The latest pandemic relief bill is making its way through the legislative process. As part of the $1.9 trillion package, the House Agriculture Committee approved the Agriculture and Nutrition title …
NASDA Seeks More Flexibility for Specialty Crop Block Grants
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is asking for additional flexibility when it comes to Specialty Crop Block Grants. NASDA has sent a letter to U.S. Acting …
Farmworker COVID Safety Project Launched Through UC Davis
The University of California, Davis, have launched a farmworker COVID safety project with a multitude of partners. Funded by a $3 million contract, the COVID-19 Statewide Agriculture and Farmworker Education …
APHIS Report Shows Agricultural Animals Do Not Pose Risk for Coronavirus
A study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has shown that animals involved in agricultural production do not pose a COVID risk to …
Farmers to Families Food Box Program Continues with Fifth Round
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a fifth round of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. An additional $1.5 billion worth of food will be distributed through the …
Industry Groups Push Back on Emergency Safety Standards
A group of industry organizations is pushing back against the emergency safety standards that have been put in place in response to COVID-19. The coalition of agricultural and business groups …
Agricultural Groups Pleased with Latest Stimulus Package
Congress recently approved the latest stimulus package to help relieve some of the pressures created by COVID-19. The $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 includes up to $13 billion …
International Market Looks Positive for U.S. Beef Moving Forward
It appears that the market looks promising for American beef products moving into 2021. The U.S. Meat Export Federation is estimating an increase of approximately 10 percent in exports next …
Beef Industry Largely Rebounding from Initial Pandemic Challenges
The beef industry is largely rebounding from the initial challenges that COVID-19 presented earlier in the year. The pandemic created a significant strain on the beef supply chain early on. …
Foodservice Slow Rebound Helping Producers Grind Through Year
A slow and turbulent recovery from the foodservice industry shutdown is helping growers limp through 2020. Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia began his current position just over a …
Housing for the Harvest Program Continues to Expand
The Housing for the Harvest program is continuing to expand to cover more areas of California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced that Yolo and Imperial …
Important Labor Questions for Farmers and Ranchers
With 2020 quickly coming to a close, industry members are looking ahead at some of the labor concerns coming in 2021. Executive Director for the California Farm Labor Contractor Association …
Congress Working Towards Next Comprehensive COVID-19 Relief Package
Negotiations have been continuing this week between the White House and Democratic Congressional Leadership. Legislators are working to come to an agreement on the next COVID-19 relief package. Vice President …
Housing for the Harvest Continues to Reach Rural Communities
The Housing for the Harvest Program created by Governor Newsom is making its way to more agriculture communities. The program provides temporary hotel housing for farm workers and food processors …