AgNet News Hour

Ecorobotix, AgTech Grants, and Hannah Johnson’s Push for California’s Future

The October 29 edition of the AgNet News Hour focused on the future of California agriculture, featuring two dynamic guests — Dominique Mégret, CEO of Ecorobotix, and Hannah Johnson, Director of Industry for the California Ag Tech Alliance. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill explored how automation, artificial intelligence, and state-supported innovation are reshaping the landscape of farming from Switzerland to the Central Valley.
Papagni opened the show with a call to “take care of today’s farming before tomorrow’s farming,” stressing that growers must survive regulatory and water challenges before they can embrace full automation. That theme carried through both interviews as the hosts connected global innovation with California’s local realities.
Dominique Mégret joined live from FIRA USA in Woodland, introducing Ecorobotix’s revolutionary ultra-high-precision sprayer. The system uses cameras and AI to identify individual weeds, applying herbicide only where needed — reducing chemical use by up to 95 percent. “We call it plant-by-plant crop care,” Mégret explained. “We replace active ingredients with artificial intelligence.” The company’s flagship 20-foot sprayer, guided by computer vision and controlled from behind a tractor, sprays every four centimeters with pinpoint accuracy, allowing growers to cut input costs, labor needs, and environmental impact all at once.
Ecorobotix recently raised $150 million in funding to expand its U.S. operations and announced plans to begin assembling products in America next year. “This isn’t about replacing people,” Mégret said. “It’s about giving them better tools and restoring balance between productivity and sustainability.”
In the second half of the program, Hannah Johnson joined from FIRA USA after leading the successful Readley Ag Conference earlier this month. As head of the new California Ag Tech Alliance, Johnson described how a $15 million state grant will bring together universities, growers, and tech startups to accelerate innovation while protecting farm jobs. “There’s no intent to replace skilled farm workers,” Johnson said. “It’s about making their jobs safer, higher-quality, and more connected to technology.”
Johnson emphasized the importance of developing a workforce that bridges traditional farming and advanced technology. “The biggest thing farmers need right now is people who understand both sides — how farms operate and how to make this technology work in the field,” she said. She also shared her personal mission, shaped by her own family’s experience of losing their farm: “I don’t want any other farmer to go through that. This is my way to give back and keep California agriculture alive.”
Papagni and McGill wrapped the show with optimism for a sector balancing heritage with high-tech change. “From Ecorobotix’s Swiss precision to Hannah Johnson’s California leadership,” Papagni said, “it’s clear the next generation of agriculture is already here — and it’s growing stronger every day.”

California Farmers Confront Global Competition and Retail Pressure on AgNet News Hour

The October 28 edition of the AgNet News Hour tackled the global marketplace head-on, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill examined how trade policy, retail pricing, and foreign imports continue to shape the future of California farming. From beef and blueberries to almonds and freight logistics, the hour underscored that California’s agriculture industry is both resilient and under siege.
The program opened with updates on the Argentine beef dispute. The hosts replayed comments from Ethan Lane of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, who discussed concerns that Argentine imports could drive down U.S. cattle prices just as producers begin recovering from pandemic-era losses. Lane emphasized that while the Trump administration’s beef stabilization plan offers promise—focusing on herd rebuilding, processing expansion, and grazing access—import balance is crucial. “We can’t afford to flood the market with foreign beef while our ranchers are still healing,” he said.
Later in the show, Papagni caught up with Issa Kanda of FMC at the CAPCA Conference in Reno. Kanda described 2025 as “challenging but optimistic,” noting stable prices for walnuts and almonds, and a record pistachio crop. He highlighted FMC’s portfolio of pest control tools for permanent crops, including Rime fungicide, which has shown 99% control of the new Red Leaf Blotch disease in almonds. “We can’t let our guard down,” Kanda said. “Timing, scouting, and precision applications are everything.”
At the FIRA USA Ag Automation Show in Woodland, the focus turned to innovation and labor challenges. Cameron Allison of Wild Goose Farms, a major blueberry grower from Florida, said he attended to explore automation that could offset rising labor costs. “Blueberries are still handpicked in most of the country,” Allison said. “We’re racing to develop machines that can pick ripe fruit and leave the green ones. It’s the next frontier.” He added that competition from Mexico and Peru continues to undercut U.S. growers, and urged stronger lobbying and retail accountability to keep domestic fruit viable.
Papagni and McGill followed up with a passionate discussion on the role of retailers in the crisis. “You can’t expect California farmers to compete with countries where water, labor, and safety standards are nowhere near ours,” McGill said. Papagni added that it’s time for grocery chains to support domestic producers through fair pricing and seasonal sourcing campaigns. “If you can charge a premium for local or organic, you can do the same for California-grown,” he said.
The hosts agreed that while foreign trade can fill seasonal gaps, the system is unbalanced. “We can’t keep importing cheaper fruit and meat year-round and expect our own farmers to survive,” Papagni said. “It’s not about protectionism — it’s about fairness.”

