SBCFB Weekly Newsletter

October 28, 2026

PURCHASE CALENDARS HERE

Strong Roots Early Registration Prize Drawing!

To be automatically entered in a drawing to win one of three valuable prizes, register by Friday, October 30th. The drawing will be held on, and the winners will be notified, November 16th.

Prizes are:

Grand Sierra Resort Spa Package
Annual Meeting Room Upgrade at Grand Sierra Resort (three night maximum)
California Farm Bureau Gift Basket

Find Out More HERE

No purchase necessary. Limited to persons at least 18 years of age who reside in California. One entry per person.

Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau Member Benefit

Located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, Eagle Eye Firearms Inc. is a full-service firearms dealer, manufacturer, and hunting outfitter serving sportsmen, hunters, and shooting enthusiasts throughout California. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in custom rifles and handguns, firearm sales and transfers, ammunition, optics, gunsmithing services, and hunting-related gear. Eagle Eye Firearms is committed to providing knowledgeable customer service, quality products, and expert guidance for both new and experienced firearm owners. The shop is also an authorized California Department of Fish and Wildlife licensing agent, offering hunting and fishing licenses for outdoor enthusiasts.

Just one session left in this year's series!

November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)

Wildfire Preparedness

One prepared home can help protect an entire neighborhood.

When a Red Flag Warning is issued, every minute matters.

Red Flag Warnings signal dangerous weather conditions that can contribute to extreme wildfire behavior. Monitor local alerts, follow guidance from emergency officials, and be prepared to act quickly if conditions change. Evacuating early before evacuation orders is recommended to avoid being trapped.

Understand what Red Flag Warnings mean and how to prepare:

firefightersonyourside.org

2026 Voter Guide

Get the PDF HERE

Imagine This… Story Writing Contest

Read More HERE or email alyssa@learnaboutag.org

Ag Rep Director Position Opening

Santa Ynez Water Group is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Director and Alternate Director positions on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

To qualify, a candidate must:

Be an owner or representative of an owner of property located within the boundaries of the EMA GSA and involved in Commercial Agriculture (as defined in the JPA), and which produces at least 2 acre-feet per year of groundwater from within the boundaries of the EMA GSA to support Commercial Agriculture on said property.
Be a resident and registered voter within the boundaries of the EMA GSA; and
Not be party to any pending litigation against the EMA GSA, other than as a party to a groundwater rights adjudication affecting the EMA GSA (no such adjudication is pending).

Please be aware that the Agricultural Director and Alternate Director positions on the JPA Board are public official designations, where individuals appointed to these positions are subject to the requirements of the Fair Political Practices Act, Public Records Act, Brown Act, and other applicable public laws and regulations. If you are interested in applying for the Agricultural Director and/or Alternate Director position, please email santaynezwatergroup@gmail.com to receive an application. All applications must be completed and submitted to the Santa Ynez Water Group by 5:00 PM PST on October 30, 2026.

Farm Bureau Hosts Webinar Series on Data Center Development

On Oct. 16, California Farm Bureau hosted a webinar examining the growth of data centers and their potential impacts on California agriculture, water resources and energy infrastructure. The presentation explored the significant water and electricity demands of artificial intelligence data centers compared to traditional facilities, along with potential economic development opportunities. The discussion also addressed concerns about farmland conversion, resource availability and how infrastructure costs may be distributed.

A follow-up webinar will be held Oct. 30 from 12 to 12:30 p.m., focusing on considerations for communities evaluating proposed data center projects and recently enacted legislation affecting data center development and operations.

Read More HERE

Medgene and FFAR Partner to Develop New World Screwworm Vaccine for Cattle

Researchers are working to develop a vaccine that could help protect cattle from New World screwworm, a destructive parasite that poses a serious threat to livestock health and the U.S. cattle industry. Animal health company Medgene is partnering with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) on a nearly $500,000 project to develop and test a vaccine for cattle.

New World screwworm larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds and tissue damage. If left untreated, infestations can become life-threatening, with affected livestock potentially dying within seven to 14 days.

The research effort aims to provide another tool for protecting cattle as concerns about the parasite’s potential economic impact continue.

Read More HERE

California Growers Prepare for Winter as USDA Announces $8 Billion in Farm Relief

The Harvest Fuel Relief program will provide one-time payments to eligible American farmers facing increased input costs and temporary market disruptions. According to the announcement discussed on the show, payments will be calculated using factors including planted acreage, production costs and commodity prices.

