…technology, and efficiency. Ross praised programs like the new competency-based certificate programs at community colleges such as Reedley, which train farmworkers for jobs in automation and ag tech. She said…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
…livestock, and home economics. The law created a system that connected land-grant universities with communities across the nation, ensuring that agricultural innovation and scientific research reached producers and their families…
David Tangipa: Fighting for California Farmers and Rejecting Proposition 50
…Behind California’s Wildfires Tangipa began by challenging the familiar narrative that California’s wildfires are primarily caused by climate change. “Those communities in the Palisades and Eaton area didn’t burn down…
How Rural Electrification Transformed U.S. Farms
…and daily chores—drawing water, milking cows, cooking, and washing—were performed entirely by hand. Farm families learned to use every minute of sunlight efficiently to complete outdoor work before nightfall. The…
Mando Perez: Innovation & Leadership in California Ag
…He emphasized that perseverance, mentorship, and dedication to the community were central to his journey. The PCA Brotherhood Perez described the PCA network as a supportive community. “The only way…
Mando Perez of Semios Named CAPCA Member of the Year
…monitoring, and climate data. He explained how the company provides growers with water pressure summaries, network uptime reporting, pest phenology tracking, and spray timing recommendations. These tools allow farmers to…
California’s Water Puzzle: Insights from Avid Water’s Cory Broad
…of the major benefits of a well-designed drip system,” Broad said. “You can evenly apply fertilizer with very low labor costs compared to manual or mechanical applications. Plus, you reduce…
Alexandra Duarte’s Fight for California’s Future
From Farming Roots to Public Service Alexandra Duarte Alexandra Duarte, a candidate for California’s Fourth State Senate District, says her decision to run comes from a lifelong commitment to farming…
Alexandra Duarte Pledges to Fight for California Farmers in State Senate Run
…gap in Sacramento, a voice of common sense,” Duarte told listeners. At the heart of her campaign are water, regulations, and rural representation. Duarte insisted California does not have a…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…operate without such support. This imbalance, combined with higher land values for competing crops like pistachios and almonds, has caused significant acreage loss in California’s raisin vineyards. He also highlighted…
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
…common sense from politicians is often the first mistake. “That’s your first problem—you’re trying to use common sense on a politician, and it never, ever works,” he quipped. Conservation, Stewardship,…
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
…industry is shaped heavily by processors. Kreps explained that Stewart Resnick of The Wonderful Company usually sets the tone, coming out this year with an initial low price of 95…
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
…vanity piece.” A Call for Common-Sense Leadership Duarte highlighted candidates like Lorenzo Rios, a military veteran and congressional hopeful whom he described as charismatic, sincere, and deeply committed to the…
John Duarte Shares Bold Nursery Innovations and Warns of Prop 50 Threat
…listeners, stressing that productivity is the key to surviving low nut prices. The nursery’s work doesn’t stop with almonds. Duarte said their pistachio vigor clonal rootstock has shown a 30%…