Christine Souza, Ag Alert Journalist Profile

Articles

Ag Alert

1 day ago | agalert.com | Christine Souza

By Christine Souza The California State Water Resources Control Board heard an update on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which requires local agencies to bring groundwater basins into balance by 2040 and 2042. Under SGMA, critically overdrafted groundwater basins have until 2040 to achieve sustainability.
Farm Bureau delegation calls for support

4 weeks ago | dailydemocrat.com | Christine Souza

California farmers and ranchers met at the state Capitol in Sacramento last week to draw attention to key agricultural priorities during this session of the California Legislature, including a tax credit to offset the cost of paying overtime wages and put more money into the hands of farm employees.
Ag Alert

1 month ago | agalert.com | Christine Souza

By Christine Souza California farmers and ranchers met at the state Capitol in Sacramento last week to draw attention to key agricultural priorities during this session of the California Legislature, including a tax credit to offset the cost of paying overtime wages and put more money into the hands of farm employees.
Sierra Booster Newspaper - Sierra Booster

1 month ago | sierrabooster.com | Christine Souza

March 25, 2025California Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Esmerelda Soria, D-Fresno, left, and chief committee consultant Victor Francovich, right, meet with California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass and Farm Bureau Board Member Jay Mahil and Mahil’s son Muntej Mahil.
Initial CVP water allotment may not increase plantings

1 month ago | wlj.net | Christine Souza

Farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta who irrigate with water supplied by the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) say they are thankful for a 35% water allocation announced in February. But due to the timing of the announcement and lower crop prices, they say the initial allocation by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation may not lead to more planted acres.
Heavy bee mortality puts almond pollination at risk

1 month ago | cerescourier.com | Christine Souza

By CHRISTINE SOUZASpecial to the Ceres (Calif.) CourierCalifornia almond orchards have turned snowy white, signaling the start of bloom. However, beekeepers say that bee mortality rates are at an all-time high, and they are concerned there may not be enough honeybees to pollinate the 2025 almond crop. “The commercial beekeeping industry is experiencing significant hive loses nationwide,” said Ryan Burris, president of the California State Beekeepers Association.
Ag Alert

1 month ago | agalert.com | Christine Souza

By Christine Souza Farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta who irrigate with water supplied by the federal Central Valley Project say they are thankful for a 35% water allocation announced in February. But due to the timing of the announcement and lower crop prices, they say the initial allocation by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation may not lead to more planted acres.
Ag Alert

1 month ago | agalert.com | Christine Souza

By Christine Souza Facing an inconsistent supply of employees, higher costs and growing pressure due to market instability, a grower-processor in Santa Clara County’s Silicon Valley has turned to technology to boost efficiency and stay competitive in the challenging produce industry. Tim Chiala, chief operations officer of Morgan Hill-based George Chiala Farms Inc., has invested in more technology at his family-run farming and food-processing company.
Sierra Booster Newspaper - Sierra Booster

1 month ago | sierrabooster.com | Christine Souza

By Christine SouzaFacing an inconsistent supply of employees, higher costs and growing pressure due to market instability, a grower-processor in Santa Clara County’s Silicon Valley has turned to technology to boost efficiency and stay competitive in the challenging produce industry. Tim Chiala, chief operations officer of Morgan Hill-based George Chiala Farms Inc., has invested in more technology at his family-run farming and food-processing company.
Heavy bee mortality puts almond pollination at risk

1 month ago | turlockjournal.com | Christine Souza

BY CHRISTINE SOUZA AgAlert California almond orchards have turned snowy white, signaling the start of bloom. However, beekeepers say that bee mortality rates are at an all-time high, and they are concerned there may not be enough honeybees to pollinate the 2025 almond crop. “The commercial beekeeping industry is experiencing significant hive loses nationwide,” said Ryan Burris, president of the California State Beekeepers Association.