Photo courtesy of Rutiz Family Farm's Instagram |
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Happy Mother's Day Weekend! Make sure you stop by Farm Bureau Member Rutiz Family Farms and get some Flowers!
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This Week in SLO County Agriculture |
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In This Issue:
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COVID-19 News: AgAlert - Farmers Maintain Vaccine Efforts for Employees;
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Tax News: CalMatters - Biden's Tax Plan Could Hit California Hard;
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State Government News: CFBF Farm Team Action Alert - Oppose Changes to Cal/OSHA Regulations;
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USDA News: Morning Ag Clips - USDA Invests $92.2 Million in Grants for Local Food Producers;
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Community News: AgAlert - Drones now Help Thieves to Survey Rural Properties;
- Business Member Spotlight: Quinn Company;
- Labor News: California Farm Labor Contractors Association May 11 Webinar: "Exploring Solutions for Overtime Rules";
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Wildfire News: CBS - State Fire Officials Warn Fire Season Already off to a Dangerous Start;
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Vineyard & Winery News: UC Davis - Exploring Smoke Taint on the Fly;
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Produce News: Morning Ag Clips - CA Establishes Quarantine Against Emerald Ash Borer;
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Water News: Sac Bee - Fish or Farmers? Newsom Drought Declaration Would Trigger new war Over California Water;
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Environmental News: KQED - California's Forest Climate Program Could Actually be Increasing CO2;
- Wisdom From the Farm & Ranch.
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April 23 Most Read Stories:
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Farm Bureau Executive Director Report
A few things we worked on this week included:
- Met with Supervisor Debbie Arnold;
- Monitored SLO County Board of Supervisors May 4 meeting;
- Participated in the SLO County Farmworker Task Force meeting;
- Attended the SLO County Water Resources Advisory Committee; and
- Attended the SLO Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Commission Meeting.
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Do you like this newsletter? How can we make it better for you? Please let us know!
SLO County Farm Bureau staff put a lot of time in this newsletter each week, and we always want to make it better! Any feedback - what you like and don't like - is much appreciated! Send an email to bburchett@slofarmbureau.org with your suggestions, questions or ideas. Also, we are always looking for contributing writers or content, so please send story requests, blog posts or photos our way!
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COVID-19 News: AgAlert - Farmers Maintain Vaccine Efforts for Employees
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Farmers Maintain Vaccine Efforts for Employees
Solano County farmer Joe Martinez invited his employees, their families and some neighbors to his place Saturday morning. The occasion? A health clinic—his second in a month—where second doses, and some first doses, of a COVID-19 vaccine were administered...
In San Luis Obispo County, some 2,200 farm employees have been vaccinated through a "Farmworker Friday" project, said Brent Burchett, manager of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau. The last such event took place in early April, Burchett said, noting that demand has waned.
"Our role has transitioned from logistics support to now being vaccine champions," he said. "We're giving our members the latest health and safety resources so they can make an informed decision about the vaccine."
agalert.com
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California's COVID year in nine charts | CalMatters
On March 19, 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a statewide shelter-in-place order. In response to an unprecedented public health threat, it was an equally unprecedented shuttering of day-to-day life. "This is not a permanent state," Newsom assured ...
Read more
calmatters.org
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Tax News: CalMatters - Biden's Tax Plan Could Hit California Hard
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Biden's tax plan could hit California hard | CalMatters
A cosmic convergence of events in Washington and Sacramento last week demonstrated how strongly federal and state tax systems are interconnected. President Joe Biden, it was revealed, will ask Congress this week to nearly double taxes on capital...
Read more
calmatters.org
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The great gas tax ripoff continues - Howard Jarvis...
"State needs billions to fix highways despite gas tax," was just one headline in reaction to a report issued by Caltrans last week. The response from California taxpayers was, "you've got to be kidding." California has the highest gas tax in the...
Read more
www.hjta.org
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Rural House Democrats challenge Biden's inheritance tax
Democrats representing heavily agricultural districts are urging House leaders to fully exempt family-owned farms from President Joe Biden's plan to tax appreciated assets at death.
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Biden Plan Would Limit Longstanding Tax Break Used by...
President Biden has said his tax proposals would make big business and wealthy investors pay their fair share. His package would also likely deliver a blow to American farm owners by limiting a longstanding tax break. The provision allows...
Read more
www.wsj.com
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State Government News: CFBF Farm Team Action Alert - Oppose Changes to Cal/OSHA Regulations
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Oppose Changes to Cal/OSHA Regulations
The California Senate is considering a bill that will exempt future Cal/OSHA regulations from the only meaningful cost-benefit analysis performed by California regulators, leaving the requirement in place for all other regulatory agencies. SB 410 (Leyva) exempts future Cal/OSHA regulations from in-depth cost-benefit analysis mandated by SB 617 (Calderon) in 2011. Since that time, California regulatory agencies have been required to conduct rigorous analysis of the costs, benefits, and alternatives for any regulation with a projected economic impact of $50 million or more. All stakeholders in the actions of California regulatory agencies have benefited from this thorough analysis, but SB 410 now proposes to exempt a single agency from the Standardized Regulatory Impact Analysis (SRIA) process mandated by SB 617 – Cal/OSHA.
The N95 respirator shortages of 2020 are a vivid example of how hastily-written regulations can result in unintended, serious problems. With the advent of COVID-19, N95 respirators intended to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke were re-purposed to protect first-responders and medical providers from COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Wildfire Smoke Protection regulation did not provide for the use of any type of respirator that was not in short supply. The Wildfire Smoke Protection regulation was written under emergency regulatory procedures that are exempt from the SRIA process. Future Cal/OSHA regulations that SB 410 will exempt from SRIA analysis will likely suffer from similar problems in the absence of the rigorous analysis SRIA provides. Please act today to stop SB 410.
Click here to help us defeat this legislation.
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Protect Farm Employees Right to a Secret Ballot
The California Assembly is considering legislation that will strip California farm employees of the right to a secret ballot election supervised by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board to choose representation by a union.
Civil rights icon Cesar Chavez fought hard for the right for farm employees to decide the question of union representation, but union advocates now want to water down the protections of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act by allowing union organizers to harvest mail-in ballots months before the employee in question is employed by any farmer and direct those “ballots” against any farm employer they wish to target.
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California Farm Bureau's Friday Review -for May 7, 2021
This week's State Legislative and Governmental Affairs Update includes:
- Ag Employment: AB 616, AB 857, SB 331;
- Animal Health: AB 888;
- Budget: "Agriculture Relief" Proposal for consideration;
- Commodities: AB 239;
- Crop Protection: SB 489;
- Grant Opportunity: Request for Proposals for the California Underserved and Small Producers Program;
- Natural Resources: AB 1099, AB 1500;
- Nutrition: AB 558;
- Taxation: AB 80;
- Utility: AB 1139;
- Water: "Is California Ready for Another Drought?", SB 559;
- Wildfire: AB 926, and AB 1431.
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USDA News: Morning Ag Clips - USDA Invests $92.2 Million in Grants for Local Food Producers
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USDA invests $92.2M in grants for local food producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $92.2 million in competitive grant funding under the 2018 Farm Bill's Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP)...
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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Community News: AgAlert - Drones now Help Thieves to Survey Rural Properties
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Drones now help thieves to survey rural properties
Thieves are now reportedly using drones to scout farms and ranches, looking for their next big score..." We were having a series of crimes occur, including some quads that were taken from a very remote location at a ranch," Solano County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jim Currie said. "We couldn't figure out why anyone would even know they were there."
agalert.com
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Farm Bureau Extension: Pesticide Compliance 101
Registration is now open for our Continuing Education course: Pesticide Compliance 101. The course is offered as part of our Farm Bureau Extension series. It will cover the laws and regulations of application and record keeping compliance, while presenting commonsense solutions to compliance. The course is open to Farm Bureau members at no cost, with a $35 fee for non-members.
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Shortage of truck drivers worries local ag producers as...
A worsening shortage of truck drivers is raising concerns among local farmers that, unless a solution emerges soon, there might not be enough hauling capacity to bring this year's harvest to market.
Read more
www.bakersfield.com
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Business Member Spotlight:
Quinn Company
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Quinn Company is your source for state-of-the-art new equipment, reliable used machines, parts, rentals and expert services that improve your productivity and bottom line. Whether you’re in the construction industry, running an agricultural operation, need to streamline your warehouse, rely on backup power or have an on-highway truck that needs to be serviced, we have you covered.
Are you looking for new or used construction equipment or AG tractors? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you need a skid steer loader for landscaping or a scraper to move a mountain, Quinn Company has the machines and attachments to get the job done. You’ll find it all in our extensive inventory, from articulated trucks and asphalt pavers to wheel dozers and wheel tractor-scrapers.
If you have equipment that’s down, trust our team of factory-trained technicians to get your machine fixed and back where it should be: working hard for your operation. Backed by an extensive inventory of parts, our team can also ensure you reap the greatest return on investment from your fleet with regularly scheduled maintenance. We’ll take care of small issues before they become costly fixes. We also offer parts and expert service for your on-highway trucks.
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1560 Ramada Drive | Paso Robles, CA 93446
Monday - Friday 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members |
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New Business Support Member
Aguilar Farming Inc.
Renewing Members
Thomas Jenkins, Kevin Jussila, John Vineyards Applications Inc, Arciero Farms Inc, Scott Smith, Ed Evenson, Ruth Robinson
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Labor News: California Farm Labor Contractors Association May 11 Webinar: "Exploring Solutions for Overtime Rules" |
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California Farm Labor Contractors Association May 11 Webinar: “Exploring Solutions For Overtime Rules”
Free to Members • $25 for nonmembers
This year the workweek is down to 45-hours, and next year 40-hours with double pay after 12 hours. How can you adjust and compensate to remain effective and competitive? Learn about approaches other FLCs and growers are taking, options for modified schedules or compensation, and important factors to consider to ensure compliance, avoid costly citations or litigation, and ensure productivity. Presenter: Patrick S. Moody, Attorney at Barsamian & Moody.
