Fresno County is the number one agricultural county in the nation, and grapes have long been among the top commodities bringing tremendous economic value to the community. Many of these grapes are grown by multi-generational farmers for raisin production.
Byron Russell, a professor of film at Fresno State, took interest in his own family history with the raisin industry, leading to the development of a documentary highlighting the importance of the raisin industry in shaping the Central Valley as we know it today.
Check out this brief interview, as Byron meets with Joseph Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch the full documentary HERE.
Some Central Valley cherry growers grappled with little to no yields this year. Cherries are notoriously a high risk crop, but can be highly profitable when they yield well. Unfortunately, that was not the case for some Central Valley growers this year. But how could this have happened? UC Cooperative Extension Fruit & Almond Advisor Raymond Mireles met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in the coming issue of California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Irrigation systems today are amazing at getting just the right amount of water where it needs to be to meet a crop’s needs; however, if these systems are not well-maintained, things can go south pretty fast, resulting in distribution uniformity-related losses and expensive repairs. During his presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Tree & Vine Expo, UC Cooperative Extension Irrigation & Soils Advisor Moneim Mohamed noted that regular and proper irrigation system maintenance can prevent expensive repairs. Watch his video interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network for five key tasks for preventative maintenance.
While growers hoped the invasive brown marmorated stink bug would stay out of California orchards, they seem to have taken a liking to stone fruit, along with other stink bug species, and caused problems for some growers this year. UC Cooperative Extension Fruit & Almond Advisor Raymond Mireles shared this at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno. Following his presentation, Raymond met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Have you seen “nubbins” in your orchard? During a presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Tree & Vine Expo, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Cameron Zuber described nubbins as occasional smaller sized fruit you may find on a peach tree that never fully develops. Watch this brief interview as Zuber meets with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain nubbins and why you might be seeing them in your orchard.
Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s leading almond cooperative, held its 115th annual meeting on Nov. 19 in Modesto, highlighting a year defined by bold operational decisions and strategic transformation.
Kai Bockmann, president and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers, shared with growers in attendance that the cooperative navigated a challenging year by responding with urgency and clarity to strengthen long-term competitiveness and grower returns.
“Our industry is facing real headwinds, from rising input costs and pest-related crop damage to persistent market volatility,” Bockmann said. “But we
must stay focused on what matters most: maximizing returns for our growers while building a cooperative that will thrive for generations to come. The actions we are taking position us to do exactly that.”
At the meeting, Blue Diamond’s leadership outlined concrete steps taken to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the cooperative’s market position across three strategic pillars.
Transforming Operations to Drive Efficiency
Earlier this year the cooperative announced plans to close its Sacramento manufacturing plant and consolidate operations to the existing Turlock and Salida facilities. The move will maximize efficiencies while moving the manufacturing facilities even closer to the almond-growing regions that are at the heart of the cooperative. The transition strengthens both efficiency and sustainability while honoring Blue Diamond’s commitment to growers.
“It comes down to one fundamental thing: build a stronger and more profitable Blue Diamond that provides the best return for our growers’ almonds,” Bockmann said. “We’ve made the tough calls this year with decisions that position us for long-term success.”
Driving Brand Performance and Innovations
Despite category softness, Blue Diamond maintained the No. 1 position in both Almondmilk and Snack Almonds. The cooperative executed its first brand refresh in more than two decades, laying critical groundwork for renewed consumer engagement. The year saw the successful launch of new product lines including Almonds and More mixed nuts and almond-fruit produce blends in partnership with Oppy® to help establish a presence and ignite growth in the produce section. Additionally, limited-time flavors – including Cherry Slurpee® and Mike’s Hot Honey® – drove consumer excitement and helped the brand remain top-of-mind in a competitive marketplace.
