California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • USDA Reminds Ag Producers of Approaching Deadlines

    The USDA is reminding ag producers impacted by increased input costs and natural disasters that the deadlines to apply for safety net and disaster assistance programs designed to protect their financial security are coming soon.  USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers that the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program and the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), both have deadlines in early August. Additionally, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, eligible landowners have until the end of August to review and consider base acre increases for the first time since 2002 for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.

    “Whether it’s disaster assistance, support for specialty crop growers or the first chance in more than two decades to update base acres, I encourage producers not to wait until the last minute,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “These deadlines represent real opportunities for producers to recover from market and weather challenges. Reach out to your local FSA office now and make sure you don’t leave assistance on the table.”

    Agricultural producers are reminded of these important upcoming deadlines:

    • Aug. 7 — Deadline to apply for ASCF
    • Aug. 12, — Deadline to apply for SDRP
    • Aug. 31 —Deadline to review base allocations through ARC/PLC

    Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers

    ASCF provides payments to specialty crop producers based on reported 2025 planted acres. Pre-filled ASCF applications are available to producers who reported their 2025 crop acreage for eligible specialty crops. Producers with a secure Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application online. Producers can also request their pre-filled application from their local FSA county office. Eligible crops and payment rates can be found at fsa.usda.gov/ascf. The deadline to apply is Aug. 7.

    Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

    SDRP provides more than $16 billion in disaster relief payments to producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes, or vines due to qualifying disaster events in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Producers with indemnified losses can apply through SDRP Stage 1 which leverages Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program data as the basis for calculating payments. Producers with non-indemnified (including shallow losses), uncovered (uninsured), and quality losses can apply for Stage 2 assistance. Producers can request an application from their local FSA county office. Aug. 12 is the deadline for both Stages 1 and 2. Additional information can be found at fsa.usda.gov/sdrp.

    Agriculture Risk Coverage/Price Loss Coverage

    ARC and PLC are cornerstone commodity safety net programs that provide financial protection to farmers when market prices or revenues decline. Landowners have the opportunity to increase base acres in preparation for enrollment in ARC and PLC beginning with the 2026 and future crop years as authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Nationwide, up to 30 million new base acres can be added by eligible farms.

    Eligible landowners should review their Base Allocation Summary, which outlines potential base acre increases. These Base Allocation Summaries can be accessed online at fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc using a Login.gov account. Landowners who do not currently have a Login.gov account are encouraged to contact their local FSA county office to obtain their Base Allocation Summary and review and take any necessary action by Aug. 31.   

    County Committees

    Additionally, Aug. 3 is the last day to submit nomination forms for eligible candidates to serve on their local FSA county committees. County committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs. Elections occur each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA). LAAs are elective areas for FSA county committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November. Learn more at fsa.usda.gov/coc.

    More Information

    For more information, producers can contact their local FSA office. Producers can also book an appointment with local FSA farm program and farm loan staff using FSA’s new online scheduling system.   

  • 2026 Pistachio Week Kicks Off August 10th

    Pistachio Week is returning for its fifth year. Restaurants across California are creating new dishes to showcase American-grown pistachios with everything from desserts, to drinks and main entrees. Hannah Young of American Pistachio Growers spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to talk about the event and some of the creations that will be available. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

  • Mike Forbes Named Next CEO of American Pistachio Growers

    Mike Forbes will take over as CEO of American Pistachio Growers on Sept. 1, bringing over 20 years of experience in the food, ag and health and wellness industries. Forbes spoke with Matthew Malcolm at the 2026 APG Pistachio Industry Insights Day in Visalia to talk more about his incoming role with promoting American-grown pistachios. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Meat Institute Supports Federal Packaging Transparency Legislation

    The Meat Institute announced support for the Recycled Materials Attribution Act (RMAA) and the Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act, bipartisan legislation that establishes clear, consistent national standards for recycled content and environmental marketing claims. The bills were debated today during a hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

    “The meat and poultry industry depends on packaging that protects food safety, maintains product quality, and reduces food waste,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “The RMAA and PACK Act would provide consumers with clearer information while establishing a single, reliable national framework that supports innovation and compliance across the food supply chain.”

