EPA Issues Emergency Order on Use of Dacthal | |
This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: Local Farmers Raise Concerns Over Farmland Rezoning to Make Way for Housing | |
Final Results from the Mid-State Fair | |  |
Local farmers raise concern over farmland rezoning to make way for housing | 95% of California's farms are family-owned, according to USDA ag census data. Aging out is a threat, along with the development of new housing. | | | |
County Government: Port San Luis Votes to Move Forward with Offshore Wind Port Study | |
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SLO County Board of Supervisors Meets Tomorrow August 13th at 9AM
The San Luis County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, August 13th at 9AM. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. The
6 Submittal of a resolution recognizing Vicki Janssen as the San Luis Obispo County CattleWomen’s Association 2024 CattleWoman of the Year.
7 Submittal of a resolution recognizing Brian Talley as the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau 2024 Agriculturalist of the Year.
8 Submittal of a resolution recognizing Aaron Lazanoff as the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association 2024 Cattleman of the Year.
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Atascadero City Council advances Measure L-24 to November ballot * Atascadero News | The Atascadero News is your daily online news source and the only printed newspaper dedicated to Atascadero, since 1916. | | | | |
Port San Luis votes to move forward with offshore wind port study | Tensions ran high between community members and Port San Luis Harbor District commissioners over offshore wind during a July 23 board meeting. During the meeting,... | | | |
State Government: CFBF Legal Services In Brief Newsletter- August Edition | |
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Agritourism Survey for CDFA, UCANR, & Cal Poly Study
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has contracted with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and Cal Poly to analyze the impact of invasive plant pest species on agritourism and to better understand the role that agritourism plays in your agricultural business.
Findings will be used to analyze the effectiveness of CDFA’s pest prevention strategies and tools and provide recommendations that will enable CDFA to restructure or adapt their pest prevention program as needed. Findings may also be shared with decision makers regarding the role of agritourism in diversifying agricultural businesses.
By completing this survey, you are providing critical insights into the impacts of invasive plant pest species on agritourism. All survey responses are anonymous. The survey should only be completed by farms and ranches that have hosted visitors on their farm over the past five years (2019-2023). Examples could include farmstands, u-pick, tours, overnight stays, events, animal viewing, and any other experiences that bring visitors to your farm/ranch.
If you have any questions on this survey and how the responses will be used, please contact Rachael Callahan, Statewide Agritourism Coordinator, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: rmcallahan@ucanr.edu
The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. CLICK HERE to start the survey.
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FAIR Plan Update to 'Provide Much-Needed Security' for Farmers | The updates to the California FAIR Plan are intended to help a variety of groups, including homeowners, farms, and businesses... | | | | |
CORE Announces Launch Date for New Zero-Emissions Heavy-Duty Off-Road Equipment for Purchase or Lease | Using zero-emissions heavy-duty off-road equipment can better the air we breathe compared to traditional fossil-fuel equipment. Pasadena, CA - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and CALSTART are pleased to... | | | |
Federal Government: AFBF Appreciates USDA Reforms to Loan Process | |
AFBF Appreciates USDA Reforms to Loan Process | WASHINGTON -- American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on USDA's proposed changes to the Farm Service Agency's Farm Loan Programs meant to increase... | | | | |
Solar Energy Expansion and its Impacts on Rural Communities | 55% of new electricity generation capacity in 2023 was solar. | | | |
Produce: New Technologies Being Developed Locally to Advance Strawberry Industry | |
New technologies being developed locally to advance strawberry industry | The annual Cal Poly Strawberry Center Field Day is a way for growers from all over the state to check out new technologies. | | | | |
Market share for organic berries, other fruits grows | While packaged salads and clipped greens led the way as organic produce entered the mainstream, organic fruit may be poised for significant increases. | | | | |
State of the Agriculture Industry: California farmers face uncertainty, diminishing profitability | The topic was discussed with the California State Board of Food and Agriculture Tuesday during a panel discussion. | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
Poor Richard's Press
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At Poor Richard’s Press, we cater to businesses on California’s Central Coast (San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Paso Robles) as well as all across the USA. offering a full spectrum of tailored design, print, mail, apparel, and promotional services aimed at empowering your brand and ensuring your message resonates clearly and effectively with your audience. You can visit our printing services shop here. | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Agricultural Members
