AgNet News Hour

Custom Produce’s Growth Story: Ted Torosian

Custom Produce in Parlier, California, has grown from a door-to-door startup into one of the most respected names in the produce supply chain, and founder Ted Torosian says the company’s success comes from staying true to its roots while adapting to an evolving industry.
Founded in 1989 by Torosian, his brother, and partners, Custom Produce began with a simple mission: offer a variety of high-quality fruits and vegetables in one stop for food service buyers. “We started from scratch, knocking on doors, selling fruit,” Torosian said. “Now we’re one of the most successful companies in the Central Valley.”
Today, the company operates on a 15-acre facility, handling over 80 commodities and specializing in consolidation — allowing customers to pick up a mix of products in a single load. This model is especially valuable for restaurants, small markets, and wholesale buyers who don’t need full truckloads of a single commodity. “We can put two pallets of this, one pallet of that, all on one truck,” Torosian explained. “It’s food service at its best.”
Custom Produce’s reach extends far beyond the Central Valley. While most sourcing comes from Central California growers, they also work with partners in Mexico, Chile, and Arizona to ensure year-round supply. Their offerings range from tree fruit and melons to peppers and grapes — though they leave leafy greens to other regions.
Freight and packaging are major parts of the business. By brokering transportation and breaking pallets to meet exact customer needs, Custom Produce streamlines distribution and cuts costs for buyers. Torosian noted that packaging costs have soared, making careful handling and proper cooling critical for maintaining product quality across long distances. “Our specialty is making sure that when it gets there, it’s still in great condition,” he said.
While the company serves big names like Costco, their core focus remains on the “small guys” who need flexible, dependable service. “It’s about relationships,” Torosian said. “We’ve built trust with our growers and our customers over decades.”
From a handful of partners with a big idea to a major player in the produce industry, Custom Produce shows how vision, adaptability, and old-fashioned hard work can pay off in agriculture’s competitive marketplace.

California Ag at a Crossroads: Syngenta’s Dale Nicol

Today’s AgNet News Hour featured a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Dale Nicol, Syngenta’s West Coast grower relations manager, whose decades of experience give him a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing California agriculture. From shifting market dynamics to regulatory roadblocks, Nicol offered an unvarnished look at the pressures growers are navigating in 2024.
Market Shifts and Imports Impacting California Crops
Nicol began by addressing the growing competition from imported wine grapes, noting how international supply pressures are reshaping markets for California producers. While the Golden State remains a leader in quality and volume, imports are forcing farmers to rethink their strategies to stay competitive. He stressed the importance of strengthening relationships between growers, marketers, and policymakers to protect local industries.
Regulatory Pressures and Political Climate
One of the central themes of the interview was the mounting regulatory burden on California farmers. From pesticide restrictions to environmental compliance, Nicol said that the state’s rules often put local growers at a disadvantage compared to competitors in other states and countries. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach that safeguards the environment without jeopardizing the economic viability of farming.
Nicol also weighed in on the political climate, warning that unless agriculture has a strong and unified voice in Sacramento and Washington, decisions will continue to be made without a full understanding of their impact on food production.
Innovation and the Next Generation
Despite the challenges, Nicol remains optimistic about agriculture’s capacity for innovation. He highlighted Syngenta’s work in developing cutting-edge crop protection and seed technologies that help farmers increase yields while reducing environmental impact. He also called on the industry to invest in the next generation of growers, ensuring they have the resources, training, and policy support to carry the sector forward.
A Call for Engagement
Nicol’s message to California agriculture was clear: growers must stay engaged in policy discussions, embrace technology, and build coalitions that can influence decisions at every level. “The future of farming depends on the choices we make now,” he concluded, urging farmers to remain proactive rather than reactive.
Listeners can hear the full conversation with Dale Nicol and get the latest California ag news by visiting AgNetWest.com or subscribing to the AgNet News Hour podcast.

