AgNet News Hour

AgNet West Radio Network
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Get the latest local, state, and national agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour by AgNet West.

  1. 7h ago

    Edward Ring Outlines a Water Plan for California Agriculture

    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 a conversation on California water, laying out the combination of projects he believes could substantially increase supplies for farms, communities and cities. Ring began with one of the issues discussed in Part 1: dredging the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. He argued sediment removal could improve the Delta's ability to move water while also reducing flood risk. Ring also pointed to research suggesting the turbidity created by dredging can provide smaller fish with protection from predators. But dredging is only one piece of his proposed water strategy. Asked what he would do if given the opportunity to reshape California water policy, Ring outlined a combination of desalination, additional storage and new methods of moving water from the Delta during wet years. He proposed developing roughly 500,000 acre-feet per year of seawater desalination capacity in Southern California and pursuing what he described as “fish-friendly Delta diversions” capable of capturing more water during heavy rainfall. Storage would also play a major role. Ring called for completing Sites Reservoir, building Temperance Flat Reservoir, adding other off-stream storage and raising Shasta Dam by at least 18 feet. He said the Shasta expansion alone could add approximately 600,000 acre-feet of storage. Ring also argued that California could make desalination considerably more affordable by reducing regulatory and construction costs. He estimated that, with lower construction and electricity costs, desalinated water could become much more competitive with existing treated-water supplies. Beyond new construction, Ring said better weather forecasting could allow reservoir operators to capture more water with infrastructure California already has. He said improved forecasting technology, coupled with changes in operating procedures and faster information sharing, could help the state retain additional supplies during wet periods. For agriculture, Ring argued the stakes extend well beyond individual farms. He said replacing productive farmland with solar development cannot replicate the economic activity, employment and food production generated by California's agricultural economy. “The solution is to save our farm economy,” Ring said. Listen to Part 2 of the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  2. 1d ago

    Edward Ring Warns California Must Prepare for the Next Flood

    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 1 of a two-part conversation about California water and the infrastructure he believes the state needs to better prepare for both drought and flooding. Ring focused first on sediment buildup in the San Joaquin River and South Delta, warning that a future period of heavy rain could overwhelm the system. He pointed to the major flooding of 1997 and argued conditions could be worse today because meaningful sediment removal has not occurred in decades. His concern isn't limited to flooded farmland. Ring said breached levees could mix contaminants with floodwater and potentially disrupt the ability to move water into California's aqueduct system for an extended period. “The point is, if we don't dredge that Delta, the South Delta, we're going to have flooding that's going to make 1997 look like nothing,” Ring said. The discussion then turned to California's broader water storage system. Ring pointed to proposals including expanding Shasta Lake, constructing Auburn Dam and revisiting Temperance Flat as examples of infrastructure that could capture more water during wet years. He argued additional storage will become even more important if California faces longer stretches of dry weather interrupted by exceptionally wet winters. Groundwater recharge is another piece of the equation. Ring acknowledged that California has made progress in allowing farmers to use floodwater to recharge aquifers, but said permitting and other barriers still make the process unnecessarily difficult. Ring also discussed desalination, arguing that coastal production could reduce the amount of water Southern California needs to import, potentially leaving more supplies available for agriculture and the Delta. He pointed to desalination projects elsewhere in the world and blamed California's regulatory costs for making similar projects considerably more expensive in the state. Throughout the interview, Ring's central argument was that California needs to focus more heavily on infrastructure capable of capturing, storing and moving water when it is available. The conversation with Ring continues in Part 2. Listen to Part 1 of the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  3. 2d ago

    Young Farmer Dolce Calandra on Keeping a California Family Farm Going

    On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour, Dolce Calandra of Wildwood Packing and Cooling joined the show from Kingsburg, California, for a conversation about what it takes to keep a family farming operation moving forward in an increasingly difficult environment. Calandra is a fourth-generation farmer whose family operation stretches from farming to packing and cold storage. He grew up working in the fields, thinning and picking fruit and driving tractors before eventually taking on a larger role at the packing house. Today, the operation handles stone fruit and citrus, with roughly 800 acres under production, including about 200 acres of citrus. That vertical integration gives Calandra a firsthand look at challenges throughout the supply chain. One of those is the cost of operating cold storage in California. “The ugly probably is the cost,” Calandra said. “Electricity in California and utilities in California, it’s not cheap.” Even with solar, he said the operation continues to face substantial utility bills. Water presents another challenge. Calandra described one family block caught up in groundwater management issues in Kings County, where fees and penalties are adding another layer of uncertainty to an already expensive business. Labor costs, regulations and the expense of new technology are also shaping decisions. Calandra sees automation as part of agriculture's future, but said investing in it can be a major gamble for a smaller family operation. A large upfront investment followed by one bad crop year could put the entire business at risk. Despite those pressures, Calandra remains committed to agriculture. “The goal for my family is keep this going for the guy that made it. And that’s our grandpa, Mark,” he said. Calandra hopes to eventually pass the operation down to his own children, just as previous generations kept it going for him. For Calandra, that determination extends beyond his own farm. His message to California agriculture is to keep sharing knowledge and working together, particularly as a new generation steps into the industry. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  4. 3d ago

