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Support Our County Supervisors

Hi Friend,

During this time of unprecedented social and economic upheaval, our farmers are doing everything in their power to continue supporting our community. They are working tirelessly amid the pandemic to ensure we can emerge from this crisis together, and that means bolstering our local economy and sustaining good jobs for local residents.

Taxes collected from the cannabis industry are one of the few stable revenue sources that Santa Barbara County can depend on as we continue to navigate this economic hardship. Next fiscal year, the county expects to bring in $10.6 million in cannabis taxes alone. This dependable source of revenue is being used to address budget shortfalls in essential public services throughout our community, especially for vulnerable populations such as seniors, communities of color and families struggling with food insecurity issues.

Supervisors Steve Lavagnino and Das Williams have been among the strongest supporters of our right to farm, standing in support even amid external pressure and misinformation campaigns. At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Lavagnino once again stood with our farmers, stating that “it’s been controversial, it’s been messy, but this budget without cannabis revenue would have been an unmitigated disaster.”

Supervisor Williams later stated …”we’re going to be able to help keep people safe and employed during what is becoming the worst economic downturn in our lifetime.”

The Board of Supervisors meets again this morning to discuss further changes to the cannabis ordinance. Let Supervisors Lavagnino and Williams know that you also stand with them and appreciate their efforts to spur the local economy, create sustainable jobs and stabilize the cannabis cultivation community in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County Total Agricultural Employment 25,400 (State EDD Data)

Cannabis Jobs Created to date – 6,100 (UCSB Economic Study)

You can voice your support here – send an email thanking Supervisors Lavagnino and Williams for their work on behalf of our farmers at [email protected] and [email protected].

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Together, we will thrive as good farmers and great neighbors.

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Progress is calling for justice, reform and unity

Hi Friend,

Recent events, particularly the killings of Black men and women, including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, bring to light the deep-rooted systemic racism present in our society.

Good Farmers Great Neighbors stands shoulder to shoulder in support of peaceful protests manifested by Black Lives Matter and other civil minded groups and individuals advocating for racial justice, police and prison reform.

North County is enriched by the multi-racial diversity and cultural backgrounds in our communities. Solvang, Buellton and Lompoc residents joined peaceful demonstrations last week, as marches and vigils united people from every walk of life across the country. United we can, and will, turn fears into faith, hope, compassion and action, accepting and carrying out our shared responsibility to our neighbors and county.

Together, local businesses and farmers have worked to address the challenge of an immediate and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic health crisis – protecting the health and safety of our community members.

To this end, earlier this year, local farmers and business leaders have committed to developing a partnership with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County as a community builder to help the most vulnerable populations in the area – seniors, people of color and children.

Please consider donating to the

Food Bank of Santa Barbara County here.

Santa Barbara County has the 3rd highest rate of “Food Insecurity” in the state, especially in North County. Systemic poverty, hunger and racism are in part intertwined and we have a moral responsibility to lend a helping hand. So far these efforts have helped feed more than 2,000 families.

As we close, we’d like to share light with reflections from anti-apartheid leader and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and former First Lady, Michelle Obama.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela

“Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of colour to deal with it. It’s up to all of us – Black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.” – Michelle Obama in a statement following the harrowing death of George Floyd

 

Thank you, as always, for being a great neighbor!

 

 

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Santa Barbara County Voters Strongly Support Cannabis Farming

Hi Friend,

“For more than 5 years, North County cannabis farmers have been reaching out and developing partnerships with community groups, collaborating with independent wine grape producers, and creating jobs that will sustain economic activity during the most challenging times. We are internally delighted that the voters of Santa Barbara County support our mission and efforts to continue to build a foundation of shared prosperity.” – Co-Founders of Good Farmers Great Neighbors, John de Friel and Sara Rotman.

SEND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AN EMAIL SUPPORTING COUNTY CANNABIS FARMING

Earlier this year, we polled over 500 County voters on the economic, environmental, and health benefits in cannabis cultivation.

It won’t come as a surprise to most of us that voters responded with an overwhelmingly positive opinion of cannabis and its benefits for our community. Governor Newsom’s recent order declaring cannabis businesses as essential has only further validated our work. Take a peek at the polling memo here.

