Food And Farm News
9-17-2025
Value of California agriculture hit record high last year
The value of California’s agricultural production hit a record high last year, according to data published last week by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In 2024, farmers and ranchers in the Golden State produced $61.2 billion worth of agricultural commodities, an increase of 3.6% from 2023. California led the nation in overall production value as well as in dairy and many types of fresh produce. The state’s top agricultural commodities, ranked by economic value, were dairy products followed by almonds, grapes, cattle and calves, lettuce, strawberries, pistachios, tomatoes, carrots and broilers.
Harvest begins for “exceptional” California walnut crop
As California’s walnut harvest begins, market conditions remain strong after improving last year following multiple years when growers struggled with low crop prices. With inventory from last year’s crop nearly sold out, “the industry is well positioned to start shipping new harvest California walnuts immediately,” said Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission. This year’s walnut crop is projected at 710,000 tons, an 18% increase from last year, even as the state’s bearing acreage declined from 370,000 last year to 365,000 this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Favorable weather conditions helped produce a large crop of “exceptional” quality, Verloop said. “I think international markets will be very pleased.”
California table olive growers expect a light crop
California table olive growers are expected to harvest a smaller crop this year. The 2025 forecast is 44,000 tons, down 10% from last year’s crop of 48,634 tons, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Manzanillo olives make up the vast majority of California’s table olives, with Sevillano olives comprising less than 6% of the state’s crop. Some farmers grow other varieties in small quantities. The USDA report, which surveyed 242 growers, found that the sector struggles with many of the same challenges plaguing farmers of other crops: insufficient labor, increased input costs and weak markets.
California sheep ranchers help solar projects reduce fire risks
Large-scale solar projects face an ongoing challenge in managing vegetation to reduce fire risks. In California, they’re getting help from a humble farm animal. “We’re the most environmentally friendly vegetation management tool out there,” Ryan Indart, a Fresno County farmer and sheep rancher, told Ag Alert® in a field report. This month, Indart’s sheep were wrapping up a busy season grazing utility-scale solar projects across the state before returning to their home ranch in Kerman. When they graze solar projects, “The sheep are sequestering carbon, reducing wildfire risk and making the soil ecology a lot more healthy,” he said. “They’re Mother Nature’s best firefighters.”
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.
.svg.png?cacheid=0.9616018850896426)
