Alan Hayashi, SLO County Farm Bureau Member, Featured in The Guardian Article: "Working Harder than Ever: the Last Remaining Japanese American Farmers" | |
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By Claire Wang, The Guardian
Alan Hayashi’s 120-hectare (300-acre) farm is an unassuming pillar of Arroyo Grande, a city on California’s central coast that’s covered by rolling vineyards and ancient oaks. Two vast fields, partitioned by an inland stretch of Highway 1, produce white strawberries, squash, beets, celery and two dozen other crops.
Hayashi, who’s up at dawn seven days a week, has devoted the better half of his life to the farm’s upkeep: he plants, irrigates and harvests his crops, the roar of rushing traffic an untiring companion. He also packages and sells the goods at his roadside stand and different farmers’ markets in San Luis Obispo county. On a good day, he’ll wrap up by 6pm and return home for dinner.
“It’s not cut out for everybody,” said Hayashi, 62. “I’m probably working harder now than I did 30 years ago.” ...
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
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Calendar- Upcoming Events & Deadlines:
- September 26 - SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting at 5pm (4875 Morabito Place SLO; All members welcome, please RSVP to office at 805-543-3654)
- October 3 - In-Person Hazardous Ag Materials Training - English 9-11am, Spanish 1-2:30pm (Free for Farm Bureau Members! Register here.
- October 10 - SLO County Great AGventure at Paso Robles Event Center (Email SLO County Ag Education Committee Exec. Dir. Kim Bradley for more info at kimberlybrad5@gmail.com)
- October 13 - Deadline to apply for the USDA FSA's Emergency Conservation Program for January, February and March 2023 storm damages in SLO County
- October 14 - Young Farmers and Ranchers to participate in Paso Robles Pioneer Day Parade; Meet at 8:30am to decorate float
- October 15 - Volunteer Event for Floracycle - 9am-11:30am at Farm Bureau office
- October 24 - SLO County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting (Get tickets before Oct. 17 here)
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Community: Save the Date for SLO CattleWomen Polenta Dinner October 7, 2023! | |
Save the Date for SLO CattleWomen Polenta Dinner October 7, 2023! | |
“Let’s Stir it Up!”
Join us for our second-annual Polenta Dinner on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at
Vintage Cowboy Winery in Pozo, CA.
No Host Bar: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Dinner is served at 6:30 pm
Silent Auction & Music
$60 per ticket
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Information Sponsored by PG&E
During #NationalPreparednessMonth, it’s a good time to assemble a “Go-Bag” just in case you're evacuating on foot during an emergency. Check out the PG&E Safety Action Center for a list of important items.
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Resource Conservation District Speech Competition for California High School Students Open, Applications Due October 9
The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts hosts an annual Conservation Education Speak-Off – a speech competition for high school students, addressing a specific topic relating to conservation. Students first compete at the regional level by submitting their speech via video, with the top speakers advancing to the state competition.
There are cash prizes at both the regional and state levels. In addition, travel expenses for the state competitors are paid for by their local Resource Conservation District (RCD).
For more information about the topic and to access the application, click here.
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Cattlemen's Play Day is October 28
SLO County Cattlemen's Playday will be October 28th at the Hearst Equestrian Center.
- Download an entry form here.
- Download a sponsor form here.
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Two North County teens named finalists in tractor restoration competition | Finalists selected from schools across the United States - Chevron Products Company has announced today that judges have selected a group of 12 finalists for [...] | | | |
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Ever Wondered What Happens to Flowers After a Wedding? San Luis Obispo Non-Profit Floracycle Gives Them a Second Life to Serve Local Community
Volunteer Opportunity for Farm Bureau members on Sunday, October 15
San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau is proud to host a volunteer opportunity to support Floracycle on Sunday, October 15 at 9am at our office, 4875 Morabito Place in San Luis Obispo.
- Volunteers are asked to show up with their own garden shears and a cup of coffee!
- Work will wrap-up around 11:30am. No RSVP is necessary.
How it Works
Floracycle partners with floral designers, event venues and coordinators to plan in advance for special event flower recycling. Coordination is essential to ensure they can retrieve flowers once the event has ended and that any rented decor is returned to event florists.
The following day, their volunteer team rearranges event displays into smaller tabletop arrangements. Rearranging larger event displays into several smaller containers allows Floracycle to more widely distribute flowers to local recipients.
Are you planning a special event that you’d like to share with Floracycle? Read their FAQ document and reach out here or send an email to floracycle.slo@gmail.com
- Please note Floracycle cannot repurpose flowers from North County events. (They’ve found that the heat and sun take a big toll and flowers are usually not suitable for a second act.)
