Although the California Water Resources Control Board may not be terribly popular amidst local farming communities due to recent actions that have not been in the best interests of agriculture, what you may not know is that there are farmers that sit on this board, including Dorene D’Adamo.  Watch this brief interview with Dorene as she explains that it will …

The California State Water Resources Control Board is getting ready to crack down on farmers for their increased use of groundwater unless their local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies can come up with a sustainable plan that will not overdraft local groundwater resources.  Watch this brief interview with Taryn Ravazzini from the California Department of Water Resources as she shares a progress …

Anti-pesticide sentiment has never been more prevalent, as California courts and anti-agricultural organizations frighten the public with non-science based claims of the harmful effects of crop protection materials such as glyphosate.  What farmers need to understand though now, is that much more than glyphosate is currently at stake.  The legislature is now being pressured to change the whole pesticide regulatory …

California processing tomato growers had a disappointing season in 2018, not because of their crop (they had a great crop), but because of the low returns due to a less than ideal market. Watch this brief interview with Bruce Rominger, Chairman of the California Tomato Growers Association, as he shares the current State of the Tomato industry, and read more …

Processing tomato growers gathered in Modesto recently for the California Tomato Growers Association (CTGA) Annual Meeting. It was a great opportunity for the industry to get together between seasons and discuss current needs and challenges of the industry moving forward. Watch this brief interview with CTGA President Mike Montna as he shares association insights and future prospects for the industry. …

Processing tomato growers in California had a great crop last year, and are more efficient than ever before at producing a quality crop as efficiently as possible. But now more than ever, we need to follow consumer trends closely to determine how to better appeal to the consumer audience to increase demand for this great commodity. Watch this interview with …

Biocontrol agents, beneficial microbes, entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria that can enhance crop production — these were all topics of discussion at the recent UC Cooperative Extension Ag Innovations Conference in Santa Maria, led by UCCE Entomology & Biologicals Advisor Surendra Dara.  Watch this brief interview with Surendra as he shares more about what was discussed.

Farmers are used to dealing with insect pest and small furry rodents, but how about wild pigs? Now, this is a more common issue in some areas more than others; nonetheless, pigs can wreak a lot of havoc in vineyards, orchards and field crops, so exploring your management options is key. Watch this brief interview with Julie Finzel from the …

Once confined mostly to the Great Plains of North America, coyotes have spread across much of the continent, and can be a real threat and nuisance to farming communities. Check out this brief interview with USDA Wildlife Specialist Derek Milsaps, as he offers some recommendations on how to identify and deal with these pests.

Rodents of unusual size —California has got them! The new kid on the block is Nutria, a semiaquatic rodent, that has invaded California’s waterways, and is doing a lot of damage.  USDA is asking farmers for help in locating these pests to be removed. Derek Milsaps from USDA-APHIS presented some information on this pest at the Tree & Vine Expo …