Todd Fitchette
@agwriter.bsky.social
Ag communications professional covering production agricultural issues in the West for Farm Progress publications. I'm a US Army veteran and a graduate of California State University, Chico.
Tanya Hodges leads a unique public-private partnership that collaborates conversations between private industry, the University of Arizona and public agencies. www.farmprogress.com/crops/resear...
Researcher on a mission to advance arid agriculture
Women in the Field: A year ago, Tanya Hodges was named to lead the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture. Since then, she’s hit the ground running.
www.farmprogress.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Tanya Hodges leads a unique public-private partnership that collaborates conversations between private industry, the University of Arizona and public agencies. www.farmprogress.com/crops/resear...
UC Riverside entomologist studying effective, sustainable ways to control insects responsible for killing palm trees in southern California. Efforts could lead to effective tools for date farmers. www.farmprogress.com/insects/rese...
California fights South American palm weevil to protect date industry
Learn how California researchers are developing innovative methods to combat the South American palm weevil threat to the date industry.
www.farmprogress.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
UC Riverside entomologist studying effective, sustainable ways to control insects responsible for killing palm trees in southern California. Efforts could lead to effective tools for date farmers. www.farmprogress.com/insects/rese...
Farmers are scrambling to figure out what other crop(s) they can plant to the 20,000 acres of land once dedicated to sugar beets. www.farmprogress.com/business/cal...
California's last sugar beet processor to close, impacting local economy
Learn how the closure of California's last sugar beet processor will affect the local economy and the US sugar industry.
www.farmprogress.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Farmers are scrambling to figure out what other crop(s) they can plant to the 20,000 acres of land once dedicated to sugar beets. www.farmprogress.com/business/cal...
U.S. pistachio industry finds itself in an interesting position: last year's crop is largely "sold out." www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/de...
Demand rages ahead of U.S. pistachio supply
This year’s pistachio crop is estimated at 1.1 billion pounds. Walnut production is expected to top 700,000 tons. Almonds are recovering from unprofitable grower returns.
www.farmprogress.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
U.S. pistachio industry finds itself in an interesting position: last year's crop is largely "sold out." www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/de...
California ag land values plummet amidst growing water regulations and some commodity prices. www.farmprogress.com/farm-busines...
California farmland values drop, billions in equity lost
Learn how water challenges and commodity prices are causing a significant decline in California farmland values.
www.farmprogress.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
California ag land values plummet amidst growing water regulations and some commodity prices. www.farmprogress.com/farm-busines...
While tariffs on exported specialty crops remain concerning, ag leaders say they have been common for Western farmers. Almonds remain California's top exported crop. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Ag industry adapts as tariff effects unfold slowly
Explore how evolving tariffs affect California and Arizona farmers, from specialty crops to major exports.
www.farmprogress.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
While tariffs on exported specialty crops remain concerning, ag leaders say they have been common for Western farmers. Almonds remain California's top exported crop. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Ongoing water policies in California could force thousands of acres of prime farmland to be fallowed this year. www.farmprogress.com/commentary/p...
Planting decisions suggest significant fallowing
Insufficient water allocations are prompting dismal stories for planned cotton acreage this season in California.
www.farmprogress.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Ongoing water policies in California could force thousands of acres of prime farmland to be fallowed this year. www.farmprogress.com/commentary/p...
Ag secretary noncommittal when questioned by reporters on crop insurance subsidies. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Rollins unveils $30 billion farm aid plan, vows to ‘right-size’ USDA
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins introduced a $30 billion Emergency Commodity Assistance Program at Commodity Classic while vowing to cut government spending, scale back climate priorities and res...
www.farmprogress.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Ag secretary noncommittal when questioned by reporters on crop insurance subsidies. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Undercurrent of uncertainty remains, despite optimistic statements from U.S. ag secretary. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Commodity Classic highlights farmer uncertainty amid growing trade war
While farm leaders celebrate progress, growers brace for the economic realities of new tariffs with key trade partners.
www.farmprogress.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Undercurrent of uncertainty remains, despite optimistic statements from U.S. ag secretary. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Ag secretary says President will help U.S. farmers, though farm groups don't see how or when this will happen. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Trade war escalates as retaliatory tariffs hit struggling farm economy
With tariffs now in effect on China, Canada and Mexico, farmers brace for retaliatory tariffs, market uncertainty and rising input costs. Industry leaders urge policymakers to find solutions before ru...
www.farmprogress.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Ag secretary says President will help U.S. farmers, though farm groups don't see how or when this will happen. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
So you want to convert from conventional to organic: Invest in cover crops and soil health during that three-year transition. It will pay dividends in the future. www.farmprogress.com/organic/orga...
Organic transition: Don’t just leave the ground fallow
It pays to invest in cover cropping and other practices that can deliver long-term benefits during the three-year transition period, producers say.
www.farmprogress.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
So you want to convert from conventional to organic: Invest in cover crops and soil health during that three-year transition. It will pay dividends in the future. www.farmprogress.com/organic/orga...
Farm Progress is the link that connects farmers across the country with relevant information on the industry. youtu.be/XKF2q2nxa2E?...
Editors Rooted in the South
YouTube video by Farm Progress
youtu.be
February 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Farm Progress is the link that connects farmers across the country with relevant information on the industry. youtu.be/XKF2q2nxa2E?...
Our deep knowledge of Western specialty crops and connections in the industry are what set us apart. youtu.be/5VPyxnvM5hs?...
Editors Rooted in the West
YouTube video by Farm Progress
youtu.be
February 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Our deep knowledge of Western specialty crops and connections in the industry are what set us apart. youtu.be/5VPyxnvM5hs?...
