Voice of California Agriculture

 USDA crackdown on SNAP fraud. The EPA looks to revise waters of the U.S. Ag A Farm Credit Bank promotes programs to help young, beginning and small producers. Deadline in an estate tax law exemption that could make it more difficult to inherit the family farm.

California farmland values decline. Most farm families earn more money off the farm. A big California avocado crop; and bird flu numbers decline.

Sharp contrasts in the House and Senate budget proposals.The Golden Mussel presents a new threat to California waterwaysVirtual Fencing—How effective is it to contain livestock?The fresh market tomato industry will find relief from unfair dumping of Mexican tomatoes into the U.S. marketplace.

SB 628-Legislation to put more money into hands of farm employees.Certified Farmers Markets are getting wider variety of produce as spring has sprungWe'll look at some environmental conservation work being done on farms to make healthier soils and enhance water quality and conservation, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And, Farm Bureau is opposing a state plan to create a hunting season for coyotes, we'll tell you why.

Legislation to remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list.  Our featured story is with the FFA Teacher of the Year, it's a rigorous process to win the Golden Owl Award. Farmers in the Field features crops such as —Easter lilies, almonds, livestock and vegetables.Mandated postings to farm employees where you can get those posters. And Farm Bureau comments on the proposal to list the monarch butterfly.

April's statewide snowpack and reservoir numbers, educating students and instructors about agriculture, creating nitrogen management plans, and making sense of food labels.

Federal water rules may be easing. Farm groups respond to Make America Healthy Again. Farm Bureau president sounds the alarm at the loss of farms in California.  Capitol Ag Day brings a huge turnout to learn about farming and food.  Nebraska's farmer governor has advice for other states to protect agriculture. 

Streamlining U.S. pork and poultry processingWolf activity causes an emergency declarationA bill to put more money into the hands of farm employeesStabilizing the California Fair PlanWorking to extend tax cuts.

Business groups challenge the Climate Disclosure Rule.Federal money for more fire prevention work, pleases a northern California lawmaker We'll visit an Ag Day event that introduces thousands of students to farming and ranching.Reactions to certain federal water allocations. We'll check the egg market for the Easter holiday.

In this episode, a California Congressman reacts to the Trump Administration's call for increased timber production and fuels reduction orders. We'll discuss efforts to speed up emergency payments for farmers, explore how Fresno State is helping people enter the agriculture field, and examine why some dairies are crossbreeding with beef animals.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins takes on bird flu.  Researchers look to deter mountain lions from attacking livestock. Decreased consumption hurts California winegrape growersUSDA stops taxpayer money for food assistance to illegal aliens.Mexico opens its market for more U.S. corn.A bill to provide overtime tax credits to farm employers to get more money to their employees.

A beekeeper talks need for more land for bees to forage and bee thefts, State to review autonomous tractor ban, U.S. Farm Exports, and food prices.

There's a massive bee shortage for almond pollination.  Regulations are costly for lettuce producers.  New USDA Secretary concerned about the farm economy, and new   proposed dairy waste discharge rules.

Farm Bureau is working to develop relationships with dozens of new federal lawmakers to advocate for their members.Farm employers must now create workplace violence prevention plans, we'll have a report.  Also, we'll speak with the State FFA officers and an advisor about California's FFA program—developing young leaders. National FFA week is February 15-22. 

Concerns about the health of honeybees going into the pollination season. Some questions and responses from Brook Rollins' confirmation hearings for USDA Secretary. A handy app to help farm employers track employee hours—save time and money.    Monarch butterfly's proposed listing and which California counties it affects,  Plus, a reminder to farmers--fill out an important survey for their mobile ag equipment. Find out why it's important to complete this survey.

In this episode, we cover the upcoming February Farm Shows, the potential for additional water storage, the impact of the new Congress on agriculture, a program supporting new farmers by funding experienced mentors, and the regulatory costs facing lettuce growers.

Farm Bureau reacts to the governor's budget proposal, State ban on dairy and poultry exhibitions and fairs, small sized citrus may find a home in juice market, foreign owned farmland, federal money to develop farm export market.

Reaction to Farm Bill extension, farmers urged to answer an important survey, Farm Bureau's president interviews Ag Leadership Program head about molding future agricultural leaders, new wage laws in the new year, and early season snowpack conditions.

