PORTLAND, Maine — At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the U.S. Postal Service have arrived dead in recent weeks after rapid cuts hit the federal mail carrier's operations, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said. Pingree, a Maine Democrat, is raising the issue of the dead chicks and the...
Farmers' Loyalty to Trump Tested Over New Corn-Ethanol Rules
LACONA, Iowa — When President Donald Trump levied tariffs on China that scrambled global markets, farmer Randy Miller was willing to absorb the financial hit. Even as the soybeans in his fields about an hour south of Des Moines became less valuable, Miller saw long-term promise in Trump's efforts to...
Farmers' Loyalty to Trump Tested Over New Corn-Ethanol Rules
LACONA, Iowa — When President Donald Trump levied tariffs on China that scrambled global markets, farmer Randy Miller was willing to absorb the financial hit. Even as the soybeans in his fields about an hour south of Des Moines became less valuable, Miller saw long-term promise in Trump's efforts to...
Trump Said Water Wars 'Easy' to Fix. What Do Farmers Say Now?
Three years ago, presidential candidate Donald Trump got right to the heart of Central Valley agriculture's fight over its most precious resource. “We’re going to solve your water problem. You have a water problem that is so insane," Trump told a campaign audience at Selland Arena in May 2016.  "It is...
Perdue Comes to Valley, Hears Trade War, Deportation Concerns
LOS BANOS — The parade of plaid-shirted gentlemen sat politely in the octagonal Germino Building at the Merced County Fairground. About 200 farmers participated in a town hall meeting Friday with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and four California congressmen. Perdue answered hot-button ag issues about tariffs and labor with...
Council Increases Fire Fees on New Fresno Construction
A week after balking at raising fire impact fees for residential and commercial construction, the Fresno City Council approved a plan that will raise them 143%. The impact fees, which would help the fire department build new stations, are currently $779 for a single family home. That would climb to...
Valley Nut and Fruit Growers Get Relief in China Trade War
Growers of grapes, tree nuts, and cranberries got good news from Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Thursday morning. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $16 billion in aid to farmers impacted by the tariff battle with China initiated by President Donald Trump. A statement from the USDA...
Trump's Tariffs Could Sow Trouble for GOP in Farm Districts
SPANGLE, Wash. — In the aptly named Harvester Restaurant, wheat farmer Roy Dube makes clear he's no fan of President Donald Trump's trade policy. "We get him elected into office and he pulls us out of trade agreements," Dube said last week as local farmers gathered to hear Democratic House...
Woolf Resigns from Westlands Board. What's Next for Water District?
Prominent Valley grower and water-management consultant Sarah Woolf has resigned from the board of directors at Westlands Water District. In a letter sent to the district, Woolf cited differences with the board majority on how best to increase water supplies for district growers as a primary reason for her resignation....
Valley Growers Hit Ag Secretary Perdue With Tough Questions
Stopping in Kingsburg during a Central Valley tour, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue heard concerns from representatives of dairy, fruit and nut growers. What was top of mind? Everything from the Trump tariffs to market access to immigration. Perdue made news: He said that the president is in negotiations...