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Last Tuesday our SLO Young Farmers & Ranchers had the opportunity to tour the SLO Food Bank and learn more about the incredible impact they make across our county.
As a group, we packed 200 “No Cook” bags that will be distributed to individuals and families in SLO County this week, a small but meaningful way to give back to our community.
We are so grateful to the SLO Food Bank team for welcoming us, sharing how they serve thousands of people facing food insecurity, and explaining how they partner with local farmers and ranchers to bring fresh, local produce to those who need them most. It was inspiring to see firsthand how agriculture and community can come together to make a difference.
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Last week Paul and Jesslyn joined Barry Fisher on his show Protecting What Matters.
We are grateful for his continued support at a Business Support Member!
Check him out at Blaze N Bear Insurance Services Inc as well. Barry will be in our conference room on Thursday, February 19th hosting a seminar.
You can learn more and
register online here!
| | This Week In SLO County Agriculture | | |
Hosted at SLO Farm Bureau:
🚨 Business Owners: Is Your Business Really Ready — to Grow, Scale, or Sell?
Join us for The Clear Path to Build a Business Worth Keeping — or Selling
Brought to you by the Central Coast Value Network
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 🕒 3–5 PM
📍 San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau
🎟️ $50 — or just $25 with code VPSave50
💡 In this session, you'll walk away with:
✅ A clear understanding of how to increase the value of your business
✅ An introduction to the Clear Path Value Accelerator program
✅ Tools to align business value with personal wealth goals
✅ Insights from a panel of experts in valuation, financial planning, HR, and operations
Space is limited — reserve your spot today!
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Farm crisis deepens as Congress delays action on trade, labor | U.S. lost 160,000 farms since 2017 as farmers face $44B losses. Leaders push for trade deals over tariffs while awaiting delayed farm bill action. | | | |
Supreme Court to Weigh in on Labeling of Glyphosate | The U.S. Supreme Court has granted the Monsanto Company's petition to review Missouri Court of Appeals, Durnell v. Monsanto Company, , a lawsuit regarding the safety of glyphosate. | | | |
Chairman Thompson Releases Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 | WASHINGTON - House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) released the following statement after releasing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of... | | | |
USDA Issues Emergency Livestock Relief Program Payments | WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final Emergency Livestock... | | | |
USDA Announces Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework to End Agricultural Lawfare | WASHINGTON - Today [Feb. 11, 2026], Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the launch of the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework (PDF, 11.4 MB), a... | | | | Announcement to Farm Bureau Members | | |
· March 12 — Wine grape IPM decisions in a challenging market (1 hr Other)
· April 9 — Advances in UAV Agriculture - Exploration of drone technology and its expanding role in modern farming (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)
· May 7 — Emerging Pest Management Tools - A deep dive into pheromone-based solutions with specialists from Suterra (1 hr Other)
· June 11 — Nobel's Orchard Essentials (1 hr Other)
· July 9 — Rodent Management Innovations - Integrated approaches to managing ground squirrels from UC experts (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)
· August 6 — Regulatory Refreshers - Annual Updates on laws, regulations, and pesticide use around schools and sensitive sites (1 hr L/R)
· September 10 — SPM Program Updates - Insights from the Sustainable Pest Management team (0.5 L/R & 0.5 Other)
· October 8 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Schools (1 hr L/R)
November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)
Learn More Here
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California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross Highlights International Year of the Woman Farmer at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA | FRESNO, Calif. -- California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross is highlighting the International Year of the Woman Farmer during the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA (USA); a... | | | |
U.S. Farm Bankruptcies Increased 46% in 2025 | URBANA, Ill. - The American Farm Bureau Federation's Samantha Ayoub reported that "the U.S. Courts report that 315 farm bankruptcies were filed in calendar year 2025,... | | | |
Still Farming Strong: How Smart Home Mobility Keeps Seniors Active on the Land | SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- America's farm families are aging alongside their operations. The average U.S. farm producer is now 58.1 years old-part of a decades-long... | | | | | | Stay alert! Did you know the past 5 years were the most destructive wildfire seasons in California history. This is a reminder that wildfires can happen at any time. Stay prepared! Be ready to evacuate early, and make sure you have a 5-minute plan to get out safely and quickly. | | |
FELS Webinar: February 24th at 10am | SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California employers have seen an influx of their first requests for records, Cal/OSHA inspections or appeals, Private Attorneys General Act notices or wage... | | | |
NEW FELS Member Resources! - Farm Employers Labor Service | FELS has posted two timely, new resources for your members at our website! Workplace "Right-to-Know Notices/Emergency Contact Requirement: Effective February 1, 2026, California's Workplace Know Your Rights Act (SB 294) requires employers to furnish a mandatory, standalone notice to be delivered via email, text, or in person with an annual written notice of their legal rights, [...] | | | |
California Walnut Commission Secures USDA Funding to Expand Global Market Opportunities | FOLSOM, Calif. - The California Walnut Commission (CWC) is pleased to announce its success in securing $3,655,434 to expand market access and grow demand for California... | | | |
USDA Eyes Citrus Change - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST | Officials will review public feedback before deciding whether to adjust current requirements for Hawaiian Persian limes. | | | | Check Out Your Local Farmers Market! | |
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North County Farmers Market Schedule:
Monday - Baywood 2:00pm- 4:30pm
Tuesday - Paso Robles 9:30am-12:00pm
Wednesday - Atascadero 3:00pm-5:00pm during the winter time change
Saturdays - Templeton 9:00am-12:30pm
More Information Here!
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True Community Banking
What does True Community Banking mean? It means matching our expertise with yours to find solutions for your unique needs.
