…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
…and everyday goods. For farmers, the message was clear: just like water and labor, freight is a cornerstone of California agriculture. Without affordable, reliable trucking, the state’s farm economy cannot…
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…
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag
…field labor — it’s about coding, engineering, and data science too. Later in the program, Nick and Josh interviewed Leo Zacky, former head of Zacky Farms and now a candidate…
Reedley College Ag Conference 2025: Innovation, Careers & Farming’s Future
…farm labor. Spotlight on Technology and Automation The conference will showcase the latest in agtech innovation, including: Drone companies demonstrating harvest prediction, monitoring, and data collection. Autonomous platforms like Burro,…
Farming for the Future: Jake Barcellos and A-Bar Ag Enterprises
…of the state’s water flows to the ocean, leaving farmers short. Labor issues: With long-time employees—many working for decades—the farm values its workforce. But overtime rules, rising wages, and a…
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
…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…