Stanislaus Farm Bureau Leads in Advocacy and Education: The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau is setting the pace for agricultural advocacy and education in California. In a recent interview on the AgNet News Hour, Anna Genasci, Communications Director for Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, shared insights on the challenges facing farmers and the innovative ways her organization is working to support them.

“Currently, we hold the title for the largest County Farm Bureau in terms of membership,” Genasci noted, emphasizing the strength of their grassroots network. She highlighted that advocacy remains their top priority, but education—both for youth and consumers—is increasingly important. From Ag in the Classroom programs to scholarships for students pursuing agricultural careers, Stanislaus County is investing in the next generation of ag leaders.

One of Genasci’s passions is connecting young people with farming. “Even if you’re the kid that likes to sit behind the gaming computer, there is a job for you in agriculture,” she explained. With technology playing a larger role in dairies, orchards, and row crops, Genasci believes that modern farming offers a place for every interest—from robotics to environmental science.

But challenges remain. Rising regulatory costs, water restrictions, labor issues, and international competition are straining local growers. Genasci pointed out that in Stanislaus County alone, one in eight jobs is tied directly to agriculture, making farming a critical economic driver. She urged policymakers to better appreciate agriculture’s role: “We grow over 400 commodities in the state of California, some of which can only be grown here. That is something that should be treasured and cared for.”

Despite these headwinds, Genasci remains optimistic. Through advocacy, education, and community outreach, the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau continues to ensure that farmers, ranchers, and dairymen have a strong voice in Sacramento and beyond.

California Farmers Under Pressure: California agriculture continues to face mounting challenges, and Andrew Genasci, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, says advocacy is more important than ever. Speaking on the AgNet News Hour, Genasci shared how his background as a fourth-generation dairyman gives him perspective when representing farmers on the front lines of political and regulatory battles.

“I know what it’s like when the milk pump breaks at 3 a.m. or when a calf needs pulling on a holiday,” Genasci explained. “That experience helps me connect with elected officials and remind them that farmers are small business owners who don’t clock out when something goes wrong.”

When asked about the biggest issues heading into 2025, Genasci pointed to overregulation. From water restrictions and burn bans to mounting labor costs and overtime rules, he says Sacramento continues to push policies that squeeze family farms. “You’ve got legislators looking at 2,000 bills a year, and many of them impact agriculture. At some point you have to ask if we really need all these new laws,” he said.

The impact goes beyond farmers’ bottom lines. Genasci emphasized that overregulation drives up grocery store prices for families. “When we ban insecticides or cut labor hours, those costs show up at the checkout line. California farmers produce the safest, healthiest food in the world, but we’re competing against imports from countries that don’t face the same restrictions.”

Genasci highlighted water as the single most pressing concern. While 2014’s Proposition 1 promised billions for new storage projects, little progress has been made. Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley are forced to make tough choices, from fallowing ground to converting farmland into solar developments under AB 1156.

Labor is another hurdle. “Farmers are paying $20 an hour just to compete with McDonald’s. Once you add overtime, you’re looking at $30 to $40 an hour—costs that simply aren’t sustainable,” Genasci said. The result is fewer hours for workers and an accelerated push toward automation and robotics.

Despite the frustration, Genasci is clear: the fight for California agriculture is not lost. He urges farmers to stay engaged with organizations like Farm Bureau. “If we’re not at the table in Sacramento and D.C., someone else is. Whether it’s environmental groups or labor groups, they’re telling their story. We need to tell ours.”

He also sees education as key, especially for future generations. Through scholarships, FFA, and 4-H, Farm Bureau works to connect youth with agriculture. “They may not all stay in farming, but they’ll understand the responsibility and the value of what it takes to put food on the table,” he said.

As California continues to grapple with regulation, water shortages, and shifting labor markets, Genasci remains committed to ensuring farmers have a strong voice: “God gave us the best land in the world to farm. If we’re going to keep feeding America and the world, we’ve got to fight for it.”

Kern County’s Agriculture Advocate: Rachel Nettleton, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau, is taking on the dual challenge of advocating for California farmers while educating the broader community about the importance of agriculture.

In a recent conversation on the AgNet News Hour, Nettleton shared her unique journey into agriculture. Though she did not grow up working in farming, her Bakersfield roots and background in sports and marketing helped her develop a passion for advocacy. “I actually did not come from the agriculture industry, but I was born and raised here in Bakersfield, California. And we all eat food and we all wear clothes, so at the end of the day, we’re all part of agriculture,” she said.

Leading Kern County Agriculture

Under her leadership, Kern County Farm Bureau continues to rank among the nation’s top agricultural producers. “Yes, we are the leading ag county in America this year,” Nettleton explained, noting that Kern fluctuates in the top three spots alongside Fresno and Tulare. In 2023 alone, the county produced over $8 billion in agricultural products.

Nettleton describes her role as multifaceted, joking, “I like to call myself an octopus. I have eight arms at all times. I’ve become a professional juggler since I started this position two years ago.” Her work ranges from legislative advocacy to direct community outreach.

