Farmers To Governor Newsom: 'Yes On Water, No On AB 616' |
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California Farm Bureau led a protest with farmworkers and farmers outside the California state capitol Thursday to express concerns over legislation related to labor and water.
The agriculture community is urging Governor Newsom to veto the union-backed Assembly Bill 616, and continues to call on legislators to fund "critical water shortage and conveyance projects urgently needed by Californians" amid the ongoing drought crisis.
Western Growers Association expressed similar concerns this week, after the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee removed all funding for Senate Bill 559, which would have repaired canals and other water infrastructure.
“Farms that cannot irrigate crops to grow food will inevitably reduce operations or cease farming altogether,” said Western Growers president and CEO Dave Puglia.
Nearly 90 percent of the state is in extreme or exceptional drought, including almost 3.25 million acres of farmland dependent on irrigation from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, both of which experienced funding cuts.
"The move to strip SB 559 of its funding demonstrates the clear intent of the Assembly to drive food production out of California,” said California Fresh Fruit Association president Ian LeMay.
Read more coverage of the protest from Capital Press here.
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California Farm Bureau, farmworkers rally for AB 616 veto
The California Farm Bureau is raising pressure on Gov. Newsom to veto a United Farm Workers bill ...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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LAST CHANCE TO RSVP for the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau 99th Annual Meeting of Members on September 18th at Noon |
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The 99th Annual Meeting of Members is a little over 2 weeks away, but the deadline to RSVP was TODAY, September 10th. (If you are reading this a few days late, you are still welcome to RSVP and we will do our best to accommodate you!)
Join us for a Santa Maria-style barbecue lunch with local wines! We'll give an update on the work of our Farm Bureau, elect our 2021-2022 officers and directors, and recognize the Business of the Year, the Heritage Award, and the Farm Bureau Freddie Award winner. Thank you to our event sponsors G3 Enterprises and Farm Credit West.
You can purchase your tickets online here or reserve your ticket by emailing Deputy Executive Director Matthew Graybeal at mgraybeal@slofarmbureau.org or calling our office at 805-543-3654 and pay at the door.
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture |
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This Issue Includes:
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Community News: The Paso Robles Press - Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee Announces Queen And Marshal;
- State Government News: Agri-Pulse - CFBF Campaigns Against Carbon Neutrality Bill;
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California Politics: KCRA - President Biden To Visit Sacramento Ahead Of SoCal Recall Event With Gov. Newsom;
- Business Member Spotlight: Negranti-Higgins & Co. CPA;
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Livestock News: Ag Week - USDA Expands ELAP To Cover Feed Transportation For Drought-Impacted Ranchers;
- Labor News: NBC - Biden Announces Sweeping Vaccine Mandates Affecting Millions Of Workers;
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Wildfire News: Salon - California's Massive Wildfires Are Doing Something No Wildfire Has Ever Done Before;
- Water News: Bloomberg Law - A Test For California’s Groundwater Regulations In The Megadrought;
- Produce News: California Ag Network - Growers Urged To Participate In Kern County Coordinated Treatment;
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Environmental News: Agri-Pulse - Drought Is A ‘Wakeup Call’ For The Nation’s Largest Urban And Ag Water Managers;
- Orchard Crop News: AgAlert - Ask Your PCA: How Do I Manage Mites In Avocados;
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Vineyard & Wine News: Bakersfield.com - Farmworker Shortage Raises Worries Grapes Will Go Unpicked; and
- Wisdom From The Farm & Ranch.
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September 3rd Most Read Stories:
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Executive Director Report
Here are a few things we worked on this week:
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Nationwide is a proud supporter of San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.
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Community News: The Paso Robles Press - Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee Announces Queen And Marshal
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2021 California Farm Bureau Farm Dog Contest Presented By Nationwide |
The 2021 California Farm Bureau Farm Dog Contest, presented by Nationwide has extended it's deadline to enter to September 30th!
To learn more about how to enter click here.
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SLO County Farm Bureau Hosts NOx Exempt Meeting Sept. 22...
Take advantage of the CARB AG Mileage Extension to ensure your fleet is CARB-compliant. As long as you're operating exclusively in the CARB NOx Exempt Areas of Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz Counties, you...
Read more
advancedemission.com
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Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee Announces Queen and...
On Sunday, Aug. 22, the Paso Robles Pioneer Day Committee announced this year's Pioneer Day Royalty at the annual royalty dinner. Tom Flynn Sr. is this year's Marshal, with Irene Elizabeth Smith Marquart standing by his side as this ...
