AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-09-25-National Security, Innovation, and Tariff Tension

National Security, Innovation, and Tariff Tension
In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill break down the latest headlines shaping agriculture in California and across the nation. From Washington D.C. to the fields of Salinas and the Central Valley, this episode covers some of the most urgent and transformative issues impacting farmers today.
Leading the show is the USDA’s unveiling of the National Farm Security Action Plan. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins rolled out a sweeping federal initiative designed to safeguard U.S. agriculture from foreign adversaries. The plan includes banning land purchases by foreign entities from countries of concern, cracking down on fraudulent nutrition programs, and protecting ag research and supply chains. Nick and Josh give their takes on what this means for California farmers and national ag resilience.
Also in today’s show: Tariff uncertainty continues to loom large as the Trump administration delays enforcement to August 1. The team breaks down the potential impacts of increased tariffs on 14 nations, including what the delay means for California growers trying to plan ahead in an already volatile global market. The hosts weigh the risks, opportunities, and why India’s absence from the list might signal a positive development.
In the spotlight interview, Nick and Josh sit down with Danny Bernstein, CEO of The Reservoir, a groundbreaking incubator for ag innovation. Bernstein discusses his team's work with major California growers like Taylor Farms and Driscoll’s to create real-world testing grounds for tech startups. From automated harvesters to precision irrigation, the Reservoir is helping bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and farm fields—and giving smaller producers a seat at the innovation table.
They also tackle major challenges like labor shortages, automation bans, and California’s regulatory hurdles, with Bernstein emphasizing the need for inclusive, scalable solutions.
Spider mites and hull rot? Todd Burkdoll from Valent USA closes the show with timely insights on how to protect your tree nuts with Quash and Zeal MVP.

AgNet News Hour Tuesday, 07-08-25

Tariffs, Trade, and a Turnaround for Walnuts
It’s a new week in California agriculture, and we’re starting strong with a packed episode of the AgNet News Hour. Join Nick Papagni and Josh McGill as they break down the headlines and bring you the stories that matter most to California farmers and ranchers.
The highlight of today’s show is a deep-dive conversation with Michael Jameson of Morada Nut Company, one of the industry’s leading voices on the global walnut trade. Jameson offers a masterclass in ag economics, trade barriers, and international marketing, walking us through the challenges—and bright spots—California walnut growers face heading into the 2024 harvest.
With insight into shifting international demand, tariffs, freight issues, and pricing pressures from global competitors like China, this interview is a must-listen for growers navigating a complicated ag export market. Jameson also discusses how quality and shelf life give California walnuts a global edge, and what changes in India’s tariff policy could mean for our state’s growers.
Also in the episode: the “Big Beautiful Bill”—a major piece of legislation with potentially transformative benefits for family farms—has passed. Find out what it means for tax reform, farm succession, and the long-term viability of American agriculture. Plus, a look at the decline of an American pantry staple: Del Monte Foods files for bankruptcy after 139 years. Nick and Josh examine what this signals for the future of processed food, and how innovation in packaging and marketing can make or break an ag business.
We also check in on California watermelon season, hear about the upcoming USDA trade mission to the Dominican Republic, and talk table grapes, seedless fruit trends, and more.

AgNet News Hour 07-07-25 – Keeping Water in Ag, and Politics in Check

AgNet News Hour – Keeping Water in Ag, and Politics in Check
Today’s AgNet News Hour is all about fighting for California farmers—where water, policy, and land use take center stage.
Nick Papagni and Josh McGill are joined by Assemblymember David Tangipa, who brings Central Valley grit and common sense back to Sacramento. A former Fresno State football player turned lawmaker, Tangipa is one of the few politicians pushing back on solar panel expansion into productive farmland.
The conversation dives into the ongoing frustration over California’s water management, with growing concern that ag is being sacrificed for political agendas. Tangipa shares his insider perspective on how the system really works, what needs to change, and why more legislators need real-world experience in agriculture.
Nick and Josh also highlight the balance between innovation and practicality—exploring how state-level decisions about solar development and energy policy are impacting rural communities and long-term food security.
This episode is a must-listen for growers, ranchers, and ag advocates who care about land use, leadership, and the future of farming in the Golden State.

