California Bountiful

California Bountiful Magazine

Read about childhood friends who bake fresh pies, a chef with whimsical flair, artful food presentations, a broccoli farmer whose sister opened a restaurant and more!

Medical Marijuana Update & Request for Input

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted February 9 to pursue a permanent ordinance governing the cultivation of marijuana for medical use. While the current discussion revolves around medical marijuana, an initiative that would legalize all uses of marijuana is expected to be on the November ballot.

Farm Bureau would like members' thoughts about cultivation in our area, how illegal cultivation may have affected you and your property and what you think can and should be done in regard to cultivation for medical and recreational marijuana. Email us at info@slofarmbureau.org.

Asian Citrus Psyllids (ACP) Trigger Quarantine
SLO Ag Dept. pest detection trappers and insect trappers for CA Dept. of Food & Agriculture have found ACPs in traps in both Arroyo Grande and Nipomo. Read more here. Check the SLO Ag Dept. website for updates and quarantine areas. Videos on the two website links below tell you more about the problem and how to identify this destructive pest.
1) California Department of Food and Agriculture videos
2) Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

SWRCB Industrial Stormwater Permit for Wineries and Others
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) requires a new Industrial Stormwater General Permit (IGP) that regulates stormwater runoff from certain industrial facilities, including wineries. Read details here.

USDA Offers Help to Fire-and Drought-Affected Farmers & Ranchers
Those who lost livestock, grazing land and ag-related property as a result of a natural disaster, such as fire and drought, can apply for assistance. Read details here.

Do You Receive Notes From Farm Bureau?

Call or email us today to stay informed!

Receive a Bigger Discount
Nationwide is the leading farm and ranch insurer in California, offering plans for farms and ranches of all sizes. Agricultural members receive up to a 15% discount on auto insurance and up to a 5% discount on farm insurance to a maximum of $500 per year. Contact your local Nationwide agent or an affiliated independent agent for more details by visiting www.nationwide.com/cfbf or call 1-877-OnYourSide.

State Fund offers a discount and special programs to Farm Bureau members.

Watch Your Membership Pay!

On the Calendar 

News

94th Annual Meeting of Members

2016 Annual Meeting Saturday, September 17
Oyster Ridge Barn at Santa Margarita Vineyard

The 94th Annual Meeting of Members is a family friendly event at Ancient Peaks' Oyster Ridge Barn located on Santa Margarita Ranch
5991 W. Pozo Road
Santa Margarita, CA 93453

Saturday, September 17, 2016
4:00pm - 5:00pm Social Hour
5:00pm - 7:00pm Dinner and Awards Presentation

$50 per person for Farm Bureau members and guests
Ages 13-18 are $10 each
Ages 12 and under are free

RSVP by Friday, September 2, 2016

Tickets can be purchased by mailing a check to the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau Office at:
4875 Morabito Place
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Call 805-543-3654 or email ejanowski@slofarmbureau.org with any questions.

Preventing Common Farm-Vehicle Accidents

Safely nagivating large agricultural equipment over rural roads to and from the fields is a challenge for even the best drivers. Nationwide reminds you to consider the following rules on the safe operation of your equipment to help reduce the number of farm-vehicle accidents on America's rural roadways.

The basics
Most states allow leeway regarding the use of implements of husbandry on public roadways. For the most part, regulations for size and type of equipment don't apply when you operate agricultural equipment on roadways. But you need to be aware of bridge and road embargos to help prevent serious injury and damage to roadways and equipment.

The increase in size of agricultural equipment makes it almost certain that portions will extend left of center when operated on public roads. Courts have generally upheld the right of equipment operators to use public roads, but that doesn't give immunity from liability should you have an accident when the size of your equipment is in direct violation.

Accidents are more prevalent at certain times of the day. Operating in the morning presents an increased risk as people head off to work and school. Drivers are usually in a hurry and often lack the patience to follow a slow-moving vehicle. The same is true during afternoons and early evenings as schools let out and people are returning home from work.

Don't forget about the trailer. When pulling trailers, operators often rely on the lights from the power unit as their warning system. This can increase the risk of collision because these lights can become obstructed by the roadway curving or the large loads being pulled, such as large hay bales.

