…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…
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….
Pumpkin Power and Precision Tech: California Agriculture Shines on AgNet News Hour
The October 20 edition of the AgNet News Hour celebrated two sides of California agriculture — tradition and technology — with guests Brian Van Groningen of Van Groningen & Sons…
Nat DiBuduo: Politics, Water & California Farming
…and they loved it. That’s what education does—it opens their eyes.” Inspiring the Next Generation The importance of agricultural education is something Papagni sees firsthand when interviewing Future Farmers of…
Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour
The October 14 edition of the AgNet News Hour showcased two powerful voices shaping the future of California agriculture — Priscilla Koepke, CEO of F3 Innovate, and Mando Perez, Southern…
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
…America’s formal agricultural education system. The program helped train new generations of leaders who balanced innovation with respect for tradition—key elements in building the nation’s agricultural strength. A Lasting Legacy…
Celebrating the Valley’s Bounty: The Whole Vine Festival Returns to Fresno State
…planting seeds, and exploring the innovative technology that powers modern agriculture. “They’ll see how forward-thinking agriculture is in our valley,” said Goudreau. “Agriculture is not antiquated — it’s very forward-thinking,…
Karen Ross on Water, Workforce, and the Future of California Agriculture
A Visit to Reedley: California’s Ag Secretary Engages with the Valley California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined The Ag Meter host Nick Papagni at Reedley…
Karen Ross Talks Water, Regulation, and Prop 50 Silence on AgNet News Hour
…Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. The discussion, recorded at Reedley College, covered water storage, regulation, labor, and the growing tension between Sacramento and Central Valley agriculture. Ross acknowledged that California farmers…
Elaine Culotti: Fighting for California’s Farmers and Future
…from Republican to Democrat—potentially handing control to lawmakers “who have no idea what a farm looks like.” Culotti agreed, warning that the long-term consequences could devastate California agriculture. “People have…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming,…
Mando Perez: Innovation & Leadership in California Ag
…professional growth, which Perez considers the most rewarding part of his career. Discovering a Passion for Agriculture Perez’s journey into agriculture began in 2009 during a challenging economic period. After…
California’s Water Puzzle: Insights from Avid Water’s Cory Broad
…Agriculture Papagni noted that federal attention on water storage projects could bring long-awaited progress, and Broad agreed, calling agriculture a matter of national security. “We can’t outsource our ag production—you…
Alexandra Duarte’s Fight for California’s Future
…crops, fruits, vegetables. Agriculture needs energy, water, fewer regulations, and labor laws that work. What agriculture needs, everybody needs.” Her vision even extends to creative ways to highlight agriculture’s value:…