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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

January 20, 2025

www.slofarmbureau.org

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Our SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers hosted the first meeting of the year at Firestone Walker Brewery in Paso Robles last Tuesday! They had a great turnout and an even better tour of the brewery by Firestone’s head of engineering, Mark! This was a great way to kick off the year. We look forward to continuing to host meetings the second Tuesday of every month. These meetings consist of farm and ranch tours, brewery tours, wine tastings, PCA panels, and socials!


 If you want to host our SLO YF&R group for a meeting or social please reach out to Jesslyn Blank at jblank@slofarmbureau.org.


The SLO County Farm Bureau Team


This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Community: Save The Date - SLO Farm Bureau Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser March 27th, 2025
  • Local Government: City Seeking Input For County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 
  • State Government: Governor Newsom's Proposed FY 25-26 Budget Relies on Proposition 4 for Food and Agriculture Investments
  • Federal Government: USDA Finalizes Key Reforms For Farmers
  • Environmental: Morro Bay Residents Rally Against Offshore Wind Farm Proposal 
  • Produce: Northern SLO County Farmers Weigh In On On National Egg Shortage
  • Labor: Navigating Immigration Enforcement in Ag - California Farm Labor Contractor Association
  • Business Member Spotlight: Bank Of The Sierra
  • Thank You Farm Bureau Members
  • Featured Member Benefit: Choice Hotels
  • Livestock: Rebuilding Cattle Inventories Remains Ongoing Question
  • Vineyard and Wine: California Bountiful Episode on Chamisal Vineyards
  • Water: Newly Elected Congressman Adam Gray Highlights Agriculture, Water Challenges
  • Fire: California Wildfires Also Affecting Agriculture
  • Farm Bureau Membership Matters

January 13th Most-Read

  1. 'Trump’s promised deportations are on a collision course with a California economy built on hypocrisy
  2. California has more money than expected. Here’s how Gavin Newsom wants to spend it
  3. Local lavender farm awarded grant to support pollinator-friendly habitats
  4. Wine company ranked as ‘No. 2 Healthiest Mid-Size Employer’
  5. California Wine Grape harvest Review
  6. Wellsona Road safety project construction begins Jan. 14
  7. A surprising immigration raid in Kern County foreshadows what awaits farmworkers and businesses
  8. Trump is planning 100 executive orders starting Day 1 on border, deportations and other priorities
  9. THE CENTER SQUARE: Newsom, Biden unveil new water plan amid drought, fish protection debate
  10. Wildfires spark renewed concerns over home insurance coverage in California

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:

  • January 22nd - SLO County Farm Bureau Sportsman Raffle Calendar - 2nd Drawing of the Month!
  • January 28th - Monthly SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting - 5:00pm at the SLO County Farm Bureau Office - Please RSVP!

Community: Save The Date - SLO Farm Bureau Winemaker Dinner Fundraiser March 27th

World Ag Expo - Get your tickets now!

February 11th-13th!

The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, the largest annual agricultural show of its kind. Held in Tulare, California, World Ag Expo® provides a platform of networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States.

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San Luis Obispo County launches new non-emergency alert system, AlertSLO

Certain alerts such as highway closures, severe weather, power outages, and public health alerts are now available from the county.

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Construction on long-awaited underpass at Hwy 101/Wellsona Rd. begins this week

Caltrans says construction on a new underpass just south of Wellsona Road along Highway 101 in northern San Luis Obispo County is beginning construction this week.

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City streamlines accessory dwelling unit construction with new program

Homeowners can save time with city's new pre-approved accessory dwelling plans - The City of Paso Robles has launched a program offering pre-approved plans to [...]

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Equestrian community comes together to help horses impacted by L.A. fires

A woman from southern Oregon is stopping in Pismo Beach on her way to Southern California to pick up supplies for horses impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.

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Community Tours | City Farm SLO

JOIN US AT THE FARM ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH! We offer a 90-minute public tour of our Farm on the first Saturday of the month. Public Farm Tours operate on a pay-what-you-can basis with a suggested donation of $20 per person, 30 people maximum.

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Local Government: City Seeking Input For County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

Grover Beach City Council appoints Jules Tuggle to the District 2 seat

After Grover Beach residents voted to recall Councilmember Daniel Rushing in the November election, city council members selected realtor Jules Tuggle for the District 2 council member role.

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SLO Co. D.A. pushes for legislation to fight looting following Los Angeles wildfires

SLO Co. District Attorney Dan Dow is pushing for legislation to fight looting as wildfires continue to burn across Los Angeles County.

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City seeking input for county hazard mitigation plan update

Survey is open until Jan. 31 - The City of Paso Robles is seeking input from residents as part of San Luis Obispo County's update [...]

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State Government: Governor Newsom's Proposed FY 25-26 Budget Relies on Proposition 4 for Food and Agriculture Investments

California is years behind in implementing a law to make homes more fire resistant

California is years behind in implementing a 2020 law aiming to make it harder for homes to burn during a wildfire.

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Biden announces 2 new national monuments in California after wildfires scuttled previous event

President Biden has announced the creation of two California national monuments that will honor Native American tribes while shielding mountains and deserts from mining and energy development.

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Governor Newsom's Proposed FY 25-26 Budget Relies on Proposition 4 for Food and Agriculture Investments

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- On January 10, Governor Newsom released the details of his proposed budget for FY 25-26. Despite a balanced budget with a small...

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California pulls back EPA requests for approval to phase out diesel-powered trains and big rigs

California has withdrawn requests for the EPA to give the state authority to enforce rules limiting emissions from diesel-powered trains and big rigs.

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Federal Government: USDA Finalizes Key Reforms For Farmers

FDA bans food additive Red No. 3 due to cancer risks

Amid concerns the additive causes cancer, the FDA is implementing a ban on a popular food dye used in candy and cakes.

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US Government Releases First National One Health Plan

WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior (DOI) today released...

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Craig Denounces Proposed Cuts to Farm Bill Programs - Farm Bill AgNet West

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig released a statement criticizing a new Republican proposal she says would reduce .....

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Donald Trump returns to the White House for his second term. Here's how locals reacted.

Inauguration Day is on Monday and it marks the official transfer of presidential power from President Biden to President-elect Donald Trump.

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USDA Announces Grants and Technical Assistance Funding - AgNet West

USDA recently announced it is .....grants and technical assistance through two separately funded projects to support urban agriculture and ..

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USDA Finalizes Key Reforms for Farmers

USDA finalized its third major rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act, continuing efforts to promote fairness and transparency in ag.

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Blog: President Donald Trump declares 'golden age of America begins right now'

President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. Follow along for live updates.

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Environmental: Morro Bay Residents Rally Against Offshore Wind Farm Propo

Cal Poly expands research on idle and abandoned well emissions

University receives $1M grant for statewide emissions study - Cal Poly's environmental engineering team is broadening its groundbreaking research on greenhouse gas emissions from California's idle ...

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USDA Grants More Than $70 Million to Protect Crops and Natural Resources

WASHINGTON -- Today [Jan. 14, 2025], the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing an investment of more than $70 million in 357 projects in...

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Morro Bay residents rally against offshore wind farm proposal

Over 200 people gathered on Saturday at the Morro Rock parking lot to protest the potential offshore wind farm project, voicing concerns over its ecological and economic impacts.

Read More

Produce: Northern SLO County Farmers Weigh In On On National Egg Shortage

America is in the middle of an egg shortage | CNN Business

American food markets are running short on eggs, and the situation may not improve for months.

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The 2025 California State Fair Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition Is Open for Entries!

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- BIG NEWS! The 2025 California Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition is right around the corner. We look forward to experiencing the craftsmanship...

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What Am I Buying? A Guide to Meat Labels

MANHATTAN, Kan. - "Gluten-free water" - she's not sure what that means, but it was an actual claim that Kanas State University assistant professor of...

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Northern SLO County farmers weigh in on national egg shortage

The egg shortage making national headlines is having real impacts on farmers in northern San Luis Obispo County.

Read More

Walnut Industry Forms New 'Walnut Alliance of California'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A group of walnut industry members announced the launch of a new organization with a mission to promote a stable and profitable...

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Labor: Navigating Immigration Enforcement in Ag - California Farm Labor Contractor Association

Ag Alert - Kern County immigration sweep halts citrus harvest

Scores of farmworkers stayed home last week amid an immigration enforcement operation conducted in Kern County by U.S. Border Patrol. Immigration experts said it was the largest operation by an immigration enforcement agency in the Central Valley in years. 

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Navigating Immigration Enforcement in Ag - California Farm Labor Contractor Association

With increasing concerns about Border Patrol actions across California, it's crucial for employers to understand their rights, responsibilities, and best practices when facing immigration enforcement in their communities or in the workplace. Do your clients, supervisors, and workers all understand field access procedures? Can 'doing due diligence' or providing information voluntarily backfire?

Read More

Business Member Spotlight:

Bank Of The Sierra



We’re a bank with deep community roots and a drive to keep reaching higher. We deliver attentive, personalized service and all the tools you need to build your best financial life.

Since our founding in 1977 in the southern San Joaquin Valley, we have expanded to more than 35 locations throughout California.

As we’ve grown in size and strength we’ve remained committed to our original promise: We will help make every community we’re part of better.



Learn More Here!


Bank Of The Sierra

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Business Support Members

Quinn Company

Renewing Agriculture Members

Eileen Giannini

Bejo Seeds Inc

Frank Ricigliano

Clayton Grant

Teixeira Farm Inc

Wendy Spradlin

Renewing Business Support Associate Members

Astound Business Solutions

Renewing Associate Members

John Gardner

Dawn Ortiz Legg

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Featured Member Benefit: Choice Hotels

Farm Bureau members save up to 20 percent off the best available rates at over 7000 participating Choice Hotels at 22 brands worldwide such as Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Hotels, Suburban StudiosTM, Rodeway Inn and Econo Lodge. Save up to 20 percent also off at Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, Ascend Collection, and many more!

