Farm Bill Text Passes Through House Ag Committee's Markup | |
The House Agriculture Committee passed Chairman G.T. Thompson’s version of the Farm Bill after a lengthy session and contentious debate, with a 33-21 vote, including support from four Democrats. The bill faced criticism, especially regarding changes to the Thrifty Food Plan pricing and USDA Secretary's authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Democrats argue the proposed changes may not yield the expected cost savings. Despite this, the bill cleared its first hurdle, with notable provisions benefiting California agriculture, though further revisions are expected before it reaches the House floor, likely not until September. | |
This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: YF&R Summer BBQ and PCA Panel on June 11 | |
Online applications now being accepted for employment and volunteer positions at CMSF * Paso Robles Press | Paso Robles Press is the daily online news source and weekly print newspaper for the Paso Robles area, serving the community since 1889. | | | |  |
YF&R Summer BBQ and PCA Panel on June 11 | |
State Government: Report: 97% Of Fruits And Vegetables Tested In California Are Free Of Illegal Pesticide Residues | |
|
CA Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work- May 24, 2024
Insurance
SB 1060 , authored by Senator Josh Becker (D Menlo Park), passed from the Senate, and moves to the Assembly. Interestingly, the bill touches on a policy area that the Legislature has largely avoided this year – the insurance market. Instead, the Legislature has largely deferred to the the Department of Insurance effort to move forward with a variety of regulation to address the market crisis. Under SB 1060, if a property insurer uses risk models for underwriting purposes, this bill would authorize the models to account for wildfire risk reduction associated with hazardous fuel reduction, home hardening, defensible space, and fire prevention activities. The bill would require an insurer using risk models for underwriting purposes to provide to the department information necessary to ensure compliance with those risk model requirements. California Farm Bureau recently provided public comment to the Department of Insurance (DOI) regarding a similar issue for catastrophe rate models. SB 1060 differs in that it focuses on underwriting models. Also, California Farm Bureau supports AB 1933 , authored by Chair of the Assembly Committee on Insurance Lisa Calderon (D Whittier), which requires the DOI to report to the Legislature any wildfire risk models that it regulates. That bill is now in the Senate Insurance Committee.
| |
Report: 97% Of Fruits And Vegetables Tested In California Are Free Of Illegal Pesticide Residues | SACRAMENTO - Newly released California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) data show that 97% of fresh fruit and vegetable samples collected and tested contain no illegal pesticide residue. | | | | |
Several States Sue California Over Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandate | The California Air Resources Board and State Attorney General are being sued over the state's zero-emission vehicle mandate... | | | |
Federal Government: House Committee Advances Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 With Bipartisan Support | |
CA Farm Bureau's Federal Policy- House Discussion Draft, May 22, 2024 | |
House Committee Advances Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 With Bipartisan Support | WASHINGTON -- Following last night's bipartisan committee passage of H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-15) issued... | | | | |
Are We on the Brink of a New Trade War with China? | DAVIS, Calif. -- The Biden administration recently announced large, increased tariff rates for Chinese electric vehicles, solar cells, semiconductors, and aluminum and steel products. This... | | | | |
Renewable diesel production surpasses biodiesel | The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, a program that originated in the mid-2000s, mandates that a specific volume of certain biofuels be used each year in transportation fuel. One category of biofuels included in this mandate is biomass-based diesel. | | | |
Produce: New UC Study Estimates Costs for Growing Coastal Organic Strawberries | |
New UC Study Estimates Costs for Growing Coastal Organic Strawberries | DAVIS, Calif. -- A new study that can help growers and other readers estimate costs and potential returns for Central Coast organic strawberries was recently... | | | | |
The Iceberg Lettuce Revival Has Wilted | The first two decades of the 21st century saw a revival of culinary interest in iceberg lettuce, an American staple that had lost out to other greens in high-end restaurants and food magazines decades earlier. | | | |
Labor: Upcoming FELS Webinars on May 31 and June 28- Register Now | |
|
Don’t Miss these FELS Webinars!
May 31, 2024, 10 AM: USDOL is Inspecting California Farms! Are You Ready? The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is actively enforcing federal wage and hour and agricultural employment requirements with farm labor contractors and growers. California has also stepped-up onsite visits through its Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF). Many employers are not fully prepared for potential consequences, which can include substantial citations and, in extreme circumstances, criminal prosecution.
