AgNet News Hour

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Brian Van Groningen of Van Groningen & Sons joined the show as California's pumpkin season gets into full swing, discussing the family's nearly century-long farming history and what goes into producing pumpkins and watermelons in the Central Valley.
Van Groningen & Sons has been growing watermelons and pumpkins in the Ripon-Manteca area for nearly 95 years. Today, the operation farms about 5,000 acres, with watermelons and pumpkins serving as two of its signature crops alongside almonds, alfalfa, wheat, corn and a beef cattle feedlot.
Pumpkins sold under the family's Pampered Farms label are grown in San Joaquin County, which Van Groningen described as the second-largest pumpkin-producing county in the country. Unlike production in Illinois that is largely destined for processing, much of the San Joaquin County crop is grown for the ornamental market. Van Groningen said growers in the county supply more than half of the pumpkins shipped throughout California.
This year's pumpkin season started surprisingly early. Van Groningen said the operation began shipping around August 19, with some retailers wanting pumpkins in stores before the end of August. With multiple plantings and more than 60 varieties, the family's shipping season can now stretch for roughly 12 weeks.
That variety is becoming increasingly important as consumers look beyond the traditional orange carving pumpkin. Different colors, shapes, mini pumpkins and gourds have become popular for fall decorating, and some of the hardier varieties can last three to four months. Traditional carving pumpkins may have a shelf life closer to three weeks.
But producing those crops continues to get more expensive. Van Groningen said higher fuel costs affect nearly every stage of the vertically integrated operation, from fieldwork and harvest to packing and transportation. While growers try to pass along some of those increases, he said margins continue to tighten.
Despite those challenges, another generation of the Van Groningen family is already becoming involved in the business, continuing a farming tradition approaching the century mark.
Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

On a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour, Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, joined the show from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association convention to discuss several major issues facing specialty crop producers across the country.
Trade remains near the top of that list. Puglia said Western Growers supports extending the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but wants changes involving Mexico, including stronger labor enforcement and increased food safety oversight. He noted that the impact of Mexican imports varies considerably by crop and region, making changes to the trade agreement particularly complicated for specialty agriculture.
Food safety was another major concern following the recent cyclospora outbreak. Puglia said uncertainty surrounding the source caused market losses well beyond the products ultimately implicated, with lettuce, berries, carrots and other produce categories affected as consumers reacted to conflicting information.
Puglia argued that FDA needs to communicate more quickly and clearly during outbreaks, while the produce industry also needs to improve its ability to counter misinformation through social media.
The conversation also turned to the Farm Bill, where Puglia highlighted several provisions important to specialty crop growers. Among them are efforts to make crop insurance and other risk-management tools available to more specialty crops and potentially cover losses resulting from events such as food safety outbreaks outside a grower's control. He also pointed to funding for mechanization research and changes that could improve how economic assistance reaches specialty crop producers.
Puglia also addressed California's restrictions surrounding autonomous agricultural equipment. After seeing a driverless tractor operating in a Florida vegetable field, he contrasted that with the regulatory limitations California farmers face when attempting to deploy similar technology.
Later in the program, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce discussed changes to Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, including the addition of 30 million base acres and enrollment deadlines producers need to know.
Listen to the full interviews below or on your favorite podcast app.

