This week’s most important headlines feature information about the coronavirus stimulus package that was recently passed, along with other impacts the pandemic is having on the agricultural industry. California strawberry…
State Department Addresses H-2A Issue with Interview Waivers
The U.S. State Department has addressed the H-2A issue that was created when the U.S. suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing services in Mexico in response to the COVID-19…
HLB Spreads North to San Bernardino, Expands Quarantine
…out of the quarantine area or across state or international borders. Keep it local. Cooperate with agricultural officials placing traps, inspecting trees, and treating for the pest. If you no…
Farmers’ Markets Remain Open in Most Areas
…closure of many stores and businesses. Public health officials have declared Certified Farmers’ Markets as an essential public service which is equivalent to grocery stores. The state’s farmers’ markets can…
Understanding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
…leave,” said Bryan Little, Director of Employment Policy for California Farm Bureau Federation and Chief Operating Officer for the Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS). “Then the other requirement is for…
Senate Approves Coronavirus Stimulus Bill, Bringing Agricultural Assistance
…leaders, agricultural groups which included the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the American Dairy Coalition, and the National Cotton Council, highlighted the need to support American…
EPA Looks to Reduce Time Required for Pesticide Registration
…ensuring pesticide registration review decisions are conducted in a timely, transparent manner and are based on the best available science.” The Revised Method for National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluations…
Livestock Haulers Included in Hours of Service Waiver
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently extended the hours of service waiver to include livestock haulers. A few weeks ago, FMCSA initially suspended the hours…
Efforts Underway to Address Labor Concerns During COVID-19 Pandemic
As COVID-19 concerns continue, efforts are underway to ensure that agricultural operations have enough workers available to address farming needs. Several agricultural groups have expressed a need to ensure that…
The Western View: Just Wait – It’s The Thing To Do
…Governor has called up the National Guard, allegedly to pass out food in the Sacramento area. This stay at home order feels so wrong, so un-American, yet the course of…
AFBF Outlines Coronavirus Concerns for Agriculture
…that the hours of service waiver that was announced earlier in the week be extended to include the entire agricultural supply chain. There has also been concern raised by industry…
USDA Service Centers Open for Business by Phone Appointment Only
…Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. In the event Service Center staff is…
Request for Increased USDA Funding to Address Pandemic Shortfalls
…dispersed between the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Farm Service Agency. The request also includes an additional $14 million to be approved for the Forest Service, for…
Applications Still Being Accepted for Conservation Innovation Grants
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). The funding assistance program is designed to support new technologies or approaches that reinforce NRCS…