AgNet News Hour

Chef Darren Hill Serves Up Turkey Tips and Holiday Food Safety on Thanksgiving Week Edition

The November 24 edition of the AgNet News Hour kicked off Thanksgiving week with a fun, flavorful conversation as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed one of their favorite guests — Darren Hill, five-star chef, longtime restaurateur, and sales manager at JD Foods. Hill, who’s been cooking turkeys professionally for decades, delivered a masterclass on choosing, thawing, seasoning, and safely preparing the perfect Thanksgiving bird.
Hill began by explaining why whole turkeys aren’t common in stores during summer months. Retailers avoid carrying slow-moving frozen inventory, he said, so most whole birds arrive in stores only during the holiday season. Deli turkey, on the other hand, remains a year-round staple because it’s processed differently and doesn’t follow the same seasonal pattern.
As for how growers plan production, Hill said turkey processors ramp up months in advance. Orders from major retailers are often placed in July or August so that birds can be grown, processed, and frozen in time for the Thanksgiving rush. “It’s all done way ahead of November,” he said.
When it comes to cooking the perfect turkey, Hill is proudly traditional. “I love a classic oven roast,” he said. “That’s what I grew up with — the smell of turkey, the sides, the memories.” But he also shared a standout recipe he discovered years ago: the Marco Polo Turkey, a fusion-style brined bird flavored with soy sauce, olive oil, orange juice, ginger, sherry, garlic, paprika, and cracked pepper. The marinade blends Mediterranean and Asian influences, creating a deeply flavorful, incredibly moist turkey that shines whether roasted or barbecued.
Hill walked listeners through his preferred cooking method: start the oven hot at 375°F for 45 minutes, then gradually taper down to 350°F and finish around 320°F. Cooking times vary by size, but Hill stressed that the only truly reliable method is a food thermometer. “You want 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, breast, and wing joint,” he said. “That’s how you know it’s safe.”
He also recommended using a foil tent to prevent over-browning and shared a pro tip: on larger birds, make a lateral cut where the drumstick meets the body. “It helps heat penetrate the joint, especially on those big 24–30 pounders.”
Food safety was another major theme. Hill emphasized that frozen birds should thaw in the refrigerator — 24 hours for every five pounds — or, if necessary, in cold running water that is changed every 30 minutes. And once Thanksgiving dinner is over, food should be refrigerated within two hours, not left on the counter while guests chat for hours. “That’s when people get sick around the holidays,” he said. “Bacteria grows fast at room temperature.”
Beyond turkey, Hill discussed holiday meats like ham and prime rib, noting that demand spikes for ribeye roasts this time of year. He encouraged families to consider buying a whole ribeye, roasting half for Thanksgiving, then cutting the other half into steaks for New Year’s. “It stretches the value,” he said.
Papagni and McGill wrapped up the show with classic Thanksgiving banter — football on TV, favorite sides, and the power of tradition — before thanking Hill for sharing years of professional insight. As Papagni put it, “If you want your turkey done right, listen to Darren.”

