In this episode of Farm Bureau Friday, Bill Penney of the Turlock Irrigation District breaks down Project Nexus, a first-of-its-kind effort to install solar panels over irrigation canals.

Developed with UC Merced and state partners, the project aims to conserve water while generating renewable energy without taking farmland out of production. Early results point to reduced evaporation, minimal operational impact and fewer issues with aquatic vegetation.

The conversation also looks at what’s next and whether solar canals could scale across California.

Omer Davidi, CEO and co-founder of BeeHero, joins Kristin Platts and Anna Genasci to discuss how AI and in-hive sensor technology are transforming pollination management. The conversation explores almond pollination trends, bee health, logistics challenges and how real-time data is helping growers and beekeepers improve decision-making and sustainability across agriculture.

Kristin Platts and Anna Genasci talk with Renee Pinnell, president and CEO of Western Plant Health Association, about Sustainable Pest Management (SPM), common misconceptions about pesticide recommendations and the importance of maintaining a full toolbox of crop protection tools. Pinnell also discusses how research is challenging assumptions about PCAs and what policy developments growers should watch in 2026.