California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Inaugural Global Harvest Automation Report Reveals Grower Investment

    Growers are keen to adopt automation to bridge the growing labor gap and ensure that their crops can be picked in time, according to the Global Harvest Automation Report, a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by Western Growers. The report is the first in a new annual series that will track, measure and report on industry progress in harvest automation across the fresh produce industry.

    The Global Harvest Automation Report is part of WG’s Global Harvest Automation Initiative, which aims to accelerate ag automation by 50 percent in 10 years.

    “One of the main aims of the report was to take a comprehensive look at the entire harvest ecosystem and provide a quantitative look to the Western Growers membership at how much harvest innovation is impacting their operations across fresh products for specialty crops, where the most progress is occurring, and why,” says WG VP of Innovation Walt Duflock. “Second, we wanted to provide an in-depth view of the innovators who are doing the heavy lifting by crop type, so growers would know who to contact based on the crops they grow.”

    Among the findings of the report, which was prepared in collaboration with consultants at Roland Berger:

    • 65 percent of participating growers have invested in automation over the past three years
    • The average annual spend on automation was $350,000-$400,000 per grower
    • Spending occurred in pre-harvest and harvest assist activities, including weeding, thinning, harvesting platforms and autonomous ground vehicles. It is anticipated that 30-60 percent of these activities will be automated by 2025.
    • Harvest automation itself remains limited because of the technical difficulties in replicating the human hand to harvest delicate crops. It is anticipated that 20 percent of harvest activities will be automated by 2025.

    Full print copies of the Global Harvest Automation Report will be available at the Western Growers booth at the World Ag Expo Feb. 8-10, 2022 in Tulare, Calif.; to download a complete digital copy please click here.

  • CA Walnut Board Leverages Plant-Based Eating & Taco Night Trends to Drive Consumer Demand for Walnuts

    As consumers seek more plant-based options and creative recipes for at-home cooking, the California Walnut Board encouraged consumption of walnuts by linking to the ever-popular taco. The recent campaign capitalized on a timely and trending food holiday: National Taco Day (October 4). Americans are eating 4.5 billion tacos annually, providing an opportunity to build demand for walnuts. Two appealing walnut meat taco recipes were placed in consumer magazines and newspapers, with an estimated 177 million views.
     
    Adding walnuts to a taco recipe is a simple and enticing way to help build demand, especially as many Americans (about a third of the population) are also following a flexitarian diet – primarily vegetarian, with the occasional incorporation of meat and fish. October 4 marked National Taco Day, providing the timely moment to appeal to consumers searching for new and exciting ways to celebrate the holiday at home.
     
    “To inspire and encourage consumers to do more with walnuts, the Board utilized the timeliness of National Taco Day to bring attention to the versatility of walnuts as a nutritious, plant-forward option for consumers to celebrate,” said Jennifer Olmstead, senior director of U.S. marketing and communications.
     
    In order to leverage the holiday to help drive consumption, the Board shared a recipe press release with a simple prompt and two walnut-meat taco recipes. The release was sent to hundreds of online and print media publications, inviting readers across the country to spice up their favorite taco dishes by making walnuts the star ingredient. Walnut-Stuffed Korean Street Tacos and Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos were highlighted as two tasty and nutritious meal options, loaded with all the goodness of California walnuts.
     
    In less than a month, the recipe press release earned media coverage with outlets like Yahoo!, International Business Times, the Boston Herald and Minneapolis’ Star Tribune. In California, recipes touted as a plant-forward way to rethink family taco night were placed in the Huntington Beach News, Napa Valley Register, Sonoma West Times and News, Malibu Times, The San Fernando Sun, Santa Maria Times and more.
     
    In total, in the first month of publication, more than 892 outlets shared these walnut-centric recipes and mouthwatering photos to nearly 180 million people.
     
    In addition to the earned media and in an effort to build an increased awareness of walnuts as a taco meat alternative, CA Walnuts also shared a blog post titled “3 Must-Try Plant-Forward Taco Recipes” that was shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and IG Stories utilizing the hashtag #NationalTacoDay. The post reached 82,800 people, generating 26,400 video views.

  • Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Pruning Contest Celebrates 20 Years

    The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation celebrated its 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 5.  It was a beautiful day, as 90 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.

    “It’s incredible celebrating 20 years of the Napa County Pruning Contest!  Participants are passionate about improving their skills each year and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Education Committee. “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.”

    The FWF celebrated its 20th anniversary with commemorative giveaways, hoodies provided by FELCO, a past champions round, and festive music and décor.

    Erika López from Renteria Vineyard Management competing in the final round of the 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest (All photos courtesy of Suzanne Becker Bronk)

    “The Napa County Pruning Contest highlights the talent, skill and precision of our local vineyard workforce” said Arnulfo Solorio, Partner at Silverado Farming Company and Vice President of the FWF, “and I’m ready for another 20 years.”

    To ensure a safe competition environment, the FWF implemented COVID safety protocols and followed all COVID-19 county guidelines.  OLE Health joined the event as a premier sponsor and health care partner, volunteering their time to administer rapid tests onsite for all competitors.  Everyone attending was required to provide a proof of vaccination, a negative test result taken onsite, and a signed COVID safety waiver; masks were worn at all times.

    During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition.  Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division.  The winners took home cash, pruning tools, clothing, gift cards and other prizes; a handmade silver belt buckle was given to the 1st place winners.  Employers typically match the cash prize winnings, so the day was highly rewarding for the top 8 finalists.  All contestants enjoyed a catered lunch between competition rounds.

    Contestants were Napa County residents and full-time employees. All who participated volunteered their time to compete and most were paid by their employers for the day.  Many had successfully competed in internal competitions within their own companies prior to arriving to the countywide contest.

    Women’s Division Winners:

    1st Place: Erika López, Renteria Vineyard Management- $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub 

    2nd Place: Verónica Medina Reyes Bayview Vineyards – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
     
    3rd Place: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub 

    4th Place: Rosa Martínez, Bettinelli Vineyards – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    Men’s Division Winners:

    1st Place: Casimiro Zaragoza, Joseph Phelps Vineyards – $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    2nd Place: Agustín Arias, Atlas Vineyard Management – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
     
    3rd Place: Hector Rodríguez, St. Supery Estate Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    4th Place: Lorenzo Hernández Aquino, Walsh Vineyards Management – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

    Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 21,000 vineyard workers and their families. For more information, visit our website at  Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation.

  • USDA to Invest $1 Billion in Climate Smart Commodities & Expanding Markets

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is delivering on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity will finance pilot projects that create market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices and include innovative, cost-effective ways to measure and verify greenhouse gas benefits. USDA is now accepting project applications for fiscal year 2022.

    “America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest stewards are leading the way in implementing climate-smart solutions across their operations,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Carlos Suarez in California. “Through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA will provide targeted funding to meet national and global demand and expand market opportunities for climate-smart commodities to increase the competitive advantage of American producers. We want a broad array of agriculture and forestry to see themselves in this effort, including small and historically underserved producers as well as early adopters.”

    For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a climate-smart commodity is defined as an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon.

    Funding will be provided to partners through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation for pilot projects to provide incentives to producers and landowners to:

    ·       Implement climate-smart production practices, activities, and systems on working lands;

    ·       Measure/quantify, monitor and verify the carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits associated with those practices;

    ·       Develop markets and promote the resulting climate-smart commodities.

    How to Apply

    The primary applicant must be an entity, not an individual. A range of public and private entities may apply, including:

    ·       County, city or township governments;

    ·       Special district governments;

    ·       State governments;

    ·       Small businesses;

    ·       For profit organizations other than small businesses;

    ·       Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized);

    ·       Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments);

    ·       Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) (other than institutions of higher education);

    ·       Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) (other than institutions of higher education);

    ·       Private institutions of higher education; or

    ·       Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education.

    Funding will be provided in two funding pools, and applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on:

    ·       April 8, 2022, for the first funding pool (proposals from $5 million to $100 million); and

    ·       May 27, 2022, for the second funding pool (proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999).

