Join Charlotte Mitchell and Randy Fiorini as they discuss opportunities, challenges and other considerations when contemplating an agricultural easement.  Charlotte is the Executive Director of California Farmland Trust and discusses the process for securing an easement and requirements to obtain funding. Randy reflects on the thought process as a multigenerational family farmer.  Emily chats with Charlotte and Randy as they walk through the pressures of urbanization, what the Newsom Administration is considering in this space and land use activities at the local level.  To learn more about California Farmland Trust, feel free to visit their website at: https://www.cafarmtrust.org.  

Capitol Farm Connection

CA Farmland Trust: Protecting Working Farmlands

 AB 616, water infrastructure, clean drinking water and food insecurity are among the issues discussed with Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) in this episode.  Representing State Senate District 14, including the cities of Hanford, Fresno & Porterville, Sen. Hurtado has prioritized water issues and the challenges of rural communities during her service in the State Legislature.  Listen in while Emily and Tricia ask about her district, critical issues and what motivated her to run for office.  To learn more about Sen. Hurtado, please visit: https://sd14.senate.ca.gov .      

Thoughtful Leadership from the Valley: Meet Senator Melissa Hurtado

Emily and Tricia discuss the provisions in AB 616 (Stone), which undermines the existing secret ballot process for ag employees when determining union representation. They also discuss how you can help weigh-in with the measure pending consideration in the State Senate.   To send a message to your State Senator urging opposition to AB 616, click here.  

AB 616: An effort to undermine the secret ballot process in union elections

During the height of the 2020 pandemic and wildfire season, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order to phase out gasoline-powered cars, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create an economy around Zero Emission Vehicles.  Learn about what this Executive Order means for agriculture as Emily and Dani break down the issues in this episode of Capitol Farm Connection.  The Executive Order can be found by clicking here.  

Zero Emission Vehicles: In a Nutshell

Learn about the future of water storage, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Voluntary Agreements and unimpaired flows and other land use decisions from the Secretary of California's Natural Resources Agency, Wade Crowfoot. Emily visits with the Secretary and they tackle many important issues at the nexus of agriculture and the environment. Secretary Crowfoot highlights the challenges and opportunities for agriculture within each of these programs as well.

Tackling the Issues: A Conversation with Secretary Crowfoot

An executive order issued by Governor Newsom in the fall could transform the way coastal and working lands are managed in California.  Learn about the opportunities and challenges in it for ag as Dani and Emily from the Ag Council team break down the goals of the 30x30 Executive Order.

30x30, the Conservation & Climate Executive Order: In A Nutshell

Learn how curtailments in the Upper Russian River watershed could impact farmers throughout the state.  Emily & Tricia discuss proposed curtailments and how the state budget could assist with numerous water projects important to agriculture. To participate in the hearing at the State Water Resources Control Board, please visit this link to view the agenda: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2021/jun/06_15_21_agenda_links.pdf  

The Latest on Water, the State Water Board and State Budget

Emily visits with K-deep Dhaliwal, partner of Moss Adams LLP, and they discuss how companies succeeded through the pandemic and what challenges remain on the horizon.  Topics include what successful companies did to weather the storm, what hurdles remain in the agribusiness sector and potential staffing options that could provide flexibility and attract talent for agricultural businesses. K-deep leads the firm’s agribusiness practice for the California region.  K-deep has been advising clients in the food and ag industry for over 15 years and specializes in ag cooperatives, vertically integrated farming operations and institutional investor owned businesses.  K-deep is the past president of the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives and currently sits on the board for the Far West Chapter.  For more information, please visit Moss Adams' website at: https://www.mossadams.com/home or contact K-deep at k-deep.dhaliwal@mossadams.com.

Assessing the Pandemic: Opportunities & Challenges for Agricultural Businesses

What is going on this Spring?  Tricia and Emily tackle the latest issues including water quality, animal ag issues, pollinators and what's being considered for upcoming budget discussions.  Tune in to learn more!

Spring Legislative Outlook

Don’t miss this unique and informative interview with State Water Resources Control Board Member Laurel Firestone as she speaks with Emily about water priorities, the status of unimpaired flows and voluntary agreements, as well as the budget process. Emily and Laurel discuss areas of common ground between agriculture and the environmental justice community. And, Laurel pulls the curtain back on the challenges and opportunities of working for the state government.  It’s a must listen!

Finding Common Ground: A Conversation with Laurel Firestone on ag & the environment

Dani Diele is Ag Council’s newest staff addition who began serving in her role as membership & public policy coordinator early last fall. Dani discusses the policy issues she is working on for Ag Council, such as ag burning, insurance issues in high risk areas and the upcoming Annual Meeting on March 10, 2021. With much of our work virtual and conducted remotely, this is a chance for our members and friends to get to know Dani since many people have not had the opportunity to meet her in person. 

Getting to Know Dani Diele, Newest Member of the Ag Council Team

Explore how the Biden Administration changes the outlook on a number of policy issues impacting agriculture.  Opportunities arise with immigration reform, school breakfast and lunch programs and climate policies.  Questions emerge around fiscal and economic policy and the balance of Congress over the course of the next four years.  Emily discusses these topics and more with Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC).   NCFC advances the business and policy interests of America’s cooperatives and other farmer-owned businesses, through its work on federal policy issues in Washington, DC. Ag Council and a number of its members are part of NCFC.  For more information, please visit: http://ncfc.org .

A National Perspective with Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

Learn about the opportunities and challenges in the Governor's Budget proposal and the outlook for agriculture. Topics include (but are not limited to): Funding for climate smart ag grant programs Funds for regulatory alignment at CalEPA and CDFA The outlook for food banks Potential fee increase at Department of Pesticide Regulation Ag Council will continue to engage on these and other issues. For further information, please visit www.agcouncil.org.

Opportunities & Challenges within the Governor's Budget Proposal

In the first episode of 2021, the team dives into an area of strong interest to the food and ag community – vaccines.  In this quick and informative “In a Nutshell” episode, Emily and Tricia answer a handful of the major questions regarding the vaccine rollout, distribution, prioritization for the food and ag sector, as well as the role of the state and counties in the process. Thank you for listening!

COVID-19 Vaccinations: In a Nutshell

Assemblywoman Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) is the featured guest joining Emily and Tricia on this week’s Capitol Farm Connection podcast covering a multitude of issues facing our members and Californians.   Assemblywoman Eggman discusses growing up on a small farm in Turlock, her run for State Senate, policy priorities, efforts during the pandemic and work to address disparities among Californians, and what gives her hope during this unparalleled year.  Assemblywoman Eggman is a U.S. Army veteran, a licensed social worker, earned her Ph.D., and served on the Stockton City Council.  She’s a member of the Latino Caucus, the LGBTQ Caucus and the Women’s Caucus in the Legislature. 

Visiting with Asm. Susan Eggman, Former Chair of Assembly Ag Committee

Providing timely California political updates, meant for farmers, ranchers, dairymen and professionals in the food industry. Hosted by Agricultural Council of California.