Welcome back to another episode of Ag on the Edge!

In this episode, we sit down with Maureen McGuire, CEO of Farm Bureau Ventura County, for a candid conversation about advocacy, policy, and the future of farming in a region where agriculture is both legacy and lifeline.

A tireless advocate, respected voice, and outspoken champion of local ag, Maureen brings both sharp insight and deep heart to the issues that matter most — from water and land use to the role of Farm Bureau in today’s changing landscape.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, smart, and honest conversation with someone who fights every day to keep Ventura County’s farms thriving.

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Welcome back to another episode of Ag on the Edge!

What happens after the crops are grown and picked? How - and who - gets the food from the farm to the grocery store?

We are joined in this episode by Gabe Olmos, President and CEO of Ventura Pacific Company. Gabe leads the organization with a focus on business strategy and operations, applying his expertise in Continuous Improvement, emerging technology, forecasting, and lean manufacturing to close the gap between the farm and the consumer.

Join us as we talk about meeting market demand, the shift to high-tech processing, increasing challenges facing our farmers, and what the future may hold for local ag!

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Welcome back to another episode of Ag on the Edge!

What does it really take to protect Ventura County’s world-renowned agriculture — from strawberries and lemons to ranchlands and vineyards? In this episode, we sit down with Korinne Bell, Ventura County’s Agricultural Commissioner, for an inside look at the balancing act between farming and public policy.

Born into a multi-generational Ventura County farming family, Korinne brings deep local roots, strong connections, and over two decades of hands-on experience with the Ag Commissioner’s office to her role. She offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing local agriculture today, including pest management, land use pressures, wildfire recovery, and the future of farming in one of California’s most productive regions.

Whether you're a farmer, policymaker, or just passionate about where your food comes from, this conversation will give you a front-row seat to the critical work happening behind the scenes to keep Ventura County growing strong.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion with one of the key leaders shaping the future of agriculture in our region.

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Welcome back to another episode of Ag on the Edge!

Our guest is Lisa Fox, a licensed Pest Control Advisor and Qualified Applicator in California. Lisa is the owner of Eatwell Consulting, providing pesticide safety and regulatory compliance training to farmers, ranchers, growers, nurseries, municipalities, and their employees throughout the state of California.

Join us as we talk about what it really means to "be organic", how pesticides are the last resort for protecting crops, upcoming regulatory changes for pesticide use in California, and the extensive training and oversight required for using pesticides in our state.

Quick note: At time 38:36, Lisa and I are discussing both the state and federal agencies that oversee and regulate pesticide use, which have very similar acronyms. We used the acronym FDA (federal); please note it is CDFA (California), and where we mention CDFA, it should be FDA.

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Welcome back to Ag on the Edge!

We are starting off Season 2 with a very special guest: Agronomist Eryn Wingate. Eryn is an agricultural scientist who works with farmers to optimize soil health practices, crop protection, and crop nutrients so that farmers can produce the highest quality, plentiful food.

Join us as our conversation weaves from the meaning of regenerative agriculture and whether it is a practice that could be adopted in Ventura County, organic vs. conventional farming, and how an aspiring professional ballet dancer found a fulfilling career in agriculture.

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Welcome back!

In this episode, Edgar Terry, Terry Farms and CLU professor of economics, and I talk about farming economics, funding vs. growing cycles, and how markets and many other factors impact farming revenues.

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Thank you for joining us for another conversation!

In this episode, Lisa Tate of Rancho Filoso and the California Coffee Collective and I talk about women in agriculture, family farming, and some of the policy and regulatory challenges associated with trying to grow a new-to-Ventura-County crop (coffee) and the struggles of trying to succeed as a multi-generational farmer.

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Thank you for joining us for another conversation!

In this episode, Mauricio Guardado, General Manager, United Water Conservation District, and I talk about water supply - both the threats AND the potential solutions, government redtape and regulatory interference, why we experience droughts, and why we don't necessarily need to cut farmers' water allocations.

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