    Meat and poultry companies face a growing patchwork of state packaging and labeling laws that use different definitions for terms such as “recyclable,” “compostable,” “reusable” and “recycled content.” These varying requirements create compliance challenges for businesses operating across state lines and can make environmental claims more difficult for consumers to understand.

    Packaging plays a critical role in the meat and poultry industry by helping prevent contamination, extending shelf life, and protecting products throughout refrigerated and frozen distribution. Even modest packaging modifications often require extensive testing and operational adjustments to maintain food safety and performance standards. Meat Institute members have invested significantly in reducing packaging materials and preventing food waste while meeting consumer expectations for safe, high-quality products.

    The Meat Institute believes a uniform federal framework would provide greater certainty for continued packaging innovation, support sustainability goals, and ensure consumers receive consistent information regardless of where products are sold. By replacing conflicting state requirements with a national standard, the RMAA and PACK Act would help strengthen consumer confidence and improve the effectiveness of environmental marketing claims.

    “We appreciate Chairman Gus Bilirakis, Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky, and members of the Subcommittee for their leadership on these important issues,” Potts said. “The Meat Institute looks forward to working with Congress to advance practical solutions that benefit consumers, manufacturers, and the environment.”

    — Story contributed by the Meat Institute

  • USDA Announces $35 Million to Combat Feral Pigs

    The USDA is making $35 million available for partnerships to counter the threat feral swine pose to American agriculture, landscapes and human and livestock health. This partnership opportunity is part of a broader $105 million investment for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, where USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are working together to target feral swine.

    “We are collaborating with our partners at USDA and across the country to help combat feral swine and keep our farms, ranches and landscapes safe,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “These invasive species cause more than $3.4 billion in damage each year, including damage to agricultural landscapes. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, NRCS is able to expand this effort, giving producers and partners more resources to protect working lands and strengthen the long-term resilience of agricultural operations.”

    The Working Families Tax Cuts Act delivers the largest long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs in decades, including support for this program.  It continued the program for another five years with the $105 million total investment split between NRCS and APHIS, including the $35 million made available through this announcement.

    Partners are invited to apply for feral swine eradication and control projects in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

    About the Pilot Program

    Feral swine can have significant negative impacts on plant and wildlife habitats, soils, water quality, as well as other natural resources. Livestock and humans are also susceptible to diseases carried by feral swine.

    Partners selected to participate in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program will provide landowner assistance for restoration and on-farm trapping efforts and provide related services, like training. Funding for these services will be provided through grant agreements between partners and NRCS.

    All projects will be a collaborative and coordinated effort among the selected partner, NRCS, and APHIS.

    Applications will be accepted until Sept. 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST. For more information about this funding opportunity and to apply, visit the notice of funding on Grants.gov.

    — Story contributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • California Avocado Harvest on Track for 330M Pound Drop

    The California Avocado Commission’s mid-season forecast confirmed that the projected harvest still aligns with its original estimate of 330 million pounds of avocados. California’s volume ramped up significantly in May and June to satisfy consumer demand, bolstered by the Commission’s increased focus on customized support for retailers who merchandise

    fresh, in-season California avocados.

    “We have had very positive responses from retailers about this year’s demand-building marketing programs and a renewed emphasis on customized programs for retailers,”

    said CAC President Ken Melban. “We’re seeing impressive results in distribution and seasonal commitments.”

    CAC’s retail support programs this season include customized display bins and signage featuring California avocado growers, in-store and online digital advertising, Connected TV/streaming video, digital coupons, sales contests, ad flyers, demos and social media outreach.

    Customer-specific programs include social media series, e-newsletter integrations and activations with local influencers. California avocado consumer advertising continues to support the brand through the summer in targeted markets. In addition to Connected TV/streaming video, digital and out-of-home media will reach target consumers with CAC’s Voice of the Grower campaign, an authentic evolution of CAC’s marketing efforts that showcases growers talking about their avocados in their own words.

