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San Luis Obispo County Agriculture News

February 18, 2022

www.slofarmbureau.org

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We're Hiring!

San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau is accepting applications for Deputy Executive Director until March 18, 2022.


The Deputy Executive Director will work directly with the Executive Director and Board of Directors in supporting San Luis Obispo County farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment where you will be an essential half of our two-person staff.


The Deputy Executive Director will educate our community about the importance of the local farmers and ranchers who create San Luis Obispo County’s $2.5 billion agricultural economy. Join our Farm Bureau team and help shape the future of agriculture policy at the county, state, and federal level. 


Review the full job opening announcement and application information here.

Graybeal Takes Position in Wisconsin


Some sad news, our Deputy Executive Director Matthew Graybeal is moving to Madison, Wisconsin next month. His last day in the office will be March 18, and he will be missed!


Matthew is taking a position with the animal feed company Vita Plus. We appreciate all his work for our SLO County agriculture community and Farm Bureau.

You can send a note to Matthew at mgraybeal@slofarmbureau.org

This Week In SLO County Agriculture

In This Week's Issue:

  • Community: Paso Robles Daily News - Retired Paso Robles Teacher Inducted Into Agricultural Teachers' Hall Of Fame;
  • County Government: The Tribune - Should SLO County Voters Fill Vacant Elected Positions? Charter Plan Could End Appointments;
  • State Government: Sacramento Bee - Fund For Victims Of PG&E Wildfires Is Coming Up Short. Will California Step In To Help?;
  • Federal Government: Morning Ag Clips - State Agriculture Officials Announce Their Priorities For The 2023 Farm Bill;
  • USDA: USDA Extends Due Date To March 7 For National Agricultural Classification Survey;
  • Business Member Spotlight: Solterra Strategies;
  • Livestock: American Farm Bureau - Farm Bureau Calls On DOJ For Update On Meatpacker Investigation;
  • Produce: The Packer - Consumer Understanding Of The Produce Supply Chain Is Rare: How Do You Solve That?;
  • Labor: Farm Employers Labor Service Updates;
  • Environmental: Washington Post - Biden Will Allow California To Set Climate Limits On Cars. The Move Could Influence The Rest Of The Country;
  • Avocado: AP News - US Suspends Mexican Avocado Imports On Eve Of Super Bowl;
  • Vineyard & Wine: The Tribune - After 7 Years, This SLO County Winery Successfully Grew Prized Black Truffles;
  • Water: SLO Basin First Annual Report Posted For Public Comment;
  • Wildfire: Sacramento Bee - Regulators Unveil Wildfire Safety Plan. Will It Fix Rural California's Insurance Crisis?;
  • Transportation: Freight Waves - Oakland Truckers Overwhelmed By Looming CARB Rule, Supply Chain Obstacles; and
  • Tax and Insurance: Protect Your Finances And Your Future.

Feb. 11 Most Read Stories

1. Arroyo Grande delays decision on tiny homes on wheels 

2. Answering Agriculture’s Critics

3. Are electric trucks ready for California’s real world of work? It depends on the task

4. U.S. pork producer to resume shipments to California after farm animal law delayed

5. USDA announces appointments to Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board

6. Forget new dams. A healthy aquifer is better for family farms and the environment

7. When will rain return? Why SLO County skies have been so clear and dry in recent weeks

8. Discussion: small farms need help—and a definition

9. E & J Gallo Winery Coastal Viticulture Internship

10. Calif. voters backed $7.5bil bond for dams. Here’s where things stand 7 years later

Executive Director Report

Here are a few things we worked on this week:

  • Held a SLO County Farm Bureau Executive Committee meeting;
  • Monitored the Feb. 15 SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting;
  • Attended a Federal Policy Update from California Farm Bureau staff;
  • Assisted a member with a property tax question;
  • Discussed Prop. 19 implementation issues affecting agriculture with County Assessor Tom Bordonaro;
  • Posted the job announcement for our Deputy Executive Director position;
  • Participated in the SLO Food System Coalition Policy Working Group meeting; and
  • Attended the Adelaida Farm Center Meeting on Feb. 18.

