The November 13 edition of the AgNet News Hour hit home for farmers across California as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Dusty Ference, Executive Director of…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Insights from Fresno County Farm Bureau President Ryan Jacobsen
…farmers into a relentless cycle of drying crops, salvaging what they could, and preparing for the next wave of rain. Farmers—especially those working with raisins, almonds, grapes, and other weather-sensitive…
Ryan Jacobsen on Farming Through Storms, Labor, and the Future of California Agriculture
…and Josh McGill to reflect on the past year in agriculture and look ahead to 2026. Jacobsen, a fourth-generation Central Valley farmer, described 2025 as “one of the most unique…
Nanette Simonian and California Women for Agriculture Take a Stand on Prop 50
…A lifelong farmer and Fresno native, Simonian spoke candidly about CWA’s firm stance against Prop 50. “We already have a bipartisan redistricting system that works,” she said. “Prop 50 hands…
Building the Future of Ag Tech: Danny Bernstein and The Reservoir at FIRA 2025
…it shares the farmer’s humility and grounded nature,” Bernstein said. “These aren’t boastful tech companies — they’re mission-driven. You can feel the farmer ethic in them.” He sees The Reservoir…
Kevin Kester on Cattle, Trade, and Prop 50: Halloween Highlights from the AgNet News Hour
…safest, highest-quality beef in the world.” Papagni closed the show calling Kester “one of the great voices in California ranching,” while McGill agreed: “When Kevin talks, every farmer and rancher…
Building the Future of Ag Education at Merced College
…beacon for agricultural innovation and workforce development. Dean Cody Jacobsen, who oversees the Agriculture and Industrial Technology Division, brings a unique perspective to the role — part educator, part farmer,…
Merced College Dean Cody Jacobson Champions the Future of California Ag Education
…farms more than 100 acres of almonds in La Grande, told listeners that real-world experience shapes everything he does as an educator. “I’m a farmer first,” he said. “That’s why…
How Draft Horses Powered American Farming
Amish farmer plowing field with draft horses. Photo by Brad Weaver on Unsplash Before the mid-1800s, American farms depended on horses and oxen to provide the muscle for plowing, hauling,…
Ecorobotix, AgTech Grants, and Hannah Johnson’s Push for California’s Future
…to technology.” Johnson emphasized the importance of developing a workforce that bridges traditional farming and advanced technology. “The biggest thing farmers need right now is people who understand both sides…
Ag Hall of Fame: Honoring U.S. Agricultural Pioneers
…for his pioneering agricultural research and promotion of crop rotation. Thomas Jefferson, a visionary farmer and advocate for agricultural education. George Washington, who emphasized farming as the foundation of national…
Building the Future of Farming: Insights from UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey at FIRA USA 2025
…Message to Farmers: UC ANR Is Your Partner When asked what he would like farmers listening to know, Youtsey offers a candid and heartfelt message: He acknowledges that well-meaning people…
First American Silo: How Fred Hatch Revolutionized Grain Storage in 1873
DepositPhotos image A Pioneering Moment in American Agriculture In 1873, Illinois farmer Fred Hatch built what is believed to be America’s first version of the modern silo. During this period,…
How the Cargill Brothers Built an Agricultural Empire in Iowa
…his community. The Cargill Brothers Join Forces A year later, the farmer’s younger brother, Sam, joined the effort. Together, the brothers began constructing more flat storage houses for nearby farmers…