USDA is announcing that this national outreach month is dedicated to highlighting the impact of invasive plant pests and diseases on plants nationwide. The focus is on raising public awareness about the threat and how residents can help. Each year, invasive insects and plant diseases cause an estimated $40 billion in damages to plants in…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
It’s National Tomato Day.
California is the nation’s number one tomato processing state. And California produces about a fourth of all tomato tonnage in the world according to the California Tomato Growers Association. More than a million tons were produced last year.… MORE
Farm Dog Of The Year Contest
The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Farm Dog of the Year. Farmers and ranchers can show how their dogs are more than just pets. Terri Moore, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President of Communications, says “The Farm Dog of the Year contest has been one of the really fun…… MORE
Bill Would Create Permanent Residency For Cal Ag Workers
State Senator Anna Caballero has introduced Senate Bill 831 which would authorize the Governor to work with the Federal Government to establish a pilot program allowing agricultural workers to acquire permanent residency status. The senator calls it the California Agricultural Worker Permanent Residency Program. According to a news release, the legislation would legalize an agricultural workforce, that…… MORE
Dairy Farm Innovations Yield Big Benefits
From parlor to pasture, many advances in dairy farm management are helping drive up dairy farm efficiency in North America, and that helps drive down environmental impact. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers issued a report titled “Environmental Benefits of Modern Dairy, Hay, and Forage Production Technologies.” The report points out several statistics that help quantify…… MORE
Bill Introduced To Restore Valley Canals
Valley Congressman Jim Costa just introduced a bill called the Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act. According to Costa’s announcement, the bill would authorize more than $653 million to restore the capacity of three San Joaquin Valley canals, while also investing in restoration efforts of the San Joaquin river. Those three canals are the Friant-Kern Canal, the…… MORE
Food And Agriculture Board To Discuss Impact Of Storms
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture is expected to talk about current flooding impacts to local communities and available USDA Disaster Assistance Programs at its upcoming meeting on April 4th. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross says “recent regional flooding has significantly impacted local communities as well as California’s farmers, ranchers and farmworkers.” “Federal and…… MORE
Senate Passes Resolution To Overturn WOTUS
The Senate passed the Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval that overturns the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States Rule by a 53-43 vote. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.VA.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the resolution in February. The administration introduced a new rule in December 2022 that…… MORE
CDFA Flood Recovery Web Page Offers Help
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is posting on its website help for farmers and ranchers impacted by flooding. Multiple storms have caused rivers to overflow in the Central Valley and pose a risk of more high flows in the weeks ahead. The CDFA is offering a list of relief and support resources from state…… MORE
Biden Asked to Intervene in West Coast Port Labor Talks
A large coalition of agriculture and business groups asked President Joe Biden to intervene in the west coast port labor negotiations. In a letter signed by the groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, they say, “It is imperative that the administration work with the parties to quickly reach a new agreement and ensure there…… MORE
