Podcasts about california farm bureau

California's push to expand organic acreage faces real-world resistance from farmers navigating high costs, tight labor, and tough market conditions.

New farmers and ranchers are finding guidance—and confidence—through a unique mentorship program launched by the California Farm Bureau's California Bountiful Foundation. Expanding Our Roots connects beginning producers with experienced mentors to help navigate the complex world of modern agriculture.

Senate Bill 628 aimed to support farm employers and workers affected by California's overtime law. The bill was rejected along party lines despite support from farm groups and labor advocates.

California's ag communicators are in the national spotlight. From print to digital, the California Farm Bureau communications team is being celebrated for telling the stories that matter to farmers and ranchers.

Growers in San Joaquin County are navigating a season of mixed signals—adequate moisture, but a stagnant market. According to the California Farm Bureau, concerns over vineyard removals, shifting consumer habits, and tariff impacts are creating plenty of unknowns in the months ahead.

California dairy farmers are on track to exceed the state's methane-reduction targets ahead of the 2030 deadline, according to a recent Ag Alert from the California Farm Bureau.

California dairy farmers are on track to exceed the state's methane-reduction targets ahead of the 2030 deadline, according to a recent Ag Alert from the California Farm Bureau.

What's the raison d'être of American Farm Bureau, and how does California Farm Bureau fit into that? This 24-minute episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI features Dan Durheim, chief operating officer, California Farm Bureau, and 2025 IRMI Emmett J Vaughan Agribusiness Conference (AgriCon) keynote panelist. Listen as Mr. Durheim explains the value proposition of Farm Bureau and why it continues to remain strong since its start in 1919. After this podcast, you will have even more appreciation of the organization that serves as the "voice of the farmer."

California Bountiful TV, produced by the California Farm Bureau, and its host and executive producer, Aubrey Aquino, won two TASTE Awards, and China's Finance Ministry is now imposing a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports.

California Bountiful TV, produced by the California Farm Bureau, and its host and executive producer, Aubrey Aquino, won two TASTE Awards, and China's Finance Ministry is now imposing a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports.

The California Farm Bureau reports that farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are welcoming a 35% water allocation from the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) but say the timing limits its impact.

Cristina Mendonsa speaks with Assembly District 3 candidate Jamie Johansson. Olive farmer and former California Farm Bureau president Jamie Johansson has launched his campaign for state Assembly District 3, currently held by Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher, who will term out after the current session. Johansson led CAFB from 2017 to 2023, reelected three times. Prior to that, he served as Vice Mayor of Oroville and as Vice President of the Butte County Farm Bureau.

In this episode of the Ag Tribes Report, host Vance Crowe dives into the pressing issues facing the agricultural sector today. Joined by John Boelts, President of the Arizona Farm Bureau, they explore the complexities of water management in Arizona, a state where agriculture consumes a significant portion of the water supply. The discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining agricultural water rights amidst new policies and the ongoing water crisis.Vance and John also tackle the contentious topic of immigration and labor in agriculture, focusing on the California Farm Bureau's stance on illegal migrant farm workers. They discuss the need for a legal workforce and the impact of outdated immigration laws on the agricultural industry.The episode also covers the explosive growth of the Doge USDA tip line, which seeks public input on waste and fraud within the USDA. Vance shares insights into the potential implications of this initiative and the broader context of USDA spending.Additionally, Vance provides an update on the Bitcoin land price report, exploring the varying costs of agricultural land in Yuma County and the role of Bitcoin in land transactions. He also delves into the concept of Lightning wallets and their use in Bitcoin transactions.The episode concludes with Vance's personal insights on the Peter Thiel paradox and a discussion on worthy adversaries, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in agriculture.Legacy Interviews - A service that records individuals and couples telling their life stories so that future generations can know their family history. https://www.legacyinterviews.com/experienceRiver.com - Invest in Bitcoin with Confidence https://river.com/signup?r=OAB5SKTP(00:21) The Challenge of Succession in Agriculture(01:18) Introduction to the Ag Tribes Report(03:05) Arizona's Water Crisis(10:05) California Farm Bureau and Migrant Workers(15:30) Doge USDA Tip Line and Public Reaction(21:00) Bitcoin Land Price Report(25:10) The Peter Thiel Paradox and Worthy Adversarieshttps://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/the-vance-crowe-podcast_638721156549613591/421

Peter Ansel, California Farm Bureau, explains how legislation helped to create a viable solution for agricultural insurance in the wake of increased wildfire activity.

On the California Farm Bureau's podcast talks about the rising costs to California lettuce growers who complied with the state's environmental, labor and food safety regulations, and the NCBA reacts to SCOTUS decision to lift injunction that halts enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act.

California Farm Bureau dispels rumors claiming immigration enforcement raids caused widespread labor shortages for citrus harvest in the Central Valley, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association applauds House passage of the ACRES Act and the Fix Our Forests Act.

California Farm Bureau dispels rumors claiming immigration enforcement raids caused widespread labor shortages for citrus harvest in the Central Valley, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association applauds House passage of the ACRES Act and the Fix Our Forests Act.

California Farm Bureau, representing over 26,000 farm and ranch families, has confirmed that despite those reports of unease, there is no widespread disruption to the state's agricultural workforce.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the growing issue of wolf populations in California and its impact on livestock producers. They compare this situation with similar challenges faced in Colorado. The California Farm Bureau has recently updated its policies on wolf management, although enforcing these policies remains complex due to the wolves' status under various endangered species protections. The conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, including issues around depredation definitions, compensation for ranchers, and the financial and logistical burdens of managing wolf populations. Both states are striving to balance ecological needs with the protection and support of livestock operations. Lorrie talks with John Sandbakken, executive director of the National Sunflower Association, who discusses the successful 2023 sunflower harvest, noting minimal delays and high yields despite reduced acreage. He highlights the importance of the Pacific Northwest and California for hybrid seed production due to their dry climates and cross-pollination controls. Sabrina wraps up the show with an excerpt from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Beltway Beef podcast, and other news of the day.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the environmental impact of biofuels versus electric vehicles. The conversation pivots around several environmental groups suing California air regulators over the recent update of the climate program, arguing biofuels still pose pollution risks. Sabrina and Lorrie reflect on the shifting perceptions of biofuels, the challenges of building infrastructure for electric vehicles, and potential environmental costs associated with both. Personal stories and expert opinions highlight the complexity of transitioning to more sustainable energy sources, especially in agriculture. Lorrie Boyer talks with Bryan Little, chief operating officer for farm employer labor service, which is an affiliated company of the California Farm Bureau. They discuss developing a plan to help small agricultural producers and dairy operators cope with the zoonotic disease standard and the requirements for protecting employees from H5N1 avian influenza. They working to put out information to dairy operators and Farm Bureau members to help them understand the basic requirements for protecting employees, both before and after experiencing an H5N1 infection in their herd. In a featured guest interview, C. J. Miller talks with Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, discusses the recent dispute panel ruling that found Mexico violated commitments under the USMCA by attempting to ban genetically modified corn imports from the U.S. McKinney emphasizes the ruling's global significance and potential repercussions if Mexico does not comply. The conversation also covers the nominations of Brooke Rollins and Stephen Vaden for key USDA positions under President Elect Trump, highlighting their qualifications and expected contributions to the agriculture sector.

