AgNet News Hour

Innovation and Ingenuity in the Desert: Yuma, Arizona’s Role in Feeding America

On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill take listeners on an informative journey through the cutting-edge agricultural practices of Yuma, Arizona—an essential winter farming partner for California. Known as the winter leafy greens capital of the U.S., Yuma produces 90% of the nation's leafy greens between November and April, and today’s show highlights how the region is using drone technology and creative water management to sustain its success.
The show features a compelling interview with Don Didwitty, a videographer and drone instructor with the University of Arizona, and Robert Masson, a Cooperative Extension Agent in Yuma County. Don discusses how drones are transforming row crop scouting, plant health monitoring, and even crop spraying. With high-resolution imaging and advanced sensors, drones help reduce labor needs and increase efficiency—especially critical as California faces ongoing labor shortages.
Robert provides an in-depth look into Yuma’s unique water strategy. Despite receiving just three inches of rain annually, Yuma’s farmers have built a remarkably efficient irrigation infrastructure that includes pre-irrigation, laser-leveled fields, and furrow flood techniques. Their canal system ensures precise water delivery, and their seasonal planning is so dialed in that harvest schedules are often accurate to the day. However, Robert warns of looming challenges: rising salt levels, a multi-decade drought, and shifting political tides around water law may disrupt this balance.
The episode also touches on broader trade tensions, such as escalating tariffs with Canada, and how national policies could ripple into the ag sector. Listeners also hear about the confirmation of Tyler Clarkson as USDA General Counsel, a move Secretary Brooke Rollins hailed as a win for rural America.
Tune in for a fascinating deep dive into how agriculture, innovation, and policy intersect in Yuma—and how California growers rely on this desert hub during the winter season. Subscribe to the podcast and join Nick and Josh again tomorrow for more stories shaping the future of agriculture.

Trucking in Crisis: Mark Wood Sounds the Alarm on California Freight

In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, we dive deep into a critical but often overlooked pillar of the agriculture industry, freight. Nick Papagni and Josh McGill talk with Mark Wood, owner of Wildwood Express, to uncover the mounting pressures facing California’s trucking sector.
Wood, who operates a fleet of 60 trucks across California and Arizona, shares a candid and emotional account of the challenges confronting the freight industry: skyrocketing fuel prices, suffocating regulations, skyrocketing insurance premiums, and an increasingly uncertain future for diesel vehicles. He warns that freight, like water and labor, is an essential part of agriculture’s supply chain, without it, the entire system crumbles.
From electric truck mandates to infrastructure decay, Wood paints a bleak picture of what it takes to stay afloat in California’s regulatory environment. His message is clear: let us do business. He stresses the importance of common sense leadership and the need for policy makers to truly understand how their decisions impact the people who keep America’s food system moving.
This powerful conversation highlights the strain on California’s freight operators, the ripple effects on farmers and packers, and the urgent need for action before more companies are forced to shut down or flee the state.
Plus, the show wraps with a preview of the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, where key issues like immigration reform and you guessed it, freight will take center stage.
📰 Full interview coming soon on AgNetWest.com
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California Dairy in the Spotlight: Generations of Dedication and a Future of Uncertainty

Today’s AgNet News Hour highlighted the resilience and passion of California’s dairy industry, featuring an in-depth interview with Joseph Bakker of Back Road Ranch and Countryside Dairy in the Tulare–Visalia area. A third-generation dairyman, Bakker shared his journey in agriculture, managing over 6,000 cows and farming 2,000 acres with his family. His deep ties to both the land and the community reflect the strength and legacy of California's dairy families.
The episode dove into the many challenges facing dairymen in California—from relentless regulation and water scarcity to labor hurdles and rising operational costs. Despite these burdens, Bakker remains hopeful, expressing optimism about the future of the industry and calling for smarter policy, more education, and greater public understanding of where our food comes from.
Host Nick Papagni and co-host Josh McGill emphasized the importance of representation for farmers on state boards and in politics. They underscored the lack of understanding in Sacramento about the day-to-day realities of agriculture, stressing the need for firsthand engagement and visibility from the ag community.
Listeners also learned more about Bakker’s family, his children’s involvement in football at Central Valley Christian School, and how sports and farming go hand in hand in instilling strong values and work ethic.
In the second half of the episode, the show transitioned to industry updates from the Almond Board of California. Encouraging news included tariff reductions in Pakistan, reduced inspections for EU-bound shipments, and insights into pest control and facility registration in China. These updates show that California’s almond sector continues to fight for global competitiveness.
As the episode closed, Nick and Josh issued a call to action—inviting farmers to bring kids out to the farm, champion FFA, and foster ag literacy. Their message: support your local farmers, drink more milk, and never underestimate the power and necessity of California agriculture.
Stay connected at AgNetWest.com and catch the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Fixing Groundwater Policy from the Ground Up

