…and other products. Rosa said the business works with several local beef producers because the family wants to help other farmers and ranchers capture additional value from their commodities. That…
USDA: From Lincoln’s “People’s Department” to a Modern Agriculture Agency
…comparing the size of the nation’s farm workforce with the growth of the department itself. Agriculture and USDA at the Turn of the 20th Century By 1900, approximately 11 million…
Can Raisins Be Great Again? Jeff Smutny on California’s Raisin Future
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,…
USDA and the Birth of America’s Land-Grant Universities
…intended solely for a relatively small elite. The land-grant model emphasized practical education that could benefit working Americans and their communities. Agriculture was at the center of that mission. Kansas…
California Figs Find New Momentum as Demand Grows
…the common misconception that commercially grown California figs contain wasps. Some fig varieties around the world rely on fig wasps for pollination, but Caputo said commercially grown California figs are…
California Figs Make a Comeback as Growers Respond to Rising Demand
…Caputo said 100 percent of commercially grown figs in the United States come from California, giving the state’s growers a unique position in both domestic and international markets. “There is…
Land-Grant Universities Transform American Agriculture
…between higher education, farming, research, and the needs of rural communities. Kansas State and Iowa State Among the Earliest Kansas State University and Iowa State University are often regarded as…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor and the Future of West Side Farming
…maintain a reliable workforce. Crews begin work as early as possible, with the goal of finishing by approximately 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. before the hottest part of the day. Workers…
Joe Del Bosque on Farming the West Side: Water, Labor and Resilience
…picked cantaloupes himself beginning at about age 10. Today, his crews work early to avoid the worst afternoon heat, with cold water, shade and breaks provided to help protect workers….
Merced College Prepares the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
…important skills before advancing. Employers, according to Jacobsen, are already reporting that Merced College graduates are among their top employees because they bring practical experience, communication skills and workplace reliability…
Merced College Prepares Students for Agriculture’s Future
…is preparing students for those opportunities. Jacobsen highlighted Merced College’s strong connections with California high schools and FFA programs. The college hosts statewide FFA competitions, welding finals and other agricultural…
Merced College Builds the Future of Agriculture
…and business directly into his work at the college. Industry partnerships are another key component. Merced College works with organizations including the Almond Board of California, Toro, Duarte Nursery, Sunridge…
Mid-1840s Iowa Farms: How Corn Created the Tall Corn State
…family lived The landscape reflected the realities of frontier agriculture, where farmers relied on hard work, livestock, and diversified production to support their households. The Rise of Corn Farming Only…
Business Leader Kyle Kirkland Outlines Vision for California’s Future
…campaign for California’s 21st Congressional District. Business Leader Kyle Kirkland Outlines Vision for California’s Future Campaign Contact Information Kyle Kirkland for Congress Website: Kirkland2026.com Follow the campaign on: Facebook X…





















