…beacon for agricultural innovation and workforce development. Dean Cody Jacobsen, who oversees the Agriculture and Industrial Technology Division, brings a unique perspective to the role — part educator, part farmer,…
Merced College Dean Cody Jacobson Champions the Future of California Ag Education
The October 30 edition of the AgNet News Hour spotlighted one of the most promising voices in California’s agricultural education — Cody Jacobson, Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology at…
How Draft Horses Powered American Farming
…and powering early equipment. These animals were essential to agricultural productivity, but as machinery advanced during the 1850s and 1860s, farmers quickly discovered the limits of their existing livestock. Oxen,…
Ecorobotix, AgTech Grants, and Hannah Johnson’s Push for California’s Future
…and tech startups to accelerate innovation while protecting farm jobs. “There’s no intent to replace skilled farm workers,” Johnson said. “It’s about making their jobs safer, higher-quality, and more connected…
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
…animals, which could then be sold at a profit, creating a more diversified and sustainable system. This shift not only helped stabilize farm incomes but also reshaped the agricultural landscape…
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
…for his pioneering agricultural research and promotion of crop rotation. Thomas Jefferson, a visionary farmer and advocate for agricultural education. George Washington, who emphasized farming as the foundation of national…
Building the Future of Farming: Insights from UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey at FIRA USA 2025
…every level—from PhDs designing new technology to farm workers learning to operate advanced equipment. Why Saving American Farming Matters Though not a farmer himself, Youtsey’s passion for agriculture comes from…
First American Silo: How Fred Hatch Revolutionized Grain Storage in 1873
…precedent for agricultural innovation that endures to this day. Early Silo Designs: Brick, Wood, and Cement Hatch’s design was both simple and brilliant. He constructed a rounded silo from brick…
Beef Plan, Spray Tech, and AI: California Ag Eyes Relief and Reinvention
…state’s defining challenge. Boyd said UF is investing heavily in agricultural AI—building an applied AI center with new state and federal support—and scouting technologies that can retrofit existing equipment, target…
How the Cargill Brothers Built an Agricultural Empire in Iowa
…old granary. Image by veloliza/DepositPhotos Surplus Grain Sparks Innovation In the mid-1800s, America’s agricultural landscape was changing rapidly. As grain production soared, farmers across the Midwest began facing an unexpected…
GUSS: Transforming Orchard Spraying Through Autonomy and Innovation
…that’s rapidly becoming one of the most talked-about names in agricultural automation. Thompson’s journey began far from Silicon Valley’s tech scene. Raised in Arizona’s dairy industry, he learned early about…
California Ag Tech on Display: TK, Bayer Crop Science, and John Deere’s GUSS Steal the Show
…eliminate overspray, reduce labor strain, and improve precision. “Growers can now run fleets of sprayers from a tablet,” Thompson said. “It’s about empowering workers — turning tractor drivers into fleet…
The Birth of the FFA Blue Jacket: A Proud Tradition Since 1933
…filled with traditions that have shaped generations of agricultural leaders. One of the most iconic symbols of that legacy—the famous blue corduroy jacket—has a story that dates back nearly a…
George Washington and Slavery: A Complex Legacy
…slaves, be freed upon his death. The remaining enslaved workers were to serve his wife, Martha Washington, until her death, after which they would also be freed. Martha Washington demonstrated…