California agriculture takes center stage in the latest AgNet NewsHour, as Nick Papagni, the Ag Meter, talks with fourth-generation Bakersfield farmer Jason Giannelli and Patrick Williams of SkySense about some of the biggest issues facing farmers across the state.
Giannelli, director of farming for Old River Farming and R.& G. Fanucci and president of the California Water Alliance, gives listeners an inside look at the challenges facing Kern and Kings County agriculture. His operation farms roughly 10,000 acres, much of it dedicated to dairy feed crops including corn silage, milo, Sudan grass and triticale. He says the current dairy market remains difficult, while increasing water-quality regulations are adding additional challenges for farmers working with manure, nitrogen and irrigation water.
Water remains one of the central themes of the conversation. Giannelli discusses the difficulty of receiving reliable surface-water deliveries and explains that his operation received a maximum of about 40 percent of its allocation during the season. He also discusses the challenges surrounding on-farm water storage and the broader implications of leaving agricultural land fallow. The conversation connects water availability with agricultural production, rural employment, local economies and concerns about conditions such as Valley fever.
Fuel costs are another major concern. Giannelli explains how his operation purchased diesel early as part of an effort to hedge against anticipated market and refinery pressures. The interview also examines agricultural automation and the California Ag Tech Alliance, including efforts to evaluate emerging technologies and navigate workplace regulations affecting autonomous farm equipment.Giannelli also shares the personal side of farming, talking about raising his children around the family operation and documenting their lives on social media. He encourages people interested in California water issues to attend the California Water Alliance water forum on October 1 at Belmont Country Club.
The program then turns to agricultural technology with Patrick Williams of SkySense, who explains how remotely operated drones are being used to protect crops from birds and other wildlife. SkySense operates drones equipped with thermal cameras and powerful speakers, providing day-and-night protection for crops including lettuce, table grapes, rice, blueberries, cherries and peaches. The technology can also help identify and deter trespassers and agricultural theft.
Williams says SkySense handles installation, removal and operation, meaning growers do not have to provide additional labor for the wildlife-mitigation system. Individual drones can effectively cover as much as 150 acres, while changing deterrent sounds helps prevent birds from becoming accustomed to the system. Growers interested in learning more can visit SkySense.ag or call 888-759-1947.
There is much more in this episode, including California's harvest season, walnut marketing, agricultural labor, water infrastructure, fuel supplies, farm technology and the personal story of a fourth-generation farmer working to keep agriculture moving forward.
Listen to the full AgNet NewsHour podcast on your favorite podcast app or listen below for the complete conversation and all the latest California agriculture news.

California agriculture faces constant changes in labor regulations, water management and operating costs, making timely information increasingly important for farmers and ranchers. On the latest AgNet News Hour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni covers those issues with California Farm Bureau Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS) General Manager Anna Genasci and RanchBot CEO Andrew Coppin. The full podcast is available below or on your favorite podcast app.
Genasci explains how FELS helps agricultural employers navigate California’s complicated labor, safety and compliance environment. The organization works with operations of all sizes, providing services that can include onsite training, mock Cal/OSHA inspections, safety assistance and connections with agricultural labor attorneys. Genasci describes one recent situation involving an employer facing an employee performance issue that quickly became a potential legal dispute, illustrating the value of having access to professional guidance before a situation escalates.
The discussion also examines regulatory changes growers need to watch. Genasci points to Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements involving treated seed that could affect farm labor contractors and employees involved in planting. She says FELS plans to provide additional training and will host a free “What’s New in 2027” webinar covering important Cal/OSHA, HR and DPR developments. Growers can contact FELS through FELS.net, while Genasci also provided her direct phone number, 925-989-1621.
The program then shifts from labor compliance to one of agriculture’s most critical resources: water. Coppin explains how RanchBot uses sensors and satellite communications to give farmers and ranchers real-time information about wells, pumps, pipes, storage and reservoirs without requiring them to constantly travel around their operations. He argues that better monitoring can help producers document water use, identify problems sooner and make more informed management decisions.
Coppin also discusses the broader challenge of competing demands for water, changing weather patterns and the need for better data to understand actual water consumption. He points to the Ogallala Aquifer as an example of the broader national challenge and says RanchBot recently closed a Series B funding round totaling nearly $16 million. He encourages farmers and ranchers to consider technology that can improve productivity, reduce water waste and provide greater visibility into their water assets.
From labor compliance to water technology, this episode highlights two issues California producers are dealing with every day. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour podcast below or on your favorite podcast app for the complete conversations with Anna Genasci and Andrew Coppin.

