…But today, the state has dropped to fourth globally, and he warned it could slide even further. The biggest issue isn’t just foreign competition—it’s demand. “People aren’t eating dry grapes,”…
How the Wealthy Apple Put Minnesota on the Orchard Map
…and editor Horace Greeley, who wrote in the New York Tribune, “I would not live in Minnesota because you can’t grow apples there.” At the time, his assessment reflected a…
Potter Valley Water Fight Intensifies: Todd Lands Warns “This Could Happen Anywhere in California”
…that this is not a partisan issue. Lands noted that both Republicans and Democrats have voiced support for keeping the Potter Valley dams because “water is life,” and because the…
Anna Baldwin and the First Milking Machine
AI image created by ChatGPT American agriculture has been shaped by countless innovators whose ideas laid the groundwork for modern farming. One such pioneer is Anna Baldwin, a largely overlooked…
Verdant Robotics’ Sharpshooter Is Redefining Precision Weed Control
…of the field. Instead of traditional spray nozzles, the system delivers a microliter-sized stream directly onto the weed—accurate down to a millimeter—without contacting the crop. The results are dramatic. Compared…
California Pears vs. Argentina Imports: Chris Zanobini Sounds the Alarm on a Market Under Pressure
…ripening properly. That can lead to a poor consumer experience—hard, disappointing fruit that hurts pear demand overall. California, he noted, made a commitment years ago not to use 1-MCP because…
California Pear Growers Sound the Alarm on Argentine Imports
…growers made a voluntary commitment six years ago not to use 1-MCP because of its negative impact on fruit quality—placing them at a disadvantage against imported pears that can sit…
Drones, Sharpshooter Precision, and Almond Bloom Protection: Technology Takes Over AgNet News Hour
…small flying workhorse than a hobby drone. He also shared major industry news: the administration is moving toward restricting foreign-made drones and critical drone components, opening the door for American…
From Wagons to Pickups: The Evolution of Farm Transportation
…difficult, but historians credit International Harvester with the first serious attempt to replace the traditional farm wagon. In 1907, the company introduced its Auto Wagon, marking a significant step toward…
Why California Agriculture Is Losing Ground Despite Feeding the World
…easy target for lawmakers who face little backlash outside rural communities. Regulation and Rising Costs Are Driving Farmers Out Mason highlighted the crushing cost of regulatory compliance, sharing an example…
Damian Mason Says California Ag Is Outnumbered, Out Regulated, and Still Unmatched
…paid more for it, while cheaper commodities roll in from countries with lower labor costs and less regulation. Mason compared California to Peru and pointed out that global competitors now…
Soil Health, Water, and the Future of Farming With Live Earth
…how they work, and why they are becoming increasingly important for growers heading into 2026—especially in California. Live Earth mines and manufactures humate from an ancient plant deposit in central…
California’s Budget Boom, Soil Solutions, and a Major Malaysia Trade Deal for U.S. Ag
…farmers and rural communities keep feeling squeezed. From state politics, the show shifted into soil health and crop efficiency with Russell Taylor of Live Earth, a company mining humate deposits…
Shannon Douglas on California’s Big Five: Water, Labor, Regulations, Wolves, and the Future of Farm Tech
…it’s time to bring back common sense. 🎙️ AgNet News Hour – AgNet West 🌐 Website: agnetwest.com 📱 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms…