…of the White House as the administration pushed a major agricultural bill through Congress. Having previously served on a trade advisory committee, Kester was no stranger to Washington, but this…
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
…led to initiatives like the Rural Roads and Markets Act and efforts to fund projects such as raising Shasta Dam. These were made possible through bipartisan cooperation, with local congressmen…
Lorenzo Rios: Valley Strong Vision for California
Lorenzo Rios Introducing Lorenzo Rios Nick Papagni recently sat down with Lorenzo Rios, candidate for California’s Congressional District 21. Rios, who describes himself as a man deeply committed to this…
Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios Share Powerful Stories on AgNet News Hour
…has spent the last decade helping veterans transition into civilian life. Now, he’s seeking a seat in Congress to fight for farmers and small businesses in the Central Valley. “Congress…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
…Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act What is the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393)? Manuel Cunha The Dignity Act, introduced by Congresswomen Salazar (R-FL) and Escobar (D-TX), is a…
The Roots of U.S. Forest Management
…Federal Oversight In 1876, Congress created an office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifically tasked with assessing the quality and condition of America’s forests. This marked the country’s…
The Birth of the USDA and Land-Grant Universities
…Agriculture Committee to further support agricultural policy. The Birth of the USDA and Land-Grant Universities Congress and the Land-Grant College Act That same year, Congress passed federal land grants to…
Marietta, Ohio: First Settlement of the Northwest Territory
…the agricultural future of the nation. The Northwest Territory: Birthplace of the Midwest Established by Congress, the Northwest Territory was the first incorporated territory of the United States. It encompassed…
Land for Service: How Revolutionary Soldiers Were Paid in Acres
…The result was a forward-thinking offer: land in exchange for military service. Congress Offers Land for Enlistment Recognizing the need for a stronger and more committed fighting force, Congress passed…
Proposition 12 Drives Up Pork Costs, NPPC Warns
…before the House Agriculture Committee to highlight the damaging effects of California’s Proposition 12. Speaking on behalf of the pork industry, the pair called on Congress to support committee chair…
John Duarte on Water, Immigration, and Fixing California
John Duarte, President of Duarte Nursery and former U.S. Congressman, joined The Ag Meter with Nick Papagni for a wide-ranging interview on the urgent issues affecting California agriculture—water, immigration reform,…
Texas Revives Screwworm Fight with New Swormlure-5 Bait
…need for additional production capacity: “There’s talk, there’s no action, but there’s talk of a bill running through Congress just to build a Texas fly facility that will produce 300…
How Early Colonists Sent Letters Before the U.S. Postal System
…Atlantic, dependent on the schedules and goodwill of ship captains. The Birth of the U.S. Postal System Everything changed on July 26, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress officially established…
Benjamin Franklin and the Postal Roots of American Agriculture
…Congress. Though his term lasted just one year—ending when he was sent to France as a diplomat—Franklin laid the groundwork for a critical communication network that would later support the…