On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill dive into one of the most critical issues facing California agriculture: water. And at the heart of the conversation is Madera County farmer and water expert Matt Angell, who shares an eye-opening, data-rich analysis of groundwater, regulations, and the future of farming in the Central Valley.
The episode begins with Nick reflecting on a sobering conversation he had with farmers the previous day, hard-working folks pouring 12 to 15 hours into pistachio and almond farms, only to lose money. The frustration and urgency are palpable, and that tone carries through the episode.
Matt Angel returns for the second part of his in-depth interview, presenting a clear picture of the hydrologic chaos California farmers are facing. From declining groundwater levels and lack of real-time measurement, to flawed models and unqualified decision-makers, Angel lays out a compelling case for reform. His concept of "hydro regions" based on real data and pump testing is not just theoretical it’s something he’s actively proposing to the state.
He describes how smaller family farms are being outmaneuvered by large management companies that can attend regulatory meetings while others are out in the fields. The result? Water policies that favor the few, and a regulatory environment that threatens the future of independent agriculture.
Nick and Josh don’t hold back. They call out the political inaction, misplaced priorities, and the growing disconnect between policymakers and the farming community. The show becomes a rallying cry, urging listeners to pay attention, support farmers, and push for representation of real experts like Matt Angell in California’s water governance.
If you care about food, water, or the future of agriculture, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Strong Trade Winds and Almond Optimism: A Global Outlook from the Central Valley

This Tuesday on the AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill bring some serious summer heat, minus the triple-digit temperatures, thanks to powerful trade news and a deep-dive into California’s almond and walnut outlook. From record-setting tariffs to shifting global markets, today's episode is a must-listen for anyone with a stake in American agriculture.
One of the biggest stories this week is Australia reopening its market to U.S. beef. After a 20-year ban due to BSE (mad cow disease) concerns, American beef is now welcomed back under new science-based guidelines. This is a huge development for U.S. cattle producers and represents a growing trust in American food safety and production systems.
Also making waves: a major trade agreement with the European Union. With 15% tariffs still in place on European imports and zero tariffs on most U.S. exports, American agriculture and especially energy and automotive industries stand to gain big. Josh and Nick highlight how this deal could bring in over $700 billion annually and open more doors for farmers across the country.
But the real meat of today’s show comes from an extended interview with Sonny Toor of Valley Pride Ag Company. Toor shares his insight on California's almond and walnut markets, addressing the USDA’s surprisingly high crop estimate and its impact on grower prices. Despite the lower-than-hoped-for market numbers, Toor remains optimistic, stressing the long-term strength of U.S. nut exports and the need to strengthen domestic demand.
He also calls for increased marketing efforts from the Walnut Board to match the momentum already seen in the almond sector. Toor’s message to growers? Don’t lose hope. Stay focused on quality and trust your marketing partners to ride the wave of global trade shifts.
The episode wraps with a reminder about the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa on August 20–21. It’s a great opportunity for California growers to connect with industry peers from across the country.
Catch the full episode on your podcast app or at AgNetWest.com and support your local farmers by buying California-grown!

California Groundwater Crisis: Matt Angel Sounds the Alarm on Water Management Failures

