…agriculture in California. Wayde shares insights into labor and immigration concerns, the complexities of tariffs—especially on watermelons exported to Canada—and how freight, regulations, and water access play major roles in…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-16-25
…everything from the labor crisis to water regulations, foreign ownership of farmland, and the increasing financial strain on producers. “It’s not just California,” Foglio points out. “It’s rural communities across…
AgNet News Hour Monday, 07-14-25
…food costs. Nick and Josh dig into what that lawsuit could mean for producers nationwide. Hartwig’s insights on trade, water access, and labor are especially valuable. He warns that California’s…
Labor Crisis Still Looms Over California’s Fresh Fruit Industry
…of the most pressing issues in California agriculture: the ongoing farm labor shortage and its ties to immigration policy. Labor Crisis Still Looms Over California’s Fresh Fruit Industry Hopeful—but Realistic—Outlook…
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin Revolutionized American Agriculture
…a widow’s home where he overheard a guest—a frustrated Southern farmer—complain about the labor-intensive process of cleaning cotton. At the time, cotton had immense market potential but was difficult to…
California Fresh Fruit Industry Faces Crisis
…13 major fresh fruit commodities—including table grapes, stone fruit, figs, and pomegranates—Hartwig advocates for growers navigating mounting challenges across labor, regulation, water, and trade. California Fruit Industry Faces Crisis: Daniel…
Hilton Slams Solar on Farmland, Pledges Support for California Ag
…business you run in California—small, medium, or large—it’s a nightmare.” From soaring costs and overregulation to unreliable water access and labor restrictions, Hilton highlighted what he calls the damaging effects…
AgNet News Hour: Citrus Expo Preview, USDA Snap Crackdown, and Chad Bianco’s Bold Vision for California Ag
…environmental overreach. He promises to bring common sense back to California—starting with water access, labor reform, and restoring balance in Sacramento. Whether you’re a grower, rancher, or simply ag-curious, today’s…
Farming Innovation and Rural Sustainability: Inside The Reservoir
…Labor Costs Through Innovation Bernstein explained that The Reservoir is focused on developing, and deploying, technologies to address two of agriculture’s biggest challenges: labor and input costs. “Roughly two-thirds of…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-09-25
…at the innovation table. They also tackle major challenges like labor shortages, automation bans, and California’s regulatory hurdles, with Bernstein emphasizing the need for inclusive, scalable solutions. Spider mites and…
Fixing Ag Labor: Cunha Pushes for Legal Guest Worker Program
Guest Worker Program Could Ease Labor and Border Strains As California agriculture continues to grapple with persistent labor shortages and mounting immigration challenges, Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers…
Farming Isn’t Easy—But It’s a Story Worth Telling
…the farm and think food comes from shelves. If they could see the hardship and labor we put in, they’d understand.” Through programs like AgNet West and platforms like YouTube,…
Immigration Plan Proposed to Keep Undocumented Farm Workers
…the future of farm labor and rural economies. With labor shortages persisting and food supply chains under pressure, this shift may signal a broader policy evolution heading into 2025. Sponsored…
Cal/OSHA Staggered Schedules, Mask Rules Proposal Opposed
…labor. “Employers would be forced to pay for labor they cannot fully use,” the coalition argued, “while scrambling to cover gaps in essential operations in a strained labor market.” Mask…