Farmers torn by Trump’s offer to shore up ag losses due to tariffs. Rats in the orchard.

The biggest ag export state effected by the ongoing tariff disputes is California. The Golden State exports 26 percent of its agricultural production by volume. In dollar terms, the state’s agricultural exports reached over $20 billion in 2016. But the California agricultural community is torn. On one hand, farmers are welcoming the financial relief proposed by the Trump Administration: 12 billion dollars to offset agricultural losses due to the ongoing tariff battles with several foreign countries, including China. On the other hand, many farm groups, including the California Farm Bureau Federation, would rather see more certainty and equitable trading protocols when it comes to selling their farm products overseas instead of a program of ongoing handouts. We have the details. The state has given the OK for partial funding of eight major water projects, including one right here in Sacramento County that will be good news for the counties’ farmers. And there’s a new project to move Modesto and Turlock wastewater to the farms on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. We have that, and a lot more, including the latest pest invasion in the state’s orchards: roof rats. It’s all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.