The California Farm Bureau recently celebrated its 106th Annual Meeting in Monterey, highlighting leadership changes across the state. Three new members were elected to the California Farm Bureau Board of Directors, while seven others retained their seats.

California Farm Bureau's “Stronger Together” 2024 Annual Meeting is coming up December 7-10 in Monterey. We caught up with CFBF President Shannon Douglass.

Almond orchards removed, supply down, prices up…right? Well, maybe not according to recent information out from RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness highlighted by the California Farm Bureau

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau's Anna Genasci and JCS Marketing's Kristin Platts sit down with Steven Fenaroli, political affairs director for California Farm Bureau, to discuss updates on H5N1 Avian Influenza and how California producers can stay vigilant. 

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Douglass, the first female President of the California Farm Bureau. Shannon shares insights into her non-traditional farming background and the inclusive, grassroots nature of the Farm Bureau, where policies are driven by local county boards. She outlines her key advocacy focuses, including the farm bill, mill assessment increases, water issues, and the insurance crisis affecting farmers. She explains the ongoing legislative efforts to address insurance challenges and improve availability and affordability through better forest management. During our discussion, we emphasize the disconnect between California's support for local, small farmers and the regulatory environment, emphasizing that these challenges push smaller farms out of business. Shannon also highlights how well-intentioned regulations can have unintended negative consequences, such as the significant investments and logistical adjustments required for switching to electric forklifts. Despite these challenges, her passion for agriculture advocacy is driven by a desire to ensure future generations can continue farming in California. Shannon views tough times as opportunities for innovation and improvement, sharing how difficult periods force farmers to make decisions that ultimately lead to better practices. Join us as we delve into the world of agriculture regulations and how to remain optimistic for the future. Shannon Douglass - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannondouglass/California Farm Bureau Federation - https://www.cfbf.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Shannon Douglass, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

Farmers and ranchers are the unsung heroes of our society. Day in and day out, they work tirelessly to ensure that we have food on our tables and clothes on our backs. Despite their crucial role, they often face significant challenges, from stringent regulations to unwarranted criticism, making it increasingly difficult to sustain farming and ranching in California. Over a century ago, these challenges spurred farmers and ranchers to unite. Realizing that collaboration was key to addressing and tackling these concerns the Farm Bureau was created as a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for the agricultural community and educating the public on its importance. Today, the Farm Bureau operates nationwide, with each state boasting its own branch and county offices to support farmers and ranchers at the local level. This network plays a crucial role in ensuring that our agriculturalists can continue their essential work. In our latest episode, CEO and host, Michael Delbar sits down with Shannon Douglass, the new President of the California Farm Bureau. From regulatory hurdles to economic pressures, the duo discusses how these challenges impact the industry and what can be done to support the agricultural community. Shannon also shares her insights on the Farm Bureau's efforts and the importance of collective action in building a stronger future for agriculture.

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau's Anna Genasci and JCS Marketing's Kristin Platts sit down with Shaun Crook, first Vice President of the California Farm Bureau Federation, to explore the state of California's forestry industry, wildfires and the need for more logging.

This week on Happy Homes & Gardens, host Daphne Royse welcomes Shannon Douglass, the first woman elected president of the California Farm Bureau. With extensive agricultural experience, Shannon shares her passion for farming and offers valuable insights into California agriculture. Don't miss this inspiring and informative episode! Only on TALRadio! Host : Daphne Royse Guest : Shannon Douglass, the first woman elected president of the California Farm Bureau you can reach Shannon Douglass @ about.me/shannon.douglass #HappyHomesAndGardens #ShannonDouglass #CaliforniaFarmBureau #AgricultureInsights #FarmingPassion #TALRadio #DaphneRoyse #WomenInAgriculture #AgriculturalLeadership #FarmBureauPresident #CaliforniaFarming #InspiringEpisode #FarmingExperience #AgriculturePodcast #ListenNow #TALPodcasr #Spotify #ApplePodcast #YouTube

Amid effort to avoid raising taxes, the California Farm Bureau responds to Governor Newsom's proposal to increase the mill tax levied on pesticides.

The California Farm Bureau board and members were in Washington, D.C., meeting with lawmakers to advocate on issues including passing the 2024 Farm Bill, and Senator Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, called on the six Class One railroads to address severe staffing shortages.

The California Farm Bureau is urging the administration to restore a $500 million discretionary funding cut as soon as possible to ensure water resilience.

Stanislaus County Farm Bureau's Anna Genasci and JCS Marketing's Kristin Platts sit down with Shannon Douglass, California Farm Bureau's first-ever female president; Stanislaus County Farm Bureau's new President Kelly Fogarty-Tilma; and the organization's Executive Director Caitie Diemel to discuss how the three women leaders are addressing California ag issues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Water flows big topic at California Farm Bureau's Capital Ag Conference recently in Sacramento, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai released the 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.

Water flows big topic at California Farm Bureau's Capital Ag Conference recently in Sacramento, and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai released the 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.

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.

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.

As of March 25th, citrus growers here in the state of California are able to enroll in a program that could award up to $200,000.

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.

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.

The California Farm Bureau has received $5 million from the California Department of Food and Ag to implement climate-smart farming practices in citrus groves, and the American Farm Bureau Federation concluded its 2024 Annual Convention setting policy direction for the year.

The California Farm Bureau has received $5 million from the California Department of Food and Ag to implement climate-smart farming practices in citrus groves, and the American Farm Bureau Federation concluded its 2024 Annual Convention setting policy direction for the year.

The California Farm Bureau endorses 2024 ballot initiative to give voters the final decision on approving new local and state taxes, and new legal action would require the EPA to immediately suspend and cancel glyphosate.

Shannon Douglass, a farmer in Glenn County, has been elected to a two-year term as president of the California Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust announces new “Land Transfer Navigators” program.

