How to Prepare for Card Check | |
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California Farm Bureau, Farm Employers Labor Service, San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau and Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau invite you to join them for an important labor seminar on Thursday, June 1st from 10:00 to 12:00 PM regarding AB 2183, the agricultural employee unionization card check legislation that went into effect on January 1, 2023. Presented by Barsamian and Moody, Attorneys at Law, this seminar will walk through the statutory changes to the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, including what is card check, labor peace elections, the administrative penalties, and appeal bond requirements in the new law. The seminar is intended for owner-operators, managers, human resources personnel, and farm labor contractors (FLCs). FLC representatives are encouraged to attend.
Spanish language interpretation and devices will be available for attendees. If you will need Spanish language translation, please register, and indicate the Spanish language option to ensure enough listening headsets can be provided. Los asistentes que requieran traducción al español deben comunicarse con Martha Peña al 800-753-9073. (Please note that the content of the seminar will not constitute legal advice or counsel.)
The seminar is at no cost to attend but RSVPs are required.
- Date: Thursday, June 1, 2023 (Deadline to register is Thursday, May 25)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, 4875 Morabito Place, San Luis Obispo
To register for the seminar in San Luis Obispo on June 1, please click here. For more information please contact Bryan Little at FELS at blittle@fels.net, 800-753-9073 or Catie Field at San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau at: cfield@slofarmbureau.org, (805) 543-3654.
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: Cal Poly is Seeking Four Judges for May 6th FFA Vegetable State Finals Contest | |
Top cowgirls and cowboys to compete at SLO County Sheriff's Rodeo on Sat., May 13 | The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Rodeo is coming back to the California Mid-State Fair for its second year. Watch some of the best cowboys and cowgirls from all over the state compete in events like team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, and team sorting. | | | |  |
You're Invited! Small Farm Spotlight at City Farm SLO! | This casual evening will be a great way to get to know better - their nonprofit mission, staff, programs, services they provide for small farmers, and what they are growing! : mingling and enjoying food & beverage until event close City Farm SLO The farm has been a part of our Farm to School Central Coast program since we started (and even before!) | | | |
Local Government: SLO County ‘Ag Pass’ Program Training May 10 | |
Cambria resident named as San Luis Obispo County interim administrative officer | A Cambria resident has been named interim administrative officer for San Luis Obispo County following the resignation of Wade Horton. County officials say John Nilon will serve as interim county administrative officer (CAO) for a minimum of three months while a nationwide search for a permanent replacement is underway. | | | | |
Caltrans breaks ground on Highway 46/41 'Wye' project | New interchange to address safety issues - About sixty people attended a groundbreaking Tuesday for the Cholame Y interchange project. When it's completed, the new [...] | | | |
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SLO County ‘Ag Pass’ Program Training May 10
Farmers and ranchers meeting eligibility requirements can sign up now for the SLO County’s Ag Pass training session on May 10.
On April 4, 2023, the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors voted to adopt an Agricultural Pass Program (AG Pass) for the purpose of issuing identification documents granting any qualifying agricultural producer, or a managerial employee, access to the qualifying producer’s farm or ranch property during a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, or other disaster.
In accordance with AB1103 which was passed on October 7, 2021, the purpose of creating a county-based Ag Pass Program is to provide a uniform way to identify vetted commercial farm and ranch owner-operators and their employees to firefighting personnel, California Highway Patrol officers, Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officers, and other emergency personnel for the purpose of allowing them access to their agricultural land.
Possession of an Ag Pass card does not grant special rights or privileges and does not necessarily mean the cardholder will be able to pass through road closures to get to their farm or ranch. If there is imminent danger, front-line emergency personnel are empowered to use discretion when it comes to protecting emergency crews and the public from unnecessary exposure to risk. However, in those cases when the boundaries of the closure area include agricultural land not deemed at imminent risk, the cards may allow owners or employees access to the agricultural property, at the discretion of front-line emergency personnel.
Training and card issuance will be facilitated by San Luis Obispo County Fire/Cal Fire. The County’s first training session will be May 10. Additional training dates will be scheduled if needed. Note: if you previously had an Ag Pass, you will need to complete this training again.
- Wednesday, May 10
- 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
- San Luis Obispo Fire Training Center, 880 Manzanita, Los Osos
More background on the eligibility requirements here and signup for the training here.
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State Government: California Bans Diesel Truck Sales by 2036 | |
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California Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work-
April 28, 2023
Agriculture Technology
Farm Bureau’s sponsored bill, AB-1016 passed from the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection with nearly unanimous bi-partisan support. As discussed previously, AB 1016 authorizes the Department of Pesticide Regulations to create a training program that ultimately will help farmers gain more access to unmanned aerial systems (drones) for pesticide applications. The bill would have been on the Committee’s Consent Calendar; however, the California Agriculture Aircraft Association filed an oppose unless amended position, forcing the bill to be formally presented (that is why this Committee published an updated Committee analysis, removing the proposed consent recommendation).
Al Stehly, a San Diego County Farm Bureau member, presented testimony about how he hopes to use a drone as part of his commercial qualified applicator business, to improve worker safety, and provide more efficient applicator services to his clients but has struggled to become fully licensed due to DPR’s structure for drone applicator training. That is the process that AB 1016 modernizes, since that statute was originally written before drones even existed.
