California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • CADairy2Go Chef Competition Celebrates Innovation In The To-Go Space

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced the launch of an inaugural foodservice competition challenging professional chefs to create innovative “to-go” dishes using California dairy products. The “CADairy2Go” competition is inspired by chefs and foodservice operators who made quick, creative pivots to adjust their menus for the takeout and delivery model during the disruption caused by the pandemic.

    The Real California Milk Foodservice Team hand-selected twelve culinary professionals to participate in the first-of-its-kind event, representing a variety of foodservice backgrounds, including experience in major restaurant chains, broadline distributors, independent restaurants, ghost kitchens and food trucks.

    Each chef will submit one dish in either the Cal-Mex or Cheese+Mac category, as well as a second dish under Innovate-To-Go, which allows for creativity beyond their assigned category. All dishes must be optimized for the takeout or “to-go” experience and incorporate sustainability sourced California cheese and other dairy ingredients.

    The 2021 CADairy2Go participants are:

    • Carrie Baird – Rose’s Classic Americana – Boulder, CO
    • Victoria Elizondo –Conchinita & Co. – Houston, TX
    • Gina Galvan – Mood for Food – San Juan Capistrano, CA
    • Gina Genschlea – Revolution Winery & Kitchen – Sacramento, CA
    • Nelson German – alaMar Kitchen & Bar, Sobre Mesa – Oakland, CA
    • Heidi Gibson – The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen – San Francisco, CA
    • Marti Lieberman – Mac Mart – Philadelphia, PA
    • Brian Mullins – Ms. Cheezious® – Miami, FL
    • Tamra Scroggins – Grill Concepts – Los Angeles, CA
    • Alex Sadowsky – Twin Peaks – Dallas, TX
    • Manish Tyagi – Aurum – Los Altos, CA
    • Mary Grace Viado – Village Tavern – Birmingham, AL

    Participating chefs will win cash prizes from $500 to $5,000. Two finalists from each category will earn a trip to Napa, where they will compete in a live cook-off event July 28th at the Culinary Institute of America’s Copia location. The final cook-off will be captured in a live broadcast that will be streamed in celebration of the chefs and their creations. Additional details on the competition and the chef competitors is available at CADairy2Go.

    “The past year has challenged chefs to be strategic in creating dishes that are not only comforting but can also hold up for an off-premise dining experience. This competition leverages the off-premise dining trends that emerged during this time and celebrates chefs who worked to respond quickly to consumer needs,” said Nancy Campbell, Business Development consultant for CMAB Foodservice. “Dairy is an essential ingredient for bringing to-go menu innovations to life and provides the flavor and flexibility to any style of cooking – from plant-forward to comfort and everything in between.”

    As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts a long list of cheesemakers and dairy processors, that are further driving to-go dining innovation California leads the nation in milk production and is responsible for producing more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with sustainably sourced milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. Check out our REAL Makers chefs who rely on California dairy for their dishes.

    About Real California Milk/the 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 who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for 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.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,200 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RealCaliforniaMilk.com/Foodservice, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • CA Cattleman Receives Livestock Marketing Association Industry Icon Award

    Ellington Peek, of Cottonwood, Calif., was recognized as the recipient of the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Industry Icon Award at the 2021 LMA Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

    “LMA is blessed to have members like Ellington, who have a devout passion for livestock marketing, inspiring others and advancing competition in all that they do” LMA President Larry Schnell said. “Ellington played a significant role in paving the way for futuristic methods of buying and selling livestock and remains an unshakable advocate for the auction method of selling livestock. The auction industry is certainly better because of his contributions.”

    Born in Stockton, Calif. Peek grew up in the cattle business but pursued coaching first as a career. He later returned to the cattle business and in 1956 entered the livestock marketing industry, purchasing Old Anderson Livestock Auction Yards for $3500. He founded Shasta Livestock Auction Yard in 1964 and has been a member of LMA for over 50 years. In 1989, Peek co-founded Western Video Market, Inc. (WVM), expanding opportunities for fixed facility auction markets to broaden their services in support of producers of all sizes. Today, WVM works with 20 affiliate auction yard companies, with over 60 individual representatives who consign cattle from the 16 Western states.

