State Rejects SLO County’s Groundwater Sustainability Plans for Paso Basin, Cuyama Basin |
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On Thursday, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued letters to staff for San Luis Obispo County’s two critically-overdrafted basins, the Paso Robles Subbasin and the Cuyama Valley Subbasin. The letters are intended to initiate consultation between DWR and the Paso Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and the Cuyama Basin GSA “in advance of issuance of a determination described under the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Regulations.” Essentially, DWR is giving advance notice (ahead of the statutorily-required Jan. 31, 2022 response deadline) that the two GSPs are deficient.
What does this mean for SLO County agriculture? That it’s time to come together as a community to address our groundwater challenges. For all the contentious debate and disagreement this issue has presented to our County, this is a problem we can solve. Finger-pointing between GSAs, community groups, or criticizing DWR’s review process will not get us any closer to achieving groundwater sustainability. If we fail to put aside our past differences and rethink our GSP development, we risk DWR taking over management of our basins. Also, just because the Paso Basin and Cuyama Valley GSPs have been rejected does not mean we cannot move forward with implementing GSP items like projects and management actions to achieve sustainability.
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DWR is “considering corrective actions that the GSAs should review to determine whether and how the deficiencies can be addressed.”
Deficiencies identified by DWR for the Paso Basin GSP include:
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“Potential Corrective Action 1. Provide justification for, and effects associated with, the sustainable management criteria for groundwater levels. The first potential corrective action relates to the GSP’s lack of explanation and justification for selecting sustainable management criteria for groundwater levels, particularly the minimum thresholds and undesirable results, and the effects of those criteria on the interests of beneficial uses and users of groundwater.”
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“Potential Corrective Action 2. Develop Sustainable Management Criteria for the Depletions of Interconnected Surface Water Based on Best Available Information and Science. The second potential corrective action relates to the GSP’s justification for not developing sustainable management criteria for the depletion of interconnected surface water.”
Deficiencies identified by DWR for the Cuyama Valley Basin GSP include:
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“Potential Corrective Action 1. Provide justification for, and effects associated with, the sustainable management criteria. The first potential corrective action relates to the GSP’s lack of justification for the established sustainable management criteria and the effects of those criteria on the interests of beneficial uses and users in the Basin. ...”
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“Potential Corrective Action 2. Use of groundwater levels as a proxy for depletion of interconnected surface water. The second potential corrective action relates to the GSP’s lack of explanation and justification for the use of groundwater levels as a proxy for depletions of interconnected surface water. ...”
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“Potential Corrective Action 3. Further address degraded water quality. The third potential corrective action relates to the GSP’s apparent lack of consideration of the best available information and data regarding water quality, and the resultant effects on the GSP’s description of water quality conditions, water quality sustainable management criteria, and monitoring for certain water quality constituents. …"
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“Potential Corrective Action 4. Provide explanation for how overdraft will be mitigated in the basin. The fourth potential corrective action is related to the lack of a complete discussion of how overdraft will be mitigated in the entire basin through implementation of the GSP. …"
Deficiencies precluding approval “will need to be addressed within a period of time not to exceed 180 days from the determination, which would be issued no later than January 31, 2022.”
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This Week in SLO County Agriculture |
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In This Issue:
- County Government News: SLO County Board of Supervisors Meet June 8;
- California Farm Bureau News: June 4th Friday Review Legislative and Governmental Update;
- Community News: Adelaida Farm Center Hosts Social and BBQ on June 19;
- USDA News: USDA Ag Statistics Service Needs Your Help;
- Business Member Spotlight: Law Estate Wines;
- Featured Member Benefit: Theme Park Discounts;
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Labor News: Western Growers - Cal/OSHA Board Publishes New, More Cautious ETS Revisions;
- Livestock News: Massive Forage Losses Documented for SLO County;
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Vineyard & Winery News: Paso Robles Daily News - 'Roll Out the Barrels' Celebration Returns to San Luis Obispo;
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Produce News: AgNet West - Pallet Shortages Create New Transportation Challenge for Agriculture;
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Transportation News: Transport Topics - Shortage of Truck Drivers Concerns California Ag Producers;
- Wildfire News: California Cattlemen - Virtual Workshop: Emergency Response, Livestock Access & Evacuation + Safety Considerations for Wildfires;
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Water News: Daily Bulletin - Drought Crisis Requires More Long-Term Plans;
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Environmental News: AgriPulse - Carbon Sequestration Bill Sails Through Senate; and
- Wisdom From the Farm & Ranch.
