…generation can build a future in California. Programs like FFA and 4-H, she argued, play a critical role in teaching young people where their food comes from and instilling pride…
Alexandra Duarte Pledges to Fight for California Farmers in State Senate Run
…Duarte said her mission is generational: “We want to hand the farm down to our children. All food grown in America is safe to eat, and American-grown food is the…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…A Different Playing Field While California growers face strict labor, environmental, and food safety regulations, conditions in Turkey are very different. Cardoza described a system where most of Turkey’s 46,000…
Raisin Industry Legends Warn of Challenges and Chart a Path Forward
…the industry. “The Thompson seedless raisin is a thing of the past,” Cardoza said, pointing to new earlier-ripening varieties and dry-on-the-vine systems as the only way forward. McCormick brought the…
Plymouth Colony Crops: Corn, Tobacco, and Early Trade
…or maize. Corn was not only more adaptable to New England’s soil and climate but also provided a dependable food source critical for survival. Plymouth Colony Crops: Corn, Tobacco, and…
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
…Wolves, as large as Great Danes, are intelligent, aggressive, and capable of killing for both food and sport. California’s stricter protections for wolves exceed federal standards, leaving ranchers with few…
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
…pests that then spread into nearby pistachio orchards. Kreps noted that rat populations in particular have exploded in certain areas, damaging drip irrigation systems by chewing into plastic and rubber…
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
…happened before.” The Yorazani variety, paired with Duarte’s optimized growing systems, has attracted hundreds of growers eager to see its potential firsthand. “We’ve probably had 500 to 700 growers in…
John Duarte Shares Bold Nursery Innovations and Warns of Prop 50 Threat
…loses its voice in Washington,” he said, urging farmers and listeners to mobilize against it. Duarte also tied California’s farm challenges to the larger issue of food security. With a…
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
…deeper appreciation for where food comes from. Advocating for Farmers in Washington, D.C. As president of CFBF, Douglas spends much of her time in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. Her focus…
California Farm Bureau’s Shannon Douglas Tackles Prop 50, Farm Bill, and the Future of Farming
…depend on international markets. The Farm Bill – Current versions overlook specialty crops and need to better support healthy food programs. She also raised alarm over Proposition 50, which she…
Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade
…American tribes, the Illinois River served as a vital travel route, a source of food, and a natural connection between communities. When French traders arrived in North America, they quickly…
California Trucking: Costs, Rules & Roadblocks
…In theory, noncompliant trucks could be denied entry. But as Nunez pointed out, such strict enforcement would cripple California itself—cutting off fuel, food, and other vital shipments. This tension underscores…
Lorenzo Rios: Valley Strong Vision for California
…by ensuring that we have quality food grown here in the United States,” Rios said. “We cannot afford to rely on imports. We need to complement the work already being…