Imports, Labor Shortage Challenge SLO County Avocado Growers | |
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From California Farm Bureau Federation's Ag Alert, June 28 2023
By Caleb Hampton
A cold spring coupled with increased imports and a persistent labor shortage has challenged California avocado growers, as many have kept fruit hanging on trees for months in search of a market opportunity.
“A lot of people are waiting to pick,” said Daryn Miller, agronomist at his family’s Villa Pacifica Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, which has yet to harvest any of this year’s crop.
California’s avocado season stretches from February through October. While the avocados may continue to grow in size, they typically do not ripen until picked, enabling farmers to store the fruit on the branches.
This year, as an oversupply drove down the prices offered by retailers and packinghouses, “growers have been hanging on, trying to keep the fruit on the trees until prices rebound,” said Terry Splane, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission.
Despite strong demand, pricing has dipped as a result of increased global production, with the U.S. doubling its avocado imports over the past decade.
“It used to be that California growers could pick anytime of the year. Whenever they needed money, that’s when they picked,” said Ben Faber, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. “Then, Mexico came in and took over the winter market. So, Californians would pick in the late spring and summer.”
But several years after the U.S. began importing more avocados from Latin America, mostly from Peru, “that window just doesn’t exist any longer,” Faber said. “It leaves Californians searching for these little holes to sell their fruit.”
Storing the fruit on trees until prices improve can be a good strategy, growers said, but it can also pose challenges. “You can only do it if the fruit is in good condition,” said Charley Wolk, owner and manager of Bejoca Grove in San Diego County.
This year, after historic winter storms, some growers have seen their avocados drop off the branches in the middle of the season. “Fruit that would normally be held into July or August was dropping back in early May,” said Faber. “The fruit is ripening on the tree.”
The farm advisor added that when avocado root systems get too much water, they release a gas called ethylene that causes the fruit to ripen. “I suspect that with all the rain, the roots got waterlogged,” he said.
The crews working in Wolk’s groves last week found many of the avocados had turned black, a sign of maturity, and some had fallen. “I don’t have any choice,” he said. “It’s either going on the ground or I’m sending it to the packinghouse.” ...
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
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Founding farmers: Washington, Jefferson and my favorite, John Hart
By John Hart, Farm Progress
"As we celebrate Independence Day, it is important to remember the vital role farmers played in our nation’s founding. George Washington, the Father of our Country, considered himself first and foremost a farmer as did Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
There is a well-known quote from Washington: “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.” ... Continued reading this article here
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Community: Morro Bay 4-H Club Shares Progress Made at Their Farm After the January Storms | |
Morro Bay 4-H Club Shares Progress Made at Their Farm After the January Storms | The Morro Bay 4-H Club's farm was flooded by storms earlier this year putting their participation in the Mid-State Fair in jeopardy. Thanks to community support that is no longer the case. | | | |  |
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AgWest Farm Credit Awards Scholarships to Local Students
AgWest Farm Credit has awarded 123 students from its seven-state territory a total of $287,500 in scholarships. In California, 25 recipients will each receive a $1,500 or $2,500 college scholarship, depending upon scholarship category. Local recipients are:
- Delaney Dusi, Paso Robles- Tulane University
- Elijah Greidanus, San Luis Obispo - Cal Poly, SLO
- Samuel Greidanus, San Luis Obispo- Cal Poly, SLO or Point Loma
- Carly Wheeler, Templeton- Oklahoma State University
- Lauren Boersma, Nipomo- Cal Poly, SLO
- Austin Boersma, Nipomo- Cal Poly, SLO
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AgWest Farm Credit New Producer Grant
AgWest Farm Credit recently released a New Producer Grant program to help provide start-up funds for new producers. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation’s growth. We are accepting applications now through August 31. I have attached the product sheet with more details, but below is a quick overview of eligibility and the application process.
Eligibility
- Be a full or part-time agricultural professional with two years or less of operational experience or plans to start their operation within two years of the grant application date.
- Have an operation located within AgWest Farm Credit's territory.
- Not be a current AgWest customer.
- Grant Details
Application Process
- Submit a business plan, a cash flow budget and an essay addressing the prompt noted on the fact sheet attached.
- Deadline to apply is August 31.
