Inspiring the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders At the recent Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Florida, three outstanding members of the Florida FFA Association—Lyla Bent, Hope Storter, and Isabelle Jenkins—shared…
Future Leaders Shine at Florida FFA
…itself, from ticketing to hospitality. The episode also featured a dairy spotlight with Dr. Jill Soderstrom of Purina Animal Nutrition, who discussed gut health technologies for young calves. She explained…
The Birth of the USDA and Land-Grant Universities
The Establishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture In 1862, a pivotal year for American farming and education, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was officially established. This came 42…
Midland Tractor: John Deere Dealer Powering California Farmers with Innovation and Service
Stan Nelsen A Family Legacy in Madera At the heart of California’s Central Valley, Midland Tractor in Madera has been serving farmers for more than 40 years. For Stan Nelson,…
History of Land-Grant Universities in U.S. Agriculture
The Origins of Land-Grant Universities in American Agriculture The Morrill Act of 1862 and Its Impact In 1862, the United States passed the First Morrill Act, a historic piece of…
Walnuts on the Rise: How to Defend a Promising Crop
In this episode of The Growing Edge, we connect with Todd Burkdoll, Field Market Development Manager at Valent U.S.A., to explore what could be a banner year for walnut growers,…
Role of Shorthorn Cattle in American Agricultural History
Beef Shorthorn bull in field By Robert Scarth / Wikimedia image Shorthorn Cattle and Early American Farms The holds a significant place in American agricultural history. As settlers pushed westward,…
Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Chickens in American Agriculture
Photo by Kirsten Bühne/Pexels image Chickens: The Early Livestock Staple of Pioneer Farms Cattle and hogs are widely recognized today as major livestock staples on American farms and ranches. However,…
Farm Labor and Market Shifts: Today’s AgNet News Hour Highlights
…how gut health continues to be a major focus for keeping animals productive and healthy. Dairy farmers are being reminded of the value of proactive nutrition strategies to ensure peak…
Life on a Midwest Farm in the 1840s
Photo by Tom Fisk/Pexels image The Early Midwest Homestead In the 1840s Midwest, the average family farm covered about 100 acres—large enough to support crops, livestock, and a self-sustaining lifestyle….
Dale Nicol on Syngenta, Farming Challenges, and Feeding the World
Dale Nicol A Lifetime in Agriculture Few names in agriculture carry the respect and legacy of Dale Nicol, AgriEdge Manager at Syngenta and a proud native of Wasco, California. With…
Roger Isom on California Farming Challenges in 2025
…tree nut industry alone, more than 10,000 hand-sorting jobs have disappeared in just three years, replaced by machines. Isom explained that farmers have little choice: workers’ compensation, health insurance, and…
California Pistachio Harvest 2025: Insights from Richard Kreps
A Promising Pistachio Season Ahead Richard Kreps California pistachio growers are preparing for what could be their largest harvest on record. According to Richard Kreps, Ultra Gro representative and Chairman…
Dairy, Family, and Football: Joseph Bakker’s Life in the Central Valley
…well. We house them, feed them, cool them—we do everything we can to keep them healthy. Milk isn’t just milk. It’s cheese, ice cream, pizza—things people enjoy every day.” Bakker…