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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

April 7, 2025

www.slofarmbureau.org

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A beautiful evening last Thursday night at our SLO Farm Bureau Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser hosted at the Opolo Vineyards barrel room ✨ We had a wonderful meal cooked by Chef John McDevitt with Central Coast Cuisine 805 and poured some fantastic Opolo Wine paired by Opolo’s assistant winemaker Skye! We want to thank everyone for there continued support of these dinners and we look forward to the next one! 


Are you interested in hosting a SLO Farm Bureau Winemaker Dinner or Fundraising Event at your farm, ranch, winery, or venue? Reach out to Jesslyn at jblank@slofarmbureau.org!


-The SLO County Farm Bureau Team


This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Upcoming Events: SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers Meeting on April 8th
  • Community: New Market Opens in San Luis Obispo 
  • Local Government: Federal Funding Aims to Help Improve Election Security in San Luis Obispo County
  • State Government: In Rural Northern California, Residents Brace for Steep Federal Cuts
  • Federal Government: Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War
  • Agricultural: Farmer Sentiment Declines Amid Policy and Trade Uncertainty 
  • Environmental: Beavers Helping the Central Coast Against Drought,
  • Produce: US Orange Crop Expected to Decline for Upcoming Season 
  • Labor: As Trump Squeezes the Immigrant Work Force, Employers Seek Relief
  • Business Member Spotlight: Farm Supply Company
  • Thank You Farm Bureau Members
  • Featured Member Benefit: FELS
  • UK Detects First Case of Bird Flu in a Sheep, Stoking Fears of Spread
  • Vineyard and Wine: J. Lohr Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Earns Sustainability Seal 
  •  Water: DELTA COUNCIL: Anticipating the Next Drought
  • Farm Bureau Membership Matters

March 31 Most-Read

  1. San Luis Obispo Co. Cattlemen’s Association event focuses on bird flu, wildfire risk and more
  2. Paso Robles winery gains historic recognition
  3. Paso Robles winery gains historic recognition
  4. City to host public forum on new fire hazard map
  5. California Launches SprayDays Notification System for Pesticide Applications
  6. UC Riverside Research Explores a New Way to Fight Devastating Weeds
  7. Column: Community oversight, our duty to reclaim local governance
  8. Will this bill be the end of California’s housing vs environment wars?
  9. Five Things to Know About Raising Backyard Chickens
  10. $2.1 million allocated for slope repairs along Highway 46 near Cambria

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:

  • April 7th - SLO Farm Bureau Women Meeting
  • April 8th - SLO YF&R Meeting at La Lomita Ranch in SLO. Tour followed by wine tasting. Tour starts at 6:00pm
  • April 14th - California Purina Spring Cattle Mineral Meeting at the SLO Farm Bureau Office 10am-12pm
  • April 18th - Adelaida Farm Center Meeting - Social at 6:00pm, dinner at 6:30pm at the Adelaida School House
  • April 22nd - SLO Farm Bureau Monthly Board Meeting at 5:00pm at the SLO Farm Bureau Office - Please RSVP by emailing pclark@slofarmbureau.org or by calling 805-549-3654

Upcoming Events: SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers Meeting on April 8th

Our SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers are so excited for the upcoming meeting on April 8th at La Lomita Ranch in San Luis Obispo. Please RSVP using the link below. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to Jesslyn by calling 805-543-3654 or emailing jblank@slofarmbureau.org!


RSVP Here!

Community: New Market Opens in San Luis Obispo 

New Market Opens in San Luis Obispo offering 'higher quality' meats, seafood

A new business has opened up in San Luis Obispo, offering fresh meats and seafood to local residents.

Read More

PG&E begins drone inspections in Central Coast neighborhoods

Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) is warning Central Coast residents that they may see drones flying in their neighborhoods starting this week.

Read More

Templeton students receive donation for garden boxes

Some Templeton Home School students will get some hands-on education in the garden thanks to a recent donation.

Read More

Special feature: Head 'Off to the Races' at the 2025 California Mid-State Fair

Experience endless family fun in Paso Robles this summer - Get ready, get set, and go to the 2025 California Mid-State Fair from July 16 [...]

Read More

Fire and police departments join together to present Paso Robles SafetyFest

Event will feature training on wildfire, earthquake, flood, tsunami, crime prevention, motor vehicle safety, cybersecurity, mental health, and personal safety - The Fourth Annual SafetyFest [...]

Read More

Local Government: Federal Funding Aims to Help Improve Election Security in San Luis Obispo County

Prop 36 increases punishment for theft; SLO Co. D.A. weighs in

Proposition 36 passed in the last election and allows for higher punishment for theft crimes. KSBY looked into how it's going so far, and how local business owners feel about it.

