Best AgNet West Radio Network Podcasts (2025)

1
Pistachio Harvest Update and Fair Season Fun on AgNet News Hour 48:05

Play Pause

1h ago48:05

48:05

The September 30 edition of the AgNet News Hour mixed lighthearted fair talk with serious updates on California’s pistachio industry. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill opened the show with reminders to get out and support FFA and 4-H students at the upcoming Fresno Fair, before pivoting to an in-depth conversation with Rich Kreps, pistachio grower…

1
John Duarte Shares Bold Nursery Innovations and Warns of Prop 50 Threat 48:05

1d ago48:05

48:05

The September 29 edition of the AgNet News Hour kicked off the week with a deep dive into the future of California agriculture. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with John Duarte, president of Duarte Nurseries, for a conversation that blended innovation, new crops, and urgent political warnings. Duarte, whose family nursery dates back to …

1
California Farm Bureau’s Shannon Douglas Tackles Prop 50, Farm Bill, and the Future of Farming 48:05

4d ago48:05

48:05

The September 26 edition of the AgNet News Hour closed out the week with one of the state’s most important agricultural voices. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Shannon Douglas, president of the California Farm Bureau, for a wide-ranging conversation on water, regulation, trade, and the survival of California’s family farms. Douglas, a f…

1
Mike Harvey and Lorenzo Rios Share Powerful Stories on AgNet News Hour 48:05

5d ago48:05

48:05

The September 25 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured two guests with deep roots in the Central Valley, both offering powerful perspectives on the challenges — and the future — of California agriculture. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill first welcomed Mike Harvey, a Bakersfield native whose family once farmed in Delano, and later sat down with…

1
Lisa Kerr Warns of Policy Threats and Fights for California Farmers 48:05

6d ago48:05

48:05

The September 24 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured one of the program’s most eye-opening interviews yet. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Lisa Kerr, founder of Terrain Technologies, who laid out a stark picture of California agriculture’s future if current policies continue unchecked. Kerr, who has deep family roots in California’s…

1
Freight Crisis, Regulations, and the Future of Trucking in California 48:05

7d ago48:05

48:05

The September 23 edition of the AgNet News Hour zeroed in on a topic not often heard on farm radio: freight. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Mark Woods Jr. and Jose Nunez from Wildwood Express Trucking for a frank discussion on the state of California’s trucking industry — and what it means for farmers. The show opened with an update on…

1
Beef Prices, Prop 12, and Holiday Meat Trends on AgNet News Hour 48:05

8d ago48:05

48:05

The September 22 edition of the AgNet News Hour kicked off the week with a focus on California agriculture’s staple proteins — beef, pork, poultry, and turkeys — as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Darren Hill, sales manager at JD Food and a former five-star chef. Known as Nick’s go-to expert on all things meat, Hill broke down the reali…

1
Edward Ring Brings Water Solutions to the AgNet News Hour 48:05

11d ago48:05

48:05

The September 19 edition of the AgNet News Hour wrapped up the week with powerful insights into California’s most pressing issue: water. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Edward Ring, Director of Energy and Water Policy at the California Policy Center, for what they called one of the program’s “top powerhouse interviews.” The show opened …

1
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag 48:05

12d ago48:05

48:05

The September 18 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a mix of innovation, politics, and pressing issues for California farmers. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill covered everything from wildfire impacts on vineyards to a major upcoming ag conference, and even sat down with a fourth-generation poultry producer turned gubernatorial candidate. T…

1
California Dairy Relief, Ag Policy Battles, and a Turning Point for Farmers 48:05

13d ago48:05

48:05

California agriculture was front and center on the September 17 edition of the AgNet News Hour, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill broke down the latest developments impacting farmers across the Golden State. From much-needed dairy relief to hard-hitting political battles in Sacramento, this episode delivers insight every producer should hear. T…

1
My Job Depends on Ag: How a Grassroots Sticker Campaign Grew Into a Movement Supporting California Agriculture 48:05

14d ago48:05

48:05

My Job Depends on Ag: On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill highlighted the power of grassroots advocacy in agriculture with guest Steve Malanka, co-founder of the “My Job Depends on Ag” campaign. What began as a simple blue sticker has grown into one of the most recognizable marketing efforts in California agriculture—uniting fa…

