Agricultural Labor Relations Board Proposes Card Check Regulations | |
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The Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) has published a regulatory proposal to implement card check/majority support petition legislation passed by the California Legislature in 2022. These proposed regulations deal with the handling of card check/majority support petition petitions, the ALRB's practices in handing petitions and employer objections to petitions and ALRB findings, and with imposition of civil money penalties for unfair labor practices.
Initially, it appears the draft regulations fail to provide a procedure for an employee to withdraw a signed authorization card or a signature on a petition for union recognition, a basic protection to ensure agricultural employees' actual current wishes concerning union representation can be determined. It also is not clear that the proposed regulations require the ALRB to implement procedures to verify the cards or petition signatures represented by a petitioning union as indicative of employees' wishes actually are authentic and represent the current preference of those employees.
FELS' parent organization, California Farm Bureau, will review these proposed regulations and comment if necessary. Comments are due April 22. You can find more information at ALRB's website.
CFBF and FELS' Staff: Bryan Little;blittle@cfbf.com
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
Community: AgWest Farm Credit Supports New Producers with $15,000 Grant Program | |
AgWest Farm Credit Supports New Producers with $15,000 Grant Program | SPOKANE, Wash. -- AgWest Farm Credit, a cooperative lending association dedicated to supporting agriculture, has launched the application window for the New Producer Grant program,... | | | |  |
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County Government: SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow, March 12 at 9:00AM | |
Election update: Moreno widens lead over Funk | Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno has widened her lead over Mayor Pro Temp Susan Funk in the San Luis Obispo County District 5 supervisor race, [...] | | | | |
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SLO County Board of Supervisors to Meet Tomorrow, March 12 at 9:00AM
The copy of the agenda can be found here and additional item documents here. The addendum of the agenda can be found here.
The meeting can be viewed live online here at 9:00am.
Agenda Items of interest to Agriculture:
#1 Submittal of Resolutions amending an existing Agricultural Preserve and Land Conservation Contract for Wild Rose Vineyards LLC (CON2023-00026) to reduce the minimum parcel size requirement from 160 acres to 40 acres to reflect the qualification under irrigated vineyard for an approximately 89 acre parcel located at 3130 Oakdale Road, approximately 1.4 miles west of the Community of Templeton in the Adelaida Sub Area of the North County Planning Area, exempt from CEQA.
Adding Consent Item #33. Submittal of a bid opening report for the Nacimiento Water Project Temporary Repair Project to, 1) award the subject contract (Clerk’s File) in the amount of $274,740 to Whitaker Construction Group, Inc.; 2) authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to approve change orders up to an amount not to exceed $27,474; 3) authorize a corresponding budget adjustment in the amount of $302,214 to increase appropriations in Fund Center 549 – Nacimiento Water Project from Nacimiento Water Project (NWP) Operating Reserves, by 4/5 vote; 4) authorize a budget adjustment in the amount of $331,786 to increase appropriations in Fund Center 549 – Nacimiento Water Project for additional costs related to the Temporary Repair Project from NWP Operating Reserves, by 4/5 vote; and 5) authorize a budget adjustment in the amount of $1,038,000 to increase appropriations in Fund Center 549 – Nacimiento Water Project from NWP Operating Reserves for additional costs related to the Permanent Repair Project, by 4/5 vote.
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Federal Government: USDA Data Shows U.S. at a Trade Deficit in 2024 | |
- State of the Union Address Tonight, House Passes “Minibus”
- SEC Drops “Scope 3” Reporting Requirements for Farmers and Ranchers
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Commentary: Ag census finding: It's getting harder to be a farmer | From a window atop my grandfather’s old barn, you can see my family’s whole farm, from the hay fields to the chicken houses to the pasture where the mama cows are grazing. I love watching the sunrise from there, taking in the big picture. | | | | |
USDA Data Shows U.S. at a Trade Deficit in 2024 | FARM BILL: The farm bill is too important to delay! CLIMATE: Protect Farmers and Ranchers from SEC Rules and Regulations EPA to Designate PFAS as Hazardous Substances; Impact to Farms likely to be Widespread | | | |
Environmental: People around SLO County Protest Against Proposed Offshore Wind Project in Morro Bay | |
People around SLO County protest against proposed offshore wind project in Morro Bay | People from all around San Luis Obispo County gathered on Saturday in Morro Bay hoping to draw attention to proposed offshore wind development. | | | | |
New policy proposal dims hopes of reviving community solar in... | State regulators and utilities could kill off a community-solar plan backed by lawmakers, pro-solar groups, environmental-justice advocates, unions and homebuilders. | | | |
Labor: Bipartisan Members Plot Roadmap to Ease Farm Labor Crisis | |
Bipartisan Members Plot Roadmap to Ease Farm Labor Crisis | WASHINGTON -- House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) released the following joint statement after the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working... | | | | |
House Ag Committee Offers Solutions to Farm Labor Crisis | The House Committee on Agriculture today laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America's farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group (ALWG) released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more than 20 recommendations to streamline the program and make labor more affordable for farmers. | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
All Seasons Weed Control
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For over 20 years, All Seasons Weed Control, Inc. has served residential home-owners, rental and apartment complex owners, government, commercial, and industrial clients throughout California. We take an integrated approach to your weed management needs. We will work with your team to design and conduct an environmentally conscious, cost-effective solution that targets invasive plants while protecting sensitive species and ecosystems.