Read More

Federal Funding Aims to Help Improve Election Security in San Luis Obispo County

A new funding source is trickling down to San Luis Obispo County to improve election security in the coming years.

Read More

State Government: In Rural Northern California, Residents Brace for Steep Federal Cuts

Achieving the 'abundance agenda' in California requires more than just efficiency | Opinion

A growing, nationwide conversation about the "abundance agenda" should be embraced in California, but it'll require investing in people, too.

Read More

In Rural Northern California, Residents Brace for Steep Federal Cuts

Like communities nationwide, rural Siskiyou County is warily waiting for news about job cuts and the loss of federal grants. Some even support them.

Read More

California bill would keep some teens sitting in the back seat

Get in the back, kids. A proposed new California law would keep kids in the back seat until they're 16 if they're not tall enough

Read More

California farmers fear tariff trade war losses in billions, uneven bailouts

Nut crops are grown in San Joaquin Valley communities of Fresno, Kern, Stanislaus, Merced and Madera counties.

Read More

California announces plans to relax protections for wolves as population grows

Recovery of iconic predator considered a wildlife success story by some, but a headache by ranchers

Read More

Federal Government: Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War

Farmers and Ranchers Will Bear the Brunt of a Global Trade War

WASHINGTON -- National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement today [April 2, 2025] after the White House reciprocal tariff announcement. "One...

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Lawmakers weigh in on Trump's sweeping new tariffs

President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the U.S. Wednesday. So far, reaction on Capitol Hill has been mixed.

Read More

AFBF: Additional Tariffs Will Take Toll on America's Farmers

WASHINGTON -- American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today [April 2, 2025] on President Trump's announcement that the United States will impose reciprocal...

Read More

Secretary Rollins Announces Sweeping Reforms to Protect National Forests and Boost Domestic Timber Production

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a Secretarial Memo to establish an "Emergency Situation Determination" on 112,646,000 acres of National Forestry System (NFS) land. This...

Read More

U.S. Imposes Reciprocal Tariffs on Trading Partners

As expected, President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on multiple trading partners. Chad Smith has more on how tariffs will impact agriculture. Smith: President Trump recently announced reciprocal tariffs on a sweeping list of U.S. trading partners. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says there are two sets of tariffs to keep in mind.

Read More

Agricultural: Farmer Sentiment Declines Amid Policy and Trade Uncertainty 

Farmer Sentiment Declines Amid Policy and Trade Uncertainty - AgNet West

Farmer sentiment weakened in March as growing concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy dampened outlooks. The Purdue University/CME ..

Read More

USDA Announces Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs for 2025

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. USDA's...

Read More

John Deere Announces Collaboration With Dovetail Workwear to Empower Women in Agriculture

MOLINE, Ill. -- Built by, for, and with women, Dovetail Workwear, is teaming up with John Deere to develop a collection of apparel and gear...

Read More

Environmental: Beavers Helping the Central Coast Against Drought

Beavers Helping the Central Coast Against Drought, wildfires and flooding

Along the Central Coast and the state, beavers have become a vital source of assistance in protecting against some of California's biggest natural threats.

Read More

Cal Fire plans pile burns near Creston next week

Burning should begin around 9 a.m. on April 8 and 9 - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in cooperation with the San [...]

Read More

Newly Named Earth-Kind Roses Support Sustainable Gardening

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The latest group of rose cultivars named Earth-Kind roses by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service marks a new chapter in sustainable...

Read More

Produce: US Orange Crop Expected to Decline for Upcoming Season 

Ag Alert - Salinas Valley vegetable production ramps up as season changes

With winter turning to spring, vegetable production in California is shifting from the Imperial Valley—the primary region for winter vegetables—back to the Salinas Valley, which dominates the state’s vegetable production for much of the year.

Read More

Pre-sale tickets now on sale for the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival

Strawberry lovers pre-sale tickets are now on sale for the Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival that begins on April 25th.

Read More

Surplus Broiler Eggs Offer a Potential Solution to Rising Table Egg Prices

In 2025 alone, more than 20 million commercial table egg-laying hens have been lost due to High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). This has ..

Read More

Researchers Advance Effort to Turn Spent Coffee Grounds Into Food Packaging

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Researchers have made a key advance in turning spent coffee grounds into food packaging materials that can extend the shelf life of...

Read More

US Orange Crop Expected to Decline for Upcoming Season - Citrus AgNet West

The US orange crop is expected to decline by over 30% to 11.5 million boxes for the 2024-2025 season, reflecting challenges like trade .......

