…farmers, the stakes are significant. Mexico and Canada are important markets for a wide range of agricultural commodities, including cotton, tree nuts, citrus, grapes and berries. Agricultural leaders say continued…
From Stone Fruit to Olive Oil: How a California Farm Reinvented Itself
…do that.” The family didn’t enter the olive oil business casually. Ricchiuti traveled to Italy with his grandfather to study olive mills, equipment and production methods before the operation’s first…
George Grant and the Early Rise of Angus Cattle in America
…bring Angus genetics from Scotland to Kansas became an important moment in the history of American cattle production. The Angus breed would eventually become one of the most recognized and…
Rosa Brothers Milk: From Tulare Dairy to California Brand
…significant drop in milk production across the industry. At the same time, national milk production has been increasing, with more cows being added in parts of the Midwest. That additional…
British Agricultural Revolution Helped Shape Modern Farming
…eventually produce more food than their own families needed. When agricultural production moved beyond basic household needs, the surplus could be traded or sold. That helped expand agricultural commerce and…
Specialty Crop Trade Concerns and a California Dairy Success Story
Trade pressure on American specialty crop growers and an innovative approach to California dairy production highlight the latest AgNet News Hour. Mike Joyner of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association…
USDA: From Lincoln’s “People’s Department” to a Modern Agriculture Agency
…different American agriculture looked more than a century ago. Farming was widespread across the country, and agricultural knowledge, production and rural communities were fundamental parts of American life. A Century…
USDA Provides $7.5 Million to Improve Food Assistance Cold Storage
…production and food assistance programs. By helping organizations improve their storage and distribution capabilities, the program can make it easier for more products from U.S. farmers and ranchers to reach…
Can Raisins Be Great Again? Jeff Smutny on California’s Raisin Future
California’s raisin industry is at a crossroads, facing declining acreage, rising labor and production costs, global competition and the challenge of attracting the next generation of farmers. But Jeff Smutny,…
Jeff Smutny Part 2: Reinventing California Raisins for a New Generation
…cost approximately $20,000 to $22,000 per acre, according to Smutny. However, newer varieties and production systems have the potential to dramatically increase yields while reducing dependence on expensive labor. The…
USDA Trade Push Meets a Changing California Raisin Industry
…that the industry has changed significantly from its peak. California raisin production that once reached roughly 350,000 tons annually is now closer to 220,000 tons, while acreage has declined as…
USDA and the Birth of America’s Land-Grant Universities
…time, land-grant universities became centers for agricultural research, education and outreach. Their work helped farmers adopt new technologies, improve production practices and address changing agricultural challenges. The system expanded further…
California Figs Find New Momentum as Demand Grows
…with about 10 growers involved in production and roughly 100 participants when processors and marketers are included. Production is increasing. Caputo said approximately 6,300 tons were reported in 2025, up…
California Figs Make a Comeback as Growers Respond to Rising Demand
…countries. But Caputo said California’s production standards, farming practices and generations of experience distinguish the state’s crop in the global marketplace. Availability may actually be one of the industry’s biggest…