Commentary: New Overtime Rule Cut Earnings for Farm Employees | |
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By Bryan Little; California Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Employers Labor Service
In 2016, when the California Legislature contemplated Assembly Bill 1066 to phase out agricultural overtime rules in place since 1977, advocates for agriculture warned policymakers of adverse consequences for farm employers and employees alike.
But the bill’s author, then-Assembly Member and now California Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzalez argued that the legislation would increase earnings and set a historic example for other states to follow.
Seven years after Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1066 into law, the results are in. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, agricultural workers have seen reduced work hours and less income since 2019 and 2020, when AB 1066 triggered the first adjustments to overtime rules for the largest, best-resourced California agricultural employers.
Before AB 1066, farm employees were allowed to work up to 10 hours a day for six days a week before time-and-a-half overtime pay was required.
In 2019, farms with 26 or more employees were required under AB 1066 to pay overtime pay after 9 ½ hours in a workday or 55 hours in a workweek. Beginning in 2022, employers of 25 or more employees were required to pay overtime premiums after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. That standard is to kick in on Jan. 1, 2025, for employers with 25 or fewer workers.....
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: Farm Bureau Leadership Applications Due January 15 | |
Apply to the Leadership Farm Bureau Program! | |
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Leadership Farm Bureau is leadership development program sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and is the one program in Farm Bureau that is specifically designed to invest in emerging Farm Bureau leaders. Participants gain perspective and training in the areas of personal development, human behavior, public speaking, working with the media, political advocacy, government structure, key political issues and the Farm Bureau organization and structure.
The deadline to apply is January 15th!
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Locally-produced indie movie to premiere at Hearst Castle | Noir movie was written, directed, produced, and filmed on the Central Coast - A locally produced independent film, "Hidden Creek," is set to make its [...] | | | |  |
UC ANR 2040 Strategic Visioning Feedback Sessions | Here is what you can expect during these interactive sessions: Get an overview of the draft components that make up UC ANR's 2040 Strategic Vision document - mission, vision, list of key CA challenges and correlated areas of focus for UC ANR research, Extension, and programming. | | | |
State Government: How Will California Respond to the Home Insurance Market Meltdown? | |
How will California respond to the home insurance market meltdown? | California politicians face two pressing crises this year: a massive state budget deficit and the decline of the homeowner insurance market. | | | | |
New Year brings new laws, policies affecting farmers | With the New Year comes a slew of new state and federal policies designed to change the way farms and ranches in California operate. As of Jan. 1, several new laws and regulations will affect agriculture, natural resources and transportation. | | | |
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Extension of the Reporting Deadline for the Clean Truck Check/ Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is extending the Clean Truck Check reporting deadline to January 31, 2024, to allow vehicle owners additional time to complete their initial fleet reporting and meet the 2023 compliance fee payment requirements. To access the reporting database to complete your reporting requirements, please visit the California Clean Truck Check, Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS) Portal.
CARB staff invite you to participate in a newly scheduled public online training webinar on the CTC-VIS reporting database. This webinar will be held via Zoom webinar at the following date and time.
Date: January 9, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Location: Webinar
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Federal Government: Read this Week's Federal Policy News | |
College to Become More Expensive for Farm Families | An attempt to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process could end up making college less affordable for rural Americans. Chad Smith tells us farm families may find it more difficult to qualify for financial aid. | | | | |
USDA Announces January 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers | Contact: FPAC.BC.Press@usda.gov WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2024, which are effective Jan. 2, 2024. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
Santa Maria Seeds
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Let’s Grow Together
Located in the main growing regions in California and Arizona, Santa Maria Seeds offers a full range of high quality vegetable and field seed. We are dedicated to the success of both our suppliers and customers offering them real time product information through the use of our proprietary product development system.
- Product Development: We strive to implement the latest technology on our product development system. This allows us to systematically evaluate and track performance trends in our field trials.
- Sales: Our sales team will work with you every step of the way to make sure you can execute your business goals.
- Variety Recommendation: We help you select the top varieties that are best suited to your individual growing needs, including the appropriate disease resistance, highest yield and most desired cultural traits.
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Produce: CDFA's Produce Safety Program Calling California Farms About Produce Safety Rule | |
New UC Study Estimates Raspberry Production Costs on Central Coast | SACRAMENTO -- A new study that estimates costs and potential returns for growing raspberries on the Central Coast is available for free from UC Agriculture... | | |
Citrus Industry Guide to Fruit Fly Quarantines - California Ag Network | Over the last several months, a variety of invasive fruit fly detections have triggered quarantines across numerous counties in California. These fruit fly species - including Mediterranean fruit fly, Mexican fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, Tau fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly - are considered not established in California. | | | | |
CDFA’s Produce Safety Program calling California farms about Produce Safety Rule | The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Produce Safety Program is in the process of conducting farm verification phone calls to identify farms most likely required to comply with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR). |
UC highlights new technology to battle pests, weeds | |
California vegetable growers may benefit from new and improved technologies that allow them to manage pests and weeds, while reducing reliance on pesticide applications.
Rather than hand weeding, steam treatment of a band of soil along the seed line may be an economical way to manage weeds in lettuce and reduce the need for chemical fumigation...
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Labor: 2024 Agricultural Employment Regulatory & Legislative Update | |
2024 Agricultural Employment Regulatory & Legislative Update | |
Farm Employers Labor Service will update you on what's new (or just changing, again) for 2024:
• Minimum Wage
• Overtime
• Paid Sick Leave
• CalSavers
• Workplace Violence Plan requirement
• and More!
When? January 11, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where? On your laptop, desktop, tablet, phone or your favorite web-enabled device!
Cost? IT'S FREE! Brought to you by FELS, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, and San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation
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2024 FELS Employment Compliance Notices California Postings Books and Laminated Posters Available Soon:
Farm Employers Labor Service will make Employment Compliance Notice products available soon. Agencies are still revising their postings in the new year, and each year we wait until we are sure we have as many of the revised 2024 postings as possible. We hope to have posters and books ready to ship after January 15, 2024.
You can read more here.
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Update on Interview Waiver for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants - Western Growers Association | Update on Interview Waiver for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants The U.S. Department of State has announced new categories of nonimmigrant visa applicants who can waive the in-person interview requirement. Starting from January 1, 2024, first time H-2 visa applicants and other nonimmigrant visa applicants who have previously received a nonimmigrant visa in any classification (except B visa) can apply for an interview waiver if they meet certain legal and eligibility criteria. | | | |
If you have any questions about classes or registration, please call (916) 561-5500 or email fbextension@cfbf.com
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Wildfire: Cal Poly Professors Win a Patent for Their Wildfire-Detecting Software | |
Cal Poly professors win a patent for their wildfire-detecting software | Two Cal Poly engineering professors' concern for preserving the environment for future generations sparked a trailblazing project with intentions to prevent widespread fires. Majid Poshtan... | | | | |
CAL FIRE Strategic Plan 2024 | CAL FIRE is planning for its future and setting a direction for what the coming years should look like for all levels of the department. | | | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
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Renewing Agricultural Business Support Members
Santa Maria Seeds Inc
New/Renewing Agricultural Members
Bejo Seeds Inc, Marie Alexander, Monte Soto, Janet Johnson, Dan Ponti, Reymondo Manuel, Nick Guriel, John Varian, Smith Held, Janet Perez, Kathleen Marquart, Tom & Alice Lyles, Dugan Kelly, Double H Avocado Ranch, William Cochrane, Canyon Creek Ranch, and Ben Higgins
Renewing Associate Members
Lark Carter, Jeanne Helphenstine, Norma Newdoll, Jackie Crabb, and Dawn Ortiz Legg
New/Renewing Collegiate Members
Cody Domingos, Sarah Reece, and Patrick Kleier
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Featured Member Benefit:
Grainger
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Grainger: Where’d That 10mm Socket Go?
Your operation demands a multitude of tools and equipment, making the task of managing them a challenge. Grainger’s 5S system can provide you the tips and tricks to help organize your tools and improve efficiency. Find everything you need to keep your work area organized and save money
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Livestock: Avian Flu Surges in Northern California, Threatening National Poulty, Egg Supplies | |
Animal Agriculture Alliance Releases Reports from 2023 Animal Rights Conferences - California Ag Network | The Animal Agriculture Alliance has concluded the release of reports from four prominent animal rights extremist conferences held throughout 2023. The conferences included: Direct Action Everywhere's Animal Liberation Conference (ALC) (held June 9-14), The Animal and Vegan Advocacy Summit (held July 27-30), Humane Society of the United States' Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) Conference (held ... | | | | |
Avian flu surges in Northern California, threatening national poultry, egg supplies | Farms across California have had to euthanize several million chickens and ducks in recent weeks. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Winery Business Seminar to be Held by Glenn Burdette on January 17 | |
Glenn Burdette 2024 Winery Business Seminar | Learn from the Glenn Burdette Wine Team at our popular Winery Business Seminar, a virtual event Wednesday, January 17, 2024. | | | | |
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce launches 2024 Central Coast Wine Passport | News Channel 3-12 | The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce announced it has launched the 2024 Central Coast Wine Passport program, partnering with more than 50 local businesses to offer tastings. | | | |
Water: Cuyama Water Lawsuit Moves Forward as Bolthouse, Grimmway Drop Out | |
Opinion: Taxing Groundwater Is a Sure Way to Preserve It | Without really meaning to, farmers in a small California valley have spent the past 30 years in an experiment to see what happens when the groundwater they pump to their crops is taxed. | | | | |
Cuyama water lawsuit moves forward as Bolthouse, Grimmway drop out | The Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin adjudication is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms... | | | | |
CAL MATTERS: California's new water conservation rules too stringent and costly, analysts say | California's legislative advisors today lambasted the state's ambitious proposal to regulate urban water conservation, calling the measures costly and difficult to achieve, "in many cases without compelling justifications."... | | | |
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. | |
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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