Farm Bureau delegation calls for support

By Christine Souza

California farmers and ranchers met at the state Capitol in Sacramento last week to draw attention to key agricultural priorities during this session of the California Legislature, including a tax credit to offset the cost of paying overtime wages and put more money into the hands of farm employees. 

The legislation is a response to the 2016 passage of Assembly Bill 1066, which starting in 2019 phased in a requirement that farm employees be paid time-and-a-half when they work more than five days a week or 8 hours a day. Previously, due to the seasonal nature of agriculture, farmers could employ workers for up to 60 hours a week without paying overtime. 

“If you want to help our farm employees, Senate Bill 628 is really the way to do it,” California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass said. “We see this as the best way to solve this issue in a way that helps get more dollars back into the pockets of farm employees—and also help farm employers.”

SB 628, authored by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and co-sponsored by the California Farm Bureau and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, would increase overtime hours for farm employees, boosting take-home pay and supporting financial stability in rural communities. The bill would establish a payroll tax credit offsetting the cost  to farmers of overtime wages paid to agricultural employees. 

Douglass cited a 2023 study by the University of California, Berkeley, that found that California farm employees have earned less since the overtime legislation was passed in 2016. 

“This early evidence suggests that the law may not be benefiting the workers they aim to protect,” the study concluded.

“Data from UC Berkeley shows the very direct and very negative impact that the overtime bill has had on our employees,” Douglass said. “The negative consequences that we warned about several years ago have very much come to fruition.” 

In meetings with lawmakers last week, the Farm Bureau delegation, which included the board of directors and Leadership Farm Bureau class members, discussed opportunities for moving the bill and other issues forward. 

“We heard from lawmakers that the budget deficit makes it a little tougher, but this is one of the issues that our members will be talking about in May, when they return to the Capitol to advocate on important issues,” she said. 

Tulare County beekeeper and citrus grower Roger Everett said he believes SB 628 would help increase farm employees’ overtime hours. 

“Looking at how quickly your payroll costs go up, once you get over that eighth hour (for overtime pay), it doesn’t take long before you’re better off hiring somebody else to keep the day shorter or figuring out how to add more days,” said Everett, a Farm Bureau board member. 

Lawmakers farmers talked to expressed concern about affordability and the need to bring down the cost of living for Californians, Everett said. However, he said they remain concerned about the state’s budget shortfall, which may affect what  legislation is passed this year. 

In meetings with lawmakers, the Farm Bureau delegation also asked that the California Land Conservation Act of 1965, known as the Williamson Act, be safeguarded from legislation that revives previous attempts to weaken farmland protections. Legislation in discussion would remove the Williamson Act’s cancellation fee, making it easier for landowners to replace prime farmland with solar developments. 

“The Farm Bureau is opposing this because we are worried that by changing how the Williamson Act is implemented, we’re afraid of what will happen in the future,” said Lassen County rancher Taylor Hagata, a Farm Bureau board member. “Maybe right now it’s only solar, but maybe next year they’ll make an exemption for housing, so there are a lot of implications.” 

Those enrolled in the Williamson Act who want to convert their land to solar may do so by paying the penalty to get out of that contract and have solar fairly quickly, Douglass said. She added, “If you eliminate the penalties, you’ve completely undermine the purpose of the Williamson Act.” 

Hagata talked about the urgent need for the state to manage predators, which he said have killed calves and pets, and increased threats to public safety.  

“We’ve allowed the population of (mountain) lions, bears and coyotes to get out of control,” he said. “The California Department of Fish and Wildlife doesn’t issue depredation permits like they should.”

Coinciding with California Agriculture Day, speaking at a press conference on behalf of the California Agricultural Coalition, Douglass identified critical issues facing the state’s farmers and ranchers. She stressed that immediate action be taken to support small and mid-sized farms, streamline regulations and invest in innovative water management practices.

“We must examine and streamline the regulatory framework that governs agriculture,” Douglass said. “While there are regulations that are needed, they should be tailored to support farming and not drive up costs. We need to find a better balance that supports sustainable farming practices without putting an undue burden on our growers.”

She was joined by fellow California Agricultural Coalition members Michael Miiller, director of government relations for the California Association of Winegrape Growers, and Roger Isom, president and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association and Western Tree Nut Association.

California has lost 15,000 farms between 2012 and 2022, according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture. Douglass pointed to the rising regulatory pressures facing farmers and cited a Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, study that found regulatory and compliance costs in agriculture have increased nearly 1,400% in less than 20 years.

Citing high costs of labor, energy, transportation, litigation and water availability challenges, Miiller of CAWG said, “California is no longer affordable for many growers.” 

The coalition, which includes 32 statewide agricultural organizations, also asked the California Legislature for $600 million a year for five years to fund programs to help farmers through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. 

“This is a win-win to help ag and the environment,” Isom said.

Talking about California Agriculture Day, Douglass said, “It was the biggest turnout I’ve seen in a long time, and it was a great example of California Farm Bureau members and our leadership at work.” 

Christine Souza is senior editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.