Commentary
We can find common ground to solve challenging water issues
Looking forward, 2021 will be an important year for moving ahead on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
Agriculture
California Divide
Do California ag counties hold solutions to Monterey County farmworker housing crisis?
Lea este artículo en español. In 2019, Monterey County sold more than five billion dollars worth of agricultural products, from cannabis to strawberries to leaf lettuce. It is, by far, the largest industry in the county. However, that industry needs laborers on the ground. Tens of thousands of people plant, pick, and pack the produce that […]
California Divide
State mandates emergency workplace COVID-19 protections, less crowding for guest farmworkers
Backed by the state’s attorney general and welcomed by labor advocates as better late than never, California's new policy will start to hold businesses accountable for protecting their workers, mandate reporting outbreaks and decrease crowding in housing for vulnerable guest farmworkers spotlighted in a California Divide investigation.
California Divide
Newsom signs COVID-19 protections for agricultural workers
Lea este artículo en español. California lawmakers are looking to protect one of the state’s most valuable workforces with a new COVID-19 relief package. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a farmworker relief package this week, which promises farmworkers stricter enforcement of health guidelines and education of paid sick leave for COVID-19, among other things. Lawmakers also requested Newsom […]
California Divide
First county announces new COVID-19 protections for temporary ag workers
Santa Barbara County adopts new rules aimed at preventing COVID-19 outbreaks among H-2A farmworkers. The move comes amid reports of outbreaks, including a monthlong investigation by CalMatters and The Salinas Californian that uncovered outbreaks that sickened more than 350.
California Divide
Smoke, ash from River Fire raises questions about produce, farmworker safety
Industry experts say they hope the impact to consumers will be minimal, with little disruption to the supply chain.
Commentary
Protection of the California agriculture-port relationship should be a top priority
California should review regulatory policies that affect the agriculture-port relationship with having a goal of economic resilience.
Economy
6 curious takeaways from California’s small-business loans
From Silicon Valley startups to Gavin Newsom’s wine business, a rundown of who got what from the federal coronavirus business loan program.
Commentary
We have to get serious about protecting California farmworkers during COVID-19
With outbreaks of COVID-19 among migrant farmworkers across the country, California needs to better protect these essential workers. Here are some recommendations.
Reader Reactions
California farmers already practice sustainable agriculture
Pest control advisers put the latest science to work every day on California farms to ensure the best, safest crop protection method is being used.