…industry is cautiously optimistic. Canada remains the top export destination for California grapes, and maintaining those relationships through political turbulence is a top priority. LeMay also touches on the labor…
Republicans Urge Legal Fix for Ag Workforce
…pragmatism, especially in labor-intensive sectors like farming. Pressure Mounts as Ag Industry Seeks Labor Certainty The call for reform reflects growing concerns from farmers and agricultural producers across the country…
Wade Kirschenman on Grapes, Potatoes & Policy
…grapes, they have to come here.” Navigating Labor and Immigration Complexities Labor availability has remained stable for now, though Wade recalled a scare in January when ICE activity caused some…
California Table Grape Season Off to a Strong Start
…Table Grape Commission, growers are optimistic about 2025. In a recent interview with Nick Papagni on “The Ag Meter,” LeMay shared insights into crop conditions, export dynamics, and pressing labor…
Nick Foglio on Hay Markets, Water Scarcity, and the Future of California Ag
…unavailable. “Plan A should be: get more water,” Foglio said. “But if you’re pumping off a white ground, you’ve got a good chance of losing that fight.” Labor, Land Sales,…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-18-25
…agriculture in California. Wayde shares insights into labor and immigration concerns, the complexities of tariffs—especially on watermelons exported to Canada—and how freight, regulations, and water access play major roles in…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-16-25
…everything from the labor crisis to water regulations, foreign ownership of farmland, and the increasing financial strain on producers. “It’s not just California,” Foglio points out. “It’s rural communities across…
AgNet News Hour Monday, 07-14-25
…food costs. Nick and Josh dig into what that lawsuit could mean for producers nationwide. Hartwig’s insights on trade, water access, and labor are especially valuable. He warns that California’s…
Labor Crisis Still Looms Over California’s Fresh Fruit Industry
…of the most pressing issues in California agriculture: the ongoing farm labor shortage and its ties to immigration policy. Labor Crisis Still Looms Over California’s Fresh Fruit Industry Hopeful—but Realistic—Outlook…
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin Revolutionized American Agriculture
…a widow’s home where he overheard a guest—a frustrated Southern farmer—complain about the labor-intensive process of cleaning cotton. At the time, cotton had immense market potential but was difficult to…
California Fresh Fruit Industry Faces Crisis
…13 major fresh fruit commodities—including table grapes, stone fruit, figs, and pomegranates—Hartwig advocates for growers navigating mounting challenges across labor, regulation, water, and trade. California Fruit Industry Faces Crisis: Daniel…
Hilton Slams Solar on Farmland, Pledges Support for California Ag
…business you run in California—small, medium, or large—it’s a nightmare.” From soaring costs and overregulation to unreliable water access and labor restrictions, Hilton highlighted what he calls the damaging effects…
AgNet News Hour: Citrus Expo Preview, USDA Snap Crackdown, and Chad Bianco’s Bold Vision for California Ag
…environmental overreach. He promises to bring common sense back to California—starting with water access, labor reform, and restoring balance in Sacramento. Whether you’re a grower, rancher, or simply ag-curious, today’s…
Farming Innovation and Rural Sustainability: Inside The Reservoir
…Labor Costs Through Innovation Bernstein explained that The Reservoir is focused on developing, and deploying, technologies to address two of agriculture’s biggest challenges: labor and input costs. “Roughly two-thirds of…