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AgJOBS legislation from a California farmer visiting Washington

Senators reintroduce AgJOBS bill

Saying they want to avoid future crop losses, senators announced a new effort yesterday (Wednesday) to establish a temporary-worker program for agriculture. A bipartisan group of senators held a Washington news conference, to reintroduce the proposal known as AgJOBS. Farmers at the news conference said they struggled to find enough harvest help last year, even though many crops were lighter than average. One farmer said he will talk to "everyone who will listen" about the need for the bill.

Cold weather worries olive growers

The prospect of a severe cold snap this weekend worries olive farmers. Farm advisors say olive trees can be damaged when temperatures dip into the mid-20s. Cold temperatures would cause damage to new wood. However, most olive groves have been planted in areas of the Central Valley that tend to stay a little warmer. Olive farmers could see one benefit from the cold: It might knock down populations of olive fruit flies that have damaged the crop.

Demand sparks additional garlic planting

A reduction in garlic supplies will mean additional plantings in California. Observers say farmers have planted several thousand additional acres of garlic to be harvested next year. That's a reversal of recent trends. Sharp increases in garlic imports from China reduced California acreage this decade. But now, prices for both fresh and processed garlic have risen, attracting more California farmers to the crop.

Program helps farmers find foreign customers

In hopes of winning more foreign consumers for American farm products, the U.S. Agriculture Department will invest $100 million to promote farm goods overseas. Trade organizations that earned the grants agree to match the amount for promotional work. Almost $8 million will go to 14 California-based trade groups. The Market Access Program helps farm exporters reach new customers around the world.

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