…plans. Water, Labor and Energy Costs Water is one of the family’s biggest concerns. Some blocks in the Alta Irrigation District have access to district water, but another block near…
Ryan Jacobsen: California Ag’s Future Depends on Water
…putting significant pressure on the returns farmers receive. Finding More Water for California Jacobsen, who also serves as an elected member and president of the Fresno Irrigation District, said the…
California Citrus Faces Trade, Labor and Water Challenges
…have become more technologically advanced, with automated sorting systems helping determine fruit grade, size and destination. Growers have also adopted precision irrigation and precision spraying. But the industry’s labor needs…
Cannon Michael: California Farming at a Crossroads
…March. The farm has responded by constantly adjusting its production and irrigation strategies. Water Remains California Agriculture’s Biggest Challenge Water was one of the most important subjects of the interview….
Bowles Farming Company: Adapting to Keep California Agriculture Moving
…future. Michael highlighted drip irrigation, solar energy and conservation efforts, including 650 acres the family placed into a permanent federal easement for wetland habitat along the Pacific Flyway. The conversation…
Enzo Olive Oil Part 2: Building a California Farm Brand Beyond the Bottle
…sensors, flyovers and olive sampling to closely manage irrigation and determine the optimal time to harvest for oil production. He said California’s willingness to embrace technology is one way producers…
Native American Agriculture Predates European Colonization
…with irrigation systems appearing in the region by about 1,000 B.C. Early Southwestern farmers cultivated crops including maize, beans and squash and developed techniques suited to an arid environment. Archaeological…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor and the Future of West Side Farming
…challenge. Temperatures above 105 degrees can stress melons and increase the risk of sunburn. Fortunately, Del Bosque Farms converted to drip irrigation about 25 years ago, allowing the operation to…
Joe Del Bosque: California Farming Faces a Critical Future
…also describes how dramatically agriculture has changed since he began farming. Irrigation, crop varieties, weed control and sophisticated packing-house technology have all advanced, while automation, drones and robotic equipment are…
Merced College Prepares the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
…fruit block. The farm also includes table grapes and approximately 35 acres of row crops where students can gain firsthand experience working with soil, crops, irrigation and farm equipment. Pacific…
Merced College Builds the Future of Agriculture
…sheep ranch, educated at Fresno State and a former high school agriculture teacher, he farms almonds himself. That experience helps him bring real-world knowledge of farming, livestock, irrigation, equipment, economics…
Michelle Miller “Farm Babe” Says Farmers Must Tell Their Story Before Someone Else Does
…sustainability, technology, irrigation, and food production that many consumers never have the opportunity to see. From Anti-GMO Activist to Agricultural Advocate One of the most compelling parts of the interview…
USDA Launches $35 Million Feral Swine Eradication Program to Protect Farms
…that threaten farms, ranches and natural resources. Fordyce said feral swine are among the most damaging invasive species affecting U.S. agriculture. The animals destroy cropland, pasture, irrigation infrastructure and wildlife…
New Imaging Technology Detects Drought Stress Before Plants Show Visible Symptoms
…growers identify water stress in crops before plants begin showing visible signs of damage. A recent report highlighted the breakthrough, which has the potential to improve irrigation decisions and support more…