  • 68% of local voters supported extending right to farm protections for cannabis growers.
  • Even before the most recent economic downtown already 61% of Santa Barbara County voters strongly appreciated the revenue brought in by cannabis taxes.
  • 63% of voters further noted the environmental benefits from cannabis’ organic and pesticide-free cultivation.

The results of this groundbreaking survey go beyond their local assessment, and have important statewide and national implications as more communities begin to see the longer-term economic, social, and environmental benefits of cannabis tax revenue.

Views from Cannabis Leaders across the State and Country

“This survey is reflecting what we’ve known since the passage of Prop 64, that cannabis farming should be viewed equally to any other agricultural crop and have ‘Right to Farm’ status.” — Kristin Nevedal, Founder and Chair of the International Cannabis Farmers Association.

“Voters in Santa Barbara County are expressing a view we’ve been hearing across the state from policy makers that the cannabis industry has the potential to spur economic growth, create local jobs, and bring essential revenues to local government.” Lindsay Robinson, Executive Director of the California Cannabis Industry Association.

“With movement at the Nation’s Capitol to provide banking for essential cannabis companies, it is no surprise that this survey shows a microcosm of the industry’s progress. It provides additional momentum for Members of Congress to advance federal legislation for inter-state commerce next year.” — Randal Meyer, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce.

June 2nd Board of Supervisors Meeting

Santa Barbara County’s perception of the industry’s economic, social, and environmental benefits represents a roadmap for successful cannabis implementation and collaboration nationwide. But we still have work to do here at home. On June 2nd, County Supervisors will be meeting to discuss cannabis regulations again. View the agenda, send an email and learn how to get involved on the day here.

Throughout this process, our farmers have been grateful to you and the greater county for standing by their side. Now more than ever, they remain dedicated to bolstering the county’s economic wellbeing and giving back to their neighbors.

Thank you, as always, for being a great neighbor!

 

Stay informed. Follow us on social media for updated events and news stories.

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North County Cannabis Farmers Are Making a Difference

Hi Friend,

Our farmers remain committed to supporting our local community and its economy through this crisis. By partnering with industries hit hardest by the pandemic, our cannabis growers are taking steps to see that the business community emerges from this uncertain time together.

Local restaurants have seen the support of our cannabis farmers firsthand. Buellton favorites Industrial Eats and Pattibakes commended their efforts, stating that “the opportunity to partner with essential businesses such as cannabis and agriculture helps us retain our workers and be optimistic about the future. We are stronger together.”

Lompoc mainstay Floriano’s Mexican Food also praised their work, stating “we are fortunate our local cannabis farmers have always been a steadfast customer and supporter. We will get through these difficult times together.”

Tell the Board that our county needs Cannabis farmers now more than ever

Our cannabis farmers know that as essential businesses, they must continue to step up not only on behalf of their peers in the business community, but for their dedicated workers. They are taking safety procedures to heart, and have taken every precaution to ensure their workers are protected.

While other counties grapple with furloughs and public service shortfalls, Santa Barbara County is using the cannabis gross sales tax revenue stream of over $20 million for this fiscal year to retain its employees and deliver services. This tax revenue will be critical in the coming months to help off-set potential budget cuts to vital government services for communities of color, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.

With drastic job cuts in the hospitality sector, we are now seeing children and families go hungry. Our promise to address Food Insecurity among our most vulnerable families in North County is steadfast and long term, please donate to our community partner Food Bank of Santa Barbara County here.

As our dedicated cannabis farmers strive to provide economic support to their community during these unprecedented times, they need your help to ensure they are allowed to continue our proud tradition of farming. You can voice your support and make sure County Supervisors know you stand with our good farmers by sending the Board a letter and re-tweeting your support.

Stay up to date with county issues impacting our cannabis growers by liking Good Farmers Great Neighbors on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Stay informed. Follow us on social media for updated events and news stories.

Facebook             Twitter             LinkedIn             Instagram

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Standing With Our Community during COVID-19

Hi Friend,

The COVID-19 crisis has wreaked havoc on our communities. We are grateful to see community members coming together to support one another during these difficult times.

As COVID related layoffs and furloughs have forced over 20,000 people to file for unemployment in Santa Barbara County alone, our cannabis farmers recognize their responsibility to their community now more than ever. Designated by Governor Newsom as an essential business, our farmers with the help of other essential agricultural business partners and health experts have developed best practices and tools to protect our workforce and keep them safe.

