…expressed concerns over corruption in Sacramento and discussed his proposed legislation, AB 1560, which would prohibit individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses from lobbying government officials. Water Infrastructure Remains a Top…
Farm Bill Advances as Food Security, Fertilizer Costs, and California Policy Pressures Dominate Ag Conversation
One of the biggest headlines from the episode was movement on the federal Farm Bill, which officially passed the U.S. House for the first time since 2018. The legislation marks…
Attorney General Candidate Michael Gates Targets Fraud, Crime, and Oversight Reform Impacting California Agriculture
…town… we will return California back to the rule of law,” he said. The conversation also touched on broader concerns about government transparency and proposed legislation that could limit public…
USDA’s Richard Fordyce Highlights Farm Bill Gains, Tax Relief, and Support for California Agriculture
…a $15 million per individual estate tax exemption to eliminate the death tax,” he explained. The legislation also expands Section 179 tax provisions, allowing farmers to expense equipment, buildings, and…
California Agriculture Faces Policy Pressure, Weather Challenges, and Critical Election Year
…pivotal year for the industry. As the governor’s race continues to develop, hosts highlighted growing concern over proposed legislation and ongoing policy decisions that could further impact agriculture. One bill…
California Ag at a Crossroads: Policy, Pressure, and Opportunity
…areas, Rooney emphasized that many policymakers are far removed from farming realities. Still, she noted that most legislation impacting agriculture isn’t intentionally harmful, it’s often the result of unintended consequences….
California Farming at a Crossroads: Shannon Douglass on Policy, Pressure, and the Path Forward
…two key areas: 1. The Power to Veto She highlighted the importance of a governor willing to question and veto unnecessary legislation. In her view: Not every new bill is…
California Ag Leaders Push for Policy Change and Representation at Governor Debate
…the state’s headed,” Jacobson explained. “It doesn’t boil down to one person—it’s the team behind them.” Douglass added that a governor willing to take a closer look at legislation and…
Dignity Act and Labor Reform Take Center Stage in AgNet News Hour Interview
…workforce heading into the 2026 growing season. Cunha highlighted the proposed Dignity Act as a major step toward addressing long-standing labor challenges across agriculture and other industries. The legislation aims…
The Homestead Act: How Free Land Transformed North American Agriculture
…transformation was the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided land to settlers willing to build homes and develop farms in the American West. The legislation played a critical role in…
John Duarte Calls for Water Abundance in California
…the legislation sets the target, Duarte believes the solutions already exist. “The how is the easy part,” Duarte explained. “The clarity and the leadership have been what’s stymied us all…
Sharing Knowledge on the Frontier: Early Agricultural Extension in America
…The Morrill Act and the Birth of Extension Services A major turning point came with the passage of the Morrill Act in 1862. This legislation provided federal funding for the…
California Agriculture’s Champions: John Duarte on Leadership, Policy & the Future
…Farm labor policy State and federal agricultural legislation Trade and market access Without rural media, many of these conversations simply wouldn’t reach the people most affected. Why This Conversation Matters…
California Wolves Push Ranchers to the Brink as Heather Hadwick Demands Action
…shrinking habitat. Bears alone are now estimated at more than 65,000 statewide, with some of the highest concentrations in her district. To address the crisis, Hadwick is introducing legislation aimed…























