Food And Farm News
October 7, 2026
Farm Bureau team seeks solutions in D.C.
A California Farm Bureau delegation that included more than a dozen of the organization's members, staff and executives traveled to Washington, D.C., last month to advocate on issues affecting farmers and ranchers. Among the group's priorities were discussions around passing a new farm bill and policies related to endangered species and the farm workforce. "It makes all the difference when lawmakers can hear directly from farmers and ranchers about the challenges they face and the real-world impacts of policy decisions," California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass said. "Our members were able to share specific examples of how they've been affected by rising production costs, trade conflicts, labor shortages and other headwinds that have made the current farming environment one of the most difficult in decades."
Diesel price spike increases financial stress for farmers
California diesel prices skyrocketed in September, adding another layer of stress for farmers and truck fleet owners who depend on the fuel for daily work. Experts attribute the price spike in part to continued disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Diesel and gas prices have dramatically increased since the war began in February. California's average diesel price on Oct. 1 was more than $8 a gallon, representing the highest in the nation. Ryan Cummings, an economist with the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, said California's taxes and fees are among the factors driving the state's higher price. Yolo County farmer Bill Cruickshank, who serves as chairman of the California Wheat Commission, said he and other wheat growers already felt the sting of rising diesel prices when they harvested their crop earlier this year.
New date crop hits market as fruit goes 'mainstream'
Much of California's medjool date crop was picked during the past several weeks after a spring heat wave sped fruit development, bringing harvest forward by as many as four weeks. Growers reported below-average yields, though they said production is markedly better than last year, when ill-timed rains in the Coachella Valley caused significant crop losses and left handlers with little to no carryover heading into this year's harvest. With high demand for the fruit, date handlers said they are working to get the new crop shipped to retailers across the country. "There's a lot of pent-up demand," Coachella Valley grower and shipper Albert Keck said. "We're scrambling to fill orders." The fruit has recently gained traction among U.S. consumers, with sales increasing more than a third during the past two years, according to the market research firm SPINS. "Everybody is really excited about the trajectory of dates," said Kristy Kneiding, executive director of the California Date Commission.
Pumpkin growers target trends, Halloween demand
Colorful roadside pumpkin patches are a sure sign of fall's arrival. Less visible from the road but significant in scale are the thousands of acres of commercial pumpkin fields that help make California one of the nation's leading suppliers of fresh pumpkins. More than 5,000 acres of pumpkins are grown annually in California, with San Joaquin County remaining the center of the state's commercial pumpkin production. The region sends an estimated 70% to 80% of the state's pumpkin crop to market, where the pumpkins are sold for Halloween jack-o'-lanterns, fall décor and consumption. Favorable planting conditions and mild temperatures during bloom helped California pumpkin growers produce a quality crop with normal yields this year. As the pumpkins move to market, growers report few significant pest or disease issues. Art Perry of Manteca-based Perry and Sons described his crop as "really nice," with "gorgeous colors and strong, intact stems," which are important because they serve as handles and preserve the integrity of the pumpkin.
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.
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