…This demanding work required skill, stamina, and coordination, shaping farm life across the country. Early Mechanization and Transitional Farming Practices By the 1920s, labor-saving machinery began appearing on farms, aiming…
California Wine Looks Ahead After an Exceptional 2025 Harvest
…unique to California—major wine regions around the world are experiencing similar shifts. In response, the Wine Institute has focused on public policy, regulatory advocacy, and expanded marketing and communications. At…
The Cooper Barn: A Kansas Landmark of American Agricultural History
…significance: the Cooper Barn in Colby, Kansas. Barns as the Backbone of Family Farms Throughout American history, barns were—and remain—a defining feature of family farms. As settlers continued across the…
California FFA: Growing the Next Generation of Ag Leaders
…Farmers of America). On a recent Ag Meter episode, Nick Papagni spoke with Katie Otto, Executive Director of Development for the California FFA Foundation, about the program’s impact on students…
FFA: Building the Next Generation of California Agriculture Leaders
California agriculture is facing growing challenges—from extreme weather and trade pressures to regulatory shifts—but the future of farming depends on the next generation. On this episode of the AgNet News…
Corn Shelling Bees: How Community and Early Technology Shaped American Agriculture
…and livestock feed. From early settlement through the 19th century, corn production shaped farm economies and rural livelihoods across the country. However, while growing corn was essential, processing it—particularly removing…
Milk Is Back: Health Benefits, Kids, and California Dairy
…farm-to-school programs, ensuring that students receive nutritious foods grown and produced within the state. These meals not only support child health but also strengthen local agriculture. According to DeLisio, school…
AgNet News Hour: Regenerative Ag & Dairy Insights for 2026
…to maintain energy and health for farming communities. Whether you’re a farmer, consumer, or ag industry professional, this episode provides actionable insights, science-backed information, and updates on policy, sustainability, and…
How the Great Depression Transformed American Farmland
…soil conservation practices we rely on today. The Dust Bowl and Abandoned Farmland During the Great Depression, millions of acres of farmland across the U.S. became barren due to over-plowing,…
AI, Robotics, and Innovation in California Agriculture – AgNet News Hour Christmas Special
…discusses regulatory challenges, water management, and ways farmers can engage in local and state policy through initiatives like Campaign School. Todd Burkdoll of Valent USA shares decades of crop science…
AgNet News Hour Podcast Recap: Agriculture Policy, Rodeo Ambassadors, and Holiday Cheer
…makes the show unique: thoughtful agricultural journalism, meaningful conversations with industry voices, and an authentic connection to the people behind the headlines. Whether you’re interested in farm policy, California agriculture,…
Alexandra Duarte Talks Water, Agriculture, and Rural California in State Senate District 4 Race
…Duarte says one issue comes up repeatedly, regardless of profession or location: the rising cost of living driven by state policy. Conversations with sheriffs, educators, healthcare workers, and farmers all…
California Farm Bureau 107th Annual Meeting: Highlights, Advocacy Wins, and Preparing the Next Generation
…efforts to engage policymakers through on-farm visits, fostering understanding among elected officials who may have little prior exposure to agriculture. Engaging the Next Generation: FFA and Young Farmers The Future…
Elaine Culotti: Why California’s Farmers, Cities, and Future Are at a Breaking Point
…Farming in California: Dependent by Design Culotti described farming in California as increasingly unsustainable without government assistance. While grants and targeted support can be useful, she warned that farmers have…