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Local Farmers Challenge Authority of Unelected Bureaucrats.
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
While the affairs of California’s governance should not hinder the work of those feeding the nation, the Central Valley’s agriculture sector finds itself increasingly entangled in politics — with both elected officials and unelected regulators holding substantial influence over the industry.
Regulators not subject to direct electoral accountability,...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
Last month, a front-page story on Valley Ag Voice drew attention to the lack of common sense when managing Central Valley water supplies flowing into the Delta. That article concluded with the following paragraph: “Reasonable efforts should be made to recover endangered species. Those efforts should be informed by the best available scientific...
By Jenny Holtermann, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
For a few years now, my family has enjoyed going to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Thousand Oaks. At least once a year, or when there is a new exhibit, we enjoy strolling through the library and museum. We seem to always notice something new or find a previously unnoticed plaque...
By Rachel Nettleton, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
As I prepare to take maternity leave until the new year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated members and partners in the Kern County agricultural community. Working with you to advance the mission of the Kern County Farm Bureau has been incredibly rewarding, and I am confident...
By Christine Johnson, Chair, Young Farmers and Ranchers
The Young Farmers and Ranchers group had the pleasure of touring the Pandol Cold Storage in early August. You might recognize the Pandol brand if you shop in grocery stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Sprouts, or Albertsons. Their signature grape varieties, such as Sugar Crunch and Sweet Celebration, are recognized all over...
By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
A human’s survival instinct is a powerful force — that survival instinct causes us to be acutely aware of threats and potential threats. However, the downside of this powerful instinct is that it makes us susceptible to overreacting to false threats. Almost as powerful as the survival instinct is human nature’s desire...
County fairs limit FFA/4H dairy cattle exhibits as a precaution.
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s eradication efforts on the 2023 invasive fruit fly outbreak have proven effective as CDFA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture officially declared California free of the invasive species at the end of August.
The eradicated invasive fruit fly...
By Ashlie Whitaker, Guest Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
As the crisp air of fall settles in, Rooster’s Honky Tonk invites the Bakersfield community to celebrate its one-year anniversary with its Cluckin’ Block Party. This lively downtown event is set to honor a year of success at the modern honky tonk that pays tribute to the iconic Bakersfield sound.
The festivities begin...
By Valley Ag Voice Staff
Oxbo, a leader in specialty harvesting and controlled application equipment, announced its partnership with the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State. As the official pistachio equipment partner, Oxbo will support Fresno State’s pistachio harvest for the 2024 season.
Fresno State’s 1,000-acre farm includes 97 acres of pistachio orchards, with 25 acres ready...
By Bryan Little, Director of Employment Policy, California Farm Bureau
Reprinted with permission from the California Farm Bureau Federated
The California Legislature’s 2024 session yielded a small number of bills that stand to exacerbate the legal and regulatory challenges faced by California farm employers.
Senate Bill 399, by state Sen. Aisha Wahab, D-Hayward, is California’s version of legislation Big Labor has been...
By Valley Ag Voice Staff
As Halloween approaches, it's time to start planning for haunted hayrides, pumpkin carving, and other festive celebrations. But while preparing for the season's excitement, consider supporting local agriculture in the Central Valley.
PUMPKIN PICKIN’
Pumpkin patches are quintessential reminders that the holidays are near, and the Central Valley has plenty of options to choose from.
Whether you’re in...
By Joshua Stevens, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
“And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make...
By Valley Ag Voice Staff
Now that fall is finally here, the real fun can begin! Whether you’re interested in supporting Kern County’s agricultural bounty or can’t get enough county fairs, this October promises to be full of excitement.
BOUNTIFUL FUN
The Kern County Farm Bureau’s 2024 Bounty of Kern County event will commence on Oct. 5 at the Kern County Fairgrounds....
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
Sun World International’s research and breeding facility in Wasco announced two new table grape brands — Epic Crisp and Applause — to round out the breeding company’s table grape portfolio.
“These two brands will basically complete our grape portfolio of brands. We’re not planning to launch any other brands in the future at this...
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
The Future Farmers of America and 4-H students kicked off the first day of the Kern County Fair Junior Livestock Auction on Sept. 26, showcasing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Gathered together in the Livestock Pavilion, the voices of FFA members rang out in unison to declare the purpose of the event.
"To...
2023 Kern County crop report reveals 12% increase over prior crop year.
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
In a significant rebound from the 2022 crop year, the 2023 Kern County Crop Report from the Agricultural Commissioner’s office highlights a 12% increase in crop value. The total gross value of all agricultural commodities produced in Kern County reached $8.626 billion...
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to veto or sign into law hundreds of bills passed by the California Legislature. Since Sept. 6, the governor has signed 46 bills into law and vetoed eight, with the last legislative update from Newsom’s office on Sept. 14.
Several legislative pieces under consideration have far-reaching implications...
With a Conservation Innovation Grant, dairy effluent technology expands to almonds.
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
In 2014, mounting concerns around California's severe drought and increasing regulatory pressures gave rise to a collaborative effort between Sustainable Conservation, Netafim USA, and De Jager Farms to revolutionize water efficiency and nutrient management for dairy farms in the Central Valley.
Nate Ray, CEO...
78 ACRES • INCLUDES WELL
345 Driver Road
805-744-7933 • AllCruise@aol.com
APN #40825001008
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
Groundwater makes up roughly a third of California’s freshwater supply used for irrigation — a necessary resource to continue producing three-quarters of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and half of its vegetables. Yet, a new study finds that with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act imposing higher groundwater pumping costs, farmers may switch to crops...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
Water management in California is often perplexing. Earlier this year, state and federal pumps were brought to minimal levels to reduce salvage of steelhead. Perhaps only a small percentage of the steelhead population was turning up at the pumps – no one knows as there are no estimates of the population. The fish...
By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice
The state of the agriculture industry in California was discussed at length at the California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting in August, with key themes centered on land values, specialty crops, and the mixed economic challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Several industry experts presented the most recent updates and trends occurring...
By Rachel Nettleton, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
Kern County has long been recognized as a cornerstone of American agriculture, consistently ranking among the top counties in the nation for crop production. However, despite this significant contribution, the voices of our local farmers and ranchers are increasingly being overshadowed by competing interests and challenges. It is imperative that our...
By Jenny Holtermann, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
Despite the still too-high temperatures in Kern County, summer is over, and kids are back to school. My summer was full of new adventures and memories in the sheep barn — this was my son’s first year of 4H and raising a lamb for the Kern County Fair.
As a transplant to the...
By Christine Johnson, Chair, Young Farmers and Ranchers
Thank you to everyone who supported our 9th Annual Charity Farmers Market! This wonderful event is only possible with the help of our generous donors, volunteers, and faithful YF&R members. This year’s farmers market took place on Saturday, July 20 at Chuy’s parking lot on Rosedale Highway. The day turned out to...
By Sienna Surgener, Garces Memorial FFA Reporter
As the new school year begins, the Garces Memorial High School FFA chapter is wasting no time diving into hands-on learning. Students have launched their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects and are gearing up for the upcoming Kern County Fair, a cornerstone event for the local agricultural community.
As one of the most anticipated...
