California Ag Network

Category: News

  • UCCE Advisor Royce Larsen Retires

    By the time Royce Larsen turned 12, he had never traveled farther than a three-hour drive from his family’s dairy ranch in rural Utah. Caring for cows was a demanding household chore requiring participation from the whole family.

    “ You get up at 4:30 [a.m.], milk, go to school, come back, milk. There’s never time to do anything else,” Larsen said.

    Growing up on the dairy, Larsen realized that milking cows was not his life’s calling. Still, a love of the outdoors and rural life stuck with him, eventually leading him back to the range – not as a dairyman, but as a scientist.

    For 30 years, Larsen has shared his expertise in rangeland management through UC Cooperative Extension, protecting the types of landscapes that were the backdrop to his childhood. Larsen spent most of his career as the watershed and natural resource advisor covering Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. This summer, he will retire from that role and move back to Utah.

    Cattle ranchers of California’s Central Coast can attest that Larsen has been a local fixture of the community. His trustworthiness earned him keys and combinations to their ranches, allowing him freedom to collect data on vegetation and many other ecological indicators.

    Kevin Kester, a rancher from Parkfield and past president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says Larsen made good on his trust. Larsen helped him develop rangeland management plans to protect his natural resources and family livelihood for future generations.

    “It takes a certain kind of person from the academic world to interact with cattle ranchers … not everybody can do it. Royce was a perfect fit,” Kester said. “His word is as good as gold.”

    Larsen’s tact with the local community rewarded him academically. Larsen used the extensive data he collected to demonstrate how rangeland environments are changing with the climate, and effectively communicated those stakes to ranchers.

    Over his career, he published 230 articles and delivered countless workshops, lectures and site visits. Larsen has applied for emeritus status to continue leveraging his knowledge to benefit California’s watersheds and the ranchers who manage them.

    From Dairy Farmer to Watershed Scientist

    The dairy that Larsen grew up on was relatively small. By the time he was a teenager, his family faced steep pressure from the surrounding farms.

    “We had to either get large or get out,” Larsen recalled.

    When his family made the tough decision to sell the business, Larsen took that as an opportunity to transition. He enrolled at Utah State University, just a few miles from his family’s home.

    He pursued computer science, but that interest was eclipsed after taking a course on watersheds and rangelands. For the first time, Larsen learned how water that falls on farms all feeds into streams and underground reservoirs. He began to understand water quality as a shared responsibility.

    Larsen didn’t come from a family oriented toward science. Of his six siblings, he is the only one to finish a college degree. But his passion for watershed management inspired him to keep learning, leading him to earn a master’s and Ph.D. from Oregon State University. By that time, he wanted to stay in academia, but becoming a university professor didn’t feel right.

    “I just didn’t see myself teaching a class day after day. But I wanted to do research and get out and visit with people,” Larsen said.

    Larsen was introduced to Cooperative Extension at OSU. There, he was invited to camp out with local cattlemen, who shared how much they need the insights scientists have to offer. Larsen noted the long history of mutual respect between ranchers and Cooperative Extension. That kind of relationship-based research felt natural – and important.

    “Like, this is where I want to go. This is the direction,” Larsen said.

    Cleaning Up the Water Clears the Name of Cows

    Larsen landed his first UC ANR job as an environmental science advisor for San Bernardino and Riverside counties, a role that took him into the Mojave to survey for endangered desert tortoises. Despite the intrigue, Larsen wanted to focus more on grazed rangelands, so when a watershed advisor position opened in San Luis Obispo, he jumped on it.

    At that time, the State Water Resources Control Board was enforcing the Clean Water Act more stringently. Regulators had tackled single “point-sources” of contamination (like dumped sewage) and were now turning to more generalized “nonpoint-source” contamination.

    In California, the vast majority of surface water flows through rangeland watersheds and thus, ranches were receiving special scrutiny for their potential impact on water quality.

