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New head of CARB * LA cuts tunnel spending * Ag Order 4.0 hits organic hard * COVID talks offer new ag aid * Ag groups fine with Vilsack * Bipartisan bill enlists USDA in climate aid

The president of Driscoll’s of the Americas said a new nitrate regulation in the Salinas Valley will be harder for organic producers to meet than for conventional farmers.

The board for the Metropolitan Water Authority of Southern California, which handles water imports to the Los Angeles region, voted this week to reduce its cost share for the Delta tunnel project.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Liane Randolph to chair the Air Resources Board.

Joe Biden's decision to nominate Tom Vilsack to run the Agriculture Department for a second time will give Biden a policy veteran who shares his passion for addressing climate change and already has relationships with critical lawmakers and farm groups.

Legislators introduced a number of other measures on Tuesday, several related to agriculture.

With a month to go before Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils his initial budget proposal for the next year, state officials have been emphasizing the fact that 85% of spending on water infrastructure in California has come from the local level.

To better understand issues and solutions involving water availability in the Western United States, USDA’s Natural Resources Convention Service (NRCS) will be hosting virtual “listening sessions” next Thursday and Friday for producers and other members of the public.

A recent pilot project showed some data gaps and offered suggestions to the Food and Drug Administration for improving traceability in the food system.

Like most dairy producers in late 2019, Ryan Klussendorf of Medford, Wis., was optimistic about 2020 dairy prices and he did not sign up for USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage program. But after seeing the extreme volatility of this year, he’s not taking any chances for 2021 and said other producers shouldn’t either.