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 70: 8/14/2025 - Wolves, Abandoned Farmland pt 2, and Young Farmer Contests
Part 1- Gray wolves are proving to be brutal killing machines against livestock in the Northeastern part of the state, causing economic and mental stress for…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 69: 8/7/2025 - Neglected Farmland, Trade Deals, Farming’s Economic Contributions, and Cherry Update
Neglected farmland causing pest problems, trade deals effect on farmers, Marin--a tiny farm county has a big economic contribution, and a rough year for cherry…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 68: 7/31/2025 - Pesticide Regulators Collaborate to Reduce Use, Farm Legislation Updates, and Watermelon and Pear Crop Projections
Pesticide regulator collaborates to reduce use Farm industry supported legislation moves forward. A check on this season’s watermelon and pear crops.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 67: 7/24/2025 - Fresh Fruit Season, Legislative Briefs, Screwworm Update, Farm Security Action Plan
A check on California’s summer fruit season. Legislative briefs, The U.S. border closed again to Mexican livestock, and details on the National Farm Security…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 66: 7/17/2025 - Regulatory Costs, Organic Production Decrease, Labor Contractors in Farming Operations, and How the Big Beautiful Bill Helps Farm Families
The cost of regulations hurts California farm competitiveness Organic production turns downward Farm Labor Contractors helping on more farms today American…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 65: 7/10/2025 - Roadless Rule Rescinded, Pork Prices, Changing Food Trends, and Certified Crop Adviser Program
Roadless Rule rescinded to help with firefighting and timber harvesting. High hog numbers should mean continued low pork prices for consumers. Changing food…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 64: 7/3/2025 - Sugar Beet Facility Closing, New World Screwworm, Sites Reservoir Progress, Dairy Product Consumption Benefits, and Summer Cookout Cost
California’s last sugar beet facility is closing this year. It will be a major hit to the Imperial County economy. USDA takes steps to keep a feared livestock…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 63: 6/26/2025 - Estate Tax Planning Tips, EV Mandates Struck Down, Dairy Animal Care, and Labor Supply Concerns
The need for estate tax planning, now. President Trump strikes down California electric vehicle mandates. Dairy producer discusses cow care, nutrition and…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 62: 6/19/25 - California Farm Leaders Voice Concerns, Day in the Life of a Dairy Farmer, Livestock Pest, and Average Age of Farmers Discussion
Chief agricultural concerns of California’s biggest farm leaders. An aging farm populations draws concerns On June Dairy Month, we look at the life of a dairy…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 61: 6/12/25 - Market Demand for Almonds, Health Benefits of Dairy, Rural Crime, Tax Act, and MAHA
Current market demand for California Almonds. If Congress fails to act, tax increases could be costly. Some health benefits of dairy consumption that you may…
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 60: 6/5/25 - Almond Forecast, Decreased Cherry Crop, Help for Small Farmers, Food Safety Reminders for Summer Cookouts
Almond forecast, extremely small cherry crop, USDA plans to helps small-scaled farmers, food safety reminders for those summer cookouts.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 59: 5/29/25 - Farmer Capitol Visits, Coyotes, Mental Health Awareness, Legislative and Regulatory Update
Farm Bureau members make Capitol visits, Coyote controls stay in place, Mental Health Awareness, Legislative and Regulatory update.
- Voice of California Agriculture
Episode 58: 5/22/25 - Farm Trade Deficit, Unsolicited Seed Packets, Farmers Under Stress, Important Tax Laws Expiring
U.S. farm trade deficit—foods we are importing. Those mysterious seed packets from China that occurred in 2020 have again showed up in U.S. mailboxes in 2025…
- Voice of California Agriculture
5/15 - USDA Attacks SNAP Fraud, Redefining WOTUS Rules, a Bank’s Program to Help New Farmers, Estate Tax Law and the Family Farm
USDA crackdown on SNAP fraud. The EPA looks to revise waters of the U.S. Ag A Farm Credit Bank promotes programs to help young, beginning and small producers…
- Voice of California Agriculture
5/8 - Farmland Values, Off-Farm Income, A Big Avocado Crop, and Bird Flu Update
California farmland values decline. Most farm families earn more money off the farm. A big California avocado crop; and bird flu numbers decline.
