…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
…difference. California-grown food may cost more, but it is safer, fresher, and produced with strict environmental and labor standards. Ference called for a level playing field and stronger support for…
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
…economic debate. Some wanted to sell land at higher prices to raise government revenue, while others pushed for low-cost or free land to empower ordinary families and stimulate agriculture. These…
The Rise of Plantation Agriculture in Early America
…to global trade networks. However, this growth came at a tremendous human cost—plantation labor systems grew increasingly dependent on enslaved people, shaping the region’s social and political dynamics leading up…
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
…takes 30, 40, 50 years to build things, and it costs two or three times as much as it ought to because of all the regulations and litigation.” A Tale…
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…
Building the Future of Ag Education at Merced College
…work today. Preparing for Tomorrow’s Farming Jacobsen understands that the challenges facing agriculture — water regulations, labor shortages, transportation costs, and environmental pressures — require new thinking. “What we’re doing…