California’s raisin industry is at a crossroads, facing declining acreage, rising labor and production costs, global competition and the challenge of attracting the next generation of farmers. But Jeff Smutny,…
Jeff Smutny Part 2: Reinventing California Raisins for a New Generation
…of California raisins. This time, the focus turned toward rebuilding demand through innovation, modern marketing and reaching a new generation of consumers. Smutny believes innovation will be critical. Raisins are…
USDA Trade Push Meets a Changing California Raisin Industry
…and expanding markets for U.S. products, while Jeff Smutny, president and managing director of the Raisin Administrative Committee, shared his outlook for an iconic California specialty crop. Lindberg, who has…
California Figs Find New Momentum as Demand Grows
…agriculture’s most distinctive specialty crops. California Figs Find New Momentum as Demand Grows Learn more: CaliforniaFigs.com , Kris Caputo, Marketing Director, California Fig Advisory Board and California Fresh Fig Growers…
California Figs Make a Comeback as Growers Respond to Rising Demand
On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Kris Caputo, marketing director for the California Fig Advisory Board and California Fresh Fig Growers Association, discussed renewed momentum for California figs…
Land-Grant Universities Transform American Agriculture
…technology. California Polytechnic State University, commonly known as Cal Poly, also has a land-grant connection while offering education extending well beyond traditional agricultural studies. The land-grant model ultimately became much…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor and the Future of West Side Farming
Joe Del Bosque: A Farmer’s View of California Agriculture California agriculture is facing a complicated combination of extreme weather, water shortages, labor challenges, rising costs, regulations and uncertain markets. Few…
Joe Del Bosque: California Farming Faces a Critical Future
…imports. Agriculture, Food Security and California-Grown Produce A central theme of the conversation is the importance of California agriculture to the nation’s food supply. Del Bosque emphasizes that California has…
Joe Del Bosque on Farming the West Side: Water, Labor and Resilience
The latest AgNet News Hour takes listeners to California’s West Side for an in-depth conversation with Joe Del Bosque of Del Bosque Farms, as “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni and…
Merced College Prepares the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
…10-acre almond block with the Almond Board of California. Duarte Nursery donated four almond varieties, while Sunridge and Dave Wilson Nursery are among the partners supporting the college’s four-acre stone…
Merced College Prepares Students for Agriculture’s Future
…is preparing students for those opportunities. Jacobsen highlighted Merced College’s strong connections with California high schools and FFA programs. The college hosts statewide FFA competitions, welding finals and other agricultural…
Merced College Builds the Future of Agriculture
…working farm. Students have access to a 10-acre almond block developed with the Almond Board of California, stone fruit acreage supported by nursery partners, table grapes and approximately 35 acres…
Business Leader Kyle Kirkland Outlines Vision for California’s Future
…programs without evaluating their effectiveness. Looking Toward California’s Future Despite acknowledging California’s many challenges, Kirkland remains optimistic. He recalled arriving in California as a graduate student with little money before…
Kyle Kirkland Part 2: Water Reliability and Regulatory Reform Key to California Agriculture
Reliable water supplies and practical regulations remain two of the biggest issues facing California agriculture, according to congressional candidate Kyle Kirkland. In Part 2 of his interview on the AgNet…