Floracycle is fiscally sponsored by Ecologistics, a 501 (c)(3) public charity based in San Luis Obispo. Make a donation here.
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What is Floracycle?
Floracycle retrieves, rearranges, and repurposes event flowers into small arrangements and delivers them directly to places like Meals That Connect, Hospice of SLO County, Transitions- Mental Health Association, The Villages senior living communities, and San Luis Post Acute Center and Mission View Health Center skilled nursing facilities.
Started as a hobby in 2021 by co-founders and directors Annie and Amy, Floracycle has grown into a successful all-volunteer non-profit program. While they love every opportunity to work with flowers, they're both employed full time locally in STEM careers. They appreciate your patience if they can't immediately answer your inquiry!
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Local Government: SLO County Air Pollution Control District Reports Largest Recipient of Emission-Reduction Funding in FY23 was 'Off-road/Ag Tractor & Irrigation Engines' Projects | |
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SLO County Board of Supervisors Meets September 26
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday, September 26 at 9:00AM. The agenda for the meeting can be found here and additional item documents here. The meeting can be viewed live at this link.
Items of interest to agriculture include:
Agenda - 1 Introduction of an ordinance amending Title 9 of the County Code regarding the County Division of Animal Services, in order to eliminate inconsistencies and conflicting language within the present version and to update the provisions thereof to be consistent with current needs and humane animal care and control standards. Hearing date set for November 7, 2023.
- 9.04.007 Holding period – Livestock – Establishes a defined holding period for any livestock found roaming at large. No current provision exists so there is a lack of direction on how such animals must be handled prior to making them available for adoption. Creates a provision for the finder of free roaming livestock to establish ownership of unclaimed animals.
NEW LANGUAGE BEING ADDED TO SLO COUNTY CODE:
9.04.007 Holding period Livestock
- (a) The Division shall immediately notify the office of the California State Secretary of Agriculture and provide a description of any impounded bovine, horse, mule, or burro having been found at large.
- (b) Any Livestock animal found at large shall be held by the Division and kept available for owner redemption for a period of no less than ten (10) business days, not including the day of impoundment.
- (c) The Division may authorize an individual finding any livestock animal other than a bovine roaming at large to maintain custody of the animal pending identification of the owner, provided they keep it adequately confined and provided with appropriate care. If the owner is not identified after thirty (30) days, the finder may establish ownership of the animal as provided in section 9.04.009. The individual finding the animal roaming at large may at any time turn such animal over to the Division.
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SLO County Air Pollution Control District Reports Largest Recipient of Emission-Reduction Funding in FY23 was 'Off-road/Ag Tractor & Irrigation Engines' Projects | |
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San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will present an annual recap of its emission reductions project funding at its upcoming September 27 Board Meeting. Find the agenda with links to the full report here. During FY 22-23, SLO County APCD authorized $2,743,767 for new local emission reduction projects.
Table 2 below presents the project categories to which FY 22-23 funds have been allocated. Table 5 lists individual SLO County agriculture recipients of equipment replacement funds.
Overall in 2022-2023, authorized grant funding was expended on 22 heavy-duty agricultural tractor replacements, 2 electric vehicle (EV) charger projects, 3 marine vessel repowers, 32 old car buy backs, and 3 woodsmoke reduction (fireplace) change-out projects, resulting in 59.5 tons of emission reductions.
For more information on current or future grant funding opportunities for agriculture visit the APCD's website or call 805-781-5912.
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State Government: Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Property Insurance Market | |
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California Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work - State Government Affairs Weekly Update- September 22, 2023
Pesticides
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is updating its strategic plan with action-oriented, measurable goals to guide priorities over the next five years....
- Updated DPR Mission: We protect human health and the environment by fostering sustainable pest management and regulating pesticides.
- Updated DPR Vision: A California where pest management is safe, effective, and sustainable for everyone.
The department’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will also be reflected in its updated strategic plan. The goals outlined in the draft 2024 Strategic Plan, PDF will advance the department’s mission, vision and commitment to equity and environmental justice. The draft is available on DPR’s website in English and Spanish, PDF. DPR encourages feedback from all stakeholders on its draft 2024 Strategic Plan.
Opportunity for Public Comment
DPR will accept written comments on the draft 2024 Strategic Plan via mail or email from Sept. 19 through Oct. 20, 2023. Comments are accepted online through DPR’s public comment portal in English or Spanish. written comments can be mailed to DPR at 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812-4015.
