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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

January 29, 2023

www.slofarmbureau.org

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Assemblywoman, Dawn Addis, Introduces Bill to Combat Pierce's Disease for Wine Producers

By Paso Robles Daily News

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced Assembly Bill 1861, a bill that will help defend California wine producers from Pierce’s disease and invasive species.


“The wine industry is integral to the economic success of the Central Coast and all of California,” said Addis. “I’m excited to author AB 1861 that extends a crucial line of defense for our wine industry against invasive disease. We have a strong track record of collaboration among our state, local, federal governments and the industry itself when it comes to battling Pierce’s Disease and the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter. I’m proud to extend this collaboration and to be part of the on-going success of California’s wine regions.”


Assembly Bill 1861, sponsored by California Association of Winegrape Growers and Wine Institute, addresses the spread of disease at vineyards and wineries by strengthening the Pierce’s Disease Control Program at the California Department of Food and Agriculture.


“AB 1861 will extend critical research, innovation, and mitigation efforts to safeguard the health and vitality of our crops against this invasive species,” said Robert P. Koch, president and CEO of the Wine Institute. “Assemblymember Addis’ determination and the California legislature’s support are key to eradicating this threat so the state’s winegrape growing industry can thrive.


AB 1861 now awaits referral to policy committee.


Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes large portions of San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties and the south-eastern area of Santa Cruz County.

This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Community: 21st Annual SLO County Agriculture Awareness Crab Feed on February 24
  • State Government: 350,000 Californians are now on the Fair Plan, the Last Resort for Fire Insurance. Now What?
  • Federal Government: US Farm Commodity Insurance Program Trends
  • Business Member Spotlight: Talley Farms
  • Labor: Agricultural Labor Relations Board Certifies Second Card Check Election
  • Produce: Assembly Member Dawn Addies Introduces the California Mushroom Act
  • Environmental: NRC to Hold Two Public Meetings in Feb. on Diablo Canyon License Renewal
  • Featured Member Benefit: Farm Bureau Extension
  • Wildfire: California Farm Bureau-Sponsored Bill Targets Health and Economic Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
  • Livestock: NCBA Welcomes USDA Pilot Program to Expand Remote Grading for Beef
  • Vineyard and Wine: Paso Wine Fest tickets on Sale with New Locals Only Pricing 
  • Water: California Ranks High Worldwide for Rapidly Depleted Groundwater

January 22 Most-Read

1. Ryan Klobas, Napa County Farm Bureau CEO, remembered as ‘passionate advocate’ for agriculture

2. Interest Expenses Threatening Farm Financial Health

3. Applications Available for California Ag Leadership Program Class 54

4. The Clock is Ticking for Specialty Crop Growers

5. Strauss Wind Energy Project Now Operating, Generating Power in County

6. San Luis Obispo County gears up for March 5 Presidential Primary Election

7. Local winery marks 50 years of operation

8. Tickets available now for Paso Wine Fest

9. Watch for Improved Pollinator Habitats in California Citrus Groves

10. County advances towards potential independent redistricting commission

SLO County Farm Bureau Calendar of Events:


  • February 13: Young Farmers and Ranchers BBQ at Office at 6pm
  • Ferbruary 15: CFBF Scholarship Applications Due
  • February 24: Crab Feed at Paso Robles Event Center at 4pm benefitting the SLO County Foundation for Agriculture Awareness and the Heritage Foundation
  • February 27: SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting at 5pm at Office (4875 Morabito Pl. SLO, CA 93401), All members welcome to attend (Please call 805-543-3654 to RSVP)
  • March 18-20: CFBF Capitol Ag Day Conference in Sacramento

Community: 21st Annual SLO County Foundation for Agriculture Awareness Crab Feed on February 24 at 4pm

21st Annual SLO County Foundation for Agriculture Awareness Crab Feed on February 24 at 4pm

YF&R Meeting on Tues., Feb. 13 at 6pm

State Government: 350,000 Californians are now on the Fair Plan, the Last Resort for Fire Insurance. Now What?

This Week in California Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work

January 26, 2024


Insurance

The Senate Committee on Insurance held an oversight hearing this week focused on the California Department of Insurance’s (CDI) Sustainable Insurance Strategy. As has been previously discussed at length, CDI is pursuing a set of new regulations to be fully implemented by December 2024 to restore competitiveness to California’s property insurance market and force the depopulation of the FAIR Plan.


