Saturday, February 15, 2025

Renewed Efforts Aim to Fix Farm Labor Challenges 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  As the 119th Congress settles in, the Central Valley’s elected representatives are navigating the issues and policies affecting...
World Ag Expo

Save-the-Date for these Agricultural Events  

By Valley Ag Voice Staff  The most wonderful agricultural event of the year is coming up in February, and for once it’s not on Valentine’s...

California Snowpack Looks Promising, but Challenges Remain Ahead 

Despite above-average snow levels in Northern California, the southern region lags behind.  By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  The California Department of Water Resources conducted...
A proposal to halt pending lawsuits that stem from the 2019 biological opinions issued by fisheries agencies, seeks a cease-fire to the litigation and allows the Biden administration to begin a new set of biological opinions.

Taxpayers to Foot Bill for California’s Legal Fight Against Trump 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  Following the Nov. 5 presidential election, California Governor Gavin Newsom called a special session to safeguard certain state...
Groundwater recharge in an almond orchard

Essential Funds Approved for Recharge Facilities 

By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics  Proposition 4, authorizing $10 billion in bonds for safe drinking water, wildlife prevention, and protecting communities and natural...

KCFB: President’s Message 

By Jenny Holtermann, President, Kern County Farm Bureau  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a blessed holiday season with your...

OPINION: If Cattle Were Combat Athletes 

By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice  Drawing parallels and seeing the world in analogies is not necessarily profound, but it can be useful...

New Fuel Standards Set to Cut Emissions Could Increase Gas Prices 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  The California Air Resources Board voted to amend its Low Carbon Fuel Standard program on Nov. 8. The...

Almond Industry Targets New Markets as Acreage Shrinks Again 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  California almond acreage dropped again in 2024, marking the third consecutive year that acreage has decreased. According to...

Kern Subbasin Finalizes 2024 GSP Ahead of Probationary Hearing

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice In December, the Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies finalized and approved a coordinated, amended Groundwater Sustainability Plan...

World Ag Expo Announces Connie Conway as Chairman for 2025 Show

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice The World Ag Expo named former Assemblymember and 22nd Congressional District Representative Connie Conway as the 2025 Show...

Agricultural Education Evolves to Meet Industry Demands 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  As California's farming population ages — with the average farmer nearing 60-years-old, according to the 2022 Census of...

Reductions in SWP Deliveries Expected to Continue 

By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics  Roughly every two years, the California Department of Water Resources issues its “Delivery Capability Report” for the State...

Yurosek & Kuney receive WAKC Awards at 68th Annual Meeting 

Press release provided by Water Association of Kern County  BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Water Association of Kern County proudly presented its Water Leader of the...

Public Review Begins for Bay-Delta Plan Revisions, Comment Period Ends Soon 

By Valley Ag Voice Staff  The State Water Resources Control Board staff released draft updates to the Bay-Delta plan on Nov. 6 for public review....

Save-the-Date for these Agricultural Events  

By Valley Ag Voice Staff  In between holiday festivities, ring in the new year with these fun and educational ag events!  ORGANIC GROWER SUMMIT  The Organic Grower...

California’s Green Regulations Outpace Infrastructure, Leaving Farmers in a Bind 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  California’s regulatory environment often advances ahead of practical solutions, creating significant challenges for those it claims to benefit.   For...
Few delta smelt remain in the wild

The Problem With Misrepresenting Science  

By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics  Delta smelt has cost valley farmers, rural communities, and residents in Southern California significant quantities of water.  Since...

Recent Developments Intensify California’s Groundwater Management Landscape 

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice  Recent activity in California’s groundwater management landscape is marked by critical developments across Central Valley subbasins. Regulatory hearings,...

Getting Back to the Basics: The Importance of Soil Health Post-Harvest 

By Brian Milne, Vice President, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Holloway Group  Harvest season is coming to a close for many California farming operations,...

Valadao Discusses Reelection Campaign in Wasco Almond Orchard

U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses David Valadao for Congress. By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice On Oct. 22, Congressman David Valadao held a press conference...
Friant-Kern Canal

Central Valley Reps Host Field Hearing on Water Management 

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...
cotton field

President’s Message 

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...

Fruit Fly Outbreak Nearly Resolved as Avian Influenza Hits Dairies 

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...
man pulling carrots from field

Kern County Reclaims Agricultural Crown with $8.6 Billion Crop Value

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...

Central Valley Farms Lead the Way in Water-Saving Irrigation

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...