Drone technology continues to advance

By Vicky Boyd While drones have made inroads into aerially mapping farm fields and even applying beneficial insects, they have yet to gain the same traction spraying pesticides and other […]
Ag community trying autonomous vehicles

By Vicky Boyd Lodi-area vineyard manager Joe Valente has gone from skeptic to believer since he began working with Kingman Ag on a kit that converts conventional tractors into autonomous […]
SJFB community shows support for YF&R despite heat

By Vicky Boyd Although thermometers topped 100 degrees, San Joaquin Farm Bureau members, friends and family turned out in force to support Young Farmers & Ranchers at their recent Summer’s […]
Many participate in newly reorganized Lockeford Grange

By Craig W. Anderson The members of Lockeford Grange (No. 579) celebrated National Grange Month in April and the party’s still going on as the local members meet monthly for […]
Ag in the Classroom back in action after pandemic break

By Vicky Boyd Nicholas Maddocks, who teaches independent studies to fourth and fifth graders at the Tracy Independent Study Charter School, said he signed up for Ag in the Classroom […]
4-H has come a long way in 122 years

By Craig W. Anderson San Joaquin County’s 4-H program continues building following the upheaval caused by the COVID pandemic and the program’s stability is demonstrated by its 12 active clubs […]
YF&R membership rebounds and more activities planned

By Vicky Boyd With the pandemic in their review mirror, San Joaquin Young Farmers & Ranchers committee members are regaining their momentum and recently completed a full year of activities. […]
FFA programs in county remain strong

By Craig W. Anderson San Joaquin County’s high schools Ag/FFA programs have recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, forging ahead as agricultural departments have moved away from virtual classes, returned to […]
FDA study reveals pesticide residue levels are safe
By Craig W. Anderson The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s annual report on pesticide residues in foods revealed that in fiscal year 2019 domestic and imported foods for humans, of […]
State will implement unimpaired flows, ignores compromise

By Vicky Boyd The State Water Board has scrapped efforts to develop voluntary agreements with northern San Joaquin Valley water districts and will move forward with its 2018 plans for […]