Governor Gavin Newsom has presented the 2024-25 state budget proposal. The proposed budget will reportedly close what the Newsom Administration conservatively projects as a $37.86 billion shortfall. Last month, the …
Advanced Clean Fleets Enforcement on Hold Until EPA Makes a Decision
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced that it would delay its enforcement of the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. Enforcement will not begin until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency …
Valley Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Conservation Assistance
Farmers in the Central Valley are being encouraged to apply for WaterSMART funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The WaterSMART program, a collaboration between the Bureau of …
Emergency Regulation Readopted by State Water Board
The California State Water Resources Control Board is continuing an emergency regulation curtailing the Scott and Shasta rivers. The regulation establishes minimum flow requirements to safeguard fish, secure supplies for …
USDA and USTR Seek New Trade Advisory Committee Members
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are inviting applications for new members to join agricultural trade advisory committees. The Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee …
Hits to Incentive Programs Expected in the Wake of Budget Deficit
With a $68 billion budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, California farmers are bracing for difficulties in every facet of the industry. The deficit is expected to include significant …
Impacts of the Strength of the U.S. Dollar on Ag Exports
The strength of the U.S. dollar has been negatively impacting exports of American agricultural goods. Higher interest rates and global geopolitical events heavily influence its value. “Fourteen months ago we …
First Survey of the Season Shows a Fraction of Last Year’s Snow Levels
Snow levels appear to be a fraction of what they were at this time last year, according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The first manual snow survey …
Average Pay Levels Decline for Ag Workers After Two Years of New Overtime Rules
California’s 2019 overtime law for ag workers appears to have resulted in reduced weekly working hours and earnings for crop workers over the subsequent two years. The findings are highlighted …
RAPP a 2023 ‘Success’
We continue our look back on 2023 with Director of Government and Public Affairs with the ag business advisory company Pinion, Brian Kuehl. In the first part of this series, …
Expert Says Ag Trade Needs Improvement
As 2023 comes to a close, we look back on some of the top issues for agriculture during the year. Director of Government and Public Affairs with the ag business …
Artificial Intelligence Holds Potential for Farmers, But Challenges Remain
Founder of Better Food Ventures, Rob Trice said that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to have a massive impact across the agricultural sector. However, there will be …
Factors Taking Their Toll on the Farming Economy
Several large-scale factors are taking their toll on the farming economy. Senior Analyst covering fruits and tree nuts for Rabo AgriFinance, David Magaña said that persistent inflation is one critical …
CDFA Puts a Pause on SWEEP Solicitation
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced it will not be accepting applications for direct-to-producer assistance as part of the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) at …