On today’s AgNet News Hour, the Ag Meter Nick Papagni and Josh McGill take a deep dive into one of California’s most pressing agricultural issues—groundwater management. Their guest, Madera County farmer and water expert Matt Angel, delivers a sobering and eye-opening assessment of the state’s water crisis and the systemic failures that have left California’s farmers struggling.
Angel, who’s lived and worked in the heart of Madera’s most impacted groundwater sub-basin, brings unmatched firsthand experience. Over the past nine years, he’s witnessed a staggering 140-foot drop in groundwater levels on his own farm. Through the episode, Angel lays out how SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act), while well-intentioned, has suffered from fragmented implementation, poor communication, and a lack of meaningful community involvement.
With over 12 GSAs (Groundwater Sustainability Agencies) in just three Madera County sub-regions, Angel explains that local governance has become chaotic and ineffective. Many production wells lack working flow meters, and the state’s reliance on outdated groundwater models further hinders progress. "You can’t manage what you can’t see,” he tells listeners, emphasizing the urgent need for real-time data and county-wide measurement systems.
In a candid and impassioned exchange, the show also explores why farmers aren’t better represented in water policy decisions and why experts like Angel are often left out of the conversation. “There’s only one farmer on all these boards,” says Papagni. “That’s the problem right there.”
Beyond water, the hosts touch on USDA restructuring, new cross-border water funding agreements, and the upcoming segment on almonds featuring Valley Pride Ag’s Sonny Torr. But it’s Angel’s clear-eyed warning about California’s groundwater that makes today’s show one of the most critical listens of the season.
Don’t miss this compelling episode of the AgNet News Hour. Visit AgNetWest.com to hear the full interview and download Matt Angel’s detailed water management presentation.

Duarte: ‘Let’s Bring Abundance Back to California’

In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, we welcomed a powerful voice in California agriculture—John Duarte of Duarte Nursery. As a nursery innovator, farmer, and former congressman, Duarte brings unmatched insight and experience to the table. He joined Nick Papagni and Josh McGill for a candid, in-depth discussion about the future of farming, the role of innovation, and the critical issues facing growers across California.
The episode began with Duarte sharing the inspiring history of Duarte Nursery, which grew from humble beginnings into one of the most respected nurseries in the world. He described how his family pioneered virus-free grapevines and later revolutionized almond tree production with containerized trees and clonal rootstocks—innovations that have become industry standards.
But it wasn’t just a story of business success. Duarte delved into the broader challenges plaguing California agriculture today: water shortages, overregulation, labor struggles, and misguided energy policy. He connected these issues to the health and well-being of rural communities, particularly in the Central Valley, where working families face rising costs, fewer job opportunities, and worsening health outcomes due to environmental mismanagement.
Duarte didn’t stop at identifying the problems—he offered solutions. He shared his own draft legislation for comprehensive immigration reform and called for scalable guest worker programs, protections for DACA recipients, and a serious commitment to border security. His plan balances practicality with compassion, aiming to stabilize the agricultural workforce while respecting human dignity and economic need.
He also emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation, urging politicians to prioritize common sense over ideology. From advocating for mechanization in nut crops to proposing a reallocation of funds from failed projects like the bullet train to essential water infrastructure, Duarte’s message was clear: it's time for California to return to abundance, opportunity, and sensible policy.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of California farming and the communities it supports.

California Tomatoes Take Center Stage in Today’s AgNet News Hour

It’s peak tomato season in California, and today’s AgNet News Hour dives deep into the heart of the state’s processing tomato industry with Dan Green, CEO of Los Gatos Tomato Products. From harvest logistics to international trade challenges, this episode offers growers, industry professionals, and ag-curious listeners an inside look at one of California’s most important crops.
Dan Green shares how Los Gatos Tomato—owned by four multigenerational farming families—processes tomatoes around the clock from July through September. The plant’s operation runs 24/7 for about 100 days straight, beginning with organic tomatoes and continuing with a wide array of varieties tailored for products like ketchup, juice, and sauces. He explains how seed selection, irrigation innovation, and California’s fertile growing conditions drive consistent quality and yield, despite the state’s increasing regulatory challenges.
Listeners will also learn how 95% of U.S. processing tomatoes are grown and processed in California. Green emphasizes that the industry is largely domestic—meaning minimal tariff impact—but still feels indirect effects from international market pressures and consumer behavior shifts, including the rise of weight-loss drugs affecting food demand.
The episode also features timely updates on international trade wins for American ag, including new zero-tariff trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These deals represent billions in economic opportunity for U.S. agriculture and could set the stage for broader global trade shifts.
Plus, growers won’t want to miss expert advice on controlling spider mites in almonds and grapes, as well as a look at the latest almond crop forecast from the Almond Board of California.
Whether you’re a grower, industry stakeholder, or just love a good tomato story, this episode is packed with insight and optimism for California agriculture.