Spring is a time of new beginnings. This spring is particularly full of new developments in the world of food and farming. I begin this post with a quote from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack from his March 16, 2023 opening statement to the Senate Ag Committee, which has begun deliberating the next Farm Bill. No […]
Read MoreNeither the media nor policymakers are sufficiently focused on an existential crisis in American agriculture. Farmers and ranchers are an endangered species. As we do for wolves, salmon and whales, we need policies and programs to ensure farmers and ranchers do not die out. With a new Farm Bill on the horizon we must demand […]
Read MoreIn the coming days, our Legislature has the opportunity to pass a budget that would reduce hunger, improve health and support California agriculture. Assembly member Phil Ting and state Sen. Scott Wiener, both Democrats from San Francisco, each have put forward budget proposals that would dedicate state funds — in a year in which we […]
Read MoreAssemblymember Anna Caballero (Salinas), Chairs of the Assembly Ag Committee, has introduced AB 2166, entitled the California Farm Bill. A stunning bill, it marks the first introduction of an omnibus bill (one that contains multiple provisions) for agriculture. It promotes agricultural technology to meet 21st century challenges related to labor shortages, workforce development, global warming […]
Read MoreFarmers Can Put Themselves On The Map If They Complete The U.S. Agriculture Census By February 5 The USDA Census of Agriculture is a giant data-gathering effort that happens once every five years. It collects information about who’s growing what, how much and where. The census also tracks the age and gender of farmers, and whether they are veterans. (Farmers, […]
Read MoreLast year, California passed a modest bill that should have been a no-brainer. The California Nutrition Incentives Act set up a program to discount fruits and vegetables for CalFresh shoppers at farmers markets and farm stands. Like the wholesome produce it was aimed at, the new program had ridiculous upsides: Healthier food for low-income families. […]
Read More