California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • How to Design a New Pistachio Orchard

    Considering planting a new pistachio orchard? What is the ideal row/tree spacing? How many male pollenizer trees will you need? Should you plant on berms or not? These are just a few of the questions addressed by UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Craig Kallsen in this video.  Watch his brief interview and read more about growing pistachios in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  Don’t currently receive it?  Subscribe for FREE today at PacificNutProducer.com.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • New Export Opportunities for Almond Hulls

    As California almond production continues to increase, so does the amount of coproducts such as hulls and shells.  Traditionally, much of these coproducts have been sold to California dairies as cattle feed and bedding amendments; however, the increase in production has led the industry to pursue further marketing opportunities and uses for these coproducts.  Watch this brief interview with Elaine Trevino from the Almond Alliance of California as she shares some exciting news regarding export opportunities and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Over 70% of Sonoma County Winegrowers Suffer Losses this Year

    Though the 2020 growing season enjoyed near-perfect growing conditions, a mid-August lightning storm during a global pandemic resulted in a dramatic turn for Sonoma County’s winegrapes and a financial blow to the region just as it has with other wine regions across California. 
     
    “No one could have predicted how the external events of 2020 would impact the entire community in Sonoma County including growers, vintners, workers, local hotels, restaurants, stores, suppliers and, ultimately, local residents,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We estimate between 25% – 30% of the Sonoma County winegrape harvest will go unpicked due to the pandemic and fires.  We are also still waiting to learn what wines will be made this year.  So far, we have identified approximately a $150,000,000 loss to growers which will have a ripple effect on the County’s local wine and tourism industries which can contribute up to $13.4 billion annually to the local economy in a normal year.”
     
    Given the extensive national media focus on wine country in recent months, Sonoma County Winegrowers sought accurate data to determine the state of the winegrowing community and the effect on the 2020 harvest season.  The organization just completed a survey of its growers and released the results today.  Among the key findings:

    • More than 70% of all winegrape growers in Sonoma County anticipate having at least some grapes that will go unpicked or be rejected by wineries due to the wildfires.
    • Grape growers estimate that the total tonnage of unpicked grapes due to marketplace dynamics, COVID’s impact on local wineries and tourism, and the fires will exceed 50,000 tons, this is on a lower than average base of 180,000 tons due to the anticipated lighter crop this season.
    • The estimated crop value for winegrapes that were not harvested equates to approximately $151,657,081

    In addition to the financial losses from this year’s wildfires, growing winegrapes in Sonoma County in recent years has been physically and mentally hard on growers, vineyard workers and their families.

    “One of the bright spots in a dismal year has been the recent efforts of our winegrowers to transform their businesses to prepare for an ever-changing future,” said Kruse.  She added, “Following the fires in 2017, the grower community set out to adopt a new approach to doing business which included hiring more full-time employees to secure a stable, talented workforce.”
    After a decade of labor shortages and losing additional employees to jobs in construction and an emerging cannabis industry, local winegrape growers began shifting away from relying on seasonal vineyard workers to hiring full-time employees which eliminated the need to constantly attract and secure new seasonal workers each year.  Today, more than 80% of local vineyard workers in Sonoma County are full-time which is almost a 20 percent increase since 2017.

    Full-time employement provides a level of permanency for workers and their families enabling them to establish roots in the community while securing a skilled, knowlegeable workforce for employers in the future.

    According to the grower survey:

    • Today, more than 80% of local vineyard workers in Sonoma County are full-time which is nearly a 20 percent increase since 2017.
    • Women now account for 20% of the local vineyard workforce.
    • The average hourly rate of pay for Sonoma County vineyard workers is $19.87 per hour.  The average hourly wage has increased $3.13 per hour since 2017.
    • During the same period, the shift to full-time employment has led to a decrease in the seasonal workforce by approximately 50 percent, mechanized harvesting is now done on 30% of the vineyard acres in Sonoma County and participation in the H-2A Guest Worker Program continues to grow.
    • In Sonoma County, just 5.6% of the region’s Latinx population are employed as vineyard workers.

    This year can certainly be defined as challenging for the region. Fortunately, as a result of the early harvest, more than 15% of the winegrapes had been picked  before the  LNU complex fires began and 90% had been harvested by the start of the  “Glass Fire” which was the year’s third major wildfire in Sonoma County. Once again, many winegrape growers, vineyard workers and their families in Sonoma County were forced to evacuate their homes and ranches.  In response, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation reopened its Resiliency Fund in August to raise money to support local farmworkers who may have been impacted through evacuations or loss of work.
    Through the Resiliency Fund nearly $100,000 in financial assistance has been provided to more than 200 farmworkers and their families who lost their homes or were forced to evacuate from the fires this year.  Another 40 farmworkers and their families who were negatively impacted by COVID-19 also received financial assistance from the fund. Since 2017, the Foundation has supported over 1,500 local farmworkers and provided $1.3 million in direct financial assistance.

    Additionally, throughout the year, the Foundation has been leading the charge to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.  It distributed more than 14,000 masks to local grape growers for their employees.  It also produced videos in Spanish to assist with the communication and understanding of COVID-19 and best practices on how to stay safe. The videos were used for a social media campaigns and advertising directed at the Latinx community. 

    Looking ahead, top concerns for Sonoma County winegrowers are wanting more research on the impacts of smoke; access to rapid testing to measure smoke exposure; and, a dedicated effort to clean up dead trees and brush in forests and woodlands to prevent or slow the spread of fires.  Most of all, Sonoma County winegrowers await the opportunity to share their wine and region with neighbors and visitors in the months ahead.

    “We are grateful for the resolve of Sonoma County winegrowers who remain committed to their vineyards and employees.  The best way to support our growers, workers, families, and community is to purchase Sonoma County wine whenever possible, and especially cherish wines from the 2020 vintage. They will be hard earned and well loved” said Kruse. She added, “While there will be a 2020 Sonoma County vintage, we are hoping for a long, boring 2021 season.”

    For more information about the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation, visit: https://www.scggf.org/

  • Don’t Miss Malcolm Media’s Virtual Tree & Vine Expo, Nov. 10-11

    Save the dates, Tuesday & Wednesday, November 10-11th for the annual Tree & Vine Expo held in an exciting new virtual format this year.  Historically held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, in Turlock, CA, heart of North Valley wine grape, tree nut and fruit country, it is the ultimate postharvest industry gathering place for regional grape, nut & tree fruit growers and crop advisors.  Nearly a thousand growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this expo to enjoy State of the Almond, Walnut & Wine Grape Industry presentations, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring over a hundred Ag businesses. For the past two decades, Malcolm Media Ag Publishing has held this event in cooperation with California Ag Network, Pacific Nut Producer, American Vineyard, and California Fresh Fruit Magazines.

    “2020 has been a year fraught with many challenges, and it has never been more critical for growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders to get together virtually to address the evolving needs of our essential agricultural industry,” shares Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing. “Our team, in collaboration with key industry partners, has put together an outstanding virtual program you won’t want to miss. Our special online format of the expo this year will include greater opportunities for our attendees to participate in more seminars, and obtain a greater number of FREE continuing education credits in a year where credited seminars have been more difficult to come by. The online format of our expos this year has been carefully designed to be user friendly and not require attendees to download any apps in order to participate. We are also pleased to announce a special 30-minute presentation featuring the USDA Farm Service Agency to assist growers that have faced financial difficulties this year due to COVID-19, wildfires, and other disaster-related issues.  Although we will miss meeting with all our industry friends in person this year, walking the bustling exhibition halls and enjoying the delicious breakfast burritos and tri-tip sandwiches, attendees will be pleased this year with special online features we’ve developed to help connect them with our generous sponsors and virtual exhibitors. We look forward to gathering virtually with you all in your homes, offices and farms this year.”

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and our sponsors this year: The Almond Board of California, Firman Pollen, Yosemite Farm Credit, Semios, Wonderful Nurseries, Almond Alliance of California, Fresno State Viticulture & Enology, and Ceres Imaging.

    New to this year is an upgraded registration system (pre-register online HERE) that includes the ability to preregister for any CE credits attendees would like to receive.  5.5 hours of PCA/PA/QAL/QAC credits and 9 hours of CCA credits have been approved for this event (must attend both days of the event for maximum credit; however, partial credit may be obtain for each seminar attended).

    As the deadline approaches for growers to apply for CFAP2, farm loans and disaster assistance, the USDA Farm Service Agency will also be conducting a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for eligible programs.  See the full program by clicking the link below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

    PREREGISTER

    AGENDA

  • Pre-Register Today for the Central Coast Grape Expo, Nov. 6

    Save the date, Friday, November 6th for the biennial Central Coast Grape Expo held in an exciting new virtual format this year.  Malcolm Media’s premier event for Central Coast Wine Grape Growers and PCAs held in cooperation with American Vineyard Magazine and California Ag Network, it is the ultimate postharvest regional gathering place for wine grape growers and crop advisors.  Hundreds of growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this expo (historically held at the Paso Robles Event Center) to enjoy State of the Wine Grape Industry presentations with Allied Grape Growers and the Ciatti Company, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring the North Coast’s most innovative vineyard technologies, products and services.