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Application
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Local Government: SLO County Welcomes New Civil Grand Jury to Court | |
SLO County Welcomes New Civil Grand Jury to Court * Atascadero News | The Atascadero News is your daily online news source and the only printed newspaper dedicated to Atascadero, since 1916. | | | | |
Temporary bridge on Chimney Rock Rd. opens to traffic | A temporary bridge is now in place and open over the washout on Chimney Rock Road near Lake Nacimiento. | | | |
State Government: California Lawmakers, Gavin Newsom Hammer Out $311 Billion Budget - Without Major Water Project | |
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California Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work - State Government Affairs Weekly Update
June 30, 2023
Insurance
SB-505, authored by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and sponsored by the California Farm Bureau, passed from the Assembly Committee on Insurance as a Consent Calendar item earning automatic unanimous and bipartisan support without any opposition. As discussed previously, the bill expands an existing clearinghouse program in the FAIR Plan to include commercial property insurance policies that admitted market insurers may pursue back in the competitive market. The clearinghouse serves as a relief valve for the FAIR Plan to move appropriate policies back to the admitted market. Until SB 505, the clearinghouse has been limited to residential policies. The bill moves next to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
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California Lawmakers, Gavin Newsom Hammer Out $311 Billion Budget - Without Major Water Project | California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom reached a budget deal that cuts a plan to build a Delta water tunnel after fierce negotiations. | | | | |
Gov. Newsom signs budget placeholder bill day after deal reached | With days left before the start of the new fiscal year July 1, California lawmakers and the governor had still not reached an agreement on the state spending plan and negotiations continued as of late Monday afternoon. | | | |
Federal Government: BLM Rule: Comments Needed to Expose Expanding Rule; Adding "Conservation" Use Leases | |
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California Farm Bureau's - Weekly Federal Policy News
June 29, 2023
- Comment Today on BLM Public Lands Conservation Rule
- Participation Opportunity: Bi-State Sage Grouse Meetings
- Post-Sackett Decision WOTUS Update
- India to Drop Tariffs on Several Ag Products
- Services Propose Three Additional Regulatory Changes to ESA Implementation
- Ag Workforce Bill Reintroduced in the House
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BLM RULE: COMMENTS NEEDED TO OPPOSE EXPANDING RULE; ADDING "CONSERVATION" USE LEASES. | On April 3, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register entitled, "Strengthening the Stewardship of America's Public Lands." The BLM proposed rule includes significant changes to how public lands are managed, and Farm Bureau opposes the proposal as drafted. Why? | | | | |
Rep. Panetta secures funds to foster growth of agricultural professions | Funding was secured through National Institute of Food and Agriculture's 'NextGen' program - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (D, Monterey County) recently secured $15 million [...] | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
Central Coast Propane
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Central Coast Propane has been in business since 1992. The owners have over 70 years of combined experience in the propane industry. Our facility is constructed with the most modern safety features and our delivery and service fleet uses the most modern equipment and vehicles powered by clean-burning propane autogas. Our staff is trained through the rigorous Certified Employee Training Program as well as many other training programs.
The services that we provide include the following:
Residential propane service including:
- Bulk Gas Delivery
- Monthly Metered Gas Service
- Propane Tank and Underground Gas Line Installation
Commercial propane service including:
- Propane fuel and dispensing equipment for forklift fleets
- Propane Autogas fuel and dispensing equipment for an entire range of new propane powered vehicles now available
- Winery Service
Agricultural propane service including:
- Irrigation
- Weed Flaming
- Frost Protection
Our service area includes all of San Luis Obispo County, northern Santa Barbara County, and southern Monterey County.
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Nursey and Floriculture: UCNFA Ask the Advisor: Water and Irrigation Management in Greenhouses & Nurseries- July 20th | |
Honey Bees More Faithful to Their Flower Patches Than Bumble Bees : USDA ARS | Contact: Kim KaplanEmail: Kim Kaplan MADISON, WI, June 29, 2023- Honey bees are more faithful to their flower patches than bumble bees when it comes to returning to collect more pollen and nectar, according to a study by U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service scientists. | | | | |
UCNFA Ask the Advisor: Water and Irrigation Management in Greenhouses & Nurseries- July 20th | Are you a grower who deals with diseases on greenhouse and nursery crops? Join us for a panel Q & A discussion where Drs.Dr. Maria de la Fuente, Jim Downer, and Johanna Del Castillo Munera will offer tips and respond to your questions about the management and control of plant diseases in greenhouse and nursery production. | | | |
Environmental: California Man Gets Prison for Nearly $9M Phony Cow Manure-to-Green Energy Investment Scheme | |
Corporations and climate change: California may force large businesses to disclose climate impacts | Corporate reports would reveal top polluters and financial risks. But companies warn about faulty data and a "gold-plated exercise." | | | | |
California Man Gets Prison for Nearly $9M Phony Cow Manure-to-Green Energy Investment Scheme | A California man is going to prison for running a cow dung-to-green energy scheme that authorities say was a load of manure. | | | |
Produce: California Strawberry Commission Talks Strawberry Farm Tour in Exclusive Video; Jeff Cardinale and Mayra Paniagua Comment | |
California Strawberry Commission Talks Strawberry Farm Tour in Exclusive Video; Jeff Cardinale and Mayra Paniagua Comment | Ready to dive into the journey of a California strawberry? A lucky group of individuals was recently granted this gift as the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) hosted 10 influencers to give them a behind-the-scenes view of the overall farming process for the delicious fruit that is California strawberries. | | |
Strawberry breeding effort boosts resistance to diseases | |
University of California plant breeders have released four new strawberry varieties as the industry continues its endless struggle against the soil-borne diseases that menace the crop.