The government's new set of dietary guidelines is being formulated—what you can expect, find out about the supply of navel oranges, required labor postings for agricultural employers will soon be available, expected pork supplies for 2025, ESA, public utilities issues, and bird flu affects egg supplies

CA Farm Bureau president recognizes County Farm Bureau successes, our featured interview is about fresh-cut Christmas trees, the water year outlook, and USDA looks to expand fruit and vegetable availability in school cafeterias. 

Ventura fire takes toll on avocados and citrus, Bay Delta Plan Phase 2, SGMA turns 10, Persimmons for the holidays—they're healthy too. 

H-2A worker rates, new indoor heat regulations prove confusing, a new federal program to help specialty crop farmers, and many holiday foods are toxic to your pets.

We explore the rising costs of Thanksgiving meals and what it means for families and farmers alike. Hear directly from farmers reporting live from the fields as they share insights on the challenges and triumphs of this year's harvest. Discover how cutting-edge robotic farm equipment is transforming the way America grows its food. Plus, we shine a spotlight on Kern County, the nation's top farming county, to uncover the secrets behind its agricultural success.

Sonoma County farmers defeat Measure J, Identifying the drop in wine consumption, more on autonomous agricultural equipment, Bird flu update, and Brussel sprouts gain in popularity.

Agriculture is ready to work for farm solutions with the new president and Congress.   Our featured interview is about the rising concern of mental health on the farm.  Some things you can do to help, and resources available.   We continue to look at autonomous agricultural equipment.  Today, robotic platforms have many uses.  Also, agricultural officials battling the Oriental fruit fly in southern California.  

Tukey supplies for Thanksgiving, autonomous sprayers claim significant reduction in herbicide use, water flow standards for two north state rivers, more estimates on hurricane crop damage in the south.

Our featured interviews on the watermelon harvest and adopting farm automation and robotics. Stories include Hurricane Milton hits Florida agriculture, bird flu affecting more California dairies, monarch butterflies, and mountain lion update. 

A groundwater law causes San Joaquin Valley land values to plummet.  Reasons for the state's winegrape glut.  Farmers comment on their crops this year for beekeeping, sheep producing, pumpkin agrotourism, and mangos. Plus, some interesting facts about major U.S. pumpkin producing states.   https://cfbf.com/

The current U.S. farm economy resembles the farm crisis of the 1980s, according to a farm economist.  Hurricane Helene's impact on agriculture. Our featured interview on the pumpkin crop and market conditions for Halloween. State Water Board raises water rates. 

Mountain Lion kills of livestock and pets explode in Sierra Nevada counties, harvest and growing season update, bird flu in dairy cows spread—cause unknown, and more hurdles to getting a Farm Bill passed in the lame duck Congress.

U.S. farm trade deficit, Tulare Lake Subbasin, Farm group on ballot propositions, and the port strike. 

Retail beef prices are at record levels, but are cattlemen benefitting? More bird flu found in California dairies.  More stringent National Organic Program regulations for livestock and poultry forces Marin's public certifier to extinguish its program, we'll check in on California's date harvest, and more. 

Wolves and lions preying on livestock, animal activists put a measure on the Sonoma County ballot that threatens livestock and poultry farmers, plus the agricultural trade deficit grows again, and more.

Vice President Harris recently charged the grocery industry with price gouging.  In our featured interview, the grocer's say it isn't so and explains why.  The recently averted Canadian Railroad workers strike would have affected California farmers. They're keeping an eye on the outcome. The Farm Bureau will work to retain some important, Trump Era tax provisions for farmers next year.  Plus, educators are invited to a popular conference to learn how to incorporate agriculture into school classrooms.

Why California walnut farmers are removing orchards. A study shows that childcare is an issue for farm families, and it often affects the operation. Our featured interview today is on the Farm Bill, what California farmers hope to gain. We'll look at some of the crop conditions around the state.  Finally, some important tax provisions for farmers will be expiring at the end of 2025. Farm Bureau says they will work to preserve those provisions this next year.   

Five California irrigation districts will receive USDA money to address drought and conservation issues. Site Reservoir Project water rights hearings have begun. The Department of Pesticide Regulation gets a budget increase this year, they say they will work to streamline the registration process of new pesticides. Our featured interview concerns federal issue topics for farmers to discuss with Congressional representatives while they are on recess.     Plus, the State Farm Bureau president addresses a group on the State of Agriculture in California. 

