AgNet News Hour: Farm Labor, Water Tech in Focus

California agriculture faces constant changes in labor regulations, water management and operating costs, making timely information increasingly important for farmers and ranchers. On the latest AgNet News Hour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni covers those issues with California Farm Bureau Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) General Manager Anna Genasci and RanchBot CEO Andrew Coppin. The full podcast is available below or on your favorite podcast app.

Genasci explains how FELS helps agricultural employers navigate California’s complicated labor, safety and compliance environment. The organization works with operations of all sizes, providing services that can include onsite training, mock Cal/OSHA inspections, safety assistance and connections with agricultural labor attorneys. Genasci describes one recent situation involving an employer facing an employee performance issue that quickly became a potential legal dispute, illustrating the value of having access to professional guidance before a situation escalates.

The discussion also examines regulatory changes growers need to watch. Genasci points to Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements involving treated seed that could affect farm labor contractors and employees involved in planting. She says FELS plans to provide additional training and will host a free “What’s New in 2027” webinar covering important Cal/OSHA, HR and DPR developments. Growers can contact FELS through FELS.net, while Genasci also provided her direct phone number, 925-989-1621.

The program then shifts from labor compliance to one of agriculture’s most critical resources: water. Coppin explains how RanchBot uses sensors and satellite communications to give farmers and ranchers real-time information about wells, pumps, pipes, storage and reservoirs without requiring them to constantly travel around their operations. He argues that better monitoring can help producers document water use, identify problems sooner and make more informed management decisions.

Coppin also discusses the broader challenge of competing demands for water, changing weather patterns and the need for better data to understand actual water consumption. He points to the Ogallala Aquifer as an example of the broader national challenge and says RanchBot recently closed a Series B funding round totaling nearly $16 million. He encourages farmers and ranchers to consider technology that can improve productivity, reduce water waste and provide greater visibility into their water assets.

From labor compliance to water technology, this episode highlights two issues California producers are dealing with every day. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour podcast below or on your favorite podcast app for the complete conversations with Anna Genasci and Andrew Coppin.