Expanding within International Markets
Blue Diamond continues to expand its international footprint across multiple regions and segments. In Canada, the cooperative grew distribution with major retailers at a pace faster than both category and private-label growth. Strategic beverage partnerships and pipeline opportunities took shape in Japan, while new flavor tests launched across Europe for broader retailer expansion. The cooperative also strengthened its core almond segment leadership with in-shell almonds showing impressive growth in key markets including India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
Announcing the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador of the Year Award
At the annual meeting, Blue Diamond’s Board Chairman Steve Van Duyn presented the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador Award to George Goshgarian Jr., a Blue Diamond grower whose family has farmed with the cooperative for nearly 50 years. Goshgarian Jr. is from Fresno and is completing his MBA at Fresno Pacific University School of Business.
For more than 13 years, Goshgarian Jr. has served in various capacities at the Almond Board of California, including the Environmental Committee, Almond Quality and Food Safety Services Committee, and Strategic Ag Innovation Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for eight years, including two terms as vice chair. He values being part of a team that creates solutions to challenging industry issues and serves as a voice for farmers.
“Serving at the Almond Board gives even the smallest farming operation a seat at the table,” Goshgarian Jr. said. “I’ve been very proud to represent Blue Diamond at the Almond Board of California for more than a decade.”
Bockmann concluded the annual meeting with remarks reflecting the cooperative’s readiness for the years ahead.
“Our balance sheet is strong, our strategy is clear, and our team is energized to execute,” he said. “The coming year – and beyond – is about translating strategy into results. We do this in service to our growers, and we’re confident in the direction and path forward.”
About Blue Diamond
Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing approximately 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
This Giving Tuesday, the California FFA Foundation and Blue Diamond Growers are teaming up to make twice the impact through the “Give the Gift of Blue” campaign. On December 2, 2025, Blue Diamond Growers will match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, providing FFA jackets to deserving members statewide.
“For the last nine years, our partnership with Blue Diamond Growers has created a lasting tradition of giving back through the ‘Gift of Blue’ campaign,” said Emily Rooney, chair of the California FFA Foundation and president of the Agricultural Council of California. “With their support, we have collectively raised over $525,285, providing 5,717 FFA jackets to members throughout California—a remarkable effort and true testament to the generosity within the agriculture community.”
With California’s record-breaking membership of more than 108,000 middle and high school students, the demand for blue jacketshas never been greater. The iconic blue jacket stands as more than just a part of the official FFA uniform; it also embodies the values of leadership and rich agricultural tradition instilled in FFA members for nearly 100 years.
“Blue Diamond is, once again, pleased to match funds dollar for dollar up to $25,000 to support FFA students in receiving their iconic, blue jackets,” said Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers chief agricultural officer and California FFA Foundation board member. “As a century-old farmer-owned cooperative, our legacy depends on supporting the next generation of farmers. FFA students are bright, dedicated, hardworking, and learn valuable skills to ensure the future of farming. Blue Diamond Growers is honored to support the FFA mission.”
Beyond Giving Tuesday, Blue Diamond Growers has been a steadfast ally to FFA and agricultural education, extending support through sponsorships of various proficiencies and awards. Last year, Blue Diamond Growers was awarded the Distinguished Service Citation from the National FFA Organization. This esteemed honor is given to a select group of organizations, agencies, businesses, or other groups that have made outstanding contributions to FFA.
With 115 years of agricultural history in Northern California and the participation of approximately 3,000 family growers responsible for producing almonds for the world, Blue Diamond Growers is a premier example of a legacy of excellence.
To discover more about the California FFA Foundation’s Giving Tuesday initiative or to contribute, please visit www.calaged.org/givingtuesday. Follow California FFA on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About the California FFA Foundation
California FFA Foundation serves more than 108,000 California students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through educational education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.
Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing approximately 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs about 1,300 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Bringing together vineyard researchers, enologists, and growers from across the nation, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV), in association with the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA), will host the Vineyard Nutrition Symposium in Boise, Idaho, as part of the 2026 ASEV National Conference.
