…water shortages and heavy regulations—but brought new challenges, particularly land loss due to rapid population growth. Advocacy Born During COVID Stephanie’s advocacy began during the COVID pandemic. Observing misinformation online…
Stephanie Nash Advocates for Farmers and the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders
…connect consumers with agriculture. Her rise as an agricultural advocate began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nash noticed misinformation about farming circulating online and felt farmers were often on the defensive…
California Walnuts Poised for Growth as Global Markets Align
…expected to stabilize as growers navigate rising costs, water constraints, and land availability. Input costs have surged sharply since COVID, making alignment between supply and demand more critical than ever….
California Raisins in Trouble: Kalem Barserian Warns the Industry Is Shrinking Fast
…Barserian said, pointing to changing consumer habits since COVID, more snack options on grocery shelves, and a major lack of domestic advertising. The numbers paint a stark picture. In 2016,…
Kalem Barserian Sounds the Alarm on the Future of California Raisins
…than 300,000 tons of raisins. Last season, that number dropped to roughly 170,000 tons. Barserian attributes the decline to changing consumer habits since COVID, a lack of domestic advertising, and…
Elaine Culotti: Why California’s Farmers, Cities, and Future Are at a Breaking Point
…her view, the failure to complete the rail system has left behind unfinished infrastructure and squandered economic opportunity for an entire region. Budget Deficits, COVID Funds, and Accountability The conversation…
Inside Butte County Agriculture: Education, Community, and Critical Issues
…role in shaping policy and public understanding. Colleen agreed that none of this work happens alone. In her 19 years at the Butte County Farm Bureau, she has depended on…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…Around nine or ten processors remain active, and a core group of growers continues to produce raisins, though the environment has been reshaped by global markets, COVID-era disruptions, and international…
Minturn Nut’s Darren Rigg Talks Almond Industry
…Eastern markets favor pallet-level trading. Freight, Labor, and Logistics Freight disruptions during COVID-19 were severe, but shipping and container availability have improved. Minturn has not faced significant labor shortages due…
HELP Act Would Aid Livestock Transporters
…Proven Safety During the Pandemic Skye Krebs, Oregon rancher and chair of NCBA’s Policy Division, emphasized that livestock haulers demonstrated safe and effective transport during the COVID-19 pandemic, when temporary…
Los Gatos Tomato: Innovation, Labor & Water in Focus
…all needing to function without interruption. Tomato Demand Shifts Post-COVID Green acknowledged the industry has seen softening demand for tomato paste in recent years—something that previously had been quite inelastic….
Farm Bankruptcy on the Rise Amid Economic Strain
…agricultural industry experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan Loy, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, reports that 259 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings occurred between…
Tomato Trade Shift Pressures U.S. Processors
…provided insight into the current state of the tomato processing market. He pointed to a marked shift in demand and pricing following the COVID-19 pandemic. “Post-COVID, that has changed,” Green…
Trump Administration Ends Regional Food Business Centers Program
…Resilience The centers were established two years ago by the Biden administration in response to the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mission was to offer technical…