    Performance of targeted ads via an online shopping delivery service are exceeding the Commission’s expectations.

    “This year’s crop of fresh, responsibly farmed California avocados is showing good sizing with outstanding quality,” said Melban. “With about 100 million pounds still to be harvested, now is an excellent time for retailers to promote this locally grown fruit and to support domestic agricultural production.”

    — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • LGMA Webinar Highlights Science-Based Strategies for Preventing Cyclospora

    Hundreds of produce industry professionals from across the supply chain participated today in a public webinar hosted by the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) to learn what is currently known—and what remains unknown—about Cyclospora and the steps growers, shippers and buyers can take to reduce risk.

    During the webinar, food safety expert Dr. Jennifer McEntire, founder of Food Safety Strategies and former Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, emphasized three key messages:

    • Testing is not the answer. Current methods for detecting Cyclospora in fresh produce or water are technically challenging, have significant limitations and should not be relied upon as a preventive food safety strategy.
    • Focus on proven preventative practices. Buyers should verify that suppliers are fully complying with the mandatory food safety requirements of the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, the FDA Produce Safety Rule, or equivalent science-based food safety standards in their country of origin.
    • More research is needed. While significant progress has been made in understanding Cyclospora, important questions remain regarding how the parasite enters the production environment and the most effective methods for preventing contamination.

    “So much confusion and misinformation has been circulating about the current Cyclospora outbreak,” said California LGMA President and CEO Tim York, President. “Our goal was to bring together the best available science and provide the produce industry with practical, evidence-based information they can use today. Dr. McEntire is one of the nation’s leading experts on produce safety, and we wanted to make her expertise as widely available as possible.”

    York noted that a recording of the webinar is available on the California and Arizona LGMA website for anyone unable to attend the live presentation.  — Story contributed by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

  • Baking Innovations in Mexico Incentivize Almond Exports

    Mexico has been a market of interest for California almond growers for many years, importing 33.5 million pounds last year — up 8% from the year prior — with California almonds holding a 99% market share. Along the way, the strategy for reaching consumers and food professionals has evolved alongside the market itself.

    Earlier efforts focused on building awareness and familiarity among consumers through the ¡Ponte Almendra! campaign, introducing almonds as a nutritious and versatile food. Those programs helped establish a foundation for the category and positioned almonds as a recognizable ingredient among Mexican consumers.

    Today, the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) efforts in Mexico are centered on a different opportunity: the country’s bakery industry. That shift is grounded in market research and analysis commissioned by ABC, which identified Mexico’s bakery sector as a strong short-term growth opportunity for California almonds.

    The work extends beyond traditional marketing. ABC is also creating opportunities for bakery professionals to connect more closely with California almonds through educational programming, chef engagement and industry events. This includes participation in leading bakery trade shows such as ExpoPan and MexiPan, where bakers can see new applications for almonds and learn how the ingredient can be incorporated into a wide range of products. Planned activities also include bringing influential bakery professionals and industry partners closer to the California almond story through programs that highlight how almonds are grown and produced.

    At the heart of the strategy is a simple goal: helping make almonds a more frequent ingredient choice in one of Mexico’s largest food categories. Every time a bakery introduces an almond-filled pastry, a sweet bread topped with sliced almonds or a new premium product featuring almond ingredients, almonds become part of consumers’ everyday purchasing decisions. Those choices create opportunities for repeat use and long-term category growth.

    Across Mexico, bakery professionals are responding to changing consumer preferences, introducing more premium products, experimenting with new flavors and formats, and blending traditional Mexican bakery with influences from Europe and other global baking trends. As bakeries look for ways to elevate their offerings and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, almonds are well positioned to play a larger role.