The symposium will highlight the latest advances in monitoring vineyard nutrition considering variability—different soils, climates, and grape markets—that impact grape production in every region. By convening experts in the heart of Idaho’s emerging Snake River Valley, ASEV underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange that benefits both established and developing winegrowing communities.
From emerging precision technologies to field-level applications, attendees will learn how to use advanced tools and methods to better understand, predict, and optimize vineyard performance. Presentations will bridge research and practice, offering actionable guidance for growers seeking to improve fruit quality, enhance resource efficiency, and strengthen vineyard resilience.
“Growers are increasingly asking not just what to sample, but how to interpret that data, when to act, and why it matters for the finished wine,” said Patty Skinkis, Ph.D., Professor and Viticulture Extension Specialist at Oregon State University and symposium chair. “We’re moving from lab reports to integrated, vineyard-wide data—and ultimately, connecting that to fruit composition and sensory outcomes.”
Donnell Brown, National Grape Research Alliance added, “The technology is catching up with growers’ need for real-time data. When you combine good science with practical, real-world applications, you can manage nutrition more efficiently and make a measurable difference in fruit and wine quality.”
The symposium agenda will include presentations on:
Sensor Technology Integration: How tools for nutrient monitoring complement traditional sampling
Precision Agriculture in Practice: Field comparisons of nutrient sensors and mapping systems
Nitrogen and Beyond: New techniques for quantifying and managing nutrients critical to grapegrowing and winemaking
Physiology to Flavor: Linking vine nutrition, fruit chemistry, and wine sensory profiles
Panel Discussion: “Ask the Researchers—Exploring Vineyard Nutrition from Past to Future”
The symposium will be held on June 16, 2026, at the Boise Centre in Boise, Idaho, and includes a networking lunch. For detailed information, visit the ASEV National Conference page. Registration will open in spring 2026.
About ASEV
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) is an international community of wine and grape professionals that promotes industry vitality through the exchange of information and support of research and education. ASEV publishes the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture and hosts a variety of platforms for the dissemination of basic and applied research as well as the examination of emerging issues shaping the industry. These include the annual National Conference in June and the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium that is co-hosted with the California Association of Winegrape Growers. The Society also operates the ASEV Foundation, which will provide scholarships and educational opportunities for students in enology and viticulture. The Foundation is currently in the fundraising stage. For more information, visit asev.org.
About the National Grape Research Alliance
The National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) is an industry-led nonprofit membership organization that advances the research needs of all sectors and all regions of the American grape and wine industry, spanning wine, table grapes, juice and raisins, nationwide. We connect industry, academic scientists, and federal and state research agencies to initiate novel research projects and programs to solve industry challenges together. Since our founding in 2005, we’ve been instrumental in securing $65 million in funding for scientific solutions to grape and wine industry issues. Learn more at graperesearch.org.
About 400 years ago, a cross between cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc gave birth to cabernet sauvignon. Today, cabernet sauvignon is the world’s most-planted wine grape, dominating vineyards from Napa to Bordeaux. New research from the University of California, Davis, reveals that the grape still carries a kind of gene memory of its parents.
Clones over the centuries
Unlike annual crops such as corn or wheat, grapevines are propagated from cuttings, not seeds. Each new vine is essentially a clone of its ancestor. That means every cabernet sauvignon vine grown today is genetically nearly identical to the original 17th-century plant.
“When you think about it, it’s unusual compared to most crops, which are continuously improved through breeding,” said Professor Dario Cantù, of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. “We still cultivate plant material selected hundreds of years ago simply because cabernet sauvignon is so beloved.”
Scientists have long wondered whether chemical “switches” that help control how genes turn on and off, known as epigenetic marks, remain stable across hundreds of years of clonal reproduction. A new study led by Cantù and published in the journal Genome Biology shows they do.
“These are modifications that don’t alter the genetic code itself, but sit on top of it,” Cantù explained. “They can be inherited from your parents, but also change as you develop, as you interact with the environment or as you’re challenged by stress or disease.”
