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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

March 25, 2022

www.slofarmbureau.org

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National Ag Day Reminds Public About Our Essential Industry

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Farming and ranching groups commemorated National Ag Day this week in California and across the country. Dozens of California agriculture organizations showcased the bounty of California agriculture outside the State Capitol on Wednesday.


Legislators, including State Senator John Laird (pictured at right), met with participants and gave speeches about the importance of agriculture. It was the first time in three years the event was able to take place.


California Farm Bureau-affiliated California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom kicked off their annual silent auction fundraiser this week as part of Ag Day celebrations. Bidding ends April 1 at 9pm.

This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Community: SLO County Farm Bureau Scholarship Deadlines Approaching;
  • State Government: Flurry of Legislative Activity in Sacramento;
  • Federal Government: Federal Policy Update from California Farm Bureau;
  • Elections: SLO Tribune - Supervisors, clerk-recorder and more: Who's running for election in SLO County this June?;
  • SLO County Farm Bureau Announcements;
  • Business Member Spotlight: Heredia Farm Labor;
  • Wildfire: Having Insurance Problems? Reporting Your Situation Will Help Insurance Comissioner Make Changes;
  • Feature Member Benefit: Caterpillar;
  • Produce: The Packer - 2022 Fresh Trends Report Reveals Top 20 Fruit and Vegetables;
  • Avocado: Agronometrics in Charts - California Avocado Season Well Underway;
  • Labor: Agri-Pulse - As California Switches to Endemic Plan, Cal/OSHA Still Cautious;
  • Environmental: Growing Produce - Concerns Raised Over California’s Pesticide Stance;
  • Livestock: GV Wire - Is California Now At War With Farms?;
  • Vehicle Compliance: VIDEO - Time is Running Out to Get Your Pre-2010 Engine Diesel Truck in Compliance with CARB's NOx Rule
  • Water: New Times SLO - SLO County, Central Coast Water Authority Seek Agreement to Solve State Water Challenges; and
  • Ag Economics & Trade: U.S. Agriculture Exports to Mexico in 2021 Help Narrow Trade Gap.

Mar. 18 Most Read Stories

1. Colleen Bojorquez named new Mid-State Fair CEO

2. New Sacramento Bill 'Another attempt to kill the agriculture industry'

3. Cal Poly Tomato Spectacular plant sale to feature more than 75 varieties

4. Help support Joe through his Chemotherapy

5. Trucking coalition wants way around looming CARB emissions rule

6. Apply by April 29 for Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

7.How much are wind energy leases off SLO County worth? NY auction offers a hint

8. April 9 Central Coast Greenhouse Growers Association Open House

9. American Farm Bureau: Ukraine, Russia, Volatile Ag Markets

10. California Farm Bureau's Friday Review for March 18

Executive Director Report

Here are a few things we worked on this week:

  • Met with California Farm Bureau staff to discuss crop insurance priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill;
  • Held a SLO County Farm Bureau Board of Directors meeting;
  • Farm Bureau members met with Congressman Jimmy Panetta at en event in Paso Robles;
  • Participated in the SLO County Vaccine Task Force meeting;
  • Recorded a webinar with Farm Bureau member Advanced Emissions about compliance options for a California Air Resources Board vehicle regulation;
  • Gave our Farm Bureau weekly update on 98.1 KJUG The Tom & Becky Show (every Thursday around 9:05am); 
  • Assisted a member with a compliance question about the Central Coast Regional Water Board's Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (Ag Order 4.0);
  • Attended the SLO County Coalition for Labor, Agriculture and Business annual dinner; and
  • Participated in the South County Chambers of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee.

Farm Credit provided nearly $900,000 to California non-profits in 2021

SLO County Farm Bureau Platinum Member Spotlight: Farm Credit West - Farm Credit organizations serving California's farmers and ranchers contributed $870,000 during 2021 to nonprofit organizations working to support the industry, preserve agriculture, and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.

