Carrying the Family Legacy In Tulare County, where agriculture and community are woven together, Joseph Bakker stands as the third generation in a long line of dairy farmers. His family…
California Ag at a Crossroads: Syngenta’s Dale Nicol
…remains a leader in quality and volume, imports are forcing farmers to rethink their strategies to stay competitive. He stressed the importance of strengthening relationships between growers, marketers, and policymakers…
California Farming Voices: Case Anker and Stan Nelson
…that keeping cows cool and stress-free is just as critical as feed quality. While 2024 has brought fair milk and feed prices, Anker notes the dairy business demands resilience—farmers must…
Fires to Food Security: Elaine Collotti Outlines Bold Plan for California Agriculture
…(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) subsidies away from large agribusiness and toward local small farmers. By partnering with federal agencies like HHS, she envisions a system that purchases directly from regional…
Inside Hanford Dairy Life with Farmer Case Anker
…a consistent and high-quality feed supply. Water Realities in the Central Valley Water remains a significant issue for farmers in Hanford. Case notes that while the quality is good, it…
Fighting for California Agriculture: Rich Kreps
…State, from water and labor to policy reform and the future of farming. Kreps, a longtime advocate for California farmers, stressed that agriculture is at a critical juncture. He pointed…
California FFA Leaders Share Vision for Agriculture’s Future
Inspiring the Next Generation of Farmers and Leaders President Lily Vaughn, Vice President Noah Stanisai, Secretary Ryan Taylor, Treasurer Daren Deftereos, reporter Tessa Camacho, Sentinel Sophia Camou The California FFA…
Madera County Water Challenges Explained by Matt Angell
…Angell stresses that direct, personal engagement with farmers is crucial to coordinate meaningful responses. Between 2012 and 2021, Angell’s company installed as many pumps as it had in the previous…
California’s Half-Billion Dollar Rodent Crisis: A Looming Threat to Tree Nut Growers
…systems, gnawing on tree bark, and wreaking havoc on infrastructure across almond and pistachio orchards. And with regulatory restrictions on traditional rodenticides in California, farmers are left scrambling for alternatives,…
Spotlight on California FFA: Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders
…Farmers of America (FFA). Joined by the entire California State FFA Officer team, the Ag Meter and Josh McGill dive into how this organization is equipping over 108,000 students across…
California Almonds at the Crossroads: Tariffs, Trade, and Hope for a Better Harvest
…the fight—and the road ahead, while uncertain, may just lead to better days for California farmers. Subscribe to the AgNet West podcast on your favorite app. Listen to previous AgNet…
Cyrus McCormick and the Reaper Revolution
…American farmers remained unconvinced. Cyrus McCormick and the Reaper Revolution At the time, hand labor was abundant and relatively cheap. For many, the reaper seemed unnecessary or too complex. As…
Innovation and Ingenuity in the Desert: Yuma, Arizona’s Role in Feeding America
…unique water strategy. Despite receiving just three inches of rain annually, Yuma’s farmers have built a remarkably efficient irrigation infrastructure that includes pre-irrigation, laser-leveled fields, and furrow flood techniques. Their…
Heritage Roots of American Farming Communities
…and West Virginia—became home to Dutch, German, Swedish, and Irish settlers. These groups contributed varied and rich farming traditions that significantly influenced local agriculture. Further south, English and French farmers…