Credit: Photos/California Department of Water Resources and Ag Alert file photo | |
2024 Marks a Decade of SGMA Regulations | |
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By California Farm Bureau Federation Ag Alert- Christine Souza
California’s landmark 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires local agencies in affected basins to develop and implement plans that identify a roadmap to protect groundwater for generations to come, turns 10 this year.
“If you think of the last 10 years when SGMA was first passed, a lot has happened,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, during a webinar kicking off National Groundwater Awareness Week last week. “It was a historic drought that we had just experienced, and it was the impetus for the passage of SGMA.”
During the 2012-2015 drought, a lack of surface water and depleted groundwater supplies left some state residents without access to drinking water. This period brought agriculture—especially California’s citrus belt on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley—to a near halt. In Tulare County, blocks of citrus trees were abandoned or removed. For-sale signs and well-drilling rigs were common.
Tulare County farmer Zack Stuller recalls the summer of 2015, when he and area farmers had to make tough choices about what crops to irrigate and what to leave behind or remove.
“I know it was bad everywhere, but here in Tulare County, we were ground zero,” said Stuller, who farms citrus and custom-farms 3,000 acres of permanent crops. “We had to pick and choose. On the 100-acre ranch, I only had enough water to irrigate 30 acres.”
At that time, he said, the state’s surface water supply was depleted with low storage in reservoirs and little precipitation.
“Back then, I knew something needed to be done. We can’t bleed our valley dry,” he said. “SGMA is a huge change to California water law, but what it did is it made people aware.”
This Sept. 16 will mark 10 years since former Gov. Jerry Brown signed three pieces of legislation known collectively as SGMA. Under the 2014 law, local agencies must implement groundwater sustainability plans that demonstrate how they will balance challenged groundwater supplies within a 20-year timeframe.
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: City Farm SLO Youth Empowerment Program Application Now Open | |
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) at City Farm SLO! | |  |
Fire officials, local ranchers discuss use of prescribed burns in prep for fire season | Cal Fire met with members of the San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen's Association hoping they can work together to utilize controlled burns better to prepare for future wildfires. | | |
Tickets for Poly Royal Rodeo sell out in 30 minutes | Thanks to recent successes at the national and regional levels and events like Break-A-Wave in Grover Beach, the Cal Poly Rodeo team continues to improve its participation numbers and notoriety. | | | |
County Government: SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow, March 26 at 9:00AM | |
San Luis Obispo County releases updated primary election results | San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano released updated ballot results after the most recent counting for the Presidential Primary Election on March 5. | | | | |
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SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow, March 26 at 9:00AM
The SLO County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow at 9:00am and the meeting can be viewed live here. The agenda can be found here and additional item documents here.
Items of Interest to agriculture:
10- Request to: 1) authorize County Fire to accept a grant award in the amount of
$477,728 from CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit for vegetation management
equipment, 2) adopt a resolution approving the grant agreement with CAL FIRE and
authorizing the County Fire Chief, or designee, to execute the agreement, and 3)
authorize a corresponding budget adjustment in the amount of $477,728 in Capital
Outlay to County Fire FC 140, by 4/5 vote.
35- Submittal of a resolution that supports operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant for 20
years.
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State Government: California Insurance Market 'in Chaos' Says Former Insurance Chief. Can the New Chief Fix it? | |
State Farm discontinuing 72,000 home policies in California in latest blow to state insurance market | Insurance giant State Farm says it will discontinue coverage for 72,000 houses and apartments in California starting this summer. | | | | |
California insurance market 'in chaos,' says former insurance chief. Can the new chief fix it? | Insurance non-renewals in California continue even as Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduces regulations favored by the industry. | | | | |
California isn't on track to meet its climate change mandates - and a new analysis says it's not even close | A new analysis concludes that unless CA almost triples its rate of cutting greenhouse gases, the state will fail to meet its 2030 climate change mandate. | | | |
Federal Government: Improving Trade Opportunities for U.S. Ag Exports | |
- $1.2 Trillion Spending Package Unveiled, Likely Set for Passage
- EPA’s Controversial “Clean Cars” Rule Finalized
- Sites Reservoir Awarded Additional $205 Million in Federal Funding
- New RMA Program Directory
- USDA Opens Grant Application for Urban Ag
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Improving Trade Opportunities for U.S. Ag Exports | The Colombian market has been reopened for U.S. ag exports of poultry and egg products after several months of negotiation... | | | | |
USDA releases 2022 Census of Agriculture data | USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Information. NASS publications cover a wide range of subjects, from traditional crops, such as corn and wheat, to specialties, such as mushrooms and flowers; from calves born to hogs slaughtered; from agricultural prices to land in farms. The agency has the distinction of being known as The Fact Finders of U.S. | | | |
Wildfire: How a Proposed Law Aims to Reduce Massive Wildfires in California | |
Fire prep already started for some. Here's some fire safety tips to know | Roughly 248 fires have broken out between Cal Fire state and federal lands since the start of 2024, Cal Fire SLO Public Information Officer Toni Davis said. | | | | |
How a proposed law aims to reduce massive wildfires in California | A state senator says the bill will help reduce some of the hurdles to using prescribed burns while also continuing to protect the environment. | | | |
Labor: Workplace Violence and Unions on the Farm Webinar | |
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Workplace Violence and Unions on the Farm
Are you up-to-speed on the new workplace violence regulations and its requirements? How about unions and their campaign to unionize California ag employers? (Don't laugh -- it's happening right now!) Join us on this webinar presented by Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, San Joaquin Farm Bureau, and Farm Employers Labor Service to learn about workplace violence requirements, card check, and resources from FELS and Farm Bureau to help you!
When? April 16, 2024, at 10 AM
Where? Your desktop, laptop, or your favorite web-enabled device?
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USDOL is Inspecting California Farms! Are You Ready?
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is actively enforcing federal wage and hour and agricultural employment requirements with farm labor contractors and growers. California has also stepped-up onsite visits through its Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF). Many employers are not fully prepared for potential consequences, which can include substantial citations and, in extreme circumstances, criminal prosecution.
Don’t hope you go unnoticed! Rosasco Law Group CEO Erica Rosasco will train you to be ready for an inspection. Employers and their supervisors should familiarize themselves with their rights before state or federal inspectors arrive. How you handle an investigation can make a huge difference!
When? May 1, 2024, 10:00 AM
Where? Your phone, laptop, tablet or your favorite web-enabled device
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Business Member Spotlight:
Bee Sweet Citrus
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Bee Sweet Citrus was founded in 1987 as an independent packer and shipper of California oranges. As our business began to grow, so too did the number of citrus varieties we provide – enabling Bee Sweet to become a prominent leader in California’s citrus industry.
Now a successful year-round operation, Bee Sweet ships throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific Rim countries including Japan. We have become a trusted brand for all citrus commodities, and still offer personal customer service and a heartfelt commitment to each of our growers and buyers.
With a product list that includes Navel and Valencia oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins – and exotic specialties like Minneola Tangelos and Pummelos – Bee Sweet Citrus offers the freshest, best-tasting citrus in California, with the service and availability you demand.
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Produce/Orchard: Farmers Consider Their Crop Options for Spring Planting | |
Farmers consider their crop options for spring planting | Falling commodity prices, rising production costs and water supply uncertainty are some of the factors weighing on planting decisions for California farmers this season. | | | | |
Commentary: Grants will help citrus farmers nourish healthy soils | Under a new $5 million grant program, citrus growers can receive up to $200,000 in funding to offset costs of implementing conservation practices that improve soils and optimize crop productivity. | | | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Agricultural Members
Cal Poly Ag Education and Communication, Laverne Watkins, Justin Smith, Silva Ranch, Twisselman Grain & Cattle, Steven Lock, and Brookshire Farms, Inc.