Educating the Next Generation

One of her most impactful initiatives is Farm Day in the City, an annual event that brings thousands of Kern County schoolchildren face-to-face with agriculture. “We invite 5,000 children… and teach these kids about where their food comes from because a lot of kids think that chocolate milk comes from brown cows or that food grows in grocery stores,” she explained. Adults often leave with a new perspective as well.

Nettleton emphasized the importance of engaging policymakers and the public alike. “We try our best to meet with as many legislators as we can, bring them physically to farms and have those conversations… It’s just so important to have those in-person conversations to expand on why we need them to fight for our agriculture community,” she said.

Looking Forward

From water access and regulations to generational farming challenges, Nettleton is focused on ensuring agriculture remains strong in Kern County and beyond. “Farmers don’t have time to go to all these meetings in Bakersfield and Sacramento… That’s why we are here, to fight for them and provide those resources so they can focus on what they do best: feeding the world,” she said.

Her passion also extends to social media outreach, where she sees opportunities to better highlight the environmental stewardship of farmers and the innovation happening across the industry.

As Nettleton put it, “Everybody can make an impact for the agriculture industry. We all eat food, we all wear clothes, and the more positive action we can generate, the better.”

Custom Produce in Parlier, California, has grown from a door-to-door startup into one of the most respected names in the produce supply chain, and founder Ted Torosian says the company’s success comes from staying true to its roots while adapting to an evolving industry.

Founded in 1989 by Torosian, his brother, and partners, Custom Produce began with a simple mission: offer a variety of high-quality fruits and vegetables in one stop for food service buyers. “We started from scratch, knocking on doors, selling fruit,” Torosian said. “Now we’re one of the most successful companies in the Central Valley.”

Today, the company operates on a 15-acre facility, handling over 80 commodities and specializing in consolidation — allowing customers to pick up a mix of products in a single load. This model is especially valuable for restaurants, small markets, and wholesale buyers who don’t need full truckloads of a single commodity. “We can put two pallets of this, one pallet of that, all on one truck,” Torosian explained. “It’s food service at its best.”

Custom Produce’s reach extends far beyond the Central Valley. While most sourcing comes from Central California growers, they also work with partners in Mexico, Chile, and Arizona to ensure year-round supply. Their offerings range from tree fruit and melons to peppers and grapes — though they leave leafy greens to other regions.

Freight and packaging are major parts of the business. By brokering transportation and breaking pallets to meet exact customer needs, Custom Produce streamlines distribution and cuts costs for buyers. Torosian noted that packaging costs have soared, making careful handling and proper cooling critical for maintaining product quality across long distances. “Our specialty is making sure that when it gets there, it’s still in great condition,” he said.

While the company serves big names like Costco, their core focus remains on the “small guys” who need flexible, dependable service. “It’s about relationships,” Torosian said. “We’ve built trust with our growers and our customers over decades.”

From a handful of partners with a big idea to a major player in the produce industry, Custom Produce shows how vision, adaptability, and old-fashioned hard work can pay off in agriculture’s competitive marketplace.

Today’s AgNet News Hour featured a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Dale Nicol, Syngenta’s West Coast grower relations manager, whose decades of experience give him a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing California agriculture. From shifting market dynamics to regulatory roadblocks, Nicol offered an unvarnished look at the pressures growers are navigating in 2024.

Market Shifts and Imports Impacting California Crops

Nicol began by addressing the growing competition from imported wine grapes, noting how international supply pressures are reshaping markets for California producers. While the Golden State remains a leader in quality and volume, imports are forcing farmers to rethink their strategies to stay competitive. He stressed the importance of strengthening relationships between growers, marketers, and policymakers to protect local industries.

Regulatory Pressures and Political Climate

One of the central themes of the interview was the mounting regulatory burden on California farmers. From pesticide restrictions to environmental compliance, Nicol said that the state’s rules often put local growers at a disadvantage compared to competitors in other states and countries. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that safeguards the environment without jeopardizing the economic viability of farming.

Nicol also weighed in on the political climate, warning that unless agriculture has a strong and unified voice in Sacramento and Washington, decisions will continue to be made without a full understanding of their impact on food production.

Innovation and the Next Generation

Despite the challenges, Nicol remains optimistic about agriculture’s capacity for innovation. He highlighted Syngenta’s work in developing cutting-edge crop protection and seed technologies that help farmers increase yields while reducing environmental impact. He also called on the industry to invest in the next generation of growers, ensuring they have the resources, training, and policy support to carry the sector forward.

A Call for Engagement

Nicol’s message to California agriculture was clear: growers must stay engaged in policy discussions, embrace technology, and build coalitions that can influence decisions at every level. “The future of farming depends on the choices we make now,” he concluded, urging farmers to remain proactive rather than reactive.

Listeners can hear the full conversation with Dale Nicol and get the latest California ag news by visiting AgNetWest.com or subscribing to the AgNet News Hour podcast.

