California Fresh Fruit Association President Speaks Out on Growing Regulatory Burdens Nick Papagni, known as “The Ag Meter,” recently sat down with Daniel Hartwig, president of the California Fresh Fruit…
Tariffs and Oversupply Strain California Walnut Growers
Robert Verloop, Executive Director and CEO of both the California Walnut Board (CWB) and the California Walnut Commission (CWC), is sounding the alarm over the mounting challenges facing California’s walnut…
John Deere’s Steel Plow Revolutionized Midwestern Farming
In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold takes us back to one of the most pivotal innovations in U.S. farming history—the invention of the steel plow. John Deere’s Steel…
Mexico Remains Top Market for U.S. Ag Exports in 2024
…billion worth of goods. Nearly half of that came from consumer-oriented products such as meat, dairy, processed foods, and beverages. Bulk commodities accounted for one-third of total shipments, led by…
Steve Hilton Blasts Solar Farms on California Agricultural Land
Solar Panels vs. Farmland: A Growing Controversy Nick Papagni, host of The Ag Meter, sat down with Steve Hilton, candidate for Governor of California, to discuss a major issue affecting…
India Tariff Cut Boosts California Walnut Outlook
Tariff Win and Strong Crop Fuel Grower Optimism Nick Papagni of AgNet West spoke with Michael Jameson of Morada Nut Company for this year’s walnut outlook, highlighting a positive shift…
Farming Innovation and Rural Sustainability: Inside The Reservoir
The Reservoir: A New Vision for the Future of Agriculture Nick Papagni of The Ag Meter recently spoke with Danny Bernstein, CEO of The Reservoir, a forward-thinking agricultural incubator focused…
American Butter Institute Challenges Country Crock “Butter” Label
The American Butter Institute (ABI) is raising serious objections to Country Crock’s new dairy-free butter alternative, arguing that the use of the term “butter” on the product’s label is misleading…
USDA Launches Grape Grower Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is gearing up to launch a nationwide survey that will play a critical role in shaping the 2025 grape production forecast. Conducted by the…
America’s First Turnpike Sparked Rural Expansion in 1794
Mark Oppold shares a fascinating piece of history in today’s American Agriculture History Minute—a look back at the first organized road improvement in the United States. America’s First Turnpike Sparked…
Is This the Year of the Spider Mite? Strategies for Tree Nut and Grape Growers
In this episode of The Growing Edge, brought to you by Valent U.S.A., Todd Burkdoll, Field Market Development Manager, dives into one of the season’s biggest pest pressures: spider mites….
Hilton: California Broken by Extremism, Incompetence
Steve Hilton: California’s Crisis is “Democrat Extremism and Incompetence” Nick Papagni, known as “The Ag Meter”, recently sat down with Steve Hilton, who is officially running for Governor of California….
Fixing Ag Labor: Cunha Pushes for Legal Guest Worker Program
Guest Worker Program Could Ease Labor and Border Strains As California agriculture continues to grapple with persistent labor shortages and mounting immigration challenges, Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers…
Farming Isn’t Easy—But It’s a Story Worth Telling
Imperial Valley farmer Andrew Leimgruber recently spoke with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” about the increasing challenges faced by producers and the importance of telling agriculture’s true story. Farming Isn’t…