Read More

Labor: As Trump Squeezes the Immigrant Work Force, Employers Seek Relief

Ag Alert - Researcher: Overtime law costing farmworkers $100 per week

One hundred dollars a week.


That’s how much California’s agricultural overtime law has cost farmworkers, according to University of California, Berkeley, assistant professor Alexandra Hill. 


Read More

As Trump Squeezes the Immigrant Work Force, Employers Seek Relief

Businesses that rely on immigrants are pushing for legislation to ensure an adequate, legal flow of laborers from abroad as deportations ramp up.

Read More

Business Member Spotlight: Farm Supply Company


For the Farmer in Everyone


We are a farmer-owned cooperative proudly serving the Central Coast’s farm, home and ranch needs for over 70 years. Check out our department pages to learn more about our products and services. Stop by one of our locations in Buellton, Santa Maria, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles to say hello. Whether you’ve got 100 rolling acres in Paso Robles or a small patio in Pismo Beach, Farm Supply has everything you need for the farmer in you!



Learn More Here!


Farm Supply Company

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Agriculture Members

Hawks Hill Ranch

Cal Poly State University

Ryan Harris

William Cunha

Justin Smith

Nicholas Negranti

Nina Negranti

Jesslyn Blank

Casey Nick

Erin McAbee

Renewing Platinum Members

Limoneira Company

New Collegiate Members

Austin Smith

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Featured Member Benefit: F


Farm Employers Labor Service


Farm and ranch employers use Farm Employers Labor Service to reduce their costs and take the headaches out of complying with complicated employment laws and regulations. FELS® keeps you up-to-date on farmworker employment requirements with a Summary of Employment Requirements for California Ag Employers, HR Compliance Manual and Laminated Official Notices posters.


Members receive discounted pricing on all FELS services including 20% discount on annual subscription to the FELS Newsletter; Newsletter subscribers receive a 20% discount on FELS products.


Learn More Here!

Livestock: UK Detects First Case of Bird Flu in a Sheep, Stoking Fears of Spread

UK Detects First Case of Bird Flu in a Sheep, Stoking Fears of Spread

Bird flu has been detected in a sheep in northern England, the first known case of its kind in the world, Britain's government said, adding to

Read More

Ag Alert - Farmers encouraged to use targeted grazing as tool

By increasing the use of targeted grazing, California ranchers and farmers can play crucial roles in building statewide resilience against future wildfires. 


That was a key takeaway from the Rustici Rangeland Science Symposium at the University of California, Davis, in February. 

Read More

Vineyard and Wine: J. Lohr Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Earns Sustainability Seal 

A historic California wine region is in peril: 'Never seen it this bad'

Several of the most important vineyards in Amador, El Dorado and other California counties are up for sale or have closed, like Turley.

Read More

J. Lohr Estates cabernet sauvignon earns sustainability seal

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has announced that its newly released 2022 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon will feature the Certified California [...]

Read More

Daou Vineyards selected as exclusive wine partner of LIV Golf

Partnership will debut at LIV Golf Miami, where Daou's wines will be served throughout the tournament - Daou Vineyards announced a three-year partnership as the [...]

Read More

Wineries and chefs compete in new Wine Fest 'Paired Paso' event

Ten winery and chef teams compete for top pairing honors - Ten wineries and their chef partners will compete in the first-ever Paired Paso, a [...]

Read More

Paso Robles names Strauss official workwear partner

Announcement marks Strauss' first entry into the United States wine industry - The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance has named Engelbert Strauss the official workwear [...]

Read More

Celebrate California Winegrowers' Sustainability Commitment Across the State in April

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California wine community's longstanding dedication to sustainability is something to celebrate - and the state's winegrowers will be doing just that during...

Read More

Water: DELTA COUNCIL: Anticipating the Next Drought

For the first time in 25 years, California has a snowpack trifecta

California's snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains measures 96% of average. It's the third straight year the state has had near-average or above-average amounts of snow.

Read More

California's snowpack is near-average - what this means for water supplies

At 90%, Sierra Nevada snow is nothing like record-smashing 2023. But it's the thrid year in a row with near or above-average snowpack.

Read More

DELTA COUNCIL: Anticipating the Next Drought: DWR's plans for rapid barrier construction

California frequently experiences multi-year droughts, a natural aspect of our highly variable climate. However, climate change intensifies both the frequency and severity of these droughts, making them a significant concern. Over the past 15 years, the state has endured 11 droughts, increasing the likelihood of another occurring within the next decade.

Read More

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.

Join or Renew Your San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau Membership

Thank You Platinum Members

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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.

 
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