    Proposals must provide plans to:

    ·       Pilot implementation of climate-smart agriculture and/or forestry practices on a large-scale, including meaningful involvement of small and/or historically underserved producers;

    ·       Quantify, monitor, report and verify climate results;

    ·       Develop markets and promote climate-smart commodities generated as a result of project activities.

    USDA is committed to equity in program delivery and is specifically seeking proposals from entities serving all types of producers, including small or historically underserved producers. Providing sufficient incentives to encourage producer participation and generating both verifiable greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration benefits are critical to project success and will be considered in the evaluation criteria.

    More Information

    USDA published a Request for Information  in September 2021 seeking public comment and input on design of this new initiative and used the nearly 400 comments received to inform this funding opportunity.

    Visit usda.gov for additional information, including details on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and resources to support your application.

  • American Agri-Women Call to Rescind Arbitrary Water Rule

    American Agri-Women (AAW) call the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS).

    “The proposed WOTUS rule exposes farmers to arbitrary and confusing case-by-case determinations,” said Heather Hampton+Knodle, President of American Agri-Women.

    The proposed rule features an overreaching, expanded definition of the qualifications of WOTUS to include ephemeral drainage paths, low drainage areas, artificial ponds, and ditches. In addition, the proposed rule removes exemptions for several agricultural related activities. These changes would lead to increased regulations, complex permitting, and increased costs.

    Hampton+Knodle said, “Given the Agency’s past abuse of their authority under the Constitution and the Clean Water Act, AAW members are convinced this proposed rule will be detrimental to our livelihoods and ability to produce food, fiber and renewable fuels for our country.”

    The letter emphasized that the proposed WOTUS rule fails to follow legal decisions and precedent set by the courts as well the intent of Congress. In contrast, the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) provides clear and concise definitions and regulations that follow the law.

    Gayle Baker, P.E., AAW Issue Lead for Water Quality, said, “I work with farmers that are trying to achieve Prior Converted Cropland determinations, which under this proposed rule, would not have the previous exemptions regarding the ‘Change of Use’ policy. This, as well as other exemptions that are no longer included in the rule, would restrict farming activities and regulate farming and ranching operations. It is so important that AAW’s voice is heard on this proposed rule.”

    AAW expressed concerns that the proposed rule removes the power to administer the Clean Water Act from the states and prescribes limited management practices that will stifle innovation and best solutions for site-specific sustainability.

    The AAW letter concludes, “One thing is clear: even though America’s farmers and ranchers care about the land, care for it because it is paramount to our livelihoods and our nation’s food security, and we continue to innovate our farming methods based on science and research, the Agencies and the proposed rule will make it more difficult to improve the land and water practices, thereby hampering our self-sufficiency and potentially leading to negative impacts on our land and water due to bureaucratic interference.”

    For more information, contact communications@americanagriwomen.org or visit the organization’s website at www.americanagriwomen.org.

    About American Agri-Women

    American Agri-Women (AAW) promotes the welfare of our national security through a safe and reliable food, fiber and energy supply. Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers, advocate for agriculture, and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org. Find AAW on social media  at: Facebook.com/AgriWomen/, Twitter.com/Women4Ag/ (@Women4Ag) and Instagram.com/americanagriwomen/(@americanagriwomen.) #standupspeakout4ag

  • “We Believe in Growing” Scholarship Winners Announced

    World Ag Expo® and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up again for the 15th annual “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, supporting area high school students who will be attending four-year universities to major in an agricultural field. This year’s winners, Anabelle Jobe of Bakersfield, CA, and Frank Fernandes of Tulare, CA, will each receive $2,500 scholarships to be renewed up to four years, totaling $10,000 per student.

    “We are excited to partner with World Ag Expo once again for the scholarship program,” said Casey Tharp, Vice President of E.M. Tharp, Inc. “E.M. Tharp sees the potential growth in these students to become great leaders in the agriculture industry and we are honored to help them achieve their career goals.” The scholarship was established by E.M. Tharp in 2007 and has helped 28 students gain an education focused on agriculture.

