This Week In SLO County Agriculture | | |
A truly great evening last Tuesday at Traceland Organics and Pico Blooms for our March SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers Meeting! We toured the ranch including the avocado orchard and seasonal fruit that’s grown. We also got an introduction into growing organic fresh flowers through Pico Blooms fabulous floral fields.
We appreciate Jesse and Amelie Trace for sharing the beautiful ranch with us!
| | Farm Bureau Women Yard Sale on March 21st! | | |
The SLO County Farm Bureau Women will hold a yard sale from 9am-1pm on Saturday, March 21st, at the corner of 5th and Old County Line Road in Templeton. The proceeds will help provide scholarships for local students entering the fields of farming and ranching studies.
Learn More About
The SLO County Farm Bureau Women
| | | | | |
Join us on April 23rd, 2026 at Mighty Cap Mushrooms for an unforgettable evening starting at 4:30pm with a tour of the mushroom farm.
Indulge in local wine tastings from End Of The Day and a special chef inspired cuisine by the wonderful John McDevitt.
You can purchase tickets by calling our office at 805-543-3654 or by emailing jblank@slofarmbureau.org.
Tickets are $150.00 and include a farm tour, wine, and dinner with dessert!
We are looking forward to this event and hope to see you there! Please feel free to share with family and friends, it will be a wonderful evening!
| | |
In order to obtain an Ag Pass Card, applicants meeting the eligibility criteria must attend a 4-hour in-person training. Current card holders seeking to renew must attend a 1-hour online renewal training. To register for upcoming trainings or receive emails regarding future trainings, please fill out an Ag Pass Interest Form.
In-Person Training (4 hour)*
-
Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, 5-9PM, CalFire Training Center (Behind Cuesta College)
-
Thursday, April 16th, 2026, 5-9PM, CalFire Training Center (Behind Cuesta College)
-
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, 5-9PM, Paso Robles Emergency Operations Center 900 Park Street, Paso Robles - Public Safety Center Conference Room (EOC)
-
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, 5-9PM, Paso Robles Emergency Operations Center 900 Park Street, Paso Robles - Public Safety Center Conference Room (EOC)
More Information Here
| |
Paso Robles nominated for USA Today 10 Best Main Streets in America | Paso Robles has been nominated as one of the top 10 main streets in America in the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. [...] | | | |
How the heat could cause some problems for Central Coast farmers | Central Coast farmers are having to make changes to their operations as a result of the unseasonably warm weather. | | | |
Study Improves Understanding of Food Safety Risks in California Central Coast Produce | DAVIS, Calif. -- A major five-year study on California's Central Coast led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Western Center for Food Safety... | | | |
Signs of strong El Niño emerge. Here's what California can expect. | El Niño, the seasonal climate pattern that brings a cascade of global weather impacts, is emerging in the Pacific Ocean. | | | |
California Ag Leadership Foundation Announces New President and CEO | MONTEREY, Calif. - The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) announced that Lesa Eidman has been selected as its new president and CEO, effective Feb. 18.... | | | | |
What’s in the new farm bill for California?
Growers have been working without a current farm bill since 2023, leaving many initiatives like trade, research and rural development in long-term limbo or forcing them to rely on stopgaps or other sources of funding.
Fortunately, despite the high-pitched rancor in Washington, D.C., the House Agriculture Committee last week approved a Republican-authored 2026 farm bill by a margin of 34-17, with seven Democrats including California’s Jim Costa and Adam Gray crossing party lines to support it.
Read More Here
| |
| | SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Private Attorneys' General Act (PAGA) reforms enacted by the Legislature in the summer of 2024 allow you limited opportunities to de-fang predatory... | | | |
Groups Join NCGA as Allies in the Agriculture Coalition for USCMA | WASHINGTON - The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, more commonly called the USMCA, has been undeniably good for American agriculture. And as we approach the sixth anniversary... | | | |
Proposed Rail Merger Comes at Farmers' Expense | Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger could raise farm transportation costs, reduce competition, and threaten supply chain reliability for U.S. agriculture. | | | |
Lawmakers Eye War Funding Package for More Farm Aid | URBANA, Ill. - E&E News' Meredith Lee Hill and Jennifer Scholtes reported that "Republicans are debating whether to attach wildfire aid and $15 billion in tariff... | | | | California Farm Bureau presents the Farm Bureau Extension: Continuing Education Series. Get ready for another year of high-quality Continuing Education designed to keep California agriculture informed, compliant, and ahead of the curve. Our 2026 CE Webinar Series will feature monthly one-hour virtual sessions (9:30–10:30 a.m.) offering DPR and CCA credits, delivered by leading experts. Subject matter experts will share information immediately applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. CE certificates will be sent for each webinar attended after the successful completion of a simple quiz on the material. | | |
Next Session Date:
April 9 — Advances in UAV Agriculture - Exploration of drone technology and its expanding role in modern farming
Learn More Here
| | Grants Available - AgWest Farm Credit | | |
The New Producer Grant is open to individual producers only; non-profit organizations are not eligible. Non-profits are encouraged to explore AgWest's Rural Community Grant program.