The team used advanced genome sequencing to assess the stability of these epigenetic modifications, which can influence traits like fruit quality and stress tolerance. The study is the first to show that this kind of molecular memory can persist for centuries in a clonally-propagated crop.
“It’s like sequencing identical twins at 90 and still detecting the parental signatures they inherited, even though their experiences — and much of their epigenome — has changed with age,” Cantù said.
New genetic analysis tools
To uncover this, scientists assembled highly detailed genome maps of cabernet sauvignon and its parent varieties, cabernet francandsauvignon blanc. They analyzed multiple clones of each cultivar and developed a sophisticated genomic model, called a phased sequence graph, that captures subtle genetic and epigenetic variations more accurately than traditional reference genomes.
This new framework allowed researchers to trace how epigenetic marks are inherited along with DNA, and to understand how those marks affect gene activity. The study showed clonal plants may show minor differences from one vine to another, but their core epigenetic patterns or “gene memory” remain remarkably stable, even across centuries of clonal propagation.
Clues for climate resilience
This discovery could help scientists understand how long-lived crops adapt to their environments and whether those adaptations leave stable molecular marks. Cantù noted that if some epigenetic responses to heat, drought or other stresses prove to be stable, they could become targets in breeding.
“If we know which stress-induced epigenetic changes persist, we could potentially introduce them by exposing plants to specific conditions and select vines that retain those beneficial marks over the long term — without altering their genetic makeup and preserving the defining traits of varieties like cabernet sauvignon.”
The framework developed for this research can be applied to many other perennial crops. By identifying which inherited markers endure, scientists hope to guide breeding programs for resilience and quality.
The discovery also carries a historical resonance for UC Davis. In 1997, UC Davis professor and geneticist Carole Meredith first identified cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc as the parents of cabernet sauvignon. Nearly three decades later, Cantù’s team has shown that the grape still bears molecular traces of that ancestral pairing.
“This work connects a UC Davis classic to a UC Davis first,” Cantù said. “It shows that even after centuries, cabernet sauvignon still holds the molecular memory of where it came from.”
Other authors include Noé Cochetel, Amanda M. Vondras and Rosa Figueroa-Balderas of UC Davis; Joel Liou and Paul Peluso of Pacific Biosciences.
This research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the E. & J. Gallo Winery and the Ray Rossi Endowment in Viticulture and Enology. — By Amy Quinton, UC Davis
A comprehensive new report from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University reveals that cannabis cultivation in California threatens Tribal cultural resources. As in other arenas of development, however, protecting those resources faces systemic challenges.
Based on findings from a two-year study that surveyed both Tribal and agency representatives across the state, the survey found that the state’s current consultation policies, while stronger than in many other states, remain inadequate and are inconsistently applied, leading to significant risks of irreparable harm to Tribal cultural heritage sites.
“Our research shows a significant disconnect between state policy and the experience of California’s Native American Tribes. The current cannabis permitting system, while well-intentioned, fails to adequately protect ancestral lands and cultural resources,” said Jennifer Sowerwine, principal investigator on the project, and UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley. “It’s not just about historical preservation; it’s about respecting Tribal sovereignty and ensuring that this new industry does not perpetuate old harms. These findings provide a clear roadmap for the state to move beyond performative consultation toward a process that is truly meaningful and just.”
The same landscape features that are ideal for cannabis cultivation – southern exposure, flat land, near a source of water – are also ideal for a village site or other Tribal culturally sensitive area.
Good place to grow cannabis may be Tribal cultural resource
Jeremy Sorgen, lead researcher on the project and research faculty at Northeastern University’s Oakland campus, said, “One of the first things we heard from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and county officials plugged into cultural resource protection efforts is that cannabis cultivation often occurs on land with a high probability of being sensitive for Tribes.”
“If it’s relatively flat, near a source of water, and south-facing, it’s not only a good place to grow cannabis, but it may also be a ceremony or village site or other place of cultural importance to Tribes,” said Sorgen, who is also a researcher at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. “What this means is that cannabis cultivators, historically and today, are actively selecting for Tribal cultural resources.”
