AgNet News Hour

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Rachel Nettleton, Executive Director of the Kern County Farm Bureau , joined Nick Papagni to discuss a growing threat to California's agricultural water infrastructure, mounting production costs and the challenges facing one of the nation's most productive farming regions. The conversation also explored crop losses, farmland development, agricultural tec...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Colleen Cecil, Executive Director of the Butte County Farm Bureau, joined Nick Papagni to discuss rising production costs, water management, gray wolves and the challenges facing Northern California farmers. Cecil also reflected on her 20 years leading the organization and the importance of preparing the next generation for careers in agriculture.   Butt...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Louise Lampara, CEO of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, returned for Part 2 of her conversation with Nick Papagni, outlining a new initiative aimed at measuring the financial health of California agriculture. The program also featured Jose Alvarado Rojas, technical services representative for BASF, discussing disease management challenges and new crop pro...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Louise Lampara, CEO of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, joined Nick Papagni for Part 1 of a two-part conversation examining the growing financial pressures facing California agriculture. The discussion centered on the announced closure of six SoCal Berry farming operations, hundreds of anticipated layoffs and new economic data showing that production cost...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Roger Isom, president and CEO of the Western Tree Nut Association and California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, returned for Part 2 of his conversation with Nick Papagni. The discussion focused on widespread rodent damage in California orchards, rising insurance costs, new packaging regulations and uncertainty surrounding the state's agricultura...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Roger Isom, president and CEO of the Western Tree Nut Association and California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, joined Nick Papagni for Part 1 of a two-part conversation about California's agricultural future following the election. Isom discussed uncertainty surrounding the state's incoming administration, declining pistachio production, intern...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Dayna Ghirardelli, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, joined Nick Papagni to discuss California's ongoing water challenges, the struggling wine grape industry and growing concerns about the future of family farming. Ghirardelli also addressed agricultural regulations, emerging technology and the importance of strengthening public suppor...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Michelle Bekkering, Acting Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, joined Nick Papagni to discuss expanding international markets for American agricultural products, new trade agreements and opportunities for California's specialty crop growers. Bekkering, who previously served as deputy under sec...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , California Assemblyman David Tangipa, who represents the state's 8th Assembly District, joined Nick Papagni for a conversation about California's water infrastructure, government spending and the policies affecting Central Valley agriculture. With Election Day approaching, Tangipa also discussed the governor's race and the changes he believes are needed...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Hannah Johnson of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) joined Nick Papagni to discuss the future of agricultural automation, artificial intelligence and the challenges facing California's family farms. Johnson also highlighted the California Ag Tech Alliance's efforts to connect growers with practical technology and preview...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Matt Angel, Madera County farmer and longtime groundwater and irrigation pump expert formerly associated with Madera Pumps, joined Nick Papagni for an in-depth conversation about California's declining groundwater supplies, irrigation efficiency and the challenges facing San Joaquin Valley agriculture. Angel warned that without better groundwater monitor...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Steve Hilton, Republican candidate for governor of California, joined Nick Papagni for a final conversation ahead of the November election. Hilton discussed his plans for California agriculture, including water availability, farm labor regulations, energy costs and the economic pressures facing growers throughout the state. Hilton emphasized the importan...

On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour , U.S. Representative Tom McClintock, representing California's 5th Congressional District, returned for Part 2 of his conversation with Nick Papagni. McClintock discussed federal forest management reforms, California's water challenges and the economic pressures driving residents and businesses out of the state. The program also featured Kyle Kuechel of...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , U.S. Representative Tom McClintock, who represents California's 5th Congressional District, joined Nick Papagni for Part 1 of a two-part interview examining California's rising cost of living, energy policies and regulatory environment. The program also featured Patrick Williams of SkySense , discussing how remotely operated drones are helping farmers pr...

On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour , Edward Ring, director of water and energy policy at the California Policy Center, returned for Part 2 of his conversation with Nick Papagni. Ring discussed the possibility of a strong El Niño winter, opportunities to replenish California's groundwater supplies and the policies he believes are threatening the future of Central Valley agriculture. With fo...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Edward Ring, director of water and energy policy at the California Policy Center, joined Nick Papagni for Part 1 of a two-part conversation about California's water infrastructure, rising costs and the policies affecting the state's agricultural economy. The program also featured Todd Burkdoll, field market development specialist with Valent USA, discuss...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Allie Cushnyr, senior agronomist for Holloway, and Abe Isaak, agronomist with AgroLiquid, discussed soil health, postharvest nutrition and preparing California crops for an uncertain winter. The program also highlighted USDA's newly announced $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program. The Harvest Fuel Relief program will provide one-time payments to eligibl...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Richard Fordyce, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, discussed billions of dollars in upcoming farm safety-net payments and new opportunities for growers through federal conservation programs. The show also featured Gary Thompson, co-founder of GUSS Automation, who shared the latest developments in autonomous spraying technology. F...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Carl Workenthien, a pest control adviser (PCA) with Simplot in California's Central Valley, joined Nick Papagni to discuss an unusually challenging growing season, emerging pest pressures and the rising costs of keeping California crops productive. Working with growers throughout the Reedley, Dinuba, Kingsburg and surrounding areas, Workenthien advises p...

On today’s  episode of the AgNet News Hour , Kyle Kirkland, Central Valley businessman and candidate for California's 21st Congressional District, returned for Part 2 of his conversation with Nick Papagni. Kirkland discussed rising operating costs, government accountability and why he believes California's agricultural economy needs a different approach to regulation. Kirkland argued that Californ...

On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour , Kyle Kirkland, Central Valley businessman and candidate for California's 21st Congressional District, joined Nick Papagni to discuss the challenges facing California agriculture. In Part 1 of a two-part interview, Kirkland outlined his views on water management, affordability and government spending, arguing that the Central Valley needs stronger represe...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Jamie Johansson, former president of the California Farm Bureau and candidate for California's 3rd Assembly District, returned for Part 2 of his conversation about the challenges facing California agriculture. The program also featured Patrick Williams of SkySense, who discussed how remotely operated drones are helping growers protect their farms. Johans...

On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour , Jamie Johansson, former president of the California Farm Bureau and candidate for California's 3rd Assembly District, joined Nick Papagni to discuss the challenges facing California agriculture and why he believes farmers need a stronger voice in Sacramento. Johansson, an olive and citrus grower from the Oroville area, is seeking to represent a largely...

On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour , Dan Janzen, Executive Director of Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI), joined Nick Papagni to discuss a growing dispute with the National FFA Organization over the group's exclusion from its upcoming national convention in Indianapolis. FCFI, founded in 1985, works with agricultural communities through disaster relief, youth outreach, f...

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour , Mark Woods, owner of Wildwood Trucking in Kingsburg, California, and energy expert Ellington Smith returned for Part 2 of their conversation about California’s rising transportation costs. The discussion explored how insurance, regulations and changing trucking technology could affect the state’s agricultural supply chain. For Woods, the financial pressu...