    “There was this big emphasis: ‘Clean it up!’” Larsen said. “The water quality regulators up to that point felt that cows were a problem, but a lot of times they’re not. So let’s focus on what the problem really is and how we fix it.”

    Larsen got to work tracing water contaminants. Water lawyer and local rancher Steve Sinton opened his property to the research effort.

    “He’s come out to our ranch and studied anything that’s in a cow pat,” Sinton said. “If there’s something in there that you don’t want, does it go to the streams?”

    Larsen discovered that, in most cases, contaminants only traveled a few feet from the cow pat. As long as ranchers avoided grazing cattle on roads and in streams, they could make significant strides in protecting the local watershed.

    “Grazing really didn’t have that big of an impact on the water quality as they were being blamed for,” Larsen said.

    For Sinton, that discovery was vindicating. It reinforced the value of collaborating with local Cooperative Extension advisors who bring data-based evidence to pressing environmental issues.

    “There’s science to back up what’s actually happening out there. And it takes scientists to get the science,” Sinton said.

    By taking water quality readings in the field, Larsen provided ranchers with data to accurately gauge – and improve – the sustainability of their operations. He helped develop a short course on water quality to help ranchers establish management plans tailored to their operations. That individual attention was noticed and appreciated.

    “He’s out on our ranch. He’s out and about. He’s not an office guy,” Sinton said.

    All that time spent outside had other perks. Larsen frequently snapped photos of close encounters with wildlife, including bobcats, elk and birds – a reminder of the non-human beneficiaries of Larsen’s passion for environmental protection.

    A treasure trove of climate data shows rangelands in flux

    Every year of his career in San Luis Obispo, Larsen has collected the same type of data on forage, the plant material eaten by livestock. The process is almost ritualistic. After drawing up quadrat study plots on rangelands, he carefully collects vegetation, dries the material and weighs it. He also records plant species and other ecological observations.

    This dedication to monitoring rangeland environments for 25 years gave Larsen a front-row seat to watch the climate as it changes. In the 2010s, he saw extreme droughts put pressure on vegetation, cows and ranchers alike.

    “They had to sell most of their herd.  The cows wouldn’t survive. There’s nothing for them to eat,” Larsen said.

    Landscapes still haven’t recovered from those impacts, even years later.

    “The average temperature is increasing every year,” Larsen said. “The other problem is we’re seeing rains being erratic.”

    Cattle rancher Kevin Kester has seen the same phenomenon.

    “We’ve got these dry years, that’s a fact, and then we’ve got a wet year. What are the effects of it? How do we deal with it?” he asked.

    According to Kester, one of Larsen’s greatest strengths has been in discussing these challenges with ranchers, never coming off as a know-it-all or alarmist. Kester credits Larsen for moderating meaningful conversations about practical sustainability issues.

    “Just in his low-key Royce manner, he can ask those kinds of questions. Not threatening or challenging — he just makes you stop and think,” Kester said.

    As Larsen retires, many variables on rangelands are in flux. Any successor will have to consider changing fire regimes and forage availability. For Larsen, adapting to that future means getting out into the field – a great privilege of the job.

    “They’ll need to go visit the ranchers and determine for themselves what’s important,” Larsen said.

    Ahead of his retirement, Larsen wishes to thank his collaborators and mentors, especially Melvin George, who hired him as a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis and supported him through his UC career. He extends his gratitude to retired UC ANR specialist Bill Tietje, with whom he worked at the San Luis Obispo office.

    He also extends a special thanks to Karl Striby of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service whom he collaborated on many projects, and Randy Dahlgren, professor at UC Davis, with whom he worked over the last 15 years, as well as to all the advisors and staff in the county.

    “There were many others, too many to mention individually, but without whom I could not have achieved nearly as much in my program – thank you to all I have worked with,” Larsen said. “Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, Wendy, who has supported me throughout my career.”

    — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • Congressional Dairy Caucus Revived

    Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) joined Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) in relaunching the Congressional Dairy Caucus. Central Valley dairy producers continue to struggle due to high input costs, competitive pressures from trade partners and shifting consumption patterns, and this caucus aims to work to elevate those concerns at the federal level and advocate for milk and dairy products.

    “As the sole dairyman in Congress, I’m proud to join my colleagues in launching the Congressional Dairy Caucus,” Valadao said. “Dairy is the cornerstone of the Central Valley’s economy, and I know firsthand the challenges our producers face—from rising input costs and labor shortages to changing consumer demands and an increasingly unpredictable marketplace. Our dairy producers deserve strong advocates in Washington who understand what’s at stake, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to strengthen the dairy industry, promote the nutritional benefits of dairy products, and ensure the hardworking men and women who feed our nation have the support they need to succeed.”

    “Eastern Connecticut has a proud heritage of multi-generation, family-owned dairy farms,” Courtney said. “Dairy farms are a key part of our local economy and provide nutritious products to our communities. The industry is facing pressing challenges of rising input costs, market volatility, and competitive pressures from trade partners. As a Co-Chair of the bipartisan Dairy Caucus, I will continue making dairy farmers’ voices heard in Congress and work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address their needs and help grow their businesses.”

    — Story contributed by Rep. David Valadao

  • ‘Farm to Corrections’ Program Benefits California Growers, Incarcerated People

    Emotion showed on the face of a farmer as she walked across the rec yard of California State Prison Solano.

    As Sarah Weil talked with incarcerated residents of the facility in Vacaville, many of them shook her hand and thanked her for the mandarins she had supplied to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

    “Those are fire,” said Andre Pierson, chair of the Inmate Advisory Council, which liaises between residents and prison administration.

    “The only issue I have with the mandarins is we don’t get five of them,” said Patrick Range, another resident of the Solano facility.

    Weil, the co-owner of Twin Tree Farms in Madera, said she mainly sells her mandarins to wholesalers and thus rarely gets to hear such heartfelt appreciation from the people who are actually eating her fruit.

    “I literally cried at some point because I was so moved by how meaningful a mandarin can be,” Weil said. “For the people there, it’s a lifeline, and I was able to be a part of providing them that lifeline. That gave me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and purpose in what I’m doing in being a farmer.”

    Weil’s 47-acre mandarin farm is currently one of about 30 small- and medium-sized farms across the state participating in Harvest of the Month, a “farm to corrections” program bringing California-grown produce to CDCR facilities. Since its pilot phase in 2023, the program has expanded to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to all 30 adult facilities that house a total of about 90,000 people.

    The result of a cross-sector partnership initiated by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Nutrition Policy Institute, Harvest of the Month is the only program of its kind in a U.S. correctional system. NPI brought aboard the nonprofit Impact Justice and  ChangeLab Solutions, and together they developed a partnership with CDCR and Spork Food Hub to launch this project.

    In late April, the current partners hosted stakeholders — including farmers like Weil — at a panel discussion about the program at Spork in Davis and a tour of the Solano facility. Weil was grateful for the chance to meet with the incarcerated residents and understand the full impact of her mandarins.

    “Harvest of the Month means everything to me,” said Range, citing the health benefits of fresh produce.

    Weil recalled residents telling her that the citrus didn’t just nourish their bodies – it nourished their souls. “It brought them a sense of connection to the outside; it brought them a sense of connection to nature, a connection to something that’s living,” Weil explained.

    For that firsthand experience and her involvement with Harvest of the Month, Weil also expressed her thanks to the partners behind the program, led by the NPI team of principal investigator Wendi Gosliner, project director Ron Strochlic and project manager Kassandra Bacon.

    “I feel very, very blessed to be a part of it,” Weil said.

    NPI, Impact Justice grew partnership that led to CDCR efforts

    In 2019, Impact Justice invited Gosliner to a stakeholder interview to talk about food and nutrition and how they affect incarcerated people. Subsequently, Gosliner and Strochlic saw an opportunity to increase access to California-grown fruits and vegetables in carceral settings through a California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant funding opportunity. Gosliner invited Impact Justice and ChangeLab Solutions to partner on the proposal.

    Awarded an initial grant in 2020, the team spent a couple years gathering input from experts and stakeholders across the country, including formerly incarcerated individuals. The project managers also gradually cultivated a working relationship with CDCR – the State of California’s largest single purchaser of food.

    Departmental managers initially resisted the idea due to financial considerations, as a single serving of California-grown produce from a small or medium grower costs about 35 cents, compared to their typical cost of 12 to 15 cents per serving sourced from large distributors or places like Mexico.

    But CDCR, like all California state entities, was facing a requirement to purchase — by the end of 2025 — at least 60% of their food from California growers and producers, as mandated by AB 778.

    “In order to do this, food services began to collaborate with other departments and agencies,” said CDCR food administrator Lance Eshelman.

    The partners eventually settled on an approach based on the existing Harvest of the Month model, used in K through 12 settings to encourage young people to eat a variety of foods and receive nutrition education – while supporting small and medium farmers at the same time. The team sought to deliver one select produce item each month, starting with three correctional facilities in July 2023.

    “We thought of a bite-size, small-step way to get our foot in the door with this, and that’s where Harvest of the Month began,” said Heile Gantan-Keo, program manager of Impact Justice’s Food in Prison Project.

    But piloting the program at the outset, even at a modest scale, presented challenges.

    “There were just a lot of logistics to manage in terms of getting the right product, having it delivered at the highest quality, and then getting it utilized well by the facilities,” Gosliner said. “There were learning curves all across that entire chain of experience.”

    Fortunately, they were able to lean on the expertise of Spork Food Hub.

    Harvest of the Month Offers Stability, New Market for California Farmers

    When the COVID pandemic disrupted food supply chains, a handful of Sacramento Valley growers formed Spork to pool their crops and sell them to local school districts, according to Hope Sippola, co-owner of the food hub.

    The project team brought in Spork because of its ability to fill a substantial order from a large purchaser like CDCR by pulling together organically or sustainably grown products from a variety of operations. Spork works with 120 farms ranging in size from two to several hundred acres, with about 60% of them operated by people who identify as Black, Indigenous or people of color.

    Sippola – who is also co-owner of Fiery Ginger Farm in Yolo County – said her small farm has supplied bok choy and pluots to Harvest of the Month.

    “For a tiny farm like ours, it’s really important,” she said. “We wouldn’t be able to access this market if it weren’t for the fact that a food hub could aggregate the different quantities from the different farms.”

    Working together also distributes risks among farmers and mitigates any potential shortfall of a particular crop, said Tim Mueller, chief executive officer of Riverdog Farm, a mixed fruit, nut, vegetable and livestock operation on 350 acres in the Capay Valley. His farm has supplied purple and watermelon daikon radishes, broccoli and cabbage to the program.

    Harvest of the Month can absorb unexpected overruns, Mueller noted, and having a reliable customer in Spork gives his operation stability. That means he is able to give his 40 employees steady work, which strengthens the economy and social fabric of the entire community.

    “These are people who aren’t chasing harvests across California, up and down the West Coast – they’re here; this is their home,” Mueller explained. “They have year-round work, and a program like Harvest of the Month helps make that a reality.”

    Weil, who grows mandarins exclusively and also operates her own packing house, said the consistency and volume of Harvest of the Month orders enable her to stay in production and retain her picking and packing crews – a challenge for many growers.

    “We’re talking about 50 people – from the pickers to the packers and other people that are involved,” Weil said. “A lot of people benefited from this program; it’s really been a godsend and I’m so grateful for it.”

    Thus, despite the slightly lower price point offered through the Harvest of the Month program, participating farmers nevertheless appreciate access to a significant new market and the guaranteed sales — as well as other opportunities.