    Peek is only the fifth recipient of the LMA Industry Icon Award since it began in 2009. Former recipients of the award include Pat Goggins (2009), E.H. Fowler (2013), Billy Perrin (2015) and Ernie Van Hooser (2017). The LMA Industry Icon Award is presented to individuals who, through their remarkable impact on livestock marketing and leadership contributions, have advanced the mission and ideals of LMA and its members.

    About the Livestock Marketing Association

    The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through support, representation and communication efforts. 

  • USDA to Begin Payments for Farmers Impacted by 2018 & 2019 Natural Disasters

    More than $1 billion in payments will be released over the next several weeks starting June 15 for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for producers who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). These U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs provide disaster assistance to producers who suffered losses to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.

    Producers weathered some significant natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provided support for crop value and production losses through QLA and crop quantity losses through WHIP+.

    “From massive floods to winter storms, and from extreme drought to excess moisture, natural disaster events in 2018 and 2019 were exceptionally catastrophic for agricultural producers nationwide – many suffered the impacts of multiple events in not just one but both years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “FSA staff worked tirelessly for many months to develop and implement comprehensive disaster programs that meet the varying and unique needs of a large cross-section of U.S. production agriculture. QLA and the second round of WHIP+ assistance will provide much-needed assistance to help producers offset significant financial loss.”

    QLA Payments

    QLA provides assistance to crop and forage producers who suffered a quality loss due to qualifying natural disasters occurring in 2018 or 2019. FSA will begin issuing payments to producers on June 15. FSA accepted applications from Jan. 6 to April 9, 2021. Based on these QLA applications, producers will receive 100% of the calculated assistance under QLA.

    For each crop year, 2018, 2019 and 2020, the maximum amount that a person or legal entity may receive, directly or indirectly, is $125,000. Payments made to a joint operation (including a general partnership or joint venture) will not exceed $125,000, multiplied by the number of persons and legal entities that comprise the ownership of the joint operation. A person or legal entity is ineligible for QLA payment if the person’s or legal entity’s average Adjusted Gross Income exceeds $900,000, unless at least 75% is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities.

    Second WHIP+ Payments

    WHIP+ provides payments to producers to offset production losses due to hurricanes, wildfires, and other qualifying natural disasters that occurred in 2018 and 2019. WHIP+ covered losses of crops, trees, bushes and vines that occurred as a result of those disaster events.

    Producers who applied for and have received their first WHIP+ payment can expect to receive the second payment beginning in mid-June for eligible crop losses. Due to budget constraints, producers received an initial WHIP+ payment for 2019 crop losses equal to 50% of the calculated payment. This second payment will be equal to 40% of the calculated payment for a total 90% WHIP+ program payment. This second round of WHIP+ payments are expected to exceed $700 million. A third round of payments may be issued if sufficient funds become available. Producers with 2018 crop losses have already been compensated at 100%.

    Future Insurance Coverage Requirements

    All producers receiving QLA Program and WHIP+ payments are required to purchase federal crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for the next two available crop years at the 60% coverage level or higher. If eligible, QLA participants may meet the insurance purchase requirement by purchasing Whole-Farm Revenue Protection coverage offered through USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

    More Information

    USDA offers a comprehensive portfolio of disaster assistance programs. On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help producers and landowners determine all program or loan options available for disaster recovery assistance. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

  • Excessive Heat, High Winds and Fire Weather Warnings Issued in Southern CA

    California Avocado Commission — The National Weather Service has issued warnings concerning an extended period of excessive heat, gusty winds and critical fire weather conditions beginning Monday, June 14 and lasting throughout the entire next week for the Los Angeles/Oxnard region.