    Anabelle Jobe, a student at North High School, plans to study Agriculture Education at Fresno State in the fall. Her long-term goal is to become an Ag Teacher.

    Jobe began participating in FFA in High School. She has served as a chapter officer, competed in multiple categories, and shown livestock at the county fair. Jobe is a member of Link Crew, is a blood donor, and is working on a sock drive to stock their high school pantry. She cites her FFA experience as the most fulfilling part of her high school experience.

    “My FFA experience has been so fulfilling over the past four years. My very first FFA competition was Opening and Closing at the sectional level. That opportunity is where I found my passion for public speaking and even won my first award. Maybe it was the feeling of accomplishment after or the nerves right before, but I loved it”, stated Jobe.

    Frank Fernandes, a student at Mission Oak High School, plans to major in Ag Systems Management at either Cal Poly or Fresno State in the fall. He plans to become a Crop Farmer/Business Owner.

    Fernandes plans to take over the family farm and ranch and prepared for his future role by taking agriculture classes and participating in 4-H and FFA. He showed dairy cattle each year, was part of dairy judging, citrus judging, and farm power, and did community service. He also played on the Mission Oak golf team.

    “I have always enjoyed the farm and have planned to stick with it as I grow up. My plan hasn’t changed since then. I have always felt a connection and interest in agriculture, specifically farming. I’ve had this passion for the farm probably since I was around four years old”, stated Fernandes.

    To be considered for the scholarship, students from across the Central Valley submitted letters of recommendation, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and must expect to graduate from high school during the 2021-2022 school year. The winners were recognized at the World Ag Expo® Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

    E.M. Tharp, Inc. is known throughout the West as the leading trucking sales, parts, and service provider – a reputation that has been earned through eight decades of pure dedication to keeping promises and getting every job done right the first time. Learn more at http://www.emtharp.com/.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 8-10, 2022, in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 60 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space.

  • IDFA, NMPF Supportive of Biden Administration School Meal Flexibilities, Encourage Expansion of Dairy Offerings

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) shared their support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) final rule maintaining low-fat, flavored milk and other needed flexibilities in USDA child nutrition program meal requirements through the 2023-2024 school year.

    Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of IDFA shared, “Today’s announcement from USDA clears up several years of confusion and takes a positive step toward restoring more varieties of milk to the school meals program. The final rule allows schools to continue to serve milk that students prefer to drink while remaining consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. The rule gives clarity to school meals professionals and food makers as they plan ahead amid supply chain challenges, and it will improve students’ access to dairy products, particularly milk and its 13 essential nutrients, and cheese as a nutrient-rich protein alternate.

    “In 2020, the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report found that a staggering 79 percent of 9- to 13-year-olds are not meeting the recommended intake of dairy foods and thereby underconsuming a variety of nutrients during childhood and adolescence, including potassium, calcium, and vitamin D. Children of all ages are falling short of these recommendations, and they rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs.

    “Today’s announcement helps to encourage school meal participation by maintaining a wider variety of milk offerings that kids enjoy. Milk is a major source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in the diets of children 2-18 years of age. In fact, about 73 percent of the calcium available in the food supply is provided by milk and milk products. Moreover, it has been proven time and again in schools across the country that when flavored milks are available, kids not only drink more milk—they are more likely to participate in the school meal programs and waste less food, thus truly benefiting from dairy’s important vitamins and nutrients.

    “Yet for years, schools have been burdened with regulations that hamper their ability to provide children with nutrient-dense dairy products. First, whole milk disappeared; then 2%; and then finally 1% flavored milk, which kids prefer compared to non-fat flavored milk. On top of that, schools have more recently had to plan for overly stringent sodium targets that would effectively remove cheese from the menu since sodium is necessary in cheesemaking.

    “IDFA is grateful to USDA for providing needed certainty around school meal flexibilities in the near-term, and we look forward to working with the Secretary and the Department to ensure that nutrient-rich dairy products remain core long-term components of the child nutrition and school meals programs.”

    Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF added, “Ensuring kids have access to the nutrients they need to grow and thrive is a top priority for dairy. We thank USDA for the rule’s provision that maintains schools’ ability to serve low-fat, 1% flavored milk. One percent flavored milk is not only fully consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is also a nutrient-dense, low-fat healthy option kids will choose to drink. I would also like to thank Representatives Joe Courtney and G.T. Thompson for their long-time leadership on this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with them, USDA, and others to help ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.”

  • Almond Board Announces Strong 2022 Almond Leadership Program

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) is proud to announce the Almond Leadership Program class of 2022, a group of 17 exceptional professionals expected to help lead the industry into the future.

    This next generation of leaders comes from diverse backgrounds across the full range of the industry, from almond growers and processors to sales representatives, consultants, operations managers, pest control advisors and more. They were chosen from a highly qualified pool of nearly 50 applicants.

    The Almond Leadership Program began in 2009 and has graduated more than 200 people, with dozens now serving on ABC workgroups, committees and even the Board of Directors. This 13th class will become immersed in every aspect of the industry, guided by volunteer mentors – many of them graduates of the program – who will help the new class further develop the skills, knowledge and perspective to improve their industry and their communities.

    “This program helps mold great people into even greater leaders who continue to guide our industry forward,” said Jenny Nicolau, ABC’s senior manager of Industry Relations and Communications. “The industry is now seeing the enormous benefits from more than a decade of this program, and the 2022 class looks brighter than ever. I am certain that these talented, passionate people will continue to be great assets and advocates for our industry for years to come.”

    Leadership class members – while still working at their jobs – will complete specialized trainings on all aspects of the industry, much of it tied to ABC activities in global marketing, production and nutrition research, food safety and more. They’ll also sharpen their communication skills and build lasting relationships with each other, ABC staff and other industry leaders.

    “Nothing compares to hands-on experience and I look forward to tangibly learning more about aspects of the almond industry outside of my current reach and knowledge,” said Bethany Couchman, a manager at Eagle’s Rest Ranches in Merced County and a 2022 participant. “I’m grateful that the Almond Board is providing us the opportunity to gain specialized insight and training so we can give back to our communities as better equipped leaders.”

    The leadership program will also offer a thorough look at the ways social, economic and environmental issues, and the regulatory climate, impact the industry. In addition, participants will take on a yearlong, self-directed project – possibly diving into a topic that interests them, or introducing an innovative technology or practice to their operation, or exploring a new idea to advance the industry. All will focus on improving the California almond community, and some past projects have led to important breakthroughs for the industry.

    Leadership class members kicked off their training with a two-day orientation last week at the ABC offices in Modesto. It included a state of the industry discussion with ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott and one-on-one talks with their mentors.

    “The program offers clear insight into the almond industry as a whole and gives first-hand examples of what it means to lead an industry and to give back,” said Chris Gallo, who has been both a participant and mentor. He is now the U.S. Western Region Sales and Marketing Vice President for Yara North America and is mentoring again in 2022. “It’s clear that this program continues to evolve to build leaders who will take the almond industry into the future. It’s truly a family that grows with every class.”

    Once again, class members will raise money for California Future Farmers of America (FFA), pledging to raise more than $25,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college. Through the years, the leadership program has raised more than $200,000 for FFA.

    The 2022 Almond Leadership class members are Jaspaul Bains, Bains Ag LLC; John Bodden III, Bayer Crop Science; Kate Capurso, Blue Diamond Growers; Bethany Couchman, Eagle’s Rest Ranches; Michael Coe, Blue Diamond Growers; Brady Colburn, Agri Technovation, Inc.; Ian Darling, Monte Vista Farming Co.; Jarred Greene, Nickel Family Farms dba San Juan Ranching Co.;  Thomas Fantozzi, Synagro Technologies; Matt Morelli, Scientific Methods Inc.; Joe Palomino, Axiom Ag; Ken Peelman, Monte Vista Farming Co.; Carson Pettit, RPAC, LLC; Rodney Ratzlaff, Loveland Products Inc./Nutrien Ag Solutions; Arjun Samran, Bapu Farming Co.; Kaisa Spycher, Spycher Farms, Inc.; Blake Wilbur, Koppert Biological Systems.

