…field, those foundational experiences matter. “Just learning how to look someone in the eye, shake their hand, and communicate effectively — those are powerful skills,” Jacobsen added. “FFA teaches that…
Merced College Dean Cody Jacobson Champions the Future of California Ag Education
…when we teach, it’s not just theory — it’s what’s happening right now in the field.” Jacobson also raises sheep and comes from a family of livestock producers, giving him…
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
…— how farms operate and how to make this technology work in the field,” she said. She also shared her personal mission, shaped by her own family’s experience of losing…
Post–Civil War Wheat Crash: How Farmers Turned to Corn and Livestock
A canon sits near a corn field at a Civil War battlefield. DepositPhotos image The Civil War’s Wheat Boom During the Civil War, wheat became one of the most valuable…
F3 Innovate: Powering the Central Valley’s AgTech Revolution
…help move ideas from the lab to the field. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture Artificial Intelligence is one of F3 Innovate’s most exciting frontiers. “AI is in every field, and…
Van Groningen & Sons: A Century of California Farming
…Education in Action True to their commitment to community outreach, Van Groningen & Sons often host school field trips to their pumpkin operation. “We recently had a group of kids…
Verdant Robotics: Revolutionizing Farming with Precision AI and Automation
Bringing Cutting-Edge Technology to the Field Gabe Sibley Farming has long been a labor-intensive industry, but advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are beginning to transform how growers manage crops….
Verdant Robotics and Van Groningen & Sons Showcase Innovation and Tradition on AgNet News Hour
…atoms and molecules on target,” Sibley said. “It’s like having an agronomist in the field with a paintbrush — applying exactly what’s needed, where it’s needed.” He explained that the…
Nat DiBuduo, the “Godfather of Grapes,” on the Future of California Wine and Farming
…the day, it was all tree fruit and grapes,” he said. “Now it’s housing developments. Every generation needs a house, but we’re losing farmland one field at a time.” DiBuduo,…
Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour
…from technology and education to leadership in the field. Koepke began the program by outlining F3 Innovate’s mission: to transform the Central Valley into a world-class hub for agricultural technology…
Celebrating the Valley’s Bounty: The Whole Vine Festival Returns to Fresno State
…and culture. Festival founder Vickie Goudreau describes the event as a way to highlight “what is absolutely gorgeous in our valley.” From Bakersfield to the northern reaches of the Central…
Mando Perez: Innovation & Leadership in California Ag
…Citrus: Building Skills and Knowledge Perez reflected on his experience as a citrus PCA, which provided invaluable lessons in field scouting and pest management. Citrus farming requires year-round attention, unlike…
California’s Water Puzzle: Insights from Avid Water’s Cory Broad
…you need,’ growers are coming to us with experience and asking, ‘Can we do it this way?’ It’s a real exchange of ideas.” A Full-System Approach: From Pump to Field…