    “For example, Orozco Farms — also known as Melon Bros — they didn’t grow in the winter and grew only summer crops,” Sippola said. “But now they’re growing in the winter for this program specifically, and we’ve been crop planning with them.”

    Growth of Program Presents Delivery, Kitchen Challenges

    Given the many benefits for growers and incarcerated individuals alike, Harvest of the Month grew steadily, with the program partners adding three CDCR facilities each quarter. Through an additional $5 million allocation from the California legislature to help CDCR comply with AB 778, all 30 adult facilities in the system now get multiple servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every month.

    This presented a major test for Spork’s logistical reach.

    “We’re driving all the way to the Oregon border and all the way to the southern border of California, which is a lot for our five little trucks,” said Sippola, who added that Spork is also partnering with a third-party company to help deliver the produce to all CDCR facilities.

    Although it started as a regional food hub, Spork now sources from farms all over California.

    “We have a lot of coastal farmers, which gives us season extension and they can grow things like berries year-round,” Sippola said. “We source from most of California, with a focus on the Central Valley and Central California coast, as far south as Santa Maria.”

    Another challenge has been ensuring that the fruits and vegetables can be properly processed by the diverse facilities across the CDCR system.

    “When we’re dealing with 30 different kitchens – some as old as San Quentin, some as new as the Stockton medical facility – we have different equipment,” Eshelman explained. “They all don’t have the same infrastructure or equipment, and some cooks get creative in order to produce a quality product.”

    Butternut squash was, quite literally, a tough case in point. Gantan-Keo of Impact Justice said she heard many questions from food service staff – what to make with this, how does this fit into the statewide menus they need to comply with, and how do they even cut up the hard squash, without industrial choppers, processors, or the sharp knives that one might find at home.

    “We learned from that; we listened and surveyed food managers who have been implementing the program,” Gantan-Keo said. “And then we tried to go for a softer variety of squash, like delicata squash.”

    The program team also has been gathering feedback from the residents of the facilities.

    “When Heile and the team are going to the facilities, they’re not just talking to food service staff or the food managers. They’re also talking to the incarcerated individuals – they’re the ones that are consuming these products,” Eshelman said. “They also know how to prepare ingredients in their cell, from the food they purchase from the canteen [a commissary in a correctional facility].”

    With State Support, Harvest of the Month Will Continue to Improve

    Pierson and Range, incarcerated residents at the Solano facility, have been using the fresh vegetables in the soups they make. Pierson said he is teaching the younger men how to prepare the soup, and Range added that he appreciates being able to add different vegetables to his rice bowls, such as the bok choy.

    “In the ’90s, when I got here, you got a handful of lettuce,” recalled Range, who has to manage kidney disease.

    He said that in 2023, he was told he would need dialysis by the end of the year, but after watching his diet and increasing his intake of fruit and vegetables, he noted that his kidney function had actually improved in the intervening years.

    “My kidneys are better and my health is better,” Range said.

    Other residents in the rec yard told attendees of the stakeholder tour that the fresh produce was a great boon for their mental and emotional health. By eating less processed food and more fruits and vegetables, some observed that they felt less sluggish or had fewer mood swings, and were less prone to destructive behavior.

    They especially enjoyed the greater variety on offer — from pluots to persimmons, and avocados to asparagus.

    “Every time I got these vegetables, I called my mom and asked her what to do with them,” said Brian Cortez.

    The produce will keep coming, at least for the foreseeable future. Harvest of the Month will continue, even as the grant money that supported program logistics and management runs out. A second specialty crop block grant that the NPI team received ends later this month.

    “The idea behind those grants is that the project should be self-sustaining and not continue to require grant funds,” said Gosliner, the NPI principal investigator. “We’ve been trying these past three years to figure out how to make Harvest of the Month embedded in systems, so it doesn’t require our effort for the work to continue.”

    The funding for purchasing the food from Spork has been entirely provided by CDCR, noted Strochlic, the NPI project director.

