…to national politics. She expressed concern about inexperienced decision-makers impacting California’s complex and labor-intensive farming industry. “Farming is such an intimate topic for me. I grew up on a family…
Farming the Frontier: How Early Settlers Built America
…couldn’t be produced on the homestead, such as sugar, coffee, thread, and cotton cloth. Growth, Profit, and Taxes When goods were sold rather than traded, the income often went toward…
Trump, Trade & U.S. Beef: Kevin Kester on Cattle Markets
…former National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester—someone he describes as “one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met.” Kester begins with an update from his family ranch in…
Kevin Kester on Cattle, Trade, and Prop 50: Halloween Highlights from the AgNet News Hour
…former National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president, to discuss Argentina trade tensions, beef pricing, and the high stakes of Proposition 50. Kester joined from his family ranch in Parkfield, California,…
How Draft Horses Powered American Farming
…scale of American agriculture. Breeding Draft Horses in the Midwest As the demand for draft horses grew, American breeders in states such as Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois became national…
California Farmers Confront Global Competition and Retail Pressure on AgNet News Hour
…updates on the Argentine beef dispute. The hosts replayed comments from Ethan Lane of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, who discussed concerns that Argentine imports could drive down U.S. cattle…
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
…no exception. The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, located in Bonner Springs, Kansas, near Kansas City, stands as a living tribute to the pioneers, innovators, and leaders who…
Building the Future of Farming: Insights from UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey at FIRA USA 2025
Gabe Youtsey California agriculture sits at the center of both national food security and global innovation. At FIRA USA 2025, Ag Meter sat down with Gabe Youtsey of UC Agriculture…
From Citrus Greening to Ag Robotics: California Faces the Future of Farming
…said. “If we lose the ability to produce our own food, we lose part of our national identity.” He also emphasized that farmers remain the best environmental stewards. “They’re not…
Beef Plan, Spray Tech, and AI: California Ag Eyes Relief and Reinvention
…for talent. The common thread across the hour was urgency with optimism. Whether it’s a national beef plan, smarter spraying that saves water and fuel, or AI that helps farmers…
The Birth of the FFA Blue Jacket: A Proud Tradition Since 1933
Courtesy of National FFA Organization The Beginning of a National Legacy I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The history of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) is…
George Washington and Slavery: A Complex Legacy
…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
…of it to be homegrown, but until then, we’re bringing it here and getting it into the hands of local growers and students.” This includes international student exchange programs, where…
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…