AFBF Appreciates Farm Bill Extension, Urges New Bill | |
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Courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation- Nov. 16, 2023
"American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the passage of a stopgap spending bill by both the House of Representatives and Senate, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. Farm Bureau sent a letter to all members of Congress Tuesday urging passage of the continuing resolution that included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill.
“We are grateful Congress passed a farm bill extension to avoid serious program disruptions and we encourage President Biden to sign it. However, we urge both the House and Senate to stay focused on a new, modernized farm bill that recognizes the many changes and challenges of the past five years.
“The current farm bill was written before the pandemic, before inflation spiked, and before global unrest sent shock waves through the food system. We need programs that reflect today’s realities. So much work has been done by the agriculture committees in both the House and Senate over the past 18 months to prepare to craft a smart and effective farm bill. Congress must keep that momentum going.
“While an extension is necessary, they're running out of time to write a new bill. We need a new farm bill in early 2024. The farm bill affects every American by helping to ensure a safe, stable and affordable food supply. Let’s make sure we get it right in 2024.”
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This Week In SLO County Agriculture | |
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Calendar- Upcoming Events & Deadlines:
- November 23-24- Office Closed for Thanksgiving
- November 28- SLO County Farm Bureau Board Meeting at 5pm at Office (4875 Morabito Pl. in SLO). All members welcome to attend, please RSVP to office at 805-543-3654.
- December 1-6- Office Closed for CA Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Reno, NV
- December 25- Jan 1- Office Closed for Christmas and New Year's Holidays
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Community: Unusual Air Traffic Happening This Week in SLO County | |
CWA SLO: Sponsorship Drive, Board Nominations, and more! | Hello SLO County supporters of Agriculture! As we approach the holiday season and the natural time for harvests around the county to wrap up, we wanted to thank you all for a great year. | | | |  |
7:30 AM | Good Morning SLO - November 2023 | Your community newspaper brought to life. Good Morning SLO is our platform for sharing ideas, news and inspiration. A monthly program that brings community leaders, business owners, nonprofit executives and staffers together, and enables us to reconnect, engage and learn from each other. | | | | |
Updates from around the food system | The FSC is fiscally sponsored by Check out their website to learn more about this awesome local organization! What does this mean? To promote a sustainable food system that is equitable, profitable, resilient, and health promoting in the County of San Luis Obispo. | | | |
Local Government: Free Parking Options Returning to Downtown San Luis Obispo | |
Free parking options returning to downtown SLO | Complimentary parking options are set to remain available until at least June 30, 2025 - The San Luis Obispo City Council convened a public meeting [...] | | | | |
Countdown to California's March Primary: Nomination period opens for federal, state, and local offices * Atascadero News | The Atascadero News is your daily online news source and the only printed newspaper dedicated to Atascadero, since 1916. | | | |
State Government: Why Sustainable Pest Management Will Not Work | |
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This Week in California Farm Bureau's Farm Bureau at Work State Government Report
November 17, 2023
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDES (DPR)
RESTRICTED MATERIAL PESTICIDES
The Department of Pesticide Regulation noticed a proposed regulation for a statewide system that will provide the public with information prior to intended applications of restricted material pesticides in California.
DPR’s proposed regulation builds on the process in the state of California to regulate restricted material pesticides. Applicators must be licensed, obtain a permit, and provide notice to the county agricultural commissioner prior to applications of restricted material pesticides.
The proposed regulation would require information about restricted material applications for the production of an agricultural commodity to be submitted electronically to DPR for public posting through a new statewide information system 24 hours prior to intended restricted material pesticide applications except for soil fumigant restricted materials, which would be posted 48 hours before an intended application. The proposed regulation complements California’s existing regulatory system that includes the evaluation and registration of pesticides before use, restrictions on pesticide use to reduce risk to people and the environment, and the enforcement of pesticide laws and regulations by DPR and the state’s 55 county agricultural commissioners.
DPR is holding three public hearings on the regulation: Dec. 13 in Clovis, Dec. 14 in Ventura and Dec. 19 in a virtual setting. The department is additionally accepting written comments on the proposed regulation between Nov. 3, 2023, and Jan. 12, 24.
The proposed regulation follows a two-year period of outreach conducted by DPR to inform development of the statewide information system, including four focus groups and eight public meetings held between 2021-2022 and a series of pilot projects hosted by four counties to test elements of system design in 2022. The department is currently conducting beta testing to inform the ongoing development of the technology needed to support the statewide system. The department began system development in 2021 after the state’s 2021-2022 budget allocated an initial $10 million over four years for that purpose. The draft regulation can be viewed on DPR’s website. Public Comment Period Open Nov. 3, 2023, through Jan. 12, 2024
SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT
The California Farm Bureau’s Chris Reardon participated in tour on Thursday, November 16th with our partners at the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. The focus was on the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s(DPR) Sustainable Pest Management Proposal and was appreciative of Karen Morrison, DPR’s Chief Deputy Director and staff for spending an afternoon with us discussing our concerns. Especially want to thank Daniel Bays, Jake Wenger, Anna Genasci and Tom Orvis for providing this opportunity to have frank and honest conversation on this important issue.
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The CDFA Opens 2024 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grant Cycle - Western Growers Association | The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced the opening of the 2024 Grant Cycle for its Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). | | | | |
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Federal Government: Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022 | |
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This Week in California Farm Bureau's Federal Policy News
November 16, 2023
- Deal Reached on Farm Bill Extension & Government Funding
- CAFB Submits Comments on DOL Temporary Worker Protections
- MOU Signed Between Several Agencies on Wildfire Protections
- USDA to Boost Specialty Crop Competitiveness
- USDA Poultry Contracts Rule Finalized
- Gray Wolf Protection Recodified; Colorado Population Approved
- FSA County Committee Elections Now Open
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House votes to prevent a government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democrats for help | The House has voted overwhelmingly to prevent a government shutdown. New Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan. | | | | |
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022 | Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won't take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation's 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year's classic holiday feast for 10, which is $61.17 or less than $6.20 per person. | | | | |
The Farm Bill is Important for Environmental and Economic Sustainability | We never know what is truly on the horizon, but with a new and stronger farm bill, we can ensure our grocery store shelves are full and be confident about passing on the torch to our next generation. | | | |
Business Member Spotlight:
Negranti-Higgins, CPA
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Negranti-Higgins & Company is a full-service Certified Public Accounting firm, licensed in California. We provide a wide range of services for individuals and business.
Antonette “Toni” to her friends and colleagues grew up in San Luis Obispo County’s north coast to a fourth generation ranching and farming family. The Negranti families originated from Swiss Italian roots and are still farmers and ranchers in Cambria and Cayucos today.
Our current office is located in Templeton, technology today however allows us to service clients all over the United States.
I look forward to meeting you!
Toni
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USDA: Refreshed! USDA Unveils Its New Plant Hardiness Zone Map | |
Farm share of U.S. food dollar dipped below 15 cents in 2022 | U.S. farm establishments received 14.9 cents per dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2022 as compensation for farm commodity production. This portion, called the farm share, is a decrease of 0.3 cents from a revised 15.2 cents in 2021. The farm share covers operating expenses as well as input costs from nonfarm establishments. | | | | |
Turkey prices falling in time for holiday season | Just in time for the 2023 holiday season, wholesale prices of whole frozen turkeys are declining. Prices for frozen whole hens-the birds typically served for holiday dinners-averaged $1.27 per pound in August 2023. Prices dropped further to $1.25 per pound in September, down 43 cents from a year earlier, and the lowest monthly average price since July of 2021. | | | | |
Refreshed! USDA Unveils Its New Plant Hardiness Zone Map | After more than a decade, USDA has updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map tool. And there are some notable changes. | | | |
Environmental: Opinion Farmers Might Stop Adopting Solar if California Changes Rate System | |
No place is safe: New national report on climate change details sweeping effects | California is among the top states suffering economic damage. The report describes food shortages, floods, droughts, wildfires, pollution, disease. | | | | |
Farmers might stop adopting solar if California changes rate system | Opinion | Commentary: Self-serving utilities will make it impossible for apartment buildings, renters, schools, and farmers to continue adopting solar energy. | | | | |
Climate Robotics Wins AgSharks® Pitch Competition - Western Growers Association | Climate Robotics earned a funding offer of $250,000 during the sixth annual AgSharks® Pitch Competition at the Western Growers Annual Meeting | | | |
Thank You Farm Bureau Members | |
Featured Member Benefit:
Case IH
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Case IH: Latest Trends, Latest Innovations
Why did the farmer bring a smartphone to the field? To stay in touch with the latest CASE IH trends! Case IH continues to develop new innovations for your favorite tractor series and your CA Farm Bureau membership can save you up to $500 while upgrading your farm equipment! Learn how you can save while adding the latest and greatest technology and equipment to your farm or ranch: Bit.ly/FBCaseIHBenefit
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Labor: Local Organizations Demand Safer Working Conditions after Accidental Farmworker Deaths | |
USDA seeks application grant reviewers for farm labor pilot | The USDA is seeking reviewers to evaluate grant applications submitted under the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. | | | | |
Local organizations demand safer working conditions after accidental farmworker deaths | On September 7, 22-year-old farmworker Jose Velasquez died after being run over by a tractor at Rancho Guadalupe Farms. | | | |
Vineyard and Wine: Booker Vineyard becomes Regenerative Organic Certified | |
Booker Vineyard becomes Regenerative Organic Certified | Winery meets highest standards for soil health, farmworker fairness - Booker Vineyard & Winery announced this week that its 60-acre estate vineyard has been officially [...] | | | | |
A Sweet Solution: Turning Winery Waste Into Jelly | Researchers in Turkey have proposed a new sustainable solution for winery waste: as a low-cost natural colouring agent in sweets. | | | |
Water: Biden's Climate and Tribal Goals Conflict on California's Coast | |
As storms arrive in California, reservoirs are in good shape. But the water forecast is murky | Unlike a year ago, water storage is above average. Whether the year is wet or dry, though, remains uncertain despite El Niño conditions. | | | | |
Biden's climate and tribal goals conflict on California's coast | The Biden administration has proposed a marine sanctuary and leased development rights to offshore wind companies off the Central Coast. | | | |
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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