ASFMRA: The Biggest Issues Impacting California Farmland Values

ASFMRA’s Tony Toso joins us with an update on California farmland values, ongoing market uncertainty, and key discussions shaping agriculture in the Golden State.

central valley_ca_farmher_S6E1_shanley-farms.jpg

A View of California’s Central Valley (FarmHER Season 6, Episode 1 featuring Megan Shanley Warren)

FarmHER, Inc.

MODESTO, CALIF. (RFD NEWS) — Ongoing uncertainty in agriculture—from spring weather patterns to global events impacting input prices—is creating ripple effects across market trends and land values.

Tony Toso with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report from Modesto to share the latest insights from his region.

In his interview with RFD News, Toso discussed the California Chapter Spring Outlook Conference, highlighting key conversations taking place among ag professionals. He also previewed expectations for the upcoming Outlook 2026 Agribusiness Conference and Trends Report, including what speakers may address regarding land values and commodity trends across California.

Toso touched on his involvement in educational efforts this week, including teaching a conservation easement appraisal course, and explained why the topic is increasingly important for landowners and the broader ag industry. He also shared what attendees are seeing firsthand during the ag tour in the Modesto area, offering a closer look at conditions on the ground.

Related Stories
Breakout country music star Austin Williams joined us at RFD-TV Studios to talk about his upbringing, how he started playing music after a back surgery, and his current and upcoming projects.
What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the split-interest transaction? And what are the rules when property that was acquired in a split-interest transaction is sold? That is the topic of today’s blog post by RFD-TV Agri-Legal Expert Roger McEowen.
A split-interest transaction involves one party acquiring a temporary interest in the asset (such as a term certain or life estate), with the other party acquiring a remainder interest. That is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger A. McEowen.
As I try to catch up on my writing after being on the road for a lengthy time, I have several recurring themes in my legal work. Another potpourri of random ag law and tax issues — that is the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV Agrilegal Expert Roger McEowen.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

AFBF Economist Bearnt Nelson joins us with insights into current turkey flock sizes, HPAI concerns, and production impacts on holiday demand.
Dr. Beetham outlined the background of the EU’s decision to modernize seed regulations and where the process stands today, and its impact on global agriculture and food security.
“It, all of a sudden, says that tracking and fighting hunger is not a priority, apparently, at the federal level.”
Colin Reilly with Connected Nation joined RFD-TV News to explain how the tool works and why it’s an important step in bridging the digital divide.
Jeremy Kelly explains how Darling Ingredients’ mission aligns with FFA’s values and why investing in future ag leaders is so important.