JoAnn Ernst, Craig Gill, D Lewis Farms, Joel Twisselman, and William Weitkamp
Renewing Associate Members
Robert Tullock
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Labor: Californians Say They Were Fired for Leaving Their Jobs in Sweltering Heat. Is the State on Their Side? | |
Can the one time use of a racial slur= harassment in the workplace? CA Supreme Court says it's possible | The recent California Supreme Court case of Bailey v. San Francisco District Attorney's Office , No. S265223 (July 29, 2024)) might perk up employers' ears with | | | | |
Californians say they were fired for leaving their jobs in sweltering heat. Is the state on their side? | Despite state rules to protect California farmworkers, inspections and citations are down. A bill would make workers' comp claims easier. | | | |
Wildfire: Deadline Looms for California Airports to Stop Using PFAs Firefighting Foams | |
'Know when to mow': Fire officials offer advice on how to landscape responsibly | Fire officials have some pointers for homeowners on the Central Coast. During July 2024, crews responded to multiple wild-land fires that were caused by mowing, weed-eating and disking. | | | | |
Lake Fire reaches 100% containment: Here's how much it's cost | Los Padres National Forest officials have announced that the Lake Fire is now 100% contained. As of Aug. 5, the cost of response efforts has amounted to $110 million. | | | | |
Deadline looms for California airports to stop using PFAS firefighting foams | By Benjamin Purper A majority of California airports known to be contaminated with toxic PFAS chemicals are continuing to rely on PFAS-laden foams for firefighting, despite a looming state deadline to phase out the foams due to the risks they pose to human and environmental health. | | | |
Featured Member Benefit:
Farm Bureau Extension
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One of the first elements of the Farm Bureau Extension program, launched in 2021, was our Continuing Education Series – a pesticide continuing education (CE) hours series presented through virtual classes to help members meet their CE requirements. The inaugural CE sessions included four classes held between July and November 2021.
Building on the success of the first series, California Farm Bureau expanded the 2022 CE Series to include twice as many classes. The schedule included ten topics over eight dates, some of which were also presented in Spanish.
Current price:Currently, the 2024 CE Series includes ten class dates throughout the year. Members can enjoy free webinars on a variety of topics. These classes will be a mixture of laws and regulations and other hours with accreditation through Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Current price:Cost is free for members and $400 for non-members.
In 2022 we made a new addition to the Farm Bureau Extension family of benefits offered to members - Health and Safety on the Farm and Ranch Trainings Presented by Nationwide. Trainings focused on risk management and other business operations topics are presented via virtual classes twice a month in both English and Spanish.
FREE for members: Join Farm Bureau as an Agricultural member and enjoy all of our programs at no cost! Click here to become a member and save!
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Livestock: California Rangeland Trust to Present Free Zoom Webinar on Grazing Technology on August 20th | |
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Join the California Rangeland Trust for a discussion about the successes, limitations, costs, and funding opportunities associated with using virtual fencing and collars on cattle grazing on public and private lands. Come with questions to ask the expert panel of speakers.
August 20, 2024 | 11 am - 12:30 pm | Zoom Webinar- Register Here
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USDA Invests $22 Million in 29 Projects to Expand Conservation for Livestock Producers | WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $22 million for 29 selected projects in 36 states that expand access to conservation technical assistance... | | |
Cattle Chat: Body Condition Scoring | MANHATTAN, Kan. - Body mass index allows people to evaluate their physical health by measuring body fat using a weight-to-height ratio. In a similar fashion,... | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Winemakers' Cookoff Announces This Year's Winners | |
Winemakers' Cookoff announces this year's winners | The 2024 Winemakers' Cookoff announced its winners in various categories. In the People's Choice category, Cal Coast Brewery took first place, followed by Eberle [...] | | | | |
International CAB Symposium debuts in Paso Robles this October | Tickets available now - The International CAB Symposium has announced its inaugural event, scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 in Paso Robles. The five-day [...] | | | |
Water: Grover Beach Residents Will Vote on Wastewater Rates in the General Election | |
Grover Beach residents will vote on wastewater rates in the general election | Come November, Grover Beach voters will get the chance to lower their wastewater rates with Measure G-24. The citizens ballot initiative from Grover H2O proposes... | | | | |
Forest Service orders Arrowhead bottled water company to shut down California pipeline | The Forest Service told bottled water company BlueTriton Brands to stop piping water out of a California national forest. The company is suing to challenge the decision. | | | |
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. | | | | |
