The October 17 edition of the AgNet News Hour celebrated both the future and heritage of California agriculture, featuring Gabe Sibley, CEO of Verdant Robotics, and Brian Van Groningen of…
Early 19th-Century American Farming and Westward Expansion
Photo by Tom Fisk/Pexels image America’s Agricultural Roots In the early 1800s, American agriculture was the backbone of the national economy. As Mark Oppold explains in An American Agriculture History…
Bill Jones: “California Will Come Back Stronger Than Ever”
…political figures in Central Valley history. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill continued their “Hall of Fame Week” series with Jones, who offered rare perspective on the intersection of agriculture,…
How Immigrant Farmers Shaped Early American Agriculture
…agriculture. As Mark Oppold explains in An American Agriculture History Minute, ethnicity influenced how settlers worked the land, managed livestock, and produced food in the New World. Farmers from Germany,…
Nat DiBuduo: Politics, Water & California Farming
…celebration of Columbus Day, AgMeter host Nick Papagni sat down with a true legend of California agriculture—Nat DiBuduo, former Allied Grape Growers President, Fresno State Bulldog, and long-time leader in…
Nat DiBuduo, the “Godfather of Grapes,” on the Future of California Wine and Farming
The October 15 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured one of California agriculture’s most respected voices: Nat DiBuduo, former Allied Grape Growers president and lifelong champion of California’s wine…
Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming
The Immigrant Influence on American Agriculture I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming Ethnic groups played a vital…
Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour
…noting that agriculture is now one of the fastest-growing sectors for tech innovation in California. Koepke also highlighted that innovation must reach small and medium-size farms, not just large operations….
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
Honoring Jessie Shambaugh: The Mother of 4-H In the early 1900s, American agriculture was rapidly evolving—and so were the communities that depended on it. At the heart of that progress…
Celebrating the Valley’s Bounty: The Whole Vine Festival Returns to Fresno State
…planting seeds, and exploring the innovative technology that powers modern agriculture. “They’ll see how forward-thinking agriculture is in our valley,” said Goudreau. “Agriculture is not antiquated — it’s very forward-thinking,…
Karen Ross on Water, Workforce, and the Future of California Agriculture
A Visit to Reedley: California’s Ag Secretary Engages with the Valley California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined The Ag Meter host Nick Papagni at Reedley…
Karen Ross Talks Water, Regulation, and Prop 50 Silence on AgNet News Hour
…Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. The discussion, recorded at Reedley College, covered water storage, regulation, labor, and the growing tension between Sacramento and Central Valley agriculture. Ross acknowledged that California farmers…
How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture
The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural…
Elaine Culotti: Fighting for California’s Farmers and Future
A Passionate Voice for California Agriculture Elaine Culotti Nick Papagni opened his show with unmistakable enthusiasm, welcoming a guest who’s become a household name in California and beyond—Elaine Culotti, known…



