AgNet News Hour – July 4: A Salute to American Agriculture and Our Founding Roots

AgNet News Hour – July 4: A Salute to American Agriculture and Our Founding Roots
On this special Independence Day edition of the AgNet News Hour, Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill deliver a heartfelt, patriotic show that honors not just America’s 249th birthday—but also the agricultural roots that helped build it.
From the founding fathers to modern-day farmers, this episode reminds listeners how agriculture has always been at the heart of America’s freedom and prosperity. Did you know that 90% of Americans were involved in agriculture in 1776? Nick and Josh reflect on that transformation, emphasizing how fewer people grow food today—but the role of the American farmer is more critical than ever.
They also call out the disconnect between state leadership and modern agriculture, especially in California, where farmland continues to be threatened by energy policy and water restrictions. The hosts highlight the enduring wisdom of leaders like Thomas Jefferson, who once said, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit.”
This episode also touches on wartime farming legacies, including World War II’s Victory Gardens and the Bracero program, which kept U.S. ag production strong during labor shortages. From history to fireworks, civic pride, and a powerful reminder to thank a farmer—this episode is both inspiring and timely.
Whether you're at a barbecue or in the field, take time to celebrate freedom—and the folks who keep us fed.

AgNet News Hour Thursday, 07-03-25

AgNet News Hour – Labor Solutions, Walnut Momentum, and Global Almond Growth
On today’s AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill deliver an insightful pre-Independence Day show that covers some of the biggest topics facing agriculture right now—from labor reform to market outlooks for California’s leading commodities.
The episode opens with a discussion of a major development from the U.S. Department of Labor: the creation of a new Office of Immigration Policy. This office aims to streamline legal work visa processing, particularly for industries like agriculture that rely heavily on seasonal and skilled immigrant labor. As delays in the H-2A program continue to cost farmers millions in lost crops, the potential for reform is welcome news. Nick and Josh explore what this could mean for fruit and vegetable growers, dairy operations, and the broader ag economy.
Then, listeners are treated to a candid and optimistic interview with walnut grower Devin Norene, who farms in the Southern Sacramento Valley and serves on the California Walnut Board. Norene discusses why 2024 could mark a major comeback year for the walnut industry. After years of logistical challenges and price pressure, this year’s weather and market alignment may finally deliver the quality and yield farmers need. He also highlights improved marketing efforts that are putting California walnuts on center stage alongside almonds and pistachios.
The team also looks ahead to the upcoming July 9 tariff decision, which could significantly impact export opportunities—especially for walnuts, where global competition from China remains strong.
Plus, there’s a preview of the UC ANR Walnut Field Day on July 18 in Rio Oso, and an almond trade update featuring leaders from the Almond Board of California and delegates from Kansas and New Mexico who recently joined a NASDA trade mission focused on Morocco—a fast-growing export market for U.S. tree nuts.
Before signing off, Nick and Josh share some Fourth of July grilling tips and favorite summer treats. From serious ag policy to barbecue talk, today’s episode is packed with value.

