MECOSTA, Mich. (AP) – Climate change is posing new challenges for crop storage, a part of agriculture that’s often overlooked. Michigan produces more potatoes for chips than any other state because its outdoor air is usually cool enough to store them for months. But temperatures have edged upward in recent decades. Mecosta County grower Brian…… MORE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s nominee for state attorney general grew up in the farmworkers movement of the 1970s. Rob Bonta’s parents worked alongside legendary labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta after his mother came to the United States in 1965 from the Philippines. His father marched with Dr. Martin Luther…… MORE
[vemba-video id=”f293415c7b4e994bc96a6d44a494b83″] If a post-work glass of wine is what you look forward to each day, maybe it’s time to quit your day job. This month, Murphy-Goode Winery announced a one-year position with its team in Sonoma. But not only will the lucky candidate get to move to sunny California — they will live there rent-free for a…… MORE
The USDA says milk production in the 24 major milk-producing states totaled 16.8 billion pounds in February. That’s down 1.3% from February of 2020. However, production was 2.3% above last year after adjusting for the leap year. January revised production was 18.4 billion pounds, up 2.6% from January of last year. Production per cow…… MORE
The California Farm Bureau is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Bill, now that the House has passed the measure. In a news release, California Farm Bureau says the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would update agricultural visa programs and accommodate immigrant agricultural employees already in the country. Farm Bureau President Jamie…… MORE
The House voted Thursday to unlatch a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year’s first vote on an issue that once again faces a steep uphill climb in Congress. On a near party-line 228-197 vote, lawmakers approved one bill…… MORE
Katherine Tai is the new U.S. Trade Representative. CNBC Dot Com says Tai, a critic of Chinese trade practices, was confirmed by a Senate vote of 98-0. She’s the first Asian American woman and the first woman of color to fill the USTR spot since the position was created 60 years ago. Her confirmation…… MORE
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act this week. The California Farm Bureau along with many other farm organizations support the bill. Earlier this month California Farm Bureau posted on its website a statement that says the bill would provide mutual benefit for farmers, ranchers and their…… MORE
Congressional Democrats have reintroduced the Safe Line Speeds During COVID-19 Act. The lawmakers say the bill will protect worker, consumer, and animal safety by suspending all current and future USDA waivers and regulations that allow companies to increase production line speeds at meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Democrat Corey Booker, along with…… MORE
The USDA’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute says the Market Outlook Report is uncertain, but it’s more optimistic than it was a few months ago. The most recent baseline projections for agricultural and biofuel markets were prepared using market information available as of January 2021. The agency says commodity markets will continue to…… MORE
