SBCFB Weekly Newsletter

October 7, 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.

October 8 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Schools (1 hr L/R)
November 12 — Safe Pesticide Use Around Bees (1 hr L/R)

2026 California Agriculture in the Classroom Regional Conference

We're excited to introduce Regional Teacher Conferences.

We’re bringing our teacher conference experience to you with Regional Teacher Conferences. This new format replaces one large event with smaller, local gatherings, making it easier to attend, connect, and learn.

Enjoy hands-on workshops, ready-to-use resources, and a chance to collaborate with fellow educators right in your area. Join us for new insights on bringing agriculture alive for your students! Registration Opens May 25th!

Read More HERE

Wildfire Preparedness

One prepared home can help protect an entire neighborhood.

Creating and maintaining defensible space is one of the most effective ways to reduce wildfire risk and help protect your community.

Defensible space tips:

Zone 0 (0–5 feet): Remove combustible materials such as leaves, mulch, and firewood from around your home.
Zone 1 (5–30 feet): Trim vegetation, remove dead plants, and keep grass short.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet): Reduce excess vegetation and create space between trees and shrubs.

Prepared communities recover stronger. Talk with neighbors about emergency plans, evacuation routes, and local resources before disaster strikes.

Learn more about ways to help protect your home from wildfire:

firefightersonyourside.org

2026 Ballot Propositions

Understand the Issues Before You Vote

Join California Farm Bureau for a review of the statewide ballot propositions and Farm Bureau's recommendations on each measure. Learn how these issues may impact agriculture and get the information you need before casting your vote.

Get the Details HERE

Thursday, October 8 | 4:00 PM

Tuesday, October 13 | 11:00 AM

2026 Voter Guide

Get the PDF HERE

Imagine This… Story Writing Contest

Read More HERE or email alyssa@learnaboutag.org

USDA Announces 2027 Dairy Margin Coverage Enrollment

Program Improvements Offer Greater Risk Protection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that dairy producers starting next Monday can enroll for 2027 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), a voluntary risk management program that was recently strengthened by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act with greater risk protection for dairy producers. DMC enrollment for 2027 starts Oct. 5 and runs through Dec. 18, 2026.

“Putting farmers first means making sure dairy producers have practical tools to protect their operations when markets fluctuate,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “Dairy Margin Coverage provides an affordable layer of protection when margins tighten, helping producers manage risk and keep their operations on solid ground.”

DMC provides financial protection when the difference between the national all-milk price and average feed cost falls below a producer-selected coverage level.

Read More HERE

Governor Signs Wolf-Livestock Coexistence Bill

As noted in the legislative breakdown, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1135 by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, establishing the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program in state law. Given the importance of this issue to Farm Bureau members, here is a closer look at what the new law means for livestock producers.

The law provides compensation for confirmed or probable livestock losses and indirect losses such as reduced weight gain or lower conception rates. It also explicitly allows working livestock guardian dogs to pursue wolves while defending livestock. To qualify for loss payments in active wolf territory, ranchers must use nonlethal deterrents. The law requires those measures to account for practical considerations, including feasibility, rough terrain, equipment costs, lease restrictions and standard livestock management practices.

Read More HERE

What’s in the Proposed Bay–Delta Water Quality Control Plan?

The State Water Resources Control Board is updating the Bay–Delta Water Quality Control Plan, which is set for adoption in late October 2026. Protecting water quality in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and its major tributaries—the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers—is one of the State Water Board’s key responsibilities. The Bay–Delta Plan sets water quality and flow standards for the multiple, occasionally conflicting, uses of these rivers.

While board members and stakeholders will debate the merits of the plan over the next month, it contains several innovations worth exploring regardless of the ultimate outcome.

Read More HERE

The changing landscape of U.S. dairy: migration, innovation and opportunity

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

There’s a lot changing in the U.S. dairy industry. Dairy farmers are pulling up stakes and moving their operations sometimes thousands of miles away. Dairy processors are evolving to meet changes in customer demand both domestically and internationally. Changes like these will continue to shape the industry. And in many cases, the changes offer new opportunities for dairy farmers.

Dairy farms migrating from west to east

After a westward migration decades ago, California has been the leading dairy-producing U.S. state. But that’s changing as farmers move back into the Midwest and Northeast. Factors behind the trend include high land and feed costs, environmental regulation and water scarcity.

“Farmers often see lower land costs and improved forage production capacity in the Midwest and Northeast compared to the West Coast,” said Nationwide Senior Dairy Consultant Dan Rice. “Dairy farmers are moving where they can access the feed they need, whether they grow it themselves or buy from another producer.”

At the same time, dairy processors are evolving what they produce and where they produce it. The planned construction of new large-scale processing plants in regions like upstate New York signal the industry’s growing confidence in the geographic trend underway among dairy farmers. In the long term, Rice said he expects this to stabilize the dairy market for farmers supplying milk to companies like Chobani and Coca-Cola Co.’s Fairlife.

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