LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
August 7, 2023
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Applications Due August 31 for FARMER Program to Replace Ag Equipment in 15 Air Districts
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced that applications will be accepted through August 31 for CARB’s Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emissions Reductions (FARMER) program in 15 air districts. The FARMER program will be distributing up to $5.4 million in funding to replace older agricultural vehicles and equipment with newer, cleaner equipment that “helps reduce emissions of harmful diesel exhaust and greenhouse gases and improves local air quality,” according to CARB.
This round of funding is targeted at producers “located in 15 air districts than each contribute less than 1 percent of total statewide emissions for agricultural equipment.” Eligible farmers and ranchers include those within the Amador County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Calaveras County APCD, Eastern Kern County APCD, El Dorado AQMD, Great Basin Unified APCD, Lake County AQMD, Lassen County APCD, Mariposa County APCD, Modoc County APCD, North Coast Unified AQMD and Northern Sierra AQMD.
FARMER funding is administered by regional air districts, and applications must be made directly to the air district. More information regarding eligible air districts and the application process is available at the FARMER Shared Allocation Pool webpage, here. According to CARB, producers outside of the air districts detailed above can reach out to their local air district staff regarding available funding; local air district contact information is available here.
New Episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast
A new episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now! CCA’s VP of Gov. Affairs Kirk Wilbur provides an update on all that CCA’s government affairs team has been working on in Sacramento in the 2023 legislative session. To listen to the episode click here.
UPDATED: SWRCB to Host Listening Session on SB 88 Water Measurement and Reporting Requirements
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has announced that it will host an in-person listening session this Thursday, August 10, regarding “water measurement and reporting regulation adopted pursuant to 2015 Senate Bill 88.” The hearing will be held from noon to 4:00pm in the Coastal Hearing Room of the CalEPA headquarters at 1001 I Street in Sacramento. There will not be a remote participation option for the listening session, as the SWRCB hosted a separate virtual listening session last week.
According to the announcement, the listening session is intended to assist SWRCB staff in “evaluating ways to increase compliance and data quality” relating to the regulations given that “compliance with the requirements remains low, and the quality of diversion data submitted pursuant to the regulation is highly variable.” As a result of the listening session, SWRCB may develop guidance documents, templates or even consider revising its measurement and reporting regulations.
CCA staff was among roughly a dozen speakers at last week’s virtual listening session and presented several suggestions to SWRCB staff regarding how the agency could reduce measurement and reporting burdens upon agricultural producers and ensure higher rates of regulatory compliance without further burdening water rightsholders.
Should you have additional feedback regarding the measurement and reporting regulations that you would like CCA to share at Thursday’s in-person session, contact Kirk Wilbur in the CCA office at (916) 444-0845 or via email.
2023 CCA Scholarship Applications Now Available
Applications for the 2023 CCA Scholarships are being accepted now through October 1, 2023. CCA awarded $59,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture, although scholarship amounts and quantities vary year to year. Current CCA members (producer, feeder or YCC) that are currently enrolled at a university or college are eligible to apply. Past recipients of her CCA scholarship program may also apply again this year. For a complete list of awards and to download the application visit calcattlemen.org/scholarships. Contact Maureen in the CCA office at maureen@calcattlemen.org with any questions.
CCA Seeking Applications for a Membership and Events Coordinator
CCA is hiring a Membership and Events Coordinator to be responsible for managing the organization’s membership programs and coordinating events. This role involves promoting membership benefits, recruiting new members, organizing events and activities, and providing excellent customer service to members. See the full job description and details on applying at https://calcattlemen.org/careers.
Tune into RTAP’s Climate Issues Update for Ranchers Webinar
Tune in to the Climate Issues Update for Ranchers Webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 5:00pm. The Rancher Technical Assistance Program’s (RTAP) Jack Rice and Noah Lopez will cover carbon market updates, local climate action plan updates and CCA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur will provide a legislative climate update. To register for the webinar, click here.
Upcoming CCA Events
CCA Cattle-PAC Auction + Dinner
Sept. 16, Paso Robles, CA
Get your tickets and reserve your sponsorships now for the 2023 Cattle-PAC Auction and Dinner at Jimmy’s Watering Hole at the Mid-State Fairgrounds. To purchase tickets or reserve a table click here. To view the sponsorship packet, click here. For information on the Cattle-PAC event, click here.
107th CCA + CCW Annual Convention and Industry Tradeshow
Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, The Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, Nev.
Upcoming Industry Events
2023 Public Lands Council Annual Meeting
Sept. 5 – Sept. 8, 2023, Pendleton, OR
Join the Public Lands Council in Pendleton, OR for their annual meeting. To register for the meeting, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
CalVTP in Practice: Lessons Learned From the Urban Interface in San Mateo County Parks
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, 9:00 am – 11:45 am, Webinar
Learn about collaborative forest health and fuel reduction project at Huddart and Wunderlich County Parks, in Silicon Valley’s wildland-urban interface (WUI). To register for the webinar, click here.
CCA in the News
Cattleman jack Cowley’s Four Decades of UCCE Collaborations Advance Ranching Practices Morning Ag Clips “Siskiyou County rancher Jack Cowley, 91, joyfully recalled the special Christmas gift that delighted his seven children in the 1960s. Cowley, then a practicing eye doctor in Sacramento, and his late wife Barbara surprised the children with a white quarterhorse, which they named Silver. “That’s how it all started!” exclaimed Cowley, reflecting on the gift horse that would eventually lead to a 40-year collaboration with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.” To continue reading, click here.
Industry News
Beef remains the largest category in the fresh meat department Supermarket Perimeter “The current economic environment is having a huge impact on trends in beef sales, said Sanin Mirvic, president and CEO of American Farmers Network (AFN), which ships 100% grass-fed, all-natural and all-organic beef.” To continue reading, click here.
A new episode of Sorting Pen: The California Cattleman Podcast is out now! CCA’s VP of Gov. Affairs Kirk Wilbur provides an update on all that CCA’s government affairs team has been working on in Sacramento in the 2023 legislative session. To listen to the episode click here.
