California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • Introducing the California Farmland Trust

    Central Valley Farmland Trust & Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust Merge to Conserve more Farms Together

    The Central Valley Farmland Trust (CVFT) and the Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT) have merged to form one outstanding organization dedicated to serving more California farmers.

    BALT was formed in 2002 and CVFT in 2004, both land trusts’ missions focused on farmland protection and they each led flourishing programs within their respective regions of Contra Costa County in the East Bay and the Central Valley.  When BALT’s Executive Director Kathryn Lyddan accepted a new position with the Department of Conservation, the board decided it was time to join forces with another agricultural land trust.

    With its focus on agricultural conservation, the neighboring Central Valley Farmland Trust was a natural fit for a merger. After several months of discussions, the two boards consummated the merger in the final months of 2017.

    The newly enhanced board of directors, composed of CVFT and BALT board members, has a wide range of perspectives including farmers, agricultural advisors, property rights advocates, city and regional planners, other farming professionals, and land stewardship experts.

    “This board is reflective of a California that is growing, that must meet the needs of diverse populations who deserve local food, economic vitality, and the many extended benefits of farmland nearby,” said Charlotte Mitchell, Executive Director of California Farmland Trust (CFT), formerly executive director of CVFT.

    Together, as the California Farmland Trust, the board and staff are looking forward to a future full of productive farmland. The new mission of CFT is to “help farmers protect the best farmland in the world” – because so much of it is right here at home in California. California is one of five regions in the world with a unique combination of climate, soils, and water ideally suited to produce over 400 crops and provide the majority of America’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

    Charlotte Mitchell also stated, “We are thrilled at our new partnership with the Brentwood agricultural community, and look forward to protecting more of the farms that feed our families.”

    For more information, please contact:

    Melanee Cottrill, mcottrill@cafarmtrust.org or (916) 687-3178

    The California Farmland Trust is a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to protect the best farmland in the world. To date we have protected nearly 15,000 acres of farmland on 50 family farms. Visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.
    Currently serving: San Joaquin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera & Contra Costa Counties

  • California & Georgia Blueberry Crops Down this Year

    The 2018 California blueberry crop is well underway; however, freeze events have had a significant impact on blueberry production in both California and Georgia.  Watch this brief interview with outgoing Executive Director of the California Blueberry Commission, Alex Ott as he explains the current status of the crop.  Read more in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.

  • Four Tools to bring Navel Orangeworm Damage Down to Zero

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor

    Navel Orangeworm (NOW) continues to increase its presence in California right alongside the growing number of orchard hosts for this pest. Many nut growers experienced significant levels of NOW damage in their orchards last season, in spite of their ongoing pesticide spray programs. So what’s a grower to do? Watch this interview with Zach Raven from Keenan Farms, who shared his experience in utilizing several key tools in to control this pest and keep Aflatoxin levels down, going from 3% damage to nearly zero from one season to the next. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • 2018 CA Wine Grape Crop & Market Update with Nat DiBuduo

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor!
    The 2018 California wine grape crop is well underway, and Nat DiBuduo, President of Allied Grape Growers, is predicting an average +4 million ton harvest this year.  Watch this brief video with Nat as he explains more about the progress of the 2018 crop, as well as the current wine market trends the industry is experiencing across the state.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • CSUF Ag communications Student Receives National Honor

    Fresno State senior Alexis Ford was named the 2018 Alpha Zeta McClure Outstanding Chronicler of the Year by the national agricultural honorary leadership student organization. An agricultural communications major from Pine Mountain, Ford is a member of the Alpha Zeta Cal Epsilon organization and coordinates all of the club’s public relations efforts.

    The award was based on her publicity efforts promoting the organization’s outreach to the community and to the agriculture industry via social media and blogs for the campus and national Alpha Zeta outlets.  “I hope that my work as chronicler helped the chapter and campus inspire a better understanding of how the agriculture industry and urbanized areas are inherently linked together, as they can both thrive and support each other,” Ford said.

