San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News
October 29, 2021
State Commission Proposes Big Changes to San Luis Obispo County Assembly, Senate, Congressional District Lines
This week, the California Redistricting Commission released “Preliminary Draft District Maps” showing new proposed boundaries for State Assembly, State Senate and Congressional districts. San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau believes these proposed changes will weaken our voice and negatively impact our agriculture community. Given the population makeup of counties in the region, these new districts would make it unlikely to have a SLO County-based elected representative for any of the three seats.  
 
Why are the boundaries being changed? 
Every 10 years following the federal census, the California Redistricting Commission must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts to reflect new population data. 
 
How can we help? 
All Farm Bureau members should review the maps and make comments to the Commission within the next week if possible. While the Commission has until December 27, 2021 to submit the final maps to the California Secretary of State, now is the critical time to give our input to get these maps changed. Below is a summary of the changes and directions on how to submit comments on specific maps. 
 
State Assembly District - Currently held by Jordan Cunningham 
  • Official Name of Maps to Reference in Comments: VAD_MONTCOAST_1027 and VAD_SBARBARA_1027 
  • Currently, Assembly District 35 covers all of San Luis Obispo County, plus the northern portion of Santa Barbara County.
  • The Commission is proposing lumping most of SLO County in with Monterey County, and putting the southern SLO County communities of Arroyo Grande, Los Berros, Callender, Blakelake, Nipomo, and Woodlands in a separate district with Santa Barbara County. 
State Assembly District VAD_MONTCOAST_1027
VAD_SBARBARA_1027
State Senate District – Currently held by John Laird 
  • Official Name of Maps to Reference in Comments: VSD_SCOAST_1027 and VSD_VENTURA_1027
  • Currently, Senate District 17 contains Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo Counties in their entirety, as well as portions of Monterey and Santa Clara Counties.
  • The Commission is proposing a strange split of San Luis Obispo County that puts the communities of Oak Shores, Lake Nacimiento, San Miguel, San Simeon, Cambria, Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Whitley Gardens, Shandon, Creston, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Garden Farms, San Margarita, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Los Ranchos, Edna, Pismo Beach, and Arroyo Grande into a district with Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties.
  • Other SLO County communities of Pozo, La Panza, Carrisa Plains, Simmler, California Valley, Cuyama, Oceano, Los Berros, Callender, and Nipomo will be in a separate district with Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
VSD_SCOAST_1027
VSD_VENTURA_1027
U.S. House of Representatives District – Currently held by Salud Carbajal 
  • Official Name of Maps to Reference in Comments: VCD_MIDCOAST_1027 and VCD_SOUTHCOAS_1027 
  • Currently, Congressional District 24 includes all of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and part of Ventura County. The Commission is proposing to place the northern SLO County communities of Oak Shores, Lake Nacimiento, San Miguel, Whitley Gardens, Shandon, Paso Robles, Templeton, San Simeon, Cambria, Atascadero, Garden Farms, Creston, and Santa Margarita into a district with Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties.
  • The remainder of SLO County, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Pozo, La Panza, Carrisa Plains, Simmler, California Valley, Cuyama, Avila Beach, Los Ranchos, Edna, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Los Berros, Callender, Blacklake, Woodlands, and Nipomo will be in a separate district with Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. 
Congressional District VCD_MIDCOAST_1027
Congressional District VCD_SOUTHCOAS_1027
Submit comments through the Commission’s “Community Feedback on Visualizations” website: https://airtable.com/shrQDD2ta2emnSzzO  Suggested comments are listed below.
 
What region or visualization are you providing input on? 
  • San Luis Obispo County and maps VAD_MONTCOAST_1027, VAD_SBARBARA_1027, VSD_SCOAST_1027, VSD_VENTURA_1027, VCD_MIDCOAST_1027, and VCD_SOUTHCOAS_1027. 
 