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May 28th Most Read Stories:
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Executive Director Report
Here are a few things we worked on this week:
- Participated in the weekly SLO County Farmworker Outreach Task Force;
- Participated in the JW Brabeck Youth Legacy Fund “Buyer’s Coalition Committee” committee meeting to begin fundraising planning for the California Mid-State Fair Youth Livestock Auction;
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Gave Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham feedback on the negative impacts to agriculture and food safety of AB-1371 Recycling: plastic: packaging and carryout bags;
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Discussed positive developments on a Prop 19 reform bill (SB 539) that passed the State Senate this week with SLO County Assessor Tom Bordonaro;
- Attended the SLO County Range Improvement Association Annual Meeting; and
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Participated in an advocacy meeting to address an issue with overtime pay for sheepherders created by the implementation of AB 1066. (One of the unintended effects of AB 1066 was to require sheep producers to pay their range production sheepherders for 168 hours of work and overtime in a workweek, rendering sheepherding unsustainable in California).
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Have you or someone you know in SLO County lost wildfire insurance coverage for a home or for agriculture equipment or buildings ?
Please call our office or send an email to SLO County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brent Burchett ASAP.
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County Government News: SLO County Board of Supervisors Meet June 8 |
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SLO County Board of Supervisors Meet June 8
Agenda Items of Interest to Agriculture:
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Agenda Item 3 - Submittal of the FY 2021-22 Supplemental Budget to publish the budget hearing schedule and recommend adjustments to the FY 2021-22 Recommended Budget. All Districts.
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Issue Title: Request to 1) increase expenditures and the level of General Fund support in Fund Center (FC) 142 – Planning and Building in the amount of $388,859 to fund development and implementation of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Planting Ordinance and 2) amend the Position Allocation List (PAL) for FC 142 – Planning and Building to add 1.00 FTE Planner I/II/III – Limited Term for 14 months.
A summary of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Planting Ordinance budget item from County Staff is copied below. Editor's note: this proposed ordinance no longer includes the controversial "Tier 3" elements that would have required farmers to undergo CEQA review for new crop plantings in the Paso Basin.
"On January 26, 2021, the Board of Supervisors authorized the department to prepare an ordinance to require permits for irrigated agriculture overlying the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The Board also directed staff to return as soon as possible with an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) contract and budget and staffing analysis to prepare the proposed ordinance.
The department returned to the Board on April 6, 2021, with an EIR contract with Rincon Consultants and a PAL amendment to add a limited-term (July 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022) Planner III to assist with ordinance preparation, community outreach, and EIR consultant management. On April 6, 2021, the Board directed the department to return during the June 2021 Budget Hearing to request the funding for the EIR contract and limited-term Planner III as part of the supplemental budget process.
The requested action will increase expenditures and General Fund support by $388,859. ...."
"This change will allow for the:
- Completion of an Environmental Impact Report for the proposed ordinance
- Development of the Paso Basin Planting Ordinance
- Preparation for and attendance at Planning Commission hearing(s)
- Preparation for and attendance at Board of Supervisors hearing(s)
- Extension of the existing Agricultural Offset Ordinance to June 2022"
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Agenda Item 4 - Request to approve three appointments to the Agricultural Liaison Advisory Board. All Districts. Read more here.
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Agenda Item 23 - Submittal of a report on the implementation of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act efforts in eight local groundwater basins. All Districts. Read more here.
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Agenda Item 24 - Request to approve an additional $32,000 for the construction contingency budget for the contract with V. Lopez Jr. and Sons, Inc. for the Nacimiento Water Pipeline North Salinas River Crossing Repair; and authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to approve change orders for this additional contingency amount up to $32,000 for a final total construction amount of $1,212,903. All Districts. Read more here.
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Agenda Item 32 - Hearing to: 1) submit an annual review of the County growth rate for new dwelling units, ... extend the 1.8% growth rate for the Nipomo Mesa area for FY 2021-22, to extend the 0% growth rate for the community of Cambria for FY 2021-24, and to extend the expiration date for deferred allocations on the Los Osos waitlist until June 30, 2030; ...Read more here.
