The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a second round of marketing assistance for specialty crops—delivering critical financial support for America’s blueberry growers. USDA Rolls Out New Round of…
Ag Economy Barometer Dips in June, Signals Mixed Outlook
…Sentiment Softens The Farm Financial Performance Index, which tracks producers’ evaluations of their financial health compared to the previous year, slipped five points to 104. This suggests tightening profitability and…
Assemblyman Slams Hollywood Tax Breaks, Defends Farmers
…industry preference. He pointed out the contradiction in lawmakers admitting that overregulation and labor laws were pushing the film industry out—while continuing to burden agriculture with the same issues. “If…
Walnut Market Rebound: Jameson Sees Brighter 2025
…yen jumped 28% The Taiwan dollar rose 16% And the Turkish lira surged a staggering 73% “These exchange rate issues are making it significantly more expensive for overseas buyers to…
USDA Launches Support Program for Specialty Crop Growers
…provides not just a financial lifeline but a strategic investment in the stability of U.S. specialty crop production. As growers work to deliver diverse, healthy produce to American tables, the…
H-2A Guestworker Program Burdening California Farmers
…to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that supports both long-standing local workers and the sustainability of California farms. The full interview, where Cunha discusses more about the labor issues, and…
Extreme Heat Blamed for California Cherry Shortfall
…Weather Factors at Play The issues didn’t stop at heat. Jameson noted that poor pollination conditions during bloom also played a role. Early rains and cool weather interfered with bee…
Water, Land, and Policy: Farmer Andrew Leimgruber Speaks Out
…speaking candidly on Fox News and with AgNet West about some of the most pressing issues facing farmers today: water access, overregulation, and foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. Water, Land,…
Manuel Cunha: Work Permits Key for Ag Workforce
…a wide range of pressing issues in California agriculture, including farm labor policy, regulatory challenges, and the importance of reforming immigration systems to reflect economic realities. Listen to the full…
AgNet News Hour Monday, 06-30-25
…emotional issues facing California agriculture—solar development on productive farmland. Nick and Josh welcome Larry Westerlund, Vice President of Development & Community Engagement for White Pine Renewables, to discuss AB 1156,…
Advocating for Growers and Farmworkers in California Ag
…“We have an in-house counsel, a former judge, that deals with legal issues—OSHA, water, Department of Labor, state wage and hour,” Cunha said. “And we go out to the fields…
Wine Grape Market Struggles: Jeff Bitter Shares Tough Outlook
…going to be a pretty hit and miss situation.” Some may face the grim reality of producing grapes all season without earning a return. He also acknowledged compounding issues: labor…
Fixing Farm Labor: Manuel Cunha Calls for Urgent Immigration Reform
…West, spoke with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, about one of the most pressing issues in California agriculture today—immigration enforcement and farm labor uncertainty. Cunha emphasized the…
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…