California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Pacific Nut Producer

  • How to Effectively Control Rats on California Farms in a State of Emergency

    Rats have taken an unusual interest in the specialty crop capital of the nation. Many attribute the cause to the pest multiplying unchecked in orchards and vineyards in the Central Valley that have been abandoned due to water restrictions and economic challenges. This becomes a real problem when the rats move into neighboring farms in active production, tearing up driplines, feeding on crops and damaging trees. Growers are in a state of emergency and have limited tools for managing this pest.  Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with UCCE Wildlife Specialist Roger Baldwin at the California Association of Pest Control Adviser’s annual conference to gain answers on how to knock down populations effectively and keep the pest at bay.  Watch this brief interview and learn more by attending Baldwin’s presentation on rat control at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Nov. 14 (register to attend at agexpo.biz).

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Economist Shares How California Farmers Should Respond to Economic Uncertainty

    Economic uncertainty can be quite unsettling and can make important business and investment decisions difficult to navigate. Inflating costs, threatening tariffs and a volatile stock market are very concerning, especially in a state like California. World-renowned economist and financial expert Marci Rossell met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network following a presentation she delivered to a group of American Pistachio Growers to address these concerns as they relate specifically to California farmers, whose success rely quite heavily on a healthy export market. Watch this brief interview to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • Safe Food California Conference Returning After Six Year Hiatus

    Food safety professionals in the dried fruit, nut and fresh fruit industries will be gathering in Monterey this June for DFA of California’s Safe Food Conference.  This annual event finally returns after a six-year hiatus.  Watch this video as Hillari Bynum from DFA of California shares more details about the conference with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and what food safety professionals have long awaited.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor  SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • Central Valley Farmer Responds to Initial 2025 Water Allocation

    On February 25, the Central Valley Water Project announced an initial farm water allocation of 35%. This comes as welcome news to farmers that were hampered last year around the same time by an initial allocation of only 15%.  Watch this brief interview with pistachio/carrot grower and Director at Westlands Water District William Bourdeau, as he shares his perspective on the announcement on California Ag Network with Matthew Malcolm.

  • Harnessing the Power of Hydrogen to Support California Agriculture

    California leads the nation in the adoption of renewable energy. Significant investments have been made in solar electricity generation and biogas digesters in its agricultural industry, but what about hydrogen power? The State of California was recently awarded $1.2 billion from the Federal Dept. of Energy to invest in hydrogen power as a renewable energy source and offers much promise to the agricultural processing and trucking industries. Neil Navin from SoCalGas met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share some of the possibilities, and explain how hydrogen power compares with electricity in its sources for sustainable generation and its ability to serve the needs of trucking and large equipment. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Malcolm Media’s agricultural publications.

  • Ag Processing Labor Contractor Thoughts on New Indoor Heat Illness Rule

    California has experienced an unusually hot Summer this year, which may have had influence in Cal/OSHA’s recent approval of a new regulation “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment” that went into effect immediately, which impacts indoor workplaces in ag such as nut hulling and processing facilities, wineries, dairies, packinghouses and more. Key indoor temperature/heat index thresholds of 82 & 87 degrees F will mandate certain procedures to ensure the health and safety of employees. Looking into the impact of the new regulation, Matthew Malcolm visited with labor contractor Robert Heredia of H&R Labor, who specializes in meeting the labor needs of food processing facilities in one of the hottest regions in the nation — the Central Valley of California. Watch this brief interview as Heredia shares his thoughts on the recent changes.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Congressman Duarte Addresses Water Issues & Solutions for California Ag

    Despite the great rainfall and snowpack California has experienced in the last couple years, little of this abundance has been shared with agriculture or even saved for the inevitable times of drought that lay ahead.  Farmers are fed up with the state’s many years of mismanagement of our water resources and lack of practical investment in our water future.  This led a farmer to run for congress and bring some new, realistic solutions to the table.  Watch this brief interview with Representative John Duarte from the 13th Congressional District of California as he shares some of these priorities that offer relatively quick and longterm water availability benefits for farmers and all Californians.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Center for Land-Based Learning Fosters Rising Generation of CA Farmers & Ag Leaders

    Have you heard of the Center for Land-Based Learning? For over 30 years, this nonprofit organization has served California’s agricultural industries by inspiring and educating youth with an interest in food and ag — connecting them with resources and opportunities to pursue a career in farming.  Nicole Curiel, Apprenticeship Program Assistant Manager from the Center met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share more about the program and how farmers can get involved. Watch this brief interview to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.

  • New Farm Bill Priorities Supporting Specialty Crop Agriculture

    As legislature continues to work on completing a new Farm Bill, specialty crops may reap greater representation and benefits than in any previous Farm Bill. Watch this brief video featuring Philip Karsting from Olsson Frank Weeda as he discusses their priorities for specialty crop ag at a recent conference held by American Pistachio Growers.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • How AI and Global Economic Trends will Impact California Agriculture

    World-renowned economist and and financial expert Marci Rossell addressed American Pistachio Growers again this year at their annual conference, this time sharing some key insights on how the boom in AI (artificial intelligence) and inflation/interest-rate trends will impact specialty crop growers in the immediate and near future. Watch her brief interview with Malcolm Media Editor Matthew Malcolm for the inside scoop.

    Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.