- Voice of California Agriculture
5/1 - Federal Budget Proposals, Golden Mussel Threats, Virtual Fencing of Livestock, and Relief for Fresh Market Tomato Farmers
Sharp contrasts in the House and Senate budget proposals. The Golden Mussel presents a new threat to California waterways Virtual Fencing—How effective is it…
- Voice of California Agriculture
4/24 - How SB 628 is Helping Farm Employees, Certified Farmers Markets, Environmental Conservation, and Coyote Hunting
SB 628-Legislation to put more money into hands of farm employees. Certified Farmers Markets are getting wider variety of produce as spring has sprung We’ll…
- Voice of California Agriculture
4/17 - Wolf Legislation, FFA’s Golden Owl Award, Check In with Farmers, Mandated Employee Postings, and the Monarch Butterfly.
Legislation to remove the gray wolf from the federal endangered species list. Our featured story is with the FFA Teacher of the Year, it’s a rigorous process…
- Voice of California Agriculture
4/10 - April’s Snow Survey, Agricultural Education, Nitrogen Management Plans, and Food Labels
April’s statewide snowpack and reservoir numbers, educating students and instructors about agriculture, creating nitrogen management plans, and making sense of…
- Voice of California Agriculture
4/3 - WOTUS Rules, Small Farms Disappearing, Capitol Ag Day, Chinese Shipping Dominance Raises Security Concerns
Federal water rules may be easing. Farm groups respond to Make America Healthy Again. Farm Bureau president sounds the alarm at the loss of farms in…
- Voice of California Agriculture
3/27 - Wolf Emergency, Overtime Tax Credit, Fair Plan Stability & Pork/Poultry Processing Streamlined
Streamlining U.S. pork and poultry processing Wolf activity causes an emergency declaration A bill to put more money into the hands of farm employees…
- Voice of California Agriculture
3/20 - Challenging GHG Disclosure Rules, Federal Money for Fire Prevention Work, Ag, Day Celebrations, Water Allocations, and Egg Prices
Business groups challenge the Climate Disclosure Rule. Federal money for more fire prevention work, pleases a northern California lawmaker We’ll visit an Ag…
- Voice of California Agriculture
3/13 - More Timber Production and Fuels Reduction, Emergency Payments to Farmers, Helping People Enter Agriculture, and Dairy/Beef Cattle Crossbreeding
In this episode, a California Congressman reacts to the Trump Administration’s call for increased timber production and fuels reduction orders. We'll discuss…
- Voice of California Agriculture
3/6 - USDA Attacks Avian Flu, Mountain Lion Research, Winegrape Oversupply, Food Stamps Regulation Change, and Overtime Tax Credit Legislation
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins takes on bird flu. Researchers look to deter mountain lions from attacking livestock. Decreased consumption hurts California…
- Voice of California Agriculture
2/27 - Beekeeper Talks Forage and Bee Thefts, State Review of Autonomous Tractor Ban, Farm Exports, and Food Prices
A beekeeper talks need for more land for bees to forage and bee thefts, State to review autonomous tractor ban, U.S. Farm Exports, and food prices.
- Voice of California Agriculture
2/20 - Bee Shortage for Early Pollination, Regulation Costs for Lettuce Farmers, USDA Secretary Assesses Farm Economy, and Proposed Dairy Waste Rules.
There’s a massive bee shortage for almond pollination. Regulations are costly for lettuce producers. New USDA Secretary concerned about the farm economy, and…
- Voice of California Agriculture
2/13 - Building Relationships with New Lawmakers, New Workplace Violence Standards for Farms, and Be Inspired by State FFA Leaders
Farm Bureau is working to develop relationships with dozens of new federal lawmakers to advocate for their members. Farm employers must now create workplace…
- Voice of California Agriculture
2/6 - Honeybee Health Update, a New App for Farm Employers, a Crucial Ag Equipment Survey, and more.
