…helped create the tractor trade-in program, which covers up to 80% of the cost for new, cleaner-running tractors,” Cunha said. The program, developed with industry partners like Roger Isom, is…
Morada Produce Reports Cherry Shortage
…short but critical season before the Northwest and international competitors enter the scene. “Retailers invested in the California cherry program despite high prices,” Jameson said, explaining how cherries help drive…
Fixing Farm Labor: Manuel Cunha Calls for Urgent Immigration Reform
…hospitality, construction, and food service. “We are stronger in numbers,” Cunha said, urging policymakers to consider the overlapping workforce across multiple industries. He argues that targeting agriculture alone is shortsighted…
California Farmland at Risk from Solar Bill
…that sacrifices the nation’s food supply. Farmers warn that California’s productive soils—vital for growing food—should not be converted to industrial solar use, especially at a time when water issues are…
Organic Citrus Sales Surge in 2024, Topping $300 Million
…increased interest in organic, sustainable food options. According to the newly released State of Organic Produce 2024 Report, organic citrus sales hit $303 million, reflecting a 6.9% increase over the…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 06-27-25
…of the H-2A program, with Cunha explaining why it’s often unworkable for California producers. He calls for a new guest worker program that provides temporary legal status and protections for…
How Native Crops and European Grains Shaped U.S. Agriculture
…wheat moved across the Appalachians into the Corn Belt, cementing their place in American food systems. In the South, crops like tobacco, peanuts, and cotton became economic cornerstones, shaping regional…
Cunha on Immigration, Labor, Regulatory Reform
…give growers and workers the tools they need to comply and succeed.” 6. Challenges with the H-2A Guest Worker Program Cunha criticized the H-2A program as overly expensive and unworkable…
Prop 12 Sparks Pricing Concerns for Pork Producers and Consumers
…and Consumers Darren Hill, a seasoned sales manager at JD Food in Fresno, explains how the legislation—though likely well-intended—has caused market disruption. “The problem with Prop 12 is the enforcement…
CDFA Seeks Applicants for Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board
Three Vacancies Open on Key Agricultural Oversight Board The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications to fill three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board,…
Darren Hill Explains Why Chicken and Pork Beat Beef on Price
JD Food Sales Manager Breaks Down Protein Market Differences Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” sat down with Darren Hill, sales manager for JD Food in Fresno, to talk about the…
California Farm Leaders Urge Rethink of Immigration Enforcement
…disrupting the food supply chain, increasing uncertainty for producers already facing tight margins, regulatory pressure, and weather-related challenges. “Immigrant workers are not only essential to harvesting crops—they are central to…
Darren Hill: Why JD Food Buys Beef Nationwide
JD Food’s Darren Hill Explains Meat Sourcing Beyond California Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” sat down with Darren Hill, the veteran sales manager at JD Food, to discuss how the…
Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo 2025 Welcomes California Growers
…include tariffs, trade policy, labor, the farm bill, and food safety regulations. “There’s really something for everybody there,” Assaf said. A Message of Resilience and Opportunity California growers face ongoing…