California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • New California Walnuts Advertising Campaign Offers Solutions When “Life Isn’t Always Simple”

    The California Walnut Board announced today the launch of the “Life Isn’t Always Simple” The California Walnut Board advertising campaign, created to show consumers how walnuts can be an easy way to add nutrition, crunch and variety to any meal and snack. The new campaign, which focuses on the importance of small daily “wins,” like getting an easy and delicious meal on the table, marks a conscious shift to a more lifestyle-focused creative strategy than in years past. In developing the creative, the Board leaned into the emotional connection and role walnuts can play in people’s everyday lives.

     

    Segmentation research and a series of focus groups uncovered that women aged 25-54, primarily Millennials and Gen Xers, are optimistically embracing the challenges that accompany their full, active and busy lifestyles. Despite describing their days as ‘controlled chaos’, they are enthusiastic about life, laugh off small setbacks, and enjoy small daily victories. Lack of time is their greatest challenge and many are looking for simple solutions to make their days more manageable.

     

    The integrated campaign will reach 97% of adults over 18 an average of 32 times, garnering 3.7 million impressions across the U.S. The year-long campaign kicks off with national print ads, six TV spots as well as digital ads. The TV spots feature relatable examples of how modern life can often be filled with chaotic moments (ever mistake school picture day for pajama day?) then reminds viewers that California walnuts are an easy solution for incorporating nutritious and delicious recipes into everyday routines.

     

    “In recent years, the California Walnut Board’s advertising was focused on promoting the functionality of walnuts, their versatility and added health benefits as an ingredient,” said Jennifer Williams, Marketing Director, Domestic Advertising at California Walnut Board. “California walnuts are not just in the business of food, but in making an emotional connection with our audiences through cooking, eating, and enjoying. This new campaign is a shift towards appealing to consumers on a more emotional level – portraying walnuts in a relatable way.”

     

    The media plan to support this new campaign leverages various platforms including print magazines, national TV, editorial integrations, digital and social activations, blog posts, and influencer programs. The entire plan is designed to encourage walnut consumption beyond the traditional holiday season.  This effort will be supported by an unprecedented investment at retail, to remind consumers to add California walnuts to their shopping cart.

     

    California Walnut Board

    The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California.  The CWB is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The CWB promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The CWB also provides funding for walnut production, food safety and post-harvest research.

     

  • California Almond Growers Vote to Continue Almond Board of California

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) is pleased to announce that California almond growers recently voted to continue their almond federal marketing order program for five more years. The vote, held from August 5-16, 2019, resulted with 95 percent of eligible growers who voted, and 97 percent of the volume represented by those voting in the referendum, favoring continuation of the marketing order.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is required to conduct a continuance referendum every five years (see USDA release). The last referendum was completed in 2014 and resulted in 91 percent of eligible growers who voted, and 94 percent of the volume represented, favoring continuation of the marketing order.

    The vote represents the California almond industry’s confidence in the Almond Board and the many programs it administers and funds with industry assessment dollars. Those programs include an extensive production and environmental research program coupled with education and outreach that has been funded to help growers continue to meet the challenges facing agriculture. This research was also fundamental to the launching of the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals, which demonstrate the California almond industry’s commitment to continuous improvement in four areas: reduce the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by 20%, increase adoption of environmentally friendly pest management tools by 25%, achieve zero waste in orchards by putting everything grown to optimal use and reduce dust during harvest by 50%.

    The 2025 Goals are only one of the innovative programs undertaken by ABC. The Honey Bee Best Management Practices, released in 2014, continue to educate industry members and affiliates on how to best protect and improve honey bee health. ABC has funded more than 120 research projects supporting honey bees since 1995. And, speaking of health, ABC’s commitment to human health and nutrition remains strong and is demonstrated through its over 100 projects funded to investigate almonds in relation to heart health, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, weight management, satiety and gut health, and even skin health and cognition.

    Other key program areas for ABC include domestic and international marketing, the collection and dissemination of industry statistics, and food quality and safety programs. The Almond Board, along with the growers and handlers who fund and support ABC through assessment dollars and by participating in committees and workgroups, has enabled the industry to develop the tools needed to assist growers, to build demand ahead of supply and to achieve the considerable success experienced over the years.

