Shows / Voice of California Agriculture
Voice of California Agriculture
The California Farm Bureau is excited to bring you the Voice of California Agriculture Podcast! Hosted by Gary Sack, the podcast will bring general farm and food news, plus legislative updates affecting California family farmers and ranchers. To learn more about the work that California Farm Bureau is doing, visit: https://www.cfbf.com/
Episodes
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 130: 10/29/26 - CA Farm Leaders Visit DC, Ventura County Proceeds Review, & Table Olive Crop Update
State farm leaders travel to Washington, D.C. to meet directly with lawmakers and why that matters. Ventura County farmers received record proceeds in 2025…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 129: 10/22/26 - Legislative Review with Farm Bureau President, El Niño Preparations, and Money for Specialty Crops
How does a state farm leader characterize this past legislative session for agriculture? Government bureaucracy is blamed for Monterey County farmers unable to…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 128: 10/15/26 - Apples, Pumpkins, Diesel Fuel, Legislative Outlook, & Farm Bureau Voters Guide
We’ll look at California’s apple crop--challenges, and why you should visit a local farmstand for apples. President Trump gives farmers some relief on the…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 127: 10/8/26 - Pumpkins, Blueberries, Diesel Fuel, Farm Bureau Leadership in DC, and More
On this episode, we talk with pumpkin growers about this year’s crop and what you can expect to find at pumpkin patches across California for Halloween. We…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 126: 10/1/26 - Almond Hulls, Super El Nino, Farm Bureau Ballot Positions, Rice Weeds, and More
Could almond hulls be a new food ingredient? What researchers have found. What will a super El Nino mean for California’s snowpack? Farm Bureau releases its…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 125: 9/24/26 - Rice Harvest Outlook, Super El Niño, Federal Water Jurisdiction, Potential Aid for Ranchers from the White House
Checking in on the progress of the state’s rice crop An expected super El Nino could lead to heavy rainfall this winter. Are you prepared? Federal agencies…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 124: 9/17/26 - Mothballing Winegrapes, Forecasting the Super El Niño, and Field Reports
Tough times in the winegrape industry has some farmers mothballing vineyards. A UC Viticulture advisor talks about this new practice. A Super El Nino is…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 123: 9/10/26 - Colorado River Plan, GWSS, Strawberries, Wage Rates, & Farm Producer Prices
We’ll find out how Imperial Valley farmers feel about the Colorado River Plan and what impact it may have on the supply of winter vegetables. The Imperial…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 122: 9/3/26 - Wolves, Farm Bill, Walnuts, Ag Innovation Challenge, Off-Road Diesel Regulations
California’s wolf population continues to expand and CDFW continues to look for ways to help deal with the population. A look at the critical need for Farm…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 121: 8/27/26 - Farm Bill Concerns, Alameda Local Meat, California Lettuce, and Food Labeling
Farm Bill--can it be passed this year? It’s desperately needed for specialty crop farmers A couple in Alameda County is connecting locally produced meat with…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 120: 8/20/26 - Goat Grazing Rules Threaten the Industry, More from the Fields, and California Citrus Standards Change
Goats as a wildfire protection tool is threatened. From the Fields—how crops are progressing as reported by famers and livestock producers themselves. A change…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 119: 8/13/26 - Monterey County growing Concerns & Staying Compliant During the Heat
Regulatory and compliance costs are taking a bite out of salad bowl producers in Monterey County. It could ultimately affect food shoppers. And a conversation…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 118: 7/30/26 - A Winery Experiments with Tea and From the Field and Pasture Updates
A Sierra Foothills winery has big plans for tea production—tea on its own, botanicals, and infusing into their wine. A fascinating look at the possibilities…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 117: 7/23/26 - Pistachios, Golden Mussels, Almonds, and Food Cost Inflation
How big is this year’s pistachio crop--and just how many pistachios does the average American eat each year? The golden mussel, California's newest invasive…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 116: 7/16/2026 - Grizzly Bears, Wolf Funds, Pear Blight, & Good News for Pear Farmers
A bill to bring grizzly bears back to California moves forward. Some help for livestock producers who lose animals to wolves. One of the worst years in memory…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 115: 7/9/2026 - Pear Crop Update, the Role of Crop Advisors, USDA Crackdown on SNAP
We’ll check on the pear crop and why you should look for California fresh pears. Certified Crop Advisors helping farmers on and off the field. The USDA is…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 114: 7/2/2026 - Pest Threats, Williamson Act, Watermelons, Cookout Costs, and Ice Cream
An industry leaders says California needs to allocate more money to thwart pest threats. Legislation that could weaken a farmland protection law—known as the…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 113: 6/25/2026 - Livestock Protection from Wolves, Pest Threats Increase, Watermelon Crop, and Agriculture Over 250 Years
A bill to help protect livestock from wolves. Money not keeping up with pest threats in California. Watermelon crop Agriculture innovation over the last 250…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 112: 6/18/26 - California Cotton, Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters, New World Screwworm, Leadership Farm Bureau, and New Trade Agreements
As the USDA works to promote American cotton, hear from a California cotton leader about their challenges, the benefits of cotton fabrics, and the quality of…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 111: 6/11/2026 - Help for Cotton Farmers, American Meat Consumption, BLM Lands Rule, U.S. Farm Footprint and Legislative Update
