KSTE Farm Hour

Southern California wildfires threaten citrus orchards, especially avocado plantings in the Ventura area. Scientists say there’s bad news for future Sierra snowpacks…the snow line is rising. Delta farmers recently took on the Department of Water Resources at a gathering in Walnut Grove. The topic: California Water Fix, also known as the controversial Delta Tunnels proposal. What do young farmers need to succeed? We have an in-depth report on that. Plus, the latest California crop harvest news and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Hold on to your wallets: two California water bond measures, totalling 13 billion dollars, will be hitting the ballot box in 2018. Which one is best for farmers? We take a look at both of them. The recent good weather throughout California is causing a surplus in cool season vegetable availability. That’s good news for consumers…but for farmers? Not really. Can food grown hydroponically be sold as organic? That debate rages on. And, we attempt to dispel the widely held notion that fruits and vegetables come from the supermarket. Don’t look now, but there’s a farmer tapping on your shoulder if you believe that, saying, “Hey, What About Me?” All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Farmers throughout the state, including those in Sacramento County, are facing a growing problem: where to find the labor to plant and harvest the crops. It may take a combination of solutions to keep the food coming to your table. We have that report. This is the time of year for prune growers to take action against a major pest that’s lurking in the fields, patiently waiting for its 2018 appearance: plum aphids. We talk control strategies with an expert. Barn owls are playing a bigger part in the battle against rodents on the farm. We have a how-to for you to set up your own barn owl hotel. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

California’s farmers are still assessing damage from this year’s major natural disasters: winter and spring flooding, as well as the recent wildfires in California’s premiere wine country. We have those updates. If you work at a farmer’s market, you’re familiar with the lack of knowledge on the part of many of your customers about how your crops are grown as well as misconceptions about the science and realities behind what you do for a living. We talk with a farm communications expert who will offer tips for bridging the gaps between farmers and consumers. With Thanksgiving approaching, we have lots of turkey talk on this week’s show. And for shoppers, turkey prices right now are very appealing. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Farmland within one-fourth of a mile of rural schools face new pesticide application laws. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue tells CA farmers he supports NAFTA. Courtland-area farmers face land takeovers by state for Delta Tunnels. Winery owner surveys fire-ravaged vines in Sonoma.

Wildfire smoke vs. winegrape quality. Sac. Co. record 2016 ag production. Can high tech supplant farm labor? Apple Hill agritourism. Sac Valley rice production.

Wine country wildfire destruction report. Santa Clara Water District wants ta modified Delta Tunnels project. More NAFTA hurdles. Growing coffee in California

Wildfires decimate Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino wine region. The Delta Tunnels project gets OK from Southern California’s MWD. Benefits of overhead pivot irrigation.

Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine in Solano County. Preemergent weed control in almonds, walnuts, grapes. Research into bean germination issues. Small farms.

Sacramento County farms set all-time production record. California leads the way in organic farming. Food label confusion. Benefits, pitfalls of farm hedgerows.