California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Vegetables West Magazine

  • Central Valley UC Farm Advisor’s Commitment to Help Hmong Farmers Prosper

    Keeping current on government regulations, agricultural marketing news and crop research advances can be challenging for California farmers, especially for those who speak English as a second language.

    Hmong farmers in the San Joaquin Valley can tune in at 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons to listen to farm-related news delivered to their radios in their native language from Michael Yang, UC Cooperative Extension small farms and specialty crops agricultural assistant for Fresno County.

    For the past 22 years, Yang has hosted the one-hour Hmong Agriculture Radio Show on KBIF 900 AM in Fresno to promote prosperity in the largely immigrant, small-scale Southeast Asian farming community. Yang provides advice on crop production and marketing.

    “Fresno County has a large number of small and diversified farms; we have over 1,300 Southeast Asian farms and over 900 are Hmong farmers, according to a survey we did in 2007,” Yang said. “I used to help 250 to 300 farmers every year, in the past couple of years it’s grown to about 400 farmers.”

    Hmong farmers sell sugarcane and other Asian produce in local markets, but the speciality crops command higher prices at farmers markets in larger urban areas of the state

    Yang not only speaks their language, he shares their culture and history. After his father was killed for assisting the U.S. during the Vietnam War, Yang, his mother and three younger brothers spent 4 years of his childhood fleeing on foot through the jungles of Laos, subsisting on vegetation and wildlife, to reach safety in Thailand. The refugee family eventually made it to Fresno, where they took up farming.

    The Hmong farmers grow Asian specialty crops including eggplant, lemongrass, long bean, squashes, bittermelon and moringa that they sell at farmers markets or to restaurants. Connecting Southeast Asian farmers to sell their produce at farmers markets has been a vital role for Yang, who serves as a translator and cultural interpreter between the immigrant farmers and farmers market managers. He explains the requirements for participating in the farmers markets and helps the farmers with paperwork and communication. Some growers drive as far as San Diego to get a higher price for their produce; the price can be three times as high at farmers markets in larger cities compared to Fresno.

    Sales of Asian specialty crops grown by Hmong and other Southeast Asian farmers in Fresno County are valued at about $17.5 million annually, according to the Agricultural Commissioner of Fresno County.

    Although Yang and colleague Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, UC Cooperative Extension small farms advisor, offer workshops and field days to share information, the radio show is an important information source because farmers can listen to the show while they work in the field. Because Hmong Agriculture Radio Show is such a critical tool for bilingual outreach, Dahlquist-Willard continually seeks grants to pay the $75 per show to the radio station. Of the 69 Hmong farmers who responded to a 2015 UC Cooperative Extension survey, 80% said they regularly listened to Yang’s radio show.

    “With the help of our Hmong Agricultural radio outreach, I have Hmong farmers calling our office for assistance from Tulare County up to Stanislaus County,” Yang said.

    In 2015, during the drought, Yang and Dahlquist-Willard began helping desperate farmers who were running out of irrigation water.

    “Wells were starting to dry up. Some Hmong farmers were reportedly calling suicide hotlines,” Dahlquist-Willard recalled. “For the ones with dry wells, it could cost $20,000 to $50,000 to drill a new well.” That is money that most of the farmers, who typically cultivate less than 50 acres, didn’t have.

    Eighty-seven percent of the Hmong farmers said their utility bills had risen during the drought. Yang, Dahlquist-Willard and Xai Chang, a young Hmong farmer working with UCCE, helped the farmers get a free PG&E rate analysis, which could help the farmers choose the best electric rate for their irrigation practices to lower the expense. The UCCE team also searched for financing to deepen wells for farmers who had difficulty qualifying for USDA loans and helped them apply for grants from the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program. With additional help from small farms assistant Jacob Roberson, the UCCE small farms team in Fresno has assisted 36 small-scale Hmong, Latino, and African-American farmers to implement SWEEP projects on a total of 846 acres. The small-scale growers have used SWEEP dollars to invest in technologies like energy efficient pumps, drip irrigation systems and flow meters to save water and reduce their energy costs.

