…By the 1880s and 1890s, attention shifted toward improving animal production and enhancing meat quality. This era of innovation marked a pivotal moment when farmers and entrepreneurs alike began to…
Pumpkin Power and Precision Tech: California Agriculture Shines on AgNet News Hour
…innovation with heritage. “From the pumpkin patch to the robotics lab, California’s farmers are proving they can adapt, evolve, and thrive,” Papagni said. Listen to previous AgNet News Hour episodes……
How Wheat Transformed Mid-Atlantic Farming Before the American Revolution
…income. These family farms were the foundation of early American agriculture, producing enough to feed local communities and export surpluses. To pay for imported manufactured goods from Europe, mid-Atlantic farmers…
Bill Jones: Fixing California’s Water and Future
…implementing similar standards in the U.S. is essential for maintaining the integrity of democracy. Building Bipartisan Strength in the Central Valley As a lifelong advocate for Central Valley farmers, Jones…
Verdant Robotics and Van Groningen & Sons Showcase Innovation and Tradition on AgNet News Hour
…stewardship haven’t.” Van Groningen emphasized that California farmers produce the safest and highest-quality food in the world, thanks to rigorous standards. “When you see ‘Grown in California,’ it means something,”…
Early 19th-Century American Farming and Westward Expansion
…The Legacy of Early American Farmers The farmers of the early 19th century did more than plant crops—they laid the groundwork for a growing nation. Their labor, determination, and willingness…
Bill Jones: “California Will Come Back Stronger Than Ever”
…advice to young farmers and aspiring leaders to stay engaged. “Agriculture and politics are deeply connected, that’s just the nature of it,” he said. “We need people who understand farming…
How Immigrant Farmers Shaped Early American Agriculture
…challenges—laying the groundwork for a diverse and resilient agricultural system. How Immigrant Farmers Shaped Early American Agriculture German Farmers: Masters of Row Crops and Oxen Power German immigrants became known…
Nat DiBuduo: Politics, Water & California Farming
…shared by many California farmers: the need for political leaders who understand agriculture. “We need legislators that realize the importance of the ag industry that feeds California, the U.S., and…
Nat DiBuduo, the “Godfather of Grapes,” on the Future of California Wine and Farming
…change he sees as both inevitable and troubling. “Farmers can’t compete with developers when it’s this hard to farm in California,” he said. “Regulations, labor, and water costs keep rising…
Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming
…and livestock management techniques distinct from English, Scottish, or Irish farmers. Each group contributed to the evolving farming culture that defined rural America. Immigrants Start as Wage Laborers Many immigrants…
Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour
…farmers so innovation doesn’t just stay in the lab — it gets to the field,” Koepke said. One of F3’s priorities is preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through…
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
…Cooperative Extension Service. This initiative connected land-grant universities with local communities, enabling farmers and youth to receive research-based agricultural education. With this legislation, 4-H gained national recognition as part of…
Karen Ross on Water, Workforce, and the Future of California Agriculture
…leadership in agricultural education and workforce advancement. She highlighted how important it is for her to travel across the state to hear directly from regional leaders and farmers. “For all…



