Call the Choice Hotels toll free number 877-424-6423 and mention the Farm Bureau ID number or go to choicehotels.com to book online. To obtain the discount code, please call the member help desk at 1-800-698-3276.

Livestock: Rebuilding Cattle Inventories Remains Ongoing Questio

Bird Flu Flares Up Again: An Infectious Disease Expert Weighs In

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (THE CONVERSATION) -- After a relatively quiet fall, there's been another spike in cases of bird flu in Michigan. When state officials...

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Register Today For CattleCon 2025

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- While CattleCon 2025 is just around the corner, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas, it isn't too late to register. Whether flying...

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In the Cattle Markets: 2025 Picks Up Where 2024 Left Off

LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- Cattle markets are off to a hot start in 2025. All through the supply chain from beef markets to feeder cattle markets,...

Read More

Rebuilding Cattle Inventories Remains Ongoing Question

The process of rebuilding U.S. cattle inventories will remain an ongoing question well into 2025. Texas A&M extension livestock economist ...

Read More

USDA Confirms Poultry Rule Will Not Be Finalized - Poultry AgNet West

USDA/AMS has announced the withdrawal of the proposed rule, Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets, originally issued on ........

Read More

Vineyard and Wine: California Bountiful Episode on Chamisal Vineyards

Locals purchase Edna Valley Vineyards property

The closure of Edna Valley Vineyards was announced in July of last year. Now, there are new plans for the property.

Read More

Local experts discuss how tariffs could impact the Central Coast wine industry

With President-elect Donald Trump taking office, local wine experts weigh in on how tariffs could impact the Central Coast wine industry.

Read More

Pelletiere Estate celebrates 10 years with anniversary wine sale

Mother-daughter winery celebrates 10 years in Paso Robles - Pelletiere Estate Winery, a mother-daughter-run winery located in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, is [...]

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Check out this weeks California Bountiful Episode on Chamisal Vineyards!


Pioneering Sustainability and Premier Wines in Edna Valley

Chamisal Vineyards lies in the premier region of the San Luis Obispo Coast, one of the coolest appellations in California. Chamisal is known for being the first commercial vineyard planted in the area before an AVA (American Viticulture Area) was recognized. As a trailblazer in sustainability, Chamisal Vineyards has been SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified since 2010, and in 2016, becoming the second-ever SIP-certified winery. 

Water: Newly Elected Congressman Adam Gray Highlights Agriculture, Water Challenges

SLO County Public Works mapping storm drain infrastructure

Over the coming months, SLO County Public Works will be mapping locations of existing infrastructure like pipes and manholes that handle stormwater, making sure it's connected and in the right places.

Read More

Ag Alert - Kaweah farms find balance under SGMA

California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act—the state’s solution to groundwater depletion—is projected to result in as much as a fifth of the San Joaquin Valley’s farmland going fallow in the next 15 years. For farmers in the region, their future depends on finding ways to farm while adapting to the new paradigm of groundwater regulation. 

Read More

Newly Elected Congressman Adam Gray Highlights Agriculture, Water Challenges

Congressman Adam Gray, the newly elected U.S. Representative for California's 13th Congressional District, is bringing his lifelong connection to agriculture and pragmatic approach to Washington, D.C. In an interview on ... Read More

Read More

GOVERNOR NEWSOM: California pumping more water now than under Trump Administration

From Office of the Governor: What you need to know: California has worked with the federal government to manage water delivery and increase the amount of water flowing to our farmers and southern regions - even when federal and state law require pumps to be slowed down.

Read More

Water:

Fire: California Wildfires Also Affecting Agriculture

Lawsuit aims to stop largest-ever fire prevention project on Plumas National Forest

The topic of wildfires and forest management is front and center amid the destructive wildfires in Southern California.

Read More

Controlled burn, containment, evacuation warning: The meanings behind different fire terminologies

Fire Captain Eric Carreiro from CAL FIRE spoke with KSBY News Wednesday afternoon to help clarify the different fire terms being used by fire officials.

Read More

Vistra battery plant in Monterey County catches fire, forces evacuations

The plant, described as the largest of its kind in the world, caught fire Thursday afternoon. County officials have ordered the evacuations of hundreds of residents.

Read More

Los Angeles fires have scorched largest urban area in California in at least 40 years

Two wildfires still burning in Los Angeles have torched more urban area than any other fire in the state since at least the mid-1980s, an Associated Press analysis shows.

Read More

California Wildfires Also Affecting Agriculture

Although you're hearing a lot about how the wildfires are ....areas in Southern California, they are also affecting agricultural areas in ...

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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.

Join or Renew Your San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau Membership

Thank You Platinum Members

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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.

 
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