Voice of California Agriculture

We’ll find out how Imperial Valley farmers feel about the Colorado River Plan and what impact it may have on the supply of winter vegetables. The Imperial Valley produces a huge percentage of this nation’s supply of winter vegetables.  California’s aggressive battle against a feared grape pest. An unfavorable court ruling on what California farm employers may end up paying for certain foreign workers. A San Diego County strawberry farmer who has a long and proud tradition of growing the popular fruit.   And a look at farm prices during the month of July—the ups and downs of various crops. 

California’s wolf population continues to expand and CDFW continues to look for ways to help deal with the population. A look at the critical need for Farm Bill to pass this year. Will putting walnuts in the produce department increase sales? A California start-up company develops a product to help livestock producers. Farm Bureau pushes back on new off-road diesel regulations.  

Farm Bill--can it be passed this year? It’s desperately needed for specialty crop farmers A couple in Alameda County is connecting locally produced meat with consumers. California lettuce is safe to eat, despite outbreaks in other countries. Us and others are seeking uniformity in food labeling regulations across the nation.

Goats as a wildfire protection tool is threatened. From the Fields—how crops are progressing as reported by famers and livestock producers themselves.   A change in the federal standards for orange juice will benefit California farmers. 

Regulatory and compliance costs are taking a bite out of salad bowl producers in Monterey County.  It could ultimately affect food shoppers.  And a conversation with Farm Employers Labor Service to help farmers protect employees from heat and to stay compliant with heat illness regulations. The fines are costly.  

A Sierra Foothills winery has big plans for tea production—tea on its own, botanicals, and infusing into their wine.  A fascinating look at the possibilities.  Plus, From the Fields—what farmers and ranchers report in their region of the state about their crops this season.   

How big is this year’s pistachio crop--and just how many pistachios does the average American eat each year?  The golden mussel, California's newest invasive pest, is already causing millions of dollars in damage. Plus, the almond harvest is beginning --we’ll look at their challenges and market conditions. Food prices continue to rise, but are farmers sharing in those higher prices? And where does California rank when it comes to grocery costs? 

A bill to bring grizzly bears back to California moves forward. Some help for livestock producers who lose animals to wolves. One of the worst years in memory for fire blight in pears. Finally, some promising news for pear farmers. 

We’ll check on the pear crop and why you should look for California fresh pears. Certified Crop Advisors helping farmers on and off the field. The USDA is cracking down on state errors in their food assistance programs costing taxpayers billions.  

An industry leaders says California needs to allocate more money to thwart pest threats. Legislation that could weaken a farmland protection law—known as the Williamson Act. Changes in watermelons from a generation ago, plus the health benefits. The cost of the 4th of July cookout. For National Ice Cream months, learn how much George Washington spent on ice cream one summer, and the origin of the hot fudge sundae.  

A bill to help protect livestock from wolves.  Money not keeping up with pest threats in California. Watermelon crop  Agriculture innovation over the last 250 years. 

As the USDA works to promote American cotton, hear from a California cotton leader about their challenges, the benefits of cotton fabrics, and the quality of California cotton. Farm officials continue to remind residents who may have purchased grapevines or citrus trees from Costco stores earlier this year that they could contain a feared pest, and what to do about it.  USDA is aggressively battling the New World Screwworm along the southern border of Texas and New Mexico.    A Farm Bureau leadership program working to enhance skills of promising leaders.  Finally, the USDA details to new trade agreements.

USDA works to increase demand for U.S. cotton.Americans eat more meat, despite the price.BLM sheds a Biden era regulation to the delight of ranchers and Farm Bureau.Food and agriculture’s huge economic footprint.Specialty crop farmers receive federal help.Update on legislative issues of concern to farmers.

June is National Dairy Month, nutritional reminders, consumption trends and whole milk gets a boost. Plus, the 2026 California cherry crop hit by a series of bad weather breaks.

Regulations are costing Napa County grape growers as much as $1,700 per acre.  Farmers report from the fields and vineyards around the state.  Plus, are grocery scales and fuel dispensers at your gas station accurate?  It’s the job of your local agency to see that they are.   

