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By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
“Water Supply Challenges and Solutions: 2022 Outlook”—such was the topic for a panel at the 2021 Almond Conference held in-person in Sacramento in early December. Water issues are on the minds of many—the session attracted a capacity crowd. The first two speakers, Dave Orth from New Current and Paul Gosselin, Deputy Director of...
By Valley Ag Voice Staff
It was a brisk and cool December morning when Morning Star Fresh Food Ministries hosted their Annual Pheasant Hunt. With 150 hunters participating and over six hundred rooster pheasants released, no one went home empty-handed.
Morning Star was the vision of local farmer Bret Sill who in 2013 desired to connect the city of Bakersfield with...
By Brown Armstrong CPAs
On November 3, 2021, House leaders released a revised reconciliation bill (H.R. 5376) for the Build Back Better Act, which includes several proposed tax changes. As of today, this law has not passed the Senate.
Some important items to watch as this legislation proceeds:
Expansion of the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax
This is what we like to call...
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and brought the New Year in with a bang!
Can’t believe that it is already 2022. I wish that I could say that 2022 is going to be a year where regulations and water and pesticide issues no longer...
A New Year & What’s Ahead
By Romeo Agbalog, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
With 2021 now behind us, we look forward to the new year with optimism yet measured considering that the California State Legislature reconvenes on January 3rd.
I am optimistic that our Central Valley legislators will look to the local ag industry for help to develop common sense...
By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
Timothy Collins
Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
Making it Possible. That was the theme of the recent 2021 Young Farmers and Ranchers State Conference and Making it Possible is our theme in Kern County as the new year begins. Several members attended the conference held down in Anaheim this year....
The Edible Education Garden at Bakersfield College
By Lindsay Ono, Associate Professor of Environmental Horticulture, BC
They say it takes a village to raise a child. An entire community of people who provide a place for the young to learn, experience and grow. At Bakersfield College, we believe that learning is more than what you can learn from a textbook. Experiential...
By Geoffrey Taylor, MA, Hemp Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
As the cannabis industry across the state of California is left reeling from one of the most challenging years since legalization under Proposition 64 in 2016, with record low prices for cannabis flower and biomass and the shuttering of innumerable small, family-owned family statewide, the state of California is once again...
Press Release Provided by California Farm Bureau Federation
A Kern County couple who has expanded their almond business to include direct-to-consumer sales and a Sonoma County organic dairy herd manager who prioritizes animal health have earned awards for achievement and excellence among young farmers and ranchers in California. The awards were announced today during the 103rd California Farm Bureau Annual...
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Just off Highway 1, north of San Luis Obispo in San Simeon, is the hillside property that once served as a wilderness getaway for family and friends of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and features Hearst Castle. The ocean-view location includes Hearst...
By Kevin Hecteman, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
At the top of Jamie Johansson's Christmas wish list is a functioning crystal ball.
Addressing an in-person Annual Meeting for the first time in two years, the California Farm Bureau president said that when people ask him what farmers and ranchers need, he says, "First and foremost,...
Press Release Provided by California Farm Bureau Federation
Debbie Jacobsen, a third-generation farmer who became the first-ever female president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, is the recipient of the California Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service Award for her lifelong contributions to California agriculture.
Her award was announced December 6th, during the 103rd California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Orange County. The...
By Kevin Hecteman, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
The road to higher food prices begins at the diesel pump and winds through the auto-parts store, the fertilizer-supply company and even the hangar at the local airfield. By the time that road reaches the farm, California farmers and ranchers may have paid double—and then some—to...
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
A federal judge is reviewing a proposed order requesting approval of an interim operations plan for 2022 that would affect Central Valley Project and State Water Project agricultural water users.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale Drozd in Fresno is reviewing legal filings submitted...
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Butte County olive and citrus fruit grower Jamie Johansson has been re-elected to a third consecutive term as president of the California Farm Bureau.
The election took place at the organization's 103rd Annual Meeting Dec. 4-8, in Garden Grove, a conference in which...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
With water shortages, crippling port disruptions, soaring costs and price declines slashing profitability, almond growers face uphill battles that could test their viability in the coming year.
But they should not lose sight of their accomplishments, said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of...
