Voice of California Agriculture

Jaksot

• 
  Episode 123: 9/10/26 - Colorado River Plan, GWSS, Strawberries, Wage Rates, & Farm Producer Prices 10.09.2026 20min

  We’ll find out how Imperial Valley farmers feel about the Colorado River Plan and what impact it may have on the supply of winter vegetables. The Imperial Valley produces a huge percentage of this nation’s supply of winter vegetables.  California’s aggressive battle against a feared grape pest. An unfavorable court ruling on what California farm employers may end up paying for certain foreign workers. A San Diego County strawberry farmer who has a long and proud tradition of growing the popular fruit.   And a look at farm prices during the month of July—the ups and downs of various crops. 
• 
  Episode 122: 9/3/26 - Wolves, Farm Bill, Walnuts, Ag Innovation Challenge, Off-Road Diesel Regulations 03.09.2026 20min

  California’s wolf population continues to expand and CDFW continues to look for ways to help deal with the population. A look at the critical need for Farm Bill to pass this year. Will putting walnuts in the produce department increase sales? A California start-up company develops a product to help livestock producers. Farm Bureau pushes back on new off-road diesel regulations.  
• 
  Episode 121: 8/27/26 - Farm Bill Concerns, Alameda Local Meat, California Lettuce, and Food Labeling 27.08.2026 21min

  Farm Bill--can it be passed this year? It’s desperately needed for specialty crop farmers A couple in Alameda County is connecting locally produced meat with consumers. California lettuce is safe to eat, despite outbreaks in other countries. Us and others are seeking uniformity in food labeling regulations across the nation.
• 
  Episode 120: 8/20/26 - Goat Grazing Rules Threaten the Industry, More from the Fields, and California Citrus Standards Change 20.08.2026 22min

  Goats as a wildfire protection tool is threatened. From the Fields—how crops are progressing as reported by famers and livestock producers themselves.   A change in the federal standards for orange juice will benefit California farmers. 
• 
  Episode 119: 8/13/26 - Monterey County growing Concerns & Staying Compliant During the Heat 13.08.2026 22min

  Regulatory and compliance costs are taking a bite out of salad bowl producers in Monterey County.  It could ultimately affect food shoppers.  And a conversation with Farm Employers Labor Service to help farmers protect employees from heat and to stay compliant with heat illness regulations. The fines are costly.  
• 
  Episode 118: 7/30/26 - A Winery Experiments with Tea and From the Field and Pasture Updates 30.07.2026 23min

  A Sierra Foothills winery has big plans for tea production—tea on its own, botanicals, and infusing into their wine.  A fascinating look at the possibilities.  Plus, From the Fields—what farmers and ranchers report in their region of the state about their crops this season.   
• 
  Episode 117: 7/23/26 - Pistachios, Golden Mussels, Almonds, and Food Cost Inflation 23.07.2026 20min

  How big is this year’s pistachio crop--and just how many pistachios does the average American eat each year?  The golden mussel, California's newest invasive pest, is already causing millions of dollars in damage. Plus, the almond harvest is beginning --we’ll look at their challenges and market conditions. Food prices continue to rise, but are farmers sharing in those higher prices? And where does California rank when it comes to grocery costs? 
• 
  Episode 116: 7/16/2026 - Grizzly Bears, Wolf Funds, Pear Blight, & Good News for Pear Farmers 16.07.2026 26min

  A bill to bring grizzly bears back to California moves forward. Some help for livestock producers who lose animals to wolves. One of the worst years in memory for fire blight in pears. Finally, some promising news for pear farmers. 
• 
  Episode 115: 7/9/2026 - Pear Crop Update, the Role of Crop Advisors, USDA Crackdown on SNAP 09.07.2026 21min

  We’ll check on the pear crop and why you should look for California fresh pears. Certified Crop Advisors helping farmers on and off the field. The USDA is cracking down on state errors in their food assistance programs costing taxpayers billions.  
• 
  Episode 114: 7/2/2026 - Pest Threats, Williamson Act, Watermelons, Cookout Costs, and Ice Cream 02.07.2026 24min

  An industry leaders says California needs to allocate more money to thwart pest threats. Legislation that could weaken a farmland protection law—known as the Williamson Act. Changes in watermelons from a generation ago, plus the health benefits. The cost of the 4th of July cookout. For National Ice Cream months, learn how much George Washington spent on ice cream one summer, and the origin of the hot fudge sundae.  
• 
  Episode 113: 6/25/2026 - Livestock Protection from Wolves, Pest Threats Increase, Watermelon Crop, and Agriculture Over 250 Years 25.06.2026 22min

  A bill to help protect livestock from wolves.  Money not keeping up with pest threats in California. Watermelon crop  Agriculture innovation over the last 250 years. 
• 
  Episode 112: 6/18/26 - California Cotton, Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters, New World Screwworm, Leadership Farm Bureau, and New Trade Agreements 18.06.2026 20min

  As the USDA works to promote American cotton, hear from a California cotton leader about their challenges, the benefits of cotton fabrics, and the quality of California cotton. Farm officials continue to remind residents who may have purchased grapevines or citrus trees from Costco stores earlier this year that they could contain a feared pest, and what to do about it.  USDA is aggressively battling the New World Screwworm along the southern border of Texas and New Mexico.    A Farm Bureau leadership program working to enhance skills of promising leaders.  Finally, the USDA details to new trade agreements.
• 
  Episode 111: 6/11/2026 - Help for Cotton Farmers, American Meat Consumption, BLM Lands Rule, U.S. Farm Footprint and Legislative Update 11.06.2026 21min

  USDA works to increase demand for U.S. cotton.Americans eat more meat, despite the price.BLM sheds a Biden era regulation to the delight of ranchers and Farm Bureau.Food and agriculture’s huge economic footprint.Specialty crop farmers receive federal help.Update on legislative issues of concern to farmers.
• 
  Episode 110: 6/4/26 - Dairy Month & Cherry Crop Update 04.06.2026 22min

  June is National Dairy Month, nutritional reminders, consumption trends and whole milk gets a boost. Plus, the 2026 California cherry crop hit by a series of bad weather breaks.
• 
  Episode 109: 5/28/26 - Regulatory Cost Study, Field Reports, and Checking Scales and Metering Devices 28.05.2026 22min

  Regulations are costing Napa County grape growers as much as $1,700 per acre.  Farmers report from the fields and vineyards around the state.  Plus, are grocery scales and fuel dispensers at your gas station accurate?  It’s the job of your local agency to see that they are.   
• 
  Episode 108: 5/21/26 - Farmers Go To the Capitol and Mental Health Awareness on the Farm 21.05.2026 24min

  More than 100 county Farm Bureau leaders will visit with state lawmakers during the month of May to discuss major farm issues. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—Studies show farmers are not immune to mental health issues. Quite the opposite.  The American Farm Bureau is tackling the issue to help farmers cope.  
• 
  Episode 107: 5/14/26 - Wine Labeling, Elementary Agriculture Writing Contest Winners, Cling Peaches, and Asian Citrus Psyllid 14.05.2026 21min

  Farm groups seek to clear label confusion of American wine.  Farm Bureau opposes a bill that would undermine funding for Demonstration State Forests. Imagine This agricultural story contest winners. Cling Peach growers find some relief Research to rein in Asian citrus psyllid.    
• 
  Episode 106: 5/7/2026 - Legislative Updates on Nitrogen Discharge and Labor, Capitol Ag Day, Farm Exports Increase Initiative, and Fertilizer Availability 07.05.2026 19min

  Overtime tax credit makes progress but fall short; legislation to limit nitrogen discharge, and Farm Bureau says a bill to significantly increase the minimum wage of certain farm workers would add to inflationary pressures. Ag Day at the Capitol--farm groups engage with lawmakers Federal efforts to increase farm exports and increase fertilizer availability while lowering the price.  
• 
  Episode 105: 4/30/26 - A Wine Expert’s Perspective, Rural Crime Continued, and Fertilizer Prices 30.04.2026 23min

  A retired engineer from the Mid-West who became a wine expert, shares his journey, wine pairings and thoughts on California wines. How those automatic license plate readers are helping to solve rural crimes.  A Farm Bureau survey finds farmers are having trouble affording all their fertilizer needs this year because of the prolonged turmoil in the Mid-East.  
• 
  Episode 104: 4/23/26 - Murphys Family-Owned Winery, Rural Crime-Protecting the Farm, Reintroduction of Grizzly Bears 23.04.2026 22min

   A small family vineyard and winery is doing well through the downturn in wine consumption. We’ll delve into their history and what is working for them. How farmers can protect their property despite criminals going high tech.  An effort to return the grizzly bear to California meets resistance.