Grassroots networking and communication are key to spreading the word about opportunities available through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP regional leads are planting boots on the ground to connect producers interested in transitioning to organic with organic farmers interested in mentoring them. In early summer, Southwest TOPP Regional Lead California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) toured Domitila …
With the bountiful supply of much needed rain and snowpack over the winter and spring, watch this brief interview with Michelle Reimers from Turlock Irrigation District as she shares how they are utilizing it, serving and protecting their farming customers this summer with full water allocations. Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.
Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces its upcoming three-part webinar series which will provide more insight and information on the program impact with its followers, supporters, and potential friends. Brighter Bites’ first ever webinar series entitled, “Brighter Bites: Our Not-So-Secret Formula”, aims to educate its audience on the Brighter Bites …
Malaysia was the 26th-largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2022, totaling nearly $1.1 billion in value, and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exports …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its insurance coverage options for specialty crops and other actual production history (APH) crop programs. Through its Risk Management Agency (RMA), it will expand the availability of enterprise units to crops where they were previously unavailable, giving agricultural producers greater options to manage their risk. An enterprise unit allows a producer to insure all acres of the …
Weeding, harvesting, picking, carrying,… Robots are today’s answer to many challenges facing agriculture. And they will show up this fall in Salinas for the second edition of FIRA USA. From September 19 to 21, the Salinas Sports Complex, home of the famous California Rodeo Salinas, will be the place to discover the autonomous farming solutions in action. During three days, expo, demos, …
Native California bees and monarch butterflies may soon be listed as endangered species. While California farmers, and almond growers in particular, want to take care of and protect these important pollinators, listing them as endangered could prove problematic for farming as we know it. Watch this interview with Josette Lewis from the Almond Board of California as she explains. Please …
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) invites all retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries to submit entries to their 15th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest. More than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to top entrants, including $5,000 for the grand prize for winner. The second place winner will receive $2,500, third place will receive $1,000 and three honorable …
Meal break violations are an open door for Class Action & PAGA lawsuits that farmers have been getting impacted by, according to longtime ag labor and employment attorney Ron Barsamian. Watch this video interview with Ron as he shares what farm employers can do to maintain better records and avoid the costly losses involved in such litigation. Please thank this …
The California Strawberry Commission (CSC) is announcing two key hires to advance the industry through research and communications. Dr. William “Bill” Turechek joins the CSC as the new Vice President of Research. Bill joins the CSC after serving since 2006 as a Research Plant Pathologist at the USDA-ARS Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida, where he worked on epidemiology …