What would you like to share with the Commission? 
  • Do not divide San Luis Obispo County into multiple districts. San Luis Obispo County has more in common with northern Santa Barbara County than it does with Monterey County. There is no Community of Interest connecting San Luis Obispo County with Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties. 
 
Please select the counties relevant to your feedback below. 
  • Select “SAN LUIS OBISPO” from the dropdown menu. 
 
For questions, please contact SLO County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brent Burchett at bburchett@slofarmbureau.org or call 805-543-3654.
This Week In SLO County Agriculture
This Issue Includes: 
  • Community News: Celebration Of Life For Jan Davis Will Be November 4 at Paso Robles Event Center;
  • COVID-19 News: SLO County Public Health - Who Can Receive A Booster Shot?
  • County Government News: San Luis Obispo County Board Of Supervisors Will Meet Tuesday, November 2 at 9am;
  • State Government News: State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Offers Funding to Farmers & Ranchers;
  • USDA News: USDA - In 2020, Crops Sector Received 65 Percent Of Paycheck Protection Program Loans For Agriculture;
  • California Farm Bureau News: Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Hosts Discussion Meet Contests;
  • Business Member Spotlight: Central Coast Propane;
  • Labor News: The Fresno Bee - Fresno-area Farm Workers Want Daily Pesticide Warnings, To Protect Against Cancer Risks;
  • Water News: New Times SLO - Arroyo Grande Declares Water Shortage Emergency;
  • Environmental News: AgNet West - Latest Pesticide Report Shows Consistently Low Residue Levels;
  • Vineyard & Wine News: Wine Business Monthly - SLO County Farm Bureau member Stephen Miller of Miller Family Wine Company, French Camp Vineyard Named to Wine Business Monthly 2021 Wine Industry Leader List;
  • Weather News: The Tribune - This Weather Model Predicted SLO County Rain Storm - More Than A Week Ahead Of Time;
  • Produce News: AP News - US Companies Announce Plans For Gene-Edited Strawberries; and
  • Wisdom From The Farm & Ranch.
Community News: Celebration Of Life For Jan Davis Will Be November 4 at Paso Robles Event Center
Celebration Of Life For Jan Davis Will Be November 4
Local rancher and Farm Bureau member Jan Franklin Davis, age 80, of Atascadero, California passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

Jan was born April 27, 1941. A celebration of life will be held Thursday, November 4 at 11:30am at the Paso Robles Event Center followed by a BBQ. 

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25
Supporting Mental Health in Ag
SLO County Farm Bureau 2022 Sportsmen Raffle Calendar On Sale Now -Only 25 left at the office!
Food safety: The dirty truth about shopping carts

PUBLISHED ON STILLWATER, Okla. ­- Walking into a grocery store, most shoppers are focused on their shopping lists to avoid forgetting essential household items. When selecting a shopping cart, most people center their attention on avoiding that...

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www.morningagclips.com
Expect higher prices, fewer options for Thanksgiving...

Consumers can expect higher prices and fewer options for whole turkeys leading into this Thanksgiving, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock economist, Bryan-College...

Read more
agrilifetoday.tamu.edu
Farmer Veteran Coalition Conference registration is live!

PUBLISHED ON SACRAMENTO - 'Farm to Market: Opportunity Knocks' is the seventh Farmer Veteran Stakeholders Conference hosted by Farmer Veteran Coalition. It's the leading gathering for the military-to-agriculture movement sweeping the country....

Read more
www.morningagclips.com
Students leaders prepare for the 94th National FFA...

PUBLISHED ON INDIANAPOLIS - FFA members and supporters from across the country will celebrate agriculture and agricultural education this week during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. This time-honored tradition, which was...

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www.morningagclips.com
COVID-19 News: SLO County Public Health - Who Can Receive A Booster Shot?
Third Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine

Third Doses Third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for about 3% of the population who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to specific conditions , at least 28 days after receiving ...

