California Agriculture Under Pressure: Manuel Cunha on Labor, Water and Regulation

California agriculture is facing a growing list of challenges, and on the latest AgNet NewsHour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni takes a hard look at those issues in a wide-ranging conversation with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League. The two-part interview examines the pressures confronting farmers and farm workers, from labor and water to regulations, rising costs, farmland losses and the political decisions shaping the future of California agriculture. Papagni also continues his call for California political leaders to provide real answers about what they intend to do to keep farming viable in the state.

A major focus of the conversation is California’s regulatory environment. Cunha describes a system involving more than 65 agencies and hundreds of regulations that farmers must navigate, arguing that the burden falls particularly hard on small and family-owned operations that do not have large administrative staffs. According to Cunha, the combination of regulations, water restrictions and rising operating costs is contributing to farm closures and bankruptcies. He cites a decline of approximately 14,000 farmers and a reduction in total farmland from roughly 29 million acres to 22 million acres between 1992 and 2022, warning that another significant decline could be visible when the next agricultural census is conducted.

Labor remains another critical issue. Papagni and Cunha discuss the H-2A program, work authorization and the difficulty California farmers face in finding and retaining the workforce necessary to harvest and produce food. They also discuss the H-2A adverse wage rate and the reality that farmers are largely “price takers,” meaning they generally cannot simply raise the price of their commodities to offset higher labor, fuel, freight and regulatory costs. For Cunha, solving agricultural labor is essential to keeping farms operating and ensuring that food continues to reach consumers.

The interview also explores what Cunha considers an increasingly adversarial relationship between farmers and regulatory agencies. He recounts an incident involving a 93-year-old grower and an OSHA enforcement officer, using the encounter to illustrate his concerns about excessive enforcement and a lack of respect for farmers. Both Cunha and Papagni argue that agricultural organizations can provide growers with important information and assistance when dealing with regulatory agencies. Cunha encourages farmers to become involved with agricultural organizations so they can better understand their rights and protect both their operations and workers.

Underlying the entire discussion is the theme of food security. Cunha and Papagni repeatedly stress that food security is national security, warning that once productive farmland and experienced farmers disappear, they may not easily return. They argue that California’s agricultural industry should be treated as a strategic asset rather than an obstacle and that policymakers need to consider the long-term consequences of regulations that make farming increasingly difficult.

The conversation also turns toward California’s upcoming election and the need for voters to become informed and participate. Papagni urges listeners to evaluate candidates based on their ideas and proposed solutions, particularly regarding agriculture, water, labor and the state’s business climate. He also encourages farmers and rural residents to consult their local Farm Bureau organizations regarding upcoming ballot propositions.

There is far more to this conversation than can be captured in a short summary. Tune in to the full AgNet NewsHour podcast to hear Nick Papagni and Manuel Cunha discuss the challenges facing California farmers, the future of agricultural labor, the regulatory maze growers must navigate, farmland losses, food security and what they believe needs to change. The full interview provides the details, firsthand perspective and candid conversation every California agriculture supporter should hear.

Listen to Part 2 of the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.