The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved $1.2 billion in contracts for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA will be purchasing fresh produce, meat, and dairy from …
Farm System Reform Act to Phase Out Large Factory Farms by 2040
Representative Ro Khanna recently introduced a companion bill to the Farm System Reform Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation mirrors the bill that was introduced at the …
Ag Groups Call for More Certainty for California’s Water Supply
A group of more than 70 agricultural organizations is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to bring about more certainty for California’s water supply. The coalition is urging the Newsom Administration to …
Understanding the Interruptions in the Food Supply Chain
The food supply chain has undergone substantial disruption over the past two months as shelter in place orders have resulted in the closure of a significant portion of the foodservice …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Included in List of Preferred Fibers
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has recently been added to the list of preferred fibers and materials from the Textile Exchange. The program will now be one of the 36 …
Voluntary Agreements Derailment Frustrating with Water Fight
It was one-step forward, two steps back with California’s water situation earlier this year. When Governor Newsom decided to challenge the Trump administration regarding biological opinions in the Sacramento-Delta, the …
More USDA Section 32 Plans on Buying $470 Million in Food
More information about the plan to purchase food products under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of 1935. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that a total …
Newsom Moves Forward with Workers’ Compensation Order
Governor Gavin Newsom has moved forward with making significant changes to the workers’ compensation system in California. On May 6 Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order to expand the scope …
Application Period for Multiple NRCS Programs Extended
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the application deadline for multiple NRCS programs. Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in California RaeAnn Dubay explained that the Regional Conservationist Partnership …
Ag Producers Can Now Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
For the first time ever, agricultural producers are now eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the EIDL Advance program from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The …
Water Infrastructure Investment a Waste With State, Federal Fight?
Funding for water infrastructure won’t matter much if the clash between California and the U.S. leadership continues. Recent studies have shown that the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act goals are not …
Including Water Investments in Infrastructure Package Challenging
Agricultural groups have been working for years to get federal support for important water investments in California. Several California lawmakers have also made the point for federal funding to support …
Food Availability is ‘Not the Thing to Worry About’ During Pandemic
Of all the issues that have arisen related to the coronavirus pandemic, food availability should not be a concern. Domestic agricultural production continues to progress, despite complications within the supply …
Newsom Expanding Farm to Family Program
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to connect producers with food banks through expanding the Farm to Family program. The program is a partnership between the California Department of Food …