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www.recoverslo.org
California County Closes In-N-Out Over Vaccine Verification

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (AP) - Another California county closed down an In-N-Out restaurant on Tuesday because the popular burger chain refuses to enforce COVID-19 vaccination rules. Contra Costa County health officials indefinitely shut the...

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www.usnews.com
County Government News: San Luis Obispo County Board Of Supervisors Will Meet Tuesday, November 2 at 9am
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, November 2 at 9am.
Review the agenda items here and watch the meeting here. Items of interest to agriculture include: 
 
  • Item 3 - Introduction of an Ordinance amending Title 8 of the San Luis Obispo County Code, by adding Chapter 8.99 to comply with the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants legislation Senate Bill 1383; and find that the action is exempt from Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). Hearing date set for November 16, 2021. All Districts. 
  • Item 5 - Request to approve the employment agreement with Blaine Reely to serve as the Director of the Groundwater Sustainability Department for the County of San Luis Obispo. All Districts. 
  • Item 32 - Annual presentation from the Cattlemen's Association and presentation of a resolution commemorating JoAnn Switzer on her retirement. All Districts. 
  • Item 38 - Hearing to consider an appeal (APPL2020-00021) by Michael Aniff, Pegaso, Inc., of the Planning Commission’s denial of a Conditional Use Permit DRC2018-00177 to establish cannabis activities in multiple phases including approximately three acres of outdoor cultivation, 22,000 square feet of indoor cultivation, 16,000 square feet of ancillary nursery, 9,500 square feet of ancillary processing, and a parking modification to reduce the required parking spaces from 80 to 26. The project is within the Agriculture land use category located at 12415 River Road, Pozo approximately 2.2 miles northwest of Pozo Village. The site is within the Las Pilitas Sub Area of the North County Planning Area. District 5.  
SLO County board talks election maps - 2 would...

San Luis Obispo County voters are re-envisioning the boundaries of their five supervisor districts, with some lobbying to maintain the status quo and others saying the political map needs a complete shakeup.

Read more
www.sanluisobispo.com
State Government News: State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Offers Funding to Farmers & Ranchers
State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Offers Funding to Farmers & Ranchers

The California Department of Food and Agriculture
is now accepting applications for the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP).
 
SWEEP provides financial cost share for on-farm systems that increase water efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases. Upgrades such as solar arrays, variable frequency drives, conversion to microdrip and much more are eligible for funding. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis through January 18, 2022, (or until funds are exhausted).
 
Email Grant Johnson at Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District to learn more or for help with the application process.
USDA News: USDA - In 2020, Crops Sector Received 65 Percent Of Paycheck Protection Program Loans For Agriculture
In 2020, crops sector received 65 percent of Paycheck...

As part of its response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. Federal Government implemented the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Agricultural producers could use forgivable loans from this program to help keep employees on payroll...

Read more
www.ers.usda.gov
California Farm Bureau News: Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Hosts Discussion Meet Contests
California Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Host Discussion Meet Contests
These two one-day events are designed to bring together members who are interested in discussing current issues and coming up with solutions.
 
The top two contestants from each regional contest will compete in the Final Four Round, held at the 2021 California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, December 5, 2021, in Garden Grove, CA.
 
Contestants may only participate in one regional contest:
Saturday, November 13
Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield
Saturday, November 20
California Farm Bureau Headquarters, Sacramento

Continue reading here.
All SLO County Farm Bureau Members Invited To California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
The 2021 California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and YF&R State Conference registration is open. This event will be held December 4-8, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, California. 

The Annual Meeting takes place December 5-8 and includes 14 education workshops, 6 CE classes on pesticide licensing, a trade show, awards presentations, networking and endless opportunities to reunite with farmers and ranchers. 
 
Education Workshops will address topics of interest to California farmers and ranchers, including crop insurance and risk management, water supplies and issues, wildfire and forest management, climate-oriented challenges and much more.