    This past semester she promoted six community outreach events that included agriculture advocacy by Alpha Zeta members at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the campus spring plant and vegetable sale, FFA events, Common Threads Luncheon and the Kids Day newspaper sale where the organization raised $550 for Valley Children’s Hospital.   Among her 33 blog posts, she profiled eight current or former members that included Monique Bienvenue, an Alpha Zeta national chancellor honoree of the year in 2013.

    A graduate of Frazier Mountain High School in 2014, Ford is a former FFA chapter secretary, Greenhand president and state FFA Award recipient. Her father, John Ford, first introduced her to agriculture through his passionate involvement in the horticulture and nursery industry, which he has worked in for over 40 years.  Ford works at Fresno State as a University Communications social media student assistant, and she aspires to work in a public relations career where she can advocate for agriculture on the national level.

    “I believe the future of agriculture not only rests upon our farmers, ranchers and teachers that are developing and sharing sciences and technologies, but with people like myself explaining agriculture’s importance to the wellbeing of every family, community and beyond,” Ford said. “It’s time for agriculture to repair broken connections, and be more genuine and accessible.”

  • Bayer Commits $40,000 to Increase Children’s Access to Fresh Produce

    Investment Announced at Barnett Elementary School, as Part of a Salad Bar Donation Ceremony & Melon Variety Taste Test

    Bayer has committed $40,000 to the United Fresh Start Foundation, in support of their mission to increase children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables. As part of the partnership, Bayer is funding salad bars for eight schools in California and Idaho.

    To promote this collaboration, and one of the new salad bars, the announcement was made during an assembly at Barnett Elementary in Ramona, California.  At the school event, over 50 fourth grade students were introduced to their new salad bar and participated in a melon taste-test.  Students tried several varieties of sweet melons and voted on their favorite.

    “The Ramona Unified School District’s food service team has always done a fantastic job, and the replacement of a new salad bar will create even more excitement amongst our students to select fresh fruits and veggies every day,” said Linda Marthis, Principal, Barnett Elementary School.

    “Our district has always had a commitment to serving fresh produce in our school lunch program,” said Kati Harbor, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Ramona Unified School District.  “The new salad bar will highlight fresh produce and encourage children to make healthy choices from a greater variety of colorful options.”

    Schools receiving salad bars from the Bayer-United Fresh Start Foundation collaboration, include:

    1. Barnett Elementary School, Ramona Unified School District (Ramona, CA)
    2. James Dukes Elementary School, Ramona Unified School District (Ramona, CA)
    3. Ellwood Elementary School, Goleta Union School District (Goleta, CA)
    4. Foothill Elementary School, Goleta Union School District (Santa Barbara, CA)
    5. Alameda Community Learning Center (Alameda, CA)
    6. Nea Community Learning Center (Alameda, CA)
    7. Blue Oak Charter School (Chico, CA)
    8. Barbara Morgan STEM Academy, West Ada School District (Meridian, ID)

    “Each day more than 30 million U.S. children participate in the National School Lunch Program, an in many communities, schools are the ‘largest restaurant in town.’  By providing children with access to a salad bar at school, they can easily choose from a variety of fresh produce every day, and find what they like best,” said Jennifer Maloney, Food Chain and Sustainability Manager, Bayer. “A salad bar puts a focus on fresh fruits and veggies in the lunch line, and with our recent contributions, we hope children will go home and tell their parents, sparking a conversation about the importance of eating healthy and choosing more fresh fruits and veggies at every meal.”

    Bayer serves as a member of the United Fresh Start Foundation’s Community Outreach Committee, which among other roles, helps foster collaboration between the foundation, schools, and community-based non-profit organizations that are committed to providing children with access to fresh produce.

    “Thanks to companies like Bayer, the United Fresh Start Foundation is continuing to provide salad bars to schools, encouraging children to make healthier food choices every day,” said Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association and President of the United Fresh Start Foundation.  “We know kids like eating fresh fruits and veggies, and when given the opportunity to make their own selections from a school salad bar, they are learning to take what they want, and eat what they take. Salad bars empower kids to make their own healthy choices, introduce kids to new fresh options, and they are a simple intervention that makes it easy for kids to choose fresh produce at school.”