Recommendations for avoiding farm-vehicle accidents
Before pulling onto the road, you must understand the hazards of driving and the importance of sharing the road with others. Never allow an inexperienced or untrained driver to get begind the wheel. Regulations require drivers to be trained on how to operate the specific equipment they are assigned to use and how to navigate the equipment in the environment they're operating in.

Because the potential for accidents is high, we offer common-sense tips to road safety and other preventive measures to common farm-vehicle accidents to help keep America's rural roadways safe.

Let's look at the following scenarios to learn more:

Left-turn collisions
The left-turn collision is one of the most common accidents involving articulating farm vehicles, such as a tractor pulling a tool bar and nurse tank. When attempting to make a left turn, equipment operators commonly pull to the right in order to make a wide left turn. Motorists behind the equipment may view the movement of the equipment to the right as permission to pass.

Accidents may be prevented if equipment operators use equipped turn signals or hand or arm signals when operating older equipment. Before committing to the turn, operators should pay close attention to oncoming traffic and check all mirrors or look over their shoulder to ensure motorists are not trying to pass.

Rural bridges
Large farm equipment and old bridges don't mix. Before crossing a rural bridge, make sure your vehicle weight will not damage the bridge or cause it to collapse.

Because rural bridges are often very narrow, allow oncoming traffic to clear the bridge before starting across. This reduces the total weight on the bridge and gives you more space to maneuver.

Tractors, combines and sprayers have high wheels with tires that have large lugs to facilitate traction. If you pull right to cross the bridge with oncoming traffic, your tires can easily come into contact with the guardrail and subsequently cause your equipment to climb the rail or even tip off the bridge.

Passing cars
When driving a slow-moving vehicle, there will always be other motorists wanting to pass. You should never wave a driver to pass. Ultimately, it's the passing driver's responsibility to pass - not yours.

You shouldn't drive with half of your vehicle on the shoulder either. As the passing vehicle straddles the center line, your equipment may sideswipe it if you have to swerve to avoid an oncoming mail box, road sign or other obstruction.

Always drive with the left side of your vehicle to the centerline, even though the width of your equipment extends onto the shoulder. If a vehicle needs to pass, the driver will have to make that decision based on the law and safe opportunity to do so.

Rear-end collisions
On contouring roads, it's easy for a car traveling at higher rates of speed to be surprised by a larger, slower-moving vehicle, especially around a sharp bend or after the crest of a hill. It's difficult for drivers of faster, smaller vehicles to judge the speed and gap distance of a larger piece of equipment.

You can help avoind rear-end collisions by monitoring your mirrors for fast-approaching vehicles and making sure your vehicle's warning devices, such as SMV signs, are clearly visible. When moving large ag equipment on heavily traveled paved roads you should utilize an escort vehicle.

Single-vehicle accidents
Single-vehicle accidents typically occur when an operator drives on the road's shoulder, which may be soft, wet or steep, causing the vehicle to tip over. Accidents also occur when operators strike stationary objects such as mailboxes, guardrails, signs or telephone poles.

Driving on the shoulder is often hard to avoid. But you can reduce the chance of an accident by knowing where shoulder hazards are before you start out.

Cultivate California -- #CAonMyPlate
A new program, Cultivate California, aims to remind consumers that CA farmers, ranchers and ag-related businesses are the leaders in producing fresh, high-quality food. Read more here.

Workshops/Meetings

SLO Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau Office Location --

4875 Morabito Place, San Luis Obispo 93401
Phone: (805) 543-3654
Fax: (805) 543-3697
(numbers remain the same)

View and print a map to the new San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau location here.

Membership Benefits

Farm Bureau 2016 Benefits Brochure
You'll find lots of companies here that offer benefits because you are a Farm Bureau member! Look for discounts on insurance, health & wellness, ag equipment, fuel, vehicles & vehicle rentals, home improvement, theme parks, travel and more!

Membership News

Join SLO County Farm Bureau
It's easy to join San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau and receive the benefits of membership. Read how your membership keeps you informed on local and state ag issues. Join online today! Click here.

How to Become a Business Member
For a Business Membership application, please click here. For questions, call the SLO County Farm Bureau, (805) 543-3654.

