Editorial: Farmworkers deserve priority when it comes to coming COVID-19 vaccination [Palm Springs Desert Sun]
… As far as who should get the initial inoculations, we agree with advocacy groups that have been making that case that agricultural workers should be among those at the front of the line. … Officials must find a way to ensure our essential agriculture workers have access to vaccines in the first wave and have been given the confidence to actually take the shot. It cannot be overstated how important it is for everyone to take part in this important duty for society.
Around Kings County: Valley sees loss of farm jobs — down 20% [Hanford Sentinel]
Valley farmers have had a tough time this year and those who work on those farms are fewer in number. In the four-county South Valley, ag jobs are down 20% year-over-year – worse in some counties. … An important California farm customer — the food service and restaurant industry — has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. … Meanwhile the trade war and COVID continue to dampen another major outlet, farm exports.
A fight over agriculture secretary could decide the direction of hunger policy [New York Times]
… Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the highest-ranking Black member of Congress and perhaps Mr. Biden’s most important supporter in the Democratic primary, is making an all-out case for Representative Marcia L. Fudge of Ohio, an African-American Democrat from Ohio. … The delicate proxy clash over the post, which is usually not as coveted as more high-profile cabinet positions, has pitted Democrats eager to emphasize issues like hunger and nutrition against more traditional members of the party who believe the department should represent rural America.
Farmland consolidations could save water, promote solar [Bakersfield Californian]
… Efforts are underway locally to create a system for piecing together parcels that would allow investment at a scale large enough to support substantial photovoltaic solar arrays — or ranching or creation of natural habitat, whatever makes sense financially for landowners. A key consideration in the discussions is making sure farmers don’t lose their right to the groundwater beneath their fallowed land. A model now under development envisions a system of water credits and the involvement of a shared-benefit solar power organization.
Opinion: We can find common ground to solve challenging water issues [CalMatters]
… Balancing groundwater supply and demand, as required by the law, will no doubt be challenging … The question we need to address is, how can we make sure that agriculture can still thrive while some farmland becomes productive in new ways, whether it’s with less water-intensive ranching, low-impact solar projects, wildlife habitat or recreational areas for our families to enjoy on picnics and hikes?
Opinion: After this year’s wildfires, California must spend to manage forest health [Redding Record Searchlight]
… Local agencies must take the lead on forest restoration efforts. … Each of us needs to accept that small-scale, controlled fires are a natural condition in California. … We must support more funding for forest thinning and prescribed fire. … Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature were unsuccessful in their attempts earlier this year to boost funding for forest health projects. It’s imperative that funding succeed in the year ahead. That may require broad public support for a bond measure.
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