…the unintended consequences of solar development on farmland. AgNet West’s own Josh McGill investigated the issue and found a troubling contradiction: while farmers are restricted from pumping groundwater due to…
David Tangipa: Defending California Farmers from Costly Policies
…didn’t hold back. From water policy to overregulation, Tangipa outlined the uphill battle facing California farmers—and why he’s determined to be part of the solution. David Tangipa: Defending California Farmers…
Agricultural Prices Rise 1.7% in May Amid Climbing Farm Costs
…commodity prices, farmers faced a 4% increase in production-related costs, including expenses tied to equipment, fuel, fertilizers, labor, and maintenance. As a result, many producers saw profit margins remain tight,…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-04-25
…farmers, this episode reminds listeners how agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s freedom and prosperity. Did you know that 90% of Americans were involved in agriculture in…
USDA Launches Support Program for Specialty Crop Growers
…the USDA’s broader commitment to strengthening the specialty crop sector—a vital component of the U.S. agricultural economy and a key contributor to national nutrition and food security. By helping farmers…
H-2A Guestworker Program Burdening California Farmers
Manuel Cunha Calls H-2A Labor System “Unworkable” for Local Growers AgNet West’s Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter”, recently sat down with Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, to…
Imperial Valley Sugar Plant Closure Raises Crop Market Concerns
…they typically never come back,” Leimgruber warned. “We’re losing that much more ability to feed and grow food and fiber for our nation.” As Imperial Valley farmers adapt to another…
AgNet News Hour Thursday, 07-03-25
…heavily on seasonal and skilled immigrant labor. As delays in the H-2A program continue to cost farmers millions in lost crops, the potential for reform is welcome news. Nick and…
Water, Land, and Policy: Farmer Andrew Leimgruber Speaks Out
…Farmer’s Story Though humble about his “celebrity” status, Leimgruber believes farmers must speak out more often. “If we don’t step up and tell the story, we’ll be falsified and villainized.”…
Farming with Less Water: Leimgruber’s “Crop per Drop” Success
…political challenges to environmental restrictions, Leimgruber is keenly aware that California farmers are under pressure. Yet his focus remains on innovation—not politics. “We’re going to be limited on land. We’re…
Cunha: Immigration Failure Hurts America’s Farmworkers
Nisei Farmers League President Calls for Real Guest Worker Reform Longtime Workers Still Face Deportation In a powerful interview with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter”, Manuel Cunha, president of the…
AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-02-25
…discusses how water cutbacks, state regulations, and rising costs are putting unprecedented strain on farmers. Despite receiving just two inches of rain per year, Leimgruber has reduced water usage by…
Manuel Cunha: Work Permits Key for Ag Workforce
Nisei Farmers League President Pushes for Legal Pathway for Farm Labor In a conversation with Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers League, weighed in…
George Washington Carver Transformed Southern Agriculture
…American farming—George Washington Carver. George Washington Carver Transformed Southern Agriculture As agriculture expanded from the Carolinas into Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, early Southern farmers grew peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans….