A National Agriculture Voice Weighs In
On Ag Meter, host Nick sat down with Diamian Mason—nationally recognized keynote speaker, podcaster, businessman, and working farmer—to tackle one of the most pressing questions in American agriculture: why is California, the nation’s top agricultural producer, struggling to protect its farming industry?
Mason, who farms in Indiana and Arizona and frequently works with California agricultural organizations, is known for his direct, economics-driven approach to agriculture. While he remains optimistic about farming’s future, his assessment of California agriculture was candid and sobering.
California’s Core Problem: Politics, Not Production
According to Mason, California’s biggest challenge is not its farmers, climate, or productivity—it’s political imbalance. Despite having one of the largest and most diverse agricultural sectors in the world, California agriculture is vastly outnumbered politically.
The economic power generated by the Bay Area’s tech industry distorts policy decisions statewide. Mason explained that no other state could punish an industry as large as agriculture with so little political consequence. Regulations pile up because agriculture represents only a small percentage of the state’s population, making it an easy target for lawmakers who face little backlash outside rural communities.
Regulation and Rising Costs Are Driving Farmers Out
Mason highlighted the crushing cost of regulatory compliance, sharing an example from a California citrus producer who spends roughly $800 per acre solely on meeting regulatory requirements. These costs are not theoretical—they directly reduce profitability and push producers out of business.
California has already lost millions of farmed acres, dropping from roughly 29 million acres to about 24 million over the past few decades. While other states might offset acreage losses through production elsewhere, California cannot. Its Mediterranean climate—found in only a handful of regions worldwide—allows production of crops that simply cannot be grown in most other places.
A Uniquely Positioned State Undermining Itself
Nick emphasized that California grows more than 430 different commodities, making it the most diverse agricultural state in the nation. Yet farmers face a perfect storm of challenges: water shortages, regulatory burdens, labor costs, rising fuel prices, and freight expenses.
Mason described the situation as “strangulation through regulation,” warning that California’s cost structure is accelerating the shift of production to other countries. He pointed to Peru as a growing competitor, where land, labor, and regulatory costs are far lower—and where infrastructure gaps no longer exist.
International investment, particularly from China, has transformed South American agriculture, erasing the competitive advantage the United States once held.
Losing Ground in Global Food Production
Mason challenged the long-standing belief that U.S. agriculture can justify higher costs because of superior infrastructure. That advantage, he said, is disappearing rapidly.
California agriculture is fundamentally about feeding people directly. Unlike Midwest commodity crops that are often processed into feed or fuel, California produces fruits, vegetables, nuts, and proteins that go straight to consumers. Despite leading the nation in agricultural revenue, the rapid decline in farmed acres threatens long-term food security.
A Growing Trade Deficit and Dangerous Dependence
Nick pointed out that the United States now runs a $36 billion agricultural trade deficit, importing more food than it exports. Mason explained why this trend is alarming.
While it makes sense to import products that cannot be grown domestically—such as bananas or coffee—it is dangerous to export crops like soybeans at a loss while importing produce that could be grown in California or Yuma, Arizona. Selling commodities below the cost of production while relying on foreign food supplies erodes national autonomy and leaves the country vulnerable to supply disruptions.
Mason warned that Americans have already seen the consequences of this kind of dependence, citing past supply chain failures in industries like semiconductors.
Water: The Lifeline of Rural California
The conversation returned to water and its central role in California agriculture. Nick stressed that when water is taken away, entire rural towns suffer. Communities dependent on farming—and related industries—can quickly shrink or disappear without reliable water supplies.
Recent crises, including fires where hydrants ran dry, have exposed the consequences of failing to invest in water infrastructure. Nick expressed hope that these events might serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and the public alike.
Automation, Innovation, and Policy Contradictions
As labor costs climb to $16–$20 per hour and rising, California farmers are increasingly turning to automation. However, Mason and Nick noted the contradiction of California restricting technologies like driverless tractors while mandating electric vehicles—despite ongoing power outages and grid instability.
Mason explained that economic arguments often fall flat in California because agriculture’s financial impact is overshadowed by the tech sector. Even as one of the state’s largest industries, agriculture lacks the political clout needed to influence policy.
Agriculture Losing Its Seat at the Table
Mason warned that California may be a preview of what could happen nationwide. When agriculture loses its seat at the table, food production becomes an afterthought rather than a strategic priority.
Reframing agriculture as beneficial to everyone—not just farmers—may be the only path forward. Without that shift, Mason fears agriculture will continue to lose influence, acreage, and investment.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Mason shared that his work, including The Business of Agriculture podcast, can be found at DamienMason.com, where he also posts speaking engagements and social media content. Looking ahead to 2026, he expects continued economic and structural challenges but remains engaged through speaking, podcasting, and hands-on farming.
Despite the difficulties, Mason offered cautious optimism for California. The state still has a world-class climate, unmatched crop diversity, and remains the nation’s top agricultural producer by revenue.
He also pointed to renewed national interest in food, nutrition, produce, and protein as a potential bright spot. Increased public focus on where food comes from—and how it is produced—could benefit California agriculture if policymakers and consumers begin connecting food security with farming viability.
As Nick concluded, voices like Diamian Mason’s are critical in reminding the public that agriculture is not just another industry—it is the foundation of food, communities, and national security.