California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to Host Farm Bill Listening Session

    WASHINGTON, March 2019– The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will host a listening session Friday, March 22, to solicit input from stakeholders with an interest in FAS programs authorized under the Trade Title of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

    During the session, to be held in room 107-A of the USDA Whitten Building, stakeholders can offer comments on FAS food assistance and fellowship and exchange programs from 1 – 2:30 p.m., and on FAS international market development programs from 2:30 – 4 p.m. FAS will also accept written comments.Individuals interested in commenting on food assistance and fellowship and exchange programs should email ppded@fas.usda.gov to preregister to attend or to submit written comments to the FAS Office of Capacity Building and Development.

    Individuals interested in commenting on FAS export market development programs should email podadmin@fas.usda.gov to preregister to attend or to submit written comments to the FAS Office of Trade Programs.When registering or commenting, please list your name, affiliation and program(s) of interest. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 20, and written comments are due by 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 22.

    WHAT: Foreign Agricultural Service Farm Bill Listening Session

    WHEN: Friday, March 22, 2019

    1 p.m. – Food Assistance and Fellowship and Exchange Programs

    2:30 p.m. – Export Market Development Programs

    WHERE: USDA Whitten Building, Room 107-A, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

  • Ag Council of California Celebrates Centennial

     

    100 anniversary

    Agricultural Council of California’s Annual Meeting, which was held March 4-5 in Monterey, marked a historic event this year as the organization celebrated 100 years of working on behalf of farmers and farmer-owned businesses. The event was held in conjunction with CoBank’s Pacific West Customer meeting.

    “Reaching 100 years as an organization is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Carl Hoff, Ag Council chairman and president and CEO of Butte County Rice Growers, during his address. “Our founders had vision and foresight, and we are proud to have continued to fulfill their mission to provide our members a valuable service as they engage in the noble effort of feeding the world.”

    Hoff took a retrospective look back at California’s agricultural industry in 1919 and compared it with the present environment. Vast changes in technology, farming methods and California’s population mean that many of the issues that Ag Council addresses on behalf of its members are different than they were in 1919, but the mission to ensure a better business environment for its members has not altered. During his address, Hoff also recognized the four cooperatives who have been members the entire 100 years-Blue Diamond, Sunkist, Sun-Maid and Sunsweet.”

    Our steadfast commitment is to focus on the issues and ensure a sustainable future for our industry,” he added. “Agriculture has changed, our members’ businesses have changed, but we have made the hard choices and thrived through the years.”

    In her annual address, Emily Rooney, president of Ag Council, also underscored the changes that have occurred since the founding of Ag Council, but also quoted the organization’s original charter mission, which has served as a roadmap for the last 100 years: An organization shall “be formed for the purpose of drafting beneficial legislation and guarding against vicious or dangerous laws which might affect agricultural interests.”

    conference “While sometimes many of us feel like we are under attack in California, I believe it is not our principles, but our practices, that are under scrutiny. And, innovation can help us address those concerns,” she said.  “As challenging as that can be, Ag Council has been successful in finding opportunities to address these issues while creating the change that optimizes our future.

    “Rooney discussed Ag Council’s efforts in several policy areas, and a more detailed accounting of the organization’s advocacy work can be found in the Centennial Impact Report, which was released during the annual meeting. A full copy can be accessed at www.agcouncil.org.

    This year’s Annual Meeting featured a Centennial Celebration on Monday evening. Gonzales FFA provided a presentation of the colors, and students Amy Aceves and Cynthia Ruiz spoke about their experiences with FFA and thanked Ag Council and its members for their support. The evening also included a presentation of a U.S. Senate Resolution by Shelly Abajian, director of Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Central California Office as well as the release of a video chronicling the history of Ag Council. Prior Ag Council Presidents Lee Ruth and Don Gordon were in attendance to help celebrate this historic event.

    The General Session held the following day, and moderated by Jackson Gualco of The Gualco Group, featured Dr. Daniel Mountjoy, of Sustainable Conservation who spoke about the role of groundwater in California agriculture and his work to promote a sustainable future via various innovative methods; Dr. Joseph Castro, president of California State University, Fresno; and, Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.

    The 100th Annual Meeting concluded with a luncheon that honored California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross as the recipient of the prestigious 2019 California Cultivator Award. As a Nebraska native and former staff person of Ag Council, Ross offered a heartfelt acceptance of the award. “Working at Ag Council was an important chapter in my career. The members and leadership opened my eyes to the miracle of California agriculture and that has become the best part of my job to reflect on how lucky we are to be involved in this industry.

    “For more information about Ag Council’s Annual Meeting, visit www.agcouncil.org.

