Hemp industry stakeholders released survey results regarding industry attitudes towards a hemp checkoff program. The overall survey results show that nearly eight out of every ten farmers and processors support the checkoff program for research, promotion, and consumer education. More than 60% of farmers and processors support being assessed to fund a program. The…… MORE
World Ag Expo Online Opens
The virtual World Ag Expo runs from Tuesday through Thursday. According to organizers, exhibitors and show staff started working to create the online trade show back in October. Visitors to the online event will be able to chat directly with exhibitors through a live text chat system in the platform, as well as view seminars,…… MORE
Historic Intruder Heading to Castle Air Museum
(Photo Courtesy: Castle Air Museum) (KMJ) – Atwater’s Castle Air Museum is about to add a new piece to its collection of historic aircraft. The North Valley site is partnering with the Pima Air Museum in Tuscon, Arizona to bring a Grumman A-6E Intruder to the region. The aircraft, numbered 159579, is the next to last…… MORE
Turning Food Waste Into Plant Food
The California Farm Bureau Federation is posting on its website that fermented food waste could be used to deliver beneficial bacteria to food plants. University of California, Riverside researchers have discovered that beneficial microbes on crops can greatly multiply when food waste is added to plant-growing systems in a greenhouse. Researchers believe that fermented food…… MORE
USDA Extends Signup for Conservation Reserve Program
The USDA is extending the general signup period for the Conservation Reserve Program, which was supposed to end on February 12. USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes the opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. Under the previous Administration, incentives and rental payment rates were reduced, which…… MORE
Deadline Pushed Back; Cost Pushed Up for State’s High Speed Rail
(KMJ) – The state is again pushing back the deadline and raising the cost for its high-speed rail project. This time it is asking the Biden administration for a one-year extension on completing construction on a section of track in the Central Valley. Brian Kelly, the project’s chief executive officer, detailed delays and cost changes…… MORE
McConnell Announces Senate Committee Assignments
Senate Republicans announced their committee assignments this week, following the same announcement by Senate Democrats. For the Senate Agriculture Committee, new members include Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville and Roger Marshall of Kansas. The pair take seats previously occupied by retired chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia. Marshall was expected to join…… MORE
Newsom’s Vaccination Plan Ignores Central California Say Valley Lawmakers
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that two massive COVID-19 vaccination sites were opening in Northern and Southern California but made no mention of the Central Valley. That’s rubbed Valley lawmakers the wrong way, now they are are crying foul saying the millions in the heart of California are being…… MORE
More Farmers Plan to get COVID-19 Vaccine
A question in the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer finds more farmers say they will get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Ag Economy Barometer for January, released this week, finds producers’ attitudes about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine have shifted since the fall, with nearly six out of ten producers, 58%, planning to get vaccinated as…… MORE
Closure Extended for Parts of the Sierra National Forest
(Photo courtesy: U.S. Forest Service) (KMJ) – You will have to wait a little longer to access certain sites, trails and roads within the Sierra National Forest. The U.S Department of Agriculture says as a result of existing tree mortality and hazards from the Creek Fire and a recent Mono Wind event, a significant amount…… MORE