    Beginning Monday, the region will experience higher temperatures and gusty winds, peaking Tuesday through Friday, June 18. The combination of extended high temperatures — in the triple digits — warm overnight temperatures, low humidity, abnormally dry fuels and Sundowner winds will create critical fire conditions during this time period. The Sundowner winds in Santa Barbara County and north winds along the I-5 corridor and the canyons and hills of the Santa Ynez Range and Santa Clarita Valley could create gusts in the 30 – 50 mph range. Driving conditions also could become hazardous due to downed branches or power lines.

    The highest temperatures will occur Tuesday through Friday with highs between 98˚F – 108˚F in the valleys and mountains. Overnight lows will be between 65˚F– 75˚F. Humidities will range from 8 – 15%.

    These conditions will post a high risk for heat-related illnesses for those working outdoors.

    For more information on how to avoid these risks, view “Reduce Heat Illness for Employees” on the California avocado growers’ website.

    To ensure California avocados maintain their superior quality it is imperative growers manage their trees and harvest their fruit according to best management practices as outlined below.

    IRRIGATION

    Growers should be irrigating their trees now, in advance of the heat, to ensure their trees are fully hydrated. It is recommended that an additional 50% of the budgeted amount of water be applied the day before a heat wave. For extended heat waves, daily pulses of irrigation are recommended to maintain the trees’ water status. A well-watered tree will tolerate the stress of a heat wave much better than a tree that is suffering from water stress. Signs of heat damage to trees include fruit drop, shoot damage, leaf burn and in severe cases leaf drop.

    HARVESTING

    Every attempt should be made to harvest fruit when temperatures are below 90 °F, and no harvesting should take place when temperatures exceed 95 °F. Temperature in the shade should be monitored during harvesting and, when possible, harvesting crews should be moved to the coolest, least exposed areas of the grove.

    Field bins should be placed under the trees while being filled to protect the harvested fruit from sunburn. Once filled, bins should be moved to a shade structure (open-sided roofed building), or covered with bin covers or light-colored tarps if they cannot be immediately transported to the packinghouse. Never leave filled bins exposed to the direct sun. The surface layer of fruit can easily heat up to more than 15 °F above ambient temperature when exposed to direct sun. Acute sunburn will only show on fruit after it is packed and is a major quality detractor.

    To avoid water loss and decreased fruit quality do not hold fruit too long after harvest. Transport fruit to the packinghouse at least once per day, if not twice daily. Bins should not be left in the grove for more than 8 hours after harvest. Cover bins during transport to avoid sunburn and to reduce water loss.

    For more information about managing heat in avocado groves, growers can view the following articles on the California avocado growers’ website:

    •    Managing Heat in California Avocado Groves
    •    Managing Avocado Heat Damage
    •    Best Practices for California Avocado Groves Impacted by Excessive Heat

  • FDA Releases Findings Following 2020 Outbreak Linked to Central Valley Peaches

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report on its investigation of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Peaches. The FDA and multiple state and federal partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that were linked to the consumption of peaches during the summer of 2020. In total, the outbreak caused 101 reported illnesses across 17 states, including 28 hospitalizations. This appears to be the first time a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peaches.

    The FDA conducted this investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners, and Canadian public health officials between August and October 2020. The epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed or supplied by a large grower/producer were the likely source of the outbreak. The traceback evidence informed and helped to prioritize two subsequent investigations of peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California.  The large grower/producer cooperated with FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.

    Investigators conducted over 700 tests on environmental, peach, and peach tree leaf samples.  While no test results matched the 2020 outbreak strain, four tests conducted on peach and peach tree leaf samples collected from an orchard adjacent to a poultry operation yielded positives for Salmonella Alachua which were further linked via whole genome sequencing (WGS) to 2019 and 2020 chicken isolates. This finding prompted a follow-up investigation more closely focused on growing areas and a voluntary recall by the firm, preventing the tested, contaminated product from reaching the market. During the follow-up investigation, two tests of peach tree leaf samples collected from orchards adjacent to a cattle feedlot yielded positives for Salmonella Montevideo that were genetically similar via WGS to 2018-2020 beef and cattle isolates.

    While investigators did not find the outbreak strain, and the strains of Salmonella found during this outbreak were not linked to any clinical illnesses, the investigational findings reinforce the FDA’s concern about the potential impact that adjacent land uses can have on the safety of produce.

    The FDA views the implementation of appropriate science- and risk-based measures to reduce the potential for contamination of peaches and other produce as the most effective and practicable means to improve the safety of fresh produce, especially when measures are tailored to the specific practices and conditions on individual farms. The FDA encourages all growers to be cognizant of and assess risks that may be posed by adjacent and nearby land uses, including for the potential impact of dust exposure. The FDA also recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment when it comes to public health outcomes, and we encourage collaboration among various groups in the broader agricultural community (e.g., produce growers, those managing animal operations, state and federal government agencies, and academia) to address this issue.

    For additional information

  • Next Generation Black and Hispanic Farmers Scholarship Program Application Deadline June 15

    It is a privilege for the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) to administer a scholarship program to ensure that the next generation of African-American/Black and Hispanic farmers receive the training and skills that will enable them to thrive in the agricultural industry. “Higher education provides essential tools, knowledge, and resources that will allow these scholars to continue their family farm legacy for future generations” says John Boyd, NBFA President.

    The Nex Generation of Black and Hispanic Farmers Scholarship (NGBHF) Program application deadline for the 2021-2022 academic year is June 15, 2021. In its first year, the NGBHF Scholarship Program will award up to 25 scholarships to Black and Hispanic graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll or are enrolled in an agriculture program of study at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a commitment to engage in the family farm operation post college graduation.

    Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

    • Be Black, African American or Hispanic high school student farmers with a verifiable family farm operation by the USDA Farm Service Agency, Future Farmers of America (FFA) or Cooperative Extension Service (4-H);
    • Have a minimum high school grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent);
    •  Meet academic and admissions criteria for post-secondary education (refer to application for specific criteria);
    • Commit to farming on the family farm upon college graduation.
    Scholarship Award Includes:
    • Tuition provided for up to 30 credit hours per academic year to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
    • Campus-based housing (traditional hall, double occupancy);
    • All-access meal plan;
    • Mandatory fees per academic year;
    • Up to $1,000 in textbook funds per academic year.
    Scholarship Requirements:
    • Be a full-time student by the 6th day of classes each semester at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
    • Enrolled in an approved degree program in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (Degree programs include: Agronomy, Animal Science, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Applied Science, Grassland Systems, Horticulture, Mechanized Systems Management);
    • Remain in good standing academically (a cumulative GPA no lower than 2.5) during the four-year course of study;
    • Remain in good standing administratively, with no student code of conduct and/or legal sanctions during the program;
    • Participate annually in the Emerging Leaders in Ag and Diversity program.
    Questions? Contact Us: Email: NBFA.Office@gmail.com or Call: (804) 691-8528

  • As Drought Worsens, Advisory Group Recommends Update to CA’s On-Farm Water Efficiency Incentive Program

    As Californians brace themselves for the impacts of drought, an advisory group of irrigation experts and farmers recently released some timely recommendations to update the state’s sole on-farm water and energy efficiency program, the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). Created to assist farmers during the previous drought and address climate change, SWEEP funds on-farm water and energy efficiency projects like micro irrigation, advanced irrigation monitoring systems, and solar-powered irrigation pumps.

    SWEEP: Many Benefits to Farmers & Communities, Demand Outpaces Funding

    Since 2014, SWEEP has awarded $81 million to 800 projects covering 137,000 acres, resulting in an estimated 117,000 acre-feet of annual water savings and 81,000 metric tons CO2 annual emissions reductions. These projects have also had important co-benefits for farmers. Pao Yang, a farmer and SWEEP recipient in Fresno county, estimates his annual $8,000 energy bill was cut in half after installing his SWEEP project. His new irrigation system also reduces weed pressure and associated labor costs by delivering water more precisely to his crops. Not surprisingly, SWEEP is a highly popular program among farmers, with demand outpacing available funding by a 3-1 margin.