From Citrus Greening to Ag Robotics: California Faces the Future of Farming

The October 27 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a mix of urgency and innovation, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill discussed California’s expanding HLB citrus quarantine, the latest autonomous robotics technology, and the insights of UC Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) and The Reservoir founder Danny Bernstein on the state’s farming future.
The show opened with breaking news that California’s HLB (Huanglongbing) quarantine boundaries have expanded significantly. McGill, who witnessed the disease’s devastation in Florida, warned that California must learn from that experience before it’s too late. “In Florida, they thought they could contain it,” he said. “Within five years, the entire state’s citrus acreage was infected.” Papagni and McGill stressed that if California fails to act decisively, its citrus industry — one of the state’s most iconic — could face the same fate.
Their conversation highlighted the need for early detection, collaboration with Florida experts, and stronger integration between PCAs, UC researchers, and state agencies. “California citrus is world-renowned,” Papagni said. “If we lose it, the ripple effect will hit farms, jobs, and entire communities.”
From disease control to digital transformation, the show then shifted gears with a spotlight on Bonsai Robotics, one of the most talked-about exhibitors at the FIRA USA 2025 Ag Automation Show in Woodland. Arif Gupta of Bonsai explained how their retrofit kits can turn any existing tractor into an autonomous vehicle — helping farmers save on labor and fuel while collecting real-time data. “We’re helping growers take their current equipment and make it autonomous,” Gupta said. “It’s about cutting costs, increasing precision, and building a smarter farm.”
The program continued with UC ANR’s Gabe Youtsey, who passionately described the university’s mission to keep California farming viable amid rising regulation, labor shortages, and global competition. “California agriculture feeds the world,” Youtsey said. “If we lose the ability to produce our own food, we lose part of our national identity.” He also emphasized that farmers remain the best environmental stewards. “They’re not poisoning the land — they’re protecting it for future generations.”
Finally, the show closed with a conversation with Danny Bernstein, founder of The Reservoir, an ag-tech incubator helping startups develop tools to solve real-world problems for growers. Bernstein called his company “the double-A league of ag tech,” connecting early-stage innovators with Central Valley and coastal farmers to help them test, refine, and scale their products. “Agriculture doesn’t need innovation for luxury,” he said. “It needs innovation for resilience.”
Papagni wrapped up by tying the week’s stories together: “From fighting HLB to building the next generation of robotics, it’s clear California agriculture is standing at a crossroads — and leading the way into the future.”

Beef Plan, Spray Tech, and AI: California Ag Eyes Relief and Reinvention

The October 24 edition of the AgNet News Hour blended policy, technology, and on-the-ground perspective to close out a packed week for California agriculture. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill opened with encouraging news for cattle producers: USDA released a multifaceted plan aimed at stabilizing the beef sector and easing price pressure on consumers. The framework focuses on three pillars—strengthening ranching’s business fundamentals through disaster relief, grazing access, and risk tools; expanding processing and market transparency; and building demand while growing the domestic herd. The hosts applauded the rapid response and promised follow-up conversations with industry leaders to gauge how quickly relief could reach ranch country.
From policy to practice, the show spotlighted electrostatic spray innovation with On Target Spray Systems CEO Willie Hartman. His pitch to cash-strapped growers was simple: do more with less. Hartman said their electrostatic sprayers can cut water use by roughly 80%, cover two to three times more acres per day, and use about 50% less horsepower than conventional air-blast rigs—translating to major diesel savings. The company’s “try before you buy” demos and compatibility with autonomous platforms made it a natural fit at FIRA, where Hartman noted partnerships with multiple robotics firms.
Policy heat flared during a FIRA panel Q&A when Papagni pressed California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross on Proposition 50. Ross emphasized productivity, storage projects like Sites Reservoir being “closer than ever,” and the need to manage both flood and drought risk but declined to take a position on Prop 50. The exchange underscored a broader tension the show has explored all month: farmers want immediate, concrete steps that preserve rural representation while long-promised water infrastructure inches forward.
Rounding out the episode, University of Florida’s Dr. Nathan Boyd joined from FIRA to compare Florida and California specialty crops and explain why labor is his state’s defining challenge. Boyd said UF is investing heavily in agricultural AI—building an applied AI center with new state and federal support—and scouting technologies that can retrofit existing equipment, target weeds with precision, and deliver measurable ROI in hand-picked crops like strawberries and tomatoes. He also noted growing student interest in ag-tech careers, a bright spot for an industry hungry for talent.
The common thread across the hour was urgency with optimism. Whether it’s a national beef plan, smarter spraying that saves water and fuel, or AI that helps farmers do more with fewer hands, California ag is pushing for solutions that work now while laying the groundwork for a stronger tomorrow.

California Ag Tech on Display: TK, Bayer Crop Science, and John Deere’s GUSS Steal the Show

The October 23 edition of the AgNet News Hour was packed with innovation, insight, and a deep look at the future of farming — from fertilizer and fungicides to fully autonomous sprayers. Broadcasting from the FIRA USA Ag Automation Show in Woodland and the CAPCA Conference in Reno, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill spotlighted some of the biggest players in ag technology, including TK, Bayer Crop Science, and GUSS, now part of John Deere.
The show opened with Alex Avila, Central California representative for TK (Tessenderlo Kerley), who shared updates from the crop protection side of the business. “California is so unique — every region grows something different,” Avila said. “What we do in the Central Valley is totally different from the coast or Oregon.” TK provides fertilizers, insecticides, and fumigation solutions tailored to each region’s unique needs. Avila noted that California’s mild growing season in 2025 produced some of the best fruit quality and yields in years, but warned that market pressures remain tough.
As winter approaches, Avila said the focus shifts to fumigation. “This is when we prep the soil for the next season,” he said. “We’re getting ready for fumigation with products like Sectagon to make sure next year’s crops start strong.” He also predicted another wet winter — a welcome change for water storage and dormancy cycles. “Cold, wet weather is good for trees,” he said. “They’re staying dormant longer and recharging.”
Next, Papagni sat down with Sabih Javid, fungicide product manager for Bayer Crop Science, who discussed emerging threats like Red Leaf Blotch in almonds, first identified in 2024. “It’s taking 30 to 40 percent of yields in some orchards,” Javid warned. “Our fungicides with FRAC 3, 7, and 11 codes — like the Luna and Adamant lines — are showing the strongest results.” Bayer is also preparing for EPA approval of new Adamant and Xivana formulations, designed for aerial and drone applications. “We’re ready for drones — the future is targeted spraying,” Javid said.
Javid urged PCAs and retailers to plan early for next season. “Spray at bloom and post-petal fall,” he advised. “Once Red Leaf Blotch sets in, it’s too late.” He emphasized that three straight wet winters could increase disease pressure, making timing and precision more important than ever.
Finally, Papagni spoke with Gary Thompson, co-founder of GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System), now a John Deere company based in Kingsburg. Thompson, who grew up in the dairy industry, described how GUSS was born from necessity. “The CEO, Dave Crinklaw, couldn’t find enough tractor drivers,” he said. “So he built a tractor that didn’t need one.”
GUSS machines are now spraying millions of acres across California, using sensors and GPS-guided autonomy to eliminate overspray, reduce labor strain, and improve precision. “Growers can now run fleets of sprayers from a tablet,” Thompson said. “It’s about empowering workers — turning tractor drivers into fleet managers.”
He announced that John Deere has fully acquired GUSS, giving the company access to nationwide dealer support and expanded manufacturing capabilities. “We started with one model and now have three — GUSS, Mini GUSS, and a herbicide version that spot-sprays weeds to save chemicals,” he said. “The technology is only getting smarter from here.”
Papagni wrapped up the program by connecting the dots between these innovators: “Whether it’s fertilizers from TK, fungicides from Bayer, or automation from GUSS, California farmers are leading the world in adapting, innovating, and feeding the future.”

