WEST
RSS

Legislature clears honeybee health bill

09/10/25 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

California lawmakers have approved AB 1042, a bipartisan measure to launch a state program supporting honeybee health. With bee colony losses hitting record highs, farm groups say the bill is critical to protecting crops.

Lawmakers again push Newsom to set a more ambitious water supply goal

09/10/25 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

The Legislature has sent SB 72 to the governor, after he vetoed a nearly identical measure last year. Sponsored by urban water districts and backed by farm groups, the bill would set a target of adding 9 million acre-feet to the statewide supply.

Schiff joins effort to boost California cut flower growers

09/10/25 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., has signed on to the American Grown Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at supporting domestic flower growers and horticultural producers.

House approves energy and water spending bill

09/10/25 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

The House narrowly has passed its fiscal 2026 energy and water spending bill, steering billions toward water projects while sparking partisan clashes over renewable energy cuts.

Farm Hands West: Morrison confirmed as DPR director, California Democratic environmentalist Burton dies

09/10/25 7:00 AM By Lydia Johnson

No Comments

The California State Senate unanimously confirmed Karen Morrison as director of the Department of Pesticide Regulation. She has been with DPR since 2018, recently as chief deputy director. Earlier in her career, Morrison was a senior environmental scientist at the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and was city commissioner for the City of West Sacramento Environment and Utilities Commission.

California E15 fate now in hands of Newsom, who opposed bill

09/05/25 2:32 PM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

California lawmakers approved AB 30 to immediately greenlight E15 sales, but Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has warned of new costs and signaled opposition, raising the possibility of a veto despite unanimous bipartisan support.

The Reservoir launches first on-farm agtech incubator in Salinas

09/03/25 7:09 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

The Reservoir cut the ribbon on its first on-farm incubator in Salinas, launching an “olympic village of agtech” with John Deere and other partners to fast-track robotics and precision tools for specialty crops.

Lawmakers stall legislation on WOTUS but clear other ag-related bills

09/03/25 7:07 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

California lawmakers stalled a wetlands protection bill and reshaped several food, land and energy measures in last week’s suspense hearings—moves with big implications for farms, water districts and rural communities.

California sees continued decline in pesticide use

09/03/25 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

California pesticide use fell for the third straight year, with a new DPR report showing 176 million pounds applied in 2023 — a 3% drop as growers adopt new practices and products.

California awards $80M to fuel jobs and economic growth

09/03/25 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

California has awarded $80 million to boost jobs and economic growth, with major investments in ag innovation, bioeconomy infrastructure and much more.

Newsmakers

View More Videos

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.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Editorial Office - Washington, DC	Sales, Billing & Customer Service- Camdenton, MO
Suite 436A	110 Waterside Drive
1400 Independence Ave. SW	Camdenton, MO 65020
Washington, DC 20250	(573) 873-0800

	Editorial Office - Sacramento, CA
	(916) 402-9227

WEST RSS

WEST
RSS