…crop advising. He emphasized that irrigation technology also plays a key role in labor savings. Fertilizer applied through drip systems can cut application costs dramatically compared to manual or machine-based…
Alexandra Duarte’s Fight for California’s Future
…crops, fruits, vegetables. Agriculture needs energy, water, fewer regulations, and labor laws that work. What agriculture needs, everybody needs.” Her vision even extends to creative ways to highlight agriculture’s value:…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…Flat overhead systems cost even more, at about $20,000 per acre. These expenses do not include the cost of land itself, making investment a major barrier for many small family…
Raisin Industry Legends Warn of Challenges and Chart a Path Forward
…year, despite growers’ costs rising by 10–15%. With rains causing additional crop damage, many growers face negative returns. He warned that without price increases and vineyard modernization, many will exit…
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
…heavy taxes, and costly regulatory requirements place tremendous strain on ranchers and small businesses alike. Despite these challenges, California remains a significant cattle state. Out of roughly 100 million acres…
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
…high in potassium, and rich in fiber. That combination makes them attractive in both domestic and international markets. Still, Kreps acknowledged that pistachio farming requires dedication—“a labor of love,” he…
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
…is on issues with direct impact: labor, trade, and the Farm Bill. California’s dependence on seasonal and immigrant labor makes workforce policy a constant priority. Trade agreements influence everything from…
California Farm Bureau’s Shannon Douglas Tackles Prop 50, Farm Bill, and the Future of Farming
…highlighted three critical issues she and her team took to Washington, D.C.: Labor and Immigration – Farmers can’t function without a reliable, respected workforce. Trade – California’s high-quality specialty crops…
California Trucking: Costs, Rules & Roadblocks
California Trucking Battles: Regulations, Costs, and the Future of Freight Freight at the Center of Agriculture Challenges In California, agriculture discussions often revolve around water and labor, but freight has…
Mike Harvey: Farming, Faith & Leading California’s Youth
…farming life. But despite generations of farming, the Harvey family eventually made the difficult decision to sell their land. The challenges of regulations, water restrictions, labor costs, and mounting expenses…
Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios Share Powerful Stories on AgNet News Hour
…family’s long history in farming. Regulations, water shortages, and rising labor costs ultimately forced them out of land ownership, a story familiar to many Valley farmers. “We sold that property……
Freight Crisis, Regulations, and the Future of Trucking in California
…face hurdles, with operators forced to idle engines for hours just to meet registration requirements. Costs are piling up. Woods noted that electric trucks cost $450,000 apiece and can’t meet…
The Origins of Conveyor Grain Elevators in 19th Century America
…than human labor. This innovation not only revolutionized grain handling in Buffalo but also set a new standard for ports and trade centers across the country. The Rise of Competing…
Beef Prices, Prop 12, and Holiday Meat Trends on AgNet News Hour
…centered on Hill’s insights into the beef industry. He explained that U.S. cattle numbers remain at their lowest since the 1950s, driven by drought, high feed costs, and freight expenses….