Advertise on podcast: Voice of California Agriculture

The state Farm Bureau president discusses the state livestock industry’s ongoing predator issues with lions and wolves.    Farm Bureau is pressuring Congress to give help to the Specialty Crop producers  What the recent Cattle on Feed Report means to future beef supplies  And how last fall’s rainstorms made for a difficult harvest for rice farmers.

Chemically treated pears from Argentina hurts California’s fresh harvest pear market. Industry looks for help.   Shannon Douglas, president, CA Farm Bureau, has a message for rural California in the wake of the passage of Prop 50.   From the Fields—Reports from various farmers from around the state about their activities and last season. 

We speak with a rancher who lost their family horse and a 600-pound calf to wolves on New Year’s Day.    A look at the government’s new Recommended Dietary Guidelines and what it may mean for farmers.  Plus, the State’s water supply situation at the beginning of the year. 

We speak with a rose grower about the market and supply for Valentine’s Day. Farm Bureau president talks about the cost of regulations sinking farmers. The pear industry seeks relief from a flood of imports. A webinar series for those transitioning to organic farming.

Shannon Douglass talks issues for Farm Bureau in 2026.   New laws for the new year  Hog and Beef supply numbers and what it means for consumers  Farm fatalities are lower than other dangerous professions in 2025  Scholarship applications are coming due. College bound students should check it out.  

Farm Bureau President talks 2025 Year in Ag.    “Regenerative agriculture,” explained.   Minimum wage increased.   Campaign School—to help members running for political office or involved in a campaign  Farm Bureau donates 1,000 backpacks with supplies for school students .

Why Farm Bureau is hosting a campaign school for political office seekers, and we speak with several farm leaders about Christmas on the Farm—work still needs to be done. 

Researchers are trying to protect livestock from mountain lions. The American Farm Bureau is pleased with proposed changes in clean water regulations and will check in with a farmer of persimmons and figs to learn a little about the crop and their health benefits.   

Del Monte bankruptcy concerns cling peach growers, choose and cut Christmas trees, and poinsettias.

Thanksgiving dinner costs more in California, but don’t blame the farmer.   Thanksgiving dinner food safety tips, bringing winegrape supplies into balance with lower consumption, USDA’s largest trade mission ever, and increasing farm mental health help.   

Featured Interview—Farm Bureau saving farmers money in public utilities work.   Walnut outlook brightens, State officials work to protect industry from the New World Screwworm, an effort to bring back whole and low-fat milk into school cafeterias would be better for student nutrition and for dairy farmers, plus Farm Bureau works to loosen restrictions on autonomous tractors. It would improve efficiency and farm safety.  

Our featured interview--an Ag economist details problems plaguing U.S. specialty crop farmers.  Plus, California’s minimum wage will increase next year.  Ranchers who lost livestock by wolf kills can apply for compensation.  And the changing taste of Brussels sprouts.  

Featured interview on California apples—the crop marketing efforts and why buy California apples, plus news briefs on forest fire prevention, plan to import Argentine beef, USDA plans to help beef cattle producers and dairy news.

Why shoppers wanting a fresh California turkey for Thanksgiving should contact their grocery stores early this year.  Plus, a record pistachio crop, agritourism is becoming more popular.  Farmers say immigration raids did not affect this summer’s supply of workers.   Also, tough times for this nation’s farmers.  

Pumpkins adorn many porches during the fall months either as jack-o-lanterns or fall displays. The pumpkin you buy at the store may very well come from this farm, and we’ll speak with an agritourism pumpkin farmer about activities that await their visitors.