AgNet News Hour

Bill Jones: “California Will Come Back Stronger Than Ever”

The October 16 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured a powerhouse guest, Bill Jones, former California Secretary of State, lifelong West Side farmer, and one of the most respected political figures in Central Valley history. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill continued their “Hall of Fame Week” series with Jones, who offered rare perspective on the intersection of agriculture, politics, and hope for California’s future.
Jones, who still farms almonds, pistachios, pomegranates, and tomatoes near Firebaugh, shared insight into the challenges and cycles of California farming. “We need the water for irrigation, but it has to come at the right time,” he said, noting that most of this year’s rainfall will once again “go right to the ocean” instead of into storage. He criticized decades of political inaction and urged cooperation between Sacramento and Washington. “Until both are on the same page, California’s water problem will never truly be fixed,” he warned.
The conversation turned to California’s political history, where Jones reflected on his time leading the Assembly during the 1990s, a period he called “the last time Sacramento worked for the people.” He lamented the rise of one-party control and called Proposition 50 a direct threat to rural representation. “One-party rule is never good. Prop 50 takes power away from the people and gives it to politicians. Vote no,” he said firmly.
Jones also discussed the importance of voter ID laws and ensuring election integrity. Drawing from his experience overseeing international elections in Mexico and Nicaragua, he said, “Every vote counts. People have to believe in the system. Without that, democracy fails.”
The former Secretary of State offered advice to young farmers and aspiring leaders to stay engaged. “Agriculture and politics are deeply connected, that’s just the nature of it,” he said. “We need people who understand farming to run for office, to step up and serve.”
The discussion also covered immigration and labor, with Jones calling for “common sense solutions” and long-term federal reform. “You can’t have open borders, but you also can’t ignore the workers who’ve built this country. We need a fair system that works for everyone.”
On water, Jones argued that California’s crisis is man-made, not climate-driven. “The drought isn’t from climate change, it’s from poor planning,” he said. “We built a world-class system in the 1960s but stopped maintaining it. You can’t run a 40-million-person economy on 60-year-old infrastructure.”
Still, Jones ended on a note of optimism. “California is great already,” he said. “We’ve come back from bad leadership three times before — and we’ll do it again. With good candidates and fair elections, this state will come back stronger than ever.”
Papagni and McGill closed the segment by echoing his message. “That’s what the Central Valley needs — leaders with common sense and courage,” Papagni said. “Bill Jones gives us hope that California can still be fixed.”

Nat DiBuduo, the “Godfather of Grapes,” on the Future of California Wine and Farming

The October 15 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured one of California agriculture’s most respected voices: Nat DiBuduo, former Allied Grape Growers president and lifelong champion of California’s wine industry. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed DiBuduo for an honest discussion about the past, present, and uncertain future of the state’s vineyards and farms.
Known as the “godfather of the grape industry,” DiBuduo reflected on growing up among vineyards where Copper River now stands — a reminder of how quickly farmland has disappeared under urban expansion. “Back in the day, it was all tree fruit and grapes,” he said. “Now it’s housing developments. Every generation needs a house, but we’re losing farmland one field at a time.”
DiBuduo, who also served 16 years on the Fresno City Planning Commission, explained how housing demand has transformed the Central Valley landscape. What was once prime farmland has become subdivisions, a change he sees as both inevitable and troubling. “Farmers can’t compete with developers when it’s this hard to farm in California,” he said. “Regulations, labor, and water costs keep rising — and people are just cashing out.”
On the state of the wine industry, DiBuduo warned that California has lost roughly 100,000 acres of wine grapes in the last decade as markets shift and consumer demand changes. “When I was at Allied, we had around 500,000 acres,” he said. “Now it’s closer to 400,000. You can drive through Fresno and Madera and see vineyards piled up waiting to be shredded.”
He believes the wine industry must reinvent its marketing to connect with younger consumers. “The older generation is drinking less wine, and younger people don’t know what to buy,” he said. “We need to make wine fun again — get people to tastings, use social media, and tell the story behind every label.” He also encouraged innovation in packaging, including canned and low-alcohol wines, to meet new consumer preferences.
DiBuduo spoke passionately about farming challenges — from water scarcity to overregulation — and said California’s leadership needs to rediscover balance. “We need legislators who actually understand agriculture,” he said. “Farmers aren’t villains. They’re the best environmentalists on the planet. We live on our farms; we take care of them for future generations.”
He also echoed concerns about Proposition 50, warning that it would further silence rural voices. “It would be a disaster for the Central Valley and for California,” he said. “We need representation, not redistricting that wipes us out.”
Despite the challenges, DiBuduo remains optimistic. “Don’t give up,” he told listeners. “We’ve seen ups and downs before. The California farmer has always found a way through.”