USDA works to increase demand for U.S. cotton. Americans eat more meat, despite the price. BLM sheds a Biden era regulation to the delight of ranchers and Farm…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 110: 6/4/26 - Dairy Month & Cherry Crop Update
June is National Dairy Month, nutritional reminders, consumption trends and whole milk gets a boost. Plus, the 2026 California cherry crop hit by a series of…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 109: 5/28/26 - Regulatory Cost Study, Field Reports, and Checking Scales and Metering Devices
Regulations are costing Napa County grape growers as much as $1,700 per acre. Farmers report from the fields and vineyards around the state. Plus, are grocery…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 108: 5/21/26 - Farmers Go To the Capitol and Mental Health Awareness on the Farm
More than 100 county Farm Bureau leaders will visit with state lawmakers during the month of May to discuss major farm issues. May is Mental Health Awareness…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 107: 5/14/26 - Wine Labeling, Elementary Agriculture Writing Contest Winners, Cling Peaches, and Asian Citrus Psyllid
Farm groups seek to clear label confusion of American wine. Farm Bureau opposes a bill that would undermine funding for Demonstration State Forests. Imagine…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 106: 5/7/2026 - Legislative Updates on Nitrogen Discharge and Labor, Capitol Ag Day, Farm Exports Increase Initiative, and Fertilizer Availability
Overtime tax credit makes progress but fall short; legislation to limit nitrogen discharge, and Farm Bureau says a bill to significantly increase the minimum…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 105: 4/30/26 - A Wine Expert’s Perspective, Rural Crime Continued, and Fertilizer Prices
A retired engineer from the Mid-West who became a wine expert, shares his journey, wine pairings and thoughts on California wines. How those automatic license…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 104: 4/23/26 - Murphys Family-Owned Winery, Rural Crime-Protecting the Farm, Reintroduction of Grizzly Bears
A small family vineyard and winery is doing well through the downturn in wine consumption. We’ll delve into their history and what is working for them. How…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 103: 4/9/2026 - Rural Crime, Spring Farming Uncertainty, U.S. Farm Income Outlook
Rural crime- today’s criminals are using more technology to steal from farms. A Central Valley farmer reports there is more uncertainty in this year’s spring…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 102: 4/2/2026 - Food Price Forecast, Economic Challenges for Small Farms, Sustainable Pesticide Management, Mental Health, & Cotton
We’ll look at the government’s food price inflation forecast for the year, broken down by categories. The government’s definition of a “small farm,” and their…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 101: 3/26/26 - Rural Crime, Ag Secretary Talks Farm Issues, Ag Minimum Wage Bill, Dietary Guidelines, Farm Nitrogen Applications
A rural crime investigator talks about what’s popular in farm thefts and prevention tips. The U.S. Agriculture Secretary says they’re working to lower farm…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 100: 3/19/2026 - Honeybee Theft, Farm Fertilizer Concerns, Trade Deal with India, & Livestock Pest Update
What beekeepers are doing to thwart thefts of their hives. We’ll hear about a recent bust to recover 172 stolen beehives. A trade deal with India is expected…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 99: 3/12/2026 - Winegrape Vineyard Removals, Farm Bill 2.0, Honeybee Health and Almond Pollination, California Horticulture Production, and Farmers’ Right to Repair
As people drink less wine, vineyard removal companies are busy. The Farm Bill passes the Ag Committee. A beekeeper talks almond pollination and bee health The…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 98: 3/5/2026 - Farm Nitrogen Use, Important Labor Laws, Issues for Rice Farmers, and Specialty Crop Funds
A state panel looks at farm nitrogen use. What employers need to know about the Employee’s Right to Know law. Huge fines for non-compliance. Farm Advisors talk…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 97: 2/26/26 - Rice, Farm Labor, U.S. Duty Drawback for Winegrapes, Tracking Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland
Farm Advisors talk about last year’s rice crop and challenges ahead California Farm Bureau works to close a loophole on something called “U.S. Duty Drawback”…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 96: 2/19/2026 - A Visit with the California State FFA Officer Team
We visit with the FFA state officers about plans to commemorate National FFA Week, their activities this past year, and future plans. They make for an…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 95: 2/12/2026 - Lions, Farm Labor Laws, Farm Bill, Milk Production Outlook, Golden Mussel
Potential mountain lion listing as threatened New laws for farm employers for 2026- not knowing them could be costly. National farm legislation is still needed…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 94: 2/5/2026 - Mountain Lions, Predators & Livestock, Work to Help Specialty Crop Farmers, Beef Supply Outlook, Rice Update
The state Farm Bureau president discusses the state livestock industry’s ongoing predator issues with lions and wolves. Farm Bureau is pressuring Congress to…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 93: 1/29/2026 - Pear imports, Prop 50, Farmers from the Field
Chemically treated pears from Argentina hurts California’s fresh harvest pear market. Industry looks for help. Shannon Douglas, president, CA Farm Bureau, has…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 92: 1/22/2026 - Wolves, Dietary Guidelines, and Water Supply
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…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 91: 1/15/2026 - Valentine’s Day Roses, the Effects of Regulatory Costs, Pears, and a Webinar on Organic Growing
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…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 90: 1/8/2026 - Ag Issues for 2026, New Year Laws, Meat Supplies, and Scholarships
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…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 89: 1/1/2026 - Farm Issues in 2025, Regenerative Agriculture, Campaign School, and More!
