…blasting state spending without results. Culotti pointed to reports of nearly $900,000 per unit in Los Angeles homeless housing projects, arguing that the money never reaches the people it’s meant…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
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
…lost roughly 20 percent of its small farms in recent years, while urban housing sprawls across prime farmland. The state now faces a $30-billion food deficit — importing more food…
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…
Grand Island: From Settlers’ Trail to Husker Harvest Days
Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Each September, Grand Island, Nebraska, becomes the center of attention in the farming world as it hosts Husker Harvest Days. Known as one of…
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
…ranching, yet the program gives them exposure to agricultural careers while equipping them with critical leadership training. With millions of students involved nationwide, FFA has become a pipeline for developing…
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…
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
…what they’re seeing this season. Pistachio Harvest Progress By early fall, harvest was well underway. Most Golden Hills pistachios had already been picked, while Kerman varieties were in full swing….
Pistachio Harvest Update and Fair Season Fun on AgNet News Hour
…board chairman for American Pistachio Growers. Kreps reported that despite late-season rains causing isolated losses in Kings and Fresno Counties, California pistachio growers are harvesting one of the best crops…
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
…he said. Between soaring housing costs, high energy bills, expensive fuel, and poor infrastructure, basic living costs have skyrocketed. He noted that many Californians now face “soul-crushing traffic” just to…
Shannon Douglas: Leading California Agriculture Through Opportunity and Challenge
…what these policies mean for real families.” Beyond advocacy, the Farm Bureau invests in education, leadership development, and support programs tailored to farmers’ needs. Beginning Farmer Program: Supporting the Next…
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…