Register and learn more here.
Business Member Spotlight:
Central Coast Propane
Central Coast Propane is your locally owned reliable source for propane delivery and installation. We pride ourselves on prompt, courteous and friendly service. We have a great staff of fully trained employees that offer knowledgeable and professional service every day. Our goal is complete customer satisfaction.

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.
6260 Monterey Road | Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237 - 1001 centralcoastpropane.com
Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Thank You Farm Bureau Members
New Agricultural Members
David Jaureguy, Teresa Brander
 
Renewing Business Support Member
 
Renewing Members
Darrell Twisselman, Diana Cooper, Clyde Warren, Paul Madonna, Georgia Golding, Michele Wineman, Tommy Bordonaro, Lacey Livestock
Labor News: The Fresno Bee - Fresno-area Farm Workers Want Daily Pesticide Warnings, To Protect Against Cancer Risks
Fresno-area farm workers want daily pesticide warnings,...

Advocates for agricultural workers and families who live and work near farms gathered Tuesday in Clovis, pushing for warnings related to cancer-causing pesticides. Representatives from Fresno, Madera, Huron, Coalinga, Orosi, Mendota and other...

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www.fresnobee.com
Advertise With San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
Get Your Message in Front of Over 1600 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.
Water News: New Times SLO - Arroyo Grande Declares Water Shortage Emergency
Arroyo Grande declares water shortage emergency

Arroyo Grande residents officially have to work harder at conserving water or pay fines up to $200. The Arroyo Grande City Council unanimously declared a Stage 1 Water Shortage Emergency at its Oct. 12 meeting due to the statewide drought and...

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www.newtimesslo.com
A Water Prop Proposed October 25, 2021 - Water Wrights

California's ballot initiative had its 110th anniversary on October 10th, 2021. Dr. John Haynes moved to Los Angeles from Philadelphia in 1887 and started a successful medical...

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waterwrights.net
It's time to get serious about water crisis

Talk about timing. Last Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended and expanded his declaration of a drought emergency, just as the first in a series of storms rolled in from the Pacific to give California a much-needed respite.

Read more
calmatters.org
Atmospheric river storm: How it affects California's drought

The conga line of Pacific storms that soaked Northern California over the past week was record shattering. With 4.05 inches of rain in 24 hours, Sunday was the wettest October day in San Francisco...

Read more
www.mercurynews.com
Environmental News: AgNet West - Latest Pesticide Report Shows Consistently Low Residue Levels
State releases proposals for making farming more climate ...

During the past year the state has put together a long list of ideas for meeting Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order to employ agriculture and other nature-based solutions in the fight against climate change. Some of the...

Read more
www.bakersfield.com
Dollars in the dirt: Big Ag pays farmers for control of...

WINNIPEG, Manitoba/CHICAGO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - The biggest global agriculture companies are competing on a new front: enticing farmers to join programs that keep atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide in the.

Read more
www.reuters.com
4 deer mysteriously found dead in a Paso Robles yard...

It was a dark and stormy night Sunday when a herd of four deer congregated around the orchard fence at Elizabeth Lobo's Paso Robles home. By Monday morning, all of them were dead. "After my husband took the kids to school, I looked out our back...

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www.sanluisobispo.com
Latest Pesticide Report Shows Consistently Low Residue...

The most recent pesticide report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicates that residue levels remain low. FDA tested for 812 pesticides and industrial chemicals across 4,692 total...

Read more
agnetwest.com
Vineyard & Wine News: Wine Business Monthly - SLO County Farm Bureau member Stephen Miller of Miller Family Wine Company, French Camp Vineyard Named to Wine Business Monthly 2021 Wine Industry Leader List
Remembering Hank Donatoni, Jr.

IGGPRA member Henry (Hank) Michael Donatoni, Jr died September 23, 2021. He was a career pilot and well-known California winemaker. Hank has been a resident of Paso Robles for 21 years and a buyer of Paso...