Reposted by Todd Fitchette
Everyone from the federal government to Fortune 500 companies is dialing back their diversity efforts. But the NFL is standing its ground.
America Is Abandoning DEI. The NFL Remains All-In.
Everyone from the federal government to Fortune 500 companies is dialing back their diversity efforts. But the NFL is standing its ground.
www.wsj.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Everyone from the federal government to Fortune 500 companies is dialing back their diversity efforts. But the NFL is standing its ground.
Researchers continue to study efficacy of competing aflatoxin products in tree nuts. www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/af...
Aflatoxin biocontrol products have their place in pistachios
The pistachio industry is particularly concerned of aflatoxin contamination because those nuts are exposed to the air as the nuts ripen and shells split.
www.farmprogress.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Researchers continue to study efficacy of competing aflatoxin products in tree nuts. www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/af...
Reposted by Todd Fitchette
"It's important to cut through the fog of misinformation," says @adamconover.net. He spoke with @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.bsky.social to get the facts about environmental factors that fueled the #PalisadeFire, #EatonFire & others and hampered disaster response
I very strongly encourage folks to check out this long-form conversation I had with @AdamConover.net on his Factually! podcast (recorded just two days ago) focusing on offering context and busting myths surrounding the devastating Los Angeles #wildfires.
www.youtube.com/watc...
www.youtube.com/watc...
Climate Scientist Debunks L.A. Wildfire Myths with Dr. Daniel Swain
Southern California has been utterly decimated by wildfires, with the neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena being virtually leveled to the ground. In this special episode, released outside of our usual schedule, Adam sits down with UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain to unpack what really
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"It's important to cut through the fog of misinformation," says @adamconover.net. He spoke with @weatherwest.bsky.social @ucanr.bsky.social to get the facts about environmental factors that fueled the #PalisadeFire, #EatonFire & others and hampered disaster response
Reposted by Todd Fitchette
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Pepsi, alleging it has rigged competition by offering unfair pricing deals to a big retailer at the expense of smaller rivals, resulting in higher costs for shoppers.
Pepsi accused of illegal pricing deals with 'a large, big box retailer' in U.S. lawsuit
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Pepsi, alleging it has rigged competition by offering unfair pricing deals to a big retailer at the expense of smaller rivals, resulting in higher costs for shopp...
www.npr.org
January 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Pepsi, alleging it has rigged competition by offering unfair pricing deals to a big retailer at the expense of smaller rivals, resulting in higher costs for shoppers.
Three-acre organic farm provides ag students with useful learning opportunities. www.farmprogress.com/organic/orga...
Organic farm feeds students in more ways than one
Chico State gives some of its fresh produce to students in need and sells the rest commercially, providing income to sustain its program.
www.farmprogress.com
January 17, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Three-acre organic farm provides ag students with useful learning opportunities. www.farmprogress.com/organic/orga...
Organic cotton sounds like a viable summertime rotation for organic winter vegetables in the desert if challenges of defoliation, ginning, and water can be successfully addressed. www.farmprogress.com/organic/ua-s...
UA studies look at organic cotton
Arizona Ph.D. student explores organic cotton as summer crop for desert vegetable farmers, addressing challenges in ginning, defoliation, and water availability.
www.farmprogress.com
January 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Organic cotton sounds like a viable summertime rotation for organic winter vegetables in the desert if challenges of defoliation, ginning, and water can be successfully addressed. www.farmprogress.com/organic/ua-s...
Early indications suggest the goal of saving water in flood irrigation systems is likely. www.farmprogress.com/conservation...
New irrigation head design shows promise
As Arizona deals with both drought and soil salinity, a university scientist is developing a more efficient way to water crops.
www.farmprogress.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Early indications suggest the goal of saving water in flood irrigation systems is likely. www.farmprogress.com/conservation...
Water and labor remain top challenges for Arizona farmers. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Yuma grower is new Arizona Farm Bureau president
John Boelts farms about 3,000 acres of vegetables, cotton and forage crops in the desert region.
www.farmprogress.com
January 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Water and labor remain top challenges for Arizona farmers. www.farmprogress.com/farm-policy/...
Can Western water policy be adequately addressed under Trump 47? www.farmprogress.com/commentary/w...
Will Western irrigated lands be a Trump priority?
The new administration will have to reform burdensome federal environmental laws and regulations.
www.farmprogress.com
January 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Can Western water policy be adequately addressed under Trump 47? www.farmprogress.com/commentary/w...
Reposted by Todd Fitchette
Ensembles have been suggesting high potential for another offshore/Santa Ana wind event in SoCal next week. This potential event could be quite strong (& also warm). With extremely dry conditions so far this season in SoCal, wildfire risk could be very high indeed. #CAwx #CAfire
January 2, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Organic farmer says he's seeing benefits of ag tech adoption in his California operation. www.farmprogress.com/organic-grow...
Reaping the promises of ag technology
Organic farms among thousands in West to invest in automation to save on labor costs.
www.farmprogress.com
December 27, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Organic farmer says he's seeing benefits of ag tech adoption in his California operation. www.farmprogress.com/organic-grow...
State and federal grants aid water district's abilities to deliver irrigation water to local farmers. www.farmprogress.com/farm-operati...
Fresno district capitalizes on over $27m in grants
Most of FID’s customers are commercial farmers that grow over 100 crops across 250,000 acres.
www.farmprogress.com
December 26, 2024 at 9:32 PM
State and federal grants aid water district's abilities to deliver irrigation water to local farmers. www.farmprogress.com/farm-operati...