Renew Your SLO County Farm Bureau Membership
Renew your membership online today! Click here.

 

Welcome New & Returning SLO County Farm Bureau Members!

Agriculture Members -- Nick Normon, Mighty Nimble LLC, Anthony Bozzano, Lynn Compton, Carter Chavez, Allen Young

Associate Members -- Dick and Dana Lundy, Kenneth Romero, Bruce Beaudoin, Ron Aschwanden, Ryan Fortini, Gary Minkin, Sara Epps, Maggie Cox

Business Members -- Win Win Rescue Ranch Inc.

Collegiate Members -- Joel Leonard, Dakota Rodriquez

Collegiate Membership Offered CFBF invites students between 16 and 24, enrolled in a post-high school education program such as community college, four-year university or trade school, to join Farm Bureau for $25 a year. Gift memberships are available. Learn more.

Coming Events

2016 Great AGventure South and North -- Save the Dates to Volunteer!

Great AGventure South -- Friday, May 13, Arroyo Grande High School. Great AGventure North -- Wednesday, October 19, Paso Robles Event Center. Fourth-grade children from throughout SLO County learn about agriculture in fun, interactive ways. Many opportunities for Farm Bureau members to help educate the next generation range from presenting a session in your area of expertise to guiding kids around the venue to their next presentation. Contact Dana Lundy, Ag Education Committee Coordinator, for details at (805) 543-7356 or dlundy@slofarmbureau.org.

Cattlemen and Farmer's Day at Mid State Fair-- Thursday, July 21, Paso Robles Event Center. Mark your calendar to join us there!

CFBF

CFBF Website Update

Some may have noticed a change at CFBF. They have recently updated their website, which means new links. If any of you have links on a website to their page, some of those links may not work anymore. If that is the case, go to the CFBF website to find the current links.

SLO Co. Ag Department

2015 County Crop Report --

Strawberries topped the 2015 production list once again, followed by wine grapes. For details on all of the county's crops, download a pdf of the crop report here.

2015 Freddy of the Year

Congratulations Neil Olsen!

Neil Olsen, who has been an active Farm Bureau member since 1960, is a Past President and also the father of Past President Bernard Olsen. During his acceptance of the Freddy, he said "Farm Bureau is a great organization that works hard for all of us in many ways, not only with government but also educating the public that we are the most important industry on earth."

2016 Ag of the Year

Picture credit to Tom Meinhold

Congratulations, Hugh Pitts

The San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau, and its some 1200 members, are proud to recognize a community leader, exceptional business person, and friend to fellow farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists, as it honors Hugh Pitss with its 2016 Agriculturalist of the Year Award.

2016 CattleWoman of the Year -- Susan Cochrane
The San Luis Obispo County CattleWoman's Association recognizes Susan Cochrane for her decades long dedication and leadership in the understanding, promotion and protection of the Beef Industry and honors her with the CattleWoman's Association 2016 CattleWoman of the Year Award.

2016 Cattleman of the Year -- Steve Johns
The San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen's Association is very proud to recognize Steve Johns as its 2016 Cattleman of the Year.

2016 Scholarship Apps

Deadlines in March and April for 2016 Scholarship Applications

Farm Bureau Women, SLO CattleWomen, California Farm Bureau, California State Fair, Central Coast Greenhouse Growers Association and San Luis Obispo County Foundation for Agricultural Awareness all have scholarships for college attendees. Find the details here.

Farm Safety & Workers

Take Extra Care When Working Around A Tractor
The tractor is easily recognized as a farmer's most important tool, but it is also the most dangerous, accounting for one-quarter of all agriculturally related deaths in the U.S. each year. Read these important safety tips.

Reduce Your Wildfire Risk: Create Defensible Space
As many as 90 percent of wildfires are caused by humans! Safeguard your home from wildfires by firescaping your property. Learn how here.

Tractor Operator Safe Work Practices
Most workplace injuries involving equipment can be avoided with proper training and operating. Click here for a PDF your employees can read and sign regarding safe tractor operating practices.

Farm Team

FARM PAC

California Farm Bureau Federation encourages Farm Bureau voting members to stay engaged in the political process, even in a non-election year. Read more.