…the USDA’s broader commitment to strengthening the specialty crop sector—a vital component of the U.S. agricultural economy and a key contributor to national nutrition and food security. By helping farmers…
U.S.–Morocco Ag Ties Strengthened During California Almond Tour
…with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the initiative was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of…
Water, Land, and Policy: Farmer Andrew Leimgruber Speaks Out
…the Amazon to replace what we stop producing here. How do environmentalists justify that?” Foreign Land Ownership and National Security His recent national news appearance centered on concerns over Chinese…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-02-25
…sensitive military sites—calling it both a food security and national security issue. The show also explores the ripple effects of the closing Spreckels Sugar factory, which could impact 28,000 acres…
Corn Plantings Rise, Soybeans and Cotton Fall in 2025
…Cotton Overview: Total cotton acreage: 10.1 million acres (down 10%) Upland cotton: 9.95 million acres (down 9%) American Pima: 171,000 acres (down 17%) 97% of upland cotton is biotech, up…
How Native Crops and European Grains Shaped U.S. Agriculture
…wheat moved across the Appalachians into the Corn Belt, cementing their place in American food systems. In the South, crops like tobacco, peanuts, and cotton became economic cornerstones, shaping regional…
America’s First State Fair and Its Agriculture Roots
How Farm Family Rivalry Sparked a National Agricultural Tradition In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores the spirited origins of an enduring tradition in U.S….
Joel Allen on Westside Farming, Family Legacy, and Football Fame
…and his operation has recently partnered with Producers Dairy for corn silage production. “Cotton just wasn’t penciling out… corn silage is a good fit for our operation,” Allen noted. Labor,…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 06-25-25
…from cotton due to market challenges. He emphasizes the growing importance of smart crop rotation, dependable labor contractors, and adjusting to the rising costs of freight and inputs. But it’s…
Cotton, and Cotton Gin, Helped Shape American Ag Economy
…cotton became one of the nation’s most transformative crops. How Cotton Helped Shape America’s Agricultural Economy When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, he discovered cotton growing…
Darren Hill: Why JD Food Buys Beef Nationwide
…other packers to have enough product for our customers.” Hill emphasized that even companies considered small on a national scale must cast a wide net to meet demand in the…
Solar Panels, Farmland, and the Fight to Keep Farming
…that the San Joaquin Valley holds a unique position in the country’s agricultural and national security framework. “A country that can’t feed itself, can’t defend itself,” he stated. “You can’t…
California Farming at a Crossroads
…trends are leading the country toward a serious food security crisis. With 70% of U.S.-grown fruit and 50% of vegetables coming from California, policy-driven land reductions could have national consequences….
AgNet News Hour Friday, 06-20-25
…drawn praise from leading industry groups, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, for its aggressive and proactive approach to protecting domestic food supplies. Rollins also detailed a five-part USDA strategy…