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Wildfire News: CBS - State Fire Officials Warn Fire Season Already off to a Dangerous Start
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Giant sequoia still smoldering from 2020 California wildfire
A giant sequoia has been found smoldering and smoking in a part of Sequoia National Park that burned in one of California's huge wildfires last year, the National Park Service said Wednesday.
Read more
apnews.com
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State Fire Officials Warn Fire Season Already Off to a...
Under May red flag conditions, officials in California on Monday were issuing dire warning for an early and longer fire season this year. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared this week Wildfire Preparedness Week in...
Read more
sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com
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Vineyard & Winery News: UC Davis - Exploring Smoke Taint on the Fly
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Exploring smoke taint on the fly
Wildfires spark UC Davis research, wine industry collaboration the California wildfires of 2020 were especially hard on the state's wine industry, damaging billions of dollars in property and grapes. Growers and vintners say it would have been...
Read more
caes.ucdavis.edu
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Produce News: Morning Ag Clips - CA Establishes Quarantine Against Emerald Ash Borer
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CA establishes quarantine against emerald ash borer
A state quarantine has been declared to prevent the introduction of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, into California. Emerald ash borer was first detected in North America in 2002 in Michigan and has now spread to 35 states.
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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Driscoll's Desperately Needs to Know America's Appetite...
Just over a year ago, Soren Bjorn, who helps run the world's biggest berry company, made a bad call. Demand for fresh berries was falling as the onset of a pandemic shut restaurants, while grocers focused on keeping staples in stock. Mr. Bjorn,...
Read more
www.wsj.com
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AMRIC Data Confirms California Avocados Have Delivered...
At the end of each California avocado season, the California Avocado Commission utilizes AMRIC data to analyze and compare FOB pricing for California avocados and imported fruit within and outside California...
Read more
www.californiaavocadogrower...
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Water News: Sac Bee - Fish or Farmers? Newsom Drought Declaration Would Trigger new war Over California Water
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Fish or farmers? Newsom drought declaration would...
When a bipartisan group of state legislators held a press conference last week to demand that Gov. Gavin Newsom declare a statewide drought emergency, they assembled at a withered farm field east of Fresno, complete with piles of dead trees in...
Read more
www.sacbee.com
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Water Talk Podcast Launches Season 2: 'Drought Is Back!'
The UC Davis-affiliated podcast Water Talk launches its second season today, April 2. This season will focus on drought, a water issue at the top of many minds during this relatively dry rainy season. "In California, drought is not 'if,' it's...
Read more
caes.ucdavis.edu
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Water and Drought Deceit: More Dubious Policies...
Food or Fish, Liberty or Oppression, Victim or Fighter? We Californians have many decisions to make about our future. In Climate Deceit and Dubious Policies California Lawmakers Continue to Perpetrate, we addressed unreliable solar and wind...
Read more
californiaglobe.com
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Environmental News: KQED - California's Forest Climate Program Could Actually be Increasing CO2
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Biden administration looks to triple amount of protected ...
Faced with the possible extinction of tens of thousands of species and the growing threat of climate change, the Biden administration on Thursday announced plans to protect 30% of the nation's land and ocean territory by the end of the decade.
Read more
www.latimes.com
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U.S. approves massive solar project in California desert
The Biden administration on Monday said it has approved a major solar energy project in the California desert that will be capable of powering nearly 90,000 homes. The $550 million Crimson Solar Project will be sited on 2,000 acres of federal...
Read more
www.reuters.com
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California's Forest Climate Program Could Actually Be...
Beyond the crest of the Klamath Mountains, you descend into an evergreen medley of sugar pines, incense cedars and still more Douglas firs. As you continue into the Cascade Range, you pass through sparser forests dominated by Ponderosa pines....
Read more
www.kqed.org
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City in California employs goats to clear riverbed of...
The city of Paso Robles is turning hungry animals loose in the Salinas Riverbed to reduce the risk of wildfire. Goats will be grazing in the riverbed for the next month or so. They're starting from the north and going south...
Read more
www.wtvr.com
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Biden-Harris administration outlines
Today the Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained ...
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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Advertise with SLO County Farm Bureau |
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Get Your Message in Front of Over 1400 San Luis Obispo Countians!
Our weekly E-News is sent out every Friday to our membership. 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.
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Wisdom From the Farm & Ranch |
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Saddle Tramp - Marty Robbins
They call me a drifter, they say I'm no good
I'll never amount to a thing.
Well I may be a drifter and I may be no good
There's joy in this song that I sing.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
At night I will rest 'neath a blanket of blue
Doubt if I ever will change.
I might even dream of a lady I knew
Might even whisper her name.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
I might even wind up in Idaho
And visit a cute little miss.
A sweet little someone I used to know
And I might even stop long enough for a kiss.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp.
Might even ride back through Phoenix someday
Might even stop for awhile.
But branded, no never! I'll not be tied down
Trapped by a fair lady's smile.
Saddle tramp, saddle tramp
I'm as free as the breeze and I ride where I please
Saddle tramp!
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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 some assistance with membership, 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 San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
Platinum Members
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