Concerns about the health of honeybees going into the pollination season. Some questions and responses from Brooke Rollins’ confirmation hearings for USDA…
- Voice of California Agriculture
1/30 - Farm Shows, Water Storage Update, New Congress, Farmers Mentoring Farmers, and Regulation Costs for Lettuce Farmers
In this episode, we cover the upcoming February Farm Shows, the potential for additional water storage, the impact of the new Congress on agriculture, a…
- Voice of California Agriculture
1/23 - State Budget Reactions, Dairy and Poultry Show Ban, Citrus Crop, Foreign-Owned Farmland Report, and Specialty Crops Exports
Farm Bureau reacts to the governor’s budget proposal, State ban on dairy and poultry exhibitions and fairs, small sized citrus may find a home in juice market…
- Voice of California Agriculture
1/16 - Farm Bill Extension, an Important Survey, Molding Tomorrow’s Farm Leaders, Wage Rate Laws, Early Season Snowpack
Reaction to Farm Bill extension, farmers urged to answer an important survey, Farm Bureau’s president interviews Ag Leadership Program head about molding…
- Voice of California Agriculture
1/9 - Dietary Guidelines, Navel Orange Crop, Required Agricultural Labor Postings, U.S. Pork Supply, Utilities, ESA, and Egg Supplies
The government’s new set of dietary guidelines is being formulated—what you can expect, find out about the supply of navel oranges, required labor postings for…
- Voice of California Agriculture
12/19 - County Farm Bureau Successes, Christmas Tree Market, Water Allocation Outlook, and School Lunches
CA Farm Bureau president recognizes County Farm Bureau successes, our featured interview is about fresh-cut Christmas trees, the water year outlook, and USDA…
- Voice of California Agriculture
12/12 - Effects of the Ventura fire Avocado and Citrus Industries, State Water Plans, SGMA turns 10, and Persimmon Harvest
Ventura fire takes toll on avocados and citrus, Bay Delta Plan Phase 2, SGMA turns 10, Persimmons for the holidays—they’re healthy too.
- Voice of California Agriculture
12/5 - H-2A Worker Costs, Indoor Heat Regulations, Specialty Crops, and Pet Safety
H-2A worker rates, new indoor heat regulations prove confusing, a new federal program to help specialty crop farmers, and many holiday foods are toxic to your…
- Voice of California Agriculture
11/28 - Cost of Thanksgiving, Report from the Fields, Robotic Farm Equipment, Kern County is #1
We explore the rising costs of Thanksgiving meals and what it means for families and farmers alike. Hear directly from farmers reporting live from the fields…
- Voice of California Agriculture
11/21 - Sonoma County’s Measure J Defeated, Wine Consumption Drop, Robotic Ag Equipment, Bird Flu, & Brussel Sprouts
Sonoma County farmers defeat Measure J, Identifying the drop in wine consumption, more on autonomous agricultural equipment, Bird flu update, and Brussel…
- Voice of California Agriculture
11/14 - Farm Bureau’s Message to President-Elect Trump and Congress, Mental Health on the Farm, and Oriental Fruit Fly
Agriculture is ready to work for farm solutions with the new president and Congress. Our featured interview is about the rising concern of mental health on the…
- Voice of California Agriculture
11/7 - Thanksgiving Turkey Supplies, Autonomous Spraying Machinery, North State Water Regulations, and Hurricane Crop Damage Estimates
Tukey supplies for Thanksgiving, autonomous sprayers claim significant reduction in herbicide use, water flow standards for two north state rivers, more…
- Voice of California Agriculture
10/31 - Watermelon Harvest, Farm Robotics, Hurricane Milton, Bird Flu Updates, Monarch Butterflies, and Mountain Lions
Our featured interviews on the watermelon harvest and adopting farm automation and robotics. Stories include Hurricane Milton hits Florida agriculture, bird…
- Voice of California Agriculture
10/24 - Water Shortage Effects on Farmland Values, Winegrape Oversupply, and Field Updates on Sheep, Pumpkin Agrotourism and Mangos
A groundwater law causes San Joaquin Valley land values to plummet. Reasons for the state’s winegrape glut. Farmers comment on their crops this year for…
- Voice of California Agriculture
10/17 - U.S. Farm Economic Crisis, Hurricane Damage, Pumpkins, Water Rates Increase
The current U.S. farm economy resembles the farm crisis of the 1980s, according to a farm economist. Hurricane Helene’s impact on agriculture. Our featured…
- Voice of California Agriculture
10/10 - Mountain Lions, Harvest Conditions, H5N1 in Dairy Cows, & Farm Bill hurdles
Mountain Lion kills of livestock and pets explode in Sierra Nevada counties, harvest and growing season update, bird flu in dairy cows spread—cause unknown…
- Voice of California Agriculture
10/3 - Farm Bureau's Proposition Voters' guide, Farm Trade, Tulare Lake Subbasin, & Port Strike Repercussions
U.S. farm trade deficit, Tulare Lake Subbasin, Farm group on ballot propositions, and the port strike.