CAPCA 2025: PCAs, Innovation, and Leadership Take Center Stage

The October 22 edition of the AgNet News Hour captured the energy and innovation coming out of this year’s CAPCA Conference in Reno, Nevada, with hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sharing highlights from interviews with some of California agriculture’s most influential voices — including Ruthann Anderson, Dr. Lauren Fann, and Raquel Gomez.
Papagni broadcasted live from the FIRA USA Automation Show in Woodland and the CAPCA Conference, describing it as “two worlds blending in one — the PCA world and the automation world.” The event showcased the synergy between technology and crop advising, with innovators and researchers presenting tools that promise to transform pest management, soil health, and precision farming.
At the heart of the episode was Ruthann Anderson, president of CAPCA (California Association of Pest Control Advisors), who shared her excitement over the strong turnout and the new generation of PCAs joining the industry. “We had about 25 students come in this year ready to learn and engage,” Anderson said. “They are the future of California agriculture.” She credited her team and CAPCA’s volunteers for creating a conference that balances education, networking, and real-world problem-solving. Anderson also discussed major issues facing PCAs, from rat infestations damaging drip systems to changing pesticide regulations, and expressed optimism that collaboration between CDFA, UC researchers, and industry groups will lead to solutions.
The show also featured Dr. Lauren Fann, manager of Pest Research and Pollination Research at the Almond Board of California, who discussed her work developing biological and sustainable pest management tools. “We’re studying biologicals already available to growers and learning how to use them effectively,” Fann explained. She noted the challenges of invasive pests, shifting regulations, and the global export standards California almonds must meet. Fann, a proud FFA alumna and participant in the California Ag Leadership Program, said her mission is to “help farmers stay ahead of change through research and innovation.”
Another highlight came from Raquel Gomez, agronomist for Brandt, who showcased the company’s work on micronutrients, adjuvants, and sustainable crop protection. “If it grows in California, Brandt covers it,” Gomez said. She emphasized how a wet winter can help growers manage salinity and improve soil health and encouraged PCAs to explore Brandt’s Manaplex technology and C-Lite diatomaceous insecticide.
Throughout the program, Papagni and McGill emphasized that events like CAPCA and FIRA are where California agriculture’s next chapter is being written — by the advisors, researchers, and innovators working together to make farming more resilient and efficient. “These are the people who make food better — safer, smarter, and sustainable,” Papagni said.
As the show closed, McGill reminded listeners of the shared mission across all sectors of agriculture: “Every booth, every PCA, every researcher here is working toward the same goal — helping farmers grow stronger and smarter.”

Todd Snider Takes the Helm at Kern County Farm Bureau, Calls for Smarter Water Policy and Farm Advocacy

