Todd Fitchette

Arizona

Associate Editor and Staff Writer at Western Farm Press

Agriculture journalist, photographer, Army veteran.

Articles

Arizona extension funding stagnant as inflation hits ag program

5 days ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Every year the ability of Arizona’s land grant university to continue its mission gets pinched by inflation as state funding has remained flat for a decade. Part of the pot of money the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension receives for extension research and programs comes from the State of Arizona. The $14.7 million in state funds is unchanged since 2015, according to Ed Martin, associate vice president and director of the Arizona Cooperative Extension system.
California fights South American palm weevil to protect date industry

1 week ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Insect threats may be nothing new to farmers, but one pest of concern has established itself in parts of southern California from San Diego to Camp Pendleton. The South American palm weevil is currently California’s largest weevil species, according to Mark Hoddle, an entomologist with the University of California, and an integrated pest management expert whose work continues in a variety of crops and ornamental plants in southern California and elsewhere.
UA entomologist John Palumbo's impact on desert vegetable farming

2 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Desert vegetable farmers lost a giant. John Palumbo, professor and extension specialist with the University of Arizona, recently died of cancer. Though we’ll miss his presence, his legacy will continue. The sad news of Palumbo’s passing spread quickly across social media. I first heard about it from the Yuma office of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Those who knew him shared their exposure to Palumbo, which is safe to say was all positive.
2.8 billion pound crop expected for 2025

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Weather during the critical almond bloom period varied this year in California, which is now being seen in nut set from Red Bluff to Arvin. In some cases, lower bee flight hours during pollination were reported. Still, growers are expecting a good crop size this year.Todd FitchetteThe first of two forecasts from the California almond industry points to the possibility of a 2.8 billion pound crop this year, slightly more than what growers harvested last year.
Imperial Valley farmers face challenges as last sugar beet plant closes

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Imperial Valley, Calif., farmers are reeling from a decision to shutter the state’s last sugar beet processing facility. The mid-April decision to close the plant caught the industry off guard. Spreckels Sugar Company between Imperial and Brawley will cease production this summer, with warehousing and shipping activities expected to last through the end of the year.
Ag communicator shares career insights with Iowa State students via Zoom

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

If there was one good thing that we gained out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the evolution of internet video conferencing. We no longer need to travel to see others face-to-face. If text messaging has somewhat replaced the phone call, it’ll be interesting to see how video conferencing morphs into the way we communicate. This marks the second year in a row where I was asked to join a group of students from Iowa State University on Zoom to answer questions about what I do as an ag communicator.
California's last sugar beet processor to close, impacting local economy

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

Sugar beet processing in California’s Imperial Valley will end this summer as the state’s last standing processing facility ceases production. Activities at the facility owned by the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative will continue through the end of the year as product warehousing and shipping operations move remaining product.Todd FitchetteCalifornia’s last sugar beet processor will shutter its doors this summer, ending a long chapter of sugar production in the Golden State.
Ag industry adapts as tariff effects unfold slowly

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

It may take until the end of this year before California and Arizona farmers clearly see the impacts tariffs will have on agricultural goods shipped overseas as even the latest reports and predictions have become outdated. A March report from Rabobank on the impacts to fruit, nuts and vegetables grown in California and Arizona was arguably dated as of mid-April, according to David Magana, a senior analyst with Rabobank with experience in the North American fresh produce and tree nut industries.
Trump administration to ease farm worker immigration rules

1 month ago | farmprogress.com | Joshua Baethge |Todd Fitchette

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said easing restrictions for noncitizen farmworkers is a top priority, as labor shortages continue to strain farmers across the U.S. Changes to the H-2A visa program and new legal pathways could offer relief soon. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the Trump administration is working to finalize more lenient guidelines for noncitizen farmworkers by harvest season. She said it’s an issue she’s had many long conversations with the president about over the years.
Demand rages ahead of U.S. pistachio supply

2 months ago | farmprogress.com | Todd Fitchette

This year’s pistachio crop is estimated at 1.1 billion pounds. Walnut production is expected to top 700,000 tons. Almonds are recovering from unprofitable grower returns. U.S. pistachios are largely sold out as optimism builds within U.S. almond and walnut markets. Jim Zion, managing partner of Meridian Growers, a California-based tree nut marketer, says what few supplies of U.S. pistachios remain will be sold for Asian festivals by the time harvest gets under way late this summer.