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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

March 17, 2025

www.slofarmbureau.org

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Our SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers had a fantastic meeting last week at Hope Family Wines! 🍷 A big thank you to Stasi and Lee for the amazing tour of the production facility. Learning about wine production in Paso Robles, a region known for its incredible wines, was truly special. 🍇 We’re so proud of our YFR group and can’t wait to grow and improve together each month.

Interested in joining YF&R or learning more? Reach out – we’d love to have you!


We can't thank our members over at Hope Family Wines enough - this tour was amazing!


-The SLO County Farm Bureau Team


This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Upcoming Events: Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser on April 3rd at Opolo Vineyards
  • Community: Lavender Bloom Celebration at Hambly Farms
  • Scholarships: 2025 Cattlewomen Scholarship
  • Local Government: District Attorney Announces Stricter St. Patrick's Day Enforcement
  • State Government: State Senate Hears About Response to Bird Flu Outbreak
  • Federal Government: U. S. Facing Billions in Agriculture Trade Deficit 
  • Agricultural: DPR Releases First Phase of State-Funded Fumigant Alternatives Study Focused On 1,3-D and Chloropicrin
  • Environmental: Large-Scale Investment in Research Needed to Maintain US Agriculture
  • Produce: Adverse Climatic Conditions Drive Coffee Prices to Highest Level in Years
  • Labor: UFW Backs Away from Request for Mandatory Mediation & Conciliation 
  • Business Member Spotlight: Filliponi & Thompson Drilling
  • Thank You Farm Bureau Members
  • Featured Member Benefit: AgAlert
  • Livestock: Campaign Launched to Block the EATS Act 
  • Vineyard and Wine: Regenerative Ag Event with Secretary Ross on March 24th
  • Water: The Otherworldly California Waterway That Keeps Exploding Into Politics
  • Farm Bureau Membership Matters

March 10 Most-Read

  1. Six new 'community-focused' businesses are set to move into SLO Ranch Farms
  2. Santa Maria Elks Rodeo announces additional date, plus a new event this year
  3. Enjoy one more great day ahead of a series of rain chances
  4. City Council moves forward with Joint Powers Agreement for groundwater management
  5. Silent and deadly, barn owls become farmers’ best friends in California pest control
  6. SpaceX rocket loaded with NASA telescope to launch from Vandenberg, sonic boom expected
  7. CDFA Awards $750,000 to Increase Healthy Food Access to WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Recipients
  8. How Templeton farmers are avoiding a bird flu outbreak
  9. Ancient Peaks Winery donates $50,000 to Dream Big Darling
  10. Victory Garden workshop series to be held at Centennial Park

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:


  • March 20th - SLO Cattlemen's Spring Meeting - Paso Robles Event Center - Frontier Building. Meeting starts at 2:30pm, Social Hour at 5:00pm - Dinner Served at 6:00pm
  • March 21st - Adelaida Farm Center Monthly Meeting. Social Starts at 6:00pm, Dinner at 6:30pm
  • March 24th - Regenerative Ag Event with Secretary Ross at ROBERT HALL WINERY. 10am-1pm. Lunch provided by the SLO Farm Bureau 
  • March 25th - SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting - 5:00pm at the SLO County Farm Bureau Office - Please RSVP!
  • March 26th - SLO County Farm Bureau Sportsman Raffle Calendar - 2nd Drawing of the Month
  • March 27th - COLLAB 16th Annual Dinner and Fundraiser - Madonna Inn Expo Center
  • April 3rd - SLO Farm Bureau Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser at Opolo Vineyard
  • April 7th - SLO Farm Bureau Women Meeting - Location TBD
  • April 8th - SLO YF&R Meeting at La Lomita Ranch in SLO. Tour followed by wine tasting. Tour starts at 6:00pm

Upcoming Events: Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser on April 3rd at Opolo Vineyards

Join us for our next SLO Farm Bureau Fundraiser! A winemaker dinner at Opolo Vineyard on April 3rd. Social Hour starts at 4:45pm with passed Hors Devours! Dinner to be served by 6:00pm. Expect a fabulous meal by Chef John McDevitt made with locally sourced produced along with some great Opolo Wines. Tickets are $150 per person.


Please RSVP to Jesslyn by calling the Farm Bureau office at 805-543-3654 or by emailing jblank@slofarmbureau.org!

Mark your calendar on March 27th for the 16th Annual Dinner and Fundraiser for COLLAB!


5:00pm Social Hour & Open Bar

6:15pm Filet Mignon Dinner & Wine

Auctions to be held after dinner!


You can purchase your tickets HERE!


Community: Lavender Bloom Celebration at Hambly Farms

San Luis Obispo County Airport announces air service changes

Airport adds nonstop flights to Portland, Alaska Airlines to end direct Las Vegas flight in April - San Luis Obispo County Airport will see several [...]

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Olive and Lavender Festival to return to downtown Paso Robles May 10

Event aims to showcase Paso Robles' agricultural heritage - The fourth annual joint Paso Robles Olive and Lavender Festival will take place on Saturday, May [...]

