…techniques were refined for efficiency, soil stewardship, and long-term sustainability — values shaped by generations of farming under tighter land constraints. Preference for Oxen Over Horses One clear example of…
Fertilizer: The Overlooked Revolution in American Agriculture
…improve soil fertility. What may seem obvious today was once a breakthrough in agricultural thinking. Early Fertilizers: Manure and Wood Ash In early American agriculture, manure became a primary soil…
Sharing Knowledge on the Frontier: Early Agricultural Extension in America
…the latest farming practices. This system helped bridge the gap between formal research and everyday farm life, spreading innovations in soil management, crop cultivation, and livestock care. Pioneers of Agricultural…
St. Genevieve: Early French Farming on the Mississippi
…Country under French control. The decision to establish a community on the west bank of the Mississippi reflected both agricultural ambition and geographic opportunity. The river provided fertile soil and…
California Freight in Crisis: Wildwood Express on the Pressures Facing Trucking and Agriculture
…has had success attracting younger drivers, visa and language barriers occasionally force talented employees off the road. Woods stresses the importance of demonstrating career longevity, providing health benefits, and maintaining…
Learning, Networking, and a Change of Scenery: Why California Growers May Want to Head to Fort Myers in 2026
…address real-world challenges facing specialty crop producers. Topics regularly include water-use efficiency, irrigation and nutrient management, pest and disease control, soil health, precision agriculture, and emerging technologies. While production systems…
From Backyard Prototype to Global Ag Tech: Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder Revolution
…exposure, protecting soil and farmer health “Every season is the most important season,” Mikesell explains. The LaserWeeder pays for itself in under three years, giving farmers a clear return on…
Fighting for Family Farms: Stephanie Moreda-Arend on Point Reyes’ Future
…noted, and these narratives often shape public opinion. “Manure isn’t waste—it’s the foundation for organic soil and healthy crops,” Stephanie explained. The Human Cost: Families and Communities Every farm lost…
Carbon Robotics Brings Laser Weeding and Autonomous Tractors to Center Stage
…growers are seeing up to 80 percent savings on weed control while improving crop health and market timing. The key, he emphasized, is ROI. Farmers want automation to pay for…
Don’t Cut Fertility After a Tough Year
…lead to longer-term setbacks. Maintaining a consistent fertility baseline helps protect orchard health and ensures trees have the nutrients they need to build reserves for the next production cycle. Rather…
Almond Outlook, Propane Savings, and Ag Pride
…and bloom conditions could position nonpareils for a rebound year, while pistachios may cycle down after last season’s record harvest. Beyond production numbers, he emphasized the importance of soil health,…
Bee Season in Full Swing, Highlighting Pollination Urgency for Almond Growers
…bees. With almond bloom underway across the Central Valley and storms rolling through the state, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill dedicated much of the program to pollination, hive health,…
Building a Smarter Crop Nutrition Budget for Next Season
…expected yield response. Soil and tissue samples should guide spending decisions. By identifying recurring deficiencies or nutrient imbalances, growers can allocate dollars where they will have the greatest impact. In…
Missouri’s Early Agricultural Roots: River Commerce and Opportunity
…soil and reliable access to transportation routes, making them ideal for large-scale farming operations. The promise of opportunity attracted wealthy farmers from established agricultural states such as Virginia, Kentucky, and…