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Agenda Item 35 - Request for direction regarding conducting a hydrogeologic study of the Adelaida area; and find that the project is exempt from Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). Districts 1 and 5. Read more here.
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Agenda Item 36 - Hearing to consider 1) the Local Agency Management Program; and 2) the attached ordinance amending Title 19 of the San Luis Obispo County Code which will allow the County to enforce State regulations or standards for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. Exempt from CEQA. All Districts. Read more here.
To access the full agenda documents and watch the meeting click here. Note that the Board of Supervisors are still not allowing the public to attend in-person, but are expected to later this month.
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SLO County Ag Commissioner Monthly Update
The May 2021 update contains the following information:
- COVID-19 Related Issues Affecting Local Agriculture;
- Pest Detection Program;
- USDA Announces Drought Disaster Declaration for Central Coast Counties;
- USDA Expands and Renews the Conservation Reserve Program; and
- USDA Announces Debt Relief Options for Socially Disadvantaged Producers.
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California Farm Bureau News: June 4th Friday Review Legislative and Governmental Update |
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Commentary: Farmers oppose ill-defined DPR spending proposal
California is losing farmland at an alarming rate of 50,000 acres a year. That's equivalent to 78 square miles, 12 Yosemite Valleys or 38,000 football fields...
Read more
agalert.com
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Open Mic Podcast: Jamie Johansson
This week's Open Mic guest is Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Johansson is a first-generation olive and citrus grower and well versed in the environmental, regulatory and social obstacles of farming on the...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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California Farm Bureau's Friday Review for May 21, 2021
This week's State Legislative and Governmental Affairs Update includes:
- Agricultural Employment: AB 73, AB 364, SB 338, SB 355, AB 654, AB 995, AB 1192;
- Animal Health & Welfare: AB 888, AB 1103, Gray Wolf Update;
- Biodiversity: CNRA topical workshop;
- Budget: Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program;
- Climate Change: AB 284, AB 1395, Air Resources Board Workshop;
- Commodities: AB 719, AB 710, AB 778, SB 235, AB 45;
- Land Use: AB 350;
- Natural Resources: SB 45;
- Nutrition: AB 1009;
- Packaging: AB 1371;
- Pollinators: AB 391;
- Taxation: SB 240, SB 539;
- Transportation: SB 287;
- Utility: AB 1139, SB 345; and
- Wildfire: AB 1431.
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For a recap of state legislative and government affairs news, read this week's Friday Review from California Farm Bureau. |
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Community News: Adelaida Farm Center Hosts Social and BBQ on June 19 |
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This Paso Robles olive oil producer ranks among the best ...
A Paso Robles olive oil company recently netted a number of top honors at an international competition - ranking the local producer among the best in the world.
Read more
www.sanluisobispo.com
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CONSUMED Podcast: Brent Burchett + Kiah Twisselman Burchett
This episode of Consumed is a two-fer. When I sat down with Brent Burchett, executive director of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, I didn't realize he'd bring his wife, Kiah Twisselman Burchett, a sixth generation California cattle...
Read more
www.letsgetconsumed.com
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SLO County Farm Bureau’s Adelaida Farm Center will host a social and BBQ on June 19 at the Adelaida Schoolhouse (9001 Chimney Rock Rd, Paso Robles). The social begins at 4:30pm and food will be served at 5pm. BBQ will be provided, and everyone is asked to bring a salad or dessert. There will be a $5 cover for this meeting.
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California Farm Bureau Photo Contest Now Open
What does California's agricultural bounty look like through the lens of your camera or smartphone?
California Farm Bureau encourages all amateur photographers to enter the organization's 40th annual photo contest for a chance to win their share of $2,500 in cash prizes. This year's theme is "Member Reflections." The contest opened on June 1.
