By Andrea Compagnoni Wright, Valley Ag Voice
Jane, the youngest of nine children, was born June 30, 1930, in a farming community in Crescent, Oklahoma. Parents Agnes and Stephen Dutton raised the family on the cotton farm.
Growing up on a small farm, there was always food from the garden alongside the farmhouse. They raised pigs and beef, milked cows, and...
By Joshua Stevens, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Why does it matter that Jesus was the God-man? Would belief in a Christ who was fully God but not fully man or vice versa still be enough for salvation? Doesn’t Paul write in Romans 10:9, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart...
By Jenifer VanAlstein, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Jenifer VanAlstein
Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
A powerhouse volunteer steering committee has been gathering signatures as part of a grassroots ballot initiative that will hold California legislators accountable to the taxpayer. It is being called the Water Infrastructure Funding Act of 2022; but it’s not a bond, and it’s not a tax.
For over...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
SGMA, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, has lots of folks worried, and for good reason. The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley estimates the gap between sustainable supplies and sustainable demands to be approximately 3-million-acre feet per year in the San Joaquin Valley. The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley was...
By Audrey Hill, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
As many of us know, almonds are a major source of income for the Central Valley, and imperatively the Central Valley is one of the largest sources of almonds for the world. California alone produces around 80% of the world’s almonds, and the majority of those are produced here in the Central...
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
Here we are in December already with a new year just around the corner and the “fun” is now just beginning.
The Kern County Subbasin submitted the required Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) back on January 31, 2020, and under the statute DWR has two years to...
By Romeo Agbalog, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
We’re all familiar with the lyrics of the classic Christmas song, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (Coots and Gillespie, 1934). Whichever rendition you prefer whether Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, Sinatra, or Springsteen, the verse each vocalist emphasizes that stokes enthusiasm and anticipation in both young and old announcing the Christmas...
By Allie Cushnyr, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
I would like to congratulate our newly elected 2022 Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers team who will be leading the way next year. The new Chair will be Tim Collins, Vice Chair is Katie Verhoef, Secretary is Emily Lopez, Treasurer is Amy Mebane, Activities Coordinator is Kelley Higgins, and...
Bakersfield College’s Agriculture and Career Education Departments are Working Together to Prepare Students for the Agriculture Industry
By Domenica Trinidad, Job Development Specialist, BC
Domenica Trinidad
Job Development Specialist, Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College has a great Career Education (CE) department that helps prepare students for a wide range of high-wage, high skill, and high-demand careers. Bakersfield College recognizes that CE is at the...
By Geoffrey Taylor, MA, Hemp Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
It has been a whirlwind year across the Hemp and Cannabis industries in California and with so much progress made in 2021, it is critical for operators to reflect on the successes of this year while preparing for the road ahead into 2022. From record-low flower prices in the Cannabis sector...
By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
“The customer is always right” is an age old saying taught in business classes for years. Everyone knows that the customer is not always right, and this is based purely on the fact that all consumers have purchased something that they regretted. However, the concept of the saying is inherently true from...
Press Release Provided by United States Cattlemen’s Association
On November 9th, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act.
Specifically, this legislation accomplishes the following:
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the USDA Chief Economist, to establish mandatory levels of negotiated cash and negotiated grid...
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
There aren't many things that can throw a farmer or rancher off stride. But messing with their pickup can seriously disrupt their life and work.
This is what happened to Merced County hay grower John McLaughlin. A thief stole his truck, which was...
By Kevin Hecteman, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
That fresh navel orange in the bowl on your countertop survived a hot, dry year to get there.
"It's been a very difficult summer," said Matt Fisher, a San Joaquin Valley citrus farmer with groves stretching from Orange Cove to south of Bakersfield. "It's one of those...
Press Release Provided by California Citrus Mutual
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is proud to announce we have hired Jacob Villagomez as the new Director of State Governmental Affairs. He comes to us from the State Senate, where he previously served as the District Director for Senator Melissa Hurtado.
In his new role, Jacob will advocate on behalf of California's citrus growers...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
As someone who opened a new mobile slaughter operation in Sonoma County earlier this year, John Fagundes has answered a cry for help.