    “Michael helped me get a grant to buy a new pump for drip irrigation,” said Xiong Pao Her, who grows about 100 crops throughout the year – including ginger, broccoli rabe, fennel, garlic, green onions, napa cabbage and kale – in Sanger. “It saves me water.”

    Obtaining land to farm can be difficult for small-scale farmers so the UCCE agricultural assistant connects farmers looking to rent land with landowners, and serves as a bridge for the language and cultural gaps between the two, according to Dahlquist-Willard.

    “There was an elderly couple and their daughter wanting to rent land to a Hmong family, and Michael sat down at the table with all the parties and helped them work out a lease agreement, such as requirements for liability insurance,” she said. “Land isn’t as available to rent as it used to be, but when it was, Michael would get frequent calls from landowners asking if he knew any farmers who would be interested in renting their land. The number of Southeast Asian farmers who have had a successful lease agreement or a successful farmers market stand because of Michael’s help is probably very large.”

    Recently Yang and Dahlquist-Willard partnered with California State University Fresno to produce a pesticide-safety video series for the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. “We hope the videos help more farmers understand pesticide regulations and avoid fines, as well as improve their safe handling, selection and effectiveness,” said Yang.

    It’s not the first time Yang, who has been working for UC Cooperative Extension since 1993, has helped farmers navigate government regulations. Between 2005 and 2008, individual Hmong and Hispanic farmers were being fined between $14,000 and $26,000 for noncompliance with state labor regulations. To provide farmers with a clear understanding of the labor laws, Yang and Richard Molinar, then UCCE small farm advisor, partnered with a variety of community organizations to present information to farmers in English, Spanish, Lao and Hmong at community meetings, on the radio and television, and in trade magazines and newspapers.

    “Without the support provided by the UCCE, hundreds, if not thousands, of Hmong farmers would have been added to the victim list for not knowing or understanding the laws. The UCCE has gone many extra miles to fill gaps between enforcement agencies and the Hmong farming community,” Toulu Thao, a Hmong activist, said at the time.

    To help farmers decide which crops are most profitable to plant, Yang collaborated in the past with UC colleagues to estimate production costs for some Asian vegetables including sinqua, moqua, opo, longbean, bittermelon, oriental eggplant and lemongrass.

    Yang currently advises Hmong growers on about 200 crops and continues to learn about new ones as farmers market customers ask the growers to produce fruits and vegetables from other cultures.

    – By Pamela Kan-Rice, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

     

  • FSA Adjusts Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs

    FSA Services Available by Phone Appointment Only: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions. Additionally, FSA is relaxing the loan-making process and adding flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit to producers in need. FSA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into to the office, they will be working with our agricultural producers by phone and using email and online tools whenever possible.

     

    “FSA programs and loans are critical to America’s farmers and ranchers, and we want to continue our work with customers while taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “We recognize that farm loans are critical for annual operating and family living expenses, emergency needs and cash flow through times like this. FSA is working to find and use every option and flexibility to provide producers with credit options and other program benefits.”

    FSA is delivering programs and services, including:

    • Farm loans;
    • Commodity loans;
    • Farm Storage Facility Loan program;
    • Disaster assistance programs, including signup for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (this includes producers now eligible because of losses due to drought and excess moisture in 2018 and 2019);
    • Safety net programs, including 2020 signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs;
    • Conservation programs; and
    • Acreage reports.

    Relaxing the Farm Loan-Making Process

    FSA is relaxing the loan-making process, including:

    • Extending the deadline for applicants to complete farm loan applications;
    • Preparing Direct Loans documents even if FSA is unable to complete lien and record searches because of closed government buildings. Once those searches are complete, FSA would close the loan; and
    • Closing loans if the required lien position on the primary security is perfected, even for loans that require additional security and those lien searches, filings and recordings cannot be obtained because of closed government buildings.

    Servicing Direct Loans

    FSA is extending deadlines for producers to respond to loan servicing actions, including loan deferral consideration for financially distressed and delinquent borrowers.

    FSA will temporarily suspend loan accelerations, non-judicial foreclosures, and referring foreclosures to the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will make the determination whether to stop foreclosures and evictions on accounts under its jurisdiction.

    Servicing Guaranteed Loans

    Guarantee lenders can self-certify, providing their borrowers with:

    • Subsequent-year operating loan advances on lines of credit;
    • Emergency advances on lines of credit.

    FSA will consider guaranteed lender requests for:

    • Temporary payment deferral consideration when borrowers do not have a feasible plan reflecting that family living expenses, operating expenses and debt can be repaid; and
    • Temporary forbearance consideration for borrowers on loan liquidation and foreclosure actions.

    Contacting FSA

    FSA will be accepting additional forms and applications by facsimile or electronic signature. Some services are also available online to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Customers can track payments, report completed practices, request conservation assistance and electronically sign documents. Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in.

    FSA encourages producers to contact their county office to discuss these programs and temporary changes to farm loan deadlines and the loan servicing options available. For Service Center contact information, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus.

  • How Drones Can Help Farmers

    Have you seen a drone buzzing by in a park and wondered what all the fuss is about? These flying vehicles may seem like just an upgrade to the remote-controlled helicopters of yesteryear. But drones are receiving a lot of attention for good reasons.

    Drones can help people, including farmers and scientists, look at and analyze pretty much anything. When it comes to farm fields, they can help track flooding, hail damage, or even plant health — fast.

     

    “The easiest advantage of drones is that they can be a huge time saver,” says Jason de Koff, an extension professor at Tennessee State University. “Rather than going out and scouting fields on foot or by truck, they can scout them with a drone in a lot less time and pinpoint specific areas that they might want to visit for closer inspection.”

     

    But drones aren’t a toy, and they take training to use safely. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drone pilots get certified to use drones legally. That’s why de Koff offers a webinar series through the American Society of Agronomy so farmers and researchers can learn about drones.

     

    Those FAA requirements are all about safety. Drones can only fly during daylight, to make sure they’re visible. And pilots must be able to see their drones at all times. Drones are also limited to flying under 400 feet to prevent them from colliding with airplanes. And drones can’t be flown near people who aren’t part of a flight. So, if someone buzzes their drone too close to you, they’re breaking the rules.

    Getting a remote pilot license takes more than just knowing what not to do. Weather is a big factor. If it’s raining or snowing, flying is impossible. But a professional drone can handle windy conditions. Plus, de Koff teaches how to read airport charts. These maps give drone pilots the info they need to stay away from passenger planes.

     

    In his course, de Koff covers these rules to prepare would-be drone pilots to take the FAA test. He also discusses the confusing world of commercial drones. More drones are becoming available all the time, which makes it hard to know which one to buy and how much to spend.

    “A good drone can cost around $1,200 to $1,800,” says de Koff. The toys that cost just a couple hundred dollars aren’t very useful to pros. “Purchasing a used or refurbished drone or an older model can help reduce the initial cost but still provide a lot of the same features.”

     

    There’s only so much you can learn about drones online. That’s why de Koff also takes drones around Tennessee so farmers can try them out firsthand.

     

    “Farmers get the chance to fly a drone,” says de Koff. “And then I talk about different uses in agriculture, drone regulations and then different types of drones and options as well as cost.”

     

    So, it takes a lot of work — and a good amount of money — just to start flying. But it can pay off for farmers and ranchers, and the scientists who want to help them. Ranchers can keep close eyes on their herds using drones to keep animals safe. Or drones can help farmers spot diseases on their crops. That knowledge could help farmers spray pesticide only at the time and place it’s needed.

     

    Plus, farms are bigger than they used to be. So, it can be hard for a farmer to see all their land. Farmers can use drones to keep up with their operations.