Ag Innovation and PCA Leadership: Priscilla Koepke and Mando Perez on AgNet News Hour

The October 14 edition of the AgNet News Hour showcased two powerful voices shaping the future of California agriculture — Priscilla Koepke, CEO of F3 Innovate, and Mando Perez, Southern California PCA with Semios and this year’s CAPCA Member of the Year. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill led conversations that connected the past, present, and future of farming — from technology and education to leadership in the field.
Koepke began the program by outlining F3 Innovate’s mission: to transform the Central Valley into a world-class hub for agricultural technology and innovation. The organization, funded through federal, state, and local partnerships, focuses on bridging the gap between research, education, and real-world farming applications. “We’re here to connect scientists, students, and farmers so innovation doesn’t just stay in the lab — it gets to the field,” Koepke said.
One of F3’s priorities is preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through partnerships with Fresno State, community colleges, and local schools, F3 Innovate teaches robotics, AI, and automation to students of all ages. “We want to show young people that ag isn’t just about tractors — it’s about technology, sustainability, and feeding the world,” Koepke said. She pointed to the new AI for Agriculture Supercomputing Center as a game-changer for data-driven farming, noting that agriculture is now one of the fastest-growing sectors for tech innovation in California.
Koepke also highlighted that innovation must reach small and medium-size farms, not just large operations. “If technology isn’t affordable and accessible, it’s not a solution,” she said. “We want every grower — regardless of acreage — to be part of agriculture’s next chapter.”
In the second half of the program, the spotlight turned to Mando Perez, who was recently honored as CAPCA’s 2025 Member of the Year. Perez, who manages PCA operations in the southern San Joaquin Valley, reflected on his journey from citrus groves to overseeing 17,000 acres of crops. He credited mentors and his family for helping him stay committed through years of hard work. “You don’t win awards like this alone,” Perez said. “It’s about the team, the growers, and the people who push you to do better every day.”
Perez also discussed the rapid adoption of smart irrigation and pest management technology, explaining how platforms like Semios give growers instant insights into field conditions. “Technology is only useful if it saves the grower time and money,” he said. “Our goal is to simplify decision-making — not complicate it.”
Both guests shared a common theme: agriculture’s future depends on innovation, education, and collaboration. As Papagni put it, “California farmers are leading the world — but we’ve got to make sure the next generation is ready to carry that torch.”

Karen Ross Talks Water, Regulation, and Prop 50 Silence on AgNet News Hour

The October 13 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered one of the most important interviews of the season as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. The discussion, recorded at Reedley College, covered water storage, regulation, labor, and the growing tension between Sacramento and Central Valley agriculture.
Ross acknowledged that California farmers are facing unprecedented “headwinds,” citing low prices, labor shortages, immigration struggles, and rising regulatory costs. She compared current conditions to the hardships of the 1980s farm crisis, adding that today’s mix of climate uncertainty and government regulation has made farming even more difficult. Still, she emphasized that the future can be bright if farmers and policymakers work together on education, technology, and efficiency.
Ross praised programs like the new competency-based certificate programs at community colleges such as Reedley, which train farmworkers for jobs in automation and ag tech. She said those initiatives are key to keeping workers employed as agriculture transitions toward more technology-driven production. “We want to make sure we leave no one behind in making those transitions,” Ross said.
On water, Ross pointed to both new and long-delayed storage projects. She cited Sites Reservoir as “this close” to construction, calling it one of the largest new water storage projects in California history. However, she also admitted that years of environmental reviews and permitting have slowed progress. “We know flooding is going to be more prevalent,” she said. “So, we have to be prepared for drought and flooding at the same time.”
But it was Ross’s silence on Proposition 50 that drew the biggest reaction from hosts and listeners alike. When Papagni asked whether she supports or opposes the controversial measure, Ross declined to take a position, saying only, “I’m not going to weigh in on that.” McGill and Papagni later noted that as an appointee who serves at the governor’s pleasure, Ross may not be free to speak candidly about Prop 50 — a measure that critics say would erase rural representation and hand political control to urban centers.
The hosts closed the show by contrasting Ross’s cautious answers with farmers’ growing frustration. “You can’t support Prop 50 and support agriculture at the same time,” McGill said.
The episode ended with a call for leadership, accountability, and faster water infrastructure action. As Papagni put it, “Water leads to life. Without it, we have nothing in the Central Valley — and it’s time Sacramento remembered that.”