Read more
pasoroblespress.com
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State Government News: AgriPulse - CFBF Campaigns Against Carbon Neutrality Bill
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CDFA announces funding for 2021 CalAgPlate program
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for the 2021 California Agriculture Special Interest License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program. This program projects an estimated $225,000...
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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CFBF Campaigns Against Carbon Neutrality Bill
AgriPulse Daybreak West – September 8, 2021
“Raising the price to farm raises the price of food,” says a farmer in the video.
AB 1395 has advanced through party line votes and is set for final hearings this week before moving to the governor.
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State's curtailment orders draw lawsuits from...
The state's curtailment of river diversions has drawn lawsuits from eight irrigation districts in and near Stanislaus County, along with San Francisco. The three filings claim that the State Water Resources Control Board exceeded its authority...
Read more
www.modbee.com
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California Politics: KCRA - President Biden To Visit Sacramento Ahead Of SoCal Recall Event With Gov. Newsom
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President Biden to visit Sacramento ahead of SoCal...
President Joe Biden will visit Sacramento on Monday ahead of a recall campaign event with Gov. Gavin Newsom in Southern California later in the day, the White House said. The announcement said that Biden would survey wildfire damage but did not...
Read more
www.kcra.com
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Gavin Newsom targets Latino voters in final week of...
Gov. Gavin Newsom and his supporters emphasized the policies he has enacted to help undocumented immigrants on Tuesday at a campaign stop in San Francisco's Mission District, part of a push to turn out...
Read more
www.sanluisobispo.com
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'I barely know what the recall is': central California...
With California's gubernatorial recall election just a week away, the most populous US state is poised for a potential political upheaval. But just a 45-minute drive south of the governor's office in Sacramento, at a quiet coffee shop in downtown ...
Read more
www.theguardian.com
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Business Member Spotlight:
Negranti-Higgins & Co. CPA
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Negranti-Higgins & Company is a full-service Certified Public Accounting firm, licensed in California. We provide a wide range of services for individuals and business.
Antonette “Toni” to her friends and colleagues grew up in San Luis Obispo County’s north coast to a fourth generation ranching and farming family. The Negranti families originated from Swiss Italian roots and are still farmers and ranchers in Cambria and Cayucos today.
Our current office is located in San Luis Obispo, technology today however allows us to service clients all over the United States.
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11573 Los Osos Valley Rd | San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members |
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Renewing Business Support Member
Renewing Members
Thomas McNamara, EW Hearst Holding LLC Circle 6 Ranch, Betty Taylor. Stephen Mac Elvaine, Kuhnle & Sons, Larry Fiscalini, Victor Hugo Winery, Domingos Garcia, William Harington, Avenales Cattle Co, John Swift, George Kendall, Gloria Fiscalini, Floyd Butterfield, Elizabeth Tolson, Brown Ranch, Richard Pata, Holland America Flowers, Trinchero Family Estates, Rodney Stine, Tim Hartzell, Alberta Lewis, Joey Iffert, Jack Delore, Carl Young, Filipponi & Thompson, Patrick Sullivan, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, Henry Friesen, Steven Sweet, Charles Thorne, Lynne Schmitz
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Livestock News: Ag Week - USDA Expands ELAP To Cover Feed Transportation For Drought-Impacted Ranchers
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USDA expands ELAP to cover feed transportation for...
USDA is updating the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to immediately cover feed transportation costs for drought impacted ranchers. USDA's Farm Service Agency will provide more details and tools...
Read more
www.agweek.com
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White House blames meat industry consolidation for...
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese unveiled a new report today which blamed consolidation in the beef, pork and poultry sectors for higher grocery store bills and unveiled new actions to address...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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NCBA statement on BSE cases detected in Brazil
National Cattlemen's Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall recently issued the following statement regarding the two atypical cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) detected in Brazil: "Over the ...
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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Farm dogs being taken from Utah ranches, grazing land by ...
Officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture of Food said they want to spread the word to people - stop taking farm dogs off of ranches and grazing areas. So far, in 2021, there have been 11 incidents of dogs...
Read more
www.ksl.com
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Cattle Producers Have a Beef With 35-Year Marketing Campaign
Cattle producers for 35 years have been bankrolling one of the nation's most iconic marketing campaigns, but now many want to end the program that created the "Beef. It's What's for Dinner" slogan...
