Capitol Farm Connection

Ag Council President, Emily Rooney, interviews Harry Overly, new CEO of Sun-Maid Growers.  Harry discusses his efforts to transform the company and the raisin industry, both internally and externally.  He gives us a peek into his vision for Sun-Maid and a deeper look into their work in marketing, advertising and consumer attitudes.  Harry highlights consumer nostalgia around the Sun-Maid brand and their modernized marketing campaign.

Harry also discusses industry issues such as the historical pricing model and pressures from international markets, the impacts from trade agreements and conflicts and also the challenges around doing business in the State of California.

He also reflects on the cooperative's grower-owners and Sun-Maid's partnership with Ag Council.

Ashley Boren is the Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation, which helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing our land, air, and water resources. Sustainable Conservation brings together business, landowners and government to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that make economic sense.  

In today's episode, Ashley discusses the work they have done on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), work they have accomplished in the dairy industry and a project they conducted in the Central Coast around Nitrogen Use Efficiency.  

To learn more about Sustainable Conservation, please visit their website at:  https://suscon.org.

To learn more about CA FFA, please visit this website:

https://www.calaged.org

To make a donation to CA FFA, feel free to visit the Foundation website, located at:

https://www.calaged.org/Foundation

This episode also discusses the PLANT foundation, which is a non-profit dedicated to creating interest in the next generation of students in science and technology and engaging them to pursue a career in agriculture.  To learn more about PLANT, please visit: 

https://www.plantfoundation.org.

Today's discussion includes many activities at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and in the State Capitol.  Emily highlights leadership changes at the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and ongoing discussions at the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regarding fees and an effort to reduce compliance costs for the various permitting programs.  

On the Legislative front, there have been changes to the drinking water effort and Tricia walks through where we are on the state budget process.  A number of "budget trailer bills" have been moving through the Legislature containing important policy changes.  Additionally, the Governor is working hard on expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and we expect a vote on that in the coming weeks as well.

**PLEASE NOTE:  This podcast was recorded prior to the pesticide exposure incident in Tulare County affecting farmworkers on June 18.  The farmworkers were treated by first responders, with a few taken to the hospital, and we are thankful they felt better after being treated.  Farmers care deeply about the health and safety of their employees.  Farmers take every precaution to protect the well-being of farmworkers and follow strict laws and regulations pertaining to the application of pesticides.  For further information about the incident, please go to this link HERE for an ABC30 news story. 

Mike Wade is the Executive Director of the California Farm Water Coalition.  We discuss the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Unimpaired Flows and Voluntary Agreements, and various efforts around the state to improve surface water management and supply.

Today's discussion is a high-level overview of these very complex topics, and to learn more about them and the coalition, feel free to visit their website at https://www.farmwater.org.  

In this episode, Ag Council explores current and future tax proposals in California.  Emily reviews previous and pending ballot propositions and Tricia highlights current tax bills pending before the State Legislature.  Proposals include an attempt to repeal existing business tax incentives, the resurgence of an estate tax in CA and a proposal to increase fees to assist with 911 and emergency response systems.  The discussion also highlights the political realities influencing outcomes of the various proposals and what is at risk for State Legislators -- or not.

Many of these bills have been amended in the State Legislature, and the Ag Council team discusses the likelihood of the proposals returning and how and when they may come back for another round of consideration.

Hear about how agriculture created an unlikely alliance with the environmental justice community to solve a drinking water crisis in CA that impacts approximately 1 million people.  Discussion includes how the drinking water package came together, details about how funds will be generated and the inclusion of ag policy language that provides a pathway to compliance for groundwater issues. The Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund continues to be a top priority for Ag Council.

This is the first episode of the "California Water Series," taking a deeper look at some of the water challenges impacting California agriculture. 

In this episode, we cover two week's worth of activities in and around Sacramento.  Hear a little bit about the bills up for consideration in the State Legislature and the latest at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).  We also discuss some industry events from the California Ag Leadership Program, California FFA, Fresno State and Blue Diamond Growers.

Some of our listeners may have received a letter from the California Air Resources Board or from their local air district explaining that they must comply with AB 617, legislation that passed in 2017 regarding the monitoring of criteria pollutants.  There have been dramatic changes in the proposed regulations that could potentially impact your business.  Listen to learn more!

And please let us know if you've heard from the California Air Resources Board by e-mailing us at [email protected].