Elaine Culotti, the “Lipstick Farmer,” Warns Farmers on Prop 50 and California’s Mismanagement

The October 10 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured a fiery interview with Elaine Culotti, known to many as the “Lipstick Farmer” and star of Undercover Billionaire. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed her back for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, farming, and California’s future.
Culotti, who farms in Fallbrook, has become a national voice on agricultural and political issues, recently appearing on Fox’s Gutfeld! show. She told listeners that Prop 50 poses a direct threat to California’s rural communities by stripping farmers and small towns of their representation. “This takes away the voice of our farmers in the Central Valley,” she said. “It’s a sleight of hand, a land grab. If you think it doesn’t affect you, think twice — they’re coming after you.”
She warned that Prop 50’s rushed rollout violated the Open Commission Act and will result in maps that gerrymander rural voices out of power. “Even if you think it might be good for your district, vote no,” Culotti said. “They need to redo it properly and wait for the census.”
Beyond Prop 50, Culotti took aim at the state’s high-speed rail debacle, charging that billions have been siphoned off by middle groups and NGOs instead of completing the project. “The fact that California can’t build a high-speed rail is a joke,” she said. She argued for private-public partnerships and conservative fiscal management to make infrastructure profitable again.
She also highlighted California’s homelessness crisis, blasting state spending without results. Culotti pointed to reports of nearly $900,000 per unit in Los Angeles homeless housing projects, arguing that the money never reaches the people it’s meant to help. “We spend billions, and nothing changes. Where is all the money going?” she asked.
For Culotti, the solutions come down to leadership and fiscal discipline. She called California “the greatest place on earth to live” but said government mismanagement has turned it into a cautionary tale. “This is a manmade problem, and a man can fix it,” she declared. “Vote red, vote conservative, and bring back the Sunshine State.”
Listen to the full interview with Elaine Culotti on the AgNet News Hour:

David Tangipa Slams Insurance Commissioner and Prop 50 on AgNet News Hour

The October 9 edition of the AgNet News Hour brought another fiery interview with Assemblyman David Tangipa, who joined hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill to expose corruption in Sacramento and rally California farmers against Proposition 50.
Tangipa revealed shocking details about Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, accusing him of billing taxpayers for luxury travel, safaris, five-star hotels, and even VIP trips to follow a European DJ tour. “This isn’t just an insurance crisis, it’s an insurance catastrophe,” Tangipa said. “While wildfire victims and farmers can’t get affordable coverage, our commissioner is partying on taxpayer dollars.” He called for Lara’s resignation or recall and pledged to hold the governor’s office accountable for approving the trips.
The assemblyman tied the scandal to Prop 50, warning that if passed, it would give even more unchecked power to the same leadership. “This is why Prop 50 must be a firm no,” Tangipa said. “We already pay the highest taxes, gas prices, and utility bills in the nation. Giving these leaders more power is the last thing California needs.”
Tangipa also took aim at California’s handling of wildfires, pointing out that the Palisades and Eaton fires were made worse by negligence, not climate change. He cited evidence that LADWP left a reservoir basin empty and power fleets uncharged, crippling the emergency response. “These disasters are manmade,” he said. “If it’s a policy problem, it’s a people problem — and we can vote people out.”
For farmers, Tangipa’s message was clear: brace for tough years ahead. He warned that California may see hikes in payroll taxes, insurance costs, and utility bills, compounded by refinery shutdowns that could drive fuel prices higher. Still, he urged farmers to stay lean and keep fighting: “It’s my turn to give back to the families who saved my life. Farmers feed the world, and now they need someone in Sacramento to fight for them.”
Both hosts praised Tangipa for his candor and commitment. “He’s stepping up to the plate and telling people like it is,” Papagni said, reminding listeners that California agriculture is in crisis mode but not beyond saving.
Listen to the full conversation with Assemblyman David Tangipa on the AgNet News Hour:

Shannon Douglass Doubles Down on Prop 50 Opposition

The October 8 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured another powerful conversation with Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau, who returned to the show to sound the alarm about Proposition 50 and its potential consequences for rural California .
Douglass explained that Prop 50 would suspend California’s Independent Redistricting Commission, a system created to ensure fair representation by keeping communities intact. “This commission takes in tens of thousands of public comments and really listens to communities of interest,” Douglass said. Under Prop 50, however, politicians would regain control of the process and could redraw districts behind closed doors, leaving rural communities with little to no voice.
She highlighted one proposed district as an example of the absurdity: Alturas in Modoc County being lumped in with Sausalito in Marin County. With vastly different economies, incomes, and priorities, such pairings would dilute rural representation and shift political power further toward urban centers. “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans — it’s about ensuring agriculture and rural voices continue to have a seat at the table,” Douglass stressed.
Douglass also reminded listeners that agriculture already faces enormous challenges:
Regulatory costs have increased nearly 1,400% in the past 20 years.
California has lost 20% of its family farms in the last decade.
Farmers are struggling with water shortages, labor issues, and global trade pressures.
Losing rural representation, she argued, would only make those problems worse. Without strong farm voices in Sacramento and Washington, issues like the Farm Bill, forest management, and water storage could slip further down the priority list.
Douglass urged voters not only to vote “No” on Prop 50 but also to spread the word. “When that ballot arrives in your mailbox, don’t let it sit on the pile. Open it, fill it out, and vote no,” she said. She called on farmers and allies to share the message with neighbors and friends, emphasizing that the outcome will likely be close.
Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill underscored Douglass’s message, reminding listeners that California agriculture is a $60 billion industry that sustains jobs from the farm to the ports. “Food security is national security,” McGill added, noting that farmers cannot afford to lose more ground in representation.
Hear Shannon Douglass’s full interview on the AgNet News Hour, by clicking the player below or on your favorite podcast app.

Mando Perez of Semios Named CAPCA Member of the Year

The October 7 edition of the AgNet News Hour celebrated a big win for California agriculture as Mando Perez, Southern California Territory PCA and president of the Kern County CAPCA chapter, was named 2025 CAPCA Member of the Year. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill called it the “Grammy Award” for PCAs, recognizing Perez as one of the top advisors in the state.
Perez shared his journey into agriculture, which began in 2009 after losing his job during the recession. He got his start at the Wonderful Company, where mentors encouraged him to pursue a Pest Control Advisor license. Balancing full-time work, school, and raising three kids, Perez earned his PCA credential and eventually managed 17,000 acres of tree nuts. His passion for pest management and irrigation technology has since grown into a career marked by innovation and leadership.
At Semios, Perez helps deliver cutting-edge tools in pest management, irrigation monitoring, and climate data. He explained how the company provides growers with water pressure summaries, network uptime reporting, pest phenology tracking, and spray timing recommendations. These tools allow farmers to save labor, reduce input costs, and make data-driven decisions. “Growers need solutions that cut costs and improve efficiency,” Perez said, highlighting the role of technology in today’s farm economy.
Perez also praised the CAPCA network of more than 900 PCAs across California. He compared the group to a football team, where sharing strategies and best practices makes everyone stronger. At this year’s CAPCA Conference in Reno, Perez will join a roundtable with student PCAs to mentor the next generation. “Discipline is the key to being a better PCA,” he said, encouraging young professionals to lean on mentors and peers for support.
For Perez, the award is more than personal recognition — it’s about honoring those who guided him along the way. “It’s like a pinch-me moment,” he told listeners. “All my hard work, the long hours, the sacrifices — it reflects the mentors, peers, and family who believed in me.”
Listen to the full conversation with CAPCA Member of the Year Mondo Perez on the AgNet News Hour: