California agriculture operates at a scale and under conditions unlike anywhere else in the country, yet the policy decisions extend far beyond state lines. We spent the week in Sacramento for the annual Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West and caught up with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross to discuss the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping California agriculture, and why the rest of the country should be paying attention to the Golden State.Plus, Ag Council of California President Emily Rooney outlines concerning plastic and packaging regulations and Chris Zanobini, president and CEO of Ag Association Management Services Inc., describes the "regulatory jenga" plaguing California agriculture.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Many row crop farmers are concerned about having access to an array of crop protection tools. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin explains the shrinking backlog of approvals, how the agency will continue to engage with the Make America Healthy Again movement, and year-round E15. Plus, Mitchell Hora with Continuum Ag outlines the testimony he gave on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit and Megan Boutwell with Stillwater Associates discusses how state low carbon fuel standards are shifting demand for ag products.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

A bill to allow year-round sales of E15 passed the full House and now awaits a vote in the Senate. Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer details the push for E15, as well as her farm bill priorities ahead of text being released in June. Plus, former Chief Ag Negotiator and current president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation Gregg Doud discusses his key takeaways from the bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tammi Arender provides an update from the field on Reservoir Farms, a new ag tech innovation hub in California.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The need for farm aid is clear, but a vehicle to move the funding remains uncertain. Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott explains the "differing opinions" on how the payments should go out. Scott also discusses the USMCA review, EU deforestation regulations, and his vision for leading the House Ag Committee if selected as the panel's top Republican next Congress. Plus, Callie Eideberg with the Vogel Group outlines what to watch as the Senate farm bill is developed and Robbie Minnich with the National Cotton Council discusses the benefits of the Buy American Cotton Act.Receive Newsmakers in your inbox every Friday: http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The century-old Beltsville Ag Research Center in Maryland is relocating more than 1,000 jobs and dozens of research projects as part of the USDA’s reorganization. House Ag Committee member Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., joined the show to argue why the facility should remain open & why she voted "no" on the farm bill in the House last week. Plus, Anthony Reed with FGS Global explains why he sees the tentative May 13 House vote on year-round E15 as "the gas price vote of 2026," and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union discusses what farm bill fights will arise in the Senate.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

After overnight debate, the farm bill passed the full House on Thursday. We spoke with House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson right after the vote. Plus, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney discusses the importance of the legislative progress on the farm bill. On the panel, Anne Steckel with Ardent Strategies explains the fallout of the year-round E15 provision in farm bill negotiations and Ken Barbic with Invariant discusses proposed USDA budget cuts that passed through the House appropriations committee.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The farm bill is set for a vote in the full House next week, but first the Rules Committee must decide which of more than 300 amendments can be offered on the House floor. Rep. Nikki Budzinski of Illinois joins the show to discuss the year-round E15 and fertilizer amendments she’s supporting and how the farm bill could fare in the lower chamber. John Newton with the American Farm Bureau Federation discusses growing concerns about fertilizer availability and affordability as the conflict in Iran continues. Ellen Hart with the Animal Health Institute explains how public and private partners are working to make animal health solutions available to prevent and treat New World screwworm.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The farm bill could get a vote on the House floor before the end of April, but House Ag Committee Vice Ranking Member Shontel Brown says revisiting new state SNAP cost-share requirements should have been a “starting point” to securing broad Democratic support. Plus, our Oliver Ward provides a report from his trip to the heart of Brazilian agriculture in Mato Grosso. Joe Glauber with the International Food Policy Research Institute also joins the show to discuss Brazil's role as a rising global soybean powerhouse and the ag impacts of the war in Iran.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Attendees gathered Monday for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll which featured 40,000 real American-raised, hand-dyed eggs and 150 baby chicks. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and American Egg Board Chairman Andy Seger share more about the tradition. Plus, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler joins the show to discuss the Grocery Guarantee Program, right to repair, and how the SBA is streamlining loan application processes.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Wildfires burned more than 900,000 acres home to many cattle in western Nebraska. Sen. Pete Ricketts says he's concerned the disaster could delay rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd and says USDA programs should have flexibility and innovation to support producers through the disaster. Plus, Iowa farmer and American Soybean Association vice president Dave Walton shares his takeaways from the EPA's recently released biofuel blending rules and Jenna Stanton with the U.S. Cattlemen's Association discusses USDA's push for labeling transparency.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free!