Ross emphasized that agriculture in California is at a critical moment, balancing economic pressures, regulatory demands, and long-term sustainability goals. She noted that farming today requires navigating a complex landscape of competing interests across a state with more than 39 million residents.

“Everything in farming is difficult right now,” Ross said. “The job of government is to balance… a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

One of the biggest issues discussed was water—an ongoing concern for growers across the state. Ross pointed to changing weather patterns, including reduced snowpack reliability, as a major factor impacting water availability. While some argue the issue is tied to infrastructure, she stressed that shifting hydrology must also be considered.

“Our hydrology looks like it’s changing,” she said. “We must do a better job with water storage. It’s that simple.”

Ross highlighted continued efforts to invest in water infrastructure, including regional storage, groundwater cleanup, and large-scale projects like Sites Reservoir. However, she acknowledged that funding and permitting remain significant hurdles.

Beyond water, the conversation turned to regulation and the burden it places on farmers. Ross recognized that California’s regulatory system has grown increasingly complex over time, often requiring farmers to submit similar information to multiple agencies.

“We’ve seen continuous add-on,” she said. “People are asking for the same information… in slightly different forms.”

Efforts are underway to streamline some of those requirements, including pilot programs aimed at aligning reporting across agencies. Ross indicated that improving efficiency without sacrificing standards is a key goal moving forward.

She also discussed the importance of innovation in agriculture, including a newly released statewide roadmap focused on research, technology, and long-term resiliency. The plan aims to support growers over the next decade by improving productivity while addressing environmental and economic challenges.

Ross stressed that resilience must include profitability, not just environmental goals.

“You cannot have climate resiliency or environmental resiliency if you don’t have economic resiliency,” she said.

Looking ahead, Ross said the future of California agriculture will likely include more automation, improved technology, and a stronger focus on sustainability. However, she emphasized that maintaining family farms and supporting rural communities must remain a priority.

“Over 93 percent of California farms are family farms,” she said. “They take a long-term view.”

As she prepares to step down after 16 years as Secretary, Ross encouraged continued collaboration across the industry, government, and agricultural organizations to ensure a strong future for farming in the state.

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

The AgNet News Hour featured a conversation with Aqua4D manager Jeff Nunes, who explained how new water-treatment technology could help farmers improve irrigation efficiency, reduce line clogging, and better manage salinity and bicarbonate issues that continue to impact operations across California.

Nunes said Aqua4D uses electromagnetic fields and frequencies to treat water without chemicals, helping address problems tied to poor water quality. The technology was first developed in Switzerland, where researchers were looking for ways to reduce scale buildup in pipes caused by highly alkaline water. What they discovered, Nunes explained, was that the treatment did more than just clean infrastructure.

“They just started off trying to descale and de-lime,” Nunes said. “What happened was miraculous.”

According to Nunes, one of the biggest challenges growers face is the buildup of biofilm and mineral deposits inside irrigation systems. Over time, those issues can clog emitters, reduce water uniformity, increase pump strain, and force farmers to spend more time and money maintaining lines.

“We do have major biofilm and major calcification in irrigation systems,” he said.

That kind of maintenance burden is especially frustrating for growers already dealing with difficult soil and water conditions. Nunes pointed to areas in the San Joaquin Valley, including parts of Madera, Chowchilla, Bakersfield, and beyond, where salinity and bicarbonate levels create ongoing obstacles for crop production. In some cases, he said, the soils are so saline they are considered nearly unproductive without intervention.

Rather than relying on acids or other chemical treatments, Aqua4D aims to improve the way water moves through irrigation systems and interacts with soils. Nunes said the treatment can help release biofilm from pipes, improve emitter performance, and support better mineral distribution in the soil profile.

“We’re harnessing the hydrogen and oxygen in the water,” he said. “Now the water can carry those fertilizers that are highly important.”

Nunes emphasized that the system is not a silver bullet, but part of a broader effort to improve farm efficiency and sustainability. He said growers still need good soil management, healthy inputs, and strong agronomic practices, but better water function can create a stronger starting point.

The conversation also touched on the bigger pressures facing agriculture, including grower stress, rising costs, and the challenge of keeping family farms viable for the next generation. Nunes argued that technology should help make farming more efficient and less overwhelming.

“We need to make farming fun again,” he said.

As growers continue searching for ways to stretch resources and improve performance, tools that address water quality could become an increasingly important part of the conversation.

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

The April 8 episode of AgNet News Hour featured a conversation with longtime Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever Blattler, highlighting her nearly two-decade career supporting agriculture and the critical role local farm bureaus play in advocating for farmers across California.

Blattler, who has spent 19 years leading the Tulare County Farm Bureau, discussed the scope and importance of agriculture in one of the most productive regions in the country. With over one million acres of irrigated farmland and a dairy industry valued at more than $1 billion, Tulare County remains a cornerstone of California agriculture.

“We are the largest dairy county in America,” she said. “We create a lot of milk and a lot of products for milk in this county.”

Her role has placed her at the center of key agricultural conversations, from local issues like land use and water access to broader challenges tied to regulation and policy. She emphasized that farm bureaus serve as a vital bridge between farmers and decision-makers.

“If you have a question about your land use or a water question… you can call your local Farm Bureau and get some form of assistance,” Blattler explained.

Beyond advocacy, she highlighted the importance of community and education within agriculture. Programs like FFA and 4-H continue to shape future leaders, though she noted challenges in maintaining a strong pipeline of agricultural educators.

“The number of ag teachers entering the pipeline is getting smaller and smaller,” she said, pointing to retention challenges within the profession.

As California prepares for a new governor, Blattler stressed the importance of leadership that understands rural communities and agriculture’s role in the state’s economy.

“Anytime rural communities… can have better representation in Sacramento, I think everyone in agriculture would see that as a win,” she said.

Blattler also reflected on her personal journey, growing up in an agricultural family in Exeter and building a career rooted in service to the farming community. Her experience spans both state and county-level Farm Bureau work, giving her a deep understanding of the industry’s evolving challenges.

As she prepares to step down later this year, Blattler plans to stay connected to agriculture through consulting and strategic advisory work, particularly helping farm families navigate succession planning and long-term business decisions.

“I’ve created a wonderful network of family farms and business owners,” she said. “I’m hoping to work with a small number of clients on strategic planning and leadership transition.”

She also expressed interest in writing and raising awareness about mental health in agriculture, an issue she has become passionate about in recent years.

Reflecting on her career, Blattler emphasized the sense of community that defines Farm Bureau work.

“Farm Bureau is a family,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure to serve and be a voice for this organization.”