…funds for the Center for Land-Based Learning, which delivers agricultural curriculum in schools across California. For eight years, Malanca and co-founder Eric have donated $10,000 annually, funding scholarships for high…
California Dairy Relief, Ag Policy Battles, and a Turning Point for Farmers
California agriculture was front and center on the September 17 edition of the AgNet News Hour, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill broke down the latest developments impacting farmers…
Farming for the Future: Jake Barcellos and A-Bar Ag Enterprises
…a constant struggle, as California farmers face stricter regulations and higher operating costs. Investing in Innovation and Automation To stay competitive, A-Bar Ag has invested heavily in drip irrigation and…
My Job Depends on Ag: How a Grassroots Sticker Campaign Grew Into a Movement Supporting California Agriculture
…Over the past eight years, the program has contributed $10,000 annually to groups like the Center for Land-Based Learning, ensuring the next generation of ag leaders has resources to continue their education….
Native American Agriculture: Roots of U.S. Farming
…farming to their unique environments: Eastern Woodlands: Relied heavily on the Three Sisters, along with fruit and nut harvesting. Southwest Tribes (Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo): Developed dryland farming and sophisticated irrigation…
Don Cameron: California Ag Leadership & Challenges
…the West Side. Cameron warns that abandoned fields attract rats and other pests, which then migrate into neighboring farms, destroying drip irrigation systems and spreading disease. These challenges extend beyond…
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture: America’s First Farm Organization
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…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…household name. But competition from Spain and Italy eventually priced California growers out of the market, forcing the family to pivot into almonds and wine grapes. “We just couldn’t compete…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
…needs to pivot, make it fun and interesting, and use social media to reach a younger audience,” Melissa says. Advice for Small and Aspiring Farmers Melissa encourages young and small-scale…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
…often limit tools farmers can use, from pest control in almond orchards to irrigation management. Yet farmers continue to innovate. Del Bosque notes that drip irrigation has reduced water use…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…precision irrigation to drone technology. Farmers already save up to 30% of water with precision systems, and drones promise even more efficiency in spraying, scouting, and monitoring. Boyer agreed, noting…
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
…Education and Support America in 1914: Farming at the Center At the time of the Extension Service’s creation, farming was central to American life. More than half of the U.S….
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Organics Innovation and Prop 50
…the challenges organic producers face, from high input costs to strict regulations. She stressed that success in organic farming requires a whole-systems approach—managing soil health, irrigation, habitat diversity, and biological…
Rachel Nettleton Leads Kern County Farm Bureau
…advocacy that directly address the evolving needs of its members. Innovation and Sustainability Farmers in Kern County are known for their innovation and resilience. From drip irrigation systems that conserve…