The bill has passed two policy committees without a no vote, and enjoys broad support from Republicans, moderate, and progressive Democrats. Authored by Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), AB 1016 next moves onto the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
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California approves rule phasing out big diesel trucks | California air regulators approved a rule to stop selling new big rigs and buses that run on diesel starting in 2036. The rule is part of the state's efforts for better air quality and fight climate change. It would still need to be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | | | | |
Live updates: California poised to ban new diesel trucks, phase in electric ones | Lea este artículo en español. As California's air board convened today, the trucking industry is bracing for unprecedented rules that would ban sales of new diesel big rigs by 2036 and convert large companies' existing trucks to zero emissions by 2042. | | | |
Federal Government: California Farm Bureau's Federal Policy News- April 27, 2023 | |
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California Farm Bureau's Federal Policy News -
April 27, 2023
- House Passes Republican Debt-Limit Proposal
- USDA Emergency Relief Program Phase 2 Application Webinar Scheduled for May 1, 2023
- Comments Submitted to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on proposed California Spotted Owl Listing
- NCAE Files Motion for Preliminary Injunction on DOL’s AEWR Rule
- Biden Administration Makes Earth Day Forestry Related Announcements
- Latest on Waters of the US
- Interior Releases $140M for Western Water Conservation and Efficiency
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USDA: NRCS California Allocates $2 Million to Assist Farmers Recover from Floods | |
NRCS California Allocates $2 Million to Assist Farmers Recover from Floods | | |
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USDA Census of Agriculture Due Soon!
Time is running out to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture! Thank you to the producers who have already completed the ag census. If you have not responded, there is still time. By federal law, the ag census questionnaire needs to be completed by everyone who received it, including landowners who lease land to producers, those involved in conservation programs, even those who may have received the ag census and did not farm in 2022.
Strong response means strong data; these data will inform decisions that will help shape the future of American agriculture for the next five or six years. By not responding, you risk being unrepresented and therefore underserved in farm programs and funding, crop insurance rates, rural development, disaster assistance, and more. Return your ag census by mail or fill it out online at agcounts.usda.gov. Learn more at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus and respond today.
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Environmental: Californians See a Need for Immediate Action on Climate Change | |
Californians See a Need for Immediate Action on Climate Change | This year's Earth Day comes as California emerges from a winter and spring marked by extreme precipitation, following years of drought and last fall's historic heat wave. Over the past several months, Californians have been buffeted by more than a dozen atmospheric rivers that have caused more than $5 billion in damage across the state-with more damage expected when the Sierra Nevada snowpack melts in the coming weeks. | | | | |
Environmental lawyer to discuss offshore wind projects along Central Coast | Virtual program will take place on Monday, May 15 - The Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) is hosting a virtual community program titled "Offshore Wind [...] | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
Vine Shepherd Vineyard Management
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Tending to the vines with love and passion, we are here to service your every need. From viticultural services and consulting to full vineyard management, there is no task we cannot tackle. Blending the latest advancements in viticultural technology with experience and tradition, we will bring out the best your vineyard has to offer.
Our Services:
- Vineyard Management
- Viiticultual Services and Consulting
- Pest Control
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
Featured Member Benefit:
Avis Car Rentals
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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 Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number A298805. 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.
*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.
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Produce: New Report: Specialty Crop Growers Spending $500,000 a Year on Automation | |
Citrus Growers Need Robust Farm Bill Programs | Clements: Since 2000, total domestic production of oranges dropped 80 percent, while grapefruit production declined 88 percent, highlighting the need for robust farm bill programs for the citrus industry. Danny Munch, American Farm Bureau Federation Economist, says much of the decline is from citrus greening disease. | | | | |
New Report: Specialty Crop Growers Spending $500,000 a Year on Automation | Growers are now spending an average of $500,000 a year on automation in response to the persistent ag labor shortage, according to the Specialty Crop Automation Report released and commissioned by Western Growers. This is the second year the Specialty Crop Automation Report has been released by WG in collaboration with consultants at Roland Berger. | | | |
Labor: FELS+FieldClock+Harvust: FELS Announces Headache Relief for California Ag Employers | |
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FELS+FieldClock+Harvust: FELS Announces Headache Relief for California Ag Employers
FELS is pleased to announce a new partnership with FieldClock, a web- and cloud-based service to assist farm employers with gathering time-and-attendance and production data to allow better, faster, and more accurate gathering and compilation of payroll data that’s critical to delivering farm payroll that’s faster and easier than traditional hand-written time cards, time sheets, field or bin tags, or other traditional hand-written methods of tracking employees’ hours and production.
FieldClock also is designed to hand-shake with Harvust, long-time FELS partner and winners of the 2021 American Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Harvust offers farmworker hiring in a fraction of the time. Send your hiring packet and safety orientations with an online web app. Harvust fills in information from scanned IDs or previous hiring w ith records you can trust. Stop worrying about costly I-9 errors. Harvust offers bulletproof e-signature software and audit trails that mean you’ll have no problems in case of an audit. Harvust data works with the rest of your system, providing you instant access to all your records through an easy to use web app.
