Best AgNet West Radio Network Podcasts (2025)

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

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2h 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…

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California Agriculture at a Crossroads 38:58

22h ago38:58

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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…

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

3d ago48:05

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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…

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

3d ago38:59

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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…

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

4d ago48:05

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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…

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Small Wineries Under Pressure: Ziveli Winery 48:05

7d ago48:05

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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 …

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

8d ago48:05

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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…

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

9d ago48:05

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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 …

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California Trucking Rules Under Fire: EPA Pushback 48:05

10d ago48:05

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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 …

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Future Leaders Shine at Florida FFA 48:05

11d ago48:05

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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…

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

14d ago48:05

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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…

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

15d ago48:04

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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 …

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

16d ago48:05

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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 …

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

17d ago48:05

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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…

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

18d ago48:05

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By AgNet West Radio Network

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

21d ago48:05

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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…

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

22d ago48:05

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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…

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

23d ago48:05

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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…

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

24d ago48:05

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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…

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Fighting for California Agriculture: Rich Kreps 48:05

25d ago48:05

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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…

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

28d ago48:05

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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 …

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

29d ago48:04

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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…

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

30d ago48:05

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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…

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California Almonds at the Crossroads: Tariffs, Trade, and Hope for a Better Harvest 48:04

1M ago48:04

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In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, the AgMeter and Josh McGill dove deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping California’s almond industry, joined by Darren Rigg of Minturn Nut Company. Despite market turbulence, Darren shared a cautiously optimistic view for the coming harvest season. After a rollercoaster of pricing over the past…

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Innovation and Ingenuity in the Desert: Yuma, Arizona’s Role in Feeding America 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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 betw…

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Trucking in Crisis: Mark Wood Sounds the Alarm on California Freight 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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 Ar…

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California Dairy in the Spotlight: Generations of Dedication and a Future of Uncertainty 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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…

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Fixing Groundwater Policy from the Ground Up 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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…

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Strong Trade Winds and Almond Optimism: A Global Outlook from the Central Valley 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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 Am…

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California Groundwater Crisis: Matt Angel Sounds the Alarm on Water Management Failures 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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 C…

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Duarte: ‘Let’s Bring Abundance Back to California’ 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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, th…

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California Tomatoes Take Center Stage in Today’s AgNet News Hour 48:04

1M ago48:04

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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 Cali…

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Almond Market Jitters, Fire Impacts, and Water Innovation Take Center Stage on AgNet News Hour 48:04

2M ago48:04

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On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill dive deep into some of the hottest topics shaking up California agriculture, starting with major developments in the almond industry. Market shock hit growers as a recent USDA estimate pegged this year’s crop at 3 billion pounds, 300 million more than previously expected. Nick Foglio of Fogli…

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Dignity Act Gains Momentum as Organic Leader Stephen Paul Highlights Labor Realities 48:04

2M ago48:04

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On today’s AgNet News Hour, Nick Papagni and Josh McGill delivered a jam-packed episode featuring expert insights and compelling conversations, headlined by a deep dive into immigration reform and its implications for agriculture. The show spotlighted the newly introduced Dignity Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill aimed at resolving the nation’s immigr…

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Table Grapes Shine This Season and Trade Talks Loom: Insights from the AgNet News Hour 48:04

2M ago48:04

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This Monday’s AgNet News Hour kicks off with sunshine, good vibes, and a full slate of critical updates from the Central Valley and beyond. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill bring listeners the latest on California agriculture, with a special spotlight on the table grape industry and its growing season. Joining the program is Ian LeMay, President …

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MAHA Moves to Fruits and Vegetables, Kern County’s Kirschenmen Enterprises 48:04

2M ago48:04

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In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill bring you the latest headlines, hot weather insights, and a down-to-earth conversation with a true Central Valley farming legend. We kick off the show talking about summer heat and its effects on both people and crops. While Josh looks forward to time on the wate…

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AgNet News Hour: Connecting California Farming with the Future 48:04

2M ago48:04

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On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Nick “The Ag Meter” Papagni and Josh McGill deliver a powerful blend of current ag headlines, real grower concerns, and future-forward insights from around California’s farming community. The show opens with a breakdown of the U.S. government's termination of the tomato suspension agreement with Mexico, a …

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Nick Foglio Sounds Off on Farming Challenges and Solutions in California 48:04

2M ago48:04

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On today’s AgNet News Hour, we wrap up a powerful two-part conversation with Nick Foglio of Foglio Commodities, whose straight-talking insights into California agriculture highlight both the deep frustrations and enduring hope within the farming community. Foglio, a fourth-generation farmer and ag entrepreneur, pulls no punches as he discusses ever…

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Hay Market Outlook, Forest Policy Shift, and Immigration Concerns Dominate AgNet News Hour 48:04

2M ago48:04

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In today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill delivered a powerful and wide-ranging program that covered urgent issues impacting California agriculture. The show kicked off with a look at the extreme summer heat and the high-quality produce it’s bringing in — from juicy watermelons and cantaloupes to booming table gr…

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Facing Crisis Mode with Resilience: California Fruit Growers Speak Out on AgNet News Hour 48:04

2M ago48:04

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In today’s AgNet News Hour, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill bring Central Valley energy to the airwaves with an in-depth and timely conversation featuring Daniel Hartwig, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association. From soaring regulatory costs to looming freight challenges, Hartwig offers a candid look at the pressure facing California…