Renewing Associate Members
Lew Goodwin, Greg Wyatt, Elizabeth Tolson, Fordens Corp. and SLO Chamber of Commerce
New Collegiate Members
Emma Wharton and Siena Boscaro
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Featured Member Benefit:
AmeriGas
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Farm Bureau members save $0.05 per gallon on propane deliveries, receive a complimentary service check and a No Run-Out Guarantee with automatic delivery.
Additionally, members have access to:
- 24 hour emergency services
- $100 referral bonus for new customers
- Online bill pay options
- Order deliveries online
Visit AmeriGas at amerigas.com for additional information.
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Livestock: Farm Bureau Members Molnar Cattle , Featured in Local, KSBY Article "Cattle on Duty at the Pismo Preserve" | |
Cattle on duty at the Pismo Preserve | A herd of cattle is back at the Pismo Preserve. But why are they important to the area, and what should you do if you bump into one of the large animals? | | |
Scientists Collaborate to Study the Cause and Development of Liver Abscesses in Cattle : USDA ARS | Contact: Maribel AlonsoEmail: Maribel.Alonso@usda.gov March 20, 2024 To effectively prevent liver abscesses in cattle, it is crucial to gain a complete understanding of the development of this condition and the bacteria responsible for causing the infection. | | | | |
Mid-State Fair exhibit, horse show, livestock handbooks now available | The 2024 still exhibit, livestock, and horse show competition handbooks are now available. The adult and youth still exhibits include departments like arts and [...] | | |
First genetically edited pig kidney transplanted into living human | Surgeons at the Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted a pig kidney into a 62-year-old man over the weekend. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Wine Alliance Appoints New Marketing Director | |
Wine alliance appoints new marketing director | Smith will work to expand awareness, enhance consumer engagement with Paso Robles wine country - The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) has announced the [...] | | | | |
Do We Need to Plant Different Grapes For CA Wine to Survive Climate Change? | A video of the panel discussion I led at the recent Climate Change and Agriculture Conference in Sonoma County with a group of wine luminaries. | | | |
Water: Paso Water Basin Report Finds More Water Added During 2023 | |
Water basin report finds more water added during 2023 | Basin remains 'in a condition that needs to be improved' says director of groundwater sustainability - The draft version of the Paso Basin Annual Report [...] | | |
Water Allocation Doubles for the State Water Project | The water allocation for the State Water Project has doubled as a result of the storm systems that came through California in February... | | | | |
SLO receives $6.6 million for wells to treat water pollution | The city of San Luis Obispo expects a $6.6 million monetary injection from the state to cure its groundwater from a stubborn toxic chemical prevalent... | | |
San Simeon CSD takes first step toward dissolving | The San Simeon Community Services District board unanimously voted to begin the process of dissolution during a special meeting on Friday, March 15. Since December,... | | | |
Farm Bureau Membership Matters | | |
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We cannot support your freedom to farm and ranch without your membership.
Join SLO County Farm Bureau now or renew your membership online. Go to slofarmbureau.org to join, or download the membership form PDF.
Have your renewal notice available to speed up the process; you will need to enter your membership number, name and ZIP code. Renewal dues may be paid online or over the phone by credit card.
We're here to help! Call us if you need us to lookup your member number or we can process your membership for you, at 805-543-3654.
All California county Farm Bureau memberships are processed through the California Farm Bureau Federation, but please reach out to our SLO County office if you need your membership number or have questions.
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Thank You Platinum Members | |
SLO County Agriculture News is distributed by SLO County Farm Bureau for information purposes only. Stories written by SLO County Farm Bureau may be reprinted with attribution. Some outside story links may require site registration. Opinions expressed in stories, commentaries or editorials included in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the views of SLO County Farm Bureau. For information on advertising opportunities, please email info@slofarmbureau.org or call our office at 805-543-3654. | | | | |
