Editor’s Note

Because we live in such a fast-moving world these days, bombarded by hysterical Chicken Little cries that “the sky is falling,” it’s often difficult to maintain a positive perspective. I believe the antidote is to slow down for a minute and consider the power of faith, hope and confidence. You may have seen examples of these ideas as part of ... Read More »

One of the big questions in the cotton industry is what does the millennial generation think about farming in today’s economic environment? The market is not that great, inputs are costly, and the global trade situation is iffy at times. If you are a “Facebooker,” or an “Instagramer,” you’ve probably seen numerous videos and comments posted by these young farmers ... Read More »

In the world of agriculture, a lot can happen in a year. During the early months, your equipment may be sitting idle in the shed most of the time, but your mind is already shifting gears in preparation for the upcoming season. There are many decisions to make that can influence the endgame. One of the most important ones is ... Read More »

For me, Nov. 1 signals the approach of Thanksgiving and brings to mind all the ways in which we are blessed. It’s ironic to be writing this with only a scrap of filtered light coming through the window and a bare minimum of battery power on my computer following the ferocious winds that blew through, causing an electrical outage. But ... Read More »

Shared memories from our past are the links of an invisible chain that create a sense of place and a permanent bond among those who experienced a common geography. I belong to a Facebook group made up of folks from my hometown. In the summer of 2018, someone asked who remembered the pecan grove — a serene, magical area where ... Read More »

As members of the agricultural community, everyone works hard. You set lofty standards for yourselves because achieving goals is hardwired in your psyche. You consciously or unconsciously set the bar higher and higher and convince yourself if you try hard enough you can clear it. Easy peasy. And then, as is the nature of agriculture, you encounter things over which ... Read More »

Within a few years, California farmers will have to pay $15 an hour minimum wage and time-and-a-half overtime for anything over eight hours under new regulations. That is, if they can even find reliable workers. A number of producers have already turned to robotics to replace hand-hoeing crews in specialty crops, which have a higher per-acre value and a lack ... Read More »