California's projected $68 billion budget shortfall. Also, the how California Bountiful Foundation uplifts upcoming farmers and ranchers. Finally, Peter Petty's “Hepcat's Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue” at the Crest Theatre. $68 Billion Budget Shortfall California's projected budget shortfall has gone from bad to worse.  The state now faces a $68 billion gap and the projections for the next couple of years are not much better.  CapRadio State Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon joins us with details on how the deficit doubled in size in a matter of months.  We'll also learn why this budget gap is different from those the state experienced in the early to mid-2000s and examine a few different paths the state can take to avoid deep, across-the-board cuts. California Bountiful Society's New Project for Farmers and Ranchers The USDA recently announced the investment of nearly $28 million to support programs that will teach new farmers and ranchers. One of the funding recipients is the California Farm Bureau's nonprofit California Bountiful Foundation, which plans to offer an agricultural mentoring and education program to people who are veterans or socially disadvantaged. CFB Administrator Jim Houston and Michael O'Gorman, founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, join Insight to shed more light on the new project. Peter Petty ‘Hepcat's Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue' We are well into holiday music this month. If you're craving something different, the Crest Theatre this weekend may be just what you're wanting to experience. Peter Petty's upcoming event with a 12-piece orchestra has become a holiday tradition, inspired by the swing era, burlesque and traditional jazz, which make for a lively evening. Bandleader Peter Petty joins us ahead of his annual “Hepcat's Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue” at the Crest Theatre on Saturday Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. And a heads up, the show is a full variety program with some adult language.

California Farm Bureau has had some wins this year at the state legislative session, some of which include changes to property insurance legislation. The new plan is supposed to shore up the insurance market for homeowners.

Today we welcome back California water expert, Alexandra Biering, of California Farm Bureau. Here Biering provides us with an update on California water, discusses the water year, flood protection, water rights and more.(03:49) Melting snow and how it affects reservoirs (11:00) Why we can expect more and more flooding this year(14:26) California water rights(22:18) CA agriculture and the water bond(32:56) Union workers, farm workers, and funding(39:45) End of session, important water billsThis episode was recorded on 10/03/2023.SacTown Talks is a podcast about California politics, policy and culture. We feature interviews with California political leaders, and analysis by experts and insiders focusing on the Capitol. Like, share, and subscribe to learn more!

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers the almond forecast being slightly up in the objective report, accurately measuring the impact of climate-smart agriculture, comments from the Ways and Means hearing, and a grazing and wetlands study getting funding from California Farm Bureau.Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

House Committee on Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee Legislative Hearing on H.R. 188, H.R. 932, “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act", “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”, “FIRESHEDS Act”, “Direct Hire to Fight Fires", “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”, “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023” and “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” | Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 2:00 PM On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., in Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills: H.R. 188 (Rep. McClintock), “Proven Forest Management Act of 2022”; H.R. 934 (Rep. McClintock), To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes; H.R. 1450 (Rep. Fulcher), “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act”; H.R. 1726 (Rep. Tokuda), “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Moore of Utah), “FIRESHEDS Act”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Issa), “Direct Hire to Fight Fires”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Valadao), “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Harder), “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023”; and H.R. _____ (Rep. Neguse), “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” Legislative Hearing on H.R. 188, H.R. 932, “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act", “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”, “FIRESHEDS Act”, “Direct Hire to Fight Fires", “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”, “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023” and “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” | Federal Lands Subcommittee Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Print this Page Share by Email Tuesday, May 23, 2023 | 2:00 PM Tags: Federal Lands On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., in Room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills: H.R. 188 (Rep. McClintock), “Proven Forest Management Act of 2022”; H.R. 934 (Rep. McClintock), To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes; H.R. 1450 (Rep. Fulcher), “Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act”; H.R. 1726 (Rep. Tokuda), “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Moore of Utah), “FIRESHEDS Act”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Issa), “Direct Hire to Fight Fires”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Valadao), “Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2023”; H.R. _____ (Rep. Harder), “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2023”; and H.R. _____ (Rep. Neguse), “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023” Witnesses and Testimony Panel I: To Be Announced Panel II [Forest Management Bills]: Mr. Troy Heithecker Associate Deputy Chief U.S. Forest Service Washington, D.C. [All bills] Mr. Robert Dugan Chairman Placer County Water Agency Auburn, CA [H.R. 188] Mr. Cody Desautel President Intertribal Timber Council Portland, OR [H.R. 1450] Mr. Jamie Johansson President California Farm Bureau Sacramento, CA [H.R. 3522] Panel III [Fire Suppression Bills]: Ms. Riva Duncan Fire Chief Umpqua National Forest U.S. Forest Service (Retired) Vice President, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters Asheville, NC [H.R. 3499] Mr. Rick Goddard Managing Director Caylym Technologies International Fresno, CA [H.R.3389] Mr. Laurence Crabtree U.S. Forest Service (Retired) Bieber, California [H.R. 934] Mr. Jonathan Godes President of Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) Glenwood Springs City Councilor, Glenwood Springs, CO [H.R. ___(Neguse), “Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023”] [Minority Witness]

In this four-part series, we're going to hear from Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever-Blattler, who does a great job at outlining how one of the top agriculture counties in the nation, is handling one of the most tumultuous springs in modern California history.

Record-breaking rain and snow hammers California on the heels of the three driest years in Golden State record. With full reservoirs and snowpack on nearly every mountain range in the drought-ridden state, U.S. Drought Monitor says less than half of California remains under drought conditions.

Record-breaking rain and snow hammers California on the heels of the three driest years in Golden State record. With full reservoirs and snowpack on nearly every mountain range in the drought-ridden state, U.S. Drought Monitor says less than half of California remains under drought conditions.

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers the importance of the California Farm Bureau delegate's meeting, considerations for successful groundwater recharge projects and the methods for controlling coyote brush in coastal rangeland. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

The California Farm Bureau and other ag groups are urging the Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and Christmas tree imports climb higher.

Preliminary numbers are in from the Florida Department of Agriculture on losses from Hurricane Ian, and the California Farm Bureau offers input for 2023 Farm Bill.

What's Shakin' at the Almond Alliance | Oct 21, 2022 This week, Aubrey Bettencourt, President and CEO of the Almond Alliance covers the weekly update: ➡️ The Almond Alliance welcomes our newest staff member, Sara Arsenault, Vice President. Sara has extensive experience in national government affairs, both at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the California Farm Bureau. ➡️ Almond PAC Event on October 27th ➡️ Shipping Update: Looking for Feedback! ➡️ Look for NEW announcements on programs specific for farmers, drought and groundwater management. ➡️Congratulations to Annie Romero, who has been promoted to our Director of Membership Services and Special Events for the Almond Alliance. To learn more about the work we are doing, visit AlmondAlliance.org and become a member. To learn more about the Almond Alliance, visit AlmondAlliance.org. Click Here to become a member! Follow us on Social Media Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Spotify Apple Podcast Youtube - Almond Alliance Youtube - What's Shakin' Playlist Youtube - Almond Alert Podcast Playlist

California Farm Bureau president Jamie Johansson calls on lawmakers to support farmers and ranchers facing water shortages, regulations and rising costs, and Biofuel groups welcome signing of Inflation Reduction Act.

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers the action or lack thereof from the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, ag labor issues being monitored by California Farm Bureau, and black fig fly still a concern in Southern California. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson tells EPA that WOTUS must provide protections for normal farming activities, and USTR Tai says tariffs on Chinese imports are effective leverage for negotiations.

The California Farm Bureau met with Congressional leaders to warn of perfect storm brewing in food supply, and national milk groups express appreciation for USMCA dispute panel.