    To coordinate the salad bar contributions, Bayer worked with the United Fresh Start Foundation, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the United Fresh Produce Association. As part of the foundation’s partnership in the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative, they are working with the produce industry, non-profits and allied businesses to support salad bars to schools across the United States. To date, Salad Bars to Schools has helped facilitate the donation of salad bars to over 5,000 schools in all fifty states, benefitting 3 million children. Bayer’s salad bar investment supports the national initiative.

    Current research indicates that the use of salad bars in schools promotes healthy food choices in school-aged children.  With access to a salad bar, students are encouraged to try new items and are empowered to make their own healthy choices now, and in the future. The Salad Bars to Schools initiative aims to help school districts meet USDA school lunch nutrition standards, which require offering students a wide variety of colorful vegetable choices each week, and which promote a healthier lifestyle for students nationwide.

    Bayer’s commitment to sustainability and agricultural education begins with the people it serves every day. This commitment extends to fighting food insecurity and encouraging healthier food choices for a happier and well-educated community. For additional information and background on Bayer and its other programs, please visit https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/Our-Commitment.

  • Western Growers’ Statement on Administration’s H-2A Reform Initiative

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a joint cabinet statement on modernizing the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. In response, Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

    “Any effort to simplify and streamline the federal government’s visa program for agricultural foreign workers – the H-2A program – will be welcomed by our members.

    “While we do not know what the end result will be of the process that begins today, we are hopeful it will enable greater utilization of the H-2A program by the fresh produce industry. We would hope this process will lead to changes in several areas of the existing program, including changes that would accomplish the following:

    • modernize and reduce unnecessary cost of recruitment methods;
    • improve the scope and accuracy of prevailing wage surveys;
    • simplify the application process;
    • incorporate greater flexibility for movement of workers to respond to production needs;
    • clarify interpretations of seasonality; and
    • streamline the approval process for housing and transportation.
    Tom Nassif, Western Growers CEO

    “While this effort to implement administrative changes are most welcome, key aspects of the H-2A program can only be modified by statute. We have grown accustomed to fluctuations in the program’s processes with each administration. Indeed, administrative improvements undertaken by one administration can be, and are, undone by the next, as was done by the prior administration.

    “Though we do support changes to the H-2A program to make the process more efficient, we are concerned with the suggestion that E-Verify would be a part of this proposal. Changes to H-2A should be made to improve the system for the use of all, and any implication that necessary reforms would be limited to those that use E-Verify is concerning.

    “This is why we continue to call on Congress to enact immigration reform legislation that provides a workable path to legalization for our existing workforce and creates a new guest worker visa program to ensure ready access to an adequate supply of labor in the future. Only then can America’s fresh produce farmers plan for long-term sustainability.”

  • CA Wine Sales Hit $35.2 Billion in U.S. Market

    California wine shipments in the U.S. reached an estimated retail value of $35.2 billion in 2017, up 3% from the previous year. The state shipped 241 million nine-liter cases in the U.S. in 2017, up 1%.

    California wine sales to all markets, including shipments to the U.S. and exports worldwide, were 278 million cases in 2017.

    “Consumers in the U.S. and worldwide continue to trade up to higher-priced premium wines,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, Wine Institute President and CEO. “The quality, selection and commitment to sustainability make California wines well-positioned for growth.”

    “California wine sales in the U.S. market have grown 15% in the past decade from 209 million cases shipped in 2008 to 241 million cases in 2017,” said Jon Moramarco, founder and managing partner of BW166, and editor of the Gomberg-Fredrikson Report. “Last year the growth mainly came from premium wines priced over $10.”

    According to Moramarco, demographic trends play a significant role in wine sales. While per capita consumption has been flat over the last decade, wine sales have grown in line with the legal drinking age population, which increased roughly 10 percent over the same time period. Additional trends impacting sales included wineries focusing on tasting room and direct-to-consumer sales, which accounted for nearly $2.7 billion in retail value and 5.8 million cases in 2017. Wineries also found opportunities in independent, local restaurants with wine menus listing limited production wines to appeal to consumers shifting their spending to these smaller eating establishments.

    2017 California Wine Stats

    “Wine is growing but in a more challenging environment, with rapid and broad retail and consumer changes,” said Danny Brager, Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area. “Wine selling locations in the U.S. are up 20% from a decade ago to 565,000 off- and on-premise locations, with a wide range of formats such as natural/gourmet grocery stores, no frills/value-based formats, theaters, premium bars and fast/casual on-premise outlets. There is also a diverse range of consumers, from Millennials who have less disposable income than a generation ago to Baby Boomers who are retiring and likely slowing their wine consumption as an increasing number of Americans are entering their golden years. Marketers need to find the right balance in attracting these diverse sets of consumers. E-commerce is increasingly having an impact on expanding consumer access to wine, and wineries are working on several digital platforms where wine is being sold,” he explained.

    According to Nielsen-measured U.S. off-premise sales, top-selling varietals by volume are: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blends, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Moscato/Muscat, Rosé and White Zinfandel/Blush. Rosé continues to be a phenomenal growth story, with sales volume jumping 60% compared to the previous year.

    Total shipments of sparkling wine and champagne to the U.S. reached 26.3 million cases in 2017. Up 8% from the previous year, sparkling wines/champagnes accounted for a 7% share of the U.S. wine market.

    The U.S. Wine Market
    Wine shipments to the U.S. from all production sources — California, other states and foreign producers — grew 1% to 403.4 million cases in 2017, with an estimated retail value of $62.2 billion, up 2% from the previous year. The U.S. has remained the world’s largest wine market by volume since 2010. California’s 241 million cases shipped within the U.S. in 2017 represent a 60% share of the U.S. wine market.

    U.S. Wine Exports
    U.S. wine exports, more than 90% from California, reached $1.53 billion in winery revenues in 2017. Volume shipments were 380 million liters or 42.2 million cases. The European Union’s 28-member countries were the top market for U.S. wine exports, accounting for $553 million; followed by Canada, $444 million; Hong Kong, $119 million; Japan, $94 million; China, $79 million; South Korea, $25 million; Mexico, $23 million; Singapore, $17 million; and Philippines, $14 million.

    CALIFORNIA WINE SHIPMENTS1
    (In millions of 9-liter cases)
    Year California Wine Shipments to All Markets in the U.S. and Abroad2 California Wine Shipments to the U.S. Market2 Estimated Retail Value of CA Wine to U.S.3
    2017 277.9 240.7 $35.2 billion
    2016 279.7 239.1 $34.3 billion
    2015 278.2 233.7 $32.6 billion
    2014 273.0 229.7 $31.3 billion
    2013 263.8 221.2 $29.7 billion
    2012 250.4 210.8 $29.0 billion
    2011 265.5 224.3 $28.5 billion
    2010 246.1 206.3 $28.5 billion
    2009 253.2 213.8 $27.6 billion
    2008 255.3 208.8 $26.1 billion
    2007 241.2 198.3 $24.8 billion
    2006 235.8 196.9 $24.4 billion
    2005 231.6 194.1 $23.0 billion
    2004 226.3 182.4 $22.2 billion
    2003 211.9 177.0 $20.8 billion
    2002 195.4 168.3 $21.5 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates and U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Preliminary. History revised.

    1Includes table, champagne/sparkling, dessert, vermouth, other special natural, sake and others. Excludes cider.
    2Excludes bulk imports bottled in U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs.

