agriculture

A group of cos poke their heads out of their holding pens to eat grass that's spread on the ground. The setting is a dairy farm. The cows' ears are tagged with small yellow signs that bear five digit numbers.

Commentary

To support California farms, state regulators need to stay the course on this climate program

California dairies have utilized the Low Carbon Fuel Standard climate program to reduce emissions and adopt cleaner fuels. A key upcoming vote to amend the program would hurt sustainable dairies, a farm manager argues.

By Sal Rodriguez • October 30, 2024

Water

‘Unlawful regulation’: State suffers big setback in water lawsuit filed by growers

A judge slaps the state with an injunction, saying the water board overstepped its authority in Kings County: “There has been no review, analysis, or ability to challenge their conduct.”

By

Rachel Becker

• September 16, 2024

A close up photo of an octopuses' eye and tentacles, as it tends to its eggs.

Capitol

What’s California going to ban now? Farmed octopus sales

Gov. Newsom signs a bill that will make California the first state to ban the sale of farmed octopus. Animal rights activists say the practice is inhumane.

By

Jenna Peterson

• August 16, 2024

An eye-level view of a dirt field for artichoke crop.

Environment

Dangerous herbicide used on California crops banned

The chemical, used for decades, can harm babies’ developing brains. Farmworkers and people living near fields are most at risk. The EPA issued a rare emergency order.

By

Rachel Becker

• August 7, 2024

A machine separating manure from waste water being fed into the digester at the Legacy Ranches near Pixley on Sept. 29, 2023. Several farms house digestors systems that feeds methane gas to the CalGren facility to produce renewable natural gas. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Reader Reactions

Sustainable farms need to come together, not cast blame over California methane program

Many California farmers have embraced sustainability and strive to curb their climate impact. Instead of casting blame over controversial programs, a Merced farmer says industry peers should be working together.

By Simon Vander Woude • May 3, 2024

Sheep grazing near solar panels at the Kettleman City Power solar farm on July 27, 2022 Sheep are let into the facility to eat bugs and graze on dry grass that could be a fire hazard. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

As California cracks down on groundwater, what will happen to fallowed farmland?

California water regulators are cracking down on the overuse of groundwater by farmers. Enforcement could prompt them to idle thousands of acres of farmland and poses larger questions about what will happen to the affected fields.

By

Dan Walters

• April 30, 2024

Water

California acts to halt Kings County’s groundwater overpumping

State officials, for the first time, put a local groundwater basin on probation to stop overuse. The order triggers hefty fees and mandatory reporting of well use.

By

Rachel Becker

• April 16, 2024

Water

California farmers could save a lot of water — but their profits would suffer

California farms could use 93% less water but less-thirsty crops, such as grains and hay, are much less lucrative than nuts and fruits. Fallowing a small fraction of the thirstiest crops would save 9%.

By

Rachel Becker

• March 26, 2024

Cows eating in their pins at the Legacy Ranches near Pixley on Sept. 29, 2023. Several farms house digesters systems that feeds methane gas to the CalGren facility to produce renewable natural gas. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

How California’s prized solution for methane gas is backfiring on farmers

The farm subsidies for a California program aiming to reduce methane gas emissions have skewed the market, making pollution as valuable as dairy in some cases, and eroded the ability for family farms to compete.

By Darvin Bentlage • March 18, 2024

Stone Corral Creek, shown here on on Feb. 14, 2023, will be about 200 feet underwater when the Sites Reservoir is built in the western Sacramento Valley. Photo by Julie A. Hotz, for CalMatters

Commentary

California needs reliable water supply, but climate change brings more uncertainty

As California's precipitation becomes more erratic due to climate change, the state needs more tools, including more storage capacity, to make the water supply reliable.

By

Dan Walters

• February 27, 2024

Agriculture