Public Meetings on October 2, 3, 4 and 6, 2023
DPR will host four public meetings – two virtually and two in-person – to receive live feedback on the goals outlined in the draft 2024 Strategic Plan. All four public meetings will be facilitated and offer simultaneous interpretation in Spanish. The meetings will each include brief remarks from DPR leadership on the draft updated mission, vision, DEI statement and goals included in the draft 2024 Strategic Plan, and then attendees will have two minutes per person to provide public comment. No registration is required to attend.
- Monday, October 2 When: 4-6:30 p.m. . Where: Held virtually, join via Zoom
- Tuesday, October 3 When: 4-6:30 p.m. Where: Meitzenheimer Community Center, 830 S. Blackstone Street, Tulare, CA 93274
- Tuesday, October 4 When: 4-6:30 p.m. Where: Civic Plaza Community, 275 Main Street, Room A&B, Watsonville, CA 95076
- Friday, October 6 When: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. PDT Where: Held virtually, join via Zoom
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As one insurance bill becomes law, a bigger fix awaits | Some farmers and other property owners who have had to turn to the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, may soon have better coverage options thanks to a new law approved this month. | | | | |
Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Property Insurance Market | California Governor | WHAT TO KNOW: The executive order urges Insurance Commissioner Lara to take swift action to address issues with the insurance market and expand coverage options for consumers... | | | |
Agricultural Truck Drivers Detail Industry Challenges in New Report | A new report highlights some of the issues that agricultural truck drivers are facing and presents possible solutions. The report, “Ensuring the Supply of Agricultural Truck Drivers: What the State of California Can Do,” was recently released by the UC Berkeley Labor Center. | | | | |
Can this plan fix California's insurance crisis? What you need to know | Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveils a plan to shore up the California insurance market for homeowners. | | | |
Federal Government: Rep. Jimmy Panetta Part of New Bipartisan Agriculture Caucus to Tackle Trade Challenges | |
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This Week in California Farm Bureau's Federal Policy News
September 21, 2023
- Federal Policy Division Welcomes Isabella Quinonez
- Government Shutdown Looms
- Key CAFB Forestry Priority Passes in the House
- EPA to Rework Endangered Species Act Obligations Following Court Agreement
- Homeland Security to Publish Rule on H2 Protections
- FMMO Hearings Continue
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U.S. government might shut down. What could that mean for SLO County? | The U.S. government will shut down if Congress doesn't pass funding packages, delaying pay for San Luis Obispo County workers. | | | | |
Rep. Jimmy Panetta part of new bipartisan Agriculture Caucus to tackle trade challenges | U.S. Reps. Adrian Smith, Dusty Johnson, Jim Costa, and Jimmy Panetta unite, forming a bipartisan Agriculture Caucus to promote market access and balance trade. | | | | |
Farm Bureau leaders make voices heard on Capitol Hill | Congress debated legislation to fund the federal government amid other political theater in Washington, D.C., last week. | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
People's Self-Help Housing
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Our Mission: We build affordable homes with site-based services that offer opportunities to change lives and strengthen communities on the Central Coast of California.
Founded in 1970, People’s Self-Help Housing is the longest-serving nonprofit housing organization on California’s Central Coast, serving over 10,000 residents in four counties.
Services
Leading to better health outcomes, career opportunities, and higher educational achievement, the benefits of supportive housing are far-reaching and long-lasting. Residents are linked to a network of resources, designed to promote wellness and connection. Through dozens of partnerships, we provide residents with enrichment and support to ensure that everyone has the tools needed to succeed.
At PSHH we build so much more than housing. We build resilient neighborhoods, places residents are proud to call home.
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Environmental: DPR Seeks Comment on 2024 Strategic Plan | |
Cal poly wants to help SLO County farmers deal with climate change | |
Cal Poly aims to work with local farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices thanks to a $1.9 million grant.
On Sept. 1, Cal Poly announced it had received the state grant for a Climate Action Initiative program. Erin Pearse, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at Cal Poly and director of the Cal Poly Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience, said the project aims to work with SLO County farmers—especially disadvantaged growers, family farms, and first-time farmers—to help provide healthier agricultural practices.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will sign climate-focused transparency laws for big business | California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he plans to sign into law a pair of climate-focused bills intended to force major corporations to be more transparent about greenhouse gas emissions and the financial risks stemming from global warming. | | |
DPR Seeks Comment on 2024 Strategic Plan | The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has released a draft of its 2024 Strategic Plan. It establishes the principles and... | | | |
Produce: Can AI Help Address Specialty Crop Growers' Critical Needs? | |
California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Adopts Western Growers' Groundbreaking Food Safety Data Sharing Initiative - Western Growers Association | The LGMA will adopt Western Growers' proprietary GreenLink® data sharing platform to collect and analyze food safety data. | | | | |
Can AI Help Address Specialty Crop Growers' Critical Needs? | With the recent release of ChatGPT creating a buzz about the potential power and risks of artificial intelligence (AI), many readers may be wondering how AI might make a meaningful contribution to agriculture. | | | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Platinum Agricultural Member
AgWest Farm Credit
Renewing Agricultural Business Support Member
Sunrise Olive Ranch LLC
Renewing Agricultural Members
Neiani Vierra, Stephen Sinton, Kimberley Mulligan, Michael Bradley, Betty Taylor, Candace Laine Evenson, Holland America Flowers, Lillian Massey, and Brown Ranch
Renewing Associate Members
Marilyn Quaid
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Featured Member Benefit:
John Deere: Last Chance on John Deere Offers!
