KSTE Farm Hour

California’s farmers demand it. Democrats in congress are voting on it. And the President says he wants it, too. What is it? A plan for immigrant farm labor. It’s called the Agricultural Worker Program Act, and its currently working its way through Congress. We have an update. Farm Service Agency offices are reopening…but during this federal worker shutdown, how long will they remain open to aid the nation’s farmers? We take a look. Also, the labor-intensive process of developing hybrid fruit and nut varieties. We take a tour of one such facility. All that, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

President Trump recently promised farmers that he’ll open the southern border to make it easier to get much needed farm laborers into the United States. We have the details. California just released their yearly roundup of agricultural statistics. Which crops were the big winners? Which California counties are responsible for the most farm income? We’ll tell you. One of the big applause lines at President Trump’s speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention had to do with more money for better rural internet. We’ll explore the problems of getting high speed internet to California’s farm country in depth. And, there are more Asian Citrus Psyllid quarantine areas in the state. We’ll tell you where. All that and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour! Let’s get started!

Don’t believe all the negativity about this year’s water supply for California farmers. The Department of Water Resources has encouraging news about this year’s Sierra snowpack, water that will eventually find its way to Central Valley Project and State Water Project customers. We have the numbers. THere’s an ever so slight opening in the door to increased trade with China. And it could be a big deal for California’s rice growers. We kick the tires on the newest tractors with fewer diesel emissions. And, we have tips for commercial beekeepers from a long time bee expert. All that and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

2019 begins with encouraging results of two agricultural studies. UC Davis researchers have been able to clone hybrid varieties of rice, which would be a major benefit to third world country farmers who can’t afford to buy fresh seed every year. And another study shows that a major pest of the honeybee population, the varroa mite, might be controlled by extracts from commonly found mushrooms. We have the details. Sacramento Valley farmers are taking action to make sure they will have access to Sacramento River Water by heading off any possible action by the State Water Resources board to curtail availability. We clear up the water, specifically, what’s included in the revised Waters of the United States rules to make it easier for California’s farmers to do what they do best…farm. Happy New Year, from the KSTE Farm Hour!

Away from Home meals are up. What does that mean for California Farmers’ income? We have the details. What are the Trump Administration’s strategies for increasing rural prosperity? We’ve got that info, too. Have you heard about the California Farm Demonstration Network? We’ll tell you all about it. When it comes to gophers versus drip irrigation, it’s usually the gopher that wins. We have tips to put you on the winning side. And the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is slowly being implemented in California. And for some California farms, the slower the better. We’ll tell you why. All that, plus a report on the mushrooming, um growing,…mushroom business. It’s all on today’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

We take a closer look at the recently passed 2018 Farm Bill, and what it means for California’s farmers. More recalls of produce from Central coast lettuce growers, a response to Novembers e-coli outbreak. There’s movement in the world of California water…deals and agreements that could be good news and bad news for California’s farmers. We have the confusing details. The deadly poultry ailment, Newcastle’s Disease, has spread from backyard chickens to a California commercial grower. We take an in-depth look at this problem and what chicken owners can do to stave off the spread of Newcastle Disease. And it’s a sunny December for California’s pistachio growers, who are harvesting a record crop. But there are dark clouds on the horizon. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

The controversial Waters of the United States rules have been modified, much to the relief of California’s farmers. Congress passes the new farm bill, which includes Senator Mitch McConnells’ pet project: the legalization of hemp production in the United States. Does hemp production have a future in California? We have an in-depth report. Another hitch in the progress of California WaterFix, also known as the Delta Tunnels. Is it enough to derail that project? Also: advances in trade negotiations and a story about an ad looking for American-born farm workers. 12,000 applications were received…only 12 showed up for work. Guess how many stuck around. It’s all coming up on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

Think you have less money in your pocket this year? The latest USDA Farm Income forecast says it’s not your imagination, and you are not alone. The NAFTA replacement plan, the USMCA, is a go, for more trade among the US, Canada and Mexico. But hurdles remain. With wildfire threats increasing the likelihood of mandatory utility shutdowns, are you and your generators ready? We talk with an expert on generator preparedness. Plum growers throughout California are on the lookout right now for plum aphid populations. We have some tips on how to find this pest in your orchards. All that, crop reports, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

The Thanksgiving week recall of romaine lettuce due to possible contamination by the E.coli bacteria has roiled farming operations throughout the lettuce growing regions of the entire country. But it looks like the source of that contamination came from California’s Central Coast area. What can cause an E.coli contamination of field greens such as lettuce and spinach? We look at the possible causes, including one that may surprise you, wild pigs. The north state’s fairgrounds have stepped up to help out the survivors of the Camp Fire, including displaced livestock. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

A bit of rain has helped contain the Camp Fire in the Paradise area, as well as bringing relief from breathing hazardous air for much of Northern California. We focus on the relief programs that have been set up to aid those in agriculture effected by this fire, the deadliest in California history. The secretary of agriculture has some thoughts on future management of forest lands, we hear what he has to say. It’s apple season, we talk about this very important component of agritourism in the Sierra Nevada foothills. And, we give thanks for farmers. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!