More than 100 county Farm Bureau leaders will visit with state lawmakers during the month of May to discuss major farm issues. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—Studies show farmers are not immune to mental health issues. Quite the opposite.  The American Farm Bureau is tackling the issue to help farmers cope.  

Farm groups seek to clear label confusion of American wine.  Farm Bureau opposes a bill that would undermine funding for Demonstration State Forests. Imagine This agricultural story contest winners. Cling Peach growers find some relief Research to rein in Asian citrus psyllid.    

Del Monte bankruptcy concerns cling peach growers. An interview about Christmas Trees and poinsettias.

Overtime tax credit makes progress but fall short; legislation to limit nitrogen discharge, and Farm Bureau says a bill to significantly increase the minimum wage of certain farm workers would add to inflationary pressures. Ag Day at the Capitol--farm groups engage with lawmakers Federal efforts to increase farm exports and increase fertilizer availability while lowering the price.  

A retired engineer from the Mid-West who became a wine expert, shares his journey, wine pairings and thoughts on California wines. How those automatic license plate readers are helping to solve rural crimes.  A Farm Bureau survey finds farmers are having trouble affording all their fertilizer needs this year because of the prolonged turmoil in the Mid-East.  

 A small family vineyard and winery is doing well through the downturn in wine consumption. We’ll delve into their history and what is working for them. How farmers can protect their property despite criminals going high tech.  An effort to return the grizzly bear to California meets resistance.   

Rural crime- today’s criminals are using more technology to steal from farms. A Central Valley farmer reports there is more uncertainty in this year’s spring planting season. The Agriculture Department is forecasting U.S. farm income, and how farmers are doing in paying down their debt load.   

We’ll look at the government’s food price inflation forecast for the year, broken down by categories. The government’s definition of a “small farm,” and their challenges. The challenge to control pests under the new Sustainable Pest Management philosophy.  Farm stress and mental health—some tips to help reduce that stress and keep farmers healthy. Legislation to help U.S. cotton farmers.

A rural crime investigator talks about what’s popular in farm thefts and prevention tips. The U.S. Agriculture Secretary says they’re working to lower farm input costs and increase farm exports. Legislation to increase the minimum agricultural wage. And a story about what’s being done to educate the public about the nation’s Dietary Guideline recommendations. A bill to monitor farm nitrogen applications and discharges. 

What beekeepers are doing to thwart thefts of their hives. We’ll hear about a recent bust to recover 172 stolen beehives.  A trade deal with India is expected to pay benefits to California farmers of tree nuts, certain fruits, and wine. Oil is not the only item being held up through the Strait of Hormuz, farmers need fertilizer for growing this year’s crops.  The situation is said to be serious. USDA will build a facility to help stop the spread of the New World Screwworm—a damaging livestock pest.

As people drink less wine, vineyard removal companies are busy.  The Farm Bill passes the Ag Committee. A beekeeper talks almond pollination and bee health The Census of Agriculture ranks California #1 in Horticultural Specialties Farmers get more good news on their “Right to Repair” farm equipment.  

A state panel looks at farm nitrogen use. What employers need to know about the Employee’s Right to Know law. Huge fines for non-compliance. Farm Advisors talk about pests that rice farmers need to be on the lookout for in 2026. A key deadline is coming for specialty crop farmers applying for USDA assistance funds. 

Farm Advisors talk about last year’s rice crop and challenges ahead California Farm Bureau works to close a loophole on something called “U.S. Duty Drawback” to help U.S. winegrape growers.   A labor expert discusses California’s minimum wage escalator. There’s optimism about the State’s upcoming snowpack survey USDA has a new method to better track foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.  

We visit with the FFA state officers about plans to commemorate National FFA Week, their activities this past year, and future plans.  They make for an optimistic future.  

Potential mountain lion listing as threatened New laws for farm employers for 2026- not knowing them could be costly.  National farm legislation is still needed for this year Milk output is now at record levels, but could plummet later this year Fears of the spread of the golden mussel. 