     

    But maybe the most exciting possibility is the chance to study how plants grow. Special cameras attached to drones can acquire a lot of information from a picture of fields. “Software is available that can take images captured by the drone and measure things like plant health, plant populations, plant cover,” says de Koff.

     

    That wealth of information can help scientists help farmers. Researchers could use that special software to tell when drought is starting to slow plant growth. Then water could be used where it’s needed most. Or software could automatically track how many weeds are in a field. Eventually, phone apps might be available that analyze drone images and give farmers the information they need to keep their farms running smoothly.

     

    So, with a little know-how — and the right license — farmers can turn to drones to grow food more efficiently. That’s better for their business, for consumers, and for the environment. Knowing how useful they are, you’ll never look at a drone the same way again.

     

    Learn more about de Koff’s recent webinar series by visiting the American Society of Agronomy.

     

  • CA Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement New Membership Sign Up Due April 1

    The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) is currently accepting sign-up forms from new signatories for the2020/21 fiscal year. Since 2007, handlers of California lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens have protected public health by establishing a culture of food safety on the farm through the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Buyers of leafy green products look for LGMA certification to see if their suppliers are certified LGMA members; additionally, both Canada and Mexico have regulations in place allowing imports of leafy greens only from LGMA-certified companies.

     

    To participate in the LGMA program from April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021, handlers must submit a sign-up form to the LGMA office by end of day on April 1, 2020. The form can be downloaded by clicking here.

     

    The LGMA has two sign-up periods: at the beginning of its fiscal year (deadline of April 1st) and halfway through its fiscal year (deadline of October 1st). The April 1st deadline is timely for companies in the Salinas region, while the October 1st deadline accommodates handlers in other regions of the state like the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys. Current members do not need to sign up again.

     

    Handlers who would like to join the LGMA should verify that they meet the LGMA’s definition of a handler and that they handle at least one of the leafy green products covered under the LGMA program. The LGMA defines a handler as: Any person or entity that handles, processes, ships, or distributes leafy green product for market, whether as owner, agent, employee, broker, or otherwise. This definition does not include retailers or companies that grow, but do not market product.

     

    The leafy green products covered by the LGMA are:

    arugula, chard, iceberg lettuce, spinach, baby leaf lettuce, endive, kale, spring mix, butter lettuce, escarole, red leaf lettuce, cabbage, green leaf lettuce, and romaine lettuce

     

    Prospective members should contact Amarachi Okemiri, Member Services + LGMA Tech Director to receive the Membership Information sheet before filling out and returning the sign-up form. Once enrolled in the program, members are subject to compliance audits conducted by California Department of Food and Agriculture inspectors. The goal of these audits is to verify that handlers and their growers comply with the accepted Food Safety Practices of the LGMA. New LGMA Members will be subject to assessment payments on all California grown leafy greens handled by the company during the period of April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021.

     

    Contact Amarachi Okemiri, Member Services + LGMA Tech Director, or Brooke Palmer, Executive Assistant, with any questions. Email: amarachi@lgma.ca.gov or brooke@lgma.ca.gov. Call the office at 916-441-1240.

  • House Approves, Trump Signs Coronavirus Stimulus into Law

    President Donald J. Trump today signed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act) into law with provisions to provide financially distressed consumers and small businesses greater access to business loans and bankruptcy relief. The legislative package, which quickly passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote earlier today and 96-0 in the Senate on Wednesday, provides a $2 trillion economic stimulus for U.S. industries and citizens faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

    Upon passage of the stimulus package, Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President and CEO Daren Coppock shared, “We recognize that the health and safety of all people is a priority at this time. ARA is grateful that Congress is taking swift action to remedy the current situation in our country through passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  Ag retailers and their farmer customers, as always, are committed to continuing their businesses so that they can deliver the safe, healthy, and abundant food supply that is in demand now and required for the future.  We are pleased with the support that Congress has included for the agriculture industry in this bill, and encourage the president to sign it so that we can have certainty moving forward.”

