…water allocation this year. Before 2000, full allocations were the norm, except during extreme drought. Since then, layers of environmental regulations and activist-driven litigation have made full allocations increasingly rare….
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag
…for California governor. Zacky shared firsthand how regulations, rising labor costs, and fuel mandates drove his family’s poultry operation — once the largest on the West Coast — out of…
Farming for the Future: Jake Barcellos and A-Bar Ag Enterprises
…a constant struggle, as California farmers face stricter regulations and higher operating costs. Investing in Innovation and Automation To stay competitive, A-Bar Ag has invested heavily in drip irrigation and…
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
…risk as housing developments expand and groundwater regulations tighten under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Farmers must achieve groundwater sustainability by 2040, a shift that will force tough decisions…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…grapes and 170 acres of almonds, but both crops face major challenges. Oberti described how water regulations under SGMA and fees have strained operations, while the state’s high-speed rail project…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
…wineries, while almonds are sold without contracts, leaving farmers financially stretched throughout the year. Water scarcity, pest pressures, and state regulations further complicate farming: SGMA regulations limit groundwater usage for…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
…areas, farmworkers are concerned about checkpoints and enforcement. The Dignity Act proposes interim measures: Employers provide documentation confirming a worker’s employment. Workers can show this to authorities while regulations are…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
…California agriculture. He also brings legislators and media outlets to his farm, ensuring decision-makers and the public see firsthand the challenges farmers face. Regulations and Farm Innovation California’s strict regulations…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…six-month rule-writing process, during which workers would receive documentation verifying employment, providing immediate protection while regulations are finalized. Farm Income and Market Updates According to the U.S. Economic Research Service…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…engaged and eager to find ways to sustain agriculture. Politics, Regulations, and Taxes Despite widespread political claims of “supporting farmers,” Reisinger argued that real action is rare. Farmers need policies…
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation
…discussed the need for sustainable groundwater practices, especially as regulations limit pumping in overdrafted basins. He stressed that farmers must maximize the value of every drop of water, focusing on…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Organics Innovation and Prop 50
…the challenges organic producers face, from high input costs to strict regulations. She stressed that success in organic farming requires a whole-systems approach—managing soil health, irrigation, habitat diversity, and biological…
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…