…the U.S. economy. The bipartisan legislation follows a House version of the bill introduced in May. The bill would increase statutory funding for the programs, which are now authorized at…
2016 Sales of U.S. Certified Organic Agricultural Production Up
California continues to lead in certified farms, acres, sales Sales of organic agricultural production continued to increase in 2016, when U.S. farms produced and sold $7.6 billion in certified organic…
California Avocados Delicate Relationship With NAFTA
Some industry groups claim the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has hurt California growers because of unfair competition from Mexico. That is not the case for the avocado industry,…
Ag Exports, Trade Surplus, See Increases
…trade surplus of roughly $23 billion compared to $7 billion last year. USDA says the increase reflects the improvement in the global economy, and it represents a lower value for…
Modernizing California’s Water Supply
The pressure on California’s water supply during the recent drought was further complicated by outdated policy and antiquated infrastructure. There are multiple projects and policies in the process of getting…
Growers Set for Sizable Walnut Harvest
…applied versus water needed by the trees at that point in the season.” Lightle stated. High temperatures became a significant concern at the height of summer when California experienced a…
SNAP Draws Strong Praise
…adults. She says SNAP has boosted recipient employment and the overall economy. Economy She says block granting or capping the program would undermine that effect, noting the program also provides…
Wineries Hoping for End to Wildfires
…fields. Too much exposure to continued smoky conditions can cause shortness of breath, migraines, and dizziness. California has the highest number of wineries in the U.S., followed by Oregon and…
USDA/NIFA Needs Stakeholder Input on Food, Agriculture Priorities
…City, Missouri Thursday, Oct. 26, Atlanta, Georgia Thursday, Nov. 2, Sacramento, California Wednesday, Nov. 8, Hyattsville, Maryland Each session is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and end no later…
Forest Service Wildland Fire Suppression Costs Exceed $2 Billion
…world-renowned forestry research and wildland fire management organizations. National forests and grasslands contribute more than $30 billion to the American economy annually and support nearly 360,000 jobs. These lands also…
Sunset Proposal in NAFTA 2.0
…Department objected to the idea. A USDA official sent an email to the USTR office, saying, “Termination of NAFTA would be devastating for the U.S. agricultural economy and making such…
Medfly Quarantine Issued in Los Angeles County
…damage to crops and adversely affecting California’s agricultural exports and backyard gardens. Female flies lay eggs inside the fruit, which eventually hatch into maggots that tunnel through the fruit, making…
Lowest Navel Orange Projection in Nine Years
The California Department of Food and Agriculture released the initial expectations for 2017-18 Navel orange production this week. The forecast is estimating 70 million cartons of production, based on the…
Almond Board: Low-Dust Harvest Equipment Demos
The Almond Board of California is hosting two demonstrations featuring low-dust harvesting equipment. Growers and others in the industry are invited to head out to see side-by-side demonstrations of low-dust…