1
Big News for Dairy and Almond Growers: USDA Announces $1 Billion Relief Program, Almond Yields Down 48:05

15d ago48:05

48:05

It was a packed Monday on the AgNet News Hour as hosts Nick Papagni, the Ag Meter, and Josh McGill delivered a show full of breaking updates for California agriculture. From shifting almond yields to critical relief for the dairy sector, farmers had plenty to tune in for. Almond Industry Update Nick sat down with Steve Malanka of West Valley Haulin…

1
Diversification, Water, and Innovation: Jake Barcellos on Sustaining California Farming for the Next Generation 48:05

15d ago48:05

48:05

On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill spoke with Jake Barcellos of A-Bar Ag Enterprises, a fourth-generation farmer based in the Los Banos–Firebaugh area. Barcellos shared how his family’s diversified operation is navigating California’s regulatory, water, and labor challenges while keeping an eye on the future. Farming a Wide Ra…

1
Tariffs, Trade, and Table Grapes: Richard Matoian Shares Insights on California Farming Challenges 48:05

15d ago48:05

48:05

On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Richard Matoian, former president of American Pistachio Growers and now co-operator of Matoian Brothers Farming in Easton. With decades of experience in both commodity leadership and hands-on farming, Matoian offered a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, trade, and…

1
California Wine Month Highlights Sustainability and Innovation: Julie Berge of the Wine Institute Shares Industry Outlook 48:05

15d ago48:05

48:05

On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill celebrated California Wine Month with special guest Julie Berge of the Wine Institute. Berge, who recently joined the Institute, shared her enthusiasm for an industry steeped in tradition yet looking boldly toward the future. California’s Global Wine Standing Berge highlighted the scale of Ca…

1
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy 48:05

21d ago48:05

48:05

On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Melissa Oberti, a third-generation Central Valley farmer from Madera, to share her family’s story and the challenges facing small growers in California. The Legacy of Oberti Olives For decades, the Oberti family was synonymous with olives in the Central Valley. Starting in the 1930s,…

1
California Ag Battles: Water, Solar, and Farmland Futures 43:28

22d ago43:28

43:28

Ongoing Struggles Over Land and Water California agriculture continues to face pressure from regulatory uncertainty, land use conflicts, and unresolved water projects. In a recent episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer broke down some of the most pressing challenges farmers are up against, from stalled water infrastruct…

1
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform 43:17

25d ago43:17

43:17

Opening Reflections and California Concerns The AgNet News Hour began with hosts Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer sharing lighthearted Friday greetings before shifting to California’s serious agricultural challenges. Papagni noted worsening Central Valley air quality caused by wildfires, likening the smoke to winter fog. He warned that tensions betwee…

1
California Agriculture at a Crossroads 38:58

26d ago38:58

38:58

Morning Reflections and California’s Challenges The AgNet News Hour with Nick Papagni and guest host Lorrie Boyer began lightheartedly, reflecting on post-Labor Day routines, before quickly turning to the serious challenges facing California agriculture. Recent thunderstorms in the Central Valley brought rare lightning-sparked fires near Madera, wh…

1
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Organics Innovation and Prop 50 48:05

28d ago48:05

48:05

On today’s AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni and co-host Josh McGill tackled two of the big issues shaping California agriculture right now—innovation in organic production and the political battle over Proposition 50. Organic Farming Innovation with Wilbur Ellis Josh sat down with Gina Colfer, Sustainable Solutions Agronomy Manager at Wilbur Elli…

1
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation 38:59

28d ago38:59

38:59

Today on the AgNet NewsHour, Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer hosted Don Cameron, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, to discuss the many challenges and opportunities facing California farmers today. Cameron, who also manages his own farms in the Biola area, shared expert insights from both a policy and practical farming p…

1
Family Tree Farms on Quality and Water: Daniel Jackson 48:05

29d ago48:05

48:05

On this Labor Day edition of the AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Daniel Jackson of Family Tree Farms to discuss the state of California agriculture, from tree fruit and blueberries to nuts and water policy. A Strong Year for Fruit Quality Jackson explained that the 2024 season brought some of the best weather in recent memory…