Jason Gianelli: Water, Labor, and the Future of Farming in the South Valley

The November 21 edition of the AgNet News Hour closed out the week with a powerful, wide-ranging interview featuring Jason Gianelli, fourth-generation Kern County farmer and Director of Farming for Old River Farming Company and RNG Finucchi.
Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill called it one of the most honest and energizing conversations of the month, as Gianelli broke down everything from water policy to automation to the future of dairy support crops in California.
Gianelli, whose family has farmed in Kern County for five generations, oversees roughly 30,000 acres of corn silage, wheat silage, and feed crops stretching from Bakersfield north to Kings County. He laughed as he recalled the enormous size of his family—both in acreage and height—and the agricultural heritage passed down through generations. “I don’t cowboy up,” he joked. “I farmer down.”
But the challenges facing today’s farmers aren’t funny. Gianelli described how quickly the landscape has changed, especially with towns expanding into farmland and new layers of regulation making even basic decisions more complex. “We’re still here,” he said, “but California doesn’t make it easy.”
On water, Gianelli was blunt: farmers pay for 100 percent of their allocation but rarely receive it. Even strong districts aren’t getting full deliveries, and SGMA-driven pumping limits are forcing growers to rethink cropping patterns. “You can’t conserve your way out of a drought,” he said. “But you can be smart. Automation is going to help us turn valves on and off, monitor leaks, and use every drop wisely.”
Gianelli believes ROI—not hype—will determine which technologies survive. Some tools pay for themselves in three years; others take ten and aren’t worth it. “Everything is a tool in the toolbox,” he said. “But you still need eyes on the ground. I’ll never stop checking fields with a shovel.”
He also emphasized the role of dairy innovation, calling California dairies “one of the most efficient systems in the world.” From methane digesters to manure-water recycling, he praised dairies for making sure nothing goes to waste. “We’ll use water three or four times before it leaves the ranch,” he said.
On regulations and politics, Gianelli didn’t hold back. He criticized lawmakers who pass laws without understanding agriculture and voters who read headlines instead of full articles. “If you voted yes on Prop 50, you voted against agriculture,” he said plainly. “People are removed from the farm. They don’t know where their food comes from.”
Still, Gianelli remains hopeful—not because the system is easy, but because farmers don’t quit. “California can be great again,” he said. “Bad policy hurts everyone, but people will wake up. Farming is still the greatest job in the world.”
He lit up when talking about bringing his young children into the field. “They drive tractors with me. They learn about insects, seeds, and soil. I want them to love this life the way I do.”
Papagni closed the interview by calling Gianelli “one of California’s strongest farm voices,” while McGill said what many listeners were thinking: “Farmers are the real environmentalists. They take care of the land like family.”

Anna Genasci Champions Ag Education and Community Pride in Stanislaus County

The November 20 edition of the AgNet News Hour brought an energetic, heartfelt conversation as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Anna Genasci, Communications and Education Director for the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. Genasci, a longtime advocate for agriculture and community outreach, shared exciting updates about educational programs, Farm Bureau growth, and a brand-new agricultural mural being unveiled in Modesto.
Genasci began by highlighting the dual mission of Stanislaus County Farm Bureau: advocacy and education. While Farm Bureau itself handles policy and membership, Genasci spearheads the organization’s new 501(c)(3) Education Foundation, which focuses on youth programming, grower education, farmworker training, and—uniquely—consumer outreach. “California agriculture cannot survive unless we spend time teaching people where their food comes from,” she said. “It’s about creating pride in what our state produces.”
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau recently earned recognition as the largest county Farm Bureau in California, edging out Fresno County by just nine members. Genasci praised her team, especially Membership Coordinator Abby, for helping families, growers, and ag-adjacent businesses understand the value of joining. “Every member matters,” she said. “All ships rise together.”
A major highlight of the interview was Genasci’s passion for ag education for children. Just three weeks ago, she helped organize a field trip day where 1,200 third-graders visited the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds to learn about nutrition, see animals, climb on tractors, and explore agriculture through hands-on learning. “Those experiences are foundational,” she said. “Kids connect with farming when they can touch it, see it, and experience it.”
Next summer, the Stanislaus County Library and the Farm Bureau Foundation will introduce agriculture-themed books as part of the countywide reading program, expanding agricultural literacy beyond the classroom.
But one of the most exciting projects is happening at the Vintage Fair Mall, where Genasci and the Farm Bureau partnered with Modesto Irrigation District to create a large, agriculture-themed public mural celebrating the region’s top crops and the farmers who grow them. The mural is already installed, and the official unveiling takes place November 25 at 10 a.m. “It’s a beautiful, positive piece,” Genasci said. “It’s not political—it’s just celebrating the people who feed us.”
Papagni and McGill praised the project, noting how rare it is for a major shopping mall to dedicate space to agriculture. “Everyone in that mall is connected to ag somehow,” Papagni said. “They sell to ag, serve ag, or live in ag communities.”
Later in the conversation, Genasci discussed the ongoing fallout from Proposition 50 and applauded Farm Bureau leaders statewide for standing up against a measure that threatens rural representation. “I’m proud to be part of an organization willing to take tough stances,” she said.
She also encouraged listeners to get involved: “Whether you love policy, want to educate kids, or work in crop advising, there’s a place for you in Farm Bureau.”
The interview ended with an invitation to the November 25 celebration and a reminder of what drives Genasci’s work: “Agriculture is precious to California. We need to tell that story—loudly and proudly.”

