On this episode of the MyAgLife podcast, Kristin Platts talks with television host, producer and former Disney executive Pat Pattison for a preview of his upcoming presentation, "Building Trust at Scale," at the 2026 Innovating California Agri-Marketing Summit.

Pattison discusses why authentic human storytelling matters even more as AI reshapes marketing, the value of putting a recognizable person behind a brand and why he considers this a "golden age of marketing." He also shares his thoughts on taking creative risks, finding mentors and telling agriculture's stories to audiences beyond the industry.

Hear more from Pattison at the Innovating California Agri-Marketing Summit, Sept. 22 in Visalia.

Learn more about the Agri-Marketing Summit and register: https://jcsmarketinginc.com/ams-attendees/
Learn more about Pat: https://patpattison.net/

In this episode of the MyAgLife podcast, Kristin Platts talks with Nic Steeneken, PCA, CCA and Strategic Account Manager at AgroSpheres, for a preview of his upcoming Take the Stage presentation at the 2026 Crop Consultant Conference.

Steeneken discusses how biological crop protection is evolving, the challenges that have historically limited biological products in the field and how AgroSpheres' AgriCell encapsulation technology is designed to improve the delivery and stability of biological active ingredients. He also discusses FUN-THYME Biofungicide, resistance management and where he sees the next generation of biological crop protection heading.

Hear more from Steeneken at the Crop Consultant Conference, Sept. 23-24 at the Visalia Convention Center.

As California agriculture continues moving toward more integrated and sustainable pest management, growers and crop consultants are looking for tools that provide flexibility without sacrificing performance.

In this Crop Consultant Conference speaker preview, Kristin Platts visits with Dr. Muhammad Ismail Siddiqui, director of R&D and product innovations at AgroPlantae, to discuss where botanical crop protection fits within modern California IPM programs. They explore the challenges growers face, how botanical products can complement existing management strategies, and what attendees can expect from his upcoming conference presentation.

Dr. Siddiqui will present "Botanical Crop Protection in Modern California IPM: From California's SPM Direction to Practical Program Fit" during the 2026 Crop Consultant Conference in Visalia. See the full lineup and register here: https://jcsmarketinginc.com/ccc-attendees/

John Mueller of The Fumigation Company discusses the science behind effective post-harvest fumigation and why data, technology and verification are becoming increasingly important for the industry. He shares common mistakes that can reduce treatment performance, explains how connected monitoring devices are improving efficacy, and offers practical advice for applicators looking to achieve more consistent results.

This interview was recorded live from a recent Fumigation Summit hosted by Western Tree Nut Association and Cardinal Professional Products in Modesto. 

What happens when an entire region realizes it can no longer solve its water challenges alone? In this episode, Geoff Vanden Heuvel explains the origins of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, a collaborative effort bringing together water agencies, commodity groups, local governments and other stakeholders to develop a unified strategy for California's agricultural future. He discusses SGMA's impact, the need for regional cooperation, infrastructure investments and why building consensus may be just as important as building new water projects.

Joel Metzger, deputy director of Statewide Water Resources and Enterprise Project Management for the California Department of Water Resources, joins MyAgLife to discuss the future of water management in California. Metzger explains how SGMA implementation, changing hydrology, aging infrastructure and long-term planning efforts are shaping water reliability for agriculture. He also shares insights from the San Joaquin Valley Water Resilience Summit and discusses why grower participation will be critical as California develops its next Water Plan. 

Eric Jenssen, director of sales at IntelliCulture, joins MyAgLife to discuss how data-driven management is helping California growers improve efficiency and profitability. Jenssen explains how growers can use operational data to identify hidden inefficiencies, optimize labor and equipment use, reduce costs and make more informed management decisions across the farm. He also shares why turning data into actionable insights is becoming an essential part of modern agriculture.

Russ Putland of Catalera joins Jay Visser to discuss how biological crop protection products are evolving to meet grower expectations. Putland explains what separates proven biological tools from marketing claims, where biologicals fit alongside conventional chemistry, and why formulation, field validation and performance are driving greater adoption. He also shares what growers and PCAs should look for when evaluating biological products and where he sees the industry headed in the coming years. 

www.catalera.com

https://cataleraneem.com/rango/

Peter Wren-Hilton, CEO of Wharf42 and organizer of the Salinas Biological Summit, joins MyAgLife to discuss how biological crop protection has evolved from a niche concept to a growing part of modern agriculture. He explains why Brazil has become a global leader in biological adoption, the regulatory challenges facing U.S. companies, and what California growers and crop consultants should know as biological products continue to expand their role in crop production.

Assemblyman David Tangipa joins Jason Scott on MyAgLife to discuss the biggest issues facing California agriculture, including water, SGMA, regulatory costs and grower representation in Sacramento. Tangipa shares why he believes farmers need a stronger voice in policy discussions and offers his perspective on the future of California agriculture and rural communities.