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crop or lambing crop or goat crop just be- cause of the wolf issue,” Aldana said. The group also discussed Assembly Bill 1585, which would require that wine la- beled as “American” or “United States” be made with 100% U.S.-grown grapes. Wines labeled “American” are currently allowed to contain up to 25% imported bulk wine from other countries. Emma Brandstad, a San Joaquin Coun- ty YF&R member, said she’s spoken with winegrape growers, including her father, who support the bill. She said she doesn’t want to prevent the use of imported bulk wines but sees the law as one that would ensure transparency. “Consumers want to support American and domestic wines,” she said. “You need to allow them that opportunity. Right now,
they’re being fed false information, and it’s just not fair.” Members also talked about Assembly Bill 2447, which focuses on limiting nitrate contamination to California’s water supply by creating stricter requirements, includ- ing limiting nitrogen fertilizer applications. California Farm Bureau opposes the bill. Claire Case, a Napa County YF&R par- ticipant and programs director for Napa County Farm Bureau, said she regularly works with growers who would be impact- ed by the bill. She said she opposes it be- cause it defies existing, ongoing agricultur- al efforts to address nitrogen management. “There’s already compliance programs in place that do the same thing, but on a more reasonable level, like the irrigated lands pro- gram that the growers are currently enrolled
in,” Case said. “This bill is just too unreason- able, and it would eliminate the current pro- grams in place that are already working.” This year marked Case’s first time partic- ipating in Calling on the Capitol. She said issues such as AB 2447 are the reason she came—to talk to legislators about issues happening far from the Capitol steps. “They’re not involved in it. They’re so far removed from the farm,” Case said, referring to lawmakers. “It’s just really important to be able to share my story and the stories I hear from other people when I have the chance because not ev- eryone gets to hear our side and what’s actually happening.” Manola Secaira is a staff writer for Ag Alert. She can be reached at msecaira@cfbf.com.
California Farm Bureau supports modernizing regulations to allow farm- ers to stay up to date and invest in tran- sitioning farmworkers to higher-skilled technical jobs. The group also discussed impacts of predators, particularly the protected gray wolves that have preyed upon livestock, impacting the livelihoods of ranchers in areas where they’re most present. Califor- nia Farm Bureau has asked state officials for $48.8 million in funding to help com- pensate farmers for losses, rapid response, management and other efforts to address predator impacts. Though he hasn’t had problems with wolves, Mendocino County rancher Mat- thew Delbar said he has been impacted by other predators such as bears and moun- tain lions. He said he has heard how gray wolves have affected other ranchers, add- ing it’s important for the state to support ranchers by offering options for relief. “We’d rather have the ability to man- age predators that may soon be coming,” he said. Modoc County YF&R member Haley Al- dana said she’s seen the impacts not just in her region but in Sierra, Plumas and Las- sen counties, all of which have struggled with wolves attacking livestock. “A lot of ranchers are losing their calf
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you’re doing what’s needed to protect yourself and your family.” Follow up when you can. A phone call, text message or stopping by can be powerful reminders that the person is not alone. If someone talks about feeling trapped, wanting to die, or harming themselves or others, take it seriously. Stay with them, either in person or by phone. Encourage immediate help. Call or text 988, the Sui- cide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 for confidential support. You can call for guid- ance even if you are unsure what to say or do. You can call 911 or take the person to the emergency room if he or she is in im- minent danger of harm. Seeking emergency help is an act of care and responsibility, not a betrayal of trust. Agriculture depends on resilience, hard work and perseverance. But no one can or should carry everything alone. Paying attention to one another, asking difficult questions and offering support can make a real difference, not just for individuals but for the entire agricultural community. Sometimes the most important thing you can say is simply, “I’m here, and you don’t have to go through this alone.” Dr. Debra Kawahara-Nagata is the 2025 president of the American Psychological Association and interim academic dean at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. She can be reached at dkawahara@alliant.edu.
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16 Ag Alert May 6, 2026
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