    Industry members with questions about the Almond Board’s programs or how assessment dollars are spent are encouraged to
    attend one of ABC’s many public committee and Board of Directors meetings held throughout the year. A meeting schedule may be found at Almonds.com/Events. Also, all industry and allied industry members are invited to join ABC at The Almond Conference 2019, held this year at Cal Expo in Sacramento on December 10-12. Register today and book your hotel at AlmondConference.com.

    ABC looks forward to continuing to work with and represent California almond growers and handlers!

     

  • Real California Milk Accelerator Competition to Drive Innovation in Dairy Milk Category

    Milk-based beverages for active kids and ready-to-drink lattes with collagen are among the nine finalists announced recently in the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) Real California Milk Accelerator dairy startup competition designed to inspire ideas integrating the values of fluid milk into contemporary products and provide resources to help bring them to market.  The competition, launched in 2019, aims to inspire innovation and investment in fluid milk products, packaging and capacity within California by connecting manufacturers, producers, investors, ideas and entrepreneurs for high quality, sustainable dairy beverages.

    The nine innovators will receive up to $25,000 of support each to develop protocepts while receiving elite mentorship from marketing, packaging, and distribution experts, including a business development trip the week of October 14 to tour California dairy farms and production facilities and meet with industry leaders to help facilitate their new ventures. The final competition will take place live on Thursday, November 7 in the San Francisco Bay Area, culminating in a grand prize winner who will receive up to $250,000 worth of additional support to deliver their new product to market.

    Finalists include:

    1. Bears Nutrition Daily Nutritional Milk Beverage for Active Kids
    2. WheyUp Protein Dairy Beverage with 12 Live and Active Probiotic Cultures and Whey Protein
    3. Good Citizens Ready to Drink Latte with Collagen
    4. Thai Star Brewing Co. Thai Star Iced Tea
    5. Nutraberry Upcycled High Fiber Polyphenol Milk Protein Beverage
    6. NAICHA Milk Tea w/Probiotics and Vitamins
    7. ALLPUR FIZZA Sparkling Dairy Nutrient Refresher
    8. Cheese Yogurt Fermented Dairy Beverage
    9. Stuyt Dairy Dairy-Based Dessert Beverage

    “The number and quality of entries received is a testament to the vibrancy of the beverage category and proves the desire of product developers to tap into the unique natural goodness of milk to meet consumer cravings for beverages that are not only healthy but taste great,” said John Talbot, CEO of the CMAB.

    VentureFuel, Inc., a leading innovation consultancy, is working with CMAB to find, identify and mentor the best emerging startups from their global network of investors, founders and academics to drive first-to-market innovation for the dairy space.

    “This competition has created an opportunity for cutting-edge technologies and dynamic entrepreneurs to drive innovation for a product that has been a household staple for generations,” said Fred Schoenberg, CEO and Founder of VentureFuel. “CMAB’s vision, combined with the ingenuity of the nine selected pioneering startups, sets the stage to educate the public regarding milk’s true nutritional benefits, and re-introduce it to the marketplace in inspired and engaging ways that connect with the public’s current and evolving tastes.”

    More than 1,200 family dairy farms produce the California milk found in fluid milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products identified by the Real California Milk seal. California is the nation’s largest dairy producer.

    Competition information is available at: https://www.venturefuel.net/milk-accelerator.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families and is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. With a mission to increase demand for products made with Real California Milk, the CMAB is celebrating 50 years in 2019 promoting California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com,Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

     About VentureFuel, Inc.
    VentureFuel helps established companies around the world unlock growth by partnering with emerging startups and breakthrough technologies. Our innovation programs solve specific challenges, deliver tangible results and discover first-to-market opportunities from the Museum of Ice Cream to the latest pioneering technologies. We are 100% independent, sourcing from our global network of the best investors, scouts, founders and academics. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net.