The California Farm Bureau holds water forum for county bureaus, and Busch Light and John Deere collaborate in promotional fund raiser for Farm Rescue.

On April 25, a group of agricultural stakeholders, led by the Almond Alliance of California (AAC), sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies requesting they convene a meeting between agricultural exporters and ocean carriers to address the current trade imbalance. Other signatories included California Farm Bureau; Western Growers Association; National Milk Producers Federation; U.S. Dairy Export Council; Western United Dairies; and the California Walnut Handlers Alliance. Working with the Alliance, the Almond Board contributed to the letter by developing data regarding the economic impacts of the present situation and the current state of the industry. On May 4, California Senators Feinstein and Padilla referencing the AAC-led effort, sent a letter, to 13 ocean carriers requesting they provide the necessary equipment for exports and for them to engage with the affected industries to develop a resolution to the export delays.

The California Farm Bureau partners with immigration advocates to support U.S. Citizenship for employees, and Food Price Index surges.

The California Farm Bureau is partnering up to support farmers and ranchers who help employees become U.S. citizens, and a new report finds just 11% of America's rural children are enrolled in afterschool programs.

California Farm Bureau holds its 103rd Annual Meeting, and EPA's retroactive changes to renewable fuels volume obligation criticized.

Get the latest agriculture news in today's Farm City Newsday, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show is filled with stories covering the expectations for the future of farming equipment, efforts to study the smoke impact on grapes and wine gets support from a $7.6 million grant and California Farm Bureau partnering with National Immigration Forum. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

Get the latest agriculture news in today's Farm City Newsday, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show is filled with stories covering California Farm Bureau advocating for the state's ag economy, $100 million in funding made available to rehabilitate four water conveyance facilities and the positive almond outlook at the Almond Conference State of the Industry. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