    To support that opportunity, ABC has shifted its focus toward engaging directly with bakery professionals through trade marketing, industry partnerships and targeted outreach. Marketing efforts now include bakery-focused advertising, media relations and digital communications. The messaging centers on the role almonds can play in enhancing baked goods through flavor, texture, visual appeal and versatility, whether they are used as toppings, inclusions, fillings or ingredients in specialty formulations.

    Mexico’s bakery sector continues to innovate, and ABC sees an opportunity to ensure California almonds are part of that evolution. By staying engaged with the professionals developing new products, influencing ingredient decisions and shaping consumer trends, ABC is working to position almonds as a valued ingredient in the next generation of Mexican baked goods. The result is a strategy focused not only on increasing awareness, but on creating lasting demand by encouraging greater almond usage throughout the bakery category and strengthening the connection between California almonds and one of Mexico’s most important food industries. — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Regulators gain Insight at ABC’s Environmental Stewardship Tour

    Sixteen regulatory staff got a firsthand look at almond farming during the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) 18th annual Environmental Stewardship Tour on May 8 at Chamisal Creek Ranch in Arbuckle. Grower Mike Dougherty and his daughter Emma welcomed representatives from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Board and Central Valley Regional Water Board for an on-the-ground conversation about how almonds are grown and how stewardship practices play out in the field.

    Designed to help regulators have a better sense of what it takes to grow almonds; the annual tour gives regulators an opportunity to see the range of factors growers face throughout the season. Attendees spent more than four hours in the field engaging directly with growers and ABC staff through open dialogue and seeing almond trees up close.

    Beyond giving regulators a firsthand look at almond production, the tour also provides ABC with an important opportunity to demonstrate the depth of knowledge, research and practical information it can offer as a resource on almonds. Through conversations throughout the day, ABC staff and growers can answer questions, share context and strengthen relationships with regulatory audiences who play a key role in shaping the environment in which California almonds are grown.

    “It’s really just time for them to ask in-depth questions,” said Danielle Veenstra, ABC Senior Manager of Global Stewardship. “These tours create space for candid conversations and help show that we’re open and we’re here to share the real-world realities of farming.”

    Throughout the morning, participants saw both young and mature orchards, providing an almond growing 101-education while learning how growers approach key decisions around irrigation, nutrient management and crop protection. ABC staff also highlighted the organization’s investment in research and the outreach efforts that help translate science into practical, on-farm solutions.

    Natalie Henderson, ABC Director of Global Communications, emphasized the value of bringing new regulatory staff to the farm each year. “They leave more educated and more knowledgeable,” Henderson said. “That understanding doesn’t stop there, it spreads across agencies. And these growers get to share their challenges directly with the people helping shape regulations.”

    Following the orchard visit, the group continued to Dunnigan Hills Huller & Sheller, where the focus shifted to what happens after harvest. There, attendees saw how almond hulls and shells are utilized, from traditional livestock feed to value-added products that extend the value of every part of the crop.

    “They had products we could actually touch and feel, which really helped bring the story to life,” said Dan Sonke, Environmental Stewardship Workgroup Chair. “The byproduct story came through clearly, showing the full picture of how nothing goes to waste.”

    The visit also highlighted how co-product innovation contributes to the industry’s overall environmental footprint, reinforcing the role almonds play in a circular, resource-efficient system. According to ABC staff, these conversations often provide new perspectives for regulators, particularly when they see how interconnected farming practices, economics and environmental outcomes can be.

    By the end of the tour, participants left with a deeper understanding of the complexities of almond production, and the continuous improvements being made through research, innovation and grower-led stewardship.

    As Veenstra noted, “These opportunities help close the gap between perception and reality. When regulators see it firsthand, it changes the conversation.”

    — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • California’s Pistachio Industry Is Looking Ahead

    Growers, researchers and industry leaders gathered in Visalia for the 2026 American Pistachio Growers Industry Insights Day to discuss the future of the industry. Topics ranged from global market expansion and nutrition research to sustainability and one of California agriculture’s biggest challenges, water reliability. Subscribe to Pacific Nut Producer Magazine free to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Pistachio Industry.