California Farming Voices: Case Hinker and Stan Nelson

California Farming Voices: On today’s AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni and co-host Josh McGill take listeners on a tour of California agriculture, from the dairies of Hanford to the John Deere showroom in Madera. The episode features two in-depth interviews—first with dairy farmer Case Anker, then with Stan Nelson of Midland Tractor—offering a ground-level view of farming challenges and innovations across the Golden State.
Anker, a third-generation dairyman, shares how his family’s operation balances cow comfort with fluctuating market conditions. From citrus peel feed to molasses treats, he explains that keeping cows cool and stress-free is just as critical as feed quality. While 2024 has brought fair milk and feed prices, Anker notes the dairy business demands resilience—farmers must be ready for both good and bad years, setting aside reserves for leaner times. He encourages consumers to support dairies by buying milk, cheese, pizza, and other dairy products, highlighting the pride and stewardship that comes with caring for animals and the land.
The show then shifts north to Madera, where Nelson discusses Midland Tractor’s 40-year history serving California growers. With service trucks covering territory from Bakersfield to Yuba City, Midland specializes in providing efficient, cutting-edge John Deere equipment for orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops. Nelson details the growing role of technology in agriculture, from precision spray systems to emerging autonomous tractor solutions. He emphasizes the industry’s reliance on water, noting that reliable supply and storage are essential not only for farms but for the many allied businesses that support them.
Throughout the episode, Papagni and McGill connect the dots between on-farm realities, supply chain impacts, and the broader ag economy. Whether it’s tackling water scarcity, navigating trade tariffs, or adopting new equipment, the conversations underline agriculture’s resilience and adaptability.
Catch the full interviews with Case Anker and Stan Nelson at AgNetWest.com, and follow AgNet West for more California ag news and stories from the field.

Fires to Food Security: Elaine Collotti Outlines Bold Plan for California Agriculture

In a powerful conversation on the AgNet News Hour, Fallbrook grower and entrepreneur Elaine Collotti—known as The Lipstick Farmer—delivered a frank assessment of California’s agricultural and political climate. Collotti, who has been directly impacted by the Palisades Fires, warned that the state’s lack of financial transparency, infrastructure failures, and policy neglect are threatening the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities across the Golden State.
Funding Shortfalls and Federal Tensions
Collotti described a grim reality in post-fire recovery, accusing state leaders of leaving devastated communities without resources. According to her, federal funding from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers ended without sustainable follow-up from the Newsom administration, leaving clean-up incomplete and property owners in limbo. She believes the Trump administration’s planned presence in California—including new legal representation—could uncover mismanagement of funds and bring accountability.
Water, Labor, and Immigration Solutions
Water policy remains a flashpoint for California agriculture. Collotti criticized the state’s lack of attention to water infrastructure and applauded efforts to address water loss from mountain runoff flowing unused to the ocean. On labor, she urged a three-tier approach to immigration reform—protecting long-time workers, creating legal pathways for seasonal farm labor, and deporting criminal offenders.
She also proposed a domestic work sponsorship program, allowing wealthy households to legally sponsor employees such as nannies, gardeners, and agricultural workers, bringing stability to both families and farms.
SNAP Reform to Support Small Farmers
One of Collotti’s most striking policy suggestions was redirecting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) subsidies away from large agribusiness and toward local small farmers. By partnering with federal agencies like HHS, she envisions a system that purchases directly from regional producers, utilizes rail for efficient distribution, and delivers fresh, local produce to those in need.
“Get the best food to the most needy for the best price,” Collotti emphasized, calling small farmers “our gold” and the key to making America healthy again.
A Call for Political Focus and Leadership
Collotti warned against “grifters” in the crowded gubernatorial race, advocating for a single strong candidate capable of reversing California’s debt crisis, restoring business confidence, and defending the state’s multi-billion-dollar agriculture industry.
As California farmers brace for higher fuel costs, water challenges, and ongoing labor uncertainty, voices like Elaine Collotti’s are pushing for immediate reform, federal cooperation, and a renewed commitment to rural prosperity.

Fighting for California Agriculture: Rich Kreps

Fighting for California Agriculture: In today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Rich Kreps, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest issues facing agriculture in the Golden State, from water and labor to policy reform and the future of farming.
Kreps, a longtime advocate for California farmers, stressed that agriculture is at a critical juncture. He pointed to an ever-tightening regulatory climate, rising costs, and political disconnect as threats to the state’s ability to feed the nation and the world. “We have the best farmers in the world,” he said, “but they can’t compete if we make it impossible to do business here.”
One of Kreps’ top concerns is water management. He noted that the state has failed to invest in storage and infrastructure, even in wet years, leaving growers vulnerable to drought and restrictive environmental flows. Without a balanced approach that serves farms, communities, and the environment, California risks losing production permanently.
The conversation also tackled labor and workforce challenges, particularly immigration reform. Kreps underscored the need for a legal, stable labor supply, arguing that lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington must understand how essential these workers are to keeping farms viable.
Looking ahead, Kreps emphasized the importance of supporting young and beginning farmers. With the average California farmer nearing retirement age, the industry must find ways to lower barriers for the next generation — from access to land and capital to education and mentorship.
Listeners also heard updates on:
The upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
Changes in federal ag leadership
International trade developments affecting California exports
Kreps’ closing message was clear: agriculture must stay united and engaged in the political process. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” he warned, urging farmers to share their stories and advocate for policies that will keep California agriculture strong for decades to come.