Farm Bureau President talks 2025 Year in Ag. “Regenerative agriculture,” explained. Minimum wage increased. Campaign School—to help members running for…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 88: 12/25/2025 - Farm Bureau to Host Campaign School and What Christmas Looks Like on the Farm Across California
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…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 87: 12/18/2025 - Research into Non-Lethal Methods to Protect Livestock From Mountain Lions, Clean Water Regulatory Proposal, Persimmons, and Figs
Researchers are trying to protect livestock from mountain lions. The American Farm Bureau is pleased with proposed changes in clean water regulations and will…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 86: 12/11/2025 - Cling Peach Concerns, Christmas Trees, & Poinsettias
Del Monte bankruptcy concerns cling peach growers, choose and cut Christmas trees, and poinsettias.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 85: 11/27/25 - The Cost of Thanksgiving Meals in California
Thanksgiving dinner costs more in California, but don’t blame the farmer. Thanksgiving dinner food safety tips, bringing winegrape supplies into balance with…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 84: 11/20/2025 - Farm Bureau Aims to Save Farmers Money Through Public Utilities, New World Screwworm, Walnuts, Milk, and Autonomous Tractors
Featured Interview—Farm Bureau saving farmers money in public utilities work. Walnut outlook brightens, State officials work to protect industry from the New…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 83: 11/13/2025 - Specialty Crop Farming Outlook, Minimum Wage Increases, Wolf Compensation, and Better Tasting Brussel Sprouts
Our featured interview--an Ag economist details problems plaguing U.S. specialty crop farmers. Plus, California’s minimum wage will increase next year…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 82: 11/6/2025 - California Apple Crop & News Briefs
Featured interview on California apples—the crop marketing efforts and why buy California apples, plus news briefs on forest fire prevention, plan to import…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 81: 10/30/2025 - Turkey for Holidays, Pistachios, Agritourism, Labor, and Farm Economy
Why shoppers wanting a fresh California turkey for Thanksgiving should contact their grocery stores early this year. Plus, a record pistachio crop, agritourism…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 80: 10/23/2025 - All About Pumpkins: The Stories of Two Very Different Operations
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…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 79: 10/16/2025 - This Year’s Winegrape Harvest
We’ll check out the California winegrape harvest this year, plus future industry struggles that it must overcome.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 78: 10/09/2025 - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage with Hispanic Farm Industry Leaders
Hispanic farm industry leaders speak of their culture, background, success, and love of farming in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 77: 10/2/2025 - Hear about the Positive News in the Walnut Industry and Market
A walnut industry leader discusses the exceptional quality of this year’s crop and a brighter marketing outlook, plus their work to increase demand for…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 76: 9/25/2028 - Building a Better Almond Tree to Benefit Farmers and Consumers
Developing an almond tree that would rely less on honeybees and other benefits for farmers. A conversation with the head of Burchell Nursery–a leading…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 75: 9/18/2025 - Why Farmers are Saying No to Prop 50
The state’s largest farm group says Proposition 50 is bad for rural California, communities and counties.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 74: 9/11/2025 - Staying Safe on the Farm and Ranch
Farming is a dangerous occupation. Today we look at staying safe and getting workers back to work.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 73: 9/4/2025 - Get to Know Gary Sack, the Voice of California Agriculture
Turning the tables on host Gary Sack to learn more about his passion for agriculture.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 72: 8/28/2025 - Livestock Losses to Lions in Lake County
Apex predators—mainly lions cause huge losses in Lake County.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 71: 8/21/2025 - Wolves-Part 2—Looking for Solutions, Tomato Processing, and USDA Meat and Dairy Forecast
Part 2 of the impact of the grey wolf on a community, a great crop of tomatoes for processing and their amazing story, also, find out what the USDA is…