In 2014, California Assembly Bill 52 amended the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, to include statutory requirements for Tribal cultural resource protection. This law was implemented shortly before Proposition 64 legalized adult use of cannabis in 2016. The study, “Examining Tribal Sovereignty over Cannabis Permitting on Native Ancestral Lands,” investigated the intersection of these two laws and found that AB 52, while strengthening Tribal consultation at the local level, retains many of the same problems of previous state and federal cultural resource laws.
The research was designed, conducted and analyzed in collaboration with a seven-member Tribal Advisory Committee and included comprehensive surveys of 46 Tribal representatives and 56 agency officials, alongside 61 in-depth interviews conducted across the state.
Key findings from the report include:
●Power imbalances: “Agency discretion” policies mean state and local agencies often have the last word on permit approval, CEQA exemptions, and designating Tribal cultural resources. This undermines Tribal sovereignty and exposes Tribal cultural resources to harm.
●Flawed mapping: The state’s reliance on inaccurate and contested maps results in systematic under-consultation, where the wrong Tribes are notified, culturally affiliated Tribes are excluded from the process and cultural resources go unprotected.
●Insufficient consultation: Even when consultation is triggered, the process is often treated as a procedural “box-checking” exercise rather than a meaningful, government-to-government dialogue.
●Underfunded mandate: AB 52 has resulted in an unprecedented number of project notifications, many of them likely to threaten Tribal cultural resources. Tribes lack funding for consultation-related staff, equipment and training. Agencies also lack training and resources for effective and respectful consultation.
The report offers a series of actionable recommendations for the Department of Cannabis Control and other state agencies to address these systemic issues. Key recommendations include collaborating directly with Tribal governments to develop more equitable consultation processes and accurate maps of ancestral territories. Other recommendations include initiating consultation as soon as a permit application is received, providing increased funding and specific training for Tribes and agency staff engaged in consultation, and fostering stronger data-sharing agreements between state, local and Tribal governments.
New tools support Tribal sovereignty in consultation
Building on the research findings, the research team and Tribal advisors have developed two sets of tools to support Tribal control of the consultation process.
“California has some of the strongest cultural resource protection laws in the U.S., but meaningful consultation is undermined by structural problems in the consultation process,” said Shasta Gaughen, environmental director and Tribal historic preservation officer of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee. “We brought together Tribal historic preservation officers from around the state to develop a toolkit that reflects Tribal consultation experiences, is concise and easy to use, and empowers Tribes rather than agencies to set the terms of consultation.”
The By Tribes, For Tribes Consultation Policy Toolkit offers a customizable Consultation Policy Template and supplemental materials for Tribes that wish to create their own consultation policies or ordinances. The “By Tribes, For Tribes” approach enables Tribes to proactively guide government agencies through consultation processes based on Tribal priorities, rather than reacting to agency interpretations of what the law requires.
The UC Berkeley Cannabis Site Mapping Tool provides Tribes a means to assess the extent of cannabis agriculture on their ancestral or aboriginal territory. It can be used to determine possible threats to Tribal cultural resources and sensitive sites.
Both tools, the full project report, and related academic journal articles can be accessed on the Resources for Tribes webpage housed on UC Berkeley’s Cannabis Research Center website. — By Edith Friedman, UC Berkeley
About the Research Team: The research was led by a collaborative team from the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University, hosted at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. Team members, specializing in environmental policy, Indigenous rights, and the social impacts of cannabis legalization, include Jennifer Sowerwine; Jeremy Sorgen; Seth LaRosa, UC Berkeley graduate student; Peter Nelson, assistant professor of environmental science, policy, and management and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley and Coast Miwok and tribal citizen of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria; and Van Butsic, former UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Berkeley.
The project was funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control and conducted in partnership with Tribal advisors and participants from across California.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