Steven Pistoresi Shares How Semios Is Transforming Pest Control, Irrigation, and the Future of Farming

The November 19 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered one of the most insightful tech-focused interviews of the season as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Steven Pistoresi, General Manager of On-Farm Solutions for Semios. What followed was a deep dive into pest control, water management, automation, and how Semios’ suite of products is helping growers tackle today’s toughest challenges while preparing for tomorrow.
Pistoresi, a familiar name to Valley sports fans from his standout baseball days at San Joaquin Memorial and Cal Berkeley, has taken his competitive drive straight into ag innovation. He told listeners that Semios’ mission is simple: make farming more predictable, more profitable, and more sustainable using real-time data and smart automation.
Semios, which manages over 100 million acres globally across its family of brands, is best known on the West Coast for its mating disruption technology—a pheromone-based system that prevents pests like navel orangeworm, vine mealybug, California red scale, and codling moth from reproducing. “It’s exactly what it sounds like,” Pistoresi said with a laugh. “We make it very hard for the pests to find each other. It’s sustainable, effective, and it reduces chemical reliance.”
Each orchard or vineyard receives one emitter per acre, installed and serviced by Semios’ own field team. “Growers don’t have to do a thing,” Pistoresi said. “We handle installation, mapping, monitoring, and maintenance. It gives growers peace of mind and removes labor headaches.”
Beyond pest control, Semios is now a full-stack on-farm technology company through partnerships with brands like WiseConn, Agworld, Alltrack, and Greenbook. Weather stations, soil moisture probes, irrigation automation, frost control tools, and pest monitoring all feed into the Semios platform, giving growers a complete real-time view of their fields.
“You can sit in your truck and run your entire irrigation system from your phone,” Pistoresi said. “We’re giving growers the ability to use water more efficiently, reduce labor, and make decisions based on live data instead of guesswork.”
Nick and Josh noted how dramatically farming has changed since Pistoresi’s grandfather grew mushrooms in the Valley. “You can’t farm like grandpa did,” Pistoresi agreed. “There’s too much at stake now—water shortages, labor costs, environmental rules. Today’s farmer has to be smarter, faster, and more innovative.”
What makes Semios stand out, he said, is its people. “Our field team takes pride in their work. Everything we install—every emitter, every sensor—affects a real family farm. We know that.”
He encouraged growers curious about cutting costs, improving sustainability, or upgrading their technology to reach out. “We love talking to growers. Even if you’re not sure what you need, we’ll help you figure it out,” he said.
The interview wrapped with Papagni praising the Semios team. “Every time we see them at shows, everyone is smiling. That tells you everything you need to know.”
Pistoresi laughed, saying, “We just love what we do. Agriculture is who we are. Helping growers succeed is the whole point.”

Solinftec’s Taylor Whetley Talks Solar Robotics and the Future of Smart Farming

The November 18 edition of the AgNet News Hour offered a fascinating look into the future of California agriculture as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill interviewed Taylor Wetli, U.S. Commercial Manager for Solinftec, the global ag-tech company behind the SOLIX autonomous sprayer. The discussion highlighted how robotics, AI, and solar power are transforming fieldwork and offering growers new tools to save money, time, and labor.
 