    “It’s all come from CDCR, which has demonstrated their commitment to the program and making sure that it’s successful,” he said. “They’ve been a great collaborator, as well as a great champion.”

    Eshelman, the departmental food administrator, credits CDCR leadership — Secretary Jeff Macomber and the federally appointed Receivers overseeing health care – for their support of the program.

    As long as the state’s budget permits, Eshelman said he will continue to grow and improve upon the template that has been established by Harvest of the Month.

    “We have plans, we have ideas, and now we know how to make it work,” he said. “And we’re looking forward to the future.”

    — Story by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • Legal Compliance in the Almond Industry

    California can feel like a legal minefield with the potential lawsuits that almond growers can face. Knowing the latest laws and regulations, and how to be compliant with them, is more important than ever. Henderson Arreola Partner Stacy Henderson spoke with Matthew Malcolm to discuss some tactics for how growers can stay ahead of regulations. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • DPR Releases New Report on Pesticide Reevaluation Process

    In compliance with Assembly Bill 2113, the California DPR has released a new report on how it is making its pesticide reevaluation process more efficient.

    “Reevaluation is one tool in DPR’s Continuous Evaluation and Mitigation program,” A release from the California DPR stated. “It gives the department authority to require pesticide companies to develop and submit scientific studies when important data is missing, and then to use those results to evaluate risks and put any necessary protective measures in place. AB 2113 requires DPR to initiate one reevaluation per year, increasing to two per year beginning in 2029.”

    DPR has also updated its public Continuous Evaluation and Mitigation tracker, noting that as of June 2026 the department has 7 reevaluations, 2 risk assessments, and 10 mitigation efforts underway. The report can be found here. — Story contributed by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation

  • Trump Takes Step to Lower Fertilizer Costs

    President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation temporarily suspending countervailing duties on certain phosphate fertilizer imports,

    The temporary suspension aims to increase phosphate fertilizer availability, improve competition and help lower one of agriculture’s largest production expenses while supporting a stable and reliable fertilizer supply ahead of future planting seasons.

    Current USDA analysis indicates American farmers could save approximately $1.82 billion annually through lower phosphate fertilizer costs as additional supplies enter the U.S. market. The action is expected to reduce phosphate fertilizer prices by approximately 22%, benefiting more than 100,000 farms across 97 million planted acres nationwide.

    “As we have worked to implement America First fertilizer actions—from waiving the Jones Act to implementing more flexible Hours of Service waivers—we have focused on finding short-term solutions while delivering long-term stability for our nation’s farmers,” said U.S. Secretary of Ag Brooke L. Rollins. “Today’s announcement will bring immediate relief to producers who rely on these critical inputs with an estimated 22 percent reduction in phosphate fertilizer prices, and $1.82 billion in annual savings for producers. President Trump will always put farmers first, and he will continue to fight for those that feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.”

    The Administration has designated phosphate and potash as critical minerals, signed a USDA-Department of Justice Memorandum of Understanding to address anti-competitive practices affecting agricultural inputs, worked with federal partners to accelerate major domestic fertilizer manufacturing projects and recently established a dedicated USDA Agricultural Economist position focused on fertilizer markets and agricultural inputs.

    In addition to providing immediate relief through increased fertilizer availability, USDA looks to continue support long-term domestic fertilizer production by advancing major manufacturing projects across the country that will strengthen supply chains, create rural jobs and reduce America’s reliance on foreign fertilizer sources.

    “President Trump’s action today will provide immediate relief as well as a stable source of supply for American producers as they enter fall application season,” said Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden. “The Department will continue to support initiatives to secure American farmers’ access to fertilizer, including by increasing domestic production capacity.”

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

  • Are GLP-1s a Threat or an Opportunity for the Almond Industry?

    GLP-1 weight loss drugs have been found to decrease consumption and lower household spending, thereby generating much discussion about their impact on appetites and on the almond industry. Terrain Ag analyst Matt Woolf spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to discuss what these drugs could mean for almond growers in California. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Ghana

    The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is now accepting applications for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Accra, Ghana, from Sept. 22-25,.