California agriculture faces a constantly changing labor and compliance landscape, and for farmers, keeping up with the rules can be nearly as challenging as producing the crop. On the latest AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” talks with Anna Genasci, the new General Manager of Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS), about the resources available to California farmers, ranchers, dairymen and agricultural employers.
Genasci recently joined FELS after spending about seven years with Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. FELS, which was established by the California Farm Bureau in 1970, is designed to help agricultural employers navigate compliance requirements involving labor, safety, human resources and other regulations. Genasci now leads a team that provides resources and on-farm assistance to agricultural employers throughout California.
One of the most important tools available to FELS members is its hotline. Genasci says employers can call with questions and receive real-time assistance, including help with wage-and-hour issues that become especially important during harvest. Recent questions have involved overtime, piece-rate pay, split shifts and different wage orders depending on the type of agricultural work being performed.
Heat-illness prevention is another major focus. Genasci explains that Cal/OSHA compliance remains a significant concern and that violations can become costly when multiple deficiencies are identified during an inspection. FELS helps employers understand requirements involving shade, water, training and other workplace protections.
The organization also provides updated compliance posters in English and Spanish, on-farm training and access to agricultural labor-law attorneys. Its Labor Management Consultants are bilingual, understand production agriculture and can conduct training directly in the field. Genasci says these consultants can also serve as a bridge between employers and employees, creating opportunities for workers to raise safety concerns and ask questions.
The conversation also tackles one of California agriculture’s most challenging issues: labor and immigration. Genasci explains that FELS has resources to help employers understand their rights and responsibilities when immigration enforcement occurs at an agricultural operation. She also discusses workforce development and the need to prepare agricultural employees for emerging opportunities involving drones, automation and other technologies.
Importantly, Genasci says FELS works with operations of all sizes. Even farms with their own HR or safety personnel can use FELS for audits, training or mock inspections designed to show how an operation might respond to a Cal/OSHA inspection.
For California agricultural employers, staying informed can make a significant difference. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour interview with Anna Genasci on your favorite podcast app or click below to hear the conversation and learn more about FELS and its resources for California agriculture.

California agriculture is facing a complicated mix of challenges, from water availability and rising energy costs to smaller tree-nut crops and the search for new opportunities. On the latest AgNet News Hour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni sits down with John Duarte of Duarte Nurseries for an in-depth conversation covering California agriculture, water policy, crop trends and the future of farming. The program also features Michael Newland of the Propane Education and Research Council discussing propane and its potential role in reducing energy costs for growers.
Duarte and Papagni begin with California’s broader political and economic landscape, including the importance of voter participation and the issues facing farmers and rural communities. Their conversation touches on California’s water challenges, high fuel prices and the need for policies that address the practical concerns of agriculture. Duarte also discusses the importance of economic growth, infrastructure and water availability as California looks toward the future.
The conversation takes a deep dive into current crop conditions. Duarte says pistachio and almond production is coming in below expectations, with the pistachio crop potentially much smaller than earlier projections. He also discusses Duarte Nursery’s VigorClone pistachio rootstock, along with the Yorizane almond variety, which he says continues to perform well despite a down year.
Another intriguing part of the interview focuses on avocados as a potential new California crop. Duarte explains that Duarte Nursery is expanding its avocado work and sees opportunities for production in areas of the Central Valley and other regions where freeze risk is manageable. He also discusses the economics of olives and why growers continue looking for alternative crops that can generate stronger returns.
Water forecasting becomes another major topic as Duarte discusses meteorologist Rob Doornbos and efforts to improve long-range precipitation forecasting. Duarte believes better forecasting could help California water managers make more informed reservoir decisions, potentially allowing additional water to be stored during anticipated dry or normal years.
The program then turns to propane with Michael Newland. He explains how propane is used throughout agriculture and discusses its potential for irrigation engines and on-farm power generation. Newland also highlights the Propane Farm Rebate Program, which can provide rebates of up to $10,000 depending on the equipment.
This wide-ranging episode covers some of the biggest issues facing California agriculture today. Listen to the full podcast with “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni, John Duarte and Michael Newland on your favorite podcast app or visit AgNetWest.com for the complete interviews.