    “2020 has been a year fraught with many challenges, and it has never been more critical for growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders to get together virtually to address the evolving needs of our essential agricultural industry,” shares Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing. “Our team, in collaboration with key industry partners, has put together an outstanding virtual program you won’t want to miss. Our special online format of the expo this year will include greater opportunities for our attendees to participate in more seminars, and obtain a greater number of FREE continuing education credits in a year where credited seminars have been more difficult to come by. The online format of our expos this year has been carefully designed to be user friendly and not require attendees to download any apps in order to participate. We are also pleased to announce a special 30-minute presentation featuring the USDA Farm Service Agency to assist growers that have faced financial difficulties this year due to COVID-19, wildfires, and other disaster-related issues.  Although we will miss meeting with all our industry friends in person this year, walking the bustling exhibition halls and enjoying the delicious breakfast burritos and tri-tip sandwiches, attendees will be pleased this year with special online features we’ve developed to help connect them with our generous sponsors and virtual exhibitors. We look forward to gathering virtually with you all in your homes, offices and farms this year.”

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and this year’s sponsors: Wonderful Nurseries, Semios, Ceres Imaging and Fresno State Viticulture & Enology.

    New to this year is an upgraded registration system (pre-register online HERE) that includes the ability to preregister for any CE credits attendees would like to receive. 2.5 hours of PCA/PA/QAL/QAC credits and 4.5 hours of CCA credits have been approved for this event.

    Also new to this year’s program will be a special grower panel discussion led by the Independent Grape Growers of Paso Robles Area to review the 2020 crop season and how the industry has adapted to meet all the challenges they’ve experienced in this unprecedented year.  As the deadlines approach for growers to apply for CFAP2, farm loans, disaster assistance and the Tree (& Vine) Assistance Program, the USDA Farm Service Agency will conduct a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for eligible programs.  See the full program by clicking the link below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

    PREREGISTER

    AGENDA

  • Don’t Miss Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo Nov. 12-13

    Save the dates, Thursday & Friday, November 12th-13th for the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo held in an exciting new virtual format this year.  Historically held at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds by Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in cooperation with California Ag Network, Pacific Nut Producer, American Vineyard, and California Fresh Fruit Magazines, it is the ultimate postharvest industry gathering place for regional grape, nut & tree fruit growers and crop advisors.

    Fresno is the number one Ag County in the state and the center of the Central Valley’s rich and diverse agricultural production. Nearly a thousand growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this annual expo to enjoy State of the Almond, Pistachio, Walnut, Pecan, Tree Fruit, Citrus, Raisin, Table & Wine Grape Industry presentations, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring over a hundred Ag businesses.

    “2020 has been a year fraught with many challenges, and it has never been more critical for growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders to get together virtually to address the evolving needs of our essential agricultural industry,” shares Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing. “Our team, in collaboration with key industry partners, has put together an outstanding virtual program you won’t want to miss. Our special online format of the expo this year will include greater opportunities for our attendees to participate in more seminars, and obtain a greater number of FREE continuing education credits in a year where credited seminars have been more difficult to come by. The online format of our expos this year has been carefully designed to be user friendly and not require attendees to download any apps in order to participate. We are also pleased to announce a special 30-minute presentation featuring the USDA Farm Service Agency to assist growers that have faced financial difficulties this year due to COVID-19, wildfires, and other disaster-related issues.  Although we will miss meeting with all our industry friends in person this year, walking the bustling exhibition halls and enjoying the delicious breakfast burritos and tri-tip sandwiches, attendees will be pleased this year with special online features we’ve developed to help connect them with our generous sponsors and virtual exhibitors. We look forward to gathering virtually with you all in your homes, offices and farms this year.”

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and our sponsors this year: Barrier Solar, Firman Pollen, Sun-Maid Growers, Almond Board of California, Ceres Imaging, Raisin Bargaining Association, Wonderful Nurseries, Semios, Almond Alliance of California, American Pistachio Growers, Fresno State Viticulture & Enology and the California Fresh Fruit Association.

    New to this year is an upgraded registration system (pre-register online HERE) that includes the ability to preregister for any CE credits attendees would like to receive.  Five hours of PCA/PA/QAL/QAC credits and ten hours of CCA credits have been approved for this event (must attend both days of the event for maximum credit; however, partial credit may be obtain for each seminar attended).

    As the deadline approaches for growers to apply for CFAP2, farm loans and disaster assistance, the USDA Farm Service Agency will also be conducting a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for eligible programs.  See the full program by clicking the link below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

    PREREGISTER

    AGENDA

  • Mendocino Winegrowers Successfully Passes ‘Mendocino County’ Labeling Law

    Mendocino WineGrowers (MWI), the wine marketing organization for Mendocino County, is proud to announce their success in getting conjunctive labeling passed for the County.  As of January 1, 2023 all wines labeled with an AVA located in Mendocino County must also include “Mendocino County” on the label.  This designation is a huge coup for an area whose grapes are prominently used in many notable Californian wines, but is still a lesser known region for the average consumer.  Conjunctive labeling has been proven to successfully enhance the recognition of AVAs, especially smaller AVAs, as per a study done by Sonoma State in 2017 on the effects of labeling.