Freight, Labor, and Water: Roger Isom Unpacks the Big Challenges

In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, we bring you a powerful and in-depth conversation with Roger Isom, President and CEO of both the Western Agricultural Processors Association and the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association. From labor policy to freight and water infrastructure, Isom doesn’t hold back in explaining what’s holding California agriculture back and what might just help turn things around.
As Isom explains, labor and immigration reform are long overdue. For decades, leaders from both parties have failed to create a path forward. But Isom is hopeful the current administration may finally bring clarity and compromise. “We’ve had the same people work with us for 20 or 30 years,” he says, “and they’re part of our communities. It’s time to take care of them.”
Freight is another huge concern. The state’s push toward electric and hydrogen trucks might be well-intentioned, but Isom points out the reality: they’re not viable for ag transport today. From high costs to impractical range limitations, these changes threaten small trucking operations that California ag relies on. “If I lose 9,000 pounds of payload to a battery, that’s an extra trip I have to pay for,” he warns.
And of course, no conversation about California ag is complete without water. Isom lays out how misguided environmental regulations have crippled the state’s most productive farmland—transforming once-thriving communities into shadows of their former selves. Despite sacrifices made to protect species like Delta smelt, populations have declined anyway. “We’ve taken the water,” Isom says, “but we haven’t fixed the problem.”
Isom also calls out the dangerous disconnect between legislators and the land. Many of the people making critical decisions about agriculture have never been on a farm, and that ignorance leads to damaging policies. “They thought we kept our workers locked up at night,” Isom recalls, emphasizing the need to educate lawmakers directly.
You don’t want to miss this episode. Tune in now and hear straight from one of California ag’s most influential voices.

California’s Half-Billion Dollar Rodent Crisis: A Looming Threat to Tree Nut Growers

On today’s AgNet News Hour, we’re sounding the alarm on a major, yet underreported crisis: California’s tree nut industry is being ravaged by a surge in rodent populations and the stakes are climbing toward a staggering half-billion dollars in damage.
Nick Papagni and Josh McGill dig into the roots of this growing problem with Ryan Jacobson, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. As Ryan explains, the rodent explosion,  from rats and squirrels to ground squirrels and gophers, has escalated due to several compounding factors: two years of unusually wet weather, an increase in abandoned orchards, and evolving pest behaviors that are making them increasingly difficult to control.
These rodents aren’t just nibbling at crops, they’re chewing through drip irrigation systems, gnawing on tree bark, and wreaking havoc on infrastructure across almond and pistachio orchards. And with regulatory restrictions on traditional rodenticides in California, farmers are left scrambling for alternatives, some even resorting to unconventional tools like the “squirrel cannon.”
The problem isn’t confined to large farms. Even smaller growers and backyard producers are calling for help as rodents invade residential areas and push into adjacent agricultural land. It’s a growing and spreading issue, one that’s exhausting both financial and labor resources.
Later in the show, we hear from Roger Isom, CEO of both the Western Agricultural Processors Association and the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association. He weighs in on California’s regulatory pressure, labor costs, and the breaking point many growers are reaching. From automation replacing thousands of jobs to energy and freight costs pricing California agriculture out of the global market, Isom paints a sobering picture of the challenges ahead, and urges urgent legislative action.
This is part one of a powerful two-part conversation with Isom. Tune in tomorrow for more on the state's climate policies, the future of water infrastructure, and the fight for California agriculture’s survival.
Get the latest local, state, and national agriculture news in today’s AgNet News Hour by AgNet West.

Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders — Spotlight on California FFA

In today’s AgNet News Hour, we shine a spotlight on one of the most powerful forces shaping the future of agriculture in California — the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Joined by the entire California State FFA Officer team, the Ag Meter and Josh McGill dive into how this organization is equipping over 108,000 students across the state with leadership, communication, and hands-on ag experience that extends far beyond the classroom.
These young leaders — including President Lily Vaughn and her team — share how FFA programs are introducing students from both rural and urban communities to a broad spectrum of agricultural opportunities. From showing animals to launching mushroom-growing businesses, FFA is redefining what it means to be involved in ag.
Josh and Nick also discuss the broader importance of ag literacy. Many Californians still don’t know where their food comes from, and that’s why FFA plays such a vital role in bridging the gap between farms and the grocery store. The officers emphasize their efforts to reach middle schools and elementary classrooms, planting the seeds of ag curiosity early.
Today’s show also highlights:
The expanding use of drones and precision agriculture
Growing concerns about youth obesity and food policy reforms
The importance of in-person connection in the age of automation
Updates on international tariff negotiations with Canada and China
The impact of forest fires and how new forestry policy could help
And throughout it all, the passion of California’s FFA leaders comes through loud and clear. Whether it’s preparing students for careers in farming, agribusiness, ag law, or public service, this organization is growing much more than crops — it’s growing confident, capable future leaders.