    National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern offered the following statement:

    “We thank President Trump for quickly signing this measure into law. It will provide much-needed help to dairy producers, who are experiencing steep drops in milk and dairy-product prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With the CARES Act now law, we look forward to working with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on several important initiatives, including the need for a significant purchase of multiple dairy products. These efforts will be important to address sales lost because of COVID-19, lift farm milk prices and send a critical signal to disrupted dairy markets. Government dairy-product purchases will provide our food banks with an important, nutritious and popular staple item that will help feed families in need.”

    Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) shared, “The International Dairy Foods Association commends Congress for acting swiftly and decisively to bring financial relief to American businesses, households and workers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has delivered an historic blow to our nation’s economy and workforce. On behalf of America’s dairy industry, IDFA is grateful that this bipartisan bill has put a special emphasis on businesses large and small, farmers, and our rural communities who grow, process and distribute many of the foods and beverages that are so vital to Americans during this crisis. We urge Congress to continue to be mindful of the critical part the food industry plays in our national security, economic security and food security. The United States is the world’s most productive food and agricultural economy in the world, and our legislators and federal officials must do everything in their power to ensure continuity of operations throughout the food supply chain. Our food security is absolutely essential.”

    Dykes continued, “Now we are seeing record jobless claims for Americans, which presents hardships to families just trying to put nutritious, wholesome food on their tables. Our federal government must now turn its attention to those Americans most in need by ensuring our food banks, pantries and distributors have an abundant supply of food for families trying to make ends meet. The CARES Act includes billions of dollars to support federal nutrition and feeding programs, as well as $450 million for USDA to provide food banks with additional resources for food and distribution. With resources in place through replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation, billions for nutrition and feeding programs, and millions to support our food banks, it is incumbent on USDA to act without delay. We urge USDA to act today to make record purchases of fluid and powdered milk, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as other foods and commodities, to equip our food banks for a surge of food-insecure Americans and to bring certainty and balance to the marketplace due to whole sectors of the economy shutting down due to COVID-19. The closure of restaurants, cafes, bars and other food service operators as a result of COVID-19 has created a major market gap for our dairy producers and processors. While retail sales have climbed steadily, the loss of foodservice, which accounted for roughly 50% of all food sales, has presented a significant challenge to our industry. USDA should act now to direct those products to food banks to help people in need. This will prioritize those most in need, provide certainty to producers and agribusinesses, and restore needed balance in the marketplace.”

    The CARES Act provides:

    Relief for Farmers and Ranchers

    • $9.5 billion dedicated disaster fund to help farmers who are experiencing financial losses from the coronavirus crisis, including targeted support for fruit and vegetable growers, dairy and livestock farmers, and local food producers, who have been shorted from receiving emergency assistance in the past.
    • $14 billion to fund the Farm Bill’s farm safety net through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
    • Eligibility for farmers and agricultural and rural businesses to receive up to $10 million in small business interruption loans from eligible lenders, including Farm Credit institutions, through the Small Business Administration. Repayment forgiveness will be provided for funds used for payroll, rent or mortgage, and utility bills.
    • $3 million to increase capacity at the USDA Farm Service Agency to meet increased demand from farmers affected by the coronavirus crisis.

    Assistance for Small Towns and Rural Communities

    • $1 billion available in guaranteed loans to help rural businesses weather the economic downturn.
    • $100 billion to hospitals, health care providers, and facilities, including those in rural areas.
    • $25 million for telemedicine tools to help rural patients access medical care no matter where they live.
    • $100 million for high-speed internet expansion in small towns and rural communities.
    • Over $70 million to help the U.S. Forest Service serve rural communities and reduce the spread of coronavirus through personal protective equipment for first responders and cleaning of facilities.

    Protections for Consumers and the Food Supply

    • $55 million for inspection and quarantine at our borders to protect against invasive pests and animal disease.
    • $33 million for overtime and temporary food safety inspectors to protect America’s food supply at meat processing plants.
    • $45 million to ensure quality produce and meat reaches grocery stores through increased support for the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    • $1.5 million to expedite EPA approvals of disinfectants needed to control the spread of coronavirus.