AgNet News Hour Wednesday, 07-02-25

AgNet News Hour: Water, Land, and a Fight for the Future of Farming in California
On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill deliver a critical and candid conversation with Imperial Valley farmer Andrew Leimgruber —shedding light on the daily battles California growers face just to stay in business. From water rights to foreign land ownership, today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of American agriculture.
Leimgruber, a fourth-generation alfalfa and vegetable grower near El Centro, doesn’t hold back. He discusses how water cutbacks, state regulations, and rising costs are putting unprecedented strain on farmers. Despite receiving just two inches of rain per year, Leimgruber has reduced water usage by up to 30% while maintaining yields—proving that farmers, not lawmakers, are leading on sustainability.
But there’s only so much innovation can do without policy support. Leimgruber warns that state leadership continues to ignore ag’s economic role, while embracing short-sighted energy policies and approving solar development on prime farmland. He also raises alarms about the Chinese government buying U.S. farmland near sensitive military sites—calling it both a food security and national security issue.
The show also explores the ripple effects of the closing Spreckels Sugar factory, which could impact 28,000 acres of crops and hundreds of jobs in Imperial County. Leimgruber outlines how losing such crop diversity could weaken the region’s ag economy and make farmers more vulnerable to price volatility.
Nick and Josh underscore a recurring theme: food security is national security. As cities expand and water politics become more divisive, the need to protect and prioritize California farmland has never been greater.
Don’t miss this important episode—where real farmers speak hard truths about policy, production, and perseverance.

AgNet News Hour Tuesday, 07-01-25

AgNet News Hour: A Deep Dive into California’s Cherry Season with Morada Produce
Today’s AgNet News Hour delivers a masterclass in California cherries, with industry veteran Mike Jameson of Murata Produce offering a behind-the-scenes look at what made this year’s harvest one of the most challenging in decades. Hosts Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill welcome Jameson for an extended interview that digs into the science, economics, and global reach of California’s cherry industry.
Jameson, a 37-year veteran and Vice Chair of the California Cherry Board, breaks down how a perfect storm of heat stress, poor pollination conditions, and tree fatigue from two historically large crops led to this year’s shortfall—just 4.8 million cartons harvested, down from over 9 million the year prior. That limited supply drove prices sky-high, but also left many orchards—especially in Southern regions like Kern County—completely unharvested.
Beyond the numbers, Jameson highlights advances in technology like optical sorting systems that ensure consumers get consistently high-quality fruit, contributing to stronger retail demand. However, he warns that per-capita consumption is slipping even as production expands, calling for renewed industry efforts to boost cherry awareness and maintain market share.
For cherry lovers, this episode offers more than just stats. You’ll gain insight into why the fruit’s health benefits—including high antioxidant content and natural melatonin—make it a summertime essential. And for producers, it’s a thoughtful look at how environmental conditions and rootstock selections affect yield, quality, and long-term market positioning.
Whether you're a grower, retailer, or just a fan of summer fruit, today’s AgNet News Hour delivers unmatched insights straight from the orchard.

AgNet News Hour Monday, 06-30-25

AgNet News Hour: Solar vs. Soil—California’s Farmland Crossroads
In today’s AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill dig into one of the most controversial and emotional issues facing California agriculture—solar development on productive farmland.
Nick and Josh welcome Larry Westerlund, Vice President of Development & Community Engagement for White Pine Renewables, to discuss AB 1156, a bill that would allow solar installations on land protected under the Williamson Act by temporarily suspending its ag-use restriction. Westerlund argues that for growers who have lost surface water allocations under SGMA, solar is a practical Plan B to keep land viable and generate income.
But the conversation quickly evolves into a powerful and often heated debate about what California’s real priorities should be. Should the state push solar panels onto rich farmland simply because water mismanagement has left fields fallow? Or should the state focus first on building water infrastructure and restoring full allocations to the people who feed the nation?
Josh and Nick question whether the supposed environmental benefits of solar are as clear-cut as presented. From the water-intensive process of lithium mining to the toxic waste concerns tied to solar panel and battery disposal, the show shines a light on the hidden costs of renewable energy. They also challenge claims that solar fields benefit pollinators and push back on what they see as a dangerous trend of sidelining food production for feel-good energy policy.
With input from ag leaders like Rich Kreps and references to Italy’s outright ban on solar farms on ag land, the episode offers both facts and fierce advocacy for protecting California’s agriculture legacy.
Plus, in this week’s Merck Minute, Glaucio Lopes shares why 2025 could be a strong financial year for dairies—and why now is the time for strategic investment.
If you care about farming, food security, and the future of California’s rural economy, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.