Articles by Brad Hooker

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

The California Legislature could block local tax districts from leveraging agricultural benefits under Williamson Act contracts, sparking a clash between farm groups pushing to protect working lands and builders warning of new hurdles for housing projects.

California’s ports face a showdown, with legislation to curb the local air district's rulemaking as it clashes with labor and EJ groups over pursuing a more collaborative pathway.

John Deere is teaming up with The Reservoir incubator in Salinas to fast-track specialty crop innovations, aiming to boost automation and sustainability for fruit and vegetable growers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a federal proposal to “unleash American drone dominance,” a move that could clear regulatory hurdles while California continues to ease rules for farm use.

California farmland is still among the most valuable in the nation, but SGMA is reshaping the map. From plunging orchard prices in overdrafted basins to lenders warning of vanishing equity, the new water rules are drawing sharp lines between winners and losers in the land market.

California lawmakers are entering the final month of session with high-stakes bills on water, food, labor and climate that could reshape the state’s farm economy.

Several farm groups have dropped their opposition to AB 1264, while citrus and fresh fruit leaders are now backing the school nutrition bill as it heads into a crucial Senate Appropriations vote.

Growers are preparing for a promising harvest, but softer sales, steep export declines and rising costs are casting uncertainty over the market.