…challenges facing California agriculture. Despite repeated efforts in Congress—including bipartisan support for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act—comprehensive reform remains elusive. LeMay stresses the importance of skilled labor in the field…
California Table Grape Season Off to a Strong Start
…growers have crews in the field pulling that great California Table Grape from the vineyard,” said LeMay. Growers credit a moderate spring and sufficient chill hours for producing a high-quality…
The Growing Edge: Pistachio Pest Watch – Vital Insights from the Field
Join Todd Burkdoll, Field Market Development Manager at Valent U.S.A., as he dives into the critical midseason threats pistachio growers need to manage now. From the silent spread of Gill’s…
AgNet News Hour Monday, 07-14-25
…the last decade.” He makes clear that California’s growers aren’t asking for special treatment—just a level playing field. The episode also tackles key federal and state battles. Proposition 12, California’s…
California Fruit Leader Calls Out Regulations Hurting Growers
…Hartwig noted, has become increasingly complex, placing California producers at a serious disadvantage. Global Disadvantage for California Growers Hartwig also pointed out the uneven playing field California growers face compared…
Is This the Year of the Spider Mite? Strategies for Tree Nut and Grape Growers
In this episode of The Growing Edge, brought to you by Valent U.S.A., Todd Burkdoll, Field Market Development Manager, dives into one of the season’s biggest pest pressures: spider mites….
Cal/OSHA Staggered Schedules, Mask Rules Proposal Opposed
…for field-level compliance,” the letter states. Context: Assembly Bill 2243 These proposed changes originate from Assembly Bill 2243, passed in 2022, which directed Cal/OSHA to consider updates to wildfire smoke…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-04-25
…you’re at a barbecue or in the field, take time to celebrate freedom—and the folks who keep us fed. Subscribe to the AgNet West podcast on your favorite app. Listen…
AgNet News Hour Thursday, 07-03-25
…for walnuts, where global competition from China remains strong. Plus, there’s a preview of the UC ANR Walnut Field Day on July 18 in Rio Oso, and an almond trade…
Cunha: Immigration Failure Hurts America’s Farmworkers
…Hurts America’s Farmworkers “The workers have been here for years, working hard, paying taxes, part of the community,” Cunha said. He recalled a moment in the field just a day…
Joel Allen Talks Farm Labor, Immigration, and Pistachio Production Costs
…once you get the crop established, the expenses definitely slow down.” When asked about recent concerns surrounding ICE activity and field inspections, Allen assured that conditions remain stable. “Every contractor…
Advocating for Growers and Farmworkers in California Ag
…is so complicated,” Papagni noted. “What can you do for the grower?” Cunha responded by explaining how the League supports its members through legal advocacy, in-field representation, and direct outreach….
Jeff Bitter Warns: Wine Grape Growers Face Tough Road Ahead
…viable beverage of choice. Fighting for a Fair Playing Field Tariffs, international competition, and a lack of government support continue to burden U.S. growers. “Most major wine-producing countries support their…
Fixing Farm Labor: Manuel Cunha Calls for Urgent Immigration Reform
…unique legal protections in agriculture, referencing the 1986 law that requires federal agents to carry a specific search warrant—known as a Federal Field Warrant—when entering farms or packinghouses. “No other…