California’s raisin industry is at a crossroads, facing declining acreage, rising labor and production costs, global competition and the challenge of attracting the next generation of farmers. But Jeff Smutny, …
Jeff Smutny Part 2: Reinventing California Raisins for a New Generation
On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Jeff Smutny, president and managing director of the Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC), returned for Part 2 of his conversation about the future …
USDA Trade Push Meets a Changing California Raisin Industry
On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, two conversations offered a look at both the opportunities and challenges facing American agriculture. USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg discussed agricultural trade …
California Figs Find New Momentum as Demand Grows
California figs are making a comeback, and the momentum is growing from Central Valley orchards to consumers around the world. “The Ag Meter” host Nick Papagni welcomed Kris Caputo, Marketing …
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor and the Future of West Side Farming
Joe Del Bosque: A Farmer’s View of California Agriculture California agriculture is facing a complicated combination of extreme weather, water shortages, labor challenges, rising costs, regulations and uncertain markets. Few …
California Pistachio Crop Could Be Cut in Half: Rich Kreps Explains What Growers Need to Know
California’s pistachio industry is facing one of its most challenging seasons in recent memory, and according to longtime crop advisor and pistachio expert Rich Kreps of UltraGro, growers should prepare …
California Pistachio Crop Expected to Shrink Sharply Following Challenging Growing Season
California pistachio growers could be facing one of the smallest crops in years after an unusually warm spring disrupted pollination across much of the Central Valley. The outlook was the …
California Almond Outlook Brightens as Global Demand Stays Strong
California’s almond industry is entering the 2026 harvest season with renewed optimism, thanks to strong export demand, stable pricing, and what appears to be another high-quality crop. During a wide-ranging …
Erie Canal Revolutionized New York Waterways and American Agriculture
The Erie Canal Changed Transportation and Expanded Agricultural Trade For centuries, New York’s rivers and waterways served as important transportation routes for explorers, fur traders, and early settlers. However, these …
Whole Vine Festival Returns to Fresno State to Celebrate the San Joaquin Valley’s Grape Industry
The San Joaquin Valley is home to one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions, and this fall, that legacy will once again be celebrated as the Whole Vine Festival …
Global Cherry Markets Shift as Harvests Expand Across the Northern Hemisphere
The latest global cherry market trends show production increasing in several key growing regions, creating added competition and putting downward pressure on prices. A recent report showed how harvest activity across the …
California Walnuts Eye Strong 2026 After Global Success
California’s walnut industry is entering the 2026 season with tremendous momentum. Strong crop quality, expanding export opportunities, growing domestic demand, and promising international trade negotiations are all combining to create …
California Walnut Industry Looks Ahead to Strong Export Opportunities
On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, California Walnut Commission and Board CEO and Executive Director Robert Verloop shared an optimistic outlook for the state’s walnut industry, highlighting strong …
USDA’s Luke Lindberg Highlights Trade Progress Ahead of America’s 250th Celebration
On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg outlined how the Trump administration is working to expand export …