Glenn Vaagen

Hi, my name is Glenn. I'm the Program Director of the Pacific Northwest Ag Network. I've been blessed with multiple national farm broadcasting awards, receiving the 2019 Editor's Choice award, as well as the 2020 Excellence in Ag Reporting award from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. I started my radio career as the Program and News Director at KMAX-AM in Colfax, WA. I also served as a reporter/anchor at KXLY-AM in Spokane, WA. Before launching the PNW Ag Network, I served as the Program and News Director for KBNW-AM/FM in Bend, OR. While there, our station was recognized for reporting excellence by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters in 2009. I'm a former University of Idaho football player, currently, I'm married with four children.

Searle Hopeful Lame Duck Will Address Labor

Only a few weeks remain for the 117th Congress, and the farming community is hopeful the lame duck session will address a few ag needs during that time. One of the top issues across commodities in ag labor. Bryan Searle, President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation said it’s still very hard to find workers. “Nobody really w...

Grange Continues To Grow, Continues To Address Rural Issues

Despite fraternal organizations nationwide struggling to gain and retain members, the National Grange says it is bucking that trend. During the organization’s 156th Annual Convention in Sparks, NV, last month, Betsy Huber, President of the Grange announced membership grew more than 3% between July 2021 and June 2022, despite pressures from the pandemic. Huber ...

DeHaan Fuel Prices Expected To Continue To Drop

Thanks to international issues and pressures, oil prices have been fairly volatile over the past couple of weeks. Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy said the price for a barrel of West Texas Crude fell last week, thanks to China’s zero COVID policy, which locked down the 2nd largest economy in the world. Howeve...

Markey Wants AM Radio in Electric Vehicles

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Markey sent letters to 20 car manufacturers requesting they maintain AM radio in their vehicles, including the new EV models. In the letter, Markey says consumers still value AM radio and stressed that free broadcast radio is a critical and reliable channel for local, state, and federal government officials to communicate with the public. He ...

HPAI Detected In Non-Commercial Flock In Oregon

Last week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the confirmation of the state’s first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a non-commercial flock. According to USDA, the flock was discovered November 29th in Columbia County, and included roughly 20 chickens. ...

Inflation Impacting Northwest Sugarbeet Growers

It’s a common theme across the agricultural community this year, the cost of doing business continues to increase. Randy Grant, President of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association, said inflation has impacted growers across the area in a variety of ways. “Our i...

Helena’s Extractor Helps Growers Focus On Plant Health In 2023

Regardless of commodity, more and more emphasis is being place on managing soil health and plant health across the Pacific Northwest, and across the county. To help growers, Helena has Extractor, an advanced plant tissue analysis offering. Stephen...

Drought Numbers Show Considerable Improvement In November

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says there was considerable improvement in the U.S. drought monitor during the month of November. He noted between November 1st and the end of the month, drought coverage dropped 5.3 percentage points to 57% of the country being categorized as dry our drought. “...

NCBA Applauds Protect Farmers from the SEC ACT in Senate

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association supports the Senate version of the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act, a companion bill to legislation introduced into the House of Representatives. “The Securities and Exchange Commissions’ overly broad rulemaking has the potential to increase burdens on cattle producers by requiring data that’s impossible to provide,” says NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas

Wine Minute: Soil Health In The Vineyard

What's the latest when it comes to vineyard soil health? ARS' Devin A. Rippner talks about the latest research taking place at USDA and how it could impact growers across the Pacific Northwest. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...