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Community: SLO County Farm Bureau Scholarship Deadlines Approaching

Out of reach: For residents in some of SLO County's unincorporated areas, fresh fruits and vegetables can be hard to find

Lifelong San Luis Obispo County resident Jamie Silva may have lived in Nipomo for the past almost two years, but she finds herself in Arroyo Grande and nearby Santa Barbara County when it's time to grocery shop. "When we moved here, I was pregnant," Silva said.

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SLO County Farm Bureau Scholarship Deadlines Approaching

San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau is proud to support our future agriculture leaders!

  • Farm Bureau Women Committee offers scholarships to several deserving students of $1000 each. Applications must be postmarked or otherwise delivered to the Farm Bureau Office no later than March 31, 2022.
  • Applications for the San Luis Obispo County Foundation for Agricultural Awareness must be postmarked by April 1, 2022, or received by hand delivery to the Farm Bureau office by April 8, 2022.
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Don’t miss out on this highly anticipated plant and flower sales. Each participating nursery proudly donates a portion of that day’s sales to the CCGGA Scholarship Fund made available to Horticulture students. Scholarship applications are due March 31! Learn more here.

Help Wanted - Construction/Operator/Welding


Local General Contractor looking to hire self motivated, hard working individual. Must have own transportation to job site. Class A is a plus, not required to start, but willingness to get one in the near future. Construction / Operator / Welding experience is desired but not required. Pay is depending on experience  Inquiries please call Ethan Twisselman 805-459-1059 or email resumes to etwisselman@yahoo.com

Need help finding employees? Farm Bureau members can post jobs for free in this email newsletter! Email the job information to info@slofarmbureau.org.

State Government: Flurry of Legislative Activity in Sacramento

California Farm Bureau Legislative & Government Affairs Report - Friday Review for March 25, 2022


Agricultural Employment

Legislation of concern to agricultural employers is beginning to move early in this legislative season. On March 21, the Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee (Cortese, Chair) approved SB 1044 (Durazo) that would prevent an employer from taking adverse employment action against an employee who refuses to work during the existence of a natural or man-made emergency if the employee believes the work might be unsafe. As a result, millions of California employers could refuse to work immediately due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic emergency, and employees could refuse to work during a wildfire emergency (for example) even if the wildfire in question is miles away from the worksite. SB 1044 passed on a 4-1 vote, though three of the committee’s five members voting expressed concern about the bill’s broad scope and possible unintended consequences. Farm Bureau opposes. The Senate Labor Committee on March 21 also approved SB 1127 (Atkins) which severely curtails an employer’s capacity to manage workers’ compensation claims by drastically reducing the number of days an employer is permitted to evaluate whether to decline to approve a claim from 90 days to 30 days for a claim covered by a presumption of work-relatedness and 60 days for any other claim. SB 1127 passed the committee on a 4-1 vote. Farm Bureau opposes.


Land Use

The Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee held an informational hearing on the state’s efforts related to 30x30 on Tuesday, March 22nd. The current draft 30x30 report does not propose to include within the definition of “conserved” any acres under Williamson Act contracts, state or federally supported climate smart agricultural practices, agricultural easements, or grazing leases. Farm Bureau staff made public testimony and Assemblymember echoed our concerns.


Nutrition

The Senate Health Committee will hear a Farm Bureau supported bill, AB 2153 (Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno) in the coming weeks. This bill would expand the existing pilot for CalFresh recipients to receive extra funds to buy California-grown fruits and vegetables from certified farmers’ markets, to also include large retail grocers. This bill would provide $40 million for benefits to purchase at small retail stores, $140 million at large retail stores and $60 million for certified farmers’ markets.


Pesticides

The Department of Pesticide Regulation will be hosting a webinar detailing next steps and public outreach related to the pesticide mill assessment on March 30th at 10am. The mill assessed on a per dollar sales basis on all pesticidal products in California. In 2021, the Department attempted to adjust the mill assessment from a flat rate of ($0.021/$ sale) to a tiered assessment structure (with a maximum rate of $0.046/$ sale) based on toxicity. This attempt failed, but in lieu of a changed structure, the Legislature offered DPR funds to contract to engage stakeholders, assess weaknesses of the mill assessment structure and provide recommendations, which may likely include a tiered mill assessment. The webinar can be seen here live and will be available on DPR’s YouTube page. More information can be found here.


Water

A measure that would remove discretion from local management of groundwater by groundwater sustainability agencies (GSA) was amended this week. AB 2201 (Steve Bennett, D-Ventura) would prohibit well construction in a critically over drafted basin without a permit from the GSA. Additionally, the measure would require the GSAs to develop a process for the issuance of a permit in all high and medium priority basins, whether critically over drafted or not. ...Farm Bureau is working with a large coalition to meet with the author to voice our concerns to the measure.


A measure amended this week would require groundwater sustainability plans to address adverse impacts on domestic wells. AB 2857 (Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda) would also require compensation of domestic well owners and water users for increased energy costs associated with deeper groundwater pumping and increased costs of water delivery from alternative water supplies. As previously stated, the California Water Code says that “sustainable groundwater management is best achieved locally.” This measure seems to suggest otherwise. Farm Bureau is working with others to see that the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act has the time necessary, and the time specifically spelled out in statute to succeed before amended and interfered with.


Read more in the week's Friday Review.

Judge Patricia Guerrero becomes first Latina confirmed to California Supreme Court

Judge Patricia Guerrero was confirmed to the California Supreme Court on Tuesday, becoming the first Latina to serve on the court. Following the 3-0 vote of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, Guerrero is set to be sworn in on Monday by California Gov.

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Californians Have Been Paying A Secret Gas Tax Since 2015

While the whole country is hurting over high gas prices, in part due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and , California drivers are hurting really bad California currently has the highest gas prices in the country hitting a statewide average of $5.44 a gallon earlier this month.

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Why California hunters are fighting a bill that would make it easier to kill wild hogs

A bill making its way through the California Legislature would make it easier for landowners and hunters to kill wild pigs doing damage to agricultural lands. Yet hunting associations are lining up to fight Senate Bill 856, authored by Napa's Democratic state senator, Bill Dodd.

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Federal Government: Federal Policy Update from California Farm Bureau

California Farm Bureau - Federal Policy News for March 24, 2022


  • Senate Advances Ocean Shipping Reform Act
  • 2022 Application Deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program Signup Extended
  • REMINDER! March 30 USDA Service Agency Drought & Farm Loan Programs Webinar
  • Wildlife Services Letter Sent to House and Senate
  • USFS Region Five 10-Year Strategy Roundtables
  •  FDA Releases Agricultural Water Assessment Builder for Potential FSMA Compliance


Read the update here

Elections: SLO Tribune - Supervisors, clerk-recorder and more: Who's running for election in SLO County this June?

Supervisors, clerk-recorder and more: Who's running for election in SLO County this June?

Voting is likely to be a bit more complicated this year, as a number of redrawn districts prompt confusion and make officials' work considerably more difficult. So what seats are up for election this year?

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California Legislature Upended by New Political Maps

New political maps have upended the California Legislature this year by prodding more than two-dozen state lawmakers into early retirement or career changes, while others are forced into unfamiliar new districts ahead of the November election. Democrats still vastly outnumber Republicans in both legislative chambers.

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SLO County Farm Bureau Announcements

'I Am Ag' - Help Us Spotlight People in San Luis Obispo County Agriculture


We're looking for people who work in SLO County agriculture to feature in our "I Am Ag" series for our printed member magazine and website. You can nominate yourself, a colleague, or anyone you know who is passionate about agriculture and lives or works in SLO County.


Send an email to info@slofarmbureau.org with the person's name, telephone and email address, and we'll take care of the rest. Pictured here is Gallo Vineyards' Holly Smith, who was featured in a past magazine.

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Need a Meeting Space in SLO? Rent Our Farm Bureau Board Room

SLO County Farm Bureau Community Board Room Rental Fees & Information

  • $100.00 Room Rental Fee per half day, $150.00 for all day.Evenings may be available.
  • Seating available in the following styles: Classroom for about 40 people, Stadium for 50-75 people, and various table arrangements for 25-35 people. Tables and chairs are provided.

BBQ pit and kitchen access included. Our office has high-speed internet, conference phone, and a large television display.

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Get Your Message in Front of Over 2,000 San Luis Obispo Countians!


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.

Business Member Spotlight:

Heredia Farm Labor

Heredia Farm Labor

Pete Heredia | Templeton, California

PO Box 1238 Templeton, California 93465

herediafarmlabor@gmail.com (805) 296-3307

Wildfire: Having Insurance Problems? Reporting Your Situation Will Help Insurance Comissioner Make Changes

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Having Insurance Problems? Reporting Your Situation Will Help Insurance Comissioner Make Changes


Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) seek input from California Farm Bureau members about your insurance coverage and problems you are experiencing with your coverage. Please take a moment to complete the survey below to provide feedback directly to CDI. The deadline to complete this survey is April 5, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.Complete the Survey Here Pictured here, Commisioner Lara meets with SLO Couty agriculture leaders at a winery in Paso Robles.

Audit: California utilities aren't doing enough to reduce wildfire threats

As record-breaking drought fuels another potentially dangerous wildfire season, the state auditor reported today that state officials are failing to hold California's electric utilities accountable for preventing fires caused by their equipment. The report to the California Legislature found that the new Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety approved utility companies' wildfire prevention plans even when they were "seriously deficient."

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Higher Commercial Insurance Coverage Limits Approved Under CA FAIR Plan - California Ag Network

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara approved increases in the limits of coverage to the California FAIR Plan Association's (FAIR Plan) commercial programs that are offered to businesses, no later than May 1, 2022. This action by Commissioner Lara allows those businesses unable to secure insurance coverage in the normal insurance market with access to insurance they ...

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Thank You Farm Bureau Members

New Members

Louise Oganesian


Renewing Members

Cynthia Douglas, Silva Ranch, Johansing Farm LLC, Robert Lewis, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, Don Whittemore, Les Goodwin, Glenn Britton, Cal Poly Agriculture Education & Communications Department

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Feature Member Benefit: Caterpillar

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SAVE UP TO $5,000 ON CAT EXCAVATORS, SKID STEERS, WHEEL LOADERS AND MORE


California Farm Bureau members can save up to $2,500 on eligible Cat® machines. On top of that, members receive an additional $250 credit on work tool attachments purchased with new Cat machines. Combine these Farm Bureau incentives with other discounts, promotions, rebates or offers that may be available from Cat or your Cat dealer. Just enter your member id and ZIP code and print out your certificate and take it to the dealership prior to purchase. To learn more, click here and look under the Agricultural Supplies tab.

Produce: The Packer - 2022 Fresh Trends Report Reveals Top 20 Fruit and Vegetables

Weather, disease spark citrus supply woes

First published on Prices of oranges, tangerines and other types of citrus jumped 6.8% in February as overall food prices continue to rise, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index. Food prices climbed 1.4% last month and saw their largest 12-month increase since 1981.

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Cal Poly Strawberry Center 6th Annual Field Day is July 28, 2022 * Save the Date!

This event will be in-person Join over 300 strawberry growers, researchers and industry representatives for this year's Strawberry Center Field Day. Participants rotate through stations, hearing from Cal Poly and UC Davis students and staff about the latest research taking place at the Strawberry Center.

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The Packer: 2022 Fresh Trends report reveals top 20 fruit and vegetables


By Jennifer Strailey - March 17, 2022- The pandemic had a profound impact on the way in which consumers shop for food — including fresh produce. And now, despite shoppers returning to in-store purchasing, dining in restaurants and other pre-COVID-19 habits, some pandemic effects continue to linger. Specifically, rising inflation and food costs related to the pandemic are now influencing consumer purchasing habits in new ways.


To explore how shopping patterns have changed and which fruits and vegetables are in greatest demand, The Packer presents its annual Fresh Trends 2022 report. Based on a survey of more than 1,000 consumers conducted last fall, ...


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Avocado: Agronometrics in Charts - California Avocado Season Well Underway

Agronometrics in Charts: California avocado season well underway

In this installment of the 'Agronometrics In Charts' series, Sarah Ilyas studies the progress of the California avocado season. Each week the series looks at a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic visualizing the market factors that are driving change. California meets about 10% of the nation's annual avocado consumption.

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Mexico begins work to export avocado from Jalisco to the US in 2022 - Paris Beacon News

Mexico City, March 23 (Latest).- The expectation of exporting avocado from the state of Jalisco (western Mexico) to the United States "represents a great opportunity to strengthen Mexico as the main supplier of the best fruit to the world," said this Wednesday or the head of the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) of Mexico, Víctor Manuel Villalobos.

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Labor: Agri-Pulse - As California Switches to Endemic Plan, Cal/OSHA Still Cautious

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Vaccination Requirements to Enter U.S. For H-2A Farmworkers


Courtesy of California Farm Labor Contractors Association

March 21, 2022

The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) has published information to clarify some issues related to vaccination requirements for H-2A workers to enter into the U.S.

Click here for the flyers in English and here for Spanish. 

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Farm Bureau Extension Continuing Education Series: DPR Common Violations and Fieldworker Safety


Farm Bureau Extension, a new program offered by California Farm Bureau, is offering a continuing education series of classes held virtually.


Subject matter experts will share information immediately applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. CE certificates will be sent for each webinar attended after the successful completion of a simple quiz on the material.


March 31, 2022

English Session- DPR Common Violations:

9:30 am- 10:30 am

Spanish Session- Fieldworker Safety:

 10:45 am- 11:45 am


Register here. These classes are free to all Farm Bureau members. You will need your Farm Bureau membership number to register. Call 805-543-3654 or email our office at info@slofarmbureau.org for assistance.

Tuesday, April 19th 9:00am – 11:00am - RSVP to administration@montereycfb.com to register. Please RSVP by April 15th. Call 831-751-3100 with questions.


Presented by Nationwide Insurance and Monterey County Farm Bureau 

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As California switches to endemic plan, Cal/OSHA still cautious


Agri-Pulse Daybreak West for March 23, 2022

Farm and business groups are pushing for a more flexible approach in California’s workplace safety rules for COVID-19. Cal/OSHA’s governing board, however, has been reluctant to shelve its emergency standard.


In a recent hearing, policy advocates noted how the pandemic is evolving into an endemic phase, like the seasonal flu. The Newsom administration has been shifting from emergency response to long-term management through its SMARTER Plan unveiled last month.


California Farm Bureau’s Bryan Little told the board its current emergency standard cannot achieve the same degree of flexibility. He argued that employers and individuals are capable of taking their own safety precautions based on their comfortable risk levels.


Michael Miiller of the California Association of Winegrape Growers argued that the emergency standard became out of date almost as soon as the board adopted it. He said the governor has issued multiple executive orders to “clean up the problems” the standard generated and will need to do so at least once more this year.


Labor groups, however, viewed those orders as weakening the protections and worried that rolling back the mask mandate will lead to a surge in cases at produce and meat packing plants.

Environmental: Growing Produce - Concerns Raised Over California’s Pesticide Stance

Concerns Raised Over California's Pesticide Stance

California now has a super-majority of Democrats in the state Legislature and Governor, and many working in agriculture in the state are growing concerned over the general perception that synthetic pesticides are inherently bad.

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Pesticides, Air Quality and Upcoming Statewide Notification System Explained - California Ag Network

California has allocated $10 million to begin the development of a statewide system the provides information to the public about pesticides used around them. DPR is ...

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Livestock: GV Wire - Is California Now At War With Farms?

