Wait Until California Mandates Electric-only Trucks Sometimes I lazily revert to a line used by the title character in the movie “Forrest Gump” to explain whatever California policy madness has animated a family member or friend: “California is as California does.” For those who don’t know the reference, my apologies. But there’s really no rational way to explain why…
“On my desk in the Oval Office, I have a little sign that says: There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.” - President Ronald Reagan. Even though I hold Ronald Reagan in the greatest esteem, I am going to violate that admonition a little bit for what I think is a good purpose. Not so much to give credit, although it’s important…
Let’s pause from all our troubles for a moment to call out something that might be going right in California. Especially surprising is that it’s happening in water infrastructure. Caught your attention, didn’t I? Two long delayed water storage projects are moving forward: Sites Reservoir and the raising of the dam at San Luis Reservoir. It’s still too early for the ceremonial…
After 7 1/2 years as the head of our Membership Department, Kim Stuart embarked on a well-deserved, yet bittersweet, retirement at the end of April. During her time at Western Growers, Kim has brought professionalism and discipline to the department and elevated our association's profile within the fresh produce industry. Our task now is to honor her contributions and build on the great work she…
America’s agriculture sector has been through the ringer these last several years. First came the trade wars and exceedingly high tariffs imposed by China on numerous American agricultural products. Then the COVID pandemic and the supply chain disruptions that created logistical and economic chaos for many food producers. More recently came spikes in fertilizer and other input costs amid world…
Sometimes we might feel that we are alone in California. The state legislature and regulatory agencies – spurred on by myriad special interests on the left, ranging from labor unions to environmental activists and others - moves from one new mandate on agriculture to another without pause and lacking any interest in the economic consequences to come. But we are not alone, as the Wall Street…
My interactions with the California Department of Motor Vehicles – the dreaded DMV – have been increasingly hassle-free and efficient recently, even with some complicated transactions. Maybe it was just luck, but it feels like real change has taken hold in the DMV. Could it be that the person appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019 to modernize and improve this calcified bureaucracy – a…
As I write this, the passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein is less than a week past, and the appointment of Laphonza Butler by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the remainder of Feinstein’s term has only been public for two days. While I have not worked with Sen. Butler before, and there is little in her experience that sheds light on her views on issues affecting agriculture, my team and I are…
My team and I are excited to work with Daniel Hartwig as the new President of the California Fresh Fruit Association. Daniel brings strong experience with private grower operations, most recently with our very own board chair Stuart Woolf (Woolf Enterprises) as well as agricultural associations and is a highly respected advocate and leader within our industry. Finding a replacement for Ian…
Back in April, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California State Board of Food and Agriculture released a plan entitled Ag Vision for the Next Decade. While the focus was primarily on climate action, the document did speak to the need to enhance public understanding of agriculture and engage urban audiences. In his commentary on this plan, Richard Smoley,…
About a year ago, demographers and others—notably U-Haul—reported data that strongly suggested a stream of people leaving California. It was no shock to those frustrated by the policies and practices emanating from Sacramento and many local governments. I wrote about it here, noting that the very earliest indications of a trend often present that last good opportunity for politicians to take…
Editor’s note: This opinion piece was first published Dec. 1 in The Bakersfield Californian. Reprinted with permission. For decades, California has been paralyzed, prevented from securing an adequate water supply by endless debate, red tape and litigation over where, how, and even if the state should create more water supply infrastructure. In the last few years some major farming regions…
On June 26, 1963, from the steps of the Rathaus Schöneberg, President John F. Kennedy demonstrated a show of Cold War-era solidarity with the citizens of West Berlin when he issued the declaration “Ich bin ein Berliner!” For the 120,000 who gathered to see JFK that day, I imagine these words—intended to declare “I am a Berliner!”—conveyed America’s commitment to stand united…
This open letter was featured in the May/June 2023 issue of the Western Grower & Shipper. Dear Governor Newsom: We noted with great interest your proposal to extend California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program and to further make the tax credits refundable for the first time ever. Bravo! As other states implemented their own tax incentives to lure film and television production…
Editor’s note: This opinion piece was first published Dec. 1 in The Bakersfield Californian. Reprinted with permission. For decades, California has been paralyzed, prevented from securing an adequate water supply by endless debate, red tape and litigation over where, how, and even if the state should create more water supply infrastructure. In the last ...
As we close out the year and come together at the Western Growers Annual Meeting to celebrate all that our industry provides, endures and surmounts, I find myself reflecting a bit more than usual about the foundational strength of this association: Its board of directors. Naturally, anyone in my position should think a lot about ...
A trio of water issues has come to a head, sparking both congressional intervention and legal action in the fight for water in California. First, the State Water Contractors (SWC) filed a complaint today with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) asking it to issue orders preventing water diverters in the Delta south of ...
Western Growers’ Executive Vice President Dave Puglia was recently among a panel of water and government experts who discussed the types of legislative approaches that could help resolve California’s water woes. The discussion took place during the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center’s “Priorities for California’s Water” program on October 26. During the ...
The California Water Commission last week reviewed and finalized determinations of eligibility among 11 water storage projects competing for $2.7 billion in bond funds authorized by voters in 2014. WG submitted comments in August 2017 to the Commission in support of both the Sites Reservoir and Temperance Flat Reservoir projects and testified in support of these projects ...
California Governor Jerry Brown, Legislative leadership and a bipartisan group of legislators last week dropped the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund as part of this year’s budget bill, but indicated that they will continue work on it through the summer. According to the Governor’s Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer, “The Legislature has indicated ...