Upcoming Events

  • SLO County Farm Bureau Board of Directors Meeting Feb. 22 (everyone's welcome, please RSVP)
  • UCCE Irrigation & Nutrient Management Meeting Feb. 23 via Zoom (register here)
  • Vineyard Team - Ag Order 4.0 Webinar on Feb. 25 (register here)
  • SLO County Young Farmers & Ranchers social & meeting on March 2 at 5:30pm at Central Coast Brewing, 6 Higuera Street in SLO

Wanted: Used Grain Drill


A local farmer is looking to purchase a used grain drill to plant cover crops. If you have one to sell, please call the SLO County Farm Bureau office at 805-543-3654

Community: Paso Robles Daily News - Retired Paso Robles Teacher Inducted Into Agricultural Teachers' Hall Of Fame

Retired Paso Robles teacher inducted into agricultural teachers' hall of fame

Mark Clement, who taught agriculture at Paso Robles High School from 1979 to 2015, has been inducted into the California Agricultural Teachers Association Hall of Fame...

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Poly Royal Rodeo celebrates 80 years of history

The 80th annual Poly Royal Rodeo is returning to its roots to commemorate eight decades of history at the Cotton Rosser Rodeo Complex on campus. The Poly Royal Rodeo Finals, open to the public, will be held at 6:30 p.m.

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Cal Poly Rodeo Team helps 11-year-old cancer survivor's wish come true

Eleven-year-old Maddilynn Owens grew up riding horses. But for more than a year, all Maddie had the strength for was to be lifted onto her horse's back by her dad, and lie there until she fell asleep. Maddie, who lives ...

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At Her Table - San Luis Obispo's Women's Restaurant Week

Today we are celebrating 50 members to At Her Table! In a short time, our directory and we anticipate doubling our registrations from last year by the end of the week. If you a woman-owned or co-owned business in the food or beverage industry sign up today.

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Aug. 3-7: California Youth Ag Expo

Our leaders know that through the ashes, new growth sprouts. The California Youth Ag Expo is that new growth. A new show. A new time. A new location. All for our young and upcoming agriculture leaders. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, our leaders set out to find a location to launch this new endeavour.

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City Farm SLO taking applications for its teen empowerment program. But time is short

City Farm SLO is taking applications through Sunday for its Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), offering eight educational sessions from March 5-April 30. The program is designed for teens of all backgrounds on the Central Coast, in ...

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County Government: The Tribune - Should SLO County Voters Fill Vacant Elected Positions? Charter Plan Could End Appointments

California Supreme Court denies request to intervene on SLO County redistricting

California's highest court denied a local group's request to place an immediate hold on San Luis Obispo County's redistricting map and overturn a superior court ruling enabling its use for the June primary election. In a surprise move, the San Luis Obispo County Citizens for Good Government appealed the local court's Feb.

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Should SLO County voters fill vacant elected positions? Charter plan could end appointments

Is the time of the local government appointment on its way out? The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors took a preliminary step Tuesday toward significantly changing the way vacant elected positions are filled, with the majority of the board asking for county staff to start work on a charter that would potentially be put before voters in the November election.

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State Government: Sacramento Bee - Fund For Victims Of PG&E Wildfires Is Coming Up Short. Will California Step In To Help?

CDFA accepting comment for California Farm to School Program RFA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) announces it is seeking public comment February 15 - March 7, 2022, for the 2022 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program's request for applications (RFA).

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Fund for victims of PG&E wildfires is coming up short. Will California step in to help?

The man in charge of paying claims to PG&E Corp.'s wildfire victims just engineered a massive stock sale, unloading $483 million worth of the utility's shares to raise money for thousands of Northern Californians in need.

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California lawmakers take second swing at phasing out single-use plastics

After a bill that aimed to phase out some single-use plastics died on the California State Assembly floor last year, lawmakers are back with a new iteration of the legislation. Assembly Bill 2026...

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California Farm Bureau's Friday Review - State Legislative and Governmental Affairs Feb. 18

  • Two dozen water related bills have been introduced by today’s February 18th deadline for measures to be introduced. The bills are intended to address a wide variety of issues such as, groundwater adjudications, drinking water, water quality, water rights, State and regional water boards, ecosystem improvements, conveyance, atmospheric river research, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). 20 of these measures are waiting assignment to their first policy committee for hearing. Four are spot bills with only vague intent language with substantial content language yet to be amended into the measures. During this early stage in the Legislative process Farm Bureau is closely monitoring all measures, researching their intent, background and discussing all with the authors and sponsors.  Read more in this week's Friday Review.

Federal Government: Morning Ag Clips - State Agriculture Officials Announce Their Priorities For The 2023 Farm Bill

Proposed Clean Water Rule Will Hurt Small Businesses

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy's comments to EPA regarding the impact of a new Waters of the U.S. Rule. "We were told by the Biden administration that a new

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State agriculture officials announce their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill

PUBLISHED ON WASHINGTON - As discussions for writing the 2023 Farm Bill begin, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture will direct its policy advocacy efforts regarding the bill towards 10 specific policy areas.

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California Farm Bureau's "This Week In Federal Policy News."

USDA: USDA Extends Due Date To March 7 For National Agricultural Classification Survey

USDA extends due date to March 7 for National Agricultural Classification Survey 


WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2022 – USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) wants recipients of the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) to know that there is still time to respond. Mailed last December to more than a million potential U.S. agricultural producers, the NACS collects data on agricultural activity and basic farm information. These data will be used to build a survey recipient list for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Response to the NACS is required by federal law for all who receive the questionnaire, even if the recipient is not an active farmer or rancher. Questionnaires can be completed securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or phone. The response deadline is extended to March 7.  


“Filling out the NACS is one of the most important steps to determining who should receive the Census of Agriculture questionnaire this fall,” said Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater. “The influential Census of Agriculture dataset is used by many – from local and federal governments, to educators, researchers, agribusinesses, media and more – impacting decisions that affect producers, their farms, families, communities, industries, and the nation. Every producer should have a voice. Through the ag census, their voices will help shape the future of American agriculture.” 


Ag producers who did not receive a NACS and do not currently receive USDA censuses and surveys can sign up to be counted at agcounts.usda.gov/getcounted. All information reported to NASS is kept confidential, protected by federal law. To learn more about NACS and the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/go/nacs.

California Farm Service Agency Updates

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2022 crop year have until March 15, 2022, to sign a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.

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Advertise With SLO County Farm Bureau

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Get Your Message in Front of Over 2,000 San Luis Obispo Countians!


Our weekly E-News is sent out every Friday to our membership and local leaders. If you're interested in an effective, low-cost advertising campaign ($150 a month) please give us a call or send an email to SLO County Farm Bureau Executive Director Brent Burchett.

Business Member Spotlight:

Solterra Strategies

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Solterra Strategies was born out of a desire to tell delicious stories. With so many voices in the wine, food and tourism communities how do you get your company to stand out?


Our collective experience is one of sorting through the piles of ideas, finding the ones that stick and communicating your story in an exciting way to keep the buzz about your business growing. Identifying your unique value proposition and developing your brand begins the process of telling the story. Then utilizing public and media relations garners credibility with your customers. Building brand ambassadors through trade relation and forming strategic partnerships furthers your reach while digital marketing and social media builds engagement with your audience.


Like any business, the perception of your brand is what sets you apart from your competition. It sounds simple, but it can be challenging, and we’re here to help. It’s what we do.

1405 Spring Street #203 | Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 591-4884 | solterrastrategies.com

Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Thank You Farm Bureau Members

Renewing Platinum Member

Gallo Vineyards


New Associate Member

Ruth Sullivan


Renewing Business Support Members

Crop Insurance Services By AMS, Valley Pacific Petroleum Services Inc


Renewing Members

Vineyard Team, Barbara Parsons, Kent Allen, Yokoyama Land Company, Field Gibson, Lowell McDonnell, Salud Carbajal for Congress, Samata Management Inc, Tom Keffury

SLO County Farm Bureau Business Support Member List
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Livestock: American Farm Bureau - Farm Bureau Calls On DOJ For Update On Meatpacker Investigation

Farm Bureau Calls on DOJ for Update on Meatpacker Investigation

The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter today to Attorney General Merrick Garland, asking the Department of Justice to provide an update on its investigation into the meatpacking industry. The Department of Justice began an investigation after excessive volatility in the live and fed cattle markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

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Mud-slinging between alt-meat and traditional ag is getting kind of dirty

In an unusual ad campaign that is running a full-page in the New York Times and on a billboard in Midtown Manhattan this weekend, a plant-based food company is claiming that "plant-based lovers do it better."

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Produce: The Packer - Consumer Understanding Of The Produce Supply Chain Is Rare: How Do You Solve That?

UPDATE 3: Bayer Declares Force Majeure, Deepening Glyphosate Crisis

Shortages of key herbicides were already predicted to be a problem for the 2022 season. That situation has gone from bad to worse in a matter of days. According to a Feb.

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Consumer understanding of the produce supply chain is rare: how do you solve that?


From all that we are all told by marketing pros, consumers love the idea of “getting to know” growers, the folks who put food on their plates.

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Santa Maria and Guadalupe-area Farmers Oppose Santa Maria Trail Extension 


The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is considering an extension of the Santa Maria Levee Trail, and local farmers are organizing opposition to the extension. Nearly 100 acres of prime farmland will have to be taken out of production if the extension is approved. Even if you are not directly impacted, local agriculture supporters are still asked to sign on to the letter.  


The Honorable Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors,  

 

The vibrant communities of Santa Maria and Guadalupe are home to our county’s largest agricultural producers, with a population of roughly 120,000 residents, most of whom are agricultural workers. Our community not only prides itself on our rich agricultural heritage, but also on the expansive open and recreational space it offers citizens. The proposed extension of the Santa Maria Levee Trail, however, has not adequately considered the impact to both the population it is intended for, or the unintended consequences to agricultural producers in the valley. … 

 

Continue reading the opposition letter and add your name to it here.

Santa Barbara to Study Expanding Recreation Facilities - The Santa Barbara Independent

Community Supervisors Approve $500K for a Master Plan In what might be a major shot in the arm to Santa Barbara's nascent agritourism industry - from fields to bedsheets - the county supervisors agreed to spend nearly half a million dollars of one-time cannabis revenues on a new countywide recreational master plan - sprawling, creative, and, yes, as was mentioned several times, "unprecedented."

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Labor: Farm Employers Labor Service Updates

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February 23, 2022: COVID Paid Sick Leave is Back! Are You Ready? California has reinstated COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave – 80 hours of paid leave for an employee to recover from COVID-19 or care for a family member with COVID. The new COVID sick leave mandate is retroactive to January 1, 2022, and that means you will need to be ready for demands to pay for sick leave for COVID-related absences in January and February that you didn’t know you’d have to pay for! What will the new COVID paid sick leave mandate require California agricultural employers to do? Catherine M. Houlihan of FELS Group Legal Services Program partner firm Barsamian & Moody will brief you on the ins-and-outs of the new COVID paid sick leave mandate and help you prepare for COVID sick leave requests.  

When: Wednesday, February 23, 2022; 10 AM 

Registration: You can register here

Cost: FREE! 


DIR Furnishes SB 114 COVID Paid Sick Leave Model Workplace Posting: The Department of Industrial Relations has posted "2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave: Effective February 19, 2022" at it's website. Employers are required to post this information by Labor Code Section 247, and while employers are not required to use the model notice any alternative notice must include all the information included in the model notice. The requirement to furnish SB 114 COVID paid sick leave and the posting requirement become effective on February 19, 2022. The Department has not yet furnished promised guidance or frequently-asked questions (FAQ); as of the date of publication of the model notice, DIR's website bears the following statement: "The Department of Industrial Relations is updating webpages to provide full details on the new 2022 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law. The new law is expected to take effect on February 19, 2022. Please check back for updates, including FAQs and workplace postings." (February 16, 2022).


ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Past FELS Webinars/Webinar Videos/Presentation Slides: February 7, 2022: New Ag Employment Requirements for 2022: 2022 brings new requirements for California agricultural employers. What do you need to know to be in compliance? FELS presented this unique hybrid in-person presentation at Stanislaus County Farm Bureau on February 7 and LIVE via Zoom for on on-line audience! FELS Chief Operating Officer Bryan Little will brief you on important legislative actions taken by the California Legislature in 2021 impact ag employers. Carl Borden of California Farm Bureau's Legal Affairs Division reviewed changes in the California minimum wage and overtime requirements for ag employees that will become effective for employers of 25 or fewer employees in 2022. Paul Yossem, Regional Vice President Private Sector Retirement Plans for California Farm Bureau Premier Partner Nationwide informed participants of the upcoming June 2022 deadline to enroll your business with the CalSavers employee retirement savings program and an alternative offered by Nationwide for Farm Bureau members, the new Farm Bureau Retirement Plan. Last, Seth Merhten of Farm Employers Labor Service Group Legal Services Program partner Barsamian & Moody walked the audience through the ever-evolving Cal/OSHA ETS and changes that will become effective in January 2022. 

  • You can view a video of the webinar here
  • You can view the slides used by Bryan Little and Carl Borden here
  • You can view the slides used by Seth Mehrten here
  • You can view a chart summarizing various retirement savings options for employers, furnished by Paul Yossem of Nationwide, here.
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Health and Safety on the Farm and Ranch: Trainings Presented by Nationwide 


California Farm Bureau is pleased to offer risk management training webinars presented by Nationwide in 2022. Select topics will be presented in both English and Spanish. Access to these trainings is FREE to Farm Bureau members. Two class dates are scheduled per month starting in February and continuing through December. For complete details of dates, times and topics and to register, CLICK HERE now.

Pay Stub Requirements For Employers Documenting Renewed COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave


California employers with more than 25 employees are likely busy making certain that their HR departments properly follow the new notice and pay stub requirements as required by legislation signed by the Governor on February 9 renewing COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) benefits

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Environmental: Washington Post - Biden Will Allow California To Set Climate Limits On Cars. The Move Could Influence The Rest Of The Country

A vision for more sustainable farmlands

From above, California's San Joaquin Valley spills out of the Sierra Nevada in a checkerboard of earth-toned farmland. It's some of the most valuable land in the world; every year, the agribusiness industry here produces billions of dollars' worth...

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California High Speed Rail To Cost An Extra $5 Billion - KQED

A draft plan issued Tuesday by the California High Speed Rail Authority puts the cost of the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles bullet train at $105 billion, about $5 billion more than previous estimates.

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Biden will allow California to set climate limits on cars. The move could influence the rest of the country.

The Biden administration is expected to restore California's authority to set its own limits on climate-warming emissions from cars, pickups and SUVs. Long an environmental leader among states, California often sets precedent that the ...

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Pesticides, Air Quality and Upcoming Statewide Notification System Explained - American Vineyard Magazine

California has allocated $10 million to begin the development of a statewide system the provides information to the public about pesticides used around them. DPR is working in partnership with several agricultural commissioners on local pilot projects as ...

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Advance pesticide notification pilot to launch in Grayson. How accessible will it be?

The community of Grayson will participate in a pilot program this spring to help develop a statewide system providing advance notice of pesticide spraying. Four of the state's county's agricultural commissioners, including Stanislaus County's Kamal Bagri and those representing Riverside, Santa Cruz ...

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Avocado: AP News - US Suspends Mexican Avocado Imports On Eve Of Super Bowl

Mexico says conspiracy behind avocado ban; US cites violence

Mexico's president said Monday the U.S. suspension on avocado imports and recent environmental complaints are part of a conspiracy against his country by political or economic interests. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador put forward the conspiracy theory

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Avocado imports from Mexico are blocked. What does that mean for you?

A security spat between the U.S. and Mexico that threatens the avocado supply in the U.S. is putting the spotlight on California farmers, a major U.S. supplier of the fruit. The U.S. on Friday suspended all avocado imports from Michoacán, the only...

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US suspends Mexican avocado imports on eve of Super Bowl

Mexico has acknowledged that the U.S. government has suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat. The surprise, temporary suspension was confirmed late Saturday on the eve of the

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How high can avocado prices go? And then, how low?