The hearing featured testimony from Insurance Commissioner Lara, with additional details provided to Senators by Michael Martinez, Deputy Director at CDI, and a featured speaker during Farm Bureau’s recent Annual Meeting. Some interesting facts from the hearing:

  • Last year, Consumer Watchdog earned $9 million through intervenor actions against rating plans. Part of the new regulations will be focused on limiting time delay and the scope of intervenor comments in an effort to more timely complete rate filings.
  • CDI will use both emergency rulemaking and regular rulemaking (following the full Administrative Procedures Act) in order to meet the December 2024 timeframe.
  • Commissioner Lara and Senators agreed that continued investments in wildfire fuels mitigation must continue, as those are having direct impacts on addressing the risks that insurers are modeling into rating plans that will significantly increase costs for property coverage. These fuels reductions investments are a direct path to control statewide insurance costs increases.
  • The FAIR Plan has grown too large, with over 350,000 homeowner policies now in the FAIR Plan. It is no longer an insurer of last resort, and CDI plans to push the FAIR Plan further by requiring comprehensive plan offerings, instead of forcing consumers to purchase Difference in Condition coverage and by increasing per structure limit to $20 million from the current $20 million parcel limit. The latter will exponentially increase FAIR Plan exposure in the specific places where insurers have pulled back from the market. We hope that Farm Bureau’s sponsored SB 505, establishing the commercial clearinghouse in the FAIR Plan, will be implemented quickly in 2024 to help depopulate FAIR Plan policies back to the admitted market.



The Senators expressed support for CDI’s efforts to date, and public comments except that from Consumer Watchdog, expressed optimism that CDI is acting and that the Senate Committee on Insurance is pushing CDI to meet the December 2024 goal. Farm Bureau provided public comment, noting that insurance coverage and costs are having significant impacts on farmers across the state. You can watch the entire oversight hearing here.

Navigating CARB's Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation: What Growers Need to Know - California Ag Network

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has introduced the new Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) Regulation, with a mission to expedite the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) across the state. This regulation affects vehicles with a gross weight rating (GWR) greater than 8,500 pounds which includes some commonly used pickup trucks such as Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra ...

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350,000 Californians are now on the FAIR Plan, the last resort for fire insurance. Now what?

As the California FAIR Plan writes more fire insurance policies, homeowners complain about poor service and rising costs.

Read More

Federal Government: US Farm Commodity Insurance Program Trends

This Week in California Farm Bureau's Federal Policy News

January 25, 2024


  • Stop-Gap Funding Bill Keeps Federal Government Running
  • USDA Launches Pilot to Help More Processors Access High-Value Beef Grading
  • USDA Announces $207 Million Investment in Renewable Energy and Fertilizer Projects

American Farm Bureau Establishes 2024 Policies

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation's 105th Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization's work...

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Ag experts laud trade between U.S., Canada and Mexico

Prominent disputes over genetic engineering with Mexico and dairy policy with Canada shouldn't sour U.S. farmers on trilateral North American trade, several experts say.

Read More

US Farm Commodity Insurance Program Trends - farmdoc daily

Carl Zulauf, Gary Schnitkey, Jonathan Coppess, and Nick Paulson - Carl Zulauf - US farmers have notably increased their purchase of animal, animal product, rainfall index, and area add-up insurance products over the last five years, thus broadening the set of commodities covered by the US farm safety net and providing an option for higher coverage levels.

Read More
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Business Member Spotlight:

Talley Farms

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At Talley Farms, excellence is our mission. Thanks to ideal conditions on California’s picturesque Central Coast, we’re able to grow, harvest and pack fresh, wholesome vegetables, all year long.


We are dedicated to growing our produce sustainably and safely. When families come to the table, they can trust that Talley Farms stewards its land and resources with future generations in mind.

talleyfarms.com

PHONE: 805-489-2508

Instagram  Facebook  LinkedIn

Labor: Agricultural Labor Relations Board Certifies Second Card Check Election

ALRB certifies second card check election

 

The Agricultural Labor Relations Board has certified the second petition by United Farm Workers under the state’s new and controversial card check system.

 

Workers will now be unionized at Olive Hill Greenhouses Inc., a nursery for landscaping plants that serves the Los Angeles and San Diego regions. UFW submitted 47 signed cards out of 70 eligible workers at the company, granting the union the majority vote without having to hold an election.

 

According to Western Growers, the first petition submitted to ALRB is subject to employer exceptions that are pending before the board.

CA Supreme Court ruling on manageability of PAGA actions appears to once again disfavor employers, but it may not be as bad on its face as it seems...

California's 2004 Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) is once again in the news, this time with a California Supreme Court ruling regarding the manageability of

Read More

Feb. 16, 2024: Labor Stability with wafla; a New Opportunity to Use the H-2A program to Stabilize Your Workforce


Learn more about FELS' new subscriber benefit, an alliance with wafla, the premier west-coast provider member association for farm employers looking to use the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. wafla's high-touch, extensive customer service approach is uniquely suited to smaller H-2A program users like FELS Newsletter subscribers, FELS clients and Farm Bureau members. FELS COO Bryan Little and wafla CEO Enrique Gastellum explained how FELS subscribers and clients can access special FELS-exclusive benefits to access the H-2A program the wafla way -- making labor stability your reality!


When? 10 AM


Where? Your desktop, laptop, or your favorite web-enabled device?


Register here

Produce: Assembly Member Dawn Addies Introduces the California Mushroom Act

Assembly member Dawn Addis introduces the California Mushroom Act

Assembly member Dawn Addis has put forth Assembly Bill 1833, also known as the California-Grown Mushroom Act. Addis emphasizes that California holds the position of the world's second largest...

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What you should know about winter citrus fruit in Southern California

Joshua Siskin writes about gardening each week for the Southern California News Group.

Read More

Environmental: NRC to Hold Two Public Meetings in Feb. on Diablo Canyon License Renewal

NRC to hold two public meetings in Feb. on Diablo Canyon license renewal

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold two scoping meetings in February to discuss the environmental evaluation and review process for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant's license renewal application.

Read More

CDFA Accepting Applications for Healthy Soils Program

Approximately $12 million in funding for Healthy Soils Program Incentive Grants is available from the California Department of Food...

Read More

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Agricultural Members

Kevin Jussila and Timothy Smith

Renewing Associate Members

Richard Kitzman, Jerry Reaugh, and Jerry Mendes

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List

Featured Member Benefit:

Farm Bureau Extension

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Earn 1 Hour L/R or Other DPR • 1 Hour CCA per class. All classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Class dates and topics are subject to change.


Next Class: February 8 2024 Regulatory Updates: 1 hour Laws/Regs

Updates on the following topics: Telone Fumigant, Private Applicator Exam, Statewide Notification, Decontamination and SPM.

Register Here
 

Wildfire: California Farm Bureau-Sponsored Bill Targets Health and Economic Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

Prescribed burns planned in Cambria, Park Hill this week

CAL FIRE has two prescribed burns tentatively scheduled for this coming week in San Luis Obispo County.

Read More

PG&E penalized $45 million in Dixie fire settlement with CPUC

The penalty includes $40 million in shareholder funding for an initiative to transition some of the utility's hard-copy records to electronic records.

Read More

California Farm Bureau-Sponsored Bill Targets Health and Economic Impacts of Wildfire Smoke

SACRAMENTO -- Over the past five years, California has experienced unprecedented wildfire activity that has devastated nearly ten million acres across the state. Wildfire smoke...

Read More

Livestock: NCBA Welcomes USDA Pilot Program to Expand Remote Grading for Beef

NCBA Welcomes USDA Pilot Program to Expand Remote Grading for Beef

WASHINGTON -- The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement that the agency is pursuing a Remote Grading Pilot...

Read More

NCBA Provides Internship Opportunities in Denver and D.C.

WASHINGTON -- The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is providing multiple internship opportunities for students to learn about different aspects of the cattle industry. Internships...

Read More

Avian flu is devastating farms in California's 'Egg Basket' as outbreaks roil poultry industry

A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc on California poultry farms.

Read More

Vineyard and Wine: Paso Wine Fest tickets on Sale with New Locals Only Pricing 

Paso Wine Fest tickets on sale with new locals only pricing * Paso Robles Press

Paso Robles Press is the daily online news source and weekly print newspaper for the Paso Robles area, serving the community since 1889.

Read More

'I will die owning Eberle.' How the godfather of Paso Robles wine made his mark on SLO County

Gary Eberle was one of San Luis Obispo County's founding winemakers when he opened Eberle Winery in Paso Robles 40 years ago. Here's how he rose to fame.

Read More

Water: California Ranks High Worldwide for Rapidly Depleted Groundwater

California ranks high worldwide for rapidly depleted groundwater

Researchers found that the world's most rapidly declining basins are in farm regions, especially drier areas like the San Joaquin Valley.

Read More

Cuyama water lawsuit continues as Grimmway, Bolthouse drop out

The Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin adjudication started its Los Angeles County Superior Court hearings in January, but Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms are no longer...

Read More

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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