The former carpenter said he decided to start the business after seeing news stories last year about meat shortages and processing plants overwhelmed with...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
For turkey farmers, trying to anticipate what Americans' dinner table will look like this Thanksgiving remains a head-scratcher.
After COVID-19 scaled back holiday gatherings last year, farmers who raise the centerpiece of the meal had to take a gamble on how many and what type of bird...
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson applauded members of Congress for passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, hailing its crucial benefits for California’s agricultural communities.
“We applaud Congress for passing this critical bill,” Johansson said. “This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the kind of investment we need to bring our rural...
By Jenny Holtermann, Executive Director, WAKC
Press Release Provided by Water Association of Kern County
The Water Association of Kern County was proud to present our Water Leaders of the Year & Water Legacy Awards at our 2021 WAKC Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 9th at Seven Oaks Country Club.
Our members and guests gathered last week for our 65th Annual Meeting....
Press Release by California Department of Water Resources
As part of a continuing effort to address drought impacts across the state, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its fourth round of funding commitments through the Small Community Drought Relief program.
DWR and the State Water Resources Control Board worked together to identify 14 projects for funding in 10 counties: Tulare,...
Press Release Provided by AFIA
Nearly 50 industry professionals gathered in New Orleans, La., in November to participate in the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) annual Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC). Hosted by AFIA’s Equipment Manufacturers Committee, this year’s conference focused on two issues that are central to the business of animal food: food safety and biosecurity.
"The biggest message EMC attendees...
New digital campaign kick-starts pomegranate season by showcasing POM Wonderful Pomegranate Fresh Arils as “Insta-Antioxidants” to enjoy as a snack or as an Ingredient
Press Release Provided by The Wonderful Company
POM Wonderful, the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the U.S., is kicking off the 2021 California pomegranate season with its largest digital marketing campaign...
Press Release by California Agricultural Irrigation Association
It was great to again hold the California Agricultural Irrigation Association (CAIA) fall meeting in person—it has been a long time since the California irrigation community has had the opportunity to engage with each other face-to-face. The event took place on September 15-17 in Pismo Beach. Members and guests were updated on the...
By Jordan Okumura, Editor In Chief, The Snack
Reprinted with Permission From TheSnack.net
EL Don. This is how Donald Valpredo, the industry veteran and leader, is affectionately known by colleagues and friends. It gives an air of charm and also strength. I imagine no one messes with El Don. The company leader has, as the nickname implies, a long-standing legacy in...
Press Release Provided by Western Growers
Albert P. Keck II, President of Hadley Date Gardens, Inc., will serve as the Western Growers Chairman of the Board of Directors for a one-year term.
Keck, a third-generation Californian and farmer, is a lifelong native of the Coachella Valley. He is Chairman of the California Date Administrative Committee and the California Date Commission. He...
Press Release Provided by Western Growers
3Bar Biologics walked away from Western Growers/S2G Ventures' AgSharks® Competition with a $250,000 equity investment offer to take its microbe technology from development to market. The seed funding was awarded by S2G Ventures after 3Bar Biologics competed against four other companies inventing new technology solutions to solve agriculture’s most pressing issues.
In addition to investment...
Press Release Provided by Mazzei Injector Company
Mazzei Injector Company is pleased to announce that Justin Bennett has been promoted to Vice President of Engineering and Operations. Justin began his journey with Mazzei in January 2005 and has performed in several key roles during his tenure. Since 2013 he has served as Director of Engineering and Development overseeing Mazzei’s production...
Press Release Provided by American Farm Bureau Foundation
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is looking for orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more to showcase on a new app dedicated to connecting consumers with agritourism venues.
The American Farm Trail app, created by the Foundation and sponsored by Corteva, allows farmers, ranchers and farm attraction managers to sign up...
By Andrea Compagnoni Wright, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
The Christmas spirit seems to come from our Christmas beliefs and traditions when we celebrate love and goodwill to mankind. The true Christmas spirit of simple pleasures is of family and friends. The holiday celebration also provides us with expressions of appreciation and gratitude.
The traditional devotion of Christmas is to praise...
By Joshua Stevens, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
We hear the story every Christmas. “’Tis the reason for the season,” people will say while setting up their nativity scenes in their front yards or in their homes, but what if there was something more to the story? Not something that changes the story in any significant way but adds a...