Water has long been a contentious subject in California.  As the nation's most populous state, leading the nation in farm production and a state dedicated to environmental protection, it's easy to understand why. The severe, ongoing drought only puts a greater focus on water. While there's hope for a wet fall and winter, Sacramento Valley water managers and other stakeholders are doing what they can to prepare for all outcomes. Teamwork and coordination are invaluable, especially during difficult times. “We are really fortunate in the Sacramento River Basin,” said Northern California Water Association President David Guy. “We have a real cohesive set of leaders that work very well together. Our managers and counsel work well together. That's critical, particularly as we head into these next years that could be very challenging. I think every river system in the valley works together. We realize we're all invested in the same types of actions and need to do the same types of things to be able to make sure that we have water supplies for the farms, cities and refuges.” Guy said he hopes more robust scenario planning this fall will further bring the region together, to be unified and best prepared for whatever 2022 holds for our water supply.  While the drought took its toll in our region, including a 100,000 acre reduction in rice planting, the familiar fall activities of harvest and the Pacific Flyway wildlife migration are welcomed. This year has been an uphill battle for those safeguarding water for all who need it and for future generations. “It's a daily, weekly, monthly and annual balancing act,” remarked Thad Bettner, General Manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, the largest water district in the Sacramento Valley. “We're always making those sorts of decisions about how best to manage and use our supplies. A lot of environmental assets sit in our backyard, so we want to make sure we are meeting those needs as well. As a district, we're very transparent in all of the things that we do and we'd love to have other partners come alongside us in helping us make these key decisions.”  Harvest of America's sushi rice is nearing its peak, with growers reporting good quality and production from the fields they were able to plant. Grower Don Bransford in Colusa said he planted about 25 percent less acreage this year due to the water cutbacks. Bransford has long  been a leader in this region on key issues, and water is no exception.  He said planning and coordination for 2022 must be a priority. “The challenges are great, as they were this year,” he said. “There obviously is not enough water to go around, so the environment was shorted and farming acreage had to be reduced because of the curtailments. Urban areas had a little better supply situation, so they have not experienced what agriculture has. Moving forward, I believe we have huge challenges in this coming year.” Those who know and love the Sacramento Valley understand the need to preserve this unique and essential part of California. “We are all very proud of our little communities in the Sacramento Valley, many of which are dependent on a viable rice industry,” Bransford said. “What other commodity can you grow that has over 200 wildlife species inhabiting a growing crop, and then once that crop is harvested, then you have the migratory waterfowl moving in for a winter feast. Here we have land that's producing food and habitat – and they coexist wonderfully.” Michael Anderson: This past year is ranking up there in the top five of our driest years, and you pair it with last year, 2020, which was also dry, and now you're looking at the second driest since '76, '77. Very extreme pair of drought years there. Jim Morris: California state climatologist, Michael Anderson, describing our greater climate variability, which has contributed to this highly disappointing year for rain and snowfall. Michael Anderson: We're a lot warmer now than we were in '76, '77. April, May and June, that was the warmest and the driest in 125 years of record. The narrative of climate change for California is that we see a warming in temperatures, more rain, less snow, and more extremes. And we're seeing that play out in this last decade. Jim Morris: Drought impacts are being felt far and wide, including 100,000 fewer acres of rice planted here in the Sacramento Valley. What lies ahead for 2022? Only time will tell, but there's already a lot of thought being put into water management for the next year. Welcome to Ingrained, the California Rice Podcast. I'm your host, Jim Morris, proud to have worked with California farmers and ranchers for more than 30 years to help tell their stories. This year has been extremely dry with significant impacts. There is widespread hope that fall and winter will be wet, but of course that's far from guaranteed. So I think it would be helpful to hear from regional leaders about this critical subject. Jim Morris: David Guy is president of the Northern California Water Association. He's been NCWA's president for 11 years. He also served eight years as their executive director. We spent time together a long time ago at the California Farm Bureau, and he and his family were in Yosemite living in the park from 2007 to 2010 as David was CEO of the nonprofit, Yosemite Association. And I will be forever jealous of that opportunity you had. So looking ahead, David, what can water managers do to prepare for the possibility of another dry year? David Guy: Well, I think that as we look forward to 2022, there's still some work that has to be done on 2021. And I think the Pacific Flyway programs that are underway right now with the Rice Commission, with the water suppliers, with the conservation organizations are really, I think, stage setting for next year. The birds are so important and the species are so important. We'll be doing some more of that in the floodplain later in the winter for fish. And then as we start to go into the fall, obviously we need to start thinking about precipitation. And if there is going to be any precipitation this fall or early winter, we want to be able to capture that precipitation. David Guy: So I think that's what the water managers in the Sacramento Valley and throughout the state do really well. So I think we want to pull as much water into storage as we can. I think we want to be able to recharge groundwater as much as we can, and we want to be able to get water out on the ground for birds and fish as much as we can. So I think there's going to be a real concerted effort to help make sure that we utilize our water this fall and winter the best we can because everything we do this fall and winter will set the stage for next year. Jim Morris: To effectively do the most with such a precious resource, you need a lot of people with common goals. How would you describe the cohesiveness of water management in our region? David Guy: Well, I think we're real fortunate in the Sacramento River basin and we have a real cohesive set of leaders that work very well together and our managers and council and everybody else work really well together, and I think that's critical particularly as we head into these next years that could be very challenging. I think every river system in the valley works together. We realize that we're all invested in the same types of actions and that we need to do the same types of things to be able to make sure that we have water supplies for the farms, cities, refuges. So we're going to be doing some scenario planning this year in the fall to start planning for 2022 in a way that we've really never done before, and I think that will even further bring the region together, hopefully to unify around some planning for next year, and then the actions that will be necessary. Jim Morris: Northern California Water Association has a ridgetop to river mouth holistic water management approach. For someone not fully immersed in the water world, what does that mean? David Guy: Well, I think is what it really means is that the water obviously starts in the mountains and then it flows down through the valley. And the bottom line is this really calls on the managers in this region to manage the water the best they can. And they already manage water in this way. A lot of our agencies manage water from ridgetop to river mouth. And I think the other couple things that it does is water obviously flows from one area to the other, and we try to utilize that water the best we can and sometimes that water's used multiple times as it goes through the system and we want to be able to continue that. David Guy:The other thing of course, that it really allows is that we know that salmon, for example, which is a big part of the region, you need to address every salmon life stage for them to be successful, and that means from the ridgetop to the river mouth. And then of course, we can't control what goes on in the ocean, but we can sure help influence what goes on from the ridgetop to the river mouth. And I think that's really just calling on the best of our managers to do what they really do well. Jim Morris: There is some criticism that comes up on how much water is used by farms and ranches, and my belief on this is it's really not an either or that that water can help in many different ways. And taking rice, for example, that water is used to grow a crop that's America sushi rice. It also helps rural communities and our economy, and it also helps the Pacific Flyway migration of millions of birds. And now salmon are benefiting from rice farming too. So when you look at the collaboration, the multiple uses of water, what thoughts do you have about how effective that is going on right now in the Sacramento Valley? David Guy: The Sacramento Valley does this better than anybody. Quite honestly, they use water for cities and rural communities. We get water out for the farms. We get water out for the refuges. And quite honestly, it's a lot of the same water. It's a lot of synchronized water management that happens in the region. So yeah, I find that when people want to say that one use is being used at the sacrifice of others, that's usually just a false choice. So we find that you can do all of that. You just have to be creative and you just have to get the leaders in the region to want to embrace that. David Guy: And we do that in the Sacramento better than anybody. This last year, for example, most agriculture in the state really received zero surface water. And there were some areas that received maybe about 50 percent of their supplies, and I think to their credit, these water suppliers utilize that water to their benefit and they not only use the water for the farms, but they're now working to use that water for the birds and will be using it for water for the salmon later in the year. And I think there's a sequence there that could actually work well in the Sacramento Valley as well. Jim Morris: And I'm glad you mentioned those surface water cutbacks because there was an incredible news cycle this past year, and maybe that was lost, but there were very significant, huge reductions in the amount of surface water available in our region. We've had dry years before and certainly will again. So what can be learned from our most recent dry year this year? David Guy: Well, I think we just have to call on everybody's creativity and working together. I think that's what we've learned. We have a program, our dry year task force, where we've worked with state and federal agencies, and I think having that communication is just essential. We're going to be doing this scenario planning going into next year and really focusing on what are the scenarios that we may see in 2022? And let's be honest, some of those scenarios are fairly ugly for the region and some of those scenarios may involve a wet 2022, which we're all hoping for, but the bottom line is we have to be prepared for all of those scenarios and I think having the managers thinking about that together, I think we'll be really effective. David Guy: I think there's also to a lot of actions that can be taken in the meantime that are not as high profile, but again, some of the things we talked about moving water into storage, moving water out on the floodplain, moving water out into the refuges, I think those are the kind of things that are happening and are really important as we head into 2022. Jim Morris: Moving water out on the floodplains, that is a growing area of emphasis in our region, and talk a little bit about that. What does that look like and how does it help? David Guy: Well, I think we've seen in the last 50 years in California, that we've used the same formula. How much water do we put into the Delta and who has to give up that water to flow into the Delta? Well, that path has led to declines in fish. That path has led to declines in water supply reliability. So I think a lot of people are saying, "Why don't we try something different?" Well, fortunately the scientists over at the University of California have been pointing to the floodplain for some time now and saying, "This is where we can get the best benefit for fish and wildlife." So I think there's a real concerted effort, big coalition, the Floodplain Forward Coalition, is working on how do we reactivate our floodplain? And of course, there's a whole lot of things that have gone into that, but I think we've seen that there's been success with waterfowl on the Pacific Flyway. David Guy: We've seen that there's been success with spring run salmon on Butte Creek. And a big part of both of those efforts is this idea of reactivating the floodplain. So, we think that's the new approach and the best part about it is that we can do that in synchronicity with the farming and all the things that we do in the region, and we can also do it probably with a lot less water than just putting a bunch of water into the Delta that doesn't seem to be providing any benefits for anything. Jim Morris: And it's interesting when you talk about reactivating the floodplain, it may sound like this incredible amount of water, but really it's a shallow amount of water that does get a lot of benefit from it. And we've seen that in the rice fields of the Sacramento Valley. So some of the issues in this past year we've had include voluntary agreements, water transfers, and groundwater. They came up a lot and those are pretty big topics. How do you feel those issues or maybe others may fit into 2022. David Guy:Groundwater of course is the resource that people go to when they don't have surface water, and I think that will continue. Obviously there's a concerted effort through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the plans that are coming early next year to really manage our groundwater basin sustainably. So I think there's a real concerted effort at the local level to do that. So we'll hopefully get that in place and people can start taking some of those actions as soon as possible to protect the groundwater for future