West
Disaster recovery funds totaling $25M for wildfire cleanup, humanitarian help
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Jan. 4 the award of a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $25,092,803 to the California Department of Employment Development to create jobs to address debris... more »
Coalition challenges Cal/OSHA emergency standards to protect nation’s food supply
A coalition of agricultural and business employers has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court challenging the COVID-19 related emergency temporary standards recently approved by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. According... more »
Small business COVID-19 relief offers support for California farmers, ranchers
California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the creation of a $500 million California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. The application period for round one began Dec. 30 and lasts until Jan. 8, 2021. The... more »
Equitable labor certification the highlight of Rainier’s year
An unprecedented year highlighted innovation and integrity at Rainier Fruit Company that lead to groundbreaking and industry-setting standards. “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments we have made in 2020,” said Blake Belknap, vice... more »
Colorado farms, processors get $1.6M in CARES Act grant funding
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in partnership with the Colorado Farm & Food Systems Respond & Rebuild Fund, has awarded $1,658,000 in grants to Colorado farmers, ranchers, food hubs and processors. Recognizing the fundamental... more »
Market Facilitation Program fails to offset trade war losses for California farmers
Economic research measuring the overall losses to California agricultural exports resulting from the trade war shows that two years of Market Facilitation Program payments only covered roughly half of the net losses to California commodities.... more »
New Mexico team discusses artificial intelligence at agriculture convention
A team of experts from New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences recently led a virtual discussion on artificial intelligence in agriculture as part of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on... more »
Challenging year doesn’t deter conservation efforts in California
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work across California despite a tough 2020 marked with a pandemic and natural disasters. The agency helped farmers, ranchers and forest landowners implement conservation practices... more »