Sonoma County

Sonoma County Agriculture: Challenges, Advocacy, and Community Engagement

DanAgri-Business, Conservation, Dairy and Livestock, Economy, Education, Environment, Interview, Irrigation, Legislative, Special Reports, Tree, nut & vine crops, Water, Wine

Dayna Ghirardelli Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Agriculture in Sonoma County is thriving, but not without challenges. Dayna Ghirardelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau,…

California

Rick Roberti Warns California’s Wolf Crisis Is Devastating the Cattle Industry

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Cattle, Conservation, Environment, Interview, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports

…their lowest level since 1951, and rebuilding a herd takes years — not months. While producers have improved meat quality and efficiency, challenges like labor costs, regulation, border issues, and…

California

Dayna Ghirardelli Says Sonoma County Agriculture Is Under Constant Attack — and Still Standing

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Education, Interview, Irrigation, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports, Water

…where many residents believe it comes straight from a grocery shelf. Looking ahead to 2026, Ghirardelli called the moment urgent. Rising costs, regulatory overload, housing challenges, and political polarization are…

California

California Pears vs. Argentina Imports: Chris Zanobini Sounds the Alarm on a Market Under Pressure

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Economy, Exports/Imports, Exports/Imports, Interview, Podcasts, Special Reports, Specialty Crops, Trade

…being disrupted by imported pears arriving at the worst possible time. California pears typically harvest beginning in early July and aim to finish shipping by late October to avoid competing…

California pear growers

California Pear Growers Sound the Alarm on Argentine Imports

DanAgri-Business, Economy, Exports/Imports, Interview, Special Reports, Specialty Crops, Trade, Tree, nut & vine crops

…1937. Zanobini, who has worked with the board since 1996, says the challenges facing growers today are unlike anything he has seen before. A Narrow Window, Now Flooded With Imports…

California agriculture

Why California Agriculture Is Losing Ground Despite Feeding the World

DanAgri-Business, Economy, Interview, Regulation, Special Reports

challenges: water shortages, regulatory burdens, labor costs, rising fuel prices, and freight expenses. Mason described the situation as “strangulation through regulation,” warning that California’s cost structure is accelerating the shift…

soil health

Soil Health, Water, and the Future of Farming With Live Earth

DanAgri-Business, Interview, Irrigation, Soil, Special Reports, Water

…quality and salinity remain major challenges. Humates help mitigate salt stress by improving soil structure and water movement, allowing plants to hydrate more effectively. Taylor says these products are especially…

california farmers

California Farmers in Focus at Farm Bureau Convention

DanAgri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Conservation, Economy, Education, Environment, Event, General, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation, Special Reports, Technology, Water

…the scale of California agriculture and the growing list of challenges facing farmers and ranchers across the state. Douglas emphasized that many visitors were surprised to learn California agriculture is…

California

Shannon Douglas on California’s Big Five: Water, Labor, Regulations, Wolves, and the Future of Farm Tech

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Economy, Environment, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports, Technology, Water

…move the project forward. Papagni and McGill wrapped the show by identifying what they called California agriculture’s “big five” challenges: regulations, water, labor, freight, and foreign competition, with wolves quickly…