…enforcement” of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) — a battle that could reshape how water is managed across the state. Ference explained that the Kings County Farm Bureau filed…
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash Reaching the Mississippi: The Edge of the Frontier Citation: Act of May 20, 1862 (Homestead Act), Public Law 37-64 (12 STAT 392); 5/20/1862;…
Edward Ring on California’s Water Crisis: Fixing a Broken System
…of Farming As discussions turned to the potential impact of Proposition 50, Ring didn’t hesitate to share his concern. “It probably will [hurt farming],” he said. “Hopefully not too much,…
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
…cases, whole harvests were wiped out before farmers could act. These infestations, combined with the already poor yields, made wheat farming an increasingly risky venture in the years following the…
From Citrus Greening to Ag Robotics: California Faces the Future of Farming
…act decisively, its citrus industry — one of the state’s most iconic — could face the same fate. Their conversation highlighted the need for early detection, collaboration with Florida experts,…
Van Groningen & Sons: A Century of California Farming
…adapt to new groundwater regulations under SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act). “We actually have more water in storage than we’re using,” he said. “Now we’re encouraging farmers to use more…
Nat DiBuduo: Politics, Water & California Farming
…are too afraid of the endangered species list,” he said. “They act like the salamander is more important than human beings. I take exception to that. Our kids’ future is…
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
…an enduring emblem of learning, leadership, and agricultural pride. The Smith-Lever Act and National Recognition Just two years later, in 1914, the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, creating the…
Elaine Culotti: Fighting for California’s Farmers and Future
…sending it out,” she said. “They did it in 90 days instead of 120. That’s not OK. They violated the Open Commission Act.” Her message was clear: Vote No on…
Elaine Culotti, the “Lipstick Farmer,” Warns Farmers on Prop 50 and California’s Mismanagement
…think twice — they’re coming after you.” She warned that Prop 50’s rushed rollout violated the Open Commission Act and will result in maps that gerrymander rural voices out of…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
…confident leaders. The Legacy of the Smith-Lever Act The Smith-Lever Act didn’t just create an educational system—it created a movement. By integrating research, outreach, and community development, it strengthened the…
Why Prop 50 Threatens Rural Representation: California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass
…dollars in economic activity and the livelihoods of farming families at stake, Douglass insists this is the moment to act. “Time is running out. We need to do it now…
How Rural Electrification Transformed U.S. Farms
…lack of power limited productivity and quality of life, creating a growing divide between urban progress and rural hardship. How Rural Electrification Transformed U.S. Farms The Turning Point: Federal Action…
California’s Water Puzzle: Insights from Avid Water’s Cory Broad
…fuel and equipment wear.” This method not only saves money but also helps reduce environmental impact by limiting runoff and ensuring nutrients go exactly where they’re needed. Groundwater and Water…