…wheat moved across the Appalachians into the Corn Belt, cementing their place in American food systems. In the South, crops like tobacco, peanuts, and cotton became economic cornerstones, shaping regional…
Prop 12 Sparks Pricing Concerns for Pork Producers and Consumers
…and Consumers Darren Hill, a seasoned sales manager at JD Food in Fresno, explains how the legislation—though likely well-intended—has caused market disruption. “The problem with Prop 12 is the enforcement…
California Table Grape Harvest Kicks Off with Strong Yields
…worked in our favor.” Market Outlook Positive Amid Reduced Mexican Supply Adding to the optimism, grape supplies from Mexico are down this year, creating increased market demand for California-grown grapes….
CDFA Seeks Applicants for Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board
Three Vacancies Open on Key Agricultural Oversight Board The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications to fill three vacancies on the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board,…
Darren Hill Explains Why Chicken and Pork Beat Beef on Price
JD Food Sales Manager Breaks Down Protein Market Differences Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” sat down with Darren Hill, sales manager for JD Food in Fresno, to talk about the…
California Farm Leaders Urge Rethink of Immigration Enforcement
…disrupting the food supply chain, increasing uncertainty for producers already facing tight margins, regulatory pressure, and weather-related challenges. “Immigrant workers are not only essential to harvesting crops—they are central to…
Darren Hill: Why JD Food Buys Beef Nationwide
JD Food’s Darren Hill Explains Meat Sourcing Beyond California Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” sat down with Darren Hill, the veteran sales manager at JD Food, to discuss how the…
Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo 2025 Welcomes California Growers
…include tariffs, trade policy, labor, the farm bill, and food safety regulations. “There’s really something for everybody there,” Assaf said. A Message of Resilience and Opportunity California growers face ongoing…
California Farming at a Crossroads
…trends are leading the country toward a serious food security crisis. With 70% of U.S.-grown fruit and 50% of vegetables coming from California, policy-driven land reductions could have national consequences….
CDFA Expands Quarantine to Contain Pest Outbreak in Orange County
California Officials Respond Swiftly to Agricultural Pest Threat Exotic Fruit Flies USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has intensified efforts to…
USDA Proposal Sparks Concern Among Organic Mushroom Growers
…label, a hallmark of transparency and product integrity in the organic food industry. The existing regulations are seen as critical safeguards that ensure consistency in production standards, proper labeling, and…
AgNet News Hour Monday, 06-23-25
…cravings, and sharp analysis from Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and co-host Josh McGill. Kicking things off is an extended conversation with Darren Hill of JD Food, a third-generation family-owned…
California’s Beef Industry Faces Historic Supply Shortage
A Deepening Crisis in California’s Meat Industry Darren Hill, a seasoned sales manager at JD Food in Fresno, California, recently sat down to discuss the growing challenges in the state’s…
Before Tractors: The Thresher That Changed Farming
…way for modern agricultural equipment,” says Oppold. “Its legacy is foundational to today’s food production.” Mark Oppold brings us this installment of the American Ag History Minute, celebrating the innovation…