Agriculture

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 […]

By Kate Cimini • October 1, 2020

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.

By Jackie Botts • September 17, 2020

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.

By Kate Cimini • August 27, 2020

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.

By Guest Commentary • August 8, 2020

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.

By Lauren Hepler • July 6, 2020

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.

By Guest Commentary • June 26, 2020

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.

By Guest Commentary • June 25, 2020

California Divide

How California farms can survive the post-pandemic world

Lee este artículo en español. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, few industries have been quite as essential to the nation as agriculture. From pickers crouching for nine hours a day to scoop up strawberries to CEOs making handshake deals to keep their companies afloat, hundreds of thousands of workers are feeding America. But, in many ways, the […]

By Kate Cimini • May 28, 2020

California Divide

‘The perfect storm of vulnerability’: Protection in the fields doesn’t follow farmworkers home

When Jesus Francisco Meza Uriarte and Dian Alejandro Bienazul Atondo step into the van that will take them to a spinach field in Salinas each morning, it stinks of bleach. The van’s been sanitized between rides to kill any lingering bits of the COVID-19 virus. They ride to work, sitting at least six feet apart, […]

By Kate Cimini • April 11, 2020

Environment

California analysts urge lawmakers: reject Gov. Newsom’s $1 billion climate loan proposal

The Legislative Analyst's Office warns California may not be able to spot the right projects to fund with a proposed green loan program. 

By Rachel Becker • February 13, 2020