  • California Milk Advisory Board Announces 2019 Annual Meetings

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and CMAB CEO, John Talbot, invite all California dairy families to attend annual meetings this fall, held in each district throughout the state of California. At the meeting, attendees will learn about ongoing activities to promote California dairy. The meeting will highlight the 2020 plan, the new Enter the Golden State consumer campaign and the continuing marketing activities the CMAB conducts to promote dairy products made with your California milk in the state, across the U.S. and around the world. Dairy farmers will also vote on open board member seats.  To RSVP for the Annual Meeting in your district, please email promotions@cmab.net, contact the office at 209.690.8248 or online at https://www.cmabcentral.net/cmabannualmeetings. Please be sure to RSVP no later than seven days prior to meeting date.

  • Often Overlooked Legal Employee Reimbursement Requirements (Farm Liability Series Part 3 of 3)

     

    Farmers are some of the best people on the planet.  They work hard and do their very best to keep food on the table in homes all over the world.  Like anyone though, sometimes they make mistakes too and can overlook some of the ever-changing laws and requirements for their farm employees, and end up in court over violations that could have been prevented.  To keep farmers out of the court room, we have put together a series of three videos with simple tips and employee requirements featuring Ag Attorney Stacy Henderson, as shared in her presentation earlier this year at the annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California.  Watch these brief videos to help reduce liabilities on the farm and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at the following November Events: Tree & Vine Expo, the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo & Blue Diamond Growers Annual Membership Meeting.

  • Black Soldier Fly to Support Almond Industry

    With a growing almond industry and an increasing supply of coproducts, such as hulls and shells, researchers are searching for new and resourceful ways of utilizing the extra material as an asset.  Breaking these coproducts down to a form that may be utilized back in the soil or as a feed supplement has been a challenge in the past; but this may all change with the introduction of a new helpful fly on the block.  Watch this brief interview with Eric Tilton from Hermetia Pro Inc. regarding this Black Soldier Fly, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at the following November Events: Tree & Vine Expo, the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo & Blue Diamond Growers Annual Membership Meeting.

  • Legal Care for Injured Farm Employees (Farm Liability Series Part 2 of 3)

     

    Farmers are some of the best people on the planet.  They work hard and do their very best to keep food on the table in homes all over the world.  Like anyone though, sometimes they make mistakes too and can overlook some of the ever-changing laws and requirements for their farm employees, and end up in court over violations that could have been prevented.  To keep farmers out of the court room, we have put together a series of three videos with simple tips and employee requirements featuring Ag Attorney Stacy Henderson, as shared in her presentation earlier this year at the annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California.  Watch these brief videos to help reduce liabilities on the farm and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at the following November Events: Tree & Vine Expo, the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo & Blue Diamond Growers Annual Membership Meeting.

  • Employee Meal & Rest Period Violation Prevention(Farm Liability Series Part 1 of 3)

    Farmers are some of the best people on the planet.  They work hard and do their very best to keep food on the table in homes all over the world.  Like anyone though, sometimes they make mistakes too and can overlook some of the ever-changing laws and requirements for their farm employees, and end up in court over violations that could have been prevented.  To keep farmers out of the court room, we have put together a series of three videos with simple tips and employee requirements featuring Ag Attorney Stacy Henderson, as shared in her presentation earlier this year at the annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California.  Watch these brief videos to help reduce liabilities on the farm and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at the following November Events: Tree & Vine Expo, the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo & Blue Diamond Growers Annual Membership Meeting.

  • No Demand for CA Thompson Grapes in the Crush this Year?

    The demand for Central Valley Thompson Seedless grapes in the crush this year is diving to another record low.  Why is this the case and what does it mean for the California wine and raisin industries?  Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, and read more about it in the September issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and attend their upcoming Grapevine Clonal Field Days.  Learn more HERE.

  • CAWG Explains New Smoke Exposed Wine Grape Research & Grower Assistance

    Over the last few years, many western wine grape growers have had issues around harvest with wildfires, and some have even had their grapes rejected by the wineries due to the smoke exposure from these relentless fires.  Many of these growers were even under contract.  This regular wildfire pattern does not appear to be changing anytime soon, and there is very limited information on smoke taint in grapes, and at what point a crop merits rejection.  That is why the industry has received some funding to conduct more research in this field of study and previously impacted growers now have the opportunity to recoup some of their losses through the USDA Farm Service Agency.  Watch this interview with John Aguirre, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he explains and read more in the September issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and attend their upcoming Grapevine Clonal Field Days.  Learn more HERE.