Farmers look to automate transplanting

With farm labor costs increasing and worker availability shrinking, growers continue to look to automation and robotics to do jobs traditionally done by people. In vegetable farming, equipment commonly used to plant delicate seedlings still requires a crew. Manufacturers of fully automated transplanters want to change that, and early adopters such as Yolo County farmer […]

$5m grant awarded to help farmers enhance pollinator habitat in citrus groves

The California Farm Bureau and its partners have received $5 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to implement climate-smart farming practices in citrus groves in 11 counties. The project, which is part of CDFA’s Pollinator Habitat Program, will focus on hedgerow planting, carbon sequestration and soil management practices, all of which create […]

Setton Farms launches Pistachio Pub Mix

Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., the nation’s second-largest pistachio grower and processor, is excited to announce the launch of its Pistachio Pub Mix, a new SKU in their innovative line of premium pistachio snacks. Designed to take bar snacks to the next level, this new variety combines Setton Farm’s award-winning Buffalo Wing Seasoned Pistachio […]

Department of Water Resources approves Delta Conveyance Project

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today approved the Delta Conveyance Project, a modernization of the infrastructure system that delivers water to millions of Californians. DWR has certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and completed an extensive environmental review. DWR selected the “Bethany Reservoir Alignment” for further engineering, design and permitting. With the state expected to lose 10% of its […]

After AB 1066, ag workers see average hours, wages fall

Proponents of California’s agricultural overtime law, AB 1066, have called it a victory for farmworkers, while critics have asserted that it will harm the very people it was designed to protect. New research by Alexandra Hill, UC Cooperative Extension specialist and assistant professor in UC Berkeley’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, shows that, on […]

Almond farmers see ‘silver lining’ amid tough times

Acknowledging the tough economic conditions almond growers have faced in recent years as production costs soared while earnings plummeted, the Almond Board of California maintains that the long-term outlook for the tree nut remains positive, even as the industry struggles through some growing pains. Almond leaders say changing times and shifts in consumer behavior mean […]

“We Believe in Growing” scholarship application available

Applications are now available for the 17th annual “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, presented by E.M. Tharp and World Ag Expo®. The scholarship was created to support agriculture education and encourage students from the Central Valley to pursue a career in agriculture. High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties are eligible […]