Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, is calling for immediate action at the southern border to address the growing crisis of human smuggling and labor exploitation in agriculture….
Assemblyman Slams Hollywood Tax Breaks, Defends Farmers
…industry preference. He pointed out the contradiction in lawmakers admitting that overregulation and labor laws were pushing the film industry out—while continuing to burden agriculture with the same issues. “If…
Solar Push Sparks Water, Ethics Concerns in California
…lithium-ion batteries, which require materials like lithium and cobalt—resources often tied to intensive water use and unethical labor practices abroad. “They want to paint this warm, fuzzy picture of solar,”…
David Tangipa: Defending California Farmers from Costly Policies
…Labor Reform Tangipa also discussed immigration reform, advocating for accountability and legal pathways that reward contribution—not unlawful entry. He previously introduced a bill to allow tax deductions for those sponsoring…
Agricultural Prices Rise 1.7% in May Amid Climbing Farm Costs
…commodity prices, farmers faced a 4% increase in production-related costs, including expenses tied to equipment, fuel, fertilizers, labor, and maintenance. As a result, many producers saw profit margins remain tight,…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-04-25
…which kept U.S. ag production strong during labor shortages. From history to fireworks, civic pride, and a powerful reminder to thank a farmer—this episode is both inspiring and timely. Whether…
USDA Launches Support Program for Specialty Crop Growers
…growers are contending with rising labor costs, global supply chain disruptions, unpredictable market conditions, and persistent threats from pests and diseases. In response, the USDA program offers flexible funding to…
H-2A Guestworker Program Burdening California Farmers
Manuel Cunha Calls H-2A Labor System “Unworkable” for Local Growers AgNet West’s Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter”, recently sat down with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, to…
AgNet News Hour Thursday, 07-03-25
AgNet News Hour – Labor Solutions, Walnut Momentum, and Global Almond Growth On today’s AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill deliver an insightful pre-Independence Day show that…
Water, Land, and Policy: Farmer Andrew Leimgruber Speaks Out
…to support ag labor with overtime tax relief. Instead, local leaders continue chasing geothermal, solar, and now lithium extraction as the next economic boom—overlooking the century-long foundation agriculture has provided….
Cunha: Immigration Failure Hurts America’s Farmworkers
…Nisei Farmers League, spoke candidly about the broken state of America’s labor immigration system—particularly its impact on the people who have worked in U.S. agriculture for decades. Cunha: Immigration Failure…
Manuel Cunha: Work Permits Key for Ag Workforce
Nisei Farmers League President Pushes for Legal Pathway for Farm Labor In a conversation with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, weighed in…
Joel Allen Talks Farm Labor, Immigration, and Pistachio Production Costs
…challenges of labor contracting and immigration policy. “We actually use three different labor contractors, especially for the pistachios,” said Allen. “It’s pretty labor-intensive the first three or four years. Then…
Advocating for Growers and Farmworkers in California Ag
…about how the organization is helping California growers navigate a complicated labor and regulatory landscape. Manuel Cunha Advocates for Growers Through Nisei Farmers League Support Programs “The immigration labor issue…