Press Release Provided by California Citrus Mutual
As rain and expected cold weather sweep through the citrus belt of California, growers are looking forward to the positive effects that this weather is bringing.
Water and the current drought top growers’ concerns and the needed rain will have positive effects on the water supply and improve fruit size and quality.
Following today’s rain,...
Press Release Provided by California Farm Bureau Federation
A second-grade teacher in Tulare County has been honored with the “Outstanding Educator of the Year” award presented by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
Jami Beck received the award today in honor of her creation of an agricultural literacy project at Three Rivers Elementary School in rural Tulare County.
Beck combined...
Part of three generations of Holloway employees, Terry celebrates 50 years of service, starting with the company back on December 18, 1971.
Press Release Provided by The Holloway Group
Holloway President Vard Terry will be celebrating his 50th anniversary with the company this week.
Terry, who started at Holloway on December 18, 1971, has been with the Central California-based company for 50...
Hundreds of Cross-Sectional Domestic Interests Call for MCOOL
Press Release Provided by R-CALF USA
“Securing Enactment of the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021”
On December 9th, over 400 cross-sectional U.S.-based trade organizations, both food and non-food small businesses, and individuals, from all across the United States, have joined a letter now being distributed to every U.S. Senator urging them to quickly...
Press Release Provided by National Grain and Feed Association
The National Grain and Feed Association and the North American Millers’ Association announced the availability of a new resource that gives shippers greater visibility into the recent commodities carried by covered hopper cars.
NGFA and NAMA, along with a coalition including the National Oilseed Processors Association, Pet Food Institute, and American Bakers...
Press Release Provided by Western Growers
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4996, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 on December 8 with an impressive 364-60 vote, making clear its support for U.S. farm exporters that are reliant on maritime shipping transport.
OSRA aims to crack down on unreasonable practices by container shipping lines, bolster U.S. enforcement against uncompetitive...
Press Release Provided by State Water Contractors
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced December 1st, that the initial allocation for public water agencies is zero percent of contracted water supplies from the State Water Project (SWP) in 2022. This includes zero water allocation for many communities throughout California and the businesses and farms that rely on SWP water...
Press Release Provided by Senator Shannon Grove
Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) is co-sponsoring a bipartisan budget proposal with Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) to increase the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) staff in order to meet the national standard of three firefighters per engine.
Over the last few years, wildfires have devastated and ravaged many communities across California....
Press Release Provided by California Department of Water Resources
On December 1st, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation for 2022 along with several steps to manage the state’s water supply in anticipation of a third dry year with reservoirs at or near historic lows.
Given the unprecedented drought conditions, the SWP’s initial allocation...
Press Release Provided by U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and North American Blueberry Council (NABC) have appointed Amanda Griffin, a longtime nonprofit education, events, and program management executive, as vice president of engagement and education. In this newly created role, Griffin will define, lead, and execute day-to-day industry engagement, education, and event activities to build...
Press Release by California Department of Pesticide Regulation
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of Julie Henderson as director of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) on Dec. 2. Henderson has been serving as DPR’s acting director since July 2021.
“My vision for my role at DPR is to accelerate the transition to safer, more sustainable pest management,” said Henderson. “While...
By Congressman Kevin McCarthy, House Republican Leader and Representative for California’s 23rd Congressional District
For months, there has been a crisis at our ports, adversely affecting agricultural producers in Kern County, perpetuated by the Biden administration’s failed policies. Because California is the 5th largest agricultural producer in the world, with Kern County serving as the top second agricultural producing county...
Leading Produce Business Marketplace Surpasses 50 Million Pounds of Sustainable Produce Sold and Preps to Scale Company
Press Release Provided by Full Harvest
Full Harvest, the produce business-to-business marketplace specializing in surplus and imperfect produce, today announced the close of a $23 million Series B round of growth financing led by agtech investor TELUS Ventures, the strategic investment arm of TELUS...
Press Release Provided by The Wonderful Company
The Wonderful Company (TWC), a global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world through its iconic consumer brands, today announced the winners of its inaugural Wonderful Innovation Challenge, a platform designed to spur innovation across TWC and scale its sustainability efforts.
Through the Challenge, innovators were offered up to $1 million...
