…on farmland. Land Locked and Left Waiting Farm families such as the Oberti operation have been waiting for years to farm ground tied up by state and federal decisions. As…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
The Oberti Family Legacy in Central Valley Agriculture Melissa Oberti, a third-generation (nearly fourth) farmer from Madera, California, continues her family’s agricultural tradition. The Oberti family, once famous for Oberti…
Immigration Reform and Ag Labor: Manuel Cunha on the Dignity Act
Manuel Cunha on Immigration Reform and Ag Labor Nick Papagni recently spoke with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, about the urgent need for immigration reform and how…
Joe Del Bosque: Water, Labor, and the Fight for California Farming
…California agriculture. He also brings legislators and media outlets to his farm, ensuring decision-makers and the public see firsthand the challenges farmers face. Regulations and Farm Innovation California’s strict regulations…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…feature was an interview with Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, who addressed farm labor shortages and immigration policy. He highlighted the bipartisan Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), introduced…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…in Petaluma, where NGOs attempted to seize farmland, as examples of farmers being unfairly vilified. He urged the public to recognize that family farmers are environmental stewards who care for…
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….
Lewis B. Schmidt and the First Agricultural History Course in America
Farm Families and the Birth of Agricultural Policy As farm families moved westward and settled across the American heartland, they were unknowingly shaping the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Their struggles,…
Ziveli Winery: A Croatian Legacy Thrives in the Heart of California
…last decade, and government programs meant to offset these costs have been reduced. “The farm can’t support a small family anymore. You need at least a thousand acres just to…
California Farmers Struggle with Water, Labor, and Regulations
…realities of farm life—from early morning emergencies to daily business challenges. Regulatory Challenges Facing California Farmers Farmers face thousands of regulations annually, many of which impact profitability and farm succession….
Family Tree Farms on Quality and Water: Daniel Jackson
On this Labor Day edition of the AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Daniel Jackson of Family Tree Farms to discuss the state of California agriculture, from…
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau: Advocacy, Education & the Future of Agriculture
…husband is a fourth-generation dairy farmer, knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing farmers today. “People farm because it’s the lifestyle they love, but regulatory costs have gone up nearly…
Small Wineries Under Pressure: Ziveli Winery
…four wineries that are making any money,” John admitted. The family has been forced to take on off-farm jobs to make ends meet, with John warning that small wineries often…
Marlena Paolilli on Cry Baby Wine and the Future of California’s Wine Industry
Marlena Paolilli From Italian Restaurants to California Wine Marlena Paolilli is no stranger to food, family, and tradition. Coming from one of the Central Valley’s most iconic Italian families, her…



















