…environment, California risks losing production permanently. The conversation also tackled labor and workforce challenges, particularly immigration reform. Kreps underscored the need for a legal, stable labor supply, arguing that lawmakers…
Freight, Labor, and Water: Roger Isom Unpacks the Big Challenges
…the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association. From labor policy to freight and water infrastructure, Isom doesn’t hold back in explaining what’s holding California agriculture back and what might just…
Minturn Nut’s Darren Rigg Talks Almond Industry
…Eastern markets favor pallet-level trading. Freight, Labor, and Logistics Freight disruptions during COVID-19 were severe, but shipping and container availability have improved. Minturn has not faced significant labor shortages due…
California’s Half-Billion Dollar Rodent Crisis: A Looming Threat to Tree Nut Growers
…Isom, CEO of both the Western Agricultural Processors Association and the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association. He weighs in on California’s regulatory pressure, labor costs, and the breaking point…
Robert McCormick and the Birth of American Agricultural Innovation
…inventiveness clearly influenced his son, Cyrus McCormick. In 1831, Cyrus demonstrated a groundbreaking harvester capable of cutting six acres of oats, significantly surpassing the capacity of manual labor. Just a…
California Almonds at the Crossroads: Tariffs, Trade, and Hope for a Better Harvest
…and the shelf life advantage of California-grown almonds. With freight and labor issues less problematic than in past years, Darren believes the almond industry is positioned to adapt, provided policy…
Cyrus McCormick and the Reaper Revolution
…American farmers remained unconvinced. Cyrus McCormick and the Reaper Revolution At the time, hand labor was abundant and relatively cheap. For many, the reaper seemed unnecessary or too complex. As…
Innovation and Ingenuity in the Desert: Yuma, Arizona’s Role in Feeding America
…crop spraying. With high-resolution imaging and advanced sensors, drones help reduce labor needs and increase efficiency—especially critical as California faces ongoing labor shortages. Robert provides an in-depth look into Yuma’s…
Trucking in Crisis: Mark Wood Sounds the Alarm on California Freight
…like water and labor, is an essential part of agriculture’s supply chain, without it, the entire system crumbles. From electric truck mandates to infrastructure decay, Wood paints a bleak picture…
California Dairy in the Spotlight: Generations of Dedication and a Future of Uncertainty
…community reflect the strength and legacy of California’s dairy families. The episode dove into the many challenges facing dairymen in California—from relentless regulation and water scarcity to labor hurdles and…
Evolution of Irrigation in American Agriculture
…nearby streams just to keep their crops alive during dry spells. These labor-intensive methods underscored the pressing need for a more effective irrigation system. A Turning Point: Irrigation in the…
Three Agricultural Revolutions That Transformed U.S. Farming
…Transformed U.S. Farming The First Revolution: Industrial Breakthroughs The first major shift occurred during the mid-1800s with the Industrial Revolution. This era marked the replacement of human labor with horse-powered…
John Duarte on Water, Immigration, and Fixing California
…cost of projects like raising the Shasta Dam is minimal compared to what’s spent elsewhere—yet red tape and litigation block progress. He also highlighted the high cost and slow pace…
AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-25-25
…that have become industry standards. But it wasn’t just a story of business success. Duarte delved into the broader challenges plaguing California agriculture today: water shortages, overregulation, labor struggles, and…