Industry Legends Reflect on the Past and Present The raisin industry in California, once a dominant force in global dried fruit production, is undergoing dramatic changes. In a recent conversation …
Raisin Industry Legends Warn of Challenges and Chart a Path Forward
The October 2 edition of the AgNet News Hour was dedicated to the raisin industry — past, present, and future. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with three …
Plymouth Colony Crops: Corn, Tobacco, and Early Trade
The First Crops in Plymouth Colony When the first settlers arrived in Plymouth, they planted barley and peas brought from England. But their most important crop soon became Indian corn, …
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
Life in Parkfield, California Kevin Kester is a fifth-generation rancher from Parkfield, California, a small ranching community northeast of Paso Robles in southeast Monterey County. Known as the “earthquake capital …
Kevin Kester on Cattle, Wolves, and the Fight to Keep Family Ranches Alive
The October 1 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured a wide-ranging conversation with Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation rancher from Parkfield, California, and former president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef …
Ohio River: A Lifeline of American Agriculture
Introduction The Ohio River has played a crucial role in shaping American agriculture and commerce. Stretching nearly a thousand miles, this historic waterway has been central to trade, transportation, and …
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
A Season of Ideal Weather The summer leading into this year’s pistachio harvest has been one of the mildest in recent memory. According to pistachio grower and industry leader Rich …
Pistachio Harvest Update and Fair Season Fun on AgNet News Hour
The September 30 edition of the AgNet News Hour mixed lighthearted fair talk with serious updates on California’s pistachio industry. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill opened the show with …
Iowa Farmer Unearths Rare Treasure from the 1850s
A Remarkable Discovery in Iowa Agriculture In March 2017, history surfaced in an Iowa farm field when farmer Robert Ellis made an extraordinary discovery. While plowing near the Missouri River, …
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
A Legacy Rooted in Innovation When it comes to modern agriculture, few names carry as much influence as John Duarte, president of Duarte Nursery. Founded in 1989, Duarte Nursery has …
John Duarte Shares Bold Nursery Innovations and Warns of Prop 50 Threat
The September 29 edition of the AgNet News Hour kicked off the week with a deep dive into the future of California agriculture. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat …
Oregon Trail: How It Shaped American Agriculture
A Defining Route in Agricultural History The Oregon Trail remains one of the most significant routes in American history, playing a vital role in the nation’s agricultural development. Stretching 2,170 …
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
California is one of the most diverse and productive agricultural states in the nation. From the vineyards of Napa to the citrus groves of the Central Valley, farms across the …
California Farm Bureau’s Shannon Douglas Tackles Prop 50, Farm Bill, and the Future of Farming
The September 26 edition of the AgNet News Hour closed out the week with one of the state’s most important agricultural voices. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Shannon …