The October 21 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured Todd Snider, the newly elected president of the Kern County Farm Bureau, in a wide-ranging interview that captured the passion, perspective, and urgency driving California agriculture today.
Snider, a lifelong Bakersfield resident and former national champion mountain biker, brings competitive energy to his new role. A crop insurance professional with deep roots in the community, he said his goal is to protect and promote the future of farming in one of the most productive regions in the world. “It’s an honor to lead the Kern County Farm Bureau,” Snider said. “We feed the world from right here, and it’s time Sacramento and Washington remember that.”
Kern County is the second-largest ag-producing county in the nation, and Snider said the Farm Bureau’s mission is clear — to defend agriculture against overregulation, labor challenges, and water shortages. “Farmers are producing more with less — less land, less water, more cost — and yet we’re still feeding millions,” he said. “People have forgotten the labor, risk, and science it takes to grow food. We have to tell our story better.”
Snider emphasized the Farm Bureau’s expanding educational programs that introduce local schoolchildren to farming through Farm Days and FFA partnerships. “Kids think food comes from a grocery store,” he said. “When they visit the farm, they realize agriculture isn’t just tractors and dirt — it’s drones, computers, and science.” He also highlighted opportunities in modern ag careers, from data technology to accounting. “You don’t have to have dirty boots to be in agriculture,” he said.
On policy, Snider was blunt about Proposition 50, warning it would “destroy rural representation” by allowing redistricting power to shift to political insiders. “Voters need to do their research,” he said. “If this passes, rural California will lose its voice — and that’s devastating for agriculture.”
He also spoke passionately about California’s water crisis, calling it “a man-made problem.” “Growers pay for 100% of their water and only get 50%,” he said. “Then in wet years, they’re asked to buy the rest at a premium. Imagine what this valley would look like if we actually delivered 100% of what farmers are already paying for.” The result, he said, is 27,000 acres of almonds and grapes now fallowed in Kern County alone. “Water means jobs,” he warned. “Without it, our communities will shrink, our schools will suffer, and our economy will collapse.”
Despite the challenges, Snider expressed optimism and pride in the resilience of California’s farmers. “We’ve weathered droughts, recessions, and regulations,” he said. “Farmers are problem-solvers — we’ll find a way forward, but we need leaders who understand agriculture, not just politics.”
The interview closed with Snider’s call for unity across county lines: “We don’t just want Kern County to succeed — we want Tulare, Fresno, and the entire Central Valley to thrive. When one of us grows stronger, all of California agriculture does.”

Pumpkin Power and Precision Tech: California Agriculture Shines on AgNet News Hour

The October 20 edition of the AgNet News Hour celebrated two sides of California agriculture — tradition and technology — with guests Brian Van Groningen of Van Groningen & Sons and Gabe Sibley, CEO of Verdant Robotics. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill blended the warmth of fall harvest with the excitement of ag innovation, reminding listeners why California remains the heart of American farming.
Van Groningen, dubbed the “Pumpkin King of California,” joined the show from Manteca, where his family farm grows over 60 varieties of pumpkins ranging from small gourds to 200-pound giants. “San Joaquin County produces about 80% of the pumpkins shipped and sold in California,” he said. “We’re proud to grow pumpkins that make families smile every fall.”
He explained how the farm’s operations run from April through October, with harvest peaking in late fall. Most of their pumpkins are grown for ornamental and decorative use, though a few specialty varieties are dual-purpose — fit for both pie and display. Van Groningen also spoke about the importance of ag education, sharing how his family partners with local schools and the San Joaquin Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom program to teach kids where their food comes from. “We need to reconnect people to agriculture,” he said. “California-grown food is the safest in the world, and it’s important people know that.”
He encouraged families to visit local pumpkin patches this Halloween season, especially the Van Groningen & Sons retail stand on Jack Tone Road, where visitors can see the farm’s vibrant varieties up close. “Take your kids out, make memories, and enjoy the harvest,” he said.
In the second half of the show, the focus shifted from pumpkins to precision with Gabe Sibley, co-founder and CEO of Verdant Robotics. Sibley described the company’s breakthrough product, the Sharpshooter, which can cut labor costs by up to 85% and reduce chemical use by 99% through AI-driven precision spraying. “We put molecules on target with the accuracy of a laser,” Sibley said. “That means no waste, no overspray — just precision that pays off.”
Verdant’s technology uses computer vision and machine learning to identify crops and weeds in real time, delivering exact doses of fertilizer, pollen, or herbicide. “In some fields, one machine can replace 100 workers,” Sibley noted. “It’s not about replacing people — it’s about keeping farms sustainable in the face of labor shortages and rising costs.”
Papagni and McGill closed the show by highlighting how California agriculture continues to balance innovation with heritage. “From the pumpkin patch to the robotics lab, California’s farmers are proving they can adapt, evolve, and thrive,” Papagni said.