A President Rooted in Agriculture Thomas Jefferson firmly believed that agriculture would shape the future of the young United States. For Jefferson, farming was more than an economic activity—it was …
Farm Dog of the Year 2027: Nominations Now Open
Farmers and ranchers across the country have a new opportunity to spotlight their most loyal partners—their farm dogs. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has officially opened nominations for the …
California Insurance Crisis: Can Experience Fix What’s Broken?
California’s insurance system is at a breaking point—and few conversations capture the urgency better than the recent interview between “The Ag Meter” host Nick Papagni and Insurance Commissioner candidate Stacy …
Insurance Crisis Deepens in California as Ag Industry Faces Rising Costs and Limited Coverage
The AgNet News Hour tackled one of the most pressing issues impacting agriculture and rural businesses, California’s worsening insurance crisis, and what it means for farmers already navigating high costs …
From Barren to Breadbasket: Lewis & Clark’s Agricultural Reality
A Historic Mission Beyond Exploration In this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold revisits the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark—a mission that extended far beyond simple …
Monterey County Agriculture at a Crossroads: Water, Labor, and the Future of America’s Salad Bowl
In a compelling interview with “the Ag Meter” host Nick Papagni, sits down with Norm Groot of the Monterey County Farm Bureau to unpack the realities facing one of the …
California Table Grapes 2026: Early Season, Global Demand, Strong Future
The 2026 California table grape season is officially underway—and it’s arriving earlier than expected. In a recent interview on The Ag Meter, host Nick Papagni sat down with Ian LeMay, …
Farm Bill Advances as Food Security, Fertilizer Costs, and California Policy Pressures Dominate Ag Conversation
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 …