    About Ag Council

    Founded in 1919, Agricultural Council of California is a member-supported organization advocating for more than 15,000 farmers across California, ranging from farmer-owned businesses to the world’s best-known brands. Ag Council serves as the farmers’ voice in California government. Ag Council works tirelessly to keep its members productive and competitive, so that agriculture can remain California’s number-one industry and members can continue to produce the highest quality food for the entire world. For more information, visit www.agcouncil.org.

  • Future Industry Leaders Begin Yearlong Almond Experience: Almond Leadership Program Welcomes its 11th Class

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) today announced its 2019 Almond Leadership Program class. These 19 promising leaders represent diverse backgrounds across multiple industries, from almond growers, processors and food safety specialists to marketing experts, sales representatives and even a dentist who has a passion for farming.
    Almond Leadership Program participants will spend the next year growing in their roles as the future generation of California almond industry leaders. They will learn from volunteer mentors who will help equip program participants with the knowledge and experience necessary to improve their leadership skills, the industry and their communities.
    The class will complete specialized training in a wide variety of topic areas, many of which are tied to ABC activities in marketing, trade stewardship, scientific research, food safety and more.
    As a kickoff to the program, Leadership class members participated in a two-day orientation, which included a State of the Industry address from ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott and Chair of the Board of Directors Holly King. Waycott and King highlighted the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals and the almond community’s commitment to continuous improvement, which are cornerstones of this year’s Almond Leadership Program.
    As they progress through the program, Leadership members will gain a stronger understanding of how the social, economic and scientific issues facing our world today — combined with the current political climate — affect the almond industry. They’ll also learn how all sectors in the almond supply chain work together to provide a safe, sustainable product. Through monthly seminars that span topics reaching all aspects of the industry, Leadership members will sharpen their communication skills while building relationships that will span their careers.
    Each participant will also select an area of interest to explore as part of a yearlong self-directed project. These projects will all focus on ways to help advance industry knowledge, andsome past projects even led to important breakthroughs for the industry.At the end of the year, one participant will be selected to present their project at The Almond Conference 2019, held this year at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
    “This program helps mold great people into even greater leaders — the leaders we will one day look toward to shape the future of the almond industry,” said Jenny Nicolau, senior manager, Industry Relations and Communications, ABC. “Each graduate from the Almond Leadership Program has gone on to be a leader of change in the industry or their community in some capacity, and this group will be no different. They are bright and talented, and obviously problem-solvers, and we are honored to be partners on this yearlong journey.”
    Over the past ten years, the Almond Leadership Program has graduated more than 150 participants and supported many key initiatives benefiting the industry. This year’s class will continue the tradition of raising funds for California Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has pledged to raise more than $20,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college.
    Members of this year’s class include: Maria Gabriela Chavarria, Harris Woolf California Almonds; Louis Brichetto, L.F. Brichetto Farming; Dominique Camou, Famoso Nut Company; Rocky Dhaliwal, Valley Pride Farming; Brian Erickson, Erickson Orchards; Haley Fields, Ali Cox & Company Marketing; Purnima Gupta, K&G Ranches; Joseph Jackson, Hillside Orchards; Falastine “Fill” Munoz, Grizzly Nut, LLC; April Nuckles, HarvestPort; Kristina Qualls, South Valley Almond Company, LLC; Brett Richesin, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.; Dylan Rogers, AgroLiquid; Lucas Schmidt, Grow West; Victor Thao, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Jerrett Thomason, Wells Fargo Food and Agribusiness; Chris VanderStoel, VanderStoel Farm; Connor Wagner, Wagner Land Company; and Chandler Wilson, NutriAg Group Ltd.

  • California Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees

    Know a California farmer, rancher or forester who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources? Nominate them for the 2019 California Leopold Conservation Award®. 

    Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for the conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 13 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In California the $10,000 award is presented with Sustainable Conservation and California Farm Bureau Federation.

    Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

    Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/CA-CFN-LR.pdf

    Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2019. Mail applications to:

    Leopold Conservation Award

    c/o Sustainable Conservation

    98 Battery Street, Suite 302

    San Francisco, CA 94111

    “From clean and abundant water, to breathable air, to healthy wildlife, keeping California the special place we all love requires everyone doing their part,” said Ashley Boren, Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which has co-sponsored the award since its launch in California more than a decade ago. “On the front lines of conservation are many deserving, but often overlooked, landowner heroes stepping up every day to steward our environment and Californians’ quality of life. The Leopold Conservation Award celebrates these inspiring individuals and families, and co-sponsors hope farmers, ranchers and other private landowners come forward this year to be recognized.”

    “The Leopold Conservation Award provides outstanding recognition of farmers and ranchers who often take small steps to realize big gains in managing their farms in a sustainable and profitable manner,” said Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation President. “The awarded families are great examples of the generational appreciation farmers and ranchers have for their land. The stewardship they employ at their farms and ranches serves as a great example of California farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to the environment.”