Producer Grant Information
| | |
Financial Support for
Inspiring Opportunities
Partnering with our communities to provide the financial support they need to thrive is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also part of our purpose.
AgWest offers a variety of competitive grant opportunities to help organizations and producers take their programs to the next level.
Learn More
About Grants
| | |
This program provides grants to non-profit organizations for projects that improve rural communities within Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Rural Community Grant Information
| |
| | How the environmental-litigation complex hijacks unsettled science | | | |
| | Court Authorizes Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement for Farmers, Landscapers and Others Exposed to Weed Killers | ST. LOUIS - Seeger Weiss LLP, Motley Rice LLC, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, Williams Hart & Boundas LLP, The Holland Law Firm, and Ketchmark... | | | |
Moving With Purpose on the Farm and Ranch | By moving with intention and building strength and awareness, farmers and ranchers can stay steadier, safer and more confident during every task. | | | |
2025/2026 National Cover Crop Survey Is Now Open for Farmer Input | WASHINGTON - Farmers across the United States-whether they use cover crops, formerly used them, or have never planted covers-are invited to share their insights on... | | | |
Iran War Deprives U.S. Farmers of Affordable Fertilizer as Spring Planting Looms | Farmers in the U.S. and Canada, already worried about another year of low profits or losses, now could have spring planting disrupted as they struggle to find fertilizer. | | | | | | |
California continues to be at risk from unpredictable wildfires. Don’t let your family be caught off guard. Have a 5-minute plan to avoid being trapped in the event of an evacuation.
| | |
| | Farmworkers Lament Loss of Hours and Pay - Farm Employers Labor Service | Araceli Aceves Cortés used to get by working in the fields and orchards of the Sacramento Valley. For 60 hours a week, when seasonal work was available, the mother of three pruned nut trees or tended fields of melons or tomatoes in Colusa County. She paid her rent. | | | |
Salad Packs a Healthy Punch to Meet a Growing Vitamin B12 Need | NORWICH, England - A pioneering research-industry partnership has used advances in indoor farming technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, opening an exciting... | | | |
Canneries Reduce Tomato Acreage to Lowest in 50 Years | SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- After a short-lived increase during the pandemic, California's processing tomato acreage is set to decline for a third consecutive year. The state's... | | | |
Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Declared in Portion of San Diego County | SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of five flies... | | | | Check Out Your Local Farmers Market! | |
| |
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!
| | | | |
Founded in 1950, Farm Supply Company is dedicated to serving the farm, home, and ranch needs of California's Central Coast. Farm Supply offers a wide range of products including irrigation, pet supplies, equine, livestock, and lawn & garden essentials.
Fun Fact - San Luis Obispo County Farm Supply Company, Inc. established in 1950 as an agricultural supply cooperative to serve the members of the Farm Bureau.
| | |
Locations:
San Luis Obispo
224 Tank Farm Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Paso Robles
2450 Ramada Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Arroyo Grande
1079 El Camino Real
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Santa Maria
1920 N. Broadway
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Buellton
700 McMurray Road
Buellton, CA 93427
Learn More Here!
| | |
It's Chick Season!
Chick season is officially here at Farm Supply! 🐥✨
Please note that chicks arrive on different days at each location.
View the Chick List below to learn more!
Chick List!
| | Thank You Farm Bureau Members | | |
Renewing Platinum Members
Farm Supply Company
Limoneira Company
Renewing Agriculture Members
MoonSprings Vineyards
Kathy Kanawyer
Derrick Tartaglia
James Righetti
Kent Allen
William Cochrane
Clint Kuhnle
Renewing Associate Members
Salud Carbajal for Congress
| |
Study Examines Practicality of Methane-Reducing Seaweed for Grazing Cattle | DAVIS, Calif. -- Previous studies have shown that adding red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) to beef cattle rations could reduce methane - a potent greenhouse gas... | | | |
|
Place article copy here. Be sure to make the articles short and concise as people tend not to read much more than a couple of paragraphs. Place article copy here.
Text Link
| | | |
| | In April 2025, Vina Robles Winery launched its "Rookie Club" wine club tier, a program specifically designed to engage younger consumers and newcomers to wine. It's part of a concerted effort by the Paso Robles-based winery to attract legal-drinking-age Gen Z consumers and younger Millennials. | | | | |
SLO County Farm Bureau Members Community Discounts:
-
Talley Farm Box - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive $15.00 off your first Talley Farms Box with Code: SLOFB
-
JUSTIN Winery - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive 20% off sitewide using code SLOFB20
-
CAMBRIA Hotel-Templeton - SLO Farm Bureau Members Receive discounted booking rate
| | |
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
| | |
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 | | Thank You Business Support 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. | | | | |
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2458520spreadin20fertilizer-2000-de69fa45a10b46f1ab24bca3d63efb76.jpg)