- Voice of California Agriculture
9/26 - Retail Beef Prices, Bird Flu in CA Dairies, Organic Regulations Toughen, and Harvest Updates
Retail beef prices are at record levels, but are cattlemen benefitting? More bird flu found in California dairies. More stringent National Organic Program…
- Voice of California Agriculture
9/19 - Wolves, Mountain Lions, Sonoma’s Measure J threatens dairies and poultry farms, and the Ag Trade Deficit.
Wolves and lions preying on livestock, animal activists put a measure on the Sonoma County ballot that threatens livestock and poultry farmers, plus the…
- Voice of California Agriculture
9/5 - Exploring Grocery Price Gouging Accusations, Tax Provisions, Railroad Strikes, and More
Vice President Harris recently charged the grocery industry with price gouging. In our featured interview, the grocer’s say it isn’t so and explains why. The…
- Voice of California Agriculture
8/29 Why the Farm Bill is important to California farmers
Why California walnut farmers are removing orchards. A study shows that childcare is an issue for farm families, and it often affects the operation. Our…
- Voice of California Agriculture
8/22 Farmers and Ranchers should be engaging with the Congressional Representatives during the Congressional Recess
Five California irrigation districts will receive USDA money to address drought and conservation issues. Site Reservoir Project water rights hearings have…
- Voice of California Agriculture
8/15 An upcoming pesticide notification program will be burdensome for agricultural commissioners and could prove and pose safety issues for farm families and their employees
A check-in with farmers around the state to see how their crops are faring this summer. Our featured interview concerns a proposed program to give advanced…
- Voice of California Agriculture
8/8 A free service to help pass the farm to the next generation called, “Land as Your Legacy.”
We’ll look at how the season is going for farmers of almonds, table grapes, and cling peaches. The USDA’s proposed milk pricing formula could be detrimental to…
- Voice of California Agriculture
8/1 Why farmers are concerned about a proposed public notification of when and where pesticides are applied.
A hot summer has farmers using more water to produce food this year. As agricultural burning is phased out in the San Joaquin Valley, farmers are looking to…
- Voice of California Agriculture
7/18 July is National Ice Cream Month; we’ll talk with dairy promoters about the celebration.
The American Farm Bureau sues the Bureau of Land Management over grazing access A policy expert says more forest thinning would lead to numerous environmental…
- Voice of California Agriculture
7/11 A Kings County farm group files a lawsuit against the State Water Board.
Grasshoppers are invading residential yards in some Northern California counties; we’ll see what effect they may be having on agriculture. Our featured…
- Voice of California Agriculture
7/4 Your July 4th cookout is costing you more this year, and good news for water rights holders.
Your Independence Day meal is costing you more this year, we’ll see how much more. We’ll look at some significant legislation that got settled during he week…
- Voice of California Agriculture
6/27 Good news for water rights holders. A bill that would have given the State Water Board the authority to curtail water rights for any reason has died.
An interview on some good news regarding significant water legislation that have been dropped or killed for this year, and updates on other important…
- Voice of California Agriculture
6/20 Agricultural electrical rates, Tri-colored blackbird, heat-illness prevention, Sites Reservoir, and Klamath water allocations.
Farmers working to save the tri-colored blackbird, heat-illness prevention on the farm, Farm Bureau saves electrical rate customers a quarter billion dollars…
- Voice of California Agriculture
6/13 Apricots, grasshoppers, Colorado River conservation plans, a State Senator talks of her farm related bills.
A look at the state’s apricot crop, grasshoppers are poised to cause crop damage in the north state, A State Senator talks of her bills of interest to farmers…
- Voice of California Agriculture
6/6 China trade tensions, Delta Tunnel, bird flu in dairies, California Farm Bureau’s president--on the job.
Trade tensions with China could prove costly for farmers, Delta Tunnel cost projects increase again, bird flu found in dairy cows causes precautions, an…
- Voice of California Agriculture
5/30 ATV Safety, blueberries, cotton planting, Oriental Fruit Fly eradicated, and legislative bills of interest
The high number of serious ATV accidents has an insurer embarking on a safety campaign, California is growing more blueberries, cotton acreage is making a…