    “Leopold Conservation Award recipients are at the forefront of a movement by America’s farmers and ranchers to simultaneously achieve economic and environmental success,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer.

    The Leopold Conservation Award in California is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sustainable Conservation, the California Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit West, American Ag Credit, The Harvey L. & Maud S. Sorensen Foundation, The Nature Conservancy in California, McDonald’s, and California LCA recipient alumni.The Leopold Conservation Award will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Meeting in December.

    The first California Leopold Conservation Award recipient was selected in 2006. Lundberg Family Farms of Richvale received the award in 2018.

    For more information on the award, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.

    THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD PROGRAM

    The Leopold Conservation Award is a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation. Sand County Foundation presents the award in California, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. www.leopoldconservationaward.org

    SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION

    Sand County Foundation inspires and enables a growing number of private landowners to ethically manage natural resources in their care, so future generations have clean and abundant water, healthy soil to support agriculture and forestry, plentiful habitat for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. www.sandcountyfoundation.org

    SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION

    Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing California’s land, air and water. Since 1993, it has brought together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that make economic sense. Sustainable Conservation believes common ground is California’s most important resource. www.suscon.org

    CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

    The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 40,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.www.cfbf.com.

  • Political analyst David Wasserman to keynote 2019 Organic Trade Association conference Annual policy conference to focus on Bold Ideas & Critical Conversations:

    Attendees of the Organic Trade Association’s spring policy conference will have the rare opportunity to get an insider’s look into the upcoming presidential race when they hear from one of the few political analysts in the country who accurately forecast the results of the historic 2016 election.

    keynote speaker

    David Wasserman, one of the nation’s most influential political analysts and election forecasters and U.S. House Editor for the non-partisan The Cook Political Report, will share his spot-on insights and deep knowledge of today’s political landscape at the Organic Trade Association’s annual policy conference on May 22 in Washington.

     

    The Bold Ideas & Critical Conversations conference is part of a powerful week of organic advocacy, education, and collaboration that the Organic Trade Association has planned for its Organic Week activities scheduled the week of May 20 in D.C.

     

    Wasserman is regarded as among the most accurate election forecasters in the country, and his authoritative analysis of political trends is closely followed by other political experts as well as academics and the general public. In 2016, he drew wide praise for his pre-election analysis, including his piece titled “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote” written two months before election. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends, the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections.

     

    “The Organic Trade Association is thrilled to have David speak at our conference,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. “Today’s political environment is very unpredictable, so David’s keen insights into today’s political scene, and his proven electoral foresight will be timely and eye-opening for our attendees.”

     

    The trade association will host its annual conference at a unique venue–Dock 5, a creative urban space in the nexus of the historic Union Market– opened to the public in 1871 and once the largest market in Washington, D.C.

     

    The conference is one of three major events of Organic Week, during which organic stakeholders will double-down on big ideas and solutions to advance organic. In the backdrop of the nation’s capital, small organic producers and major growers, family-run organic operations and nationwide companies, researchers and policy advocates, and distributors and retailers will come together to promote organic policy priorities. Included in the week will be educational opportunities, advocacy, and networking as participants explore leading-edge thinking, discuss bold strategies, and take incremental steps to advance policy and private sector solutions.

     

    Activities begin with Member Day on Monday, May 20, at the Organic Trade Association’s headquarters in the Hall of the States where members will gather for updates and discussions on industry issues. That evening, the Organic Trade Association’s Board of Directors will host a guided bus tour to view D.C. monuments. On Tuesday, May 21, attendees head to Capitol Hill for Advocacy Day to meet with congressional policymakers and discuss the importance of organic. On Thursday, May 23, the Board of Directors will meet alongside a volunteer service project at DC Central Kitchen where attendees will be invited to roll up their sleeves and help!

     

    Registration is open. Register by March 15 for the best pricing on this action-filled week.

  • Tulare County Crop Status (For the week ending March 16, 2019)

    SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:
    Wheat and alfalfa crops continue to mature well. Dairy forage crops are still flourishing from the
    recent rain. Some fields are beginning to be planted for spring silage. Cover crops planted
    between rows in orchards are being incorporated into the soil.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:
    Petal-fall on almonds is occurring. Stored almonds are going to India, Denmark, Saudi Arabia,
    the Netherlands, Finland, South Africa, Russian Federation, Chile, Germany, Israel, Kuwait,
    Japan, Jordan, and Belgium. Pistachios are being exported to Mexico, Hong Kong, Spain,
    Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Israel, Vietnam, China, Singapore,
    Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union. Pecans are being exported to Japan and Israel.
    Some stone fruit orchards are still being pruned, and are in bloom. Kiwis are still being pruned
    and tied. Kiwifruit are being packed for the domestic market and exported to Japan and Mexico.
    Grape vines continue to be pruned and tied.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:
    Citrus packing houses are putting in long days to make up for the backlog. Navel oranges are
    continuing to experience quality issues due to the season and rain. Navel and Blood oranges are
    being exported to New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Chile, Peru, Singapore,
    Indonesia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, the Philippines,
    Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Mandarins are being packed for the domestic
    market and exported to New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Lemons are being exported
    to Japan and New Zealand. Pomelos are being sent to New Zealand. Minneola tangelos are being
    exported to the Netherlands. Seedless tangerines are being tented to prevent cross pollination.
    Olive trees are being pruned.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, AND BERRIES:
    Small amounts of winter vegetables continue to be grown and harvested. The preparation of
    fields for spring planting has increased due to the warmer weather and appropriate soil moisture.
    Strawberry transplants continue to be planted. Blueberries are blooming in greenhouses and
    Bumble bees have been imported for pollination.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:
    Rangeland forage is in good condition, and warmer weather is enhancing growth. The break in
    the rain is helping milk production.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
    Wholesale nurseries are starting to pick up on shipments to local and out-of-state nurseries for
    the spring planting season.

  • NCGA Statement on E15 Proposed Rule

    National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Chrisp made the below statement following the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of a proposed rule to allow for year-round sales of E15.

    “Today’s proposed rule is great progress to getting the rulemaking completed by the start of the summer driving season, June 1. NCGA appreciates EPA’s efforts to meet this deadline and we look forward to fully reviewing the content of the proposed rule. We will be providing comments to EPA and urging our membership to provide input during the comment process as well.

    “Allowing year-round sales of higher blends of ethanol not only grows a domestic market for farmers, but E15 gives consumers more choice at the pump, a lower price option and greater environmental benefits from a cleaner fuel. It’s time to remove the barrier to all of these benefits.”

    About the National Corn Growers Association
    Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 50 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry.

  • US Dairy Exports Decline Due to International Trade Dispute

    Bennett Water Systems
    With a rising middle class in China, US dairy producers saw potential for a great marketing opportunities that has recently been shattered by the current international trade dispute.  With trade issues in Mexico as well, another big market for the the US dairy industry, there are big concerns as to how this will impact the industry in a time of large milk inventories.  Watch this brief interview with Annie Acmoody from Western United Dairymen as she expounds upon the matter.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Bennett Water Systems know & thank them for their industry support!

  • California Farmland Trust Welcomes New Team Member: Chelsea Molina

    As the California Farmland Trust (CFT) works with more farmers and protects more farmland, the team is growing to meet the demand. The Elk Grove-based agricultural non-profit is pleased to announce Chelsea Molina as their new Conservation Project Coordinator.

    Chelsea has a dynamic style and the experience needed to deeply connect farmers and CFT. A deep connection is paramount to building the trust and rapport required through the lengthy process of protecting farmland among agency funders, farmers and their family members, and CFT.

    “Chelsea has in-depth knowledge of agriculture and the diversity of the participants involved in conservation work. This knowledge will contribute greatly to the overall success of the California Farmland Trust,” said Charlotte Mitchell, CFT executive director. Chelsea will be in charge of conservation easement coordination and helping the CFT project team and landowners with a clear, concise, and orderly transaction process.

    Chelsea comes to CFT from the California Waterfowl Association as director of development and prior to that managed the Political Affairs Department of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Thanks to an internship in Washington DC where she worked on the Farm Bill and agricultural policy, Chelsea has a keen awareness that it takes many contributing parties to succeed in conservation. “For long-term and widespread farmland conservation across a diverse state like California, the future will require support and consideration of many stakeholders, such as environmentalists, agriculturalists, agencies, and the public,” said Chelsea.

    “Here, we are all part of this mission and want to move it forward as a team – to protect ag land in CA,” continues Chelsea. “I am very detail oriented, enjoy working with people (especially farmers), and towards a common goal. Agricultural easement transactions take all three. I look forward to moving us forward to protect more of the best farmland in the world.”

    Chelsea is a native of Elk Grove and a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she majored in Agricultural Communications with a minor in Ag Business.

    The California Farmland Trust is a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. To date we have protected 15,826 acres of farmland on 65 family farms. Visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org

  • Protect Calf Hutches with the California Cattle Council

    The passage of Proposition 12 last year really showed how misinformed the public is and Anti-Animal Ag activists continue to fuel the fire, and their next target in destroying the dairy and beef cattle industry is to outlaw calf hutches.  This is just one of the many issues California dairy and beef cattle producers are dealing with at this time.  That is why they are uniting to launch a referendum to establish the California Cattle Council to protect the industry from those who seek to destroy it.  Ballots have been mailed out, and producers are encouraged to support the referendum.  Watch this brief interview with Western United Dairymen for more details.