Here is what’s in Congress’ COVID-19 relief package [NPR]
Congress passed on Monday a bipartisan $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill after intense negotiations over its final details. … The measure includes up to a $600 relief check for many Americans as well as an assortment of aid for small businesses and money to purchase and distribute vaccines. … The agreement includes some $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program loans. … There is some $13 billion in the measure for farmers and agriculture, including money under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for growers and livestock, dairy and poultry producers.
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/21/948744901/here-is-whats-in-congress-covid-19-relief-package
Air quality regulators adopt plan to address pollution in eastern Coachella Valley [Palm Springs Desert Sun]
… The community emissions reduction plan covering the eastern Coachella Valley aims to “reduce air pollution from the Salton Sea, pesticides, fugitive road dust, the Greenleaf Desert View Power Plant, diesel mobile sources, open burning and illegal dumping,” according to materials from the South Coast AQMD. The draft plan includes a preliminary list of efforts: pave roads at mobile home parks, build a notification system for permitted agricultural burning and Salton Sea emissions, identify airborne pesticides in need of better monitoring, install air filters at schools and other key buildings, and incentivize the replacement of old machinery such as tractors.
Yolo County ag ‘icon,’ Richard Rominger, passes away [Woodland Daily Democrat]
Words of praise and condolences are being expressed over the loss of Richard Rominger, one of the icons of Yolo County agriculture, who was also a former US deputy secretary of agriculture. Rominger, whose farming legacy spanned generations was 93 when he died Sunday night in Winters with his family at his side. … Gov. Jerry Brown recognized Richard’s potential as a problem solver when he appointed Richard to serve as the secretary of the California Department of Agriculture.
Losses continue to mount at Del Mar Fairgrounds, with a grim forecast for 2021 [Los Angeles Times]
… The latest developments again call into question the future of the fairgrounds and the long-term viability of horse racing, equestrian events and even the county fair at the state-owned property, which has been operating on a bare-bones budget since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Unlike most other government agencies, the 22nd District Agricultural Assn., which runs the fairgrounds, also known as the Del Mar fair board, is funded almost entirely by revenue from the events held there. When the pandemic forced the suspension of all mass gatherings, it also switched off about 90% of the annual revenue for the fairgrounds.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-12-22/losses-continue-to-mount-at-del-mar-fairgrounds
County Fair & Fiesta canceled for 2021 [Imperial Valley Press]
… The 45th District Agriculture Association Board (Fair Board) announced Monday that next year’s fair is being called off due to uncertainty of future gathering restrictions caused by COVID-19. The board voted unanimously to cancel the fair on Dec. 16. Plans are continuing for a junior livestock grading show tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26-28. … Phillips said the fair generates 90 percent or more of the fairground’s annual operating budget. He said the district currently has adequate reserves to sustain it through 2021, albeit with some belt-tightening. Beyond that, the district is on its own.
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