On July 20, the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer will present the Board of Supervisors with a summary of crop and livestock statistics for the calendar year of 2020. The summary includes industry trends, production levels, and gross values. To download the crop report details click here. The summary below is from the Ag Commissioner.

The agricultural industry in San Luis Obispo County continues to be a major contributor to the county’s economy. The overall crop value recorded for 2020 is $978,675,000, down just slightly from 2019 and down over 5% from the record high amount recorded in 2018. Although the overall value was relatively flat on the year, the COVID-19 pandemic created a variety of challenges for the local agricultural industry. This figure represents only commodity gross values and does not reflect net profits received by local agricultural producers. Also, reported values do not include multipliers related to secondary economic benefits. 

The 2020 Annual Report will be distributed in late July or early August 2021. Annual Reports from 1928 through 2019 can be viewed here.

The Rice Partnership makes financial strategies tailored to fit individual goals and risk tolerance. One-on-one collaboration to grow assets. Creative Solutions to fulfill legacies.

We also utilize the extensive resources of top global partners such as Charles Schwab, whose universe of managers and funds, as well as portfolio construction tools integrate high-quality research, manager selection and continuing analysis, enabling us to provide clients with highly-customized investment strategies.

Unlike traditional wealth management firms such as banks, brokerages and trust companies that concentrate only on investments, The Rice Partnership offers Family Office services where we oversee and manage the complex financial lives of families we serve. They may include: daily accounting and document management, household and trust administration services, family education, and philanthropy.

In addition to Family Office, we offer a range of advisory services that can address specific needs of our clients. This includes creative solutions for charitable transfers, as well as

sustaining legacies over generations.

(805) 517-4122 thericepartnership.com

Michael Bradley, Cal Coast Orchids LLC

Norman Fawley, Lora Eade, Rolling Hills Vineyard, Creston Enterprises LLC, Morris & Garritano Insurance

Our weekly E-News is sent out every Friday to our membership and local leaders. If you're interested in an effective, low-cost advertising campaign ($150 a month) please give us a call or send an email to SLO County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brent Burchett.

Read the full press release here.

With depleted reservoirs and limited water supplies across California, Gov. Gavin Newsom last week expanded the drought emergency order to nine additional counties and signed an executive order calling on all Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15%.

The action by the governor follows drought disaster orders issued in April and May, and brings a total of 50 of the state's 58 counties under the drought state of emergency. Nine counties added to the drought declaration include: Inyo, Marin, Mono, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz.

Brent Burchett, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, said, "In our county, we weren't waiting for the governor's declaration to make local changes.

"SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) is the more acute regulation that we're mindful of regarding cutbacks coming to agriculture," Burchett said. "We're already prepared for that, but this current drought is just another reminder of how bad things can be and how quickly they can change."

Continue reading here.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Paso Basin Cooperative Committee will hold a Regular Meeting at 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Based on the threat of COVID-19 as reflected in the Proclamations of Emergency issued by both the Governor of the State of California and the San Luis Obispo County Emergency Services Director, as well as the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020 relating to the convening of public meetings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted as a phone in/web-based meeting only. There will be no physical meeting location for this Cooperative Committee Meeting. Members of the public can participate via phone or by logging into the web-based meeting.

Click here to view/download the agenda packet for this meeting.

Click here to join the meeting.

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.