Sand Hill Cranes are Back, the 1st Sign of Spring in Modoc The Modoc County Vol. 133, No. 1
RECORD Alturas, California
March 27, 2025
$1.00
Serving Modoc Since 1892 14 Pages
Rural Northern California Farmers Face Rising Costs, Automation Challenges Farmers in rural Northern California are facing a tough road ahead. Labor costs are rising, farmland is shrinking, and there’s growing pressure to adopt new technology. Experts warn that these challenges could significantly reshape the region’s agricultural landscape in the coming decades. At the annual Cherry Institute in Yakima, Washington, Walt Duflock of Western Growers spoke about statewide farming trends. He pointed out over the past 12 years, labor costs have increased significantly, particularly for farmers who rely on the H-2A visa program for seasonal workers. The program’s minimum wages, combined with housing and food costs,
push expenses to $29 per hour in California—the highest in the country. Many growers are struggling to absorb these costs, leading some to scale back operations or shift to crops requiring less manual labor. Others are turning to automation to reduce dependence on human workers. Companies like Carbon Robotics and Monarch Tractor offer robotic weeders and autonomous tractors, technologies that some believe are critical for sustaining specialty crop production. Another major concern is farmland loss. USDA data shows California could lose one-third of its farm acreage and half its farmers by 2052, compared to 1997. As land disappears, ag tech companies—many
of which rely on being close to crops—may move operations out of state. At the same time, investment in agricultural technology is slowing. Venture capital funding peaked at $53 billion in 2021 but has dropped 69%, partly due to the collapse of vertical farming startups. This makes it harder for new automation companies to grow and support the farmers who need them. Policy decisions will play a key role in the industry’s future. Assemblyperson Heather Hadwick for District #1 has underscored the need for pragmatic, grounded support: “We must take these concerns seriously. That means investing in practical solutions like water infrastructure, modernized ports, and tax incentives that truly
support producers on the ground. Innovation is important, but it must be paired with policies that make sense for rural California. If we want to preserve our state’s agricultural heritage and protect future generations of farmers, we need to ensure they have the tools, support, and voice they deserve.” “I will continue to advocate for policies that protect our land, uplift our rural economies, and honor the vital role of agriculture in California,” Hadwick added. Her comments echo what many in the industry already feel: that without targeted support, the future of California’s agriculture is uncertain.
Modoc County Board of Supervisors March Meetings Tackle Health Contracts, Emergency Declarations, Groundwater Management, and More In two meetings held on March 11 and March 25, 2025, the Modoc County Board of Supervisors addressed a broad range of county business, including property transfers, emergency declarations, infrastructure updates, and interagency agreements. At the March 11 meeting, Supervisors approved the transfer of multiple vehicles and equipment from the Agriculture Department to other county departments and authorized the sale of two
aging ATVs to Trinity County for $1 each. Scott Ward was appointed District IV Commissioner to the Fish, Game, and Recreation Commission. The Board also adopted an ordinance updating building regulations and approved a $45,000 Behavioral Health contract for renovations to a Transitional Age Youth Center. In response to ongoing challenges, the Board confirmed local emergency declarations related to gray wolves and flood conditions and authorized grant
applications for Tulelake Airport improvements. Several agreements with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources were approved to support county services and groundwater efforts. The Board also greenlit a consulting contract with the Weist Law Firm and submitted required groundwater basin reports to the Department of Water Resources. During the March 25 meeting, Supervisors approved amended health-related contracts with Partnership Health
Plan and the Department of Healthcare Services. Two appointments were made to the First 5 Modoc Commission, and a $21,374 purchase of a Wanco Mini Matrix Message Board for public health was authorized. The Board also approved a new investment advisory contract with Meeder Public Funds and signed a revised agreement for a Federal Lands Access Program project. Both meetings included closed sessions to discuss labor negotiations and employee evaluations.
Updates were presented on military equipment use, and groundwater planning remained a central focus. Overall, the Board advanced several items aimed
at maintaining public services, supporting infrastructure, and managing health and environmental needs across the county.
Officials, Ranchers Raise Alarms Over Aggressive Wolf Behavior in Lassen County By Shaelene Tims With confirmed wolf kills rising and rural safety concerns mounting, Lassen County is the latest community to ask the state for help. Sheriff John McGarva met with ranchers, elected officials, and wildlife agency representatives at the Dixie Valley Ranch to discuss the growing threat posed by as many as 7 different wolf packs, according to a website dedicated to the Lassen Pack. The Harvey Pack has been linked to six confirmed calf kills in the Big Valley area in March alone, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Ranchers also report wolves
approaching within 15 yards of homes, digging through trash, and entering areas where children play. “These wolves aren’t just killing livestock. They’re getting too comfortable around people,” McGarva said. In attendance were Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick, Lassen County Supervisor Aaron Albaugh, staff from Senator Megan Dahle’s office, and representatives from CDFW. Wildlife officials discussed the use of deterrents like electric fencing and fladry (flagging lines), but locals say the wolves become desensitized and return within days.
On March 24, McGarva sent a formal letter to CDFW Director Chuck Bonham urging the agency to take stronger action. “The community at large feels that the Department of Fish and Wildlife is more concerned about the continued population of wolves and other apex predators than the safety of the residents in these areas,” he wrote. CDFW has not publicly responded to the letter. The agency continues to promote non-lethal strategies and emphasizes “coexistence” between wildlife and communities. But some say that approach isn’t working. “‘Coexistence’ is a charismatic term used to neutralize people who are
opposed to sharing space with wildlife,” said Mike Costello, spokesperson for HOWL for Wildlife, a conservation advocacy group. “But current policy is effectively forcing “cohabitation” with apex predators. Citizens are being made to share their private property with wolves, whether they want to or not.” That concern is shared in Modoc County. In a recent clip of a video interview the Record shared, Sheriff Tex Dowdy criticized the state’s stance, saying the government is asking rural residents to protect state-managed wildlife at the cost of their own safety, property, and livelihood. HOWL for Wildlife
describes itself as an organization committed to science-based wildlife and fisheries management. The group says its mission is to prevent policy decisions based on emotion or misinformation and to give the public tools to take action on conservation issues. The organization has submitted a letter to the California Fish and Game Commission, calling for updates to the state’s Gray Wolf Management
Plan, the development of science-based criteria for delisting wolves from endangered status, support for federal delisting, protection of Tule elk, and stronger livestock protections. Residents who wish to support the effort can sign onto HOWL’s letter at howlforwildlife.org or send comments directly to the California Fish and Game Commission by emailing fgc@fgc. ca.gov.