The SLO County Young Farmers and Ranchers (ages 18-36 yo) met on Tuesday, June 11th for a Summer BBQ and PCA Panel Discussion with Erin McAbee, Bart Haycraft, and Griffon Simmons. Thanks to those who participated in the panel and who attended the event. This upcoming month, July, we will take a break from our regularly-scheduled meeting and participate in some of the Mid-State Fair Activities.

Durheim Joins California Farm Bureau as First Chief Operating Officer

PRESS RELEASE, June 11, 2024

By: CAFB, Peter Hecht

The California Farm Bureau is pleased to announce Dan Durheim as its new chief operating officer. This is a newly created leadership role for the 105-year-old nonprofit organization. 

Most recently, Durheim served as associate vice president of sponsor relations for Nationwide Insurance, building strong relationships with state Farm Bureaus, including the California Farm Bureau. He served a nearly 18-year tenure with the American Farm Bureau Federation in varying roles, including executive director of industry affairs, foundation executive director and director of program development. His experience also includes working in leadership positions within the Minnesota Farm Bureau. 

The Board of Directors for the California Farm Bureau selected Durheim for the role of COO from over 1,100 candidates following a comprehensive executive search led by Morrison, a top-tier business consulting firm.

“Dan has been a longtime champion for agriculture and for Farm Bureau, strongly believing in the work of this organization on behalf of farmers and ranchers on the county, state and national level,” said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. “Dan’s deep experience with Farm Bureau, established relationships within the industry, selfless leadership style and focus on strategic service of our members makes him uniquely qualified to serve in this historic position for our organization.” 

“I am delighted to join an organization that has such a renowned reputation serving and advocating for the most diversified agriculture industry in the nation,” Durheim said. “California Farm Bureau has a talented team and highly engaged board, all dedicated to advocacy and service of its members. California Farm Bureau’s efforts are instrumental in protecting the farmers and ranchers who make California the No. 1 agriculture state in the nation, and it is an honor to know I can share my experience and talents to continue to advance these incredible contributions.” 

The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.

This Week In SLO County Agriculture

Community: Leadership North County Accepting Applications

County Government: SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow on June 18th

SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow, June 18th

The SLO County BOS will meet tomorrow, June 18, 2024 starting at 9am. The meeting can be viewed online here or in-person. The agenda for the meeting can be found here and additional item documents here.

Agenda Items of interest:

• 21 Request to approve the appointment of Dylan Theobald, filling the recently added Agricultural Stewardship position, to the Agricultural Liaison Advisory Board.
• 33 Request to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign an agreement and bill of sale with the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD) for the County transfer of a County-owned monitoring well to the LOCSD, which is designated Well No. 30S/11E-18M01, or Lower Aquifer 16 (LA-16), in order that it can be used to expand the network of lower aquifer seawater intrusion monitoring wells and specifically provide valuable water quality monitoring data about that portion of the Los Osos Groundwater Basin (Basin) known as Los Osos Lower Aquifer Zone E.
• 34 Request to 1) approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a professional consultant services contract with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group through February 28, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $297,990, to perform a Paso Robles Groundwater Basin State Water Project Supplemental Water Supply Project Feasibility & Engineering Study; and 2) delegate authority to the Groundwater Sustainability Director to authorize time extensions and remove scope, in addition to other administratively efficient contract management actions as long as such actions do not increase the level of General Fund support required by the department.
• 35 Request to 1) approve the Paso Basin Cooperative Committee (PBCC) FY 2024-2025 Budget and County contribution percentage; 2) approve a corresponding budget adjustment $406,200 in FC 205 – Groundwater Sustainability using reimbursement revenue from the other Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) for the proportional share of costs for delivery of the PBCC funded cost components of the PBCC FY 2024-25 Budget, by 4/5 vote; and 3) authorize the Chairperson to sign Amendment No. 2 to Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding Preparation and Implementation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin between the City of El Paso de Robles, the San Miguel Community Services District, the County of San Luis Obispo, the Shandon-San Juan Water District and the Estrella-El Pomar-Creston Water District to add the County as a contracting agent and establish related payment obligation percentages and terms.
• 36 Request to 1) approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a professional consultant services contract with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. through January 24, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $264,070, to perform a Paso Robles Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) 5-Year Evaluation; and 2) delegate authority to the Groundwater Sustainability Director to authorize time extensions and remove scope, in addition to other administratively efficient contract management actions as long as such actions do not increase the level of General Fund support required by the department.
• 37 Request to approve and authorize the Director of Public Works to enter into a Technical Support Services Program Agreement with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and approve and authorize both the Director of Groundwater Sustainability and the Director of Public Works to sign a License Agreement with DWR in connection with the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and administration of one groundwater monitoring station on County owned land (APN 035-081-044) which will enable the County to collect data necessary for the implementation of the Paso Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

State Government: California Legislators Break with Gov. Newsom Over Loan to Keep State's Last Nuclear Plant Running

Federal Government: Senate Farm Bill Framework Receiving Industry Support

Produce: Rate of Crop Protection Applications in California Growing Strong

Labor: California Standards Board Moves Forward with Indoor Heat Protection Rules Amidst Board Shakeup

California Standards Board Moves Forward with Indoor Heat Protection Rules Amidst Board Shakeup

By Jason Resnick

The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is poised to implement long-anticipated regulations to protect workers from indoor heat. However, recent leadership changes have brought additional scrutiny to the process. 

Governor Gavin Newsom recently removed one board member and demoted the chairperson of the workplace safety board following their public criticism of his administration’s handling of the proposed heat protection rule. This shakeup comes just weeks before the board is expected to approve the rule, which mandates businesses to protect indoor workers from extreme heat. 

The rule’s approval, originally set for March, was delayed when Newsom’s administration withdrew its support over concerns about the associated costs. This last-minute decision drew significant backlash from board members, particularly those who have now been reassigned. 

Laura Stock, a board member who vocally opposed the delay, was removed from her position without explanation. Chairperson Dave Thomas, who also criticized the administration’s actions, was replaced by Joseph Alioto, though Thomas remains a board member. 

Despite the upheaval, the board is expected to vote on an amended version of the rule on June 20, which now excludes state prisons to address cost concerns.  

Business Member Spotlight:

Byron Grant of Century 21 Hometown Realty

Born a Canadian, Byron is a long time resident of the Central Coast and is very knowledgeable with residential, commercial and land sales. In 1988 Byron obtained his Real Estate Broker's license and opened South Cost Realty.

Byron has been a multi-million dollar producer ever year and has been involved with many real estate developments in the area. In 2011 Byron merged offices with Century 21 Hometown Realty to provide a wider and more varied service to his current and future clients.

Attending as many educational courses to keep up with the latest ideas and laws about Real Estate, Byron will provide you with the best service and help you achieve your dreams for living and building on the Central Coast.

byron-grant.com

805-481-4297

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

New Agricultural Business Support Member

Inland Desert Nursery

Renewing Agricultural Business Support Member

Speedling and C & M Nursery

Renewing Agricultural Members

Chad Pankey, The Hearst Corporation, J Lohr Vineyards, Hawks Hill Ranch, and Jerry Ulrich

Renewing Associate Members

Nancy Kimmell and Kirk Consulting

Wildfire: California Pushes Insurers to Cover More Home in These Areas. Is Your Zip Included?

Featured Member Benefit:

Farm Bureau Bank

If you are in the market to finance or refinance, Farm Bureau Bank offers low-rate vehicle loans with no payments for up to 90 days. Inquire about the high-yielding Money Market and Certificate of Deposit accounts or apply online for a Farm Bureau Bank MasterCard® credit card and receive an instant decision online.

Call (800) 492-3276 or visit farmbureau.bank.

Livestock: Horse Rescued From Pool by Cal Fire SLO

Vineyard and Wine: Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses Intercepted in CA

Water: CA Coastal Commission Approves Plan to End Los Osos Building Moratorium. What's Next?

Farm Bureau Membership Matters

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.

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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