It's easy to enter. Submit up to five print or high-resolution digital photos of subjects such as:
- Fresh food—plated or in the field
- Rural scenery
- Animals, crops and harvests
- Life, work and family on the farm or ranch
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USDA News: USDA Ag Statistics Service Needs Your Help |
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USDA Ag Statistics Service Needs Your Help
June 2, 2021 Updates from Gary R. Keough, Director
U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Field Operations | Pacific Regional Office
SLO County farmers and ranchers are needed for USDA’s Crop Progress and Condition Report. This is a weekly report from April through November and monthly in December, January, February, and March. To access all the reports, click here. These reports contain:
This report is a very popular report with farmers, ranchers, business, and media. Respondents from across the State provide the data for the weather and crop condition and progress summaries. These respondents are typically from County Ag Commissioners Offices, County Extension, USDA Agencies, and NASS field staff. Respondents can submit their reports online between Friday and Monday. If you would like to be a respondent, contact Savanna Moore at Savanna.Moore@usda.gov or 916-738-6620 and she can get you setup on the online reporting system.
NASS puts out several hundred national and state level reports annually. Data users can subscribe to receive these reports and releases via email.
NASS is preparing for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Data collection will begin in late 2022. At this time, USDA is especially interesting in working with local organizations that work with new and beginning farmers or socially disadvantage farmers.
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Business Member Spotlight:
Law Estate Wines
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We are committed to making exceptional wines through sustainable and organic farming practices with minimal inputs. Located above Peachy Canyon Road on the west side of Paso Robles, the vineyard is one of the highest in the area at 1,600 to 1,900 feet. It is planted in high density, small-lot blocks. The extreme slopes, limestone soils, and multiple aspects create the distinct canvas and palette from which we work.
At 80 acres planted, multiple clones of Grenache and Syrah account for 53% of the vineyard acreage. Accompanying that are Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Graciano, Petit Verdot, and Tempranillo. The vast majority of our vines were planted in 2008. In 2013, we planted Clairette Blanche, Marsanne, and Roussanne, as well as a Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne field blend. Our most recent planting was in June of 2019.
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3885 Peachy Canyon Road | Paso Robles, CA 93446
Thursday - Tuesday 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
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Featured Member Benefit:
Theme Park Discounts
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Stretch your entertainment dollars at major amusement parks and attractions with a variety of discounts. For website links, discounts codes and coupons, call the member help desk at (800) 698-FARM.
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Aquarium of the Pacific - Get 10% off gift store purchases with coupon; Save $3 on adult and $1.50 on child (ages 3-11) general admission. Up to 4 admissions.
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Great America - Receive a variety of savings by purchasing your discounted tickets online.
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Knott’s Berry Farm - Receive a variety of savings for each season with discount coupon.
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LEGOLAND - Save between $10-$15 on LEGOLAND® Resort Hopper admissions to LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® Aquarium, and LEGOLAND® Water Park.
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San Diego Zoo - Buy your tickets online to receive a $4 discount for tickets ordered online.
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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Receive a variety of savings by purchasing your discounted tickets online.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Purchase your tickets online to receive $8.00 off on Good-Any-Day tickets at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Available February-October.
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Thank You Farm Bureau Members |
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New Business Support Member
New Agricultural Member
Renewing Business Support Member
Renewing Members
Mark Morrison, Les Simmons, Leslie Stemper, Miller Moth LLC, Robert Newlon, Frances Garay, Ronnie Mayfield
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Labor News: Western Growers - Cal/OSHA Board Publishes New, More Cautious ETS Revisions
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Planning Commission to consider plans for large-scale...
The Santa Maria Planning Commission will begin an initial review this week of proposed plans to construct dormitories for 3,600 H-2A workers on an industrial site in western Santa Maria. The planned housing for H-2A workers - or guest workers...
Read more
santamariatimes.com
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What the Farm Workforce Modernization Act Means for Farmers
California Ag Network May 31, 2021
While it has seemed impossible to get anything done at the national level regarding ag labor reform, Sara Neagu-Reed from the federal policy Division of the California Farm Bureau Federation shares in an interview with California Ag Network that hope is on the horizon with the progress of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Watch this brief video with Sara as she explains why, and what ag employers should know and do about it.
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California is likely to add an N95 mask mandate to the...
The governing board that sets the standards for Cal/OSHA will decide Thursday which COVID-19 workplace restrictions can be lifted when Gov. Gavin Newsom reopens California on June 15. Farm groups and business interests are pushing the board to...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Federal housing officials order Santa Maria to repeal...
Federal housing officials have ordered the Santa Maria City Council to repeal an H-2A housing ordinance that may be considered discriminatory or face a potential $400,000 fine, a city spokesman confirmed Wednesday. Council members failed to...
