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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

January 26, 2026

www.slofarmbureau.org

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2026 Crab Feed Tickets are ON SALE!


The 23rd Annual Crab Feed

Saturday, February 21, 2026

4:00 p.m.

Paso Robles Event Center - Estrella Building 


Claim your bib to an all-you-can-eat Crab Dinner hosted by the San Luis Obispo County Foundation for Agricultural Awareness and California Mid-State Fair Heritage Foundation at the Paso Robles Event Center. It's not all about the food - it's about the cause. The proceeds from the dinner fund the Foundation for Agricultural Awareness and Heritage Foundation scholarships fund. Over the years, more than $100,000 in scholarships were awarded to San Luis Obispo County youngsters who have participated in activities at the California Mid-State Fair.


Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased from Devon Pitts by calling (805) 674-3771 or emailing devonpitts13@gmail.com

This Week In SLO County Agriculture

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:


  • January 27th - SLO Farm Bureau Monthly Board Meeting. Meeting starts at 5:00pm at the SLO Farm Bureau Office. Please RSVP to Paul at pclark@slofarmbureau.org if you plan on attending.
  • February 9th - SLO County Farm Bureau Women Monthly Meeting. 10:30- 1:30pm at the Atascadero Elks Lodge. Listen to two speakers from the Command Center in Templeton. Please RSVP BY February 1st to Susan Sonne. Text or call 805-610-1375 or Email: shortsuecakes@gmail.com
  • February 10th - SLO Young Farmers and Ranchers Meeting at the SLO Food Bank RSVP Here
  • February 21st - Foundation For Ag Awareness Crab Feed at the Paso Robles Event Center. Read More Here
  • February 24th - SLO Farm Bureau Monthly Board Meeting. Meeting starts at 5:00pm at the SLO Farm Bureau Office. Please RSVP to Paul at pclark@slofarmbureau.org if you plan on attending.
  • February 28th - SLO Cattlewomen Polenta and Beef Stew Fundraiser - Templeton Legion Hall - 5:00pm-9:00pm - Learn More Here

Upcoming Events

Scholarship Information for Local Students

Scholarship opportunities for agriculture students in San Luis Obispo County are available now. If you have a student pursuing a degree in agriculture, animal science, agribusiness, or a related field, be sure to check out the scholarships offered through the SLO County Farm Bureau and local partners.


  • SLO County Farm Bureau Women Scholarship
  • SLO County Cattlewomen Scholarship
  • AG Awareness Foundation Scholarship
  • Community Foundation of SLO Scholarships
  • AG Awareness Foundation Scholarship
  • Championing Ag Scholarship - AgWest Farm Credit



Find More Information Here!

Local Updates

Update From:

The Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District:


The Resource Conservation Districts in the Central Coast Soil Hub are excited to announce that we have hired Grant Johnson as our new regional rangeland conservation planner. Grant will be based out of the Coastal San Luis RCD but he is available to provide technical assistance to ranchers and rangeland managers in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. He will also play a major role in continuing the development of the Central Coast Rancher-to-Rancher network, as well as organizing a variety of technical workshops focused on rangeland conservation. If you’d like to get in contact with Grant, you can reach him at gjohnson@coastalrcd.org.

USDA Names Trump Administration Appointees to the California Farm Service Agency State Committee


We are proud to announce that the USDA has appointed a local SLO Cattlewomen Member and our 2025 CattleWomen of the Year, Debbie Arnold to the California Farm Service Agencies State committee.


Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins has appointed 5 Agricultural leaders that are held in high regard by the California Agricultural Industry.



We are so proud of Debbie Arnold!

State News

USDA Names Trump Administration Appointees to the California Farm Service Agency State Committee

Davis, Calif. - Jan. 13, 2026 - The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the California USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

Will New E15 Legislation Save CA Drivers Money?

DAVIS, Calif. - California gas prices are already the highest in the country, and with upcoming refinery closures, these costs are expected to increase further....

Federal News

Farm Bureau Urges Congress to Act on Farm Economy

The American Farm Bureau Federation is sounding the alarm on the economic crisis in rural America. Chad Smith has the details. Smith: The farm economy continues to struggle in 2026, and farm groups are calling on Congress to act. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said many farmers are under water financially.

Agricultural

AFBF Analysis Underlines Need for Additional Farm Support

A new Market Intel illustrates that, despite recent assistance payments, the U.S. farm economy is still in trouble. Chad Smith has the story. Parum: Our farmers are really struggling right now. They've seen consecutive years of losses, and so even though we've had some economic assistance from Congress and the White House, we still see losses across the economy.

Applications Open for California Agricultural Leadership Program Class 56

MONTEREY, Calif. - Applications are now open for Class 56 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP), a transformative leadership experience for individuals shaping the...

A Message From PG&E:

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.

Visit firefightersonyourside.org for more safety tips.


#WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly 

Labor

California Pay Reporting Deadline Coming in May - Farm Employers Labor Service

California's pay data reporting for covered California employers is due May 13, 2026. California mandates that employers with at least 100 employees submit a pay data report to the state Civil Rights Department as part of its efforts to advance fair pay. SB 1162 (2022) expanded the reporting requirement to include employees hired through labor [...]

Decoding OBBA Federal Tax-Deductible Overtime for Farm Employees - Farm Employers Labor Service

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed by Congress and signed into law last year by President Trump, allows employees to deduct overtime premiums (the "half" in "time-and-a-half") mandated by section 7 of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) from their income for federal income taxable income for tax years 2025 through 2028.

Produce

Lettuce Virus Cases Creeping Back Up After Reprieve

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- After two years of lower levels of impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) in the Salinas Valley, researchers have recorded a higher number...

Specialty Crop Leaders Express Disappointment

WASHINGTON - Specialty crop leaders this week renewed their calls for urgent economic support for U.S. growers and shared their disappointment after the U.S. House...

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!

Business Member Directory

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Associate Members

Longcrier & Associates CPAs LLC

Renewing Agriculture Members

Traceland

Ben Higgins

Nick Guriel

Peter Orradre

Kathleen Marquart

Tom Lyles

Barry Branin

Reymondo Manuel

Grey Ranch

Wendy Spradlin

Renewing Business Support Members

Santa Maria Seeds

Livestock

USDA Announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge. This funding opportunity marks...

Cost of California Wolf Pack-Livestock Conflict

DAVIS, Calif. - Nearly a decade after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed the state's first wolf pack, the rural community in...

Vineyard and Wine

Paso Robles Wine Month to Launch Nationally May 2026, Uniting Wineries, Retailers and Restaurants to Reach the Next Generation of Wine Consumers

PRNewswire/ -- Launching in May 2026, Paso Robles Wine Month (PRWM) is a new national initiative celebrating the wines, culture and community of Paso Robles...

Water

Fort Hunter Liggett launches $165 million water infrastructure improvement project

Fort Hunter Liggett's aged water distribution system will be replaced with a new and efficient system beginning in the fall of this year. The [...]

California Budget Underscores Agriculture's Role in Wildfire and Water Solutions - But Gaps Remain

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed budget highlights California's continued focus on wildfire response, climate resilience and water infrastructure but leaves gaps in direct support and...

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

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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.

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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