A National Perspective with Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Release Date: 02/03/2021
Building Sites Reservoir: California's Next Major Water Project
Capitol Farm Connection
Sites Project Authority Executive Director Jerry Brown (no relation to former Gov. Jerry Brown) discusses the timeline, funding, as well as water supply and environmental benefits of the reservoir project. Listen as Ag Council President Emily Rooney poses pertinent questions about the off-river reservoir to be built north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and how it fits into the larger picture of improving California’s water management system and restoring flexibility and reliability.
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Governor Announces Water Supply Strategy: In A Nutshell
Capitol Farm Connection
How does the Governor’s recently released water supply plan improve or impact the water supply for agriculture? Emily and Tricia walk through the high-level provisions including streamlining the permit projects for major water infrastructure projects, creating internal strike teams to expedite the process for supply and conveyance projects and current and additional investments in these areas. The team also highlights issues of concerns such as a future look at curtailments and water rights. The Governor’s plan can be found .
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Single-use Packaging Legislation Signed into Law in California
Capitol Farm Connection
Emily and Tricia dive deep into the comprehensive statewide packaging measure, SB 54 (Allen), signed into law in June by Governor Newsom. SB 54 is aims at reducing single-use plastic packaging in California. It places responsibility for the cost of the regulation on producers of that packaging. This bill impacts the food industry in many aspects and Emily and Tricia walk through several key provisions. Though there is an important exemption for on-farm packaging, the measure will be challenging for many companies operating at the first point of processing. Listen-in as the...
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Capitol Farm Connection Celebrates 50 Episodes
Capitol Farm Connection
As the Capitol Farm Connection podcast hits 50 episodes, Emily and Tricia discuss (anonymous) feedback from listeners selected from a recent podcast survey. Ag Council is working to bring our members and friends the most informative and relevant podcast content possible, and your input is appreciated. Haven't taken the podcast survey? Click for the quick survey. Thanks for your support and enjoy!
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State Water Board Fees: In a Nutshell
Capitol Farm Connection
Exorbitant fees at the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) are the focus of today’s In a Nutshell podcast. Ag Council is leading a coalition to request financial relief from the General Fund in the state budget for the regulated community to respond to the out-of-control SWRCB fees that continue to increase on an annual basis. These funds would not be a total elimination of SWRCB fees for agriculture. Instead, the dollars would partially reduce those fees and ensure those programs that benefit the public statewide, such as beach cleanup programs, are being paid for by...
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Spring Legislative Outlook
Capitol Farm Connection
Get up to speed on legislation pending in the State Capitol. Emily and Tricia discuss several bills moving through the State Legislature ranging from water to labor to the supply chain.
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Member Spotlight: Dan Vincent, CEO of Pacific Coast Producers
Capitol Farm Connection
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Improving the Buy American Provision in School Purchasing Programs
Capitol Farm Connection
Legislation sponsored by Ag Council to strengthen Buy American policies for public school food purchases is under consideration in the State Legislature. Emily and Tricia explain the need for the bill, SB 1308, and the importance of setting a Buy American standard into state law. SB 1308 is authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and is supported by multiple agricultural organizations.
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Drought Update: Recent Developments in Sacramento
Capitol Farm Connection
Emily and Tricia walk through the pertinent provisions of the Governor's recent drought Executive Order (EO) affecting agriculture in this podcast. They cover new permit requirements in the groundwater section and the steps required under the EO to develop new wells or alter existing groundwater wells in areas subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and located in medium or high priority basins in California. The team also covers legislation moving through the State Capitol that could impact the ability to get new wells in SGMA territories. To read a fact...
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Final Budget Outcomes for Ag & Water Programs
Capitol Farm Connection
Curious about the final funding levels for significant agriculture and water programs in the state budget? Emily and Tricia cover state budget funding outcomes resulting from our 2021 advocacy work for programs, including: Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) projects, canal repairs for improved water conveyance, FARMER Program, Healthy Soils Program, Alternatives to Agricultural Open Burning Incentive Program, pollinator habitat protection, dairy methane reduction projects and others.
info_outlineExplore how the Biden Administration changes the outlook on a number of policy issues impacting agriculture. Opportunities arise with immigration reform, school breakfast and lunch programs and climate policies. Questions emerge around fiscal and economic policy and the balance of Congress over the course of the next four years. Emily discusses these topics and more with Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC).
NCFC advances the business and policy interests of America’s cooperatives and other farmer-owned businesses, through its work on federal policy issues in Washington, DC. Ag Council and a number of its members are part of NCFC. For more information, please visit: http://ncfc.org .