Read more
santamariatimes.com
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Cal/OSHA Standards Board Publishes New, More Cautious...
While California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that many coronavirus restrictions will be lifted on June 15, the California Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (Board) appears to be bowing to pressure by organized labor to keep face...
Read more
www.wga.com
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FELS COVID-19 News & Resources for Farm Employers - June 2, 2021
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Santa Clara County Imposes Obligations on Employers to Ascertain and Record Employees' Vaccination Status: On May 18, Santa Clara County issued a health order requiring employers in the county to ascertain employees' COVID-19 vaccination status and to track their status as it changes. Employers are not required to request or maintain records of employees' vaccination status. As of June 1, employees who are not vaccinated will be subject to Santa Clara County health orders: Mandatory Directive for Unvaccinated Personnel and Mandatory Directive on Face Coverings. Employers are required to reconfirm employees' vaccination status every fourteen days and maintain detailed records demonstrating their compliance.
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State Task Force Offering Rapid COVID-19 Testing: Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requires employers to offer COVID-19 testing to employees in certain situations; the California Coronavirus COVID-19 Testing Task Force is looking to partner with organizations interested in setting up on-site Antigen testing for their employees, guests, and/or their community. Antigen testing is a rapid, point-of-care test with results available in 15-30 minutes most useful for serial testing of a population (2x per week or more), at entry into a gathering or congregate setting, or in response to the identification of a positive case to prevent an outbreak. (Confirmatory PCR tests are required for all participants with positive results or symptomatic participants with negative results.) ...Testing through the State is free to organizations, (antigen tests are $0/test and PCR tests are $55/test. These tests can be billed to the individual’s insurance or entities can choose to be invoiced for the test. Patients and employees will not be balance billed by the state,) and the State is committed to provide the support (support resources include a detailed playbook, videos, and hands-on training led by Testing Task Force trainers; more details can be found here,) necessary to begin as soon as possible. To get started, organizations can learn more about their testing options and submit an application to become a testing partner here. Please feel free to reach out with any questions to testing.taskforce@cdph.ca.gov. To read more click here.
Employment of Minors Resources from FELS
California: Your Kids are Employees
The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement publishes guidance of many employment related topics; one of these is a page of Frequently-Asked Questions on a variety of employment-related topics, including the employment of family members. The question arose recently from a Farm Bureau member whose children work in the business who was uncertain whether it was necessary to obtain workers compensation insurance to cover them. The answer appears to be that California law requires all employers to obtain workers' compensation insurance for all employees, and that California law considers the business owner's children to be employees.
USDOL Uses "Hot Goods" as a Child Labor Enforcement Tactic
The U.S. Department of Labor has used the Fair Labor Standards Act's "hot goods" provision for enforcement purposes. "Hot goods" allows the Department to confiscate items produced in violation of the requirements of the FLSA. In particular, DOL has been using "hot goods" for enforcement against alleged child labor violations. While "hot goods" might make sense to use as leverage with manufacturers of inanimate objects, use against farmers and their perishable commodities can threaten the economic viability of a farming operation. Here's a report on DOL's use of "hot goods" in Oregon and other places.
Since DOL seems to taking a particular interest in child labor enforcement in agriculture, this might be an opportune time to review your compliance procedures. FELS Newsletter subscribers can find child labor compliance resources at this link. To read more click here.
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Livestock News: Massive Forage Losses Documented for SLO County |
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Massive Forage Losses Documented for SLO County
June 3, 2021 Letter from Royce Larsen, Watershed / Natural Resources Advisor for San Luis Obispo County Cooperative Extension to SLO County Farm Service Agency Executive Director, Jeff Sledd.
"The 2020-2021 growing year had a slow start, with precipitation starting in December. The year’s precipitation was 55% of normal, with the majority coming in January. There was a little precipitation that came in March, see figure 1.
Overall, there was a 69% forage loss in SLO County. However, some areas had extremely low production and there were 10 of the 31 sites sampled that had 100% forage loss, these were in the central and eastern zones, figure 2. There was one anomaly for the eastern zone, a site that only had a 29% loss. But the forage on that site consisted mostly of foxtail, which is a poor-quality forage plant, even though that plant produces a lot of biomass. All other eastern sites had extremely low production. ..."
Continue reading the letter here.
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Lawmakers Scrutinize Meatpacking as JBS Rebounds From...
JBS SA meat plants ramped up production after a cyberattack this week, while some farm-state lawmakers called for an overhaul of practices that they said had left meat production vulnerable to calamities. JBS plants in the U.S., Canadian and...
Read more
www.wsj.com
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Livestock owners face tough choices amid water shortages
Whether they milk cows or raise livestock for meat, ongoing drought conditions in the state have forced ranchers and dairy farmers to downsize their herds as they face soaring costs to sustain their animals.
Read more
agalert.com
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California wants to buy nonlethal bear traps and pay...
Freeway overpasses for nomadic animals. More water for coho salmon to survive. Humane traps to relocate bears and mountain lions to safe ground. Eight years after California removed the word "game" from the Department of Fish and Game and...
Read more
www.sacbee.com
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Vineyard & Winery News: Paso Robles Daily News - 'Roll Out the Barrels' Celebration Returns to San Luis Obispo
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Warming climate and wildfires devastate California vineyards
NBCLX's Chase Cain joins 'The News with Shepard Smith' to report from California's wine country as wildfires devastate vineyards and wineries.
Read more
www.cnbc.com
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Mildew & Vertebrates in the Vineyard
One of the most frustrating groups of pests in the vineyard belongs to the infamous vertebrate family. June's seminar will cover control of squirrels, gophers, and birds. We will also discuss effective Powdery Mildew control strategies. At the...
Read more
mailchi.mp
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Paso Robles Wine Country's first virtual auction raises...
The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) has completed the first Paso Robles Wine Country Virtual Auction, which began on Monday, May 10, and concluded on Sunday, May 16. This inaugural online auction supports the PRWCA Foundation, the...
Read more
pasoroblesdailynews.com
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'Roll Out the Barrels' celebration returns to San Luis...
The SLO Coast Wine Collective's annual Roll Out The Barrels celebration, which has drawn thousands of wine lovers to San Luis Obispo's wine country since 1990, returns this year with an all-new format: A series of exclusive events held at member...
Read more
pasoroblesdailynews.com
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Produce News: AgNet West - Pallet Shortages Create New Transportation Challenge for Agriculture
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How Organic Production Can Be a Balancing Act for...
Many vegetable growers have a love- tolerate relationship with the USDA National Organic Program. There are a lot of things to love about the certification. First, it means something. Growers must live up to a high bar for their crops to earn...
Read more
www.growingproduce.com
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Pallet Shortages Create New Transportation Challenge for ...
Pallet shortages are adding to the list of transportation challenges facing the food and agriculture industry. The lack of availability is causing concern within the industry, as growers and shippers struggle to keep up with demand. Pallets serve ...
Read more
agnetwest.com
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What Research Tells Us About the Future of California's...
According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California accounted for 52 percent of citrus production throughout the United States and 63 percent of the nation's citrus value last crop year. However, as this crop continues to...
Read more
agnetwest.com
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Transportation News: Transport Topics - Shortage of Truck Drivers Concerns California Ag Producers
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Upcoming Free CARB Regulatory Webinar Trainings
MS504: In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation
MS505: Large Spark Ignition (LSI) Fleet Regulation
MS507: Transport Refrigeration Units
MS511.2: Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Operation & Maintenance
MS521.9: CARB Diesel Truck Rules - Compliance Options and Reporting Requirements for 2021 and Beyond
MS522: Air Regulatory Overview for Public Agencies in California
MS523: Air Regulatory Overview for Public Schools in California
MS525: Compliance Overview: Truck & Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment
To read a more detailed overview and dates of the webinars, click here.
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Shortage of Truck Drivers Concerns California Ag Producers
Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] A worsening shortage of truck drivers is raising concerns among California farmers that, unless a solution emerges soon, there might not be enough hauling capacity to bring this...
Read more
www.ttnews.com
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Wildfire News: California Cattlemen - Virtual Workshop: Emergency Response, Livestock Access & Evacuation + Safety Considerations for Wildfires
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These maps show 'all of the pieces are in place' for...
Northern California's impending wildfire season is looking more and more grim by the day. The outlook for fire potential is above normal for much of the region through the summer, and by fall, virtually all of Northern California will be under...
Read more
www.sfchronicle.com
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Virtual Workshop: Emergency Response, Livestock Access & ...
Join us on Wednesday, June 23 for a virtual workshop from 7:00-9:00AM to learn about reducing wildfire risk & preparing for the threat of wildfire. This event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Click the button below to...
Read more
calcattlemen.org
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Farmers tell Lara about inability to buy fire insurance
Dario Sattui knows all too well what wildfires can do-not only to his business, but to his ability to obtain insurance afterward. The Glass Fire struck Sattui's Calistoga winery, Castello di Amorosa, in September 2020 and hollowed out a warehouse ...
Read more
www.agalert.com
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Is your SLO County home ready for wildfire season?...
With a potentially scary wildfire season looming, what specific things you need to do now to protect your home and property as much as possible? I recently asked myself that question, and now I know that the Tanners need to do.
Read more
www.sanluisobispo.com
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Water News: Daily Bulletin - Drought Crisis Requires More Long-Term Plans
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Farmers buy land, make camp by shut Oregon irrigation canal
Two farmers with ties to anti-government activist Ammon Bundy have purchased land by a shut-off irrigation canal in Oregon that would normally deliver water to a massive federal irrigation project along the...
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www.bgdailynews.com
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Drought crisis requires more long-term plans
There's little debate about the dire drought conditions that are enveloping the entire West, including California. The latest federal data shows that 100 percent of our state is unusually dry, with 94 percent of it facing severe drought...
Read more
www.dailybulletin.com
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Drought ravages California's reservoirs ahead of hot summer
Each year Lake Oroville helps water a quarter of the nation's crops, sustain endangered salmon beneath its massive earthen dam and anchor the tourism economy of a Northern California county that must rebuild seemingly...
Read more
www.morningagclips.com
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Despite drought, Santa Barbara County water supplies...
Having received just 48% of normal rainfall for the water year, which began Sept. 1 and will end Aug. 31, Santa Barbara County may be experiencing a bit of déjà vu, having been placed in the "severe drought" category again by the U.S. Drought...
Read more
santamariatimes.com
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Environmental News: AgriPulse - Carbon Sequestration Bill Sails Through Senate
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Monarch butterflies are nearly extinct. California has a ...
n one of the biggest mobilizationsof resources and talent ever organized to save an insect, the state of California is teaming with conservation groups, biologists and scores of citizen scientists to rescue the western monarch butterfly from the...
Read more
www.theguardian.com
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'Big risk': California farmers hit by drought change...
Joe Del Bosque is leaving a third of his 2,000-acre farm near Firebaugh, California, unseeded this year due to extreme drought. Yet, he hopes to access enough water to produce a marketable melon crop.
Read more
www.reuters.com
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Carbon sequestration bill sails through Senate
The state Senate on Friday passed a proposal to set goals for carbon sequestration on natural and working lands. With recent amendments, agriculture is no longer opposing the measure...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Biden bolsters push for offshore wind
The Biden administration is leaning into offshore wind as part of its push to transition the U.S. to clean energy, even as the federal government is already on its way to meeting a new target for the energy source.
Read more
thehill.com
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California's air quality czar charts a new path toward...
The Senate Rules Committee debated several of Gov. Gavin Newsom's appointments to the Air Resources Board (CARB) during a hearing last week. While each of the appointees garnered broad support, lawmakers raised general concerns about gaps in the...
Read more
www.agri-pulse.com
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Wisdom From the Farm & Ranch |
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Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench an old man was sitting there
I said, your old courthouse is kinda run down
He said, naw, it'll do for our little town
I said, your old flagpole has leaned a little bit
And that's a ragged old flag you got hanging on it
He said, have a seat, and I sat down
Is this the first time you've been to our little town?
I said, I think it is
He said, I don't like to brag
But we're kinda proud of that ragged old flag
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when
Washington took it across the Delaware
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing say can you see
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams
And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg
And the south wind blew hard on that ragged old flag
On Flanders field in World War one
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun
She turned blood red in World War Two
She hung limp and low a time or two
She was in Korea and Vietnam
She went where she was sent by Uncle Sam
She waved from our ships upon the Briny foam
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home
In her own good land here she's been abused
She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused
And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more
So we raise her up every morning
We take her down every night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag.
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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 some assistance with membership, 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 San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau
Platinum Members
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