    WINE SALES IN THE U.S
    (Wine shipments in millions of 9-liter cases from California,
    other states and foreign producers entering U.S. distribution)
    Year Table Wine1 Dessert Wine2 Sparkling Wine/
    Champagne    		 Total Wine Total Retail Value3
    2017 336.3 40.8 26.3 403.4 $62.2 billion
    2016 333.2 41.2 24.4 398.8 $61.1 billion
    2015 325.6 40.2 21.7 387.5 $57.4 billion
    2014 323.7 34.6 20.6 378.8 $55.5 billion
    2013 327.0 31.6 18.9 377.5 $52.3 billion
    2012 319.5 30.3 17.9 367.7 $50.8 billion
    2011 308.1 31.4 17.5 357.0 $48.6 billion
    2010 290.8 28.9 15.4 335.0 $46.5 billion
    2009 282.4 27.2 14.0 323.5 $45.2 billion
    2008 272.2 27.7 13.6 313.5 $45.0 billion
    2007 272.5 26.7 13.9 313.0 $43.5 billion
    2006 258.8 24.3 13.6 296.7 $41.5 billion
    2005 255.4 22.5 13.1 290.9 $38.5 billion
    2004 245.3 20.3 13.2 278.8 $36.2 billion
    2003 237.0 17.6 12.0 266.6 $34.0 billion
    2002 222.5 15.9 11.5 250.0 $33.0 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, and Estimates by BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates. Preliminary. History revised. Excludes exports. Excludes cider as of 2011 going forward. Totals may not add up exactly due to rounding.

    1Includes all still wines not over 14 percent alcohol, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    2Includes all still wines over 14 percent alcohol and sake, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs. Includes on- and off-premise expenditures.

  • New Dairy Princess Crowned
 in Fresno County

    Monserrat Vazquez of Fresno Selected as District 8 Dairy Princess

    Monserrat Vazquez of Riverdale was selected as the 2018 Dairy Princess for the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) District 8. The crowning took place before a crowd of approximately 100 dairy industry members and their families and friends, on Friday, April 27, 2018, at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall in Fresno.

    Retiring Dairy Princess Jennifer Garcia ended her reign by turning over the title to Monserrat and wished her well as she represents the California dairy industry throughout the coming year.

    Monserrat will represent District 8, which includes Fresno and Madera counties. As Dairy Princess, she will play an important role on the CMAB’s Communications Services team in meeting community relations objectives.

    Monserrat is the daughter of Gustavo Vazquez and Patty Garcia of Riverdale. She is a senior at Riverdale High School and plans to attend California State University, Fresno with a long-term career goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Monserrat is an active member of Riverdale FFA, where she has served as an officer and competed in many contests. She shows dairy cattle at the Big Fresno Fair.

    First Alternate, Elizabeth Martin, is the daughter of Patrick and Sherry Martin of Fresno. She is a junior at Washington Union High School. Elizabeth is an active member of the Washington Union High FFA where she has participated on the dairy and sheep show teams. She plans to attend a four-year college and major in agricultural education and minor in dairy science in hopes of becoming an agriculture teacher.

    Miss Vitality 2018 was Drew Vogt of Kingsburg. Drew is the daughter of Bill and Devon Vogt of Kingsburg. She is a junior at Immanuel High School and very active in FFA. She is a member of the dairy cattle evaluation team and is the current San Joaquin Regional FFA president. Drew shows sheep and swine and competes in public speaking contests with FFA.

    Elizabeth will assist the new District 8 Dairy Princess in her duties, which include speaking on behalf of the California dairy industry at schools, service clubs, with the media, and at numerous public events throughout the year.

    In addition, the Dairy Princess and her Alternate will attend a training session with workshops on presentation development, promoting the California dairy industry and leadership and etiquette tools.

    The emcee for the event was Hal H. Bolen II. Contestants were judged on poise, personality, speaking ability, education and dairy background. Judges for the contest were Matt Alvernaz of Livingston, Lauren Evangelo of Hanford and Barbara Matheron of Hilmar. The event chairpersons were Lucy Areias of Fresno and Melannie Rollin of Riverdale. The Dairy Princess Contest was catered by Blair Harlan Catering of Riverdale. Photos were by Ashley Loyd photography of Riverdale.

  • Minimizing Risks for Food Recalls & What to do During Them

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor

    Any grower or packer that has experienced a food recall knows how stressful things can get and all that is at stake; yet those who have never experienced them tend to be the least prepared for a recall when it occurs.  Watch this brief video interview with Rachael Dettmann Spiegel as she addressed growers, hullers and processors at the recent Almond Alliance Convention on how to prevent recalls from happening — but also how to deal with them in the event that a food recall does occur, like the one that has been all over the news recently with romaine lettuce.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!