California Farming Voices: On today’s AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni and co-host Josh McGill take listeners on a tour of California agriculture, from the dairies of Hanford to the John Deere showroom in Madera. The episode features two in-depth interviews—first with dairy farmer Case Anker, then with Stan Nelson of Midland Tractor—offering a ground-level view of farming challenges and innovations across the Golden State.

Anker, a third-generation dairyman, shares how his family’s operation balances cow comfort with fluctuating market conditions. From citrus peel feed to molasses treats, he explains that keeping cows cool and stress-free is just as critical as feed quality. While 2024 has brought fair milk and feed prices, Anker notes the dairy business demands resilience—farmers must be ready for both good and bad years, setting aside reserves for leaner times. He encourages consumers to support dairies by buying milk, cheese, pizza, and other dairy products, highlighting the pride and stewardship that comes with caring for animals and the land.

The show then shifts north to Madera, where Nelson discusses Midland Tractor’s 40-year history serving California growers. With service trucks covering territory from Bakersfield to Yuba City, Midland specializes in providing efficient, cutting-edge John Deere equipment for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops. Nelson details the growing role of technology in agriculture, from precision spray systems to emerging autonomous tractor solutions. He emphasizes the industry’s reliance on water, noting that reliable supply and storage are essential not only for farms but for the many allied businesses that support them.

Throughout the episode, Papagni and McGill connect the dots between on-farm realities, supply chain impacts, and the broader ag economy. Whether it’s tackling water scarcity, navigating trade tariffs, or adopting new equipment, the conversations underline agriculture’s resilience and adaptability.

Catch the full interviews with Case Anker and Stan Nelson at AgNetWest.com, and follow AgNet West for more California ag news and stories from the field.

In a powerful conversation on the AgNet News Hour, Fallbrook grower and entrepreneur Elaine Collotti—known as The Lipstick Farmer—delivered a frank assessment of California’s agricultural and political climate. Collotti, who has been directly impacted by the Palisades Fires, warned that the state’s lack of financial transparency, infrastructure failures, and policy neglect are threatening the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities across the Golden State.

Funding Shortfalls and Federal Tensions

Collotti described a grim reality in post-fire recovery, accusing state leaders of leaving devastated communities without resources. According to her, federal funding from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers ended without sustainable follow-up from the Newsom administration, leaving clean-up incomplete and property owners in limbo. She believes the Trump administration’s planned presence in California—including new legal representation—could uncover mismanagement of funds and bring accountability.

Water, Labor, and Immigration Solutions

Water policy remains a flashpoint for California agriculture. Collotti criticized the state’s lack of attention to water infrastructure and applauded efforts to address water loss from mountain runoff flowing unused to the ocean. On labor, she urged a three-tier approach to immigration reform—protecting long-time workers, creating legal pathways for seasonal farm labor, and deporting criminal offenders.

She also proposed a domestic work sponsorship program, allowing wealthy households to legally sponsor employees such as nannies, gardeners, and agricultural workers, bringing stability to both families and farms.

SNAP Reform to Support Small Farmers

One of Collotti’s most striking policy suggestions was redirecting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) subsidies away from large agribusiness and toward local small farmers. By partnering with federal agencies like HHS, she envisions a system that purchases directly from regional producers, utilizes rail for efficient distribution, and delivers fresh, local produce to those in need.

“Get the best food to the most needy for the best price,” Collotti emphasized, calling small farmers “our gold” and the key to making America healthy again.

A Call for Political Focus and Leadership

Collotti warned against “grifters” in the crowded gubernatorial race, advocating for a single strong candidate capable of reversing California’s debt crisis, restoring business confidence, and defending the state’s multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry.

As California farmers brace for higher fuel costs, water challenges, and ongoing labor uncertainty, voices like Elaine Collotti’s are pushing for immediate reform, federal cooperation, and a renewed commitment to rural prosperity.

Fighting for California Agriculture: In today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Rich Kreps, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest issues facing agriculture in the Golden State, from water and labor to policy reform and the future of farming.

Kreps, a longtime advocate for California farmers, stressed that agriculture is at a critical juncture. He pointed to an ever-tightening regulatory climate, rising costs, and political disconnect as threats to the state’s ability to feed the nation and the world. “We have the best farmers in the world,” he said, “but they can’t compete if we make it impossible to do business here.”

One of Kreps’ top concerns is water management. He noted that the state has failed to invest in storage and infrastructure, even in wet years, leaving growers vulnerable to drought and restrictive environmental flows. Without a balanced approach that serves farms, communities, and the environment, California risks losing production permanently.

The conversation also tackled labor and workforce challenges, particularly immigration reform. Kreps underscored the need for a legal, stable labor supply, arguing that lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington must understand how essential these workers are to keeping farms viable.

Looking ahead, Kreps emphasized the importance of supporting young and beginning farmers. With the average California farmer nearing retirement age, the industry must find ways to lower barriers for the next generation — from access to land and capital to education and mentorship.

Listeners also heard updates on:

Kreps’ closing message was clear: agriculture must stay united and engaged in the political process. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” he warned, urging farmers to share their stories and advocate for policies that will keep California agriculture strong for decades to come.