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Farm Hands West: USDA gets two new leaders, Cameron named acting Reclamation head, Hollay taking over NCAE

10/08/25 7:00 AM By Lydia Johnson

Devon Westhill has been confirmed as assistant agriculture secretary for civil rights, and Michael Boren as USDA's undersecretary for natural resources. Scott Cameron will be acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation. John Hollay will replace Michael Marsh as president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers.

Wheat growers group names new leader

10/02/25 2:40 PM By Steve Davies

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Longtime agriculture advocate Sam Kieffer is the new CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Newsom signs bill to open California pumps to E15

10/02/25 1:33 PM By Brad Hooker

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Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 30, allowing the sale of E15 fuel in California for the first time, a move aimed at cutting gas prices and boosting ethanol demand.

Dairies bash new CAFO regulations at SoCal air district

10/01/25 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

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South Coast air regulators are moving to tighten rules on confined animal facilities and bringing a dozen more dairies under new permit and mitigation requirements.

Bills seek to protect farmworkers amid federal rollbacks and immigration raids

10/01/25 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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California's governor will soon decide on two labor bills that would rewrite the rules for employers hiring foreign workers and for immigration-related disruptions in the workplace.

Newsom orders statewide push to tackle climate-driven insurance crisis

10/01/25 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

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Gov. Gavin Newsom is launching the next phase of California’s strategy to stabilize insurance markets and address the rising economic fallout of climate change.

Worms join California’s climate fight

10/01/25 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

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California dairies are enlisting worms to slash methane, recycle water and cut costs — adding a surprising new tool to the state’s climate playbook.

Farm Hands West: Tello joins Almond Board of California, Veneman joins PPIC board of directors

10/01/25 7:00 AM By Lydia Johnson

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Lindsay Tello joined the Almond Board of California as senior adviser for trade policy based in Washington. The Public Policy Institute of California added former Ag Secretary Ann Veneman to the group’s board of directors. The Western Canal Water District hired Jenny Scheer as general manager. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., hired Emilio Contreras as a senior legislative assistant covering agriculture issues.

California’s water projects stumble as climate pressures mount

09/24/25 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

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California’s biggest water projects are hitting roadblocks, with another proposal falling by the wayside and lawmakers shelving a Delta tunnel bill. But time is running out, as reports show a dramatic drop in water deliveries over the coming years.

Cal/OSHA board rejects bird flu petition targeting dairies

09/24/25 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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California’s workplace safety board has rejected a proposal to enact emergency rules on bird flu protections for dairy workers but agreed to further consider mandates like exclusion pay and extended sick leave.

Newsmakers

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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers

06.05.2026

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Karen Ross on California agriculture, water, MAHA, Prop 12

California agriculture operates at a scale and under conditions unlike anywhere else in the country, yet the policy decisions extend far beyond state lines. We spent the week in Sacramento for the annual Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West and caught up with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross to discuss the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping California agriculture, and why the rest of the country should be paying attention to the Golden State.

Plus, Ag Council of California President Emily Rooney outlines concerning plastic and packaging regulations and Chris Zanobini, president and CEO of Ag Association Management Services Inc., describes the "regulatory jenga" plaguing California agriculture.

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