*Farm Bureau members can continue reading with their member login
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Agricultural Members
Larry Sage, John Vineyard Applications Inc, Miller Moth LLC, Mark's Tire Service, Chris Wineman, Larry Filipe, William Alley, and George Sullivan
Renewing Associate Members
Randolph Miles, Nancy Kimmell, and Hotel Buena Vista
New Collegiate Member
Ellie Miller
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Featured Member Benefit:
John Deere: Spend Less, Harvest More
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This time of year, every second of tractor uptime matters. Since 2021, John Deere Connected SupportTM has more than doubled the number of remote diagnostic sessions, making it possible for dealers to identify and address issues without stepping foot on your farm. Learn more here.
5M series tractors come with JDLink™ installed and a $300 discount for Farm Bureau members! Register today at JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau.
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Labor: US House Members Reintroduce Bill to Alleviate Farm Labor Shortage | |
These bleating firefighters have an insatiable appetite for wildfire fuel - weeds | Voracious goats are a more eco-friendly and efficient alternative to removing flammable weeds from steep hillsides, especially for habitat restoration. | | | | |
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US House Members Reintroduce Bill to Alleviate Farm Labor Shortage
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers reintroduced legislation that would provide temporary immigration status for certain agricultural workers to help alleviate labor shortages in the farming sector.
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Wildfire: Central Coast Residents Left Searching for Home Insurance after Mass Policy Drops | |
Central Coast Residents Left Searching for Home Insurance after Mass Policy Drops | Nicole Pratt couldn't believe her eyes when she read the letter from her insurance company. Kemper said it was dropping her Atascadero home insurance. "We... | | | | |
Billions are being spent to turn the tide on the US West's wildfires. It won't be enough | Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth | | | |
Santa Cruz mountain communities brace for turmoil as home insurers leave California over wildfire risk | As insurance companies like State Farm pull out of writing new policies in California over concerns about the cost of wildfires, homeowners in high fire-risk areas, such as the San Lorenzo Valley, can expect to pay higher premiums as they pick from a much smaller pool of property insurers. An... | | | | |
Wildfire threatens SLO County solar farm, Cal Fire says | A wildfire was burning at Carrizo Plain in San Luis Obispo County near California Valley Solar Ranch energy farm, Cal Fire said. It was 0% contained. | | | |
Livestock: Legislation Proposed to Modify Livestock Disaster Programs | |
Old Bulls Bring New Genetic Benefits to Light | Preserving diverse sources of animal germplasm is crucial to maintaining genetic diversity, which provides economic sustainability and food security in the face of new diseases and climate change, and advances our knowledge of animal genetics and genomics. | | | | |
CDFA Announces Vacancies on the Cattle Health Advisory Task Force | The task force advises the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture on the control and management of cattle diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of cattle health programs. | | | | |
Legislation Proposed to Modify Livestock Disaster Programs | Senators Hoeven and Tester are working to include the Livestock Disaster Relief Act in the upcoming Farm Bill. | | | |
Vineyard & Wine: Sustainable Winegrowing Education On-Demand Free Courses Through Vineyard Team | |
Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival Returns for 26th Year * Atascadero News | The Atascadero News is your daily online news source and the only printed newspaper dedicated to Atascadero, since 1916. | | | | |
Sustainable Winegrowing Education On-Demand Free Courses Through Vineyard Team | Experienced farmers and researchers cover the top challenges facing viticulturalists today including healthy soils, pests and diseases, climate change, water conservation, regulation, natural resource conservation, alternative energy, regenerative agriculture, nutrient management, fruit quality, and much more. | | | |
Water: New Report Addresses Findings That Most California Groundwater Sustainability Plans Fail to Protect Vulnerable Communities and the Environment | |
PRESS RELEASE: New Report Addresses Findings That Most California Groundwater Sustainability Plans Fail to Protect Vulnerable Communities and the Environment | The Nature Conservancy, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Audubon California, and Clean Water Action, among others, suggest that without course correction... | | | | |
Assemblymember Dawn Addis secures nearly $1.24 million for Arroyo Grande Creek Levee | News Channel 3-12 | Assemblymember Dawn Addis announced Tuesday she secured $1,236,000 for the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee. | | | | |
Tulare Lake Receding Due to Coordinated Action & Favorable Weather | California Governor | WHAT TO KNOW: Following months of government efforts to combat flooding, and assisted by favorable weather conditions that have slowed snowmelt, state officials released new data showing that Tulare... | | | |
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 [email protected] or call our office at 805-543-3654. | | | | |