Is California Now At War With Farms? - GV Wire - Explore. Explain. Expose

Share with friends California leads the nation in agricultural production. It's no exaggeration to say this state feeds the world out of its fertile Central Valley. But that rich land has become a battlefield. California is the nation's No. 1 state in agriculture commodity sales, with its share nearly double that of no.

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VIDEO: From the Ground Up - California Rangeland Trust

From the Ground Up: Healing Our Planet, Healing Ourselves explores how stewarded rangelands restore ecosystems and communities. Produced by California Rangeland Trust, this new short film features a rancher conservationist who sponsors a PTSD recovery program for veterans on his land, as well as a rancher who recently conserved her family ranch. ...

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Vineyard & Wine:

Riboli Family Wines acquires vineyard in Willow Creek District

Riboli Family Wines has announced the acquisition of a 160- acre vineyard property in the Willow Creek District of the Paso Robles AVA. The parcel includes 80 acres of vines planted to cabernet sauvignon and syrah varietals.

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Report: Local winery sues to defend its name in trademark dispute

A Paso Robles winery seeks a court order to make sure it can use the "Hawks Hill" brand to sell wine without infringing on the trademarked name of a Sonoma County vineyard, according to the federal lawsuit, Wine...

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Chemical analysis reveals effects of wildfire smoke on grapes and wines

A new study provides guidelines for using biomarkers to identify ‘smoke taint’ in grapes and wines - As wildfire season in the West grows in length and severity, it is taking a toll on the wine industry through the effects of wildfire smoke on the ...

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Vehicle Compliance: VIDEO - Time is Running Out to Get Your Pre-2010 Engine Diesel Truck in Compliance with CARB's NOx Rule

Time is Running Out to Get Your Pre-2010 Engine Diesel Truck in Compliance with CARB

Time is Running Out to Get Your Pre-2010 Engine Diesel Truck in Compliance with CARB's NOx Rule


San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau member Advanced Emissions explains how a retrofit can keep your agriculture truck compliant with the California Air Resources Board. On March 25, 2022, we recorded a 15-minute informational video to explain how to comply with this regulation. Learn more at advancedemission.com and download a 1-page fact sheet here.

MS521.9: CARB Diesel Truck Rules - Compliance Options and Reporting Requirements for 2022 and Beyond


Do you own, operate, or dispatch heavy-duty diesel trucks in or to California? Then you need to know that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) enforces air pollution regulations affecting all types of heavy-duty diesel vehicles operating in the State. If your vehicles are not compliant, you need to know what the current and future requirements are. If your vehicles are compliant, you may need to report to remain compliant. This course gives you information about how to comply with CARB diesel regulations and how to report to continue operating legally in 2022 and beyond.


Date: June 2, 2022, 1:00 p.m. Register here

MS525: Compliance Overview: Truck & Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment


This course discusses the basics of compliance with CARB's Truck and Bus Rule, GHG Rule, Off-Road Vehicle Regulation and registration requirements for portable equipment (PERP and ATCM). Topics covered:

  • Truck and Bus Rule: Applicability; Engine Model Year Schedule, and an Overview of Compliance Options that are available for 2021 and a review of Online Reporting (TRUCRS).
  • GHG Rule: Applicability and Compliance Schedules including upcoming deadlines for compliance 2021 and beyond.
  • Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation: Applicability; Current Requirements; and Future Compliance Deadlines. For more comprehensive training about off-road vehicle requirements, please attend Course #504.
  • Portable Equipment: PERP Eligibility; Program Requirements; ATCM Fleet Average, Inspections & Enforcement.


Date: May 26, 2022, 1:00 p.m. Register here

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Water: New Times SLO - SLO County, Central Coast Water Authority Seek Agreement to Solve State Water Challenges

SLO County and the Central Coast Water Authority seek agreement to solve state water challenges

New Times SLO - March 24, 2022


For those who follow it, the saga of state water on the Central Coast is a frustrating one. When the State Water Project was first built in the 1960s, the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control District purchased rights to 25,000 acre-feet of water per year, an amount that could serve about 125,000 households.


