From Settler Clearing to Forest Conservation As early American settlers cleared land for homesteads, farms, and growing communities, the federal government increasingly recognized that the nation’s forests were an important…
Ryan Jacobsen: California Ag’s Future Depends on Water
…predators with fewer natural food sources can increasingly come into contact with livestock, pets and people. His position is that coexistence requires effective wildlife management, something he believes other states…
Henry A. Wallace and the Birth of Hybrid Corn
…founder of the company that became Pioneer Hi-Bred. Developing Higher-Yielding Hybrid Corn During the years that followed, Wallace accelerated his corn-breeding experiments. His work focused on identifying and combining desirable…
Smith-Lever Act Created USDA Extension Service in 1914
…a nationwide Cooperative Extension System serving rural and urban communities alike. Today, more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities participate in the Cooperative Extension mission, working with USDA to deliver…
John Deere Invests $10 Million in AI Research for High-Value Crops
…company Reservoir was announced during John Deere’s first Ruggedize conference. The initiative will focus on developing and commercializing what the companies describe as “rugged AI” technologies for high-value crops. Rather…
California Citrus Faces Trade, Labor and Water Challenges
California citrus growers are navigating a complicated landscape of water shortages, labor concerns, trade uncertainty, invasive pests, pesticide regulations, rising costs and increasing competition from imported fruit. In the latest…
California Citrus Pushes for Relief from Argentine Lemon Imports
…for domestic growers competing in the market at the same time. The discussion also turned to the 2026 California governor’s race and why the outcome could have significant consequences for…
Henry A. Wallace: More Than the Father of Hybrid Corn
…the United States. His work with hybrid seed eventually contributed to the founding of the Pioneer Hybrid Seed Company. Wallace’s efforts demonstrated how agricultural science, entrepreneurship and practical farming could…
Louis B. Schmidt Helped Put Agriculture in the History Books
The Farmers Who Helped Build America As American farm families moved westward and settled the nation’s heartland, they were doing more than establishing farms and communities. Their experiences were becoming…
Rollins Defends Plan to Increase Foreign Beef Imports
…fuel ourselves,” Rollins said. The comments come as the U.S. cattle industry works through historically tight cattle supplies and strong demand for beef. For producers, the long-term question remains how…
Cannon Michael: California Farming at a Crossroads
…workers must remain safe and healthy. The labor issue goes beyond heat. He said agriculture needs a reliable workforce because many Americans simply do not want to perform physically demanding…
Bowles Farming Company Part 2: Labor, Technology and the Fight to Keep Farming
…Cannon Michael, president and CEO of Bowles Farming Company, discusses the need for a reliable agricultural workforce, the growing role of automation and his concerns about California’s long-term water future….
From Horsepower to Tractor Power: A Slow Farm Revolution
…and mules to plow fields, pull equipment and perform the heavy work required to produce crops. Even after tractors became increasingly available, many farmers were cautious about making the transition….
Citrus Greening Detected in Imperial County, California
…has prompted officials to begin a quarantine and investigation. Citrus Greening Triggers Imperial County Quarantine The California Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA confirmed the presence of huanglongbing, commonly…