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 …
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 …
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 …
Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade
A Vital Waterway in the Heart of the Midwest The Illinois River has long been an essential part of America’s agricultural history. Stretching 273 miles, the river begins at the …
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag
The September 18 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a mix of innovation, politics, and pressing issues for California farmers. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill covered everything from …
California Almond Harvest 2025: Prices and Yields
Insights from Steve Malanca of West Valley Hauling The Ag Meter recently visited Firebaugh, California, where Nick Papagni sat down with Steve Malanca of West Valley Hulling to discuss the …
Freeman Vineyard: Organic Sonoma Wines with Global Reach
A Family Story Rooted in Sonoma County In the heart of West Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, Freeman Vineyard and Winery has become a leader in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production. …
California Dairy Relief, Ag Policy Battles, and a Turning Point for Farmers
California agriculture was front and center on the September 17 edition of the AgNet News Hour, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill broke down the latest developments impacting farmers …
Farming for the Future: Jake Barcellos and A-Bar Ag Enterprises
A Fourth-Generation California Farm in Los Banos–Firebaugh In the heart of California’s Central Valley, A-Bar Ag Enterprises, led by fourth-generation farmer Jake Barcellos, represents both tradition and innovation. Farming in …
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
A Farmer and Leader in California Agriculture Don Cameron, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, is not only a prominent voice in policy but also a …
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 …