 Decades later though, in the 1990s, when it came time to develop the Coastal Branch infrastructure to pump state water from the Central Valley to the Central Coast, SLO County only paid for 4,830 acre-feet per year of delivery capacity, less than 20 percent of what it has the rights for.


"When it was time for people to say whether they were in or out [of the Coastal Branch], there was a lot of opposition to state water for growth reasons," said Kate Ballantyne, the current deputy director of SLO County Public Works. "So they [SLO County] only invested in the infrastructure we knew people were willing to pay for." ...

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California Farm Bureau President: State must take action on water

As California farmers and ranchers face another year of drought and cutbacks in water deliveries, a page out of history served as a reminder that the state's water problems remain urgent-and that their voices are needed more than ever to press for legislative action. ...

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New legislation could be on the way to help AG, water sectors with cybersecurity

When it comes to cybersecurity, a recent report by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office found the agriculture and water sectors have a long way to go...

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Ag Economics & Trade: U.S. Agriculture Exports to Mexico in 2021 Help Narrow Trade Gap

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U.S. Agriculture Exports to Mexico in 2021 Help Narrow Trade Gap

U.S. agriculture exports to Mexico reached record highs in 2021 in several categories. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA) indicates that the value of agricultural products exported to Mexico increased by 42 percent. ...

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Production Costs Outpacing Commodity Prices

The cost of growing crops could outpace revenue for many farmers in 2022, making it more difficult to break even despite rising commodity prices and increased demand both domestically and globally. The American Farm Bureau Federation is launching a series of Market Intel articles examining rising farm production expenses.

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Farm share of U.S. food dollar rose one cent in 2020, largest increase in nearly a decade, as food-at-home spending increased

On average, U.S. farmers received 16.0 cents for farm commodity sales from each consumer dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2020, up from a revised 15.0 cents in 2019. Known as the farm share , the one-cent rise is the largest increase in nearly a decade.


The marketing share, on the other hand, goes to food-supply-chain industries that move domestically produced food from farms to points of purchase, including costs related to packaging, transporting, processing, and selling to consumers at grocery stores and eating-out places. In the first year of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, households redirected a substantial amount of their eating-out dollars, or food-away-from-home (FAFH) spending, toward food-at-home (FAH) markets such as grocery stores. Generally, farmers receive a smaller share from eating-out dollars because a larger portion is spent on preparing and serving meals at restaurants, cafeterias, and other food-service establishments. ...

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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

Nationwide: Resources for Farmers & Ranchers

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Protect your finances and your future 


Join California Farm Bureau and Nationwide for an educational webinar where you’ll learn strategies and tips to help you manage your financial future with confidence. For more detailed questions about your personal financial needs, consider calling 855-863-9636 for a complimentary one-on-one consultation with a licensed Nationwide representative.  


Protecting your farm and family with life insurance 

Protect your family and your farm by learning how to match different types of life insurance to your varying needs. Whether you're a new farmer just starting out or you've spent many decades growing your operation, life insurance can serve as an important tool in protecting your family and your business. Learn how different types of life insurance can help cover debt obligations, provide a future source of tax-free income or help ensure a smooth transition of your farm operation to the next generation.

Click the link below to watch on your schedule. 

View the on-demand webinar: Understanding life insurance 

Health and Safety on the Farm and Ranch: Trainings Presented by Nationwide address risk management topics and more throughout the year, many in both English and Spanish.


Trainings are held via Zoom. HAM Training is available in-person at SLO County Farm Bureau's office.


For class schedule and registration:

click here.

Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. Nationwide Retirement Institute is a division of NISC. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side, Land As Your Legacy and other marks displayed in this message are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and/or its affiliates, unless otherwise disclosed. Third-party marks that appear in this message are the property of their respective owners. © 2020 Nationwide.

Thank You Platinum Members

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