A check-in with farmers around the state to see how their crops are faring this summer. Our featured interview concerns a proposed program to give advanced public of all restricted chemical application has agricultural commissioners concerned about costs, public understanding, and farm employee safety should there be protests. California produces 95% of the nation's supply of tomatoes for processing.  we'll check in on how their year is going.  Plus, organic berries are making big inroads in production, and shoppers are gobbling them up.

We'll look at how the season is going for farmers of almonds, table grapes, and cling peaches. The USDA's proposed milk pricing formula could be detrimental to many California dairy farmers. Our featured interview is on succession planning—Nationwide Agribusiness is helping farm families pass the farm to the next generation—a free of charge service.   Finally, opportunities to mentor farmers entering the business to help them succeed. 

A hot summer has farmers using more water to produce food this year. As agricultural burning is phased out in the San Joaquin Valley, farmers are looking to other methods to get rid of orchard and vineyard trimmings. Kings County farmers get some good news in their lawsuit against the state., Farm groups express concerns over proposed public pesticide application notifications.  Time is running out to pass a new Farm Bill this year,  Finally, a round-up of how crops are faring in different regions of the state.

The American Farm Bureau sues the Bureau of Land Management over grazing access A policy expert says more forest thinning would lead to numerous environmental benefits,  A county Farm Bureau leads a tour for elected leaders to increase their understanding of local issues. And we'll check out July being National Ice Cream month, it got its origins from a California connection.

Grasshoppers are invading residential yards in some Northern California counties; we'll see what effect they may be having on agriculture.  Our featured interview is regarding a lawsuit against the State on its denial of a local groundwater plan. Why the Supreme Court ruling on the Chevron Deference was a victory for agriculture, and an update on some significant state legislation. 

Your Independence Day meal is costing you more this year, we'll see how much more. We'll look at some significant legislation that got settled during he week ending June 28. Our interview segment looks at some significant water bills that came to a positive conclusion for water rights holders and those looking to drill a new well.  Finally, the California melon crop is a good one. That's good news for shoppers. 

An interview on some good news regarding significant water legislation that have been dropped or killed for this year, and updates on other important legislative issues for farm families, tough times for walnut farmers even hits organic walnut marketers.   U.S. farm imports is now outstripping U.S. farm exports, and America's largest farm group sues the EPA over its new heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards. 

Stories include: A farm group's work in the public utilities arena has saved agricultural rate payers more than a quarter billion dollars in the last 3 years. Farmers are helping to save the tricolored blackbird. We'll look at steps farmers are taking to protect their workers during hot weather conditions. The long-stalled Sites Reservoir moves forward, and Klamath water users are seeking full allocations to prevent economic losses.

State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil shares with us three bills she is carrying of interest to family farmers and rural Californians. Why farm plans to conserve water along the Colorado River have been put on hold,   rural Americans are opposed to plans to  eliminate AM radios in their vehicles plus, grasshoppers, apricots and more.

An interview with the president of the state's largest farming organization—we'll check-in on their issues, how they stay on top of those issues, forging relationships with elected officials to tell the farm story. Plus, the cost estimates of the proposed Delta Tunnel have escalated, but the governor still favors the idea. We'll check in on the USDA's  world supply demand outlook for row crops and beef prices, plus the status of the Farm Bill, and what Farm Bureau is seeking in the legislation.  

Our featured interview –With ATV and Utility vehicle accidents on the rise, a major farm insurance company begins a safety campaign to curb accidents and deaths.  California blueberry farmers are planting more, as are cotton farmers, yet farm prices are low, the Oriental Fruit Fly is declared eradicated from Santa Clara County, and a legislative update.

This week's legislative update, an interview regarding significant labor bills in legislature. California's Zero-Emission Vehicle mandates are causing headaches for truckers, we'll check in on California's rice plantings, farm stresses cause mental health concerns, and more.

The Governor's budget proposals concern the state's major farm group. A legislative and issues update, and an interview with a farm labor expert on an 8 year old law that was to increase farm employee pay, but instead has reduced it, and updates on avian flu impact on California dairies.

Brought to you by the California Farm Bureau. Dedicated to producing a safe, affordable, and abundant local food supply, while advocating for the future and quality of life for California family farmers and ranchers. Here we will dive into a variety of headlines and keep you up-to-date on all things Food and Farm related in California.

Legislative week in review, concern over President Biden's lack of trade progress, mental health on the farm, and California's Prop 12 has led to higher pork prices for consumers.