North County cannabis farmers are also doing their part to collaborate with local industries hit hardest by this crisis.

Our cannabis farms are working with beloved local eateries and restaurants to ensure they can weather this crisis. Local establishments such as Industrial Eats, Pattibakes, Floriano’s, Herb Home, Los Arroyos, and California Tacos are part of an effort to provide meals to our workforce through a food delivery service for all cannabis employees located at both farms and other facilities. As allies in our business community, we intend to continue finding new ways to collaborate and ensure our local independent businesses emerge from this crisis stronger than before.

Cannabis farmers are committed to continue to spur economic growth and job creation in the region. In 2018, we helped create almost 5,000 local jobs and today we are viewed as an essential economic engine to help in the county’s economic recovery and employment for local residents.

The cannabis tax revenues our county receives will be critical in the coming months to help off-set potential budget cuts to vital government services for communities of color, seniors, and other vulnerable populations.

Moreover, we are continuing our promise to address Food Insecurity among our most vulnerable families in the greater Lompoc Valley, please donate to our community partner Food Bank of Santa Barbara County here.

These times have impacted all of us in various ways, but we are all in this together. If you have a moment, please consider sending an email to our county supervisors to make sure they’re reminded of the efforts our community is taking to sustain our local economy and jobs.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Together, we will thrive as good farmers and great neighbors.
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Support the Right to Farm

Hi Friend,

The Right to Farm is being threatened by some at the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission.

At a hearing tomorrow, the County Planning Commission will be taking up changes to the ordinance that could impact the right to farm. They are considering restrictions on one crop, cannabis, which sets a dangerous precedent on how all farmers tend to their livelihood. We need you to contact the Planning Commission today and tell them to reject these unnecessary changes.

Click HERE to send an email now supporting the Right to Farm.

The Planning Commission is proposing rules that an outdoor, sun grown crop must not have any smell that crosses a property line. This is a rule that would be nearly impossible for any farmer to comply with as nearly every crop produces some odor.
The cannabis industry is taking extraordinary measures to control and prevent odors. Their best practices also include adopting and implementing the highest management standards in pesticide-free organic cannabis cultivation, fair wages and hiring practices, and environmental stewardship.
If our county wants to preserve its agricultural heritage, it must protect the right to farm. Please send the Planning Commission a message to reject these rules.
Read more about the work our cannabis farmers have done to uphold best farming practices in the Santa Maria Sun and the Santa Barbara Independent.
 
Thank you again for your support and for sharing this journey with us.
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Independent Study Debunks Claims About Cannabis Terpenes

“These are certified lab results testing the wine bottled by Mr. Pence at his winery from the time that there was a 50-acre grow operation right next to his property. The results show zero terpenes. This is science. This is evidence that completely debunks this speculation and conjecture that Mr. Pence’s grapes may be harmed by cannabis.”—Attorney Lawrence Conlan

Hi Friend,

Once again, for the third time, Santa Barbara Coalition for Responsible Cannabis is misleading the public and ignoring scientific data.

As published in December 2019: Pence’s statement was met with a strong rebuttal by opposing counsel which presented the results of an independent study showing no trace of cannabis terpenes in wine and Pence’s documentation to be false.

In a harsh rebuke of Pence’s documentation regarding terpenes, cannabis attorney Lawrence Conlan said this:

“It was pointed out by you, Commissioner Ferini, that you believe that the terpene issue was something different than the odor issue. The terpene issue is not a real issue. Mr. Pence can’t take a report published in 2012 that he clearly should have known about at the time this entire ordinance was subject to the programmatic environmental impact review and didn’t say anything about it at the time and now say this is new evidence because he’s going to attach it to his counsel’s letter. It’s speculation about the potential harm from terpenes and I want to show the commission today what these [certified lab results] are. These are certified lab results testing the wine bottled by Mr. Pence at his winery from the time that there was a 50-acre grow operation right next to his property. The results show zero terpenes. This is science. This is evidence that completely debunks this speculation and conjecture that Mr. Pence’s grapes may be harmed by cannabis.”

 

Follow the links below to view the full scientific results referenced by Conlan as well as video of his testimony:

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