…and his administration for recognizing the need to reform our nation’s agricultural guest worker program. American farmers and ranchers have long faced challenges in meeting their labor needs and asked…
Agricultural Co-Op Consolidation Continues
A new report from CoBank that was recently released shows that co-op consolidation has been increasing over the past decade, following the trend of consolidation in the overall agricultural industry….
Proposed Changes to Agricultural Visa Program Show Promise
…the current H-2A agricultural visa program could be one element of a solution, while Congress continues to work on broader legislation. The U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to modernize…
Funding to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
…30 years, the 2501 Program has helped reach socially disadvantaged agricultural producers – farmers and ranchers who have experienced barriers to service due to racial or ethnic prejudice. The 2014…
Pork Industry Battling Challenges From Trade to Labor Shortage
…for strengthened biosecurity at our borders and is requesting appropriations funding for 600 additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agricultural Inspectors at our borders. In his testimony, Herring also highlighted…
Pima Preference in California Cotton Acreage Increase
The latest numbers show an increase to overall planted acreage for California cotton this year, according to the 2019 planted acreage report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Overall…
Perdue on the Department of Labor’s Proposed H2A Modernized Rule
…and improve access to a legal source of agricultural labor: “President Trump once again shows his commitment to helping America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers continue to be the most productive…
Pushing for USMCA Ratification: ‘California Farmers, Let Your Voice Be Heard’
…Valley to highlight the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and urged the agricultural industry to encourage their representatives to ratify the agreement. Hundreds gathered at Doug and Julie…
Pesticide Drift Incidents Create Potential for More Regulation
Two pesticide drift incidents during the month of June resulted in dozens of farm workers being exposed in Fresno and Tulare Counties. The agricultural commissioners for both counties are continuing…
The Western View: Buffalo Bill Center Covers the West
…a retired scientist who also ran a newspaper and has written for agricultural publications since the 1980s. He was a regular contributor to California Farmer Magazine. His commentary “The Western…
Rural Broadband Will Boost Economy, Improve Sustainability and Animal Welfare
…to environmental needs.” The upside to broadband, meanwhile, is significant. Hurst presented the committee with a Farm Bureau study showing that widespread broadband service could boost the agricultural economy by…
California Rice Headed to China for First Time Ever
…Valley Rice and a private Chinese importer, which was facilitated by the agricultural trade promotion program. Sun Valley Rice CEO Ken LaGrande indicated in a prepared statement that their patience…
Labor Bathroom Compliance Can be Tricky
…for cleaning frequency and documentation. “And that same thing is true for your bathroom facilities. They need to have a cleaning and sanitizing log for those as well,” Western Agricultural…
Bill to Fix Friant-Kern Canal Continues Forward Progress
…Thus far SB-559 has been receiving bipartisan support as it moves through the legislative process. The bill is also being supported by multiple agricultural organizations including Western Growers Association along…