West

Central Valley Project announcement brings California Farm Bureau response

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced Feb. 23 that it anticipates zero water allocations this year from the Central Valley Project, likely marking the second straight year that California farmers and ranchers will be denied... more »

Major marketing campaign launched by California Strawberries

In time for National Strawberry Day, California Strawberries is set to amplify strawberries and their many health benefits via the new year-long, consumer-focused campaign ‘Love, Strawberries.’ Inspired by the love and the care the heart-healthy... more »

Idaho potato farm assessed $25K in penalties for ag labor violations

U.S. Department of Labor investigators determined that an Idaho employer violated its obligations to guest workers Guest workers often travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles from their native countries to the U.S. to perform... more »

Work to sustain groundwater pursued by California agencies

A new era of groundwater management in California continues to take shape as local agencies develop and implement plans that identify how they intend to achieve groundwater sustainability goals over the next 20 years. "The... more »

Slower than previous droughts, but subsidence still seen in California

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released new satellite-based data that show subsidence – or the sinking of the land surface due to excessive groundwater pumping – continues in the state. DWR has intensified statewide subsidence... more »

Despite markets, California cropping plans depend on water

With commodity prices higher across the board, markets are telling farmers to plant, plant, plant. But for California growers, who face another potential dry year, water remains a major driver of what crops will go... more »

‘There’s no doubt in my mind that (organic) will keep growing’

With sales of organic fresh produce continuing to grow, farmers say they remain optimistic about their market prospects, even as they face a potentially challenging season complicated by drought, shifting demand and higher costs. The... more »

OPN releases State of Organic Produce 2021 report

Organic Produce Network has released its second annual State of Organic Produce report, which provides a comprehensive overview of how the industry performed last year, including data and analysis of retail sales of organic fresh produce. The... more »