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Tourism impact study highlights economic contributions

Report examines the economic, fiscal, and social impacts of tourism in Paso Robles - A recent Tourism Impact Study was conducted to support the Paso [...]

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Open Farm Days 2025 | Buy Your Tickets Now!

JUNE 20th-22nd, 2025 - TOUR - TASTE - LEARN along the SLO County Farm Trail! A weekend of farm tours, tastings, and barnyard fun . Savoring summer on the SLO Co Farm Trail is what Open Farm Days are all about.

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DW Farms opens greenhouses for retail sales in San Miguel

Free soil workshops scheduled - DW Farms, a family-owned nursery specializing in native and drought-tolerant plants, has opened its greenhouses and growing areas for retail [...]

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Woods Humane Society offers free pet vaccines in March

Free vaccines offered through national initiative to protect pets - Woods Humane Society will provide local pet owners with free pet vaccinations at its Atascadero location on March 8 and at both i...

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Scholarships: 2025 Cattlewomen Scholarship

You can find more information about this scholarship here:

 San Luis Obispo County Cattlewomen Scholarship

Local Government: District Attorney Announces Stricter St. Patrick's Day Enforcement

District Attorney Announces Stricter St. Patrick's Day Enforcement

City of San Luis Obispo has established a 'safety enhancement zone,' during which all laws will be strictly enforced, and fines will be doubled - [...]

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State Government: State Senate Hears About Response to Bird Flu Outbreak

Ag Day at the State Capitol Is Coming Up - March 19th

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Mark your calendars for March 19, and join us in celebrating California ag! This year's theme is "Ag At Work: Cultivating Careers...

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Ag Alert - State Senate Hears About Response to Bird Flu Outbreak

With California’s robust investment and experience in animal disease surveillance and detection, there’s little disagreement in agricultural circles that the state was well prepared for bird flu. 



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Federal Government: U. S. Facing Billions in Agriculture Trade Deficit

Federal funding cut for California farms program impacting farmers, food banks, schools

The Farms Together Program, which paid small farmers to grow produce for California food banks, is losing its federal funding

Read More

Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown

A bill mostly keeping government funding at levels set during Joe Biden's presidency was signed by President Trump Saturday morning.

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U. S. Facing Billions in Agriculture Trade Deficit - AgNet West

The U. S. faces a projected $49 billion trade deficit in agriculture, with increased imports of avocados, coffee, and orange juice ..........

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USDA, HHS Share Update on Dietary Guidelines for Americans Process

WASHINGTON -- Following the inaugural meeting of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and...

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Agricultural: DPR Releases First Phase of State-Funded Fumigant Alternatives Study Focused On 1,3-D and Chloropicrin

DPR Releases First Phase of State-Funded Fumigant Alternatives Study Focused On 1,3-D and Chloropicrin

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released an independent scientific study on possible alternatives to a pair of widely used fumigant...

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John Deere Unveils Next-Gen Combine Front-End Equipment to Boost Harvest Efficiency

OLATHE, Kansas -- Farmers need to capture as much crop as possible during harvest and, today, John Deere (NYSE: DE) helped move that progress with...

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Ag Alert - Adding automation helps lower farm risk  

Facing an inconsistent supply of employees, higher costs and growing pressure due to market instability, a grower-processor in Santa Clara County’s Silicon Valley has turned to technology to boost efficiency and stay competitive in the challenging produce industry.

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Environmental: Large-Scale Investment in Research Needed to Maintain US Agriculture

Large-Scale Investment in Research Needed to Maintain US Agriculture

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Climate change and flagging investment in research and development has U.S. agriculture facing its first productivity slowdown in decades. A new study...

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EPA moves to dismantle dozens of Biden's environmental rules

The agency announced Wednesday that it will begin the process of dismantling dozens of Biden-era rules for electric vehicles, power plants, clean water and more.

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Wildlife Conservation Board Awards $37 Million in Grants to 14 Habitat Conservation and Restoration Projects

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved 14 habitat protection and restoration projects spanning 14 counties across more than 4,700 acres at its...

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Produce: Adverse Climatic Conditions Drive Coffee Prices to Highest Level in Years

Adverse Climatic Conditions Drive Coffee Prices to Highest Level in Years

ROME -- World coffee prices reached a multi-year high in 2024 - increasing 38.8 percent on the previous year's average - mostly driven by inclement...

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Egg Prices Continue to Hit Records as Easter and Passover Approach

NEW YORK (AP) -- Egg prices again reached a record high in February, as the bird flu continues to run rampant and Easter and Passover approach. The latest...

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California almond growers grapple with uncertainty as new tariffs could hit exports

California's almond growers are used to dealing with the swings of volatile weather and water supply.

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Avocado Supply Affected by Regional Growing Conditions - Avocado AgNet West

The supply of avocados to the US is currently affected by regional growing conditions, particularly drought, leading to shortages of mid and

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Labor: UFW Backs Away from Request for Mandatory Mediation & Conciliation

UFW Backs Away from Request for Mandatory Mediation & Conciliation - Farm Employers Labor Service

The United Farm Workers of America (UFW) formally withdrew its request for mandatory mediation and conciliation, or MMC, with Wonderful Grapevine Nurseries on February 26.

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USCIS Alien Registration Requirement - Farm Employers Labor Service

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced its alien registration requirement on February 25, requiring many classes of foreign nationals in the U.S. to register with USCIS and submit fingerprints. Individuals older than 18 years of age will also be required to carry proof of registration at all times.

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Business Member Spotlight: Fillipponi & Thompson Drilling


About Us:


Serving from Monterey to Ventura, Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Inc. has been in business for over thirty years providing water analysis, top of the line solar and electrical pump systems, along with water well installation and service. Call Filipponi & Thompson for friendly, fast and effective work 7 days a week.


Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Inc.


3250 El Camino Real, Ste. D Atascadero CA 93422, US

(805) 466-1271

ftdrilling.com


Learn More Here!


Filipponi & Thompson Drilling, Inc.

(800) 466-1271

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

New Agricultural Members

Carolyn Kruse

Renewing Agriculture Members

Susan Warren

Manetta Bennett

Hope Family Wines

Grapevine Land Management LLC

MoonSprings Vineyard

Danilu Ramirez

Kathy Kanawyer

New Associate Members

Pacific Growers

Renewing Associate Members

Lark Carter

Renewing Business Support Members

Cal Coast Machinery

New Collegiate Members

Brooklynn Beck

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Featured Member Benefit: Ag Alert


Keeping farmers and ranchers informed.


Ag Alert is the weekly newspaper of the California Farm Bureau Federation, reaching Farm Bureau agricultural and collegiate members. Agricultural members are owners and decision makers on California farms and ranches.


Learn More Here!

Livestock: Campaign Launched to Block the EATS Act 

Bird Flu's Varied Impacts on Egg and Milk Markets

DAVIS, Calif. -- University of California, Davis agricultural economists explore the reasons for reduced egg supplies and high egg prices in a recent article and...

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Some grocery stores turn to Grade B eggs to beat egg shortage

As consumers scramble to find the best deals, some retailers are finding different ways to keep eggs stocked on shelves.

Read More

Campaign Launched to Block the EATS Act - Legislative AgNet West

The OCM and Competitive Markets Action have launched a $100,000 ad campaign to oppose the reintroduction of the EATS Act. The groups warn ...

Read More

Vineyard and Wine: Regenerative Ag Event with Secretary Karen

Halter Ranch vineyard earns regenerative organic certification

Vineyard joins a growing list of regenerative organic farms in Paso Robles - Halter Ranch has announced that its original Paso Robles Estate vineyard has [...]

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Regenerative Ag Event with Secretary Ross

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross will speak about the new CDFA definition of Regenerative Agriculture, followed by a panel discussion and SLO Farm Bureau BBQ lunch. RSVP required. Date: Monday, March 24th Time: 10am - 1pm Location: Robert Hall Winery 3443 Mill Rd. Paso Robles, CA 93446

Read More

Taste of the Back Roads event returns to Paso Robles

Wine trail event to feature 20 wineries - The 8th Annual Taste of the Back Roads Grand Tasting & VIP Experiences will take place Saturday, [...]

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Paso Robles event showcases Cabernet Franc with tastings, seminars

Tickets available now - Cab Franc Masters 2025 will take place on Sunday, March 16, at the Cass Event Center, bringing together winemakers, industry leaders, [...]

Read More

Is Red Wine a Healthier Choice Than White Wine? Uncorking the Cancer Risks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A common perception is that not all alcoholic beverages are alike. Red wine, for instance, is often considered a healthier choice, with...

Read More

AI Made Its Way to Vineyards. Here's How the Technology Is Helping Make Your Wine

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When artificial intelligence-backed tractors became available to vineyards, Tom Gamble wanted to be an early adopter. He knew there would be...

Read More

Water: The Otherworldly California Waterway That Keeps Exploding Into Politics

California Agriculture: Dispelling Myths and Correcting the Record - California Farm Water Coalition

California Agriculture: Dispelling Myths and Correcting the Record California's agricultural sector has long been the subject of debate, particularly regarding its use of water and environmental impacts. A recent article published by Al Jazeera titled "California Water Wars: A Century of Wrangling Over Los Angeles's Water" presents a misleading and incomplete picture of California's agricultural ...

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Administrator Zeldin Announces EPA Will Revise Waters of the United States Rule

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that EPA will work with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to deliver...

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Opinion | The Otherworldly California Waterway That Keeps Exploding Into Politics

If we are to take seriously the threats of drought, climate change and water security, we should not reduce this place to a warring of two - or even many - sides.

Read More

California's $20 billion Delta water tunnel strikes fear in locals

The governor's $20 billion tunnel to divert more water south would bring years of pollution and traffic. Residents say their towns will never be the same.

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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