    California Cantaloupes Turn to TikTok to Reach a New Generation

    On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Marilyn Freeman, president of Farmers Communication Exchange, joined the show to discuss how the California cantaloupe industry is changing the way it markets one of the state's longtime specialty crops. Farmers Communication Exchange serves as the marketing agency for the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, and Freeman said a major focus of its current campaign is reaching younger consumers—particularly Gen Z—through TikTok and other social media platforms. Rather than relying on traditional messages about nutrition, the campaign is using entertaining videos, recipes and trends to make cantaloupe more appealing to consumers who may view it as an old-fashioned fruit. The effort has received additional support through a California Department of Food and Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant, allowing the industry to invest more heavily in creative content and targeted social advertising. Freeman said viral food trends can provide an unexpected boost. One recent social media trend involves freezing half a cantaloupe, adding cream and scraping the fruit into an ice cream-like treat. The goal, she explained, is simple: get younger consumers to see cantaloupe in a new way and give them a reason to pick one up at the grocery store. The industry is also working to change perceptions about cantaloupe quality. Freeman said newer varieties are crisper and sweeter, while growers have improved consistency enough that consumers shouldn't have to worry as much about smelling or thumping fruit to select a good one. California has a major stake in getting that message across. Freeman said the state produces about 75 percent of U.S. cantaloupe during the summer months, giving growers an opportunity to emphasize California-grown fruit while it is in season. With the campaign funded for three years, Freeman hopes the effort can build a younger audience that the cantaloupe industry can continue reaching well into the future. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  5. 6d ago

    John Deere Makes $10 Million Investment in California Ag Tech

    On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Danny Bernstein, CEO and managing partner of Reservoir and Reservoir Farms, returned for Part 2 of his conversation about the future of California agriculture, including a major new partnership with John Deere. Bernstein announced that John Deere and Reservoir have signed a $10 million, multi-year partnership aimed at supporting agricultural technology and homegrown startups working on challenges facing California growers. According to Bernstein, the relationship grew with help from Western Growers, which introduced Reservoir to John Deere's high-value crop team. After spending time with Reservoir, its startups and California agriculture, Bernstein said Deere decided it wanted to help expand the effort. The investment fits into Reservoir's broader effort to bring Silicon Valley-style innovation directly into agricultural communities. Bernstein argued that technology will be increasingly important as growers contend with labor shortages, water challenges, rising costs and the loss of agricultural acreage. Labor was another major part of the conversation. Bernstein pointed to federal H-2A figures showing that just 182 of more than 415,000 advertised agricultural positions received a domestic applicant in fiscal year 2025, illustrating what he sees as the need for both a more workable agricultural labor system and greater automation. Bernstein also discussed the growing interest in data centers in rural communities. Rather than simply opposing that development, he suggested agricultural regions should consider how those investments could benefit local communities through water infrastructure, schools, workforce training and other resources. Ultimately, Bernstein said the success of Reservoir will be measured by whether the technology it supports actually works for growers. “We actually have to deliver technology that works.” With the John Deere partnership, expansion into the Central Valley and more startups working directly alongside agriculture, Bernstein sees an opportunity to better connect two of California's biggest strengths: technology and farming. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  6. Sep 3