    Food Access for Families

    • $15.8 billion to fund food assistance changes made in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Republicans and the Trump Administration blocked additional funding to expand benefits for children, families, and seniors.
    • $9 billion to fund child nutrition improvements made in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
    • $450 million to provide food banks with additional resources for food and distribution.
    • $100 million for food distribution in Tribal communities to provide facility improvements, equipment upgrades, and food purchases

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) shared that two small business loan programs have been created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These may help small business operations (growers) that are dealing with the economic challenges of the pandemic. Small business is defined as a company with less than 501 employees and California small businesses are eligible for both programs.

    • The first program includes $1 billion to immediately assist small businesses hit hard by the current economic shutdown. Unlike traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) funding mechanisms, this program is being administered directly by the SBA and is live and accepting applications NOW.
    • The second program includes the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These will be administered more like traditional SBA programs, i.e. through third-party 7(a) lenders.

    Key Bankruptcy Provisions within the CARES Act Include:

    • Amending the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) to increase the eligibility threshold for businesses filing under new subchapter V of chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code from $2,725,625 of debt to $7,500,000. The eligibility threshold will return to $2,725,625 after one year. The increased debt limit for struggling small businesses to access subchapter V reflects recommendations of ABI’s Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11.
    • Amending the definition of “income” in the Bankruptcy Code for chapters 7 and 13 to exclude coronavirus-related payments from the federal government from being treated as “income” for purposes of filing bankruptcy.
    • Clarifying that the calculation of disposable income for purposes of confirming a chapter 13 plan shall not include coronavirus-related payments.
    • Explicitly permitting individuals and families currently in chapter 13 to seek payment plan modifications if they are experiencing a material financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, including extending their payments for up to seven years after their initial plan payment was due.

    The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) emphasized that the bankruptcy provisions of the CARES Act listed above sunset within a year. Additionally, the law provides temporary relief for federal student loan borrowers by requiring the Secretary of Education to defer student loan payments, principal, and interest for 6 months, through September 30, 2020, without penalty to the borrower for all federally owned loans. This provides relief for over 95 percent of student loan borrowers.

    “The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) commends Congress and the President for their prompt action on this stimulus package to provide needed financial relief due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss. “Consumers and small businesses will have greater access to the financial fresh start of bankruptcy thanks to this important legislation. “Our members will be sure to utilize these tools to help consumers and small businesses struggling with overwhelming debts due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.”

    ABI will be holding a free abiLIVE webinar with experts examining the bankruptcy provisions of the CARES Act on April 3 at 1 p.m. EDT. To register, please click here.

  • Malcolm Media’s Matthew Malcolm Recognized in Nation’s Top AgGrad 30 Under 30

    On National Ag Day (March 24th), AgGrad announced winners of this year’s AgGrad 30 Under 30 Awards, a program that shows the future of agriculture is bright and aims at rewarding those making the extra effort to move this industry forward.  Our very own managing editor, Matthew Malcolm was honored among the top young agricultural professionals and influencers in the nation.  Matthew Malcolm has worked full-time for the Malcolm Media team since 2013, and has been doing a great job covering the news of California’s rich and diverse industry through Malcolm Media’s five agricultural publications, six digital news channels, and four grape, nut and tree fruit industry expositions.

    Eighteen judges were asked to select winners from peer and self-nominations based on contributions to agriculture, community, strength of innovation and significance of accomplishments. “These 30 individuals are at the forefront of agriculture and will one day be the leaders in agribusiness, innovation and technology, education and advocacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and production,” says AgGrad Founder Tim Hammerich.

    Renée Vassilos, Director of Agriculture Innovation at The Nature Conservancy, and AgGrad 30 Under 30 Judge added, “From driving change within their local U.S.-based communities to supporting farmers and educators across the globe, the future is now with these incredible nominees!”