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mailchi.mp
SLO County Farm Bureau Member Stephen Miller of Miller Family Wine Company, French Camp Vineyard Named Named to Wine Business Monthly 2021 Wine Industry Leaders List 

A fourth-generation farmer, Stephen Miller has been the force behind some of the Central Coast's most well-known vineyards, including French Camp Vineyard, Bien Nacido and others. His work has helped bring Paso Robles to the forefront of California's wine industry. Miller is President and CEO of Thornhill Companies. In addition to advancing sustainable farming, Thornhill Companies has launched several successful brands, including J. Wilkes, Butternut, Ballard Lane and others, and has created a thriving private label business. See the full list here.
Paso Robles Wine Festival is getting a new location -...

After nearly four decades of sips, the Paso Robles Wine Festival is getting a new location and a new moniker. The popular event, which is being rebranded as the Paso Wine Fest, is leaving behind tree-shaded Downtown City Park next year for the...

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www.sanluisobispo.com
The Paso Robles Willow Creek District

The Paso Robles Willow Creek District and Templeton Gap District come together like complex puzzle pieces. The two AVAs share similar histories as well as very dynamic boundaries, and both sit squarely on the Highway 46 corridor that ushers in...

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pasowine.com
Mitigating the Uncertainty of Smoke Taint in Wine Grapes ...

Smoke taint has dominated the worries of the California wine industry recent years. With unsettled climate conditions and continued droughts, there is no reason to think that smoke taint will not continue to be a...

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americanvineyardmagazine.com
Weather News: The Tribune - This Weather Model Predicted SLO County Rain Storm - More Than A Week Ahead Of Time
This weather model predicted SLO County rain storm -...

Earlier this year, I wrote about a new and improved version of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecasting (GFS) model, also known as the American model in the weather forecasting community. You may hear a forecaster...

Read more
www.sanluisobispo.com
Produce News: AP News - US Companies Announce Plans For Gene-Edited Strawberries
US companies announce plans for gene-edited strawberries

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho company that successfully brought genetically modified potatoes to the market announced an agreement Thursday to help a California-based plant breeding company grow strawberries they say will stay fresh longer and...

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apnews.com
Wisdom From The Farm & Ranch
The Pila Song
Max Stalling

The wind was hot and the sun was hard
I was beat and my mare was tired
And the fence line I was riding stretched forever
My mind drifted off and back
To Carmella and her heart of black
And the things that she'd said to me yesterday
So when the boss sent me out checking fences
I was glad cause I knew that it meant
That I could spend some time out all alone

I wiped the sweat that stung my eyes
Looked up and I realized
That I was coming up on the south windmill
The concrete tank stood there beside
The water trough that it supplied
When the trough was full the mill could keep on pumping & pumping & pumping
So we drank deep from the shallow trough
And wetting my hair gave me the thought
That a swim in that big tank might cool me down

So I shucked my duds and hung 'em on the fence
Climbed the wires to reach the rim
Pulled myself on up and jumped right in
The water was cool down underneath
But deeper than I thought it'd be
There was no ladder and the walls were slick with moss
Sure enough I got cooled down
When I found I had no way out
And the thought of a rat in a feed bin chilled my blood

Well, at first I laughed at the fix I was in
Then my troubles all sank in
Without some help I was there to stay
I screamed and clawed to no avail
Till dignity and voice had failed
I wore my fingers down on those damned walls
I marked the time with the windmill's shade
Passing cross my mossy grave
And the cows coming to water twice a day

I always figured lightning strike
Or rattlesnake or barroom fight
Would do me in, not some Mexican rose
The fact is I was hot and dumb
Struck stupid by the sun and love
So on the one hand I guess she'd played her part
Through all that time I cussed her lots
But I cussed myself the most because
I had not looked before I leapt

Now overhead an eagle soars
And I smell rain coming from the north
I wonder if she'll even shed one tear
Just one tear over me
Just one tear over me
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 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.
Thank You San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
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