…Declines Triggered by Oversupply As cotton flooded the market, prices plummeted during two major downturns: 1820–1823: A sharp decline driven by rapid expansion of supply 1840–1843: Another major downturn as…
Southern Agriculture: The Rise of Plantations and Cotton’s Global Impact
…large-scale, export-oriented agriculture. Despite the disparities, all farms—large and small—produced food for their own consumption. Yet, the South’s most profitable focus was on a select few cash crops that found…
Inside the World of Agricultural Shipping: A Conversation with Jeff Cox of Best Drayage
…challenges. China posed difficulties in the past but has stabilized, while India—a massive almond market—remains complex. Still, he remains confident: demand is strong, supply is steady, and “we’re going to…
Jeff Cox Explains the Freight Factor Behind California’s Ag Exports
…is trained to handle food products. “We’re food-safety certified top to bottom,” he said. “There are carriers out there that cut corners, but when you’re hauling nuts, milk, or produce,…
Inside FIRA USA 2025: California’s AgTech Future
…receives the relevant skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce. She highlighted meaningful discussions around food safety, with input from major buyers such as Costco, Sysco, and Taco Bell. These companies emphasized…
California Table Grapes: A Strong, High-Quality Season
…“It’s easy to forget how difficult a job farmers have every day to produce high-quality, nutritious food. That’s why we work to tell our story and build appreciation.” Upholding High…
How Settlers Transformed the Heart of American Agriculture
…identity but the nation’s food supply and rural culture. The story of Iowa’s prairie agriculture is more than a tale of hardship — it’s a testament to human perseverance and…
Kings County Farm Bureau Takes on State Water Board Over Groundwater Rights
…produces the safest, freshest, and most abundant food supply anywhere. Losing California agriculture would have global repercussions. Importing food from countries with lower safety standards, fewer labor protections, and weaker…
The Rise of Plantation Agriculture in Early America
…many smaller farmers in surrounding areas produced food for their families and traded surplus goods locally or used them to pay taxes. This combination of plantation and subsistence agriculture helped…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Insights from Fresno County Farm Bureau President Ryan Jacobsen
…global imports on consumer expectations and farmer profitability. Decades ago, imports made up only a small portion of America’s food supply. Today, over 40% of the food consumed in the…
Ryan Jacobsen on Farming Through Storms, Labor, and the Future of California Agriculture
…“When I was a kid, imported food made up less than 10 percent of our supply. Today, it’s over 40 percent,” he said. “Consumers want quality, but many still buy…
Edward Ring’s Bold Blueprint: Fixing California’s Water and Energy Crisis
…capacity through winter could supply enough water to prevent massive farmland loss.” Dredge the Delta — Ring proposed removing built-up silt to double water flow, strengthen levees, and reduce salinity….
Edward Ring on California’s Water Crisis: Fixing a Broken System
…petroleum despite still relying on oil for half its total energy supply. “Why are we importing oil from countries that have almost no labor or environmental standards at all?” he…
Westward Expansion: The Harsh Beginnings of America’s Frontier Farmers
…Farming In the earliest stages of westward expansion, survival came before agriculture. Pioneers relied heavily on the abundance of wildlife for food. Deer, turkeys, and other small game were the…