    Ag Tech Hub Coming to Merced College as Reservoir Expands in California

    On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Danny Bernstein, CEO and managing partner of Reservoir and Reservoir Farms, joined the show to discuss an ambitious effort to bring more technology, startups and skilled jobs directly into California’s agricultural communities. Reservoir already operates agricultural technology communities in Salinas and Santa Rosa, where farms and startups work alongside one another. Bernstein said the program currently includes 22 startups across the two locations, but its next expansion will bring the concept directly into the heart of the Central Valley. Bernstein announced that Reservoir Farms plans to launch at Merced College in fall 2027, building on the college’s growing agricultural technology programs. The planned facility will include a 7,000-square-foot prototyping studio along with on-site manufacturing capabilities. Bernstein said an ag tech startup developing equipment such as an automated stone fruit harvester could potentially design, prototype and manufacture the equipment at the Merced location. The partnership could also create a direct pathway for Merced College students to work with agricultural technology companies. Reservoir already has community college interns working with startups at its Salinas location, and Bernstein hopes to create similar opportunities in the Central Valley. The larger goal is to make sure agricultural technology is developed where agriculture actually happens. “If we can start to bring more technology to solve real problems, we can bring acreage back,” Bernstein said, pointing to the dramatic decline of California asparagus production as an example of what can happen when labor-intensive crops become too expensive to produce domestically. Bernstein also discussed the need for investment in water infrastructure, automation and agricultural technology as California growers face rising costs, labor challenges and international competition. He described food security as a national security issue and argued that California has an opportunity to remain a center of agricultural innovation. The conversation continues in Part 2, including more on Reservoir’s technology partnerships and the changing agricultural workforce. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

  7. Sep 2

    Ryan Jacobsen Part 2: Why California Agriculture Is Worth Fighting For

    On today's episode of the AgNet News Hour, Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, returned for Part 2 of a wide-ranging conversation about the future of California agriculture. From predators and agricultural education to healthy food and the next generation of farmers, Jacobson’s message was ultimately one of optimism. One concern is the growing pressure from predators. Jacobsen said California is already struggling to properly manage wolves, mountain lions and black bears, and questioned proposals to even study the reintroduction of grizzly bears before the state addresses existing wildlife conflicts. But much of the conversation focused on the next generation. Jacobsen strongly advocated for programs such as FFA, 4-H and agricultural technical education. He said those programs give students hands-on experience while developing skills ranging from public speaking and leadership to welding, mechanics and business. With shortages of skilled workers in many trades, Jacobsen believes expanding those opportunities can benefit agriculture and the broader economy. The discussion also turned to the growing emphasis on healthier food. Jacobsen, who is now a raisin grower himself, said he is optimistic that renewed interest in nutrition could create opportunities for California-grown fruits and vegetables. “I’m bullish or hopeful that through trying to make people eat healthy again, that raisins are a big part of that,” Jacobsen said. He also stressed the importance of clearly identifying California-grown products, particularly when food safety concerns involving products from elsewhere can negatively affect California farmers. Despite the many challenges discussed throughout the two-part interview, Jacobsen ended on an optimistic note. “I’m bullish on California agriculture. I’m bullish on the American farmer,” Jacobsen said. “We have so many opportunities to continue to feed this nation.” That may be the biggest takeaway from the conversation: California agriculture faces serious challenges, but Jacobsen believes the industry is still worth fighting for. Listen to Part 2 of the full interview with Ryan Jacobson below or on your favorite podcast app.

  8. Aug 31

    California Citrus Pushes for Relief from Argentine Lemon Imports

    On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Jacob Villagomez, director of governmental affairs for California Citrus Mutual, returned for Part 2 of his conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing California citrus growers. One of the biggest concerns is the growing volume of Argentine lemons entering the U.S. market at the same time California growers are trying to sell their crop. Villagomez said the problem has been particularly difficult for lemon growers in Ventura County, where the California harvest overlaps with Argentine imports. According to Villagomez, Argentina shipped roughly 94,000 metric tons of lemons into the United States in 2024—a dramatic increase from the volumes anticipated when Argentine lemons were allowed to return to the U.S. market. California Citrus Mutual is now asking the U.S. Trade Representative for a tariff-rate quota, or TRQ, that would establish a volume of Argentine lemons allowed into the country at the normal tariff rate, with a higher tariff applying to imports above that threshold. "There needs to be some sort of balance here," Villagomez said, emphasizing that the goal is to provide relief for domestic growers competing in the market at the same time. The discussion also turned to the 2026 California governor's race and why the outcome could have significant consequences for agriculture. Villagomez called the election "very, very, very pivotal," noting that the next governor will appoint hundreds of positions, including California's agriculture secretary and members of influential bodies such as the State Water Resources Control Board and California Air Resources Board. Villagomez said California Citrus Mutual has spoken with both gubernatorial campaigns and hopes the next administration will give agriculture greater attention and work more closely with the Legislature on issues affecting growers. The conversation also covers citrus research, HLB, the Farm Bill, California-grown marketing and the importance of helping policymakers and consumers better understand agriculture. Listen to Part 2 of the full interview with Jacob Villagomez below or on your favorite podcast app.

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Get the latest local, state, and national agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour by AgNet West.

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  • Creator
    AgNet West Radio Network
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017 . All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AgNet News Hour

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