California

The California legislature recently passed a bill outlawing land sales to foreign countries to help protect the nation’s food supply.   “Food can, and is, being used as a weapon like we’re seeing in Ukraine,” said the bill’s author, state Senator Melissa Hurtado. “Recent reports have shown that a nati...

The ethanol industry is slamming California’s decision to ban the internal combustion engine in 2035.  “Disappointed and mystified” is the way the Renewable Fuels Association reacted to California’s plan.    “If that is, in fact, what happens, yeah, it’s going to have some far-reaching impacts on the fuel market, and, by extension, it’s going to have an impact on the corn market."  noted the

Plans to remove four Pacific Corps hydro-electric dams in the lower Klamath River made a big step Friday.  Pacific Powers’ Tom Gauntt said the environmental impact statement released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission provides guidance for the future.   “It sp...

Pear production nationwide is expected to be down this year.   “Expecting production to be down by 1.6% below what was produced last season," commented Lance Honig with NASS.  "In fact, if realized, that would represent the second lowest production since 2007.”   When ...

The National FFA Organization announced this week a record-high student membership number of 850,823, a 15% year-over-year increase.  In addition, chapter numbers increased by 178, resulting in 8,995 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin...

"Unfortunately not unexpected, but if you look at the map of wildfires current in the Northwest, extending from northern California through Oregon, Washington and then eastward through Idaho into western Montana, there are a number of large wildfires on the map...

The U.S. Grains Council held its 62nd annual Board of Delegates Meeting in California during the final week of July.  During the three-day event, Minnesota grain farmer Chad Willis wrapped up his term as Chairman. “Just being able to lead the organization, I guess. The deleg...

The delegates of the U.S. Grains Council elected Josh Miller as Chairman of its Board of Directors during the Board of Delegates Meeting in California. “It’s important to me to learn as much as I possibly can,” Miller said during incoming remarks. Miller is a f...

Last week, central Washington’s Kim Schrier and California’s Ami Brea, introduced the Fire Ready National Act.  The legislation introduced by the two Democrats will allow NOAA to be more involved in the detection and response of wildfires. Washington’s...

Labor remains a top concern for the tree fruit industry.  The American Fruit Growers held its annual State of the Industry survey, and on the farm labor was a big topic in the survey, and one-third of the respondents say it’s not an issue for them, at least not yet.  For the remai...