…beyond farms. California’s trade deficit now exceeds $32 billion, meaning more food is imported than exported. Duarte argued this hurts working families most of all. “Wage-earning families are being crushed,”…
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
…fuel. Entire communities rely on farms as their economic driver.” When farms close, small towns feel the impact first—local businesses shrink, jobs disappear, and rural infrastructure suffers. What the California…
California Farm Bureau’s Shannon Douglas Tackles Prop 50, Farm Bill, and the Future of Farming
…have seen regulatory costs increase by nearly 1,400%. That crushing burden has contributed to a 20% loss of family farms in just the past decade. “These are small farms, family…
Lorenzo Rios: Valley Strong Vision for California
…their soil with the utmost care because it sustains their livelihoods for generations. Fixing the Farm Bill Rios also addressed the farm bill, calling for reforms that put family farms…
Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios Share Powerful Stories on AgNet News Hour
…Endangered Species Act, and push for a farm bill that protects family farms, not foreign corporations. For Rios, agriculture is national security, and he made clear he sees farmers as…
Colorado River: Lifeline of the American West
…its flow. A significant portion of this water is directed toward agricultural irrigation, supporting farms and ranches that feed not only the region but also the nation. Conclusion The Colorado…
Lisa Kerr Warns of Policy Threats and Fights for California Farmers
…squeeze them to death,” she said. The same, she argued, goes for proposals to convert fertile ground into solar farms. “Water is the answer, not solar panels.” Despite the sobering…
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag
…field labor — it’s about coding, engineering, and data science too. Later in the program, Nick and Josh interviewed Leo Zacky, former head of Zacky Farms and now a candidate…
Reedley College Ag Conference 2025: Innovation, Careers & Farming’s Future
…such as Fowler Packing, Sun-Maid, and HMC Farms with talented students eager to enter the ag industry. With more than 200 attendees already registered and room for 200 more, the…
Fighting for California Agriculture and Values: David Tangipa on Water, Farmers, and Policy
…California, threats to free speech, and the importance of defending both our farms and our freedoms. Fighting for California Agriculture and Values: David Tangipa on Water, Farmers, and Policy California…
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
…the West Side. Cameron warns that abandoned fields attract rats and other pests, which then migrate into neighboring farms, destroying drip irrigation systems and spreading disease. These challenges extend beyond…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…anymore,” Oberti explained, noting that her family’s olive legacy still sparks recognition across the Valley. Water and the High-Speed Rail Fight Today, the Oberti family farms 320 acres of wine…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
…dealing with weather, state regulations, and pest control restrictions simultaneously.” High-Speed Rail Impacts on Central Valley Farms California’s high-speed rail project is creating uncertainty for many Central Valley farmers. Melissa’s…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
…it impacts agriculture. With labor shortages, guest worker challenges, and border security concerns affecting farms across California, Cunha emphasizes the importance of H.R. 4393, the Dignity Act. Immigration Reform and…