Wholesale avocado prices were already sizzling hot before the U.S. suspended Mexican hass imports Feb. 11 because of a security threat was made to a U.S. plant safety inspector in Michoacan. Now what?

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Avocado growers to get irrigation tools, strategies from UC ANR's Montazar

DAVIS, Calif. - California growers, who account for more than 90% of avocado production in the U.S., will soon be getting some help in weathering...

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From the Fields® - February 16, 2022  

By George Kendall, San Luis Obispo County lemon and avocado grower 


We did not get our lemons picked before the December rains. We normally pick three times a year, and we didn't get the last pick in. The orchard did dry out by the middle of January, and we were able to get the pre-harvest spray on and get a crew to pick then. After that, we had the crew do the annual pruning, and we mulched the cuttings into the drive rows. We had to run the wind machine a couple of mornings in late January, but we did not see any damage in the lemons. 


With what we picked, we got about what we expected. We get a larger amount of fruit in May; that's our main harvest, and then we get smaller pickings in September. Then in December or January, we get another smallish pick. The quality was good. Our next harvest will be most likely in May. 


In the avocado orchard, the recent warm weather that we've had in February has caused us to step our irrigation up a little bit. We had 88 degrees on Feb. 8 and 9. We use a lot of wood chips in the grove, so we don't have too much weed pressure. That'll come a little bit later. This week we started to pick some of the green-skin varieties, specifically the Zutano. But the main half harvest won't begin until after we prune in April and May. 


This year's crop is smaller than last year's crop. We had quite a bit of cool weather last spring during bloom and fruit set, so we didn't set a lot of fruit until late in the bloom period. Quality looks reasonable, but the volume, in our area at least, is going to be down. 


We will begin our fertilizer program in March. We'll prune in April/May, and then we'll pick after that. 

Vineyard & Wine: The Tribune - After 7 Years, This SLO County Winery Successfully Grew Prized Black Truffles

Ready to wine and dine? Blendfest on the Coast is back in SLO County and here are details

A coastal celebration of Paso Robles-area wines is set to return on the weekend of Feb. 24 through 27, as Blendfest on the Coast combines food, wine, excursions and experiences, just as winemakers blend the wines being highlighted. Tickets range from $50 to $135 per person, depending on the event.

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Crush Report Reveals an 8.7% Increase in California Grapes - American Vineyard Magazine

After recuperating from another rigorous harvest season, California grape grower and vintners anticipate the release of the annual Grape Crush Report from USDA & CDFA - and that time has come with preliminary results revealing an 8.7% increase from the 2020 crush. Read the following report for more

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UC Davis Viticulture and Enology On the Road in Santa Barbara - American Vineyard Magazine

UC Davis Viticulture & Enology staff are back on the road and headed to Presq'uile Winery in Santa Maria. Growers are welcome to attend and learn about: -Using novel weather data to guide frost protection practices -Managing wildfire smoke exposure in the vineyard and winery -Mitigating heatwave damage to red wine grape...

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Ford's New Pilot Program to Equip California Winemakers with EVs

Welcome to Thomas Insights - every day, we publish the latest news and analysis to keep our readers up to date on what's happening in industry. Sign up here to get the day's top stories delivered straight to your inbox.

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After 7 years, this SLO County winery successfully grew prized black truffles

A winery in Templeton has successfully unlocked the mystery of growing black truffles after a seven-year journey yielded a small quantity of the valuable fungi last month.

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Local vintners rack up awards and help establish Paso as the capital of American Rhones

There was a time when drinking a syrah-flagship wine of the Rhone Valley in France-was a distinctly French experience. However, the dense, dark grape now grows around the...

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Ag Order 4.0 Webinar

Wondering how the new AG Order 4.0 requirements impact your vineyard? Sara Lopez with Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc reviews the requirements, new Third-Party programs, and how these all relate to grape growers so you can maintain compliance. General topics to be covered include: Ag Order enrollment, annual compliance, and Third Party (Preservation, Inc.)

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Water: SLO Basin First Annual Report Posted For Public Comment

No end in sight: California drought on course to break another record

After record-breaking snowfall at the start of the rainy season, January and February will likely be the driest on record, prolonging California's drought. The first two months of 2022 are shaping up to be the driest January and February in California history, prompting state officials to warn of dire water conditions ahead.

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New Data Shows Subsidence Continued in Water Year 2021, But Pace Slower than Seen in Previous Droughts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released new satellite-based data that show subsidence - or the sinking of the land surface due to excessive groundwater pumping - continues in the state. DWR has intensified statewide subsidence

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SLO Basin First Annual Report Posted for Public Comment

The San Luis Obispo Basin First Annual Report (Water Years 2020-2021) has been posted to the County’s website. The public comment period for the First Annual Report is open until February 23, 2022. You may access the SLO Basin First Annual Report here. Please email public comments to bzuniga@co.slo.ca.us and include “SLO Basin WY2021 Annual Report” in ...

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Wildfire: Sacramento Bee - Regulators Unveil Wildfire Safety Plan. Will It Fix Rural California's Insurance Crisis?

Southern California to see steep hike in fire danger due to warming, study finds

Days when large damaging wildfires are possible could nearly double in Southern California by the end of the century if climate change continues unchecked, according to a study released Thursday in the journal

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Judge Deals Blow to California FAIR Plan's Efforts to Stay Insurance Commissioner's Order

A judge has denied a request a preliminary injunction to halt the enforcement of an order from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara that the California FAIR Plan Association offer an expanded homeowners insurance plan.

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Regulators unveil wildfire safety plan. Will it fix rural California's insurance crisis?

State regulators rolled out a "Safer from Wildfire" program Monday to encourage rural residents and business owners to gird their properties as a way of fixing the insurance crisis that's plagued the Sierra foothills and other fire-prone areas of California the past few years.

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Transportation: Freight Waves - Oakland Truckers Overwhelmed By Looming CARB Rule, Supply Chain Obstacles

Federal, state authorities flag 71 bridges in tri-county region as 'poor' | Pacific Coast Business Times

Each day, an estimated 72,500 vehicles cross a bridge on the southbound lanes of Highway 101 over railroad tracks at the Montalvo Metrolink station in Ventura. In Santa Barbara County, bridges on the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 101 over San Jose Creek, west of Highway 217 in Goleta, carry about 60,500 vehicles every day.

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Oakland truckers overwhelmed by looming CARB rule, supply chain obstacles

Besides the daily challenges drayage truckers face to keep their small businesses afloat at the Port of Oakland, some are questioning whether they still will be operating this time next year. That's because of an emissions rule in California that is requiring them to upgrade their trucks to include 2010 model year or newer diesel engines by the end of the year.

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Tax and Insurance: Protect Your Finances And Your Future

Is your record keeping adequate?

Regardless of the successes or failures a farm or ranch experiences in a given year, it is difficult for operators to learn how to capitalize on or correct problem areas if record keeping is subpar. Oklahoma State University Extension Farm Management Specialist Courtney Bir, discussed the key points of proper record keeping in a recent webinar.

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Protect your finances and your future 


Join California Farm Bureau and Nationwide for an educational webinar where you’ll learn strategies and tips to help you manage your financial future with confidence. 


For more detailed questions about your personal financial needs, consider calling 855-863-9636 for a complimentary one-on-one consultation with a licensed Nationwide representative.  


Protecting your farm and family with life insurance 

Protect your family and your farm by learning how to match different types of life insurance to your varying needs. 


Whether you're a new farmer just starting out or you've spent many decades growing your operation, life insurance can serve as an important tool in protecting your family and your business. Learn how different types of life insurance can help cover debt obligations, provide a future source of tax-free income or help ensure a smooth transition of your farm operation to the next generation. 


Click the link below to watch on your schedule. 

View the on-demand webinar: Understanding life insurance 


Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, OH. Nationwide Retirement Institute is a division of NISC. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, Nationwide is on your side, Land As Your Legacy and other marks displayed in this message are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and/or its affiliates, unless otherwise disclosed. Third-party marks that appear in this message are the property of their respective owners. © 2020 Nationwide.

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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Visit slofarmbureau.org
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