…encouraged him to pursue a Pest Control Advisor license. Balancing full-time work, school, and raising three kids, Perez earned his PCA credential and eventually managed 17,000 acres of tree nuts….
Alexandra Duarte’s Fight for California’s Future
…and contribute to events, campaign graphics, and website management. One daughter, who is away at school, is looking forward to joining the family effort during the holidays. The Fourth Senate…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for providing consistent support to the raisin industry across multiple administrations. Key programs include: School Lunch and Needy Persons Programs, which have long included…
Raisin Industry Legends Warn of Challenges and Chart a Path Forward
…the world. Despite the challenges, all three guests emphasized opportunities. USDA programs, including crop insurance, market access funds, and school lunch purchases, remain crucial. They also highlighted the need for…
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
…long been his outlet and form of relaxation. For years, he served as an offensive coordinator for Shandon High School football, even coaching during the time his son played quarterback….
California Trucking: Costs, Rules & Roadblocks
…recently earned a license after graduating high school, and the process revealed how much CDL training and testing has changed. Today, requirements are more detailed, with stricter standards—a positive development,…
Mike Harvey: Farming, Faith & Leading California’s Youth
…earlier one. The Impact of FFA and Youth Leadership While Harvey’s agricultural upbringing shaped him, another formative influence was his time in FFA at Bakersfield High School. Encouraged by his…
Beef Supply Shortages and Meat Prices: Darren Hill of JD Food
…continues to grow in popularity across the state. Remembering Coach Jon Anabo Toward the end of the conversation, Papagni and Hill reflected on the passing of their former high school…
Henry Groseclose and the Founding of FFA: A Legacy in Agricultural Education
The Vision of Henry Groseclose (1920) Henry Groseclose holds a vital place in American agricultural history. As an agricultural education teacher at Blacksburg, Virginia High School, Groseclose recognized the importance…
California Almond Harvest 2025: Prices and Yields
…funds for the Center for Land-Based Learning, which delivers agricultural curriculum in schools across California. For eight years, Malanca and co-founder Eric have donated $10,000 annually, funding scholarships for high…
My Job Depends on Ag: How a Grassroots Sticker Campaign Grew Into a Movement Supporting California Agriculture
…More Than a Sticker The campaign has also evolved into a fundraising effort that supports agricultural education. Proceeds from sticker sales go toward scholarships for high school seniors pursuing agriculture degrees….
Tariffs, Trade, and Table Grapes: Richard Matoian Shares Insights on California Farming Challenges
…thousand cuts.” New rules, from water restrictions to pesticide reporting mandates, add layers of difficulty for growers already facing razor-thin margins. He warned that transparency rules like public “spray day”…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…pesticide bans that fuel rodent infestations, she argued that Sacramento lawmakers lack both “skin in the game” and basic understanding of agriculture. “They make rules and policies without knowing what…
Henry A. Wallace: Father of Hybrid Corn
Photo by Johann Piber/Pexels image A Young Innovator in Iowa In 1904, a 16-year-old high school student in Iowa began experimenting with corn in the hopes of boosting crop yields….