California Agriculture Faces Growing Pressure on Labor, Water and Regulations

California agriculture is facing growing pressure from labor shortages, immigration uncertainty, water challenges, rising production costs and an increasingly complicated regulatory environment. On the AgNet News Hour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni sat down with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, for a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing California farmers and the future of the state’s agricultural industry.

Papagni opened the program by discussing several issues affecting agriculture, including rising California fuel prices, concerns about diesel costs and the potential role of propane as an alternative for some farm operations. He also touched on trade tensions involving Canada and their potential impact on California wine and citrus. In the almond industry, Papagni noted that prices were climbing as the crop appeared to be coming in lighter than expected, while California shipments reached 190 million pounds in August, up 20 percent from the previous year, with exports leading the way.

The conversation with Cunha quickly turned to agricultural labor and immigration. Cunha argued that California farmers need a reliable workforce and that the current immigration system does not adequately address the needs of agriculture or other labor-intensive industries. He discussed the Dignity Act as one potential framework for providing legal work authorization to people already contributing to the U.S. economy without automatically granting citizenship. He also called for industry-specific visa programs that reflect actual workforce needs rather than arbitrary limits.

Cunha said a workable system should establish legal pathways for workers to enter the country, provide employment authorization for qualified people already here and eventually require employers to participate in E-Verify. He also discussed the continuing role of human smugglers, or “coyotes,” saying migrants can pay approximately $15,000 to $20,000 per person to cross the border and that the system can involve extortion and human trafficking. In his view, creating legal avenues for workers would provide a safer and less expensive alternative.

The interview also highlighted the contributions of longtime immigrant workers in agriculture, construction, restaurants, housing and other industries. Cunha expressed concern about workers who have spent decades contributing to the economy while remaining without permanent legal status. He argued that immigration policy should distinguish between hardworking individuals contributing to their communities and those who commit serious crimes.

Another major issue was the regulatory burden facing California farmers. Cunha said agricultural producers must deal with more than 65 regulatory agencies and hundreds of rules covering areas such as labor, workplace safety, water, environmental requirements and county regulations. He argued that the cumulative burden can consume valuable time and make it increasingly difficult for family farms to remain viable.

Water was another central concern. Cunha said California must address its groundwater crisis while also developing additional water storage and recharge opportunities. He argued that farmers are already doing their part and that policymakers need to consider how water infrastructure and regulation affect the long-term viability of agriculture.

Perhaps the most important concern raised during the interview was the future of the next generation of farmers. Cunha shared the story of a 103-year-old Japanese American farmer who remains engaged in her operation and still follows raisin prices. He worries that younger people may look at the regulatory, labor and water challenges their parents and grandparents face and decide that farming is no longer worth pursuing.

The discussion ultimately connects labor, immigration, water and regulation to a much larger question: Can California continue to support a strong agricultural industry while maintaining the systems designed to protect workers, consumers and natural resources?

There is much more to this powerful conversation. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour podcast featuring Nick Papagni and Manuel Cunha for the complete discussion on California farm labor, immigration reform, coyotes, E-Verify, water, regulations and the future of family farming.

Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.