…Standards in a Challenging State Nick pointed out what many growers know well: California’s world-class quality comes with higher costs. Labor, freight, and regulatory compliance all exceed the standards of…
Ian LeMay Shares California Table Grape Success Story Amid Global Competition
…regulated environment. “Yes, the costs are higher — from labor to pesticide regulation — but that’s also our badge of honor,” he said. “When buyers purchase California grapes, they can…
Kings County Farm Bureau Takes on State Water Board Over Groundwater Rights
…produces the safest, freshest, and most abundant food supply anywhere. Losing California agriculture would have global repercussions. Importing food from countries with lower safety standards, fewer labor protections, and weaker…
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
…labor and perseverance. Families from across the nation, and immigrants from around the world, seized the chance to build new lives on fertile frontier soil. Shaping the American Agricultural Landscape…
The Rise of Plantation Agriculture in Early America
…into Maryland, where the same model of intensive labor and large landholdings took root. The success of these plantations laid the groundwork for the southern agricultural economy, setting a precedent…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Insights from Fresno County Farm Bureau President Ryan Jacobsen
…trending more positively than in recent years. Labor and Freight: Persistent Challenges With Hope for Policy Progress Labor remains a constant concern for California agriculture. The Ag Meter raised the…
Ryan Jacobsen on Farming Through Storms, Labor, and the Future of California Agriculture
…issues—water, labor, and regulation—but the complexity of each has skyrocketed,” he said. “It’s more difficult to farm today than it’s ever been, but we keep finding ways to adapt.” Representing…
From Barley to Cotton: How America’s Early Crops Shaped Agriculture
…labor-intensive but lucrative commodity that thrived in the region’s wetlands. These developments marked the beginning of plantation agriculture in America—systems that would shape not only the economy but also the…
Edward Ring on California’s Water Crisis: Fixing a Broken System
…petroleum despite still relying on oil for half its total energy supply. “Why are we importing oil from countries that have almost no labor or environmental standards at all?” he…
Nanette Simonian: Championing California Agriculture & Women in Ag
…to national politics. She expressed concern about inexperienced decision-makers impacting California’s complex and labor-intensive farming industry. “Farming is such an intimate topic for me. I grew up on a family…
Nanette Simonian and California Women for Agriculture Take a Stand on Prop 50
…roots drive her passion for advocacy. “Farming isn’t just a job — it’s who we are,” she said. “It’s labor-intensive, complex, and deeply personal. You have to have it in…
AI and Automation Drive Florida’s AgTech Revolution
…opportunities that exist in Florida.” Tackling Florida’s Top Challenge: Labor Boyd made it clear that labor remains the number one issue for Florida agriculture. With nearly all crops planted, maintained,…
Trump, Trade & U.S. Beef: Kevin Kester on Cattle Markets
…long-standing frustration among U.S. producers who compete against imports grown under cheaper labor, fewer regulations, and different standards. Kester supports U.S.A. labeling but cautions that consumers must understand what labels…
Building the Future of Ag Tech: Danny Bernstein and The Reservoir at FIRA 2025
…like those in Hanford or other Central Valley towns — Bernstein emphasized listening first. “We’d want to understand what you’re growing, your top labor challenges, your precision needs, and what’s…