A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming,…
David Tangipa: Fighting for California Farmers and Rejecting Proposition 50
…who built the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project thought of our future. We owe them stewardship.” But he lamented that California’s leaders have forgotten that duty. “We’re…
Mando Perez: Innovation & Leadership in California Ag
…PCAs, Perez explained. “It helps with day-to-day operations, especially when you’re looking at your spray program,” he said. Spraying for pests such as the navel orange worm or California red…
California’s Water Puzzle: Insights from Avid Water’s Cory Broad
…educate from all sides—agriculture, urban life, and environmental stewardship.” His outreach reflects his broader philosophy: California’s water future depends on understanding, cooperation, and innovation across all sectors. Agriculture and Urban…
Alexandra Duarte’s Fight for California’s Future
…agriculture knows that—peaches off the tree, strawberries off the plant, tomatoes off the vine. We need to encourage young programs and reconnect children with farming.” Agriculture as Environmental Stewardship Duarte…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for providing consistent support to the raisin industry across multiple administrations. Key programs include: School Lunch and Needy Persons Programs, which have long included…
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,…
Kevin Kester on Cattle, Wolves, and the Fight to Keep Family Ranches Alive
…as an FFA officer himself, he sees the program as vital to ensuring a sixth generation continues his family’s ranching legacy. “We do this to keep ranches intact and viable…
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
…almond exports to dairy markets. Meanwhile, the Farm Bill shapes crop insurance, conservation programs, and rural development. “We’re making sure we’re at the table in Washington,” Douglas said. “If we’re…
California Trucking: Costs, Rules & Roadblocks
…program, which previously shut down trucks entirely if a problem occurred in the emissions system. Woods noted that there are rumors of changes to eliminate DEF requirements altogether, though nothing…
Lorenzo Rios: Valley Strong Vision for California
…to higher education, allowing him to attend Gonzaga University in Washington through the ROTC program. Over a distinguished 23-year career, Rios led troops in combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and…
Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios Share Powerful Stories on AgNet News Hour
…programs and youth outreach, urging the next generation to carry forward agriculture’s values. Harvey also recounted attending the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, calling it one of the most unifying…
Lisa Kerr Warns of Policy Threats and Fights for California Farmers
The September 24 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured one of the program’s most eye-opening interviews yet. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Lisa Kerr, founder of Terrain…
Freight Crisis, Regulations, and the Future of Trucking in California
…program are creating financial and logistical nightmares for fleets. Truckers must now undergo smog checks twice a year, with plans to increase that to four by 2027. Even new trucks…