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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

January 13, 2025

www.slofarmbureau.org

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This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Community: Local Lavender Farm Awarded Grant To Support Pollinator Friendly Habitats 
  • Local Government: City Announces Official 2025 Council Meeting Schedule
  • State Government: California Has More Money than Expected. Here's How Gavin Newsom Wants To Spend It
  • Federal Government: Farmers Head Into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension Aid
  • Environmental: UCLA : Floods, Droughts, Then Fires: Hydroclimate Whiplash Is Speeding Up Globally 
  • Produce: USDA Increases Funding For New Specialty Crop Program
  • Labor: "People Aren't Going to Work" : A Surprising Immigration Raid Set Off Fears in California Farm Country
  • Business Member Spotlight: American Riviera Bank
  • Thank You Farm Bureau Members
  • Featured Member Benefit: A$ Promotions & Incentives
  • Livestock: California Issues New Ban on Dairy Cattle and Poultry Shows in Response to H5N1 and Bird Flu 
  • Vineyard and Wine: Wine Alliance Names Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons Of The Year
  • Water: Newsom, Biden Unveil New Water Plan Amid Drought, Fish Protection Debate
  • Fire: LA Fires Could Drastically Drive Up Insurance Premiums - And Test California's New Market Rules
  • Farm Bureau Membership Matters

January 6th Most-Read

  1. Trump’s promised deportations are on a collision course with a California economy built on hypocrisy
  2. Shandon water district seeks 4.56 billion gallons from Nacimiento Reservoir
  3. Introducing Marie Requa, SLO County Farm Bureau Women’s Member of the Month
  4. California Wine Grape harvest Review
  5. Bags of broccoli sold at Walmart recalled over listeria concerns
  6. Proposed 2.5-mile pipeline could connect Los Osos to the State Water Project
  7. Wine company ranked as ‘No. 2 Healthiest Mid-Size Employer’
  8. Record Investment in Private Lands Conservation in 2024
  9. National Voluntary Livestock Improvement Program Planed by USDA
  10. Paso Robles named, ‘California’s best small town for retirement’

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:


  • January 13th - Farm Bureau Women Meeting - 10:30am-1:30pm at Cowboy Pizza in Templeton - Reach out to Jeanne Myers at r4mranch@aol.com for more information!
  • January 14th Young Farmers and Ranchers Meeting - 5:30pm at Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles
  • January 17th - Adelaida Farm Center Meeting - 6:00pm Social , 6:30pm Dinner at Adelaida School House
  • January 22nd - SLO County Farm Bureau Sportsman Raffle Calendar - 2nd Drawing of the Month!
  • January 28th - Monthly SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting - 5:00pm at the SLO County Farm Bureau Office - Please RSVP!

Community: Local Lavender Farm Awarded Grant To Support Pollinator Friendly Habitats

Local lavender farm awarded grant to support pollinator-friendly habitats

Grant will enable Hambly Farms to implement extensive plantings and habitat installations throughout 2025 and 2026 - Hambly Farms has been awarded a sustainability grant [...]

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Wellsona Road safety project construction begins Jan. 14

Undercrossing will be located beneath U.S. 101, south of the existing intersection - Construction on a safety improvement project at the intersection of U.S. 101 [...]

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Local agencies send aid to Los Angeles to help combat fires

President approves governor's request for Presidential Major Disaster Declaration - San Luis Obispo County fire departments, including Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services and the Cambria [...]

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Golden Owl Award Application

Our ag teachers serve as mentors, role models, educators, and pillars of our FFA programs. Our teachers do so much for us, let's show our appreciation by nominating them for the Golden Owl Award. It only takes five minutes to nominate your teacher, and if selected they could win $3,000 and national recognition.

Nominations close next Friday, January 17.

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Local Government: City Announces Official 2025 Council Meeting Schedule

City announces official 2025 council meeting schedule

Combined meeting this month to be held Wednesday, Jan. 15 - The City of Paso Robles has announced its 2025 Paso Robles City Council meeting [...]

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City seeking applicants for planning commission, housing authority roles

The City of Paso Robles is accepting applications for open positions on the Paso Robles Planning Commission and the Paso Robles Housing Authority Board [...]

