One of the biggest headlines from the episode was movement on the federal Farm Bill, which officially passed the U.S. House for the first time since 2018. The legislation marks …
From Small Arkansas Startup to National Ag Leader: The Helena Story
Humble Beginnings Along the Mississippi River In 1957, a small chemical manufacturing company quietly opened its doors in West Helena, Arkansas, a town situated along the Mississippi River just south …
Fertilizer Costs, Policy Debate, and Water Challenges Take Center Stage for California Agriculture
The highlighted major issues shaping agriculture right now, including rising fertilizer costs, ongoing political debates in California, and serious water challenges facing growers in key production regions like Monterey County. …
Lewis and Clark: Discovering Agriculture in the American Frontier
More Than Exploration: Agricultural Discovery I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. While the expedition of Lewis and Clark is widely remembered for charting unknown territories and seeking …
California Table Grape Season Starts Early in 2026 with Strong Outlook and Global Demand
The AgNet News Hour featured a conversation with California Table Grape Commission President and CEO Ian LeMay, highlighting an early start to the 2026 season, strong market demand, and the …
Oregon Agriculture: America’s Grass Seed Capital
A Quick Look at Oregon’s Agricultural Identity In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold opens with a compelling question: which state is known as the grass seed …
Michael Gates’ Plan to Restore Law & Order in California
In a powerful and wide-ranging interview with Nick Papagni—better known as “The Ag Meter”—California Attorney General candidate Michael Gates laid out his vision to restore law and order, crack down …
Attorney General Candidate Michael Gates Targets Fraud, Crime, and Oversight Reform Impacting California Agriculture
The AgNet News Hour featured a high-energy conversation with California Attorney General candidate Michael Gates, who outlined his plans to combat fraud, restore law and order, and bring accountability back …
Valley Irrigation: A $5,000 Gamble That Changed Farming Forever
A Vision Rooted in Opportunity In 1946, entrepreneur Robert Doherty was searching for a promising business opportunity—something with long-term potential in American agriculture. He found it just west of Valley, …
California Crossroads: McClintock on Water, Policy & Ag
California agriculture sits at the center of a growing policy debate—and in a recent interview with “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni, Congressman Tom McClintock lays out a sweeping case for …
Congressman McClintock Calls for Policy Shift as Water, Labor, and Regulation Pressures Mount in California Agriculture
The AgNet News Hour continued its in-depth conversation with Congressman Tom McClintock, focusing on the growing challenges facing California agriculture and the policy changes he believes are necessary to restore …
Garst & Hybrid Corn: From Iowa to the Cold War
The Birth of a Seed Revolution In 1931, Roswell Garst and Charlie Thomas founded the Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company in Coon Rapids. Their work came at a time …
California Agriculture Left Out of Governor Debate as Leaders Push for Policy Change
The AgNet News Hour highlighted growing frustration across the agricultural community after a recent California governor debate failed to address key issues like farming, water, and food production, despite their …
From Colonial Streets to Community Staples: The History of Farmers Markets in America
A Foundation of American Agriculture Farmers markets have played an essential role in the story of American agriculture. Long before modern grocery stores and global supply chains, these markets served …