California agriculture faces a long list of challenges, and few are more important than water. On the latest AgNet News Hour, “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni sits down with John Duarte of Duarte Nurseries for a wide-ranging conversation about California water, agriculture, rural communities, environmental policy, farmland and the future of the state’s farming industry.
Duarte and Papagni begin with the recent water forum hosted by Congressman Tom McClintock in Turlock, where federal and agricultural leaders discussed ways to improve California’s water supply. Duarte highlights efforts to broaden the Army Corps of Engineers’ focus beyond flood control to include water supply, along with proposals involving Delta dredging and better coordination among state and federal agencies.
The conversation also examines water quality concerns in Central Valley communities. Duarte argues that limited surface-water deliveries have increased reliance on groundwater in some areas and raises concerns about contaminants and health issues affecting vulnerable communities. He says California needs a strategy that provides abundant surface water for both farms and communities.
Another major topic is Proposition 1 and California’s investment in water infrastructure. Duarte questions how water-bond funding has been utilized and argues that more resources should be directed toward projects providing water for human, agricultural and industrial needs.
The discussion then turns to farmland and agricultural education. Duarte and Papagni discuss concerns surrounding proposed development involving farmland at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, emphasizing the educational value of university farm properties. Duarte shares how his family and Duarte Nurseries have supported school agriculture programs by providing plants and other resources for educational farms.
The interview also explores the future of California agriculture under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Duarte argues that groundwater regulations must be considered alongside reliable surface-water deliveries and says California has existing plans, infrastructure and financial resources that could be used to expand water supplies.
Duarte also discusses his work with the California Water Alliance, including its upcoming October 1, 2026 water forum. According to Duarte, the event will examine California water abundance, Central Valley health concerns, SGMA, farming and the broader economic effects of water policy.
Throughout the interview, Duarte offers his perspectives on California’s environmental regulations, natural-resource policies and political direction, while Papagni connects those issues to the challenges facing farmers, rural communities and California’s food-production system.
There is much more to this conversation than can fit into a short recap. Listen to the full AgNet News Hour podcast featuring “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni and John Duarte for the complete discussion, California agriculture news, water issues and Duarte’s perspective on what comes next for the state.
For additional information and more interviews, visit AgNetWest.com and follow AgNet West on Facebook, Instagram and X. Listeners can also subscribe to the AgNet West podcast through their preferred podcast app. Duarte also invited those interested in the California Water Alliance forum to get involved and attend the October 1 event.
Listen to Part 1 of John Duarte’s interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

California agriculture is facing a long list of challenges, and “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni covers many of them in the latest AgNet News Hour Podcast, including an in-depth conversation with California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. Papagni opens the program with concerns about sharply rising fuel costs during harvest, noting diesel prices above $8 per gallon in some areas and the possibility of even higher prices. He also discusses controversy surrounding the California High-Speed Rail project and concerns about the loss of agricultural land, along with plans involving prime farmland at Cal Poly.
Douglass, the first woman to serve as president of the California Farm Bureau, joins Papagni to discuss her farming background in Glenn County, where her family operation includes beef cattle, walnuts and hay. She also emphasizes the importance of introducing young people to agriculture through FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom programs. Douglass explains how programs such as “Taste and Teach” help children experience different fruits and vegetables while building a better understanding of where their food comes from.
One of the most significant topics in the interview is California’s growing wolf population and its impact on farmers and ranchers. Douglass says wolves have expanded into additional areas of the state, with livestock losses becoming a major concern. She describes efforts to provide farmers with additional non-lethal hazing tools and explains the complicated state and federal protections surrounding wolf management.
The conversation also tackles California’s agricultural labor shortage and the H-2A program. Douglass says the state has an enormous need for seasonal farmworkers while relatively few U.S. workers apply for these jobs. She discusses proposed federal H-2A reforms designed to make the system more efficient while maintaining protections for American workers. The Farm Bill is another major topic, with Douglass describing the continuing effort to move legislation forward and the challenges created by separating agricultural provisions from food assistance programs.
Agricultural technology and regulation receive plenty of attention as well. Papagni and Douglass discuss autonomous tractors and drone technology, with Douglass explaining that some California regulations were written decades ago and no longer fit modern agricultural technology. Industry groups have worked to update those rules, but efforts to change autonomous-equipment regulations did not succeed during the latest legislative session.
The interview closes with a discussion of California’s affordability concerns, agricultural advocacy and the importance of civic engagement. Douglass encourages Californians to pay attention to all races and participate in elections, while also highlighting opportunities to become involved with county Farm Bureaus and agricultural advocacy. Papagni also previews upcoming conversations about water, labor, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.
Listen to the full AgNet News Hour Podcast with “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni and Shannon Douglass for the complete conversation and all the agriculture news covered in this week’s program.