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.

Northwest Soils Continue To Dry Out

As summer starts in the Northwest, area soils continue to dry out. The latest numbers from USDA show only 13% of Washington has soil moisture numbers on par for where they should be this time of year. 86% of the state is considered Abnormally Dry, or a D0 designation, while nearly 50% of the state is under a D1, or Moderate Drought. O...

A Lot Of Uncertainty In Potato Country

Farmers are typically an optimistic bunch, but unfortunately, many things that control their success or failure are beyond their control. For example, the health of the U.S. and foreign economies has a direct impact on what farmers can do year in and year out. Chris V...

Technology Looks To Save Dairies Labor, Improve Milk Output

In the ongoing effort to help dairy producers improve efficiency as well as animal health and wellbeing, Merck Animal Health is out with the SenseHub Dairy Youngstock. Erica Tessman, Market Manager for Dairy Monitoring Technology at Merck, said SenseHub Dairy Youngstock is the first monitoring technology for dairy calves from birth through the first 12 months of life. She add...

Wine Minute: Industry Reaction To SO2 Research

What has industry reaction been to Washington State University's Thomas Henick-Kling talks ongoing SO2 research? He provided insight in today's PNW Ag Network Wine Minute. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

Northwest Cherry Season Is Here

You’ve probably noticed that local cherries have finally made their way to neighborhood grocery stores and fruit stands across the Northwest. And the expectation this year is for a sizeable crop. Northwest Cherries is expecting a crop this year between 22-22.5 million 20-pound boxes. ...

Farmers Market Minute: Excitement Building For 2025 Season

Friday is the first day of summer, so we kick off our PNW Ag Network Farmers Market Minute with a check in with Colleen Donovan, Executive Director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association. If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

OSU, WSU Holding Potato Field Days Next Week

Potatoes will take center stage in both Oregon and Washington next week. Oregon State University’s Hermiston Potato Field Day will take place Wednesday June 25th from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. OSU officials say the Hermiston Potato field will feature sessions focused on breeding, pest management, nutrient and water management, as well as the ongoing field trials. The Field Day will take...

Northern Idaho Grower Named To National Barley Association

Idaho Barley Commissioner Josh Jones was elected Vice President of the National Barley Growers Association this week at the organization's summer meeting in Golden, CO. Jones, a farmer from Troy, represents the Idaho Barley Commission on the NBGA board. ...

Funding For Rural Counties Clears The Senate

On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously passed legislation to reauthorize the Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program through Fiscal Year 2026. The votes was celebrated by Idaho’s Republican senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, as well as Oregon Democrats Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden; the four worked together to get the legislation across the finish line. The Secure R... R

Despite Turbulence, Naerebout Bullish About The Future Of Dairy

For the Idaho Dairy industry 2025 has been a bit of a roller coaster, and we haven’t made it to the halfway mark yet. Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, said much of the turbulence has been thanks to milk prices that have been on the move much of the year. “You know ta...