    USDA’s agribusiness trade missions directly connect U.S. exporters with buyers in fast-growing overseas markets, boosting income for American farmers, ranchers, and producers, supporting and creating jobs, and fueling rural economies nationwide. Current and potential exporters interested in expanding their reach into Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and other West African countries must register by July 1, 2026.

    “This mission to Ghana is a chance to introduce buyers from across West Africa to the highest-quality goods America’s farmers, ranchers and producers have to offer” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Expanding our export footprint here brings America’s bounty to new markets and brings new sales back to rural America, building strong farms and communities for generations to come.”

    In Ghana alone, there’s a growing market for U.S. agricultural and related products, with exports reaching $175 million in 2025. Poultry and prepared foods make up most of this trade, but USDA anticipates strong growth potential across West African countries for a variety of commodities, including:

    • Poultry, beef and animal genetics
    • Grains, soybeans and animal feed
    • Dairy products and milk powders
    • Healthy food preparations and ingredients
    • Wine and distilled spirits
    • Seafood and forestry products

    During the trade mission, U.S. participants will engage in targeted, one-on-one business meetings with qualified buyers from across the region. Staff from FAS and regional market experts will also provide in-depth market briefings, site visits and networking events to help American businesses successfully navigate the West African market.

    To apply by the July 1, 2026, deadline visit the Ghana Agribusiness Trade Mission webpage.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions. — Story contributed by the USDA Foreign Ag Service

  • Almond Hulls Receive GRAS Status from FDA

    Almond hulls were recently given Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA. This designation opens the door for them to be used in a variety of different food products, as they are high in fiber and phytonutrients. Almond Board of California CEO and President Clarice Turner spoke with Matthew Malcolm at California Ag Network to discuss this recent breakthrough and what it means for the almond industry. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • CAWG Presses Federal Agenda

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) led a delegation of growers to Washington, D.C., June 1-3 to advance a federal policy agenda aimed at restoring competitiveness, strengthening risk management tools and supporting the long-term viability of California vineyards.

    Over three days, CAWG representatives met with more than 20 offices, including those of California’s two U.S. senators and eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives, along with senior staff on the Senate Agriculture and Finance Committees and the House Agriculture Committee. The delegation also met with officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the White House Office of Public Liaison, the USDA Risk Management Agency and USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area.

    Growers advocated for a broad set of federal priorities, including closing a narrow excise tax loophole that subsidizes imported bulk wine and addressing a labeling gap that allows foreign wine to be blended into bottles labeled “American.”

    The delegation also engaged in a broader trade discussion about the competitive disadvantages California growers face from subsidized and cheaper foreign wine, and continued to push for closing a Canadian classification gap that allows non-grape, bulk “wine” to enter the U.S. classified and taxed as wine. Growers also pressed for improvements to federal crop insurance programs, both emergency response and sustained funding for recent glassy-winged sharpshooter outbreaks in California, protection of critical USDA crush and acreage reports, and continued investment in wildfire smoke research.

    “California winegrape growers are facing one of the most difficult periods in recent history, but there are tangible steps policymakers can take to strengthen the industry’s future,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “We’re pursuing every available avenue to ensure growers can compete on a level playing field and that federal policies support domestic agriculture, strengthen rural communities, and enhance the competitiveness of California wine.”

    The delegation emphasized that California winegrape growers have endured years of declining crush volumes, contract cancellations, vineyard removals, and historically high levels of unharvested fruit, placing significant economic strain on farming families, agricultural workers and rural communities across the state.

    “There’s no substitute for growers sitting across the table from policymakers and explaining how these issues affect their operations, employees, and communities,” said Tom Merwin of Merwin Vineyards and chairman of CAWG’s Federal Issues Committee. “At this critical time for growers, these conversations matter more than ever.”

    — Story Contributed by the California Association of Winegrape Growers