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New fertilizer mandates could punish those who stay in compliance, growers warn

06/24/26 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

Central Coast growers warn the revised Ag Order could raise costs, shrink coalition participation and preserve nitrogen standards they say most farms cannot meet.

Sites clears a key water right hurdle — but the strings attached leave uncertainty

06/24/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

Sites Reservoir cleared a critical water right hurdle, but project backers warn the draft permit’s conditions could slash water deliveries, drive up costs and threaten whether the project gets built.

California Farm Bureau warns legal ruling could chill nonprofit advocacy

06/24/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

California Farm Bureau is backing CropLife’s bid for state Supreme Court review, warning a ruling exposing nonprofit intervenors to major attorney’s fees could chill advocacy in public law cases.

California needs more biological tools as pest pressures mount, says Ross

06/24/26 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is urging faster development of biological pest control tools as California growers face invasive species, climate pressures and fewer conventional options.

Farm Hands West: California Prune Board elects new leaders, Laurel Firestone steps down from water board, Alexandra Duarte advances in state race

06/24/26 7:00 AM By Grace Miller

Laurel Firestone is stepping down from the California state water board. Marie Alvarado-Gil has conceded her state Senate race to Alexandra Duarte in District 4.

California pest system faces mounting pressure from trade, travel and e-commerce

06/17/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

California’s pest prevention system is working, but a new analysis warns it is under growing strain from trade, travel, e-commerce and aging infrastructure — just as the state prepares for new risks tied to the World Cup and Olympics.

Water board order puts ag communities at center of nitrate cleanup

06/17/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

The Central Valley water board’s first nitrate management zone order starts a decades-long cleanup effort around Modesto, promising continued drinking water help for rural households while giving farms, dairies and cities time to reduce groundwater contamination.

DPR proposes to raise pesticide penalties

06/17/26 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

California pesticide regulators are looking to raise penalties for serious and repeat violations, with a new enforcement proposal that could bring tougher fines and more statewide consistency to county pesticide cases.

Water board drafts new dairy order as industry warns of farm losses

06/17/26 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

California water regulators are drafting a new dairy order that would tighten nitrate rules in the Central Valley. Dairy groups warn the proposal could add costly mandates for family-owned farms already under pressure.

Farm Hands West: Wine Institute elects new board, Jonathan Ocampo joins ImmuCell, Creekside Organics adds Marissa Dake

06/17/26 7:00 AM By Grace Miller

Wine Institute elected its new board leadership. Jonathan Ocampo is joining ImmuCell Corporation’s sales team. Creekside Organics has added Marissa Dake as its sales director.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Sen. Peter Welch on farm bill, Mary Boote on Global Farmer sentiment

The Senate is expected to release farm bill text soon. We asked Vermont Sen. Peter Welch what he’d like to see included, and if there will be a push to remove state SNAP cost share provisions enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Welch also discusses concerns about staffing levels at farmer-facing USDA offices.

Plus, Global Farmer Network founder and CEO Mary Boote discusses how farmers around the world have responded to U.S. trade and tariff policies enacted by the Trump administration, as well as technology adoption trends from GFN members in 70+ countries in 6 continents.

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