uses. The voluntary agreements, I think are really just essential for the region. We need stability in that Bay Delta process. And without that stability, we're just going to keep having supplies in Northern California threaten in various regulatory processes. So we need that stability and I think there's some interest in the Administration in moving that forward. So I think 2022's got a lot in store, but I think we're going to be prepared for the year no matter what it looks like with respect to precipitation. Jim Morris: And you mentioned the word stability. How does that factor in when we look at the water rights system that is in place? David Guy: I think the water rights system in California works quite well and it works very well in the Sacramento River basin. It's painful for some, because some get their waters curtailed and other there don't, but I think everybody knows how that works. I think people have certain expectations. They've built their business models around that. So in our view, the water system works really well. We're going to continue to work with the State Water Board to make that process even better, but I really think that making the water rights system obviously work is really important. And we know there's going to be critics and some academics and others who are going to want to suggest that we have to rewrite our water rights system, and obviously that would destabilize California water immensely. So we need to make the water right system work, and then we need to be able to put water into storage and let the managers do what they do best, which is obviously a big part of the water rights system as well. Jim Morris: I am really impressed when I see the meetings in the Sacramento Valley. There are members of the environmental community, there's urban representatives, agriculture, water officials, of course. So what is your assessment on the willingness to find water solutions in our valley? David Guy: You're right, Jim. I mean, we have an amazing group of folks who are working hard out on the ground to really implement solutions. And again, they're for cities, they're for rural communities, they're for farms and ranches, they're for the environment. And I don't think anybody's done that better than the Sacramento Valley. Kudos to the leaders and the rice community in the valley for really step up and doing all the work that you've done. I think as we go forward, we're going to continue to work with that group and I think that work is really proving fruitful. David Guy: Unfortunately, we also know there's a group of litigators that are sitting out there, who their business model is not to solve problems. Their business model is to file lawsuits and to try to disrupt what we're doing in the Sacramento River Basin. So unfortunately we're going to need to be part of that process as well, to make sure that they can't in fact disrupt the Sacramento River Basin. And in the meantime, let's keep working with those who show up and get their nails dirty and want to work out on the ground, because that's how this is going to get better. Jim Morris: What is at stake here? I've spent my entire life in the Sacramento Valley. Absolutely love it. But I think for a lot of people that are driving on I-5 or Highway 99, and they're just heading from one place to the next and don't understand the full beauty and importance of it. So what's at stake here in making sure this region stays whole? David Guy: Well, Jim, you started off by mentioning my time in Yosemite and of course, I just have wonderful memories of Yosemite and our national park system is beyond equal in this world. But I think the Sacramento Valley is on that level as far as the grandeur and as what it is, it's just so vast and big, but we have what? 2 million acres of farmland, some of the best farmland in the world. We have seven national wildlife refuges, 50 state wildlife areas, four runs of salmon. We have cities and rural communities that really sparkle and have wonderful people in them, and I think it's water that really brings this region together in a special way, and I think that's what's at stake and I hope that we can all roll up our sleeves, continue to work together to make sure that we have water for this region for all of those purposes. It's not and/or. It's how do we do both? And I think that's what this region really excels at. Jim Morris: I'm in Willows at the headquarters of Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, the largest water district in the Sacramento Valley, covering 175,000 acres, much of it farmland. There are communities and several wildlife refuges here, as well. There were fields that went unplanned this year, including rice, the underground water table has been pressured, and they've had to deal with severe surface water cutbacks. Thad Bettner has been head of this water district since 2006. Of course, that's included several dry years. And as we get through this year, Thad, how taxing has it been? Thad Bettner: I have to say that you have been here for 15 years and doing this water thing for over 30. I would say this has probably been the most challenging year I've ever experienced in my career. I look back and I've talked to other people about the COVID year of last year and how challenging that was, but honestly this year has been even more challenging than that. So just given the constraints, the challenging hydrologic conditions, the internal needs that we have for trying to meet water for our growers, for the environment, for the refuges that we serve, and then also the concerns about trying to protect salmon in the river, and just trying to balance all those competing needs has been very challenging this year. The good thing is we've kind of gotten through it. We're here in the fall, so that's good news, but certainly, we have another challenging year ahead of us going into next year. Jim Morris: What are some lessons that might be learned from this year as we head into a potentially dry 2022, which could magnify all of these impacts? Thad Bettner: I think certainly the challenge is just from a surface water standpoint, how do we manage the system to one, get water where it's needed for people, for the different crops that we grow, for certainly protecting fish and I'm not minimizing them at all by same fish. Thirdly, but just, I think in terms of just the environment, it's broader than just fisheries. We have birds that we're trying to manage for right now, et cetera. So I think the broader environmental needs are very significant. And then the other thing we're facing here in the Sacramento Valley is a lot of these groundwater sustainability plans are getting adopted in January. So we'll also be going into next year, once those plans are adopted, actually starting to implement them. So how we also manage our water supply for the benefit of maintaining our sustainable groundwater system here in the Sacramento Valley is going to be vitally important as well. Jim Morris: How important is coordination and cooperation among all of the stakeholders? Thad Bettner: It's very important. I mean, honestly I spend most of my day just working with other agencies, other managers, groundwater folks, talking to different regulatory agencies about operations, talking to our environmental partners on restoration projects, and then just trying to meet our own internal staff needs. We have about 75 employees here in the district. So just trying to make sure that just as an entity, as a company, we continue to have good bonds internally. So it's been most of our days, just trying to foster sorts of relationships. Jim Morris: Longer term, it would be great, I think to have more water storage like Sites Reservoir, and how would that help in the long term for all Californians? Thad Bettner: We've been an advocate for Sites for decades. It's right next to our district and certainly parts of our facilities would be used both to fill and drain sites. I think one of the most significant benefits of Sites, not just of the water supply, it would provide to those folks who are investing in the project, but the project would provide just a lot more flexibility to some of our backbone infrastructure like Shasta, like Oroville, which I'm sure everybody has heard are historic lows this year. So having additional storage up in sites could help some of these dry years to provide more water into the system and ultimately provide more water for environmental benefits. Jim Morris: The purpose is not to try to get Sites filled in a dry year, but when we have those abundant rainfall years, to take advantage of that in a better way than we're doing now. Thad Bettner: One of the things about the Sacramento Valley that a lot of folks don't recognize at least on the Sacramento River, is that it's really more of a rain-driven watershed than a snow-fed watershed. So, under climate change, a lot of the forecasts are saying actually that more rainfall will fall in the Sacramento River system, which could lead to more runoff, which, again, Sites Reservoir would be relying on those really wet years, high runoff years to fill Sites and then draw that water out of storage in the dryer years. Jim Morris: What responsibility do you feel you're trying to have as much reasonable water to all the needs here in your district, but you also have to safeguard this resource for down the road? What kind of a balancing act is that? Thad Bettner: Well, I would say it's a daily, weekly, monthly, and annually balancing act. I mean, we're always making those sorts of decisions about how best to manage and use our supplies and also looking for just broader from... A lot of these assets, like environmental assets sit in our backyard. So how do we make sure we're also providing and meeting those needs as well? So I would say for us as a district, we're very transparent in all the things that we do and would love to have other partners come alongside us and helping us make some of these key decisions. Jim Morris: It's harvest time in rice country, including here in Colusa, the largest rice growing county in America. I'm visiting with grower Don Bransford, who in addition to farming is extremely active in his community and with statewide service. Don, first of all, how is harvest going this year and how has the drought impacted your farm? Don Bransford: Well, so far harvest is going pretty well. This has been one of those years where we've had a few more breakdowns than we'd like, but we're progressing well and the moisture's holding up. As far as the drought goes, we fallowed about 25 percent of our ground due to our reductions in supply, according to our contracts. Jim Morris: Thanks for taking time during such a busy time. It is windy today, but the harvesters and the bankout wagons are going and things are looking great. So how important is it when we look ahead to 2022, that there is some planning and coordination in terms of water? Don Bransford: I think the planning and coordination is extremely important. For this cropping year, we started planning in early February for the potential of a drought. We worked with the regulators, NGOs and other water districts to see how we might adapt our systems to meet a lot of needs of the environment, the farms and the urban areas. So it was a challenge. Jim Morris: What kind of pressures are there on water supplies? It's always challenging in California, but it seems lately to be exceptionally so. There will always be discussion, debate, and dispute. So what kind of challenges from a farming perspective, do you see on the water supply? Don Bransford: The challenges are great as they were this year. There obviously is not enough water to go around. So the environment was shorted. Farming acreage had to be reduced because of the curtailments. Urban areas had a little better supply situation. So they have not experienced what agriculture has, but moving forward, I believe we have huge challenges in this coming year. A number of wells were used to make up for deficient supplies. I think moving into the new year, there's going to be concern about how much groundwater's available, which puts more pressure on surface supplies. And then you have urban areas who were able to get through this past year with... Their supplies are short. Don Bransford: We've been contacted by a number of urban districts about the potential for water transfers. And then obviously, those growers south of the Delta that have contracts are most likely going to be very short of water. It's going to be tremendously challenging. We are going to start planning and actually this next month up here in the north state, we're going to work with NGOs, the state and federal regulators and the other irrigation districts to figure out how to best use every drop of water that we have available and hopefully some of that water can be used two or three times to achieve or meet needs of any number of demands. Jim Morris: This is a really special area. The communities, Colusa, I love Gridley, Biggs, Marysville, Yuba City, Richvale, on and on. The farms, the environment, the unique communities, how important is it to have these discussions and try to maintain this special thing that we have in the Sacramento Valley? Don Bransford: I think it's very important. We are all very proud of our little communities in the Sacramento Valley, many of which are dependent on a viable rice industry. We're here at harvest this year and the wildlife are everywhere. I mean, where else... What other commodity can you grow which has over 200 species of wildlife inhabiting a growing crop? And then once that crop is harvested, then you have the migratory waterfowl moving in for a winter feast. Just this morning, I also saw some sandhill cranes. They arrive about this time every year. In the same fields, the geese have started to move into the fields at night to forage the rice that's left behind by harvesters. About 50 percent of the feed for all migrating waterfowl are located in these rice fields. These fields are ecosystems and the only way to replace those ecosystems would be to build wetlands, which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but here we have land that's producing food and habitat and they coexist wonderfully. Jim Morris: Another sign of fall in our valley, the ducks and geese are coming back. I'm at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge in Willows, a great place for your family to visit. If we are fortunate to have abundant rain and snow in the coming months, perhaps everyone can exhale a bit, but at the moment, next year looks like it will be a major test. Hopefully with collaboration, cooperation, and creativity, we will persevere. Thank you to our interviewees, David Guy, Thad Bettner, Don Bransford, and Michael Anderson. We will, of course, keep you updated on this issue as we get farther into fall and winter. You can go to podcast.calrice.org to find out more. Please subscribe and spread the word. And thanks for listening.