Importantly for California agriculture, the program is expected to include eligible specialty crop producers, including fruit and vegetable growers.

The conversation then turned to soil health as Cushnyr discussed Holloway’s work with gypsum and other soil amendments. She explained how gypsum can help address soil sodium problems and improve water penetration, particularly when applied ahead of anticipated rainfall.

Read More HERE

EPA Proposal Would Restore 770 Million Renewable Fuel Credits

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a change to renewable fuel requirements that could help maintain demand for ethanol and biodiesel. The plan would reallocate 770 million renewable fuel credits associated with small refinery exemptions, ensuring that waived blending obligations do not reduce the overall amount of renewable fuel required in the U.S. transportation fuel supply.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the proposal as part of the administration’s ongoing implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which establishes requirements for blending renewable fuels into the nation’s fuel supply.

The proposal could provide greater certainty for the biofuels industry by requiring other refiners to account for credits that were previously unaccounted for following exemptions granted to smaller facilities.

Read More HERE

Beef Imports Fall Short of Expectations, With Little Impact on Grocery Prices

The Trump administration’s plan to increase tariff-free beef imports has not significantly changed U.S. grocery store prices, according to beef industry consultant Dr. Nevil Speer. Initial data indicate that import volumes fell well short of the amount anticipated, raising questions about the policy’s ability to deliver lower beef prices for consumers.

The administration’s plan called for importing 300,000 metric tons of foreign-grown beef without tariffs, with the goal of increasing supply and easing prices at the grocery store. However, Speer said early figures show that only about 30,000 metric tons arrived in September.

“Clearly, we haven’t flooded the market, which was the concern with beef imports,” Speer said.

Read More HERE

Fall Berry Supplies Expected to Increase as Demand Grows

Berry supplies are expected to shift as the fall season gets underway, with Mexican raspberries and blackberries projected to increase over the coming months. The additional volume could create more opportunities for retailers to promote fresh berries, while weather challenges in South America may limit supplies from other major producing regions.

The changing outlook comes as consumer demand for raspberries and blackberries continues to strengthen. At the same time, growers are navigating higher production and transportation costs while the industry works to rebuild consumer confidence following recent product recalls.

Read More HERE

Tech solutions help reduce phone-related distracted driving

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company.

Implementing a distracted driving policy is a critical step toward managing cell phone use of vehicle operators, addressing a leading cause of vehicle accidents. While having a distracted driving policy is a requirement, it does not guarantee your drivers will follow it. This is evident by the continual use of hand-held phones and texting in states that prohibit it.

A driver that knowingly violates their organization’s policy may negatively impact the organization’s defense in an accident, no matter who was at fault.

Many organizations are taking a proactive approach and are utilizing technological measures to control and monitor cell phone use. These solutions range from simple do-not-disturb-while-driving settings on a phone, to full software or telematics solutions that can lock down all phones or monitor phone use.

Let us look at key items to be considered when evaluating technological solutions to phone-related distracted driving.

Read More HERE

FEATURED MEMBER BENEFIT

AVIS

PAY NOW™ AND SAVE UP TO 35% OFF AVIS RENTALS

California Farm Bureau members can save up to 35 percent off Avis base rates with PAY NOW* for max savings with an Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number. In addition, enjoy additional offers** like dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day. Visit www.Avis.com/CAFB or call 1 800-331-1212 to make a reservation.

Avis Car Rental operates one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,450 locations in more than 165 countries.

If you have member benefit questions, please call 916-561-5500 or visit your local FB office.

*Discount rates may vary between 10 and 35 percent, depending on time of year, availability, selection of PAY NOW™, and other factors.

**Farm Bureau discount may NOT be stacked with other AWD corporate or membership discounts.

Learn More HERE

FEATURED BUSINESS MEMBER

Grainger

Farm Bureau members get special member prices on selected categories and brands from Grainger, PLUS get free standard parcel shipping on all standard Grainger products.

Get started with your price savings using 3 easy methods:

Present the California Farm Bureau account number at time of purchase, go to https://www.grainger.com/farmbureau to establish a new Grainger.com® account using that account number; or call Grainger customer service at 1-800-472-4643 to update your existing Grainger account with the Farm Bureau organization account number.

To be sure you get your Farm Bureau member prices, always reference California Farm Bureau’s organization account number when visiting your local branch, making a telephone order, or when setting up your personal account online.

Learn More HERE