1
Small Wineries Under Pressure: Ziveli Winery 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Small Wineries Under Pressure: On today’s AgNet News Hour, the Ag Meter hit the road for an on-location interview at Ziveli Winery, tucked between Kerman and Fresno. Host Nick Papagni spoke with John and CalebCaleb Caleb, who shared their family’s rich Croatian winemaking roots, the challenges of keeping small wineries afloat, and what it takes to …

1
California Wine Faces a Generational Challenge: Marlena Paolilli 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

California Wine Faces a Generational Challenge: On today’s AgNet News Hour, the spotlight turned to the California wine industry and its struggle to adapt to shifting consumer habits. Marlena Paolilli, head of marketing at Cry Baby Wine, joined the program to discuss the generational changes shaping wine consumption and the innovative approaches ne…

1
Freight Safety and Dairy Market Pressures: Nick Folio 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Freight Safety and Dairy Market Pressures: The AgNet News Hour delivered another wide-ranging discussion today, spotlighting California’s unpredictable weather, pressures in the dairy and hay markets, and major safety concerns in the state’s freight industry. Rainfall Raises Questions for Crops Unexpected rainfall across the Central Valley sparked …

1
California Trucking Rules Under Fire: EPA Pushback 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

California’s agricultural and transportation sectors are once again in the spotlight as state and federal policies clash, pests resurface, and long-delayed water projects inch forward. On today’s AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill broke down the latest developments impacting farmers, truckers, and communities across the state. EPA …

1
Future Leaders Shine at Florida FFA 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

The next generation of agricultural leaders took center stage on the AgNet News Hour as Florida FFA state officers shared their stories and their passion for farming. Speaking at the Citrus Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Hope Storter (State President), Lyla Bent (Area V Vice President), and Isabel Jenkins (State Secretary) described how FFA has shap…

1
Stanislaus Farm Bureau Leads in Advocacy and Education: Anna Genasci 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Stanislaus Farm Bureau Leads in Advocacy and Education: The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau is setting the pace for agricultural advocacy and education in California. In a recent interview on the AgNet News Hour, Anna Genasci, Communications Director for Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, shared insights on the challenges facing farmers and the innovativ…

1
California Farmers Under Pressure: Andrew Genasci Calls for Advocacy and Common-Sense Policy 48:04

1M ago48:04

48:04

California Farmers Under Pressure: California agriculture continues to face mounting challenges, and Andrew Genasci, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, says advocacy is more important than ever. Speaking on the AgNet News Hour, Genasci shared how his background as a fourth-generation dairyman gives him perspective when representing …

1
Florida Citrus and Specialty Crops: Frank Giles on Challenges, Optimism, and Innovation 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Florida citrus and specialty crops remain a central focus of growers, industry leaders, and policymakers, with challenges such as citrus greening, hurricanes, labor shortages, and fluctuating markets shaping the future. At the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Specialty Crop Grower editor-in-chief Frank Giles shared his perspective on where …

1
Kern County’s Agriculture Advocate: Rachel Nettleton 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

Kern County’s Agriculture Advocate: Rachel Nettleton, executive director of the Kern County Farm Bureau, is taking on the dual challenge of advocating for California farmers while educating the broader community about the importance of agriculture. In a recent conversation on the AgNet News Hour, Nettleton shared her unique journey into agriculture…

1
Farm Labor and Market Shifts: Today’s AgNet News Hour Highlights 48:05

1M ago48:05

48:05

By AgNet West Radio Network

1
Custom Produce’s Growth Story: Ted Torosian 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 w…

1
California Ag at a Crossroads: Syngenta’s Dale Nicol 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 unvarnishe…

1
California Farming Voices: Case Hinker and Stan Nelson 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 gr…

1
Fires to Food Security: Elaine Collotti Outlines Bold Plan for California Agriculture 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 fai…

1
Fighting for California Agriculture: Rich Kreps 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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…

1
Freight, Labor, and Water: Roger Isom Unpacks the Big Challenges 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 …

1
California’s Half-Billion Dollar Rodent Crisis: A Looming Threat to Tree Nut Growers 48:04

2M ago48:04

48:04

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…

1
Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders — Spotlight on California FFA 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

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 leade…