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USDA warns California to abandon land equity proposals

12/17/25 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

The Trump administration is warning California to abandon its proposed agricultural land equity framework, arguing it violates constitutional limits on race-based policy just as a state task force finalizes sweeping recommendations to reshape land access, ownership, and stewardship.

Costa and Gray push for expanding water storage

12/17/25 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

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Reps. Jim Costa and Adam Gray are rolling out a new federal water infrastructure package aimed at expanding storage, streamlining permitting and accelerating long-delayed projects as Central Valley water agencies rally behind what they call a pragmatic push to address California’s deepening water crisis.

JBS to close California beef plant, cut 374 jobs

12/17/25 7:00 AM By Brad Hooker

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JBS will permanently shut down its Riverside beef processing plant early next year, cutting 374 jobs as the world’s largest meatpacker restructures its operations amid tight cattle supplies and continued volatility in the U.S. beef market.

Rice's political clout grows as industry seeks new trade policies

12/17/25 6:04 AM By Kim Chipman

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U.S. rice farmers, typically eclipsed by top domestic crops like corn, are getting face time with President Donald Trump. Now the question is whether that will help lead to the universal, uniform tariffs the industry seeks.

Trump and Newsom embark on differing water policy paths

12/10/25 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

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California water policy is splitting in two directions — with the Trump administration pushing to ramp up Delta pumping while the Newsom administration shifts toward multi-benefit projects.

California Farm Bureau touts grassroots wins, warns of policy threats

12/10/25 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass used her annual meeting address Monday to celebrate county-level wins and rising membership while warning that labor policy, regulatory pressure and ballot fights will continue to shape the future of California agriculture.

Biotech commission explores California ag’s role in national security

12/10/25 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

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A bipartisan federal biotechnology commission traveled through California’s Central Valley this week, meeting with researchers, farmers and industry leaders to examine how agricultural innovation could bolster U.S. supply chains and national security.

California’s infrastructure earns C-, with aging systems, climate risks and funding gaps

12/10/25 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

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California’s infrastructure is aging faster than it’s being repaired and a new statewide report shows the consequences. The 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gives the state a C-, warning that climate risks, outdated systems and funding gaps are pushing critical roads, water systems and public facilities toward failure.

Farm Hands West: Bonham to lead The Nature Conservancy in California, Douglass reelected California Farm Bureau president

12/10/25 7:00 AM By Lydia Johnson

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The Nature Conservancy hired Charlton “Chuck” Bonham as California executive director. Stephanie Gross joined the Congressional Western Caucus as a policy adviser. California Farm Bureau re-elected officers, including Shannon Douglass as president, Shaun Crook as as first vice president, and Ron Peterson as second vice president.

Sites Reservoir attracts labor opposition, threatening to escalate delays and costs

12/03/25 7:06 AM By Brad Hooker

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Labor groups are threatening to turn against the Sites Reservoir project over a controversial contractor choice, adding a new front of opposition to a project already under environmental scrutiny.

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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