…the new state’s educational and agricultural needs. The First Morrill Act Land-Grant Institution With the passage of the Morrill Act of 1862, the federal government opened the door for states…
John Duarte on California’s Future: Agriculture, Leadership & Change
…billions invested into the rail line with the massive impact that same funding could have had on drinking water systems, treatment facilities, and rural infrastructure. During his time in Congress,…
How Iowa State University Began: A Farming Legacy
…Powerhouse The modest Model Farm of 1856 laid the foundation for what would become one of America’s leading land-grant universities: Iowa State University. Today, the university stands as a global…
Fourth-Generation Farming in the South Valley: An Interview with Jason Giannelli
…harm local economies, reduce tax revenue, and threaten jobs. For example, water restrictions under SGMA could force farmland out of production, affecting both agriculture and municipal funding. Similarly, restrictions on…
Inside FIRA USA 2025: California’s AgTech Future
…the CSU system, Western Growers, California Farm Bureau, and numerous innovation hubs across the Central Valley. Smart Investment and Farmer-Driven Solutions While more funding is flowing into ag tech than…
Edward Ring on California’s Water Crisis: Fixing a Broken System
…we had a rational administration, a governor could bring in federal funding for water and infrastructure projects,” he said. “The right governor—one who uses executive authority effectively—could make a huge…
AI and Automation Drive Florida’s AgTech Revolution
…Education Center, which recently received $30 million from the state to create a Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture—plus an additional $5 million in federal funding for equipment. “We’re…
Building the Future of Ag Tech: Danny Bernstein and The Reservoir at FIRA 2025
…connect with growers, get feedback, and come back next year with a viable prototype.” Investing in Innovation for Resilience The rise in venture funding across ag tech is no accident….
Ecorobotix, AgTech Grants, and Hannah Johnson’s Push for California’s Future
…cut input costs, labor needs, and environmental impact all at once. Ecorobotix recently raised $150 million in funding to expand its U.S. operations and announced plans to begin assembling products in America…
Building the Future of Farming: Insights from UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey at FIRA USA 2025
…state funding cuts, UC ANR is revitalizing its footprint through innovation to meet growers’ needs. “Our goal,” Youtsey explains, “is to keep farming vibrant here in California and continue responding…
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…
Elaine Culotti: Fighting for California’s Farmers and Future
…“The $250 million they’re using is actually Prop 36’s money—the anti-crime bill. Voters said yes to Prop 36 to stop crazy crime, but instead of funding that, Newsom took the…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
…livestock, and home economics. The law created a system that connected land-grant universities with communities across the nation, ensuring that agricultural innovation and scientific research reached producers and their families…