Specialty Crop Fixes

Fruit Grower Report
2026 begins with continuing hopes that specialty crops will see some kind of ag labor reforms and be included in future ag assistance programs.

Immigration Enforcement Survey and One Farmer-One File

The Agribusiness Update
The California Farmer Immigration Enforcement Survey is the first to assess the impact of the mass deportation agenda on California farms, and USDA announced the “One Farmer, One File” modernization plan, designed to put “farmers first” with technological improvements.

Beyond the Raids

California Ag Today
A statewide survey finds that anxiety and instability, even more than direct enforcement, are shaping farm operations.

Foreign-Born Workforce

Idaho Ag Today
The Idaho Farm Bureau Federation hosted a press conference releasing the findings of a new economic impact study.

Ag Labor and Immigration

Fruit Grower Report
The debate over immigration reform and ag labor has some big holes on both sides of the argument.

ICE and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Open border or ICE raids? We’ve tried them both and neither seems to be a practical solution for controlling who comes into our country legally, including our agricultural workforce.

Immigration and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Washington Post columnist, Megan McCardle was the keynote speaker at last month’s Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and immigration was a key talking point.

More Financial Aid Urged and SNAP Ruling for More Time

The Agribusiness Update
House Ag Committee says Congress may need to find another $10 billion in aid for specialty crops and others on top of the $12 billion for row crops, and federal judge rules USDA must give states more time to implement new restrictions on SNAP benefits tied to immigration status.

More Financial Aid Urged and SNAP Ruling for More Time

The Agribusiness Update
House Ag Committee says Congress may need to find another $10 billion in aid for specialty crops and others on top of the $12 billion for row crops, and federal judge rules USDA must give states more time to implement new restrictions on SNAP benefits tied to immigration status.

Mass Deportation Results and SNAP-WIC Benefits Ending November 1

The Agribusiness Update
Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit

Association, says while immigration enforcement was a concern, he's not aware of any crops perishing due to a lack of labor, and millions face losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on November 1.

Aphid research

Idaho Ag Today
E. Idaho seed potato growers track aphid migrations with help of UI Extension pest trapping program

California Launches New CalWATRS Water Rights System

California Ag Today
The State Water Board’s new CalWATRS platform replaces eWRIMS and streamlines how Californians manage and report their water rights.

California Farms Weather Labor Fears

California Ag Today
Most crops were harvested, though immigration raids rattled some farm communities.

H-2A Needs Understanding

Fruit Grower Report
After years of debate, Enrique Gastelum, CEO at the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, says the time has come for a better understanding of the H-2A visa program.

HPAI Update: Southeast Poultry on Alert as Birds Migrate South

Southeast Regional Ag News
Though Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detections have slowed, poultry producers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama remain on guard as fall migration season nears.

HPAI Update: Calm Before the Storm for California Dairy & Poultry?

California Ag Today
Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have slowed, but California farmers remain on alert as fall migration season brings renewed risks.

Simpson visit

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho Farm Bureau Federation members recently spent a day and a half interacting and addressing major issues with Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho.

Florida to Ramp Up Enforcement at Agricultural Entry Points

Southeast Regional Ag News
Attorney General James Uthmeier says ag inspection stations will see tighter checks following fatal crash linked to a truck driver in the country illegally.

Gray Wolves Disrupt Rural California and U.S. Reaches Multiple Trade Deals

The Agribusiness Update
The migration of gray wolves into California’s Sierra Valley has disrupted rural communities and led to significant losses for cattle ranchers, and since May, the U.S. has advanced multiple trade agreements and frameworks that directly affect agriculture.

Gray Wolves Disrupt Rural California and U.S. Reaches Multiple Trade Deals

The Agribusiness Update
The migration of gray wolves into California’s Sierra Valley has disrupted rural communities and led to significant losses for cattle ranchers, and since May, the U.S. has advanced multiple trade agreements and frameworks that directly affect agriculture.