Wetli explained that the SOLIX platform is an autonomous scouting and spraying robot that uses solar energy and AI to identify and target weeds in real time. “It’s like a Roomba for the field,” he said. “It navigates on its own, monitors crop health, and applies herbicide only where weeds exist — saving farmers up to 90 percent on chemical use.”
 
The unit’s design is entirely self-sustaining. “It’s powered by solar panels and a lithium-ion battery,” Wetli said. “Even after 14 hours in the field, the battery still runs above 80 percent. The system is efficient, continuous, and fully autonomous.”
 
Papagni noted that California farmers are constantly battling rising costs and labor shortages, and technology like this could be a game changer. Wetli agreed, explaining that the technology is built to optimize input use and reduce dependence on manual labor. “Labor is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture,” he said. “This doesn’t replace people — it helps them work smarter. Growers can focus on higher-level decisions instead of spending time on repetitive field tasks.”
 
The SOLIX system also collects valuable agronomic data, measuring crop height, stand count, and row spacing, while continuously scanning for weeds and disease. “It’s like having an agronomist in the field 24/7,” Wetli said. “The robot never stops learning and helping farmers make better decisions.”
 
Papagni pointed out the irony that while he’s not a fan of solar panels taking up farmland, he supports this form of solar use. “You’ve got the solar on top of the unit, not in the field,” he said. “That’s the kind of innovation I can get behind.”
 
Wetli, who grew up on a corn and soybean farm near Purdue University, said he’s seen firsthand how technology is transforming traditional farming. “I’ve been with Solinftec for six years,” he said. “When we started, the robot looked like a ping-pong table rolling across the field. Now it’s a 40-foot-wide, fully autonomous sprayer that can scout and spray crops all day long. The evolution has been incredible.”
 
Although Solinftec’s current focus has been the Midwest and Southeast, Wetli confirmed that California is next. “We met a lot of growers at FIRA USA this year,” he said. “There’s major interest in bringing the SOLIX platform to specialty crops — from vegetables to tree nuts — and we’re looking forward to expanding into the West.”
 
Papagni and McGill both praised Wetli’s vision, saying automation represents the bridge between “today’s farming and tomorrow’s.” Papagni added, “We talk about making ag tech attractive to the next generation — this is how we do it. We bring in tech-savvy young people and show them agriculture can be high-tech and high-impact.”
Wetli closed by encouraging California farmers to learn more. “Our goal is to help growers cut costs, improve productivity, and make smarter, data-driven decisions,” he said. “We’re here to make farming easier and more sustainable.”
Papagni ended the show with his trademark enthusiasm. “This is the future of farming,” he said. “Automation doesn’t replace the farmer — it empowers them.”

Jeff Cox Explains the Freight Factor Behind California’s Ag Exports

Ian LeMay Shares California Table Grape Success Story Amid Global Competition

The November 14 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured Ian LeMay, President of the California Table Grape Commission, in a wide-ranging discussion with hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill about California’s thriving table grape season, global trade challenges, and the pride of representing one of the state’s most iconic crops.
LeMay described this year as “a fair season” overall, with high-quality fruit, steady demand, and continued harvest stretching through Thanksgiving. “We had a really moderate spring and summer that allowed the fruit to mature beautifully on the vine,” he said. “Growers have done everything possible to deliver a high-quality crop, and we still have promotable volume through December.”
The conversation highlighted how California growers continue to lead the world in both innovation and consistency. “We’re growing more than 80 varieties of table grapes now,” LeMay said. “Since 1982, the Commission has partnered with the USDA to bring new, longer-lasting, better-tasting varieties to market.” He praised the role of technology and automation, noting that the industry is evolving quickly. “From robotics to new breeding programs, agriculture is attracting computer scientists and engineers — not just agronomists,” he said.
LeMay’s enthusiasm for his work was evident. “It’s a huge point of pride to represent this industry,” he said. “California table grapes are grown by families who’ve been doing this for generations with integrity and care. When I walk into a meeting overseas, I know I’m representing the best fruit in the world.”
While California’s domestic market remains strong — with more than 70% of grapes staying in the U.S. — LeMay continues to travel globally, promoting the state’s fruit in over 20 countries. “There’s real confidence in California table grapes,” he said. “Buyers know what they’re getting — quality, safety, and consistency.”
The discussion also turned to tariffs and regulation. LeMay said the current U.S. tariff policies have not yet significantly impacted table grapes but emphasized that global trade remains unpredictable. He also addressed the challenges of farming in California’s heavily regulated environment. “Yes, the costs are higher — from labor to pesticide regulation — but that’s also our badge of honor,” he said. “When buyers purchase California grapes, they can have full confidence that they’re getting the highest standards in the world.”
Both Papagni and McGill praised LeMay for his leadership and passion. “Ian’s the kind of representative California agriculture needs,” Papagni said. “He’s professional, positive, and never afraid to tell it like it is.” McGill added, “California consumers vote for higher standards — now it’s time to support that by buying California-grown.”
As the holidays approach, LeMay encouraged listeners to keep California grapes on their tables. “They’re still in stores, they’re sweet, and they’re healthy,” he said. “If you don’t have California grapes at Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’re missing out.”

Kings County Farm Bureau Takes on Sacramento Over Groundwater Rights

The November 13 edition of the AgNet News Hour hit home for farmers across California as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Dusty Ference, Executive Director of the Kings County Farm Bureau, to discuss his ongoing lawsuit against the California State Water Resources Control Board. Ference and his team are challenging what they call “unfair and inconsistent enforcement” of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) — a battle that could reshape how water is managed across the state.
Ference explained that the Kings County Farm Bureau filed the lawsuit last year after the Tulare Lake Subbasin was placed on probation by the State Water Board. “We’re not fighting SGMA itself,” he said. “We’re fighting how the board applied it — selectively, inconsistently, and without transparency.”
Initially, the Bureau won a temporary restraining order and injunction preventing the state from requiring groundwater meters and pumping reports. But in October, an appellate court overturned that injunction. Ference said the setback won’t stop them. “We’ve still got a lot of fight left in us,” he said. “We’re preparing to take part of the appeal to the California Supreme Court.”
The case has already had statewide impact. Ference said that because of their legal challenge, other subbasins have avoided probation or been granted “good actor” status, protecting them from costly state fees. “We’re seeing positive results beyond Kings County,” he said. “This fight is for every farmer in California.”
Papagni praised the move, calling Ference “a modern-day David taking on the Goliath of Sacramento.” McGill agreed, saying, “This is what we need — people standing up to these unelected boards that make rules without understanding farming.”
Ference described the fight as one for fairness and common sense. “If you’re going to regulate, do it evenly and transparently,” he said. “We can’t comply if the rules keep changing.” He added that the state’s heavy-handed approach would devastate rural economies. “They’re not going to build recharge projects or incentivize groundwater storage,” he said. “They’re just going to cut pumping and leave communities high and dry.”
The Kings County Farm Bureau represents growers in Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, and Kettleman City, but Ference emphasized that the issue extends far beyond county lines. “Agriculture is a billion-dollar industry here, supporting 15% of our jobs,” he said. “If we can’t keep farmers farming, this county turns into a ghost town.”
He also highlighted the importance of education, partnerships, and outreach. “We’ve got to keep kids connected to farming — through 4-H, FFA, and farm days,” he said. “That’s how we grow the next generation of ag leaders.”
Papagni ended the show by applauding Ference’s leadership. “Dusty’s the kind of guy California needs — someone who’s not afraid to fight for farmers,” he said. “Water isn’t just an issue; it’s survival.”
Listeners interested in supporting the Kings County Farm Bureau’s legal efforts can visit kcfb.org or contact their office directly.