The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) continued its downward trend in February, marking the 17th decline in the past 18 months. The index, which measures the economic health of rural communities …
Congress Urged to Support American Growers
The International Fresh Produce Association is urging Congress to support American growers through bipartisan action to enhance food security and maintain U.S. leadership in fresh produce. Brett Erickson, Senior Vice …
USDA Unveils Blueprint to Combat the Avian Influenza Outbreak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled a blueprint to combat the avian influenza outbreak, which has affected 166 million birds since 2022, primarily egg-laying hens, and impacted 975 …
American Agriculture History Minute: Minnesota the Early Flour Capital of the U.S.
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. You wouldn’t think Minnesota would be the flour capital of the U.S., but indeed in 1915 it was. Over 20 million …
AgNet News Hour Tuesday, 03-04-25
Get the latest agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour. In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson announces her departure from AgNet West to join the North Dakota News Cooperative. Sabrina and …
Stewardship Agreement Announced to Enhance Wildfire Prevention
A $75 million stewardship agreement was announced to enhance wildfire prevention by expanding fuel breaks across private and federal lands in California and Oregon. This initiative, involving the USDA, US …
Hass Avocado Board Focuses on Promoting Avocados’ Health Benefits
The Hass Avocado Board‘s 2025 communications plan focuses on promoting avocados’ health benefits, particularly for heart health and type 2 diabetes management, targeting health professionals and consumers, especially the general …
Senate Bill 628 provides Tax Credit for Agricultural Employers
CA Senator Shannon Grove has proposed Senate Bill 628 to provide a tax credit for agricultural employers to cover overtime wages for farm workers, aiming to boost their earnings and …
California Agriculture Day is March 19
California’s agricultural community will celebrate California Agriculture Day on March 19, with a focus on the theme “Ag at Work: Cultivating Careers and Communities.” The event, hosted by the California …
High Bee Mortality Rates Potentially Affecting the 2025 Almond Crop
In West California, almond orchards are blooming, but beekeepers are alarmed by high bee mortality rates, potentially affecting the 2025 almond crop. The commercial beekeeping industry is experiencing significant hive …
American Agriculture History Minute: Mechanization Improves Labor Hours and Corn Production
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. In 1850, it’s estimated that it took 75 to 90 labor hours to produce 100 bushels of corn and took about …
Managing Shot Hole and Scab in Almond Orchards This Season
As almond growers enter the growing season, two early-season diseases are top of mind: shot hole and scab. These fungal infections can significantly impact orchard health and yield, making early …
AgNet News Hour Monday, 03-03-25
Get the latest agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour. In this episode of AgNet NewsHour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the newly introduced bipartisan Farmland Security Act …
USDA to Lead March Trade Mission to Guatemala
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead a trade mission to Guatemala from March 3-7, aiming to strengthen trade partnerships and expand U.S. agricultural exports throughout Central America. The …