Sites Project Authority Executive Director Jerry Brown (no relation to former Gov. Jerry Brown) discusses the timeline, funding, as well as water supply and environmental benefits of the reservoir project.  Listen as Ag Council President Emily Rooney poses pertinent questions about the off-river reservoir to be built north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and how it fits into the larger picture of improving California’s water management system and restoring flexibility and reliability ..read more

How does the Governor’s recently released water supply plan improve or impact the water supply for agriculture?  Emily and Tricia walk through the high-level provisions including streamlining the permit projects for major water infrastructure projects, creating internal strike teams to expedite the process for supply and conveyance projects and current and additional investments in these areas.  The team also highlights issues of concerns such as a future look at curtailments and water rights.  The Governor’s plan can be found here ..read more

Emily and Tricia dive deep into the comprehensive statewide packaging measure, SB 54 (Allen), signed into law in June by Governor Newsom. SB 54 is aims at reducing single-use plastic packaging in California.  It places responsibility for the cost of the regulation on producers of that packaging.  This bill impacts the food industry in many aspects and Emily and Tricia walk through several key provisions. Though there is an important exemption for on-farm packaging, the measure will be challenging for many companies operating at the first point of processing. Listen-in as the tea ..read more

As the Capitol Farm Connection podcast hits 50 episodes, Emily and Tricia discuss (anonymous) feedback from listeners selected from a recent podcast survey.   Ag Council is working to bring our members and friends the most informative and relevant podcast content possible, and your input is appreciated. Haven't taken the podcast survey? Click HERE for the quick survey. Thanks for your support and enjoy ..read more

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Get up to speed on legislation pending in the State Capitol.  Emily and Tricia discuss several bills moving through the State Legislature ranging from water to labor to the supply chain.   ..read more

It is only February 2019 and Governor Newsom has been to the Central Valley numerous times since he got into office just over a month ago.  The Ag Council team discusses the policy issues he is focusing on during his visits to the Central Valley, what this could mean for agriculture and the Governor's plans over the next few years on specific issues, including High Speed Rail and drinking water ..read more

The Senate Republican Caucus was muted during debate, Speaker Rendon receives negative press due to denying a new mother the option to vote from home and the Attorney General makes a bold move to vastly increase his powers in a last ditch legislative effort that we successfully defeated.   A crazy ending concludes an equally crazy legislative year.  Listen in to hear Emily and Tricia discuss issues such as employee leave, workers compensation and the latest update from Governors Central Valley strike teams.  The Ag Council team breaks down the issues and how they defended the in ..read more

Expansion of employee leave, changes to workers comp and limitations on food byproducts used for animal feed are some of the items up for consideration at the end of this year's legislative session.  Emily and Tricia discuss expectations for the end of session as well as the Governor's efforts to support farmworkers through the pandemic.  The Governor is demonstrating a renewed focus in the Central Valley and other areas of high risk in an overall effort to get hospitalization numbers down.  The Ag Council team dives into these issues as well as a new "Housing for the Harvest" p ..read more

Assemblyman Jim Cooper shares his thoughts regarding calls for change in law enforcement and he speaks about the state budget, water and environmental issues in the Legislature.   Asm. Cooper is Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration and he serves on the Insurance Committee, Governmental Organization Committee and the Public Employees Retirement and Social Security Committee. Prior to becoming a member of the State Legislature, Assemblyman Cooper served as a captain in the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department and served as Elk Grove's founding mayor and as a council me ..read more