…regulations is not equivalent to homegrown production. Ference highlighted that California farmers comply with more regulations than any growers in the world—and they still produce top-quality food. Without local farmers,…
Kings County Farm Bureau Takes on Sacramento Over Groundwater Rights
The November 13 edition of the AgNet News Hour hit home for farmers across California as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Dusty Ference, Executive Director of…
Homestead Act and America’s Westward Expansion
…Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789 – 2011; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. By 1813, America’s western frontier stretched…
Michael Jameson Reports a Rebound for California Walnuts
The November 12 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a bright spot for California farmers as Michael Jameson, Director of Sales for Morada Nut Company, joined hosts Nick Papagni…
The Rise of Plantation Agriculture in Early America
Photo by Thomas Konings on Unsplash How Plantation Agriculture Shaped America’s Farming Roots Plantation agriculture stands as one of the most significant chapters in the history of American farming. Emerging…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Insights from Fresno County Farm Bureau President Ryan Jacobsen
…farmers into a relentless cycle of drying crops, salvaging what they could, and preparing for the next wave of rain. Farmers—especially those working with raisins, almonds, grapes, and other weather-sensitive…
Ryan Jacobsen on Farming Through Storms, Labor, and the Future of California Agriculture
…and challenging years in decades.” He noted that while the weather was remarkably mild for most of the year, the harvest season tested farmers’ patience and endurance. “We had about…
How Radio Transformed American Agriculture History
Photo by QingYu on Unsplash The Power of Radio in Rural America Radio is one of the most influential innovations in the history of American agriculture. In the early 20th…
Edward Ring Wraps Up: California’s Path to Prosperity Lies in Facts, Not Fear
…warned that California’s environmental extremism has gone too far, with groups demanding electric-only infrastructure and blocking projects that could help farmers and working families. “If the environmentalists had their way,…
From Barley to Cotton: How America’s Early Crops Shaped Agriculture
…the colonists struggled to adapt, Native Americans played a pivotal role in shaping the future of American agriculture. They introduced the settlers to Indian corn, or maize, which would become…
Edward Ring’s Bold Blueprint: Fixing California’s Water and Energy Crisis
…about the future of California agriculture.” Ring, often referred to by listeners as the “Water Master,” began by discussing the fallout from Proposition 50, warning that it could further weaken rural…
Ethnic Roots of Early American Agriculture
…continent. German-American Farming Traditions Among the most influential immigrant groups in early American agriculture were German settlers, whose farming practices were rooted in centuries of European tradition. When they arrived…
Edward Ring on California’s Water Crisis: Fixing a Broken System
A Voice for Water Policy Reform Edward Ring California’s ongoing water crisis remains one of the state’s most critical and divisive issues — a struggle that affects farmers, cities, and…
Nanette Simonian: Championing California Agriculture & Women in Ag
…and sustainable farming methods. Engaging Youth Through 4-H and FFA Nanette strongly supports youth involvement in agriculture, beginning with 4-H programs and progressing to Future Farmers of America (FFA). These…