…marketing, walking us through the challenges—and bright spots—California walnut growers face heading into the 2024 harvest. With insight into shifting international demand, tariffs, freight issues, and pricing pressures from global…
California Pear Yields Set for Strong Comeback in 2025
After a challenging 2024 season, the California pear industry is poised for a major rebound. Growers across the state anticipate harvesting 2.4 million 36-pound box equivalents in 2025—a 41% increase…
Southern Border Action Could Protect Farms
…silence. Legal Work Program the Key Cunha is advocating for a legal guest worker program that would allow people to work in the United States and return home legally. He…
Walnut Market Rebound: Jameson Sees Brighter 2025
…import our walnuts,” Jameson explained. “And we’re also dealing with major tariffs and rising freight rates.” A Promising Crop and Rising Expectations Harvest is expected to begin in September. Last…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-04-25
…leaders like Thomas Jefferson, who once said, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit.” This episode also touches on wartime farming legacies, including World War II’s Victory Gardens and the Bracero program,…
USDA Launches Support Program for Specialty Crop Growers
…of agriculture, grower organizations, and extension services to work together to ensure timely delivery of resources and to gather grower feedback for future program improvements. Ultimately, this targeted assistance program…
H-2A Guestworker Program Burdening California Farmers
…discuss pressing agricultural labor challenges facing California. At the center of the conversation was the controversial H-2A guestworker program. H-2A Guestworker Program Burdening California Farmers “That program has a lot…
Imperial Valley Sugar Plant Closure Raises Crop Market Concerns
…“and then you’re talking about a huge support industry—harvest, planting, chemical and fertilizer companies. We had 28,000 acres of sugar beets this year.” The loss of a key processing facility…
Extreme Heat Blamed for California Cherry Shortfall
…some fruit made it to market, the bulk of the yield fell into the “number two” quality category—less desirable for top retail markets and international export. The resulting lower-value harvest…
AgNet News Hour Thursday, 07-03-25
…heavily on seasonal and skilled immigrant labor. As delays in the H-2A program continue to cost farmers millions in lost crops, the potential for reform is welcome news. Nick and…
Cunha: Immigration Failure Hurts America’s Farmworkers
…and their treatment under the law. “She’s not a criminal,” Cunha emphasized. “You’re the criminal as a country because you didn’t develop the programs necessary.” A System in Crisis Cunha…
Wine Grape Growers Back Pierce’s Disease Program
…Pierce’s Disease Control Program, with 76.56 percent of growers voting in favor of renewal—surpassing the required threshold for continuation. Wine Grape Growers Back Pierce’s Disease Program Funded through a grower-paid…
California Cherry Crop Plummets by 50%, Prices Spike
Michael Jameson of Morada Produce Discusses a Historic Season for California Cherries A Season Marked by Extreme Heat and Low Volume California’s 2025 cherry harvest saw a dramatic downturn, with…
Pierce’s Disease Program Extended to 2031
California Wine Growers Back Program to Combat Vineyard Threats The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has reauthorized the Pierce’s Disease Control Program, a vital effort aimed at protecting…