You can read more on FELS' website.
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Farmworker Families in Action march to create change in Santa Maria Sunday | Photos | Over 100 local farmworkers, families and organizers joined together in Santa Maria to celebrate International Workers' Day, also known as May Day. Local nonprofits Future Leaders of America, Mixteco Indígena | | | | |
OSHA Initiates Rulemaking to Revive Union Participation in OSHA Inspections at Non-Union Workplaces | By Aaron Gelb, Eric Conn, and Ashley Mitchell Consistent with the Biden Administration's promise to be "the most labor friendly administration" in history," OSHA recently announced plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPRM"), as early as this Spring, to amend 29 CFR 1903.8(c), which is the regulation governing the rights to participate in... | | | | |
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California Farm Bureau presents the Farm Bureau Extension: 2023 CE Series held virtually. Join us throughout the year for webinars featuring content that meets your pesticide continuing education (CE) requirements. Subject matter experts will share information immediately applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. CE certificates will be sent for each webinar attended after the successful completion of a simple quiz on the material.
Next Class
- Cooperative Extension Updates- May 25-9:30-10:30 AM
- Zoom, 1 Hour L/R or Other DPR; 1 Hour CCA
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Livestock: Local Vineyard, Booker, and Herder Implement Mutually Beneficial Grazing Program | |
Local Vineyard, Booker, and Herder Implement Mutually Beneficial Grazing Program | Herd of more than 1,200 sheep roamed Booker Vineyard estate over the winter - It was "mob rule" at Booker Vineyard this winter as more [...] | | | | |
Halter Ranch announces year-round grazing project | When complete, the 275-acre estate vineyard will be the first of its size to allow year-round sheep grazing - This year, Halter Ranch has announced [...] | | | |
Vineyard & Wine: SLO County Trapping Program Underway for European Grapevine Moth | | |
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SLO County Trapping Program Underway for European Grapevine Moth
Trap placement by Departmental Pest Detection Trappers for the European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) began in San Luis Obispo County vineyards the week of April 17th and will run through May, and trap servicing will continue through August. This is a federally funded statewide trapping survey to determine if the pest is present in California.
Large populations of EGVM were first detected in Napa County in 2009. None have been found in the state since June 2014 following an intensive eradication program conducted by the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) with the cooperation of wine grape growers and the University of California. EGVM, native to Italy, poses a significant threat to the local grape industry, valued at over $281 million in San Luis Obispo County in 2021. The caterpillar life stage of the moth eats the flowers and grape bunches causing severe crop losses. Other tree fruit and berries are also hosts for the caterpillar.
To date, EGVM has not been found in San Luis Obispo County. Roughly 200 red Delta insect traps, containing pheromones and sticky surfaces that specifically attract and hold these insects, will be placed this spring in local vineyards in proximity to high-volume crush facilities to determine the presence or absence of this pest. Trappers will be seeking cooperation from grape growers to gain access to vineyards to hang insect traps in the identified areas throughout the county.
For more information contact Karen Lowerison, SLO County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer at 805.781.1382 or visit the CDFA website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/egvm/.
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Ag Order 4.0 Compliance Seminar is on May 3rd! | Learn the latest on Ag Order 4.0 compliance. Find out how to navigate the confusing world of Ag Order 4.0 from experts at IGGPRA's special virtual seminar on May 3, 2023 beginning at 1:00 PM on Zoom. | | | | |
Winemakers Ready to Pour at 40th Paso Wine Fest Weekend | PASO ROBLES - The 40th anniversary of Paso Wine Fest weekend is set to take place beginning Thursday, May 18, to Sunday, May 21, in Paso Robles Wine Country. Since 1983, this festival has been the iconic celebration of the Paso Robles wine region. | | | | |
Film featuring SLO County winemakers screening at the SLO Film Festival | Seven county winemakers using ancient wine making techniques are featured in 'The Amphora Project - Past Forward' - The Wine History Project of San Luis [...] | | | |
Water: Edna Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan Approved by State | |
Edna Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan Approved by State | Sacramento, Calif. - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced today the approval of groundwater sustainability plans for 12 non-critically overdrafted groundwater basins located across California. The approved basins include Big Valley, Shasta Valley, Scott River Valley, East Side Aquifer, Forebay Aquifer, Langley Area, Monterey, Upper Valley Aquifer, San Jacinto, Upper Ventura River, San Luis Obispo Valley and Santa Margarita. | | | | |
Morro Bay reduces water restrictions after winter storms curb drought | For the first time in two years , Morro Bay will receive 100 percent of its state water allocation-one positive result from a series of devastating winter storms. On April 25, the Morro Bay City Council unanimously approved easing some of the water restrictions it implemented during the drought for the upcoming 2023-24 water year. | | | | |
California's lengthy battle for water rights moves into the Legislature | After its first committee hearing, Assembly Bill 1337 was amended last week, which could be the opening salvo of a monumental political and legal war over who controls access to water in California - an issue that stretches back to the state's founding in 1850. | | | |
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. | | | | |