The state Farm Bureau president discusses the state livestock industry’s ongoing predator issues with lions and wolves.   Farm Bureau is pressuring Congress to give help to the Specialty Crop producers What the recent Cattle on Feed Report means to future beef supplies And how last fall’s rainstorms made for a difficult harvest for rice farmers.

Chemically treated pears from Argentina hurts California’s fresh harvest pear market. Industry looks for help.  Shannon Douglas, president, CA Farm Bureau, has a message for rural California in the wake of the passage of Prop 50.  From the Fields—Reports from various farmers from around the state about their activities and last season. 

We speak with a rancher who lost their family horse and a 600-pound calf to wolves on New Year’s Day.   A look at the government’s new Recommended Dietary Guidelines and what it may mean for farmers. Plus, the State’s water supply situation at the beginning of the year. 

We speak with a rose grower about the market and supply for Valentine’s Day.Farm Bureau president talks about the cost of regulations sinking farmers.The pear industry seeks relief from a flood of imports.A webinar series for those transitioning to organic farming.

Shannon Douglass talks issues for Farm Bureau in 2026.  New laws for the new year Hog and Beef supply numbers and what it means for consumers Farm fatalities are lower than other dangerous professions in 2025 Scholarship applications are coming due. College bound students should check it out.  

Farm Bureau President talks 2025 Year in Ag.   “Regenerative agriculture,” explained.  Minimum wage increased.  Campaign School—to help members running for political office or involved in a campaign Farm Bureau donates 1,000 backpacks with supplies for school students .

Why Farm Bureau is hosting a campaign school for political office seekers, and we speak with several farm leaders about Christmas on the Farm—work still needs to be done. 

Researchers are trying to protect livestock from mountain lions. The American Farm Bureau is pleased with proposed changes in clean water regulations and will check in with a farmer of persimmons and figs to learn a little about the crop and their health benefits.   

Del Monte bankruptcy concerns cling peach growers, choose and cut Christmas trees, and poinsettias.

Thanksgiving dinner costs more in California, but don’t blame the farmer.  Thanksgiving dinner food safety tips, bringing winegrape supplies into balance with lower consumption, USDA’s largest trade mission ever, and increasing farm mental health help.   

Featured Interview—Farm Bureau saving farmers money in public utilities work.  Walnut outlook brightens, State officials work to protect industry from the New World Screwworm, an effort to bring back whole and low-fat milk into school cafeterias would be better for student nutrition and for dairy farmers, plus Farm Bureau works to loosen restrictions on autonomous tractors. It would improve efficiency and farm safety.  

Our featured interview--an Ag economist details problems plaguing U.S. specialty crop farmers. Plus, California’s minimum wage will increase next year. Ranchers who lost livestock by wolf kills can apply for compensation. And the changing taste of Brussels sprouts.  

Featured interview on California apples—the crop marketing efforts and why buy California apples, plus news briefs on forest fire prevention, plan to import Argentine beef, USDA plans to help beef cattle producers and dairy news.

Why shoppers wanting a fresh California turkey for Thanksgiving should contact their grocery stores early this year.  Plus, a record pistachio crop, agritourism is becoming more popular. Farmers say immigration raids did not affect this summer’s supply of workers.  Also, tough times for this nation’s farmers.  

Pumpkins adorn many porches during the fall months either as jack-o-lanterns or fall displays. The pumpkin you buy at the store may very well come from this farm, and we’ll speak with an agritourism pumpkin farmer about activities that await their visitors. 

We’ll check out the California winegrape harvest this year, plus future industry struggles that it must overcome.

Hispanic farm industry leaders speak of their culture, background, success, and love of farming in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.  

A walnut industry leader discusses the exceptional quality of this year’s crop and a brighter marketing outlook, plus their work to increase demand for California walnuts.

Developing an almond tree that would rely less on honeybees and other benefits for farmers. A conversation with the head of Burchell Nursery–a leading independent tree nursery that has an in-house breeding program. 

The state’s largest farm group says Proposition 50 is bad for rural California, communities and counties.