Home-owners, clients, and customers count on All Seasons Weed Control, Inc. because of our experience in:
- USING THE BEST TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENTIFlC TECHNIQUES- Our licensed, qualified applicators and pest control advisors use state-of-the-art equipment and chemistry to achieve our customers weed control objectives.
- BUILDING PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIPS- Successful projects often depend on a team effort between home owners, rental property owners, clients, agencies, consultants and others.
- PROTECTlNG SENSITIVE HABlTAT AND SPECIES- All of our spray operators are intensively trained to recognize native and non-native vegetation, move carefully in sensitive habitat, and selectively apply only EPA registered herbicides.
- ACCOMPLISHING SPECIFIC WEED CONTROL OBJECTIVES- Whether you need invasive plant eradication, abatement, containment, or monitoring for reinvasion, All Seasons Weed Control can meet your goals.
- MEETING GOVERNMENT MANDATES- We offer guidance in achieving government-mandated habitat composition and quality standards required for project completion.
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Orchard: California Citrus Holds its Position in 2024 Despite Challenges | |
California citrus holds its position in 2024 despite challenges | California citrus growers are expecting average production volumes this season, as they face inflation and production cost increases. | | | | |
USDA Seeks National Hass Avocado Board Nominees | WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the Hass Avocado Board to fill seats for eight members whose terms expire... | | | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
Featured Member Benefit:
Budget Truck
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No matter where you’re headed, @Budget Truck has a fleet of easy-to-drive trucks and vans ready to make your next move easier. Even better, use your Farm Bureau membership to save 20% on your next rental. Go to Budget.com/FarmBureau to 🚛
*Advance reservation is required; book online or call 1-800-566-8422 and mention Farm Bureau® Member Account #56000127747. Not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
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Livestock: Poly Royal Rodeo to be held April 10-13 during Cal Poly's Open House | |
Poly Royal Rodeo to be held April 10-13 during Cal Poly's Open House * Paso Robles Press | Paso Robles Press is the daily online news source and weekly print newspaper for the Paso Robles area, serving the community since 1889. | | | | |
Ag Organizations Comment on New Packers and Stockyards Rule | WASHINGTON -- Editor's note: The USDA recently announced the finalization of the Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act. | | | | |
Where's the Beef? Fewer Cattle Points to Higher Prices Ahead | A decline in beef production due to low cattle inventory could lead to record-high beef prices for consumers, according to a market report from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The U.S. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: California Association of Winegrape Growers Announces California Compost Tax Credit Legislation | |
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Power Up: Sustainable Energy for the Wine Industry
Join the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and Vineyard Team on Thursday, March 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for an educational event that brings together wine industry professionals and energy partners for a half day of sessions and networking focused on sustainable energy.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT
900 EL CAMINO REAL, ATASCADERO
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Wild Horse Winery sold to wine collective | Winery was one of the original eight bonded wineries in the Paso Robles region - Wild Horse Winery in Paso Robles has been acquired by Continental [...] | | | | |
California Association of Winegrape Growers Announces California Compost Tax Credit Legislation | SACRAMENTO -- As the second year of the 2023-24 legislative session is now in full swing, Senator Monique Limón, (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced SB 1135... | | | | |
Growers scrap vineyards as market dims | A once-in-a-generation downturn in the wine market is reshaping California’s grape-growing regions as farmers tear out vines to rebalance supply with declining demand. | | | |
Water: DWR Releases Groundwater Well Permitting Report - Observations and Analysis of Executive Orders N-7-22 and N-3-23 | |
Rapid groundwater decline threatens California agriculture | New research finds the rate of groundwater decline in Cuyama Valley is among the fastest in the world. | | | | |
DWR NEWS: DWR Releases Groundwater Well Permitting Report - Observations and Analysis of Executive Orders N-7-22 and N-3-23 | The report summarizes different approaches taken by well permitting agencies and groundwater sustainability agencies to comply with the requirements of the state's Executive Orders. | | | |
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. | | | | |
