Voice of California Agriculture

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...

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 batt...

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.    

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 ap...

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....

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.