    The MWI Board began exploring the idea of a conjunctive labeling program to improve consumer identification and understanding of the region’s wines early in 2018. Given the strong evidence that conjunctive labeling programs benefit the regions that enact them, a draft proposal for Mendocino County was crafted by MWI. The language, largely based on the successful Monterey program, was designed for simplicity and minimal impact on wineries.  MWI worked closely with Californian Senator Mike McGuire who drafted bill SB1009 and championed it through the State Senate, winning approval by Governor Newsom and ultimately achieving its approval.

    “Conjunctive labeling is crucial to growing consumer recognition, as proven by its success with other notable regions such as Napa and Sonoma.  We are thrilled to have this new vehicle to get Mendocino County the spotlight it deserves. Our wines are highly coveted, yet many consumers mistaken them for other regions and with this new tool we feel we can broaden our customer base and grow the already impressive following we have achieved so far,” said Bernadette Byrne, Executive Director of Mendocino WineGrowers, Inc.
    Exact details of the new labeling law are as follows:
    WHAT: Any wine labeled with an AVA that is located entirely within Mendocino County or a vineyard designation within Mendocino County, must also include “Mendocino County” on the label.
    PLACEMENT: “Mendocino” (if the AVA falls within the Mendocino AVA boundary) or “Mendocino County” would be placed on the front OR back label.

    TYPE SIZE: For containers 188 ml. or larger, type size would be 2 mm. or larger. For containers of 187 ml. or less, type size would not be smaller than 1 mm.

    OTHER LABELING: Other AVAs, vineyard designations and/or appellations could also appear on the label (as long as the wine is qualified under TTB regulations).

    EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2023

    Mendocino County has a long history of winemaking which dates back to the mid-1800s when the first Italian immigrants settled the green hillsides. Still today, the majority of the region’s 570 vineyards remain in the hands of family farmers, many of whom have lived for two or more generations on their land—some tracing their roots to the first settlers. The deeply rooted winegrowing community of farmers share a common passion for growing quality grapes, stewarding the land and producing outstanding wines.
    Although Mendocino is one of the largest wine-producing counties in California, the area planted with wine grapes (17,470 acres) represents only about 0.8% of the total County area. The diversity of the growing conditions leads to numerous winegrowing regions, each with a distinct personality, and twelve of these regions are approved American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Mendocino includes the world renown Anderson Valley AVA and the geographically unique Mendocino Ridge AVA, the only non-contiguous AVA in America. Red grapes represent the majority of the Mendocino grape acreage, the most widely planted are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah but other common varietals are Petite Sirah, Carignane, Grenache, Sangiovese and Barbera. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the most popular white grapes followed by Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Pinot Gris. This wide array of grapes favors the production of a broad range of wine styles, including sparkling wines of exceptional quality.

    ABOUT MENDOCINO WINEGROWERS

    Mendocino WineGrowers Inc (MWI) is an alliance of grape growers and vintners working together to promote the grapes and wines from Mendocino County.  The group was formed in 2012 to promote the quality and image of Mendocino County grapes and wine with three target audiences: 1) decision-makers who buy grapes, 2) press and trade groups who write about, sell, or recommend wine, and 3) consumers who buy wine.  MWI is run by the Executive Director, Bernadette Byrne, and a volunteer Board of Directors.

  • Wildfire Impact on CA Almond Harvest & Crop Update

    Are California almond growers really going to reach their record 3 billion pound crop this year? How have the wildfires impacted the harvest season? What kind of pest pressure levels are growers experiencing this year? What should almond growers expect at the virtual Almond Board Conference this year?  Watch this brief interview with Richard Waycott from the Almond Board of California to find out and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Taking Vineyard Sustainability to the Next Level with Climate Adaptation Certification


    Sonoma County Winegrowers have reached nearly 100% certified sustainability in their growing practices, but they are not settling just at that.  They are currently working with the California Land Stewardship Institute to develop a Climate Adaption Certification program and launched a pilot program this year in preparation.  Watch this brief interview with Laurel Marcus as she explains and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Four Things All Pistachio Growers Should Know This Harvest

    Are American Pistachio Growers really going to reach their record billion pound crop this year? How have the wildfires impacted the crop/harvest season? What kind of pest pressure levels are growers experiencing this year? What should pistachio growers know about Round II of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers to find out and don’t miss his annual State of the Pistachio industry address at the virtual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on November 12th.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.