California Farm Bureau president Jamie Johansson praises Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing bill to remove secret ballots for unionizing votes, and NASS to hold October Data User meeting virtually.

Take a deeper dive into the cost and availability of what's in our current and future salad bowls. Bob Young, president of Agricultural Prospects and former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau sorts it out, and Jamie Johansson, California farmer and president of the California Farm Bureau who has details on the drought and wildfires impacting what some call our nation's salad bowl.

Take a deeper dive into the cost and availability of what's in our current and future salad bowls. Bob Young, president of Agricultural Prospects and former chief economist with the American Farm Bureau sorts it out, and Jamie Johansson, California farmer and president of the California Farm Bureau who has details on the drought and wildfires impacting what some call our nation's salad bowl.

Get the latest agriculture news in today's Farm City Newsday, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show is filled with stories covering why California Farm Bureau wants supporters at an upcoming water rally at the Capitol, water provisions of an infrastructure bill coming after years of advocacy, and tips on how to understand the letters distributed by the Central Valley Water Board. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

Daniel O'Connell, a labor scholar, and Scott Peters, a professor of global development, talk about the historic battle, from the 1930s to the present, between rural farmers and agribusiness in California's Central Valley. In their new book, "In The Struggle," they examine what they see as the unjust and oppressive structures of the valley by looking at the many academic leaders and activists who have exposed misdeeds by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the California Farm Bureau, and the University of California.

This week's Open Mic guest is Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Johansson is a first-generation olive and citrus grower and well versed in the environmental, regulatory and social obstacles of farming on the West Coast. With a push toward climate-smart agriculture from the state and federal government, Johansson says farmers in his state shoulder a tremendous regulatory burden in addition to one of the worst droughts the state has ever experienced. Johansson discusses the ideological disagreement with those who call for land preservation and oppose working lands. Johansson says a shortage of farmworkers is an ongoing issue for California farmers and is impacting the variety of crops grown in his state.

Jamie Johannson,  President of the California Farm Bureau testifies at a U.S. House Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee hearing on conservation. We hear comments from him and California lawmakers in today's show.  Supporting the People who Support Agriculture Thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their websites.   Agromillora – https://www.agromillora.com/ California Citrus Mutual – https://www.cacitrusmutual.com/ The California Walnut Board – https://walnuts.org/ Soil and Crop – https://mysoilandcrop.com/ WRT – http://wrtag.com/promax/   For advertising inquiries, please contact us at 559-352-4456 or jay@jcsmarketinginc.com

Here are a few relevant ag-related news stories from throughout the state brought to you by the California Farm Bureau.

Here are a few updates related to the people who work in agriculture courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Here are a few more COVID-19 updates courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Through his involvement in extracurricular events provided by his local California Farm Bureau chapter, Zane Peterson was able to be a part of logging industry conversations that provided him with the opportunity for legislative involvement that would shape his future career. A young forester, Zane’s parents were involved in the California timber industry via the operation of saw mills and power plants. While an industry that he had always been involved in, Zane is paving his own way in the timber industry today!  Most loggers want trees that are 10” in diameter and up while Zane is dealing with trees that are 10” in diameter and down. Chipping is the stuff that “no one wants to do” because it’s harder, costs more, and is less efficient. Zane has used his resources and education to make chipping efficient and, as a result, has very few competitors. Asking the veteran’s what they would have done differently and blending those responses with the opportunity in front of him, he was able to set himself for success.  Hiring skilled labor has been one of the biggest challenges for Zane, whose goal is to not pirate employees from fellow loggers. Zane’s team uses the most efficient and most comfortable equipment, which, as a result, allows him to hire the best of the best in the industry.  “A lot of people think of entrepreneurs that throw risk to the wind but you have to have very calculated risk,” says Zane, who believes that being calculated in everything that you do is a great advantage.  In order to not steal top caliber laborers from his friends in the industry, Zane is involved with Shasta College where, upon graduation, he went back to develop a school specifically for heavy equipment operators. From hands on training experience with field trips to his operation, students get a hands on opportunity to learn more about operating the heavy equipment required in logging.  “We have a lot of awesome employees now that wouldn’t have if that program hadn’t been available,” says Zane.  Zane firmly believes that community colleges are underrated as they provide useful, practical and career-focused courses and opportunities.  Make sure to subscribe to the https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClJpE4tdH2NN6Plj1UIWNwA (AgGrad YouTube Channel )to learn more about career opportunities in agriculture and follow along on the special “https://aggrad.com/introducing-aggrad-30-under-30/ (30 Under 30 in Agriculture)” series! Interested in nominating someone under 30? Nominate them https://aggrad.com/30-under-30/ (here)! 

Here are a few important updates about California agriculture from around the state, courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Here is a roundup of important stories from throughout the Golden State, courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

This time of year is significant for many California crops. Here are a few stories courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Stories concerning California agriculture from throughout the state, courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

A combination of hot temperatures, dry conditions and poor forest management practices have resulted in another year of devastating losses for farmers and ranchers in the West. Wildfires have already burned through millions of acres and continue to rage, with rains not expected for weeks. Smoke alone has caused substantial crop and soil damage as well as respiratory issues for livestock. In this episode of Feedstuffs in Focus, Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead talks with Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation, about the losses for agriculture to date, mandatory evacuation from his family’s olive and citrus operation and what’s being pushed at state and federal levels to reduce wildfire risk and support those hard hit. As Johansson explains it will not be an easy fix but rather one that will take a near total mindset shift and generations of change.This episode of Feedstuffs In Focus  is sponsored by Hog Slat and Georgia Poultry. New for 2020, the Classic Pullet feed pan. Built to handle the most aggressive birds, the Classic Pullet features an anti-rotation clip, feed shut-off slide, and a shallow divided pan. Learn more at HogSlat.com.For more information on this and other stories, visit  Feedstuffs online.Follow Feedstuffs on Twitter @Feedstuffs, or join the conversation via Facebook.   

Here’s a roundup of how the fires are impacting agriculture around the state, courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Today’s report is a few wildfire-related storylines happening throughout the state courtesy of the California Farm Bureau.

Tariffs are taxes on food and farming. It starts off sounding distant and hopefully strategic, then degenerates into retaliation.  Still trade "war" is an abstract concept for most of the public until the 'chickens come home to roost' months or years later in the form of higher costs of  food to consumers and reduced income--even insolvency on farms. Concerned as we are with successful marketing journeys from farm to table, disruption in these food channels must be addressed.  Organizations like Farmers for Fair Trade, the Farm Bureau and others are calling for the US Administration to reverse course before it is too late to avoid the consequences--consequences learned the hard way in the Great Depression following the Smoot Hawley Act passed nearly 100 years ago.  To sort out the cause, implications and solutions of the these battles we have a Farm To Table Talk with Josh Rolf, the Manager of Federal Policy for the California Farm Bureau. #farmersforfreetrade

More than half of the farmers surveyed by the California Farm Bureau report over half their farmland is not being farmed because there is no labor. And so we ask Who is going to work on our farms?

Wednesday on Adams on Agriculture Brian Jennings, CEO for the American Coalition for Ethanol, explains concerns of EPA waivers to the RFS for refiners, Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council discuss Chinese tariffs on U.S. pork and Jamie Johansen, president of the California Farm Bureau discusses ag labor shortages in his state.

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to ask folks if they knew which state is our nation’s biggest farming state. Common guesses I got were Iowa or Texas. Most folks are surprised to learn that the nation’s biggest farming state is better known for Hollywood or the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, California. Today, the presidents of California and Ohio’s state Farm Bureaus are in to compare and contrast food production on the west coast and in the midwest, on Town Hall Ohio.

Guests: Danny Merkley, Director of Water Resources, California Farm Bureau & Bill Wattenburg, PhD, Engineer, Radio Host, Senior Research Scientist Research Foundation, California State University

Jake operates a family farm near Modesto, CA growing primarily almonds and walnuts. He is an elected board member on the local water board and is very active in the California Farm Bureau (where his father serves as president). Jake talks about the benefits and challenges of operating a farm business with family, how water is allocated to farmers, how bills like AB1066 in California affect farmers, and the right way to pronounce the word "almond". One fascinating point Jake makes is about how family farms involve not only the families that own the land but also the families of the employees as well. Several of the Wenger's employees are either related or close friends outside of work. He also describes that although his farm is incorporated for business reasons, it is still very much a family farm. You can reach out to Jake on Twitter: @NutFarmerJake Check out his direct-to-consumer products at www.woodcolony.com   Thanks for listening! We really appreciate you taking the time to listen to the Future of Agriculture Podcast. The response has been outstanding. Please feel free to leave a note in the comment section below. The best way to spread the word about our Podcast is to share your favorite episode using the social media share buttons in the podcast player you are using. You can also leave a review on iTunes. This helps us spread the word about the people, perspectives, and innovations that will provide our future food, clothing, fuel, shelter, and natural resources.

News: Pasco schools say virtual ed's a real budget breaker As Pasco schools look to the future of education, online courses for kindergarten through eighth grade rate high on the priority list. "I'm not being funded to do it. I'm just being told I have to do it," said Fiorentino, who is leading a statewide effort to get a reprieve. "We just can't afford doing it this year." She said her staff has estimated the startup costs for the program — including such things as curriculum development and infrastructure — could run as high as $1-million. Although over time it would be expected to become self-sufficient, the school's initial price tag looks too steep when the district can't even afford employee raises, she added. http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article967362.ece Hard times cut state cyber school enrollments The state's 11 cyber charter schools -- online, at-home alternatives to traditional public schools -- are the latest victims of the recession. Facing the threat of layoffs or mortgage foreclosures, some parents are sending their children back to brick-and-mortar public schools because a stay-at-home spouse had to get a job, said Joe Lyons, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School in Norristown, second-largest in the state. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_606700.html Davis sixth-grader's science experiment breaks new ground By Niesha Lofing University of California, Davis, scientists are redirecting their research after a professor's son discovered that a major agricultural pest prefers pistachios over other nuts. The sixth-grader's experiment showed that female navel orangeworms preferred to lay their eggs in pistachios rather than almonds or walnuts, and researchers now are trying to use the information to better control the pests, according to the California Farm Bureau. http://www.sacbee.com/education/story/1530953.html Economy brings reprieve to teacher shortage http://www.sltrib.com/education/ci_11408218?source=rss Fair Isn't Always Equal http://www.stenhouse.com/shop/pc/viewprd.asp?idProduct=8982&r=sb090112b&REFERER= First Chapter Free Socratic Circles presentation (Ballroom 3) Mary Dooms, Marge Strand of Lake Zurich Middle School South, Lake Zurich, Illinois email: marge.strand@lz95.org and mary.dooms@lz95.org Book: Socratic Circles by Matt Copeland Overview Rooted in Socrates' philosophy that critical thinking and reason skills ar enhanced when the learneer begins to question. Questioning continues the though process while answers stop it.