…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
…pathways for legal farm labor while securing the border and streamlining guest worker programs. “We want a real border. We want legal guest workers. We want pathways to citizenship for…
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…
Los Gatos Tomato: Innovation, Labor & Water in Focus
…We become more efficient.” Labor Stability and Seasonal Strength Despite concerns around immigration and state labor regulations, Los Gatos enjoys strong employee retention—over 90% of its 150 seasonal workers return…
Strawberry Volumes Rise, But Growers Still Lag Behind
…life, leading to higher overall fruit quality. Pricing Improves, But Costs and Labor Weigh Heavy Prices for strawberries this year are holding slightly above last season’s averages, offering growers a…
Ground Beef Prices Hit Historic Highs Amid Supply Chain Strains
…latest Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average price for ground beef surpassed $6 per pound — the highest ever recorded since data…
Court Limits ICE Actions in Southern California
…bus stops, car washes, and day labor sites as potentially violating constitutional protections. The order prohibits ICE from stopping or detaining individuals without specific suspicion, and bars action based solely…
AgNet News Hour Tuesday, 07-22-25
Dignity Act Gains Momentum as Organic Leader Stephen Paul Highlights Labor Realities On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill delivered a jam-packed episode featuring expert insights and…
American Agri-Women Advocate for Agriculture on Capitol Hill
…a growing threat to rural communities and natural resources. Additional advocacy priorities included: Protecting private property rights Labor and trade policy reform Addressing regulatory burdens Engaging in the Budget Reconciliation…
Homegrown Organic: Stephen Paul on Fruit, Figs, Farming Future
…exciting commodities—figs. “We just started fig harvest,” said Paul. “It’ll be a solid six to eight weeks of intense picking, packing, and shipping. Figs are delicate and labor-intensive, but they’re…