Don’t hope you go unnoticed! Rosasco Law Group CEO Erica Rosasco will train you to be ready for an inspection. Employers and their supervisors should familiarize themselves with their rights before state or federal inspectors arrive. How you handle an investigation can make a huge difference!
More Information Coming Soon! June 28, 2024: Cal/OSHA's New Indoor Heat Illness Standard: The new Indoor Heat Illness standard will be here soon; what will you need to do? David Hornung, Cal/OSHA's Heat and Agriculture Program Coordinator will give our viewers the low-down!
Register at fels.net/webinars.
| |
Bipartisan group in U.S. House urges relief for farmers, temporary freeze on rising wages | The required minimum wages for seasonal migrant farmworkers has jumped significantly in the last two years. | | | | |
|
Upcoming Classes
June 4: FB Extension - Rural Road Safety (English/Spanish)
June 13: FB Extension - CE Series Integrated Pest Management
June 18: FB Extension - Lockout/Tag Out Safety (English/Spanish)
July 2: FB Extension - Hazard Communication
July 11: FB Extension - CE Series Vertebrate Pest Control
July 16: FB Extension - OSHA Top 10 Violations
August 6:FB Extension - Fleet Management
August 8:FB Extension - CE Series Personal Protective Equipment
| |
Business Member Spotlight:
Rabo AgriFinance
| |
|
Our vision is to support leading producers and agribusinesses by recognizing and encouraging the ambition, independence and innovative thinking that is necessary to compete in a global marketplace and to provide the foundation for future generations.
Our teams of ag experts across the United States connect clients to the resources, knowledge and networks of one of the world’s largest and most innovative agricultural banks.
| |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
Wildfire: CA Farm Bureau Sponsored-Bill Targeting Health and Economic Impacts of Wildfire Smoke Advances | |
Wildfire smoke has covered up to 70 percent of California in recent years, affecting land and water: Study | Wildfire smoke covered as much as 70 percent of California in recent years - wreaking havoc not only on land, but also in the state's vast freshwater ecosystems, a study published Wednesday has found. In the past 18 years, maximum smoke cover over the state has increased by about 116,000 square miles - equivalent to... | | | | |
California Farm Bureau-sponsored bill targeting health and economic impacts of wildfire smoke advances | |
Featured Member Benefit:
Budget Truck
| | |
|
|
Budget Truck: Spring Cleaning Just Got Cheaper
Take the stress out of spring cleaning the barn or shop this year. Save 20% by using @Budget Truck’s Moving Resources to keep your spring cleaning simple
*Advance reservation is required; book online or call 1-800-566-8422 and mention Farm Bureau® Member
| |
Livestock: CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak | |
CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak | WASHINGTON -- A human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) ("H5 bird flu") virus infection in the United States has been identified in the state... | | | | |
PD Editorial: The high cost of outlawing farms | The cascading impacts of Measure J - the anti-farming initiative on the November ballot - are coming into focus. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Vineyard Team Tailgate | Regenerative Agriculture in a Production Vineyard 2.0 | |
27th Annual Atascadero Lakeside Wine Fest seeking volunteers * Atascadero News | The Atascadero News is your daily online news source and the only printed newspaper dedicated to Atascadero, since 1916. | | | | |
Vineyard Team Tailgate | Regenerative Agriculture in a Production Vineyard 2.0 | A sequel to our Regenerative Agriculture Tailgate in 2023: Visit a production vineyard with an ongoing, long-term investigation into the adoption of regenerative practices. This Tailgate picks up on the research shared at the 2023 Tailgate hosted at Jackson Family Wines. | | | |
Water: Kings County Farm Bureau Sues Over State Monitoring of Groundwater | |
California County's Farm Bureau Sues Over State Monitoring of Groundwater | HANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- A lawsuit has been filed over California's decision to take over monitoring groundwater use in part of the fertile San Joaquin... | | | | |
Building moratorium in Los Osos could be lifted after decades. Here's how | A development ban that has been in place in Los Osos, California, could finally be lifted this year in a plan led by San Luis Obispo County and the California Coastal Commission. | | | | |
Grover Beach City Council votes to reduce water rate increase | After months of tirelessly protesting against Grover Beach's new water rate structure, Grover H2O members finally received the answer they've been looking for. During a... | | | |
Farm Bureau Membership Matters | | |
|
|
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.
| |
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 info@slofarmbureau.org or call our office at 805-543-3654. | | | | |
