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
…Cunha notes, “It’s the most progress I’ve seen since 2000, addressing both worker protections and employer needs.” Protecting Agricultural Workers from Coyotes and Cartels One major challenge is the illegal…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
…essential. He supports reform efforts such as H.R. 4393, the Dignity Act, which seeks to provide legal status for long-term workers, create pathways for new agricultural employees, and remove criminal…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…and New Mexico Cattle Growers Associations, and the Public Lands Council. Tom Patterson, President-elect of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, testified that wolf populations have shifted from a livestock…
The Roots of U.S. Forest Management
…forestry practices. The Forest Reserve Act of 1891 A decade later, Congress passed the Forest Reserve Act, giving the President the authority to designate western public lands as forest reserves….
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…by misunderstanding agricultural realities and placing additional burdens on producers. Water, Energy, and Political Missteps Water policy remains California’s defining agricultural challenge. Papagni criticized priorities like solar panel expansion while…
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
…of California agriculture. Automation and Agricultural Innovation To address labor challenges, Cameron’s operations are embracing automation and innovation. He described experiments with mechanical and laser weeders and drone technology, highlighting…
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
…agricultural history deserved a place in education. Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America Lewis B. Schmidt: A Pioneer in Agricultural Education In 1914, Lewis B….
Central Valley Fight: Tangipa Stands for Farmers
…describing it as a demand for compliance rather than genuine collaboration. He stressed that the Central Valley, home to a substantial portion of California’s agricultural output, is often dismissed and…
California Farmers Struggle with Water, Labor, and Regulations
…harmful bills from advancing. Urban legislators often lack understanding of farming realities, making direct education and personal engagement essential for protecting agricultural interests. Water Scarcity and Labor Costs Water management…
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau: Advocacy, Education & the Future of Agriculture
…Bureau: Advocacy, Education & the Future of Agriculture Agriculture at the Heart of Stanislaus County Anna Genasci Stanislaus County’s agricultural roots run deep. The annual crop report places almonds as…
Founding Fathers, Farming, and the Rise of Agricultural Education
…not only as political visionaries but also as agricultural innovators. Both men believed that the strength of the country depended on the productivity of its farms and the ability to…
Rachel Nettleton Leads Kern County Farm Bureau
…County: An Agricultural Powerhouse Nettleton takes pride in Kern County’s agricultural success. In 2023, the county’s crop report showed more than $8 billion in agricultural production, making Kern the leading…