Agriculture’s Early Roots in America Agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s growth. Long before tractors, hybrid seeds, or modern irrigation systems, farmers and thinkers were searching for…
Henry A. Wallace: Innovator, Journalist, and Statesman
…agriculture and advancing policies that supported farmers. Interestingly, public service ran in his family: Wallace’s father, Henry C. Wallace, also served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1921 until his…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…pesticide bans that fuel rodent infestations, she argued that Sacramento lawmakers lack both “skin in the game” and basic understanding of agriculture. “They make rules and policies without knowing what…
John W. Tyson: Missouri Farmer Builds Poultry Legacy
…Those Beef On Dairy Animals – Matt Ramsey November 4, 2025 CIR Agriculture Harvester Products November 1, 2025 Beef on Dairy Industry Report Highlights Growth and Opportunity September 8, 2025…
California Ag Battles: Water, Solar, and Farmland Futures
Ongoing Struggles Over Land and Water California agriculture continues to face pressure from regulatory uncertainty, land use conflicts, and unresolved water projects. In a recent episode of the AgNet News…
Henry A. Wallace: Father of Hybrid Corn
…with the tools to increase productivity, meet growing demand, and set the stage for advancements that continue to impact agriculture today. For more on agricultural history, visit the U.S. Department…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
The Oberti Family Legacy in Central Valley Agriculture Melissa Oberti, a third-generation (nearly fourth) farmer from Madera, California, continues her family’s agricultural tradition. The Oberti family, once famous for Oberti…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
…communities. Work Authorization: Seven-year renewable cards for workers already in the U.S., including allowances for family emergencies abroad. Guest Worker Programs: Legal, rotating employment for agriculture, construction, hotels, and restaurants….
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
A Legacy in California Agriculture Joe Del Bosque, a well-known farmer from Firebaugh and Los Banos, has spent decades cultivating melons, almonds, tomatoes, and more on nearly 2,000 acres. His…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…$10–20 per day compared to California’s $16 per hour wages, combined with stricter U.S. regulations. Boyer emphasized that despite higher costs, U.S. agriculture provides the world’s safest and most affordable…
The Roots of U.S. Forest Management
…Federal Oversight In 1876, Congress created an office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifically tasked with assessing the quality and condition of America’s forests. This marked the country’s…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…challenges facing California agriculture. Recent thunderstorms in the Central Valley brought rare lightning-sparked fires near Madera, while wildfires threatened vineyards in Napa Valley, raising concerns about crop damage and smoke…
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
Courtesy of the National Agricultural Library U.S. Department of Agriculture The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than…
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation
…Agriculture A central topic of conversation was labor in agriculture. Cameron emphasized the critical importance of a stable workforce for California’s labor-intensive crops. He highlighted the need for programs like…