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State Government: California Has More Money than Expected. Here's How Gavin Newsom Wants To Spend It

Reminder: Real ID required for flights starting May 7

Over 1.6 million Californians upgraded to a Real ID in 2024 - The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced that more than 18.5 million residents [...]

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Adam Schiff takes oath for six-year Senate term

Schiff sworn in to represent California in U.S. Senate - United States Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, was sworn in on Jan. 3 [...]

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California has more money than expected. Here's how Gavin Newsom wants to spend it

Gov. Gavin Newsom is releasing details on a 2025 California budget proposal. His office anticipates economic uncertainty from President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

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Federal Injunction Grants Small Farms Reprieve From Reporting Rules

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Small farmers affected by business reporting requirements by the U.S. Department of the Treasury have been given a reprieve after a whiplash...

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Wildfires spark renewed concerns over home insurance coverage in California

Local homeowners and insurance agents and brokers are concerned that with the current wildfires, their homes won't be covered by homeowner's insurance if a similar event were to happen here.

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Federal Government: Farmers Head Into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension Aid

Farmers Head into 2025 with Another Farm Bill Extension, Aid

Here's how the end-of-year spending deal aids farmers and ranchers.

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Making Ag Trade a Priority

Agricultural trade must become a priority for our new administration this year so that we as farmers can continue our mission of ensuring that everyone has access to the best food, fiber and renewable energy in the world.

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CDFA Awards $1.15m for Research and Education Projects to Improve Nutrient and Irrigation Management

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) has announced $1.15 million in awards to five new...

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Trump is planning 100 executive orders starting Day 1 on border, deportations and other priorities

President-elect Donald Trump is preparing more than 100 executive orders starting Day One of the new White House.

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Environmental: UCLA : Floods, Droughts, Then Fires: Hydroclimate Whiplash Is Speeding Up Globally

President Biden enacts Congressman Carbajal's push to ban local offshore drilling

Carbajal was among 12 members of Congress who urged Biden to take this action before the end of his term - President Joe Biden recently [...]

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Will President Biden's oil drilling ban impact local offshore oil?

President Biden moved to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters, but it's not likely to impact current operations off the South Coast.

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UCLA: Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally

New research links intensifying wet and dry swings to the atmosphere's sponge-like ability to drop and absorb water By Alison Hewitt, UCLA Key takeaways Hydroclimate whiplash - rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather - has already increased globally due to climate change, with further large increases expected as warming continues, according to a team of researchers led by UCLA's Daniel Swain.

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Produce: USDA Increases Funding For New Specialty Crop Program

Research Update: Estimating Nitrogen Removal From the Harvested Portion of Central Coast Crops

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Project Title: Nitrogen Content of the Harvested Portion of Specialty Crops to Estimate Crop Nitrogen Removal and Improve Nitrogen Management in Crops Project...

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USDA Increases Funding for New Specialty Crop Program

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers to apply for assistance for marketing and food safety certification expenses. Specifically, USDA's...

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Deadline Approaching for Specialty Crop Producer Assistance

A deadline is approaching for U.S. specialty crop producers to sign up for marketing assistance. Chad Smith has more. Smith: Applications are now open for USDA's new $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the program provides much-needed support for those who grow fruits, vegetables and nuts.

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Nationwide egg shortages cause these local stores to limit egg purchases

Egg shortages are happening all over the U.S., and San Luis Obispo is no exception. Some stores are placing limits on the amount of eggs that customers can buy.

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States Struggle to Curb Food Waste Despite Policies

DAVIS, Calif. -- The United States generates more food waste than all but two countries. To address this, the federal government set a goal to...

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CDPR Releases New Schedule for Pesticide Reevaluations Across California

CDPR has released its updated schedule for reevaluating certain pesticides registered in the state. Under state law, CDPR must continuously ..

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Labor: "People Aren't Going to Work" : A Surprising Immigration Raid Set Off Fears in California Farm Country

'People aren't going to work': A surprising immigration raid set off fears in California farm country

Kern County workers and businesses expressed fear and anxiety over a surprise immigration sweep in the final days of the Biden administration.

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New Laws & Regulations for 2025

Join us for an informative webinar with Erica Rosasco of Rosasco Law Group, covering the latest laws and regulations impacting farm labor contractors and the agricultural industry. We'll delve into important updates in employment law including recent changes in PAGA, employee rights disclosures, sick and paid family leave benefits, how employers can communicate with employees, and more.

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Business Member Spotlight: American Riviera Bank



Crafting tailored financial solutions for diverse industries -


Get to know American Riviera Bank® and everything we believe in. At ARB, you will find:

  • Knowledgeable banking experts with products and services to support your unique needs,
  • Trusted neighbors, active in your community, and
  • Forward-thinkers who support you with valuable tools and resources.



Learn More Here!


American Riveira Bank

805-965-5942

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Agriculture Members

Barry Branin

Babe Farms Inc

Jeffrey Van Nest

Mark Fugate

Vineyard Professional Services Inc

Barbara Parsons

Renewing Associate Members

Wayne Lamb

Patricia Knudson

Jeanne Helphenstine

Steven Soto

New Associate Members

Clint Weirick

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Featured Member Benefit: A4 Promotions & Incentives

Brand your business or showcase your Farm Bureau pride with A4 Promotions & Incentives. Members can receive up to a 20 percent discount on select customizable items.


For more information or to order call (916) 361-3682 or check them out online here!

Livestock: California Issues New Ban on Dairy Cattle and Poultry Shows in Response to H5N1 and Bird Flu

California Issues New Ban on Dairy Cattle and Poultry Shows in Response to H5N1 Bird Flu

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has issued a statewide ban on dairy cattle and poultry exhibitions to combat the spread of H5N1 Avian Influenza. The ban will remain in place until the outbreak is under control-here's what you need to know.

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First H5 Bird Flu Death Reported in United States

WASHINGTON -- CDC is saddened by Louisiana's report that a person previously hospitalized with severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness (

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Vineyard and Wine: Wine Alliance Names Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons Of The Year

Daou Vineyards announces partnership with Dallas Open tennis tournament

Dallas Open to feature Daou wines, branded lounge - Daou Vineyards, based in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles, announced a three-year partnership with the [...]

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Paso Wine Fest offers discounted tickets for SLO County residents

After Feb. 28, ticket prices will increase - San Luis Obispo County residents can now purchase discounted "locals-only" tickets for the Paso Wine Fest Grand [...]

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Hope Family Wines opens new warehouse in Paso Robles

Winery unveils advanced bottling line, distribution facility - Hope Family Wines recently unveiled a new 140,000-square-foot warehouse and bottling line, a facility designed to streamline [...]

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Wine alliance names Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons of the Year

Randy and Jenny Heinzen to be honored at gala held in February - The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance has announced the 2024 Paso Robles [...]

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Water: Newsom, Biden Unveil New Water Plan Amid Drought, Fish Protection Debate

THE CENTER SQUARE: Newsom, Biden unveil new water plan amid drought, fish protection debate

By Madeline Armstrong, The Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Biden-Harris Administration reached a long-awaited agreement on the updated rules for the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP), which transfer water from Northern California to other parts of the state, supplying water to millions of Californians.

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La Niña has arrived. Here's what that means; Sites Reservoir JPA releases RFQ for construction; Peter Gleick on LA wildfires and misinformation

“A long-awaited La Niña has finally appeared, but the periodic cooling of Pacific Ocean waters is weak and unlikely to cause as many weather problems as usual, meteorologists said Thursday. La Niña, the flip side of the better-known El Niño, is an irregular rising of unusually cold water in a key part of the central equatorial Pacific that changes weather patterns worldwide.

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Fire: LA Fires Could Drastically Drive Up Insurance Premiums - And Test California's New Market Rules

GRIST: The 'weather whiplash' fueling the Los Angeles fires is becoming more common

It's supposed to be the rainy season in Southern California, but the last time Los Angeles measured more than a tenth-inch of rain was eight months ago, after the city logged one of the soggiest periods in its recorded history.

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How Central Coast animal shelters are helping SoCal shelters impacted by wildfires

Team members at Woods Humane Society drove south on Thursday to pick up animals from shelters impacted by the wildfires around Los Angeles.

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LA fires could drastically drive up insurance premiums - and test California's new market rules

California's plan to fix the insurance crisis had barely rolled out when the LA fires began. Can the market recover and stabilize?

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Incidents | CAL FIRE

Ongoing emergency responses in California, including all 10+ acre wildfires.

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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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