Read more
www.nbcsandiego.com
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Labor News: NBC - Biden Announces Sweeping Vaccine Mandates Affecting Millions Of Workers
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Biden to announce sweeping vaccine mandates affecting...
President Joe Biden on Thursday plans to announce sweeping new vaccine mandates designed to ramp up pressure on the unvaccinated, putting in place additional requirements for federal employees, large employers, and health care...
Read more
www.nbcnews.com
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H-2A certifications increased 225 percent between 2010...
H-2A is a Federal program that allows employers in the United States to bring in foreign workers on short-term labor contract...
Read more
www.ers.usda.gov
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California Farm Bureau’s Farm Employers Labor Service
September 5, 2021 - Updates
Employees Must be Notified of End of ARPA COBRA Benefits: The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) required employers to subsidize employees' cost of maintaining health insurance if they are eligible for COBRA (continuation of health insurance benefits) under state or federal law (see USDOL Releases ARPA COBRA Model Notices below). ARPA also requires employers to notify employees that may be eligible for subsidies that the subsidy mandate and their eligibility ends no later than September 15. Read more here.
Report Job Refusals to EDD: Agricultural employers report widespread vacancies and shortages of employees as the fall harvest season is ramping up, even as California's unemployment rate remains stubbornly high. Did you know that eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits is contingent on beneficiaries being available to work and accepting suitable work except for good cause? The California Employment Development offers a YouTube video instructing employers on how to report a refusal to accept a job offer. Read more here.
September 23 & 24, 2021: Wage & Hour Workshop with Seth Mehrten: Wage and hour litigation continues to plague California employers - Ag employers are no exception. Seth Mehrten of FELS Group Legal Service Plan partner law firm Barsamian & Moody will conduct a two-part workshop on wage-and-hour law and regulations impacting California agricultural employers, including topics like minimum wages, overtime, meal and rest period requirements, and more. This webinar will cover the most frequently litigated wage and hour issues and discuss specific strategies that employers can implement to proactively manage their wage and hour compliance.
When?: September 23 & 24, 2021, 10 AM
Where?: On your desktop, laptop, tablet, phone or your favorite device!
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Advertise With San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau |
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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.
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Wildfire News: Salon - California's Massive Wildfires Are Doing Something No Wildfire Has Ever Done Before
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After a disastrous summer of fire, California braces for ...
With more than 2 million acres burned so far this year, California's already destructive wildfire season may worsen this fall, with long-term forecasts showing little signs of relief. Fall is almost always a race between intense seasonal winds...
Read more
www.latimes.com
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California's massive wildfires are doing something no...
Between natural disasters and once-in-a-lifetime pandemics, the word "unprecedented" has perhaps been overused in the past year. Yet nature continues to shock us with new, previously unseen crises, warranting the adjective's use in print. That's...
Read more
www.salon.com
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Water News: Bloomberg Law - A Test For California’s Groundwater Regulations In The Megadrought
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Hurtado pulls SB 559, as farm groups point finger at...
Sen. Melissa Hurtado of Sanger pulled SB 559 ahead of floor votes on Wednesday, shelving the water infrastructure bill for the year. The action put the last nail in the coffin after a committee stripped the measure of funding...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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A Test for California's Groundwater Regulations in the...
California's megadrought has brought forth competition for scarce water supplies. Brownstein Hyatt shareholder Stephanie Osler Hastings examines implementation of the California Legislature's first comprehensive...
Read more
news.bloomberglaw.com
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As California restricts water use for farmers, low...
California's re-emerging drought is placing unprecedented strain on the state's intricate water system, threatening mass agricultural production and basic drinking water in a way experts say is more severe than in years past...
Read more
www.pbs.org
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Lawmakers sideline funding for valley canals, push for...
As California's drought expands further into rural communities, lawmakers handicapped a bill aimed at fixing critical conveyance canals that deliver drinking and irrigation water in the San Joaquin Valley. Instead, lawmakers are investing in...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Can California Continue to Grow the World's Food Without ...
California's ag industry uses 80 percent of the state's water. As the drought continues, can the Golden State continue to operate its fields as usual? On this episode of California State of Mind, Nigel talks with the person charged with promoting ...
Read more
www.capradio.org
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Produce News: California Ag Network - Growers Urged To Participate In Kern County Coordinated Treatment
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Specialty Crop Producers, We Have You Covered
Whether you grow almonds or apples, peppers or prunes, crop insurance options are available to you. USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) administers Federal crop insurance that protects 76 specialty crops, and new insurance options are now...
Read more
content.govdelivery.com
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Growers Urged to Participate in Kern County Coordinated...
Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program - A significant number of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) detections in Kern County - more than 115 since this time last year - is a stark reminder to remain vigilant against the pest and the deadly disease it...
Read more
californiaagnet.com
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Environmental News: Agri-Pulse - Drought Is A ‘Wakeup Call’ For The Nation’s Largest Urban And Ag Water Managers
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Drought is a 'wakeup call' for the nation's largest...
With two dry years in California and another likely to come, urban and agricultural water districts are taking a close look at the practices and infrastructure investments that have paid off so far and what still needs more investment.
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Drought has farmworkers dreaming of escape from...
Rosario Rodríguez never wanted to leave her hometown of Trigomil, Nayarit. She was surrounded by family and could quickly get to the nearest grocery store or clinic. But love called, and she followed her then-boyfriend to Three Rocks - a speck in ...
Read more
www.latimes.com
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Farming Without a Net - Inside Climate News
The bustle of birds and insect pollinators is the first thing you notice at Full Belly Farm in Guinda, about 100 miles northeast of San Francisco in the Capay Valley, where Judith Redmond and her partners started farming four decades ago. On this ...
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insideclimatenews.org
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Orchard Crop News: AgAlert - Ask Your PCA: How Do I Manage Mites In Avocados
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Ask Your PCA: How do I manage mites in avocados?
In September, mites can be problematic for avocados, particularly if the weather is mild. There are two different types of mites: persea and the brown avocado mite. Both mites affect the leaves on the canopy, but they don't damage the fruit. They ...
Read more
agalert.com
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California can keep thirstiest crops, state ag chief...
The head of California's agriculture agency says the Golden State can says on the "California State of Mind" podcast that even devastating drought doesn't mean that the state must uproot its thirstiest crops. Instead says Karen Ross, head of...
Read more
calmatters.org
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Vineyard & Wine News: Bakersfield.com - Farmworker Shortage Raises Worries Grapes Will Go Unpicked
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Famed sommelier named the new winemaker at Stolo Vineyards in Cambria
An internationally acclaimed sommelier has taken over the winemaking duties at Stolo Vineyards in Cambria.
Rajat “Raj” Parr is leading Stolo’s winemaking team, bringing his experience as a grower of wine grapes, sommelier and wine author. He takes over for Nicole Pope, who was Stolo’s winemaker for a decade.
sanluisobispo.com
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CDFA's Center for Analytical Chemistry forms CoResponse...
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) is assembling a CoResponse team to handle urgent analytical testing requests that may arise due to emergencies, including wildfires.
Read more
plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov
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Farmworker shortage raises worries grapes will go unpicked
The signs first appeared last fall when Central Valley table grape growers couldn't find enough workers to prune their vines. Now, a month into the harvest, it's become clear California doesn't have enough farmworkers for the harvest. Work crew...
Read more
www.bakersfield.com
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Wisdom From The Farm & Ranch |
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This Cowboy's Hat
Chris Ledoux
I was sittin' in a coffee shop
Having a cup to pass the time
Swappin' Rodeo stories
With this ol' Cowboy friend of mine
When some motorcycle riders
Startin snickerin' in the back
Started pokin' fun at my friends hat
One ol' boy said:
"Hey Tex, where'd you park your Horse?"
My friend just pulled his hat down low
But they couldn't be ignored
One husky fella said:
"I think I'll rip that hat right off your head"
That's when my friend turned around
And this is what he said
You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an ol' Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's Hat
Partner, this ol' hat's better left alone
See it used to be my daddy's
But last year he passed on
My nephew skinned the rattler
That makes up this old hat band
But back in '69 he died in Vietnam
The eagle feather was given to me by an Indian friend of mine
Someone ran him down somewhere around that Arizona line
And a real special lady gave me this hat pin
But I don't know if I'll ever see her again
You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an old Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's hat
Now if your leather jacket means to you
What this hat means to me
I guess we understand each other
And we'll just let it be
But if you still think it's funny
Man you got my back up against the wall
And if you touch my hat
You're gonna have to fight us all
Right then I caught a little sadness
In that Gang leader's eyes
He turned back to the others
And they all just kinda shuffled on outside
When my friend turned back towards me
I noticed his ol' hat brim
Well it was turned up
In a big ol' Texas grin
You'll ride a black tornado
Across the western sky
Rope an old Blue Northern
And milk it 'til it's dry
Bulldog the Mississippi
And pin its ears down flat
Long before you take this Cowboy's hat
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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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