    Matthew Malcolm teaches local elementary school students about the importance of farming in California and how they can grow fruits and vegetables too in their yards. This is something he does voluntarily on the side in addition to managing editorial content in five agricultural publications.

    AgGrad 30 Under 30 2020 Winners by Category Include:

    1.  Production
    •       Brooke Beam, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Educator in Ohio
    •      Casey Call, Head Grower at Plenty in California
    •      Jesse Wiggins, Sales at Wiggins Farms LLP in Texas
    •      Tony Lopes, Operations Team Leader at Tony L. Lopes Dairy, L.P. in California
    1.  Innovation & Technology
    •      Alacyn Cox, Product Support Rep at John Deere in Iowa
    •      Alexander Chuck, Chief Financial Officer at Pharm Robotics in California
    •      Ellie Symes, Founder and CEO at the Bee Corp in Indiana
    •      Tyler McGee, Founder and CEO at Tycom, Inc. in North Carolina
    1.  Entrepreneurship
    •      David Chan, COO and Founding Team Member at FarmTogether in New York
    •      Delaney Howell, Host of Market to Market and Founder of Ag News Daily and the Global Ag Network
    •      Matt Foley, Program Director at Invest Nebraska in Nebraska
    •      Mitchell Hora, Founder of Continuum Ag in Iowa
    •      Tyler Nuss, Purchasing Manager at Rivian in California and Co-Founder of The Modern Acre
    •      Zane Peterson, Owner and Manager of Peterson Timber, Inc in California
    1.  Education & Advocacy
    •      Benjamin Brown Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agriculture in Ohio
    •      Hannah Thompson-Weeman Vice President of Communications at Animal Agriculture Alliance in Maryland
    •      Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in California
    •      Peter Bachmann, Vice President of International Trade Policy at USA Rice Federation in Washington D.C.
    •      Sarah Mock Freelance Writer Focused on Rural and Agricultural Issues in Washington D.C.
    1.  Agribusiness
    •      Cain Thurmond Senior Account Manager at CSX Transportation in Illinois
    •      Garrett Lister Risk Management of Cattle at Innovative Livestock Services in Kansas
    •      Jordan Bonham Rasmussen Farm Marketer at Cargill in Nebraska
    •      Lorryn Bolte Global Marketing Communications Specialist at Novus International, Inc. in Missouri
    •      Pedee Ewing Research Associate at Bayer in Idaho
    •      Rosie Thoni U.S. Public Relations Lead at AdFarm in Kansas
    •      Tristan Hudak Vice President of Ag Biotech, Inc. in California
    1.  Sustainability/Food Security
    •      Andrea Zinn Smallholder Farmer Finance & Agri Data Consultant in Costa Rica
    •      Anna Glenn Agriculture Instructor with Hope in Harvest Missions International in Liberia
    •      Keith Heidecorn VP Sustainability at Locus Agricultural Solutions in Ohio
    •      Sarah Hulick Grower Innovation at Full Harvest in California

    AgGrad was established in 2015 with the mission of “helping young professionals find their place in modern agriculture.” The company accomplishes this mission by providing blog posts, career profiles, job postings, “AgGrad Live” (a video program), and a weekly podcast called the “Future of Agriculture.” All is provided at zero cost to students and young professionals and supported by participating agribusinesses.  For more information or to receive the AgGrad 30 Under 30 publication, visit 30under30.ag.

     

  • What is SGMA Going to Cost CA Farmers?

    With Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) now required for critically overdrafted basins, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is gradually taking effect across the state of California; but how will this impact farmers? Watch this brief interview with Duncan MacEwan from ERA Economics as he shares his insights, as addressed at a recent meeting held by the California Tomato Growers Association.

  • CA Processing Tomato Growers Anticipate Better Year as Supply Comes Back into Balance

    Processing tomato growers gathered in Modesto once again for the California Tomato Growers Association (CTGA) Annual Meeting. It was a great opportunity for the industry to get together between seasons and discuss current needs and challenges of the industry moving forward. Watch this brief interview with CTGA President Mike Montna as he shares an economic outlook for the California processing tomato industry. Read more about the State of the Industry in the Vegetables West Magazine.

  • Hail, Mold & Fusarium: Key Issues from the 2019 CA Tomato Crop

    As processing tomato growers in California begin their 2020 season, watch this brief interview with Bruce Rominger, Chairman of the California Tomato Growers Association as he shares some insights from the past season and what growers can expect this year. Read more about it in Vegetables West Magazine.

  • USDA Announces Feeding Program Partnership in Response to COVID-19

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a collaboration with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, PepsiCo, and others to deliver nearly 1,000,000 meals to students in a limited number of rural schools closed due to COVID-19: 
     
    “Feeding children who are affected by school closures is a top priority for President Trump and this Administration. USDA is working with private sector partners to deliver boxes of food to children in rural America who are affected by school closures,” said Secretary Perdue. “Right now, USDA and local providers are utilizing a range of innovative feeding programs to ensure children are practicing social distancing but are still receiving healthy and nutritious food. This whole of America approach to tackling the coronavirus leverages private sector ingenuity with the exact same federal financing as the Summer Food Service Program. USDA has already taken swift action to ensure children are fed in the event of school closures, and we continue to waive restrictions and expand flexibilities across our programs.” 
     
    “We are grateful to come alongside USDA, PepsiCo, and McLane Global to ensure that children impacted by school closures get access to nutritious food regardless of where they live. We know from first-hand experience that families with children who live in rural communities across the U.S. are often unable to access the existing food sites. Meal delivery is critical for children in rural America to have consistent access to food when school is out. This is one way we, as citizens of this great nation, can respond to our neighbors in need,” said Jeremy Everett, Executive Director, Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. 
     
    “McLane Global was proud to take part in the success of the summer Meals-2-You home delivery pilot program in 2019. It was a great opportunity to bring private industry best practices together with the USDA to combat rural hunger. Given the rapid disruptions driven by COVID-19, we can work together to swiftly take this model nationwide. McLane Global is ready to do its part to support the fight against hunger through this crisis,” said Denton McLane, Chairman, McLane Global. 
     
    “As schools around the country close, millions of schoolchildren now don’t know where their next meal is coming from. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, it’s critical that the private sector help ensure these students have access to nutritious meals,” said Jon Banner, Executive Vice President, PepsiCo Global Communications and President, PepsiCo Foundation. “PepsiCo is committing $1 million to help Baylor create a solution with USDA to identify children most in need and then we will help reach them with at least 200,000 meals per week—one way we are deploying our food and beverage resources to help those most vulnerable.” 
     
    Background:
    USDA will utilize best practices learned through a summer pilot program in 2019 to deliver food boxes to children affected by school closures due to COVID-19 in rural America. Baylor will coordinate with the appropriate state officials to prioritize students who do not currently have access to a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) site and have an active outbreak of COVID-19. Initial capacity is limited, and additional vendors are requested and encouraged to ensure we can provide food to more rural children as additional schools close. USDA has created a single contact for those who have suggestions, ideas, or want to help feed kids across the country. Email FeedingKids@usda.gov.  
     
    The Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, and PepsiCo will begin distributing next week and will quickly increase capacity of nearly 1,000,000 nutritious meals per week. In addition to distribution, PepsiCo will generously provide $1 million in funding to the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty to facilitate nationwide distribution in the coming weeks. These boxes will contain five days worth of shelf-stable, nutritious, individually packaged foods that meet USDA’s summer food requirements. The use of this innovative delivery system will ensure rural children receive nutritious food while limiting exposure to COVID-19. USDA will reimburse private sector partners for the same rate as an SFSP site.
     
    Last week, Secretary Perdue announced proactive flexibilities to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus. During an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s summer meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement, which is vital during a social distancing situation. 
     
    USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants. USDA is receiving requests for waivers on an ongoing basis. As of today, USDA has been asked to waive congregate feeding requirements in in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and USDA has granted those requests.