…nation. He signed laws passed by Congress that both restricted certain aspects of slavery and simultaneously protected the institution. His presidency mirrored the national struggle with slavery—a balance between moral…
F3 Innovate: Powering the Central Valley’s AgTech Revolution
…agricultural future. As a nonprofit founded in the heart of California’s farming hub, F3 Innovate is focused on building the critical infrastructure for agriculture’s next era—one defined by innovation, technology,…
Van Groningen & Sons: A Century of California Farming
…Manteca, California, Van Groningen & Sons stands as a testament to over a century of agricultural dedication. Speaking with AgMeter, Bryan Van Groningen, one of the family’s current leaders, shared…
Todd Snider Takes the Helm at Kern County Farm Bureau, Calls for Smarter Water Policy and Farm Advocacy
…perspective, and urgency driving California agriculture today. Snider, a lifelong Bakersfield resident and former national champion mountain biker, brings competitive energy to his new role. A crop insurance professional with…
How Ralston Purina Revolutionized American Agriculture
Photo by Mark Stebnicki/Pexels image Agricultural Expansion and Innovation As America moved into the late 19th century, farming continued to evolve beyond the grain fields that once defined early agriculture….
How Wheat Transformed Mid-Atlantic Farming Before the American Revolution
…supplied the West Indies with essential commodities like corn and flour. This trade helped balance the colonial economy and created early commercial links between the American colonies and international markets….
Bill Jones: Fixing California’s Water and Future
…fixes—is the only sustainable solution for the state’s agricultural workforce and national security. The Central Valley’s Lifeblood: Water Returning to one of California’s most urgent issues, Jones described how mismanagement…
Verdant Robotics and Van Groningen & Sons Showcase Innovation and Tradition on AgNet News Hour
…he said. “It’s data-driven farming. Every field, every pass, every result is measured.” Sibley also discussed his journey from university professor and self-driving car pioneer to agricultural innovator. “I realized…
Early 19th-Century American Farming and Westward Expansion
Photo by Tom Fisk/Pexels image America’s Agricultural Roots In the early 1800s, American agriculture was the backbone of the national economy. As Mark Oppold explains in An American Agriculture History…
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
…the agricultural and cultural roots of the San Joaquin Valley. A Life of Service—But Not Politics With decades of experience on agricultural boards and community organizations, Papagni asked if DiBuduo…
Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming
…Through persistence and savings, many immigrants eventually earned enough money to purchase their own land. This transition from wage laborer to landowner was a cornerstone of early American agricultural growth….
Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour
…from technology and education to leadership in the field. Koepke began the program by outlining F3 Innovate’s mission: to transform the Central Valley into a world-class hub for agricultural technology…
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…





















