…20 percent of farm budgets. From labor and fuel to water policy and environmental mandates, the expenses continue climbing — without corresponding increases in farmgate prices. “The number one rule…
R7 Enterprises: Dave Roberts on Water, Lemons & California’s Farming Future
…than competitors, yet receive no premium in the marketplace. He estimates state regulations now consume close to 20% of a farm’s operating budget. Water, SGMA & Food Security Water policy…
More Than a Million Strong: How FFA Is Shaping America’s Future
The National FFA Organization continues to prove that agricultural education is not just about farming — it’s about building leaders for every industry. In a recent Ag Meter interview, Kristy…
Kern Oil: Rickey Bird on California’s Energy, Community, and the Human Cost
Rickey Bird California stands at a pivotal crossroads, where energy policy, agriculture, and local economies collide. Few understand this better than Rickey Bird, director and writer of the new documentary…
Elaine Culotti Pushes for Middle-Ground Leadership and Stronger Support for Small Farmers
…80,000 farms in California under 200 acres and questioned why so many struggle to remain profitable. Rising input costs, packaging expenses, and regulations are squeezing producers, while farmgate prices often…
Missouri’s Mule Legacy in American Agriculture
…By raising mules alongside other crops and livestock, farmers diversified their operations and strengthened their financial stability. Horses Still Ruled the Farm Despite Missouri’s strong mule reputation, horses remained the…
Elaine Culotti Enters Governor’s Race, Calls for Major Reset in California Policy
…costs rising, she warned that California families and farmers will continue feeling pressure at the pump and in grocery stores unless energy and logistics are addressed directly. Water policy was…
Kern Oil Documentary Highlights Human Cost of California Energy Policy
…not just policy debates, but the real families affected when jobs disappear in rural California. Kern Oil features interviews with oilfield workers, executives, community leaders, and policymakers, offering perspectives from…
From Cattle Drives to Cold Storage: How Kansas City Became a Meatpacking Powerhouse
…significant economic transitions in its history. What had long been a primarily rural, farm-based economy evolved into a powerful industrial agricultural system. Rapid industrialization reshaped the region. Infrastructure expanded, cities…
Learning, Networking, and a Change of Scenery: Why California Growers May Want to Head to Fort Myers in 2026
For California farmers and agribusiness professionals, attending an out-of-state event has to make sense. Time away from the farm is valuable, and travel has to deliver real returns. The 2026…
Freight Crisis Deepens as California Trucking Companies Warn of Industry Collapse
…Mark Woods and Jose Nunez of Wildwood Express. Their message was urgent: without meaningful policy changes, the trucking industry that agriculture depends on may not survive. Woods, who operates a…
From Backyard Prototype to Global Ag Tech: Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder Revolution
…exposure, protecting soil and farmer health “Every season is the most important season,” Mikesell explains. The LaserWeeder pays for itself in under three years, giving farmers a clear return on…
From Fresno Legend to Propane Pioneer: Lance Shebelut on Farming Smarter
…Known for his home-run prowess on the diamond, Shebelut has also been hitting home runs in farming, particularly with energy-efficient irrigation. From Tenaya Park to the Farm Before making a…
Bees Are Gold: Why Almond Growers Can’t Afford to Miss Pollination in 2026
World Ag Expo Conversation Highlights the Critical Role of Bees At the World Ag Expo, plenty of attention goes to equipment, markets, and policy. But one of the most essential…