Contact:
Main Line: 805 965 5942
Email: info@arb.bank
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Locations:
San Luis Obispo
1085 Higuera Street, Suite 100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Atascadero
7035 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93422
Paso Robles
1601 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Learn More Here!
| | Thank You Farm Bureau Members | | |
Renewing Platinum Members
Bee Sweet Citrus
Renewing Business Support Members
American Riviera Bank
Renewing Agriculture Members
Smith Held
Renewing Associate Members
Dawn Ortiz-Legg
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From the Fields: Frank Hilliker, San Diego County Egg Producer | SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- We're experiencing all-time lows in egg prices-the lowest I've seen in the last four or five years. That's due to overproduction after... | | | |
USDA Announces Completion of Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Texas | EDINBURG, Texas - Today [Feb. 9, 2026] at Moore Air Base, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Governor of Texas Greg Abbott celebrated... | | | |
In the Cattle Markets: Trade and Weather in the News | LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- The recent announcement of successful trade negotiations with Argentina comes with the news of an expanded beef import quota into the US... | | | |
Two Paso Robles wineries to share tasting room in Adelaida District | Hawks Hill Ranch winery has announced a tasting room collaboration with Boutz Cellars, uniting two Paso Robles estate wineries within one tasting location overlooking the Adelaida District. Guests may opt to taste with one or both wineries during their visit. | | | |
Bottled With Sunshine: New Solar Array Powers Majority Of Wine Production At Hope Family Wines | |
Hope Family Wines today announced the launch of an expansive new rooftop solar array that offsets 60 percent of the energy needed to power the winery's entire wine production facility, administration offices and warehousing operation in Paso Robles.
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Leadership summit draws 160 wine industry leaders to Paso Robles | |
Founder and host Amanda Wittstrom Higgins opened the event with a high-energy entrance. The event was designed to move participants through the “Cone of Learning,” shifting from passive listening to active engagement.
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Draft study outlines PFAS water solutions near SLO County Airport | A new draft study outlines possible drinking water options for residents whose private wells were contaminated with "forever chemicals" near the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. | | | |
County launches voluntary land fallowing program to protect Paso Robles Groundwater Basin - New Times San Luis Obispo | The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors recently approved a new voluntary program aimed at reducing groundwater use in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, giving local farmers a tool to help balance the region's water supply. "Recent challenges in the ag economy, especially in the wine industry, have many grape growers interested in reducing [...] | | | | |
SLO County Farm Bureau Members Community Discounts:
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Talley Farm Box - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive $15.00 off your first Talley Farms Box with Code: SLOFB
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JUSTIN Winery - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive 20% off sitewide using code SLOFB20
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CAMBRIA Hotel-Templeton - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive discounted booking rate
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Agricultural & Equipment Discounts
• Grainger
– Special Farm Bureau pricing on industrial/ag supplies
– Free standard ground shipping
• Case IH
– $200–$500 off eligible tractors, hay tools, balers, windrowers
• John Deere (Platinum 1 Rewards Tier)
– Commercial mowers: $200–$1,700 off
– Residential mowers: $50–$150 off
– Utility vehicles: $100–$250 off
– Tractors: $150–$250 off
– Compact construction equipment: $550–$1,400 off
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
– 5%–20% off parts & supplies
– FREE local delivery at many locations
Supplies, Home & Business Discounts
• Dunn-Edwards Paints / Kelly-Moore Paints
– Up to 30% off paint & coatings
• A4 Promotions & Incentives
– Up to 20% off select promotional & branded items
– 50% discount on licensing for CA Grown branding
Health & Emergency Services
• AirMedCare Network
– Discounted air ambulance membership coverage
• Prescription Discount Program
– Up to 75% off medications at 68,000+ pharmacies
• RespondR Emergency Alert Program
– 50% off membership for Farm Bureau members
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Travel, Vehicles & Lodging
Car Rentals:
• Avis — Up to 35% off base rental rates
• Budget — Up to 35% off base rental rates
• Budget Truck Rental — 20% off truck rentals & mileage
• Ford— $500 Cash Reward on select vehicles for active Farm Bureau Members
Hotels:
• Choice Hotels — 20% off Best Available Rate
• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts — Up to 20% off lodging
Family Travel & Entertainment:
• Great Wolf Lodge — Up to 30% off resort stays
• Theme Parks & Attractions — Discounted tickets to select attractions
Energy & Utilities
• AmeriGas Propane
– $0.05 per gallon discount
– FREE service check
– No Run-Out Guarantee
– 24-hour emergency service
Business, Labor & Financial Services
• Farm Bureau Bank
– Member banking services: loans, credit cards, savings, business accounts
• Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS®)
– $100 off annual enrollment
– 20% off FELS products, seminars & publications
Insurance
• Nationwide
– Exclusive member access to discounted insurance programs:
– Home, Auto, Farm/Ranch
– Business & Workers Comp
– Pet, Powersports, Life
| | Farm Bureau Membership Matters | | | | |
We cannot support your freedom to farm and ranch without your membership.
Join SLO County Farm Bureau now or renew your membership online. Go to slofarmbureau.org to join, or download the membership form PDF.
Have your renewal notice available to speed up the process; you will need to enter your membership number, name and ZIP code. Renewal dues may be paid online or over the phone by credit card.
We're here to help! Call us if you need us to lookup your member number or we can process your membership for you, at 805-543-3654.
All California county Farm Bureau memberships are processed through the California Farm Bureau Federation, but please reach out to our SLO County office if you need your membership number or have questions.
| | Thank You Platinum Members | | SLO County Agriculture News is distributed by SLO County Farm Bureau for information purposes only. Stories written by SLO County Farm Bureau may be reprinted with attribution. Some outside story links may require site registration. Opinions expressed in stories, commentaries or editorials included in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of SLO County Farm Bureau. For information on advertising opportunities, please email info@slofarmbureau.org or call our office at 805-543-3654. | | | | |
