livestock: Declining Livestock Inventories Contribute to Drop in Meat in Cold Storage | |
Declining Livestock Inventories Contribute to Drop in Meat in Cold Storage | Beef, pork and poultry held in freezers are all below year-ago levels, with beef falling to levels not seen in a decade. | | | | |
Avian flu in dairy cows puts focus on cattle movement | With an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting dairy cows in six states... | | | | |
Bird flu is spreading to more farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe? | A bird flu outbreak in U.S. dairy cows has spread to more than two dozen herds in eight states | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Local Winery Launches Nationwide Charitable Initiative | |
Local winery launches nationwide charitable initiative | Campaign aims to identify one nonprofit organization in each of the 50 states to receive $5,000 - J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines launched its "50 [...] | | | | |
Hyperspectral Imaging Q&A Session with Grapevine Viruses and Grapevine Disease Research Committee | Register for this event from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. | | | | |
Clos Solène Winery set to expand after permit appeal hearing | A small Niderer Road winery near Paso Robles is gearing up to fashion a 27,000-square-foot facility complete with an underground cave system, much to the... | | | |
Water: Commentary: As Farmers Endure Disasters, Relief is Slow in Coming | |
Arroyo Grande pulls out of Central Coast Blue over cost | The Central Coast Blue project is one agency down after Arroyo Grande City Council members voted unanimously to back out of the three-city cost-sharing agreement... | | |
Here's why California is drought-free for a second straight year | Though El Niño is rapidly weakening, experts say this winter bore the signs of the climate pattern, both in California and nationally. | | | | |
UCSB research shows more options for reducing water use in agriculture | A new study out of UC Santa Barbara looked at how to reduce the amount of water used for agriculture. It finds that farming practices have a substantial impact. | | |
Commentary: As farmers endure disasters, relief is slow in coming | Catastrophic weather events wreaked havoc on U.S. agriculture last year, causing nearly $22 billion in crop and rangeland losses, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. California accounted for $1.14 billion of that figure, including nearly $880 million in damages from severe storms and flooding. | | | |
Farm Bureau Membership Matters | | |
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We cannot support your freedom to farm and ranch without your membership.
Join SLO County Farm Bureau now or renew your membership online. Go to slofarmbureau.org to join, or download the membership form PDF.
Have your renewal notice available to speed up the process; you will need to enter your membership number, name and ZIP code. Renewal dues may be paid online or over the phone by credit card.
We're here to help! Call us if you need us to lookup your member number or we can process your membership for you, at 805-543-3654.
All California county Farm Bureau memberships are processed through the California Farm Bureau Federation, but please reach out to our SLO County office if you need your membership number or have questions.
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Thank You Platinum Members | |
SLO County Agriculture News is distributed by SLO County Farm Bureau for information purposes only. Stories written by SLO County Farm Bureau may be reprinted with attribution. Some outside story links may require site registration. Opinions expressed in stories, commentaries or editorials included in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of SLO County Farm Bureau. For information on advertising opportunities, please email info@slofarmbureau.org or call our office at 805-543-3654. | | | | |
