…faces its own challenges, such as citrus greening disease, it enjoys advantages like low-cost labor that contrast sharply with California’s highly regulated environment. The Labor Challenge in California Labor remains…
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture: America’s First Farm Organization
…group’s mission. Franklin’s support for scientific farming represented a critical shift: agriculture was no longer seen solely as labor but as a field of study and innovation. This perspective helped…
Tariffs, Trade, and Table Grapes: Richard Matoian Shares Insights on California Farming Challenges
…Turning to his own farm, Matoian discussed 90 acres of table grapes and 40 acres of pistachios, noting that table grapes remain especially labor-intensive. With about 65 workers in the…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
…grape production. Almond orchards face rodent infestations, with limited pesticide options. Rising costs for labor, utilities, and materials challenge profitability. “Farming is one of the hardest businesses,” Melissa notes. “You’re…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
…critical for: Securing legal, reliable labor Protecting workers and families Strengthening the agricultural economy “Farming is tough work,” Cunha reminds us. “We need legal, safe labor solutions to keep our…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
…But as droughts worsen and wildfires highlight water shortages, the consequences of neglecting agriculture are becoming harder to ignore. The Labor and Immigration Challenge Alongside water, immigration and labor remain…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…Farm Labor: Hard Work Few Will Do Papagni stressed that farm labor is not unskilled work, pointing to strawberry, lettuce, melon, and table grape harvesting as examples requiring years of…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…shifting policies, soaring costs, and technological pressures are pushing many farmers to the brink. California farmers, already burdened by water shortages, must also contend with labor shortages, rising fertilizer prices,…
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation
…Agriculture A central topic of conversation was labor in agriculture. Cameron emphasized the critical importance of a stable workforce for California’s labor-intensive crops. He highlighted the need for programs like…
Central Valley Fight: Tangipa Stands for Farmers
…increasingly unable to survive under rising labor costs, freight expenses, and complex regulations. He believes there is a strategic effort in Sacramento to target industries that resist the dominant political…
Ziveli Winery: A Croatian Legacy Thrives in the Heart of California
…of trouble.” According to John, only a few wineries are profitable today. Factors include high fuel and energy costs, labor expenses, and increasing regulations. Equipment prices have tripled over the…
California Farmers Struggle with Water, Labor, and Regulations
…harmful bills from advancing. Urban legislators often lack understanding of farming realities, making direct education and personal engagement essential for protecting agricultural interests. Water Scarcity and Labor Costs Water management…
Family Tree Farms on Quality and Water: Daniel Jackson
On this Labor Day edition of the AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Daniel Jackson of Family Tree Farms to discuss the state of California agriculture, from…
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau: Advocacy, Education & the Future of Agriculture
…husband is a fourth-generation dairy farmer, knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing farmers today. “People farm because it’s the lifestyle they love, but regulatory costs have gone up nearly…