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📣Don’t miss out!📣 October 27th is the last day to take advantage of @JohnDeere offers like 0% APR fixed rates for 60 months and combine it with your member benefits of up to $1,250 off new John Deere sub-compact and compact tractors! Learn how you can combine these offers and discounts with your CA Farm Bureau benefits 👉JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau. | |
Labor: Register Now: 4.5 DPR Credits Available with Valent BioSciences IPM Meetings, Including San Luis Obispo on November 2 | |
| Register Now: 4.5 DPR Credits Available with Valent BioSciences IPM Meetings, Including San Luis Obispo on November 2
Valent BioSciences is pleased to host three educational meetings this October aimed to provide those in the agricultural industry with new information on laws and regulations, and the use of various pest control methods on California crops. DPR hours and meals will be provided.
- Cost: Free
- DPR Continuing Education: 4.5 hours
- 3.5 hours of "Other"category
- Time: 7:30am-12:00pm
Meals: Continental breakfast and lunch provided
There will be three locations for these meetings: San Luis Obispo, Fresno, and Bakersfield.
San Luis Obispo Session Details- November 2, 2023
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New H-2A Rules Proposed by Department of Labor | The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced a proposal for new H-2A rules intended to improve overall working conditions for workers... | | | | |
With border crossings up, U.S. begins releasing migrants onto streets again | As the number of migrants crossing the southern U.S. border rises, Border Patrol agents have begun releasing them on U.S. streets in California and Arizona. | | | | |
First Card Check Petition Fails For Lack of Support - Western Growers Association | The first "Majority Support Petition" (Card Check) filed under the new law has failed to garner majority support in its initial attempt. The petition was filed by the UFW on behalf of the tomato workers of DiMare Fresh, Inc., based in Newman California. | | | |
Wildfire: California Faces a New Firestorm From the Unresolved Insurance Crisis | |
California Faces a New Firestorm From the Unresolved Insurance Crisis | During the California wildfire season in 2020, flames scorched vineyards, farms and ranches, destroyed structures and damaged crops. Soon, farmers and ranchers faced a different kind of firestorm as insurance companies canceled coverage or denied policy renewals, leaving some agricultural areas unprotected. | | | | |
Recent wildfire smoke has reversed decades of climate progress, Stanford study finds | A new Stanford study reveals just how detrimental toxic wildfire smoke has been on air quality after years of progress to fight climate change. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: SLO Winery Nominated for 'American Winery of the Year' by Wine Enthusiast | |
SLO winery nominated for 'American Winery of the Year' by Wine Enthusiast | Chamisal Vineyards has announced that it has been nominated for Wine Enthusiast's Wine Star Awards for "American Winery of the Year." This year marks [...] | | | | |
J. Lohr Vineyards white wine maker nominated for award by Wine Enthusiast | Kristen Barnhisel nominated for 2023 'Winemaker of the Year' Wine Star Award - J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has announced the nomination of white wine [...] | | | | |
Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley | How can the San Joaquin Valley adapt to a future with less water? We've been researching this issue for the past seven years, and our new report presents highlights from we've learned, including a robust list of policy suggestions to help the valley weather-and make the most of-the coming changes. | | | |
Water: DWR Releases California Water Plan 2023 for Public Comment | |
PRESS RELEASE: DWR Releases California Water Plan 2023 for Public Comment | Update 2023 promotes climate resilience, watershed planning, and equity; Public Comment Period Runs September 20 - October 19 From the Department of Water Resources: From severe, multi-year droughts to sudden flooding, California is experiencing the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. To better prepare and plan for a future with climate extremes, the California Department... | | | | |
What's the deal with the carrot boycott in Cuyama Valley? | |
Small farmers and rural residents are calling for a boycott against Bolthouse and Grimmway farms over their use of groundwater.
When California lawmakers enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014, it was an effort to tame the wild, ...
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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.
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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. | | | | |
