…biggest strength is that she isn’t tied to party influence or special interests. That independence, she argues, allows her to speak openly about issues impacting farmers, businesses, and everyday Californians—without…
Jon Kinzenbaw: A Modern Pioneer in Agricultural Innovation
…Growing up in rural Iowa, Kinzenbaw was immersed in agriculture from an early age. This upbringing gave him firsthand insight into the challenges farmers faced in improving efficiency, productivity, and…
Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture
…weather patterns. This forces the state to rethink how it captures, stores, and distributes water moving forward. Regulation vs. Reality for Farmers One of the biggest frustrations among farmers is…
From Hand-Husking to Horse Power: The Evolution of Corn Harvesting
…transformed agriculture, farmers relied on sheer physical labor and simple tools to bring in their crops. A Time Before Combines and Tractors Imagine a time with no combines or tractors—only…
Walnut Orchards to Washington: Jenny Moffitt’s Mission to Save American Farming
…comprehensive view of agriculture—from boots-on-the-ground farming to high-level policymaking. Farmers: The True Environmental Stewards In a world where agriculture is sometimes misunderstood, Moffitt makes one thing clear—farmers are among the…
Farmland Protection and Farm Transition Take Focus in AgNet News Hour Interview
…highlighted the increasing pressure farmers face in California, including regulatory challenges, rising costs, and competition from lower-cost imports. Moffitt acknowledged the need to better recognize and compensate farmers for the…
From Soldiers to Sodbusters: How Union Veterans Settled Kansas
…than just former soldiers—they were experienced farmers. Many had been raised on farms in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before leaving their families behind to fight for the Union. When the…
California Cattle Under Pressure: Katie Roberti Speaks Out
…every rancher, farmer, and consumer should hear. From Sierra Valley Ranch to Statewide Voice Roberti’s story starts in Sierra Valley, where she grew up on a multi-generational cattle ranch. Like…
Inside Agriculture’s Turning Point: Mike Johanns on Policy, Profitability, and the Future
…do that because we want to get that benefit to every farmer we can. And if it is a case where the farmer doesn’t qualify, we’ll say that. How do…
Dairy Leadership: Melvin Mederios on the Future of Milk
…the Ag Meter, dairy leader Melvin Mederios, chairman of the Western Council for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), shared an inside look at the challenges and opportunities facing dairy farmers…
Dairy Leadership, Innovation, and Challenges with Melvin Medeiros
The AgNet News Hour recently featured an in-depth conversation with dairy leader Melvin Medeiros, chairman of the Western Council for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). In a wide-ranging interview with…
America’s Westward Expansion and the Transformation of Agriculture
…construction of canals — most notably projects like the Erie Canal — and the growing use of steamboats revolutionized trade. Rivers became commercial highways, and inland farmers were increasingly connected…
Cannon Michael Highlights Farming Challenges; USDA’s Luke Lindberg Talks Trade Gains
…American producers. Michael, a sixth-generation California farmer, spoke candidly about the difficult conditions growers are facing as the 2026 season begins. Bowles Farming Company farms more than 11,000 acres between…
Six Generations of Farming: Cannon Michael on Water, Innovation, and the Future of California Agriculture
…friends and family,” he said. Water Remains the Biggest Challenge Despite strong reservoir levels in recent years, federal water allocations for many Central Valley farmers remain extremely limited. This year’s…






















