Ongoing Struggles Over Land and Water California agriculture continues to face pressure from regulatory uncertainty, land use conflicts, and unresolved water projects. In a recent episode of the AgNet News …
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
The Oberti Family Legacy in Central Valley Agriculture Melissa Oberti, a third-generation (nearly fourth) farmer from Madera, California, continues her family’s agricultural tradition. The Oberti family, once famous for Oberti …
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
Manuel Cunha on Immigration Reform and Ag Labor Nick Papagni recently spoke with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, about the urgent need for immigration reform and how …
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
A Legacy in California Agriculture Joe Del Bosque, a well-known farmer from Firebaugh and Los Banos, has spent decades cultivating melons, almonds, tomatoes, and more on nearly 2,000 acres. His …
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
Opening Reflections and California Concerns The AgNet News Hour began with hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer sharing lighthearted Friday greetings before shifting to California’s serious agricultural challenges. Papagni noted …
The Roots of U.S. Forest Management
Early Recognition of Forest Stewardship Even as America’s early settlers were clearing land to establish homesteads and plant crops, the government recognized the importance of protecting and managing the nation’s …
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
Morning Reflections and California’s Challenges The AgNet News Hour with Nick Papagni and guest host Lorrie Boyer began lightheartedly, reflecting on post-Labor Day routines, before quickly turning to the serious …
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came …
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation
Today on the AgNet NewsHour, Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer hosted Don Cameron, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, to discuss the many challenges and opportunities …
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles, …
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Organics Innovation and Prop 50
On today’s AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni and co-host Josh McGill tackled two of the big issues shaping California agriculture right now—innovation in organic production and the political battle …
Horsepower to Tractor Power: A Turning Point in American Agriculture
The Shift That Changed Farming Forever I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The story of American farming is filled with innovation, but one of the most transformative …
Central Valley Fight: Tangipa Stands for Farmers
Battling Against the Status Quo Assemblyman David Tangipa, representing California’s Central Valley, is no stranger to confrontation. In a recent conversation with AgNet West, Tangipa reflected on the challenges of …
Ziveli Winery: A Croatian Legacy Thrives in the Heart of California
Discovering Ziveli Winery in West Fresno Nestled between Kerman and Fresno, just north of the small town of Biola, Ziveli Winery offers more than just exquisite wines—it’s a place where …