    Bayer Crop Science is the sponsor of the 2022 class.

  • CA Tomato Processors Forecast Larger Crop In 2022

    USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service — As of January, California’s tomato processors reported they have, or will have, contracts for 12.2 million tons in 2022, which is an increase of 10% compared to 11.1 million contracted tons forecast in the August 2021 California Processing Tomato Report. Processors estimate that the contracted production for 2022 will come from 245,000 acres, generating an average yield of 49.8 tons per acre. The contracted planted acreage forecast is 7% higher than the 2021 acreage of 229,000 reported under contract in August.

    The USDA-NASS Pacific Regional Office surveyed California’s tomato processors for their intended contract acreage and tonnage for the upcoming 2022 season. The data reported by processors was either tonnage with derived acreage, or acreage with derived tonnage.

    This early processing tomato estimate is funded by the California League of Food Producers.

  • Napa Valley Grapegrowers, Farmworker Foundation & UCCE Partner To Support Equitable Working Conditions For Farmworkers

    The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) and Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) are partnering with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) on a farmworker-focused, Job Satisfaction Survey.  The outcome of the survey will be used to improve the well-being of farmworkers by promoting equitable working conditions.

    “The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation was established to support Napa County vineyard workers through education and professional development,” said Jennifer Putnam, CEO of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, “so when the UCCE team approached us to support the survey, it was an immediate and natural decision.”

    Throughout Napa, grape growers and vineyard managers are committed to developing highly skilled vineyard teams. Many growers are looking to enhance their already competitive wages with other valuable benefits, such as paid time for English classes and leadership training. The results generated from the UCCE Job Satisfaction Survey will help employers identify which benefits matter most to their teams.

    “The inspiration [for the Job Satisfaction Survey] came from an interest in two areas. One was how to address the labor issues growers currently face, and the second was the numerous challenges farmworkers face that contribute to below average life outcomes as a population,” said Malcolm Hobbs, Staff Research Associate at UCCE, “We wanted to do a project that would be mutually beneficial to both parties. Measuring farmworker job satisfaction can help employers identify problems in their work environments so that they can be addressed and show them what they are doing well. There is a lot of research showing that improving job satisfaction in a directed manner can have many benefits for a company in terms of reducing turnover and absenteeism, lowering management costs, and boosting productivity. At the same time, improving job satisfaction can have a huge benefit for employee well-being in terms of health, life satisfaction, and financial security.”

    The survey provides an employee assessment of their work environment, which can be used by managers to target strategies for elevating workplace experience. To ensure employees are comfortable responding, the survey is presented in Spanish by UCCE and the FWF as a neutral third party; all submissions are anonymous. Participating employers will receive results for their company, as well as aggregate results for all participating companies. In addition, educational resources to support recommendations will be created by the partners.

    Hobbs emphasized, “It was also important to us that we avoid a completely top-down approach, where we or the employer decide what is best for the farmworker, and make sure workers are included in the process. Doing job satisfaction surveys allows the farmworkers to be consulted and give their view on what they want and need which they understand best. Done correctly, such surveys can help build a better dialogue and trust between workers and employers.”

    For grape growers and vineyard managers interested in in the UCCE Job Satisfaction Survey, please visit the website to learn more and access the survey in English and Spanish.

    About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

    Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workersthrough education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 21,000 vineyard workers and their families. For more information, visit our website Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and follow the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

    About the Napa Valley Grapegrowers

    The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is a non-profit trade organization that has played a vital role in strengthening Napa Valley’s reputation as a world-class viticultural region for 45 years.  Its mission is to preserve and promote Napa Valley’s world-class vineyards. NVG represents 685 Napa County grape growers and associated businesses.  For more information, visit our website Napa Valley Grapegrowers and follow the Napa Valley Grapegrowers on Facebook and Instagram.

    About the University of California Cooperative Extension

    The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is part of the national Land Grant system, where selected public institutions of higher learning are charged with providing practical education to the public through various outreach efforts. Collaboration with Napa County and the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is one of the outreach efforts. For more information visit the UCCE website.