    SWEEP projects also benefit surrounding agricultural communities by reducing nitrate contamination in groundwater from applying water and nutrients more efficiently and by reducing air pollution from replacing outdated diesel irrigation pumps with cleaner alternatives.

    California Returns to Drought: What’s Different this Time?

    Although some things about this drought may feel the same as they did back in 2014, there are some important differences in terms of the pace and scale of the drought’s onset, its regional impacts, and the state’s reservoir and streamflow conditions. For helpful summaries of those differences, check out “California’s Latest Drought in 4 Charts” from the Public Policy Institute of California’s blog and an article from CalMatters answering the question “How unprepared is California for 2021’s drought?”

    The policy and regulatory environment have also changed considerably in the seven years since SWEEP was created. Farmers are facing a complex new regulatory environment, from implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) to the new Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) Plan. These changes have made resource management more challenging, and require the need for both efficient and flexible on-farm water management systems. Additionally, funding sources for SWEEP have changed over time, which have come with greater flexibility for program administration.

    Irrigation technologies have also evolved rapidly in the past seven years, with advances in remote sensing and imaging technologies and data analytics. These tools have created both new opportunities and the need for more training for some growers and irrigation managers on how to manage these more complex systems.

    Finally, our understanding of drought risk in California historically and in an era of climate change has continued to advance. As we wrote about in our blog last year, we are now living in an “emerging megadrought” – the 2nd driest 19-year period in 1,200 years. Fossil-fueled climate change, which scientists have been warning for decades would lead to more extreme weather patterns, is responsible for 47% of the megadrought’s severity, according to researchers. The risk of severe droughts is predicted to increase in California by 50 percent by 2100. Climate scientists also predict the state will increasingly experience precipitation whiplash, defined as “two consecutive years when wet season precipitation falls under the 20th percentile the first year and above the 80th percentile the second year.”

    Emerald Seed Company (Imperial County) received a SWEEP grant to capture and store more water on-site.

    SWEEP Advisory Group’s Process & Recommendations

    Recognizing these regulatory, technological, policy, and climate science developments, CalCAN, the California Farm Bureau, and other SWEEP advocates requested the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to form an advisory group to review and recommend updates to SWEEP in May 2020.

    Earlier this year, CDFA convened a 41-member advisory group, including farmers, University of California irrigation experts, SWEEP technical assistance providers, and irrigation industry representatives. Over three months and multiple full-day meetings, the group developed, refined, and ranked recommendations for SWEEP through a facilitated, collaborative process.

    The SWEEP advisory group’s recommendations addressed a number of themes, including:

    • Encouraging innovative on-farm projects to account for evolving technology and the need for flexible water management (e.g. through on-farm storage and compensation reservoirs)
    • Increasing opportunities for surface water users to participate in the program (e.g. by dividing funding into two “water-focused” and “water- and GHG-focused” categories)
    • Providing multilingual outreach materials and technical assistance
    • Improving the application process and timing
    • Prioritizing small farmers in addition to socially disadvantaged farmers
    • Allowing recurring advance payments to address farmers’ cashflow challenges
    • Improving coordination and promotion with groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs), irrigation districts, USDA NRCS, and commodity groups
    • Identifying SWEEP’s role and goals in state-level planning around water resilience

    Many of the advisory group’s themes and recommendations align with those put forward in two reports CalCAN published on SWEEP in 2016 and 2018.

    These recommendations come just in time to shape the next round of SWEEP funding.

    The Governor recently proposed $100 million for SWEEP as part of a “water resilience and drought” budget package. If that budget proposal comes to fruition, it would be the single largest allocation to the program since its creation – a welcome change after two years without program funding and as farmers reckon with a return to severe drought conditions. The advisory group’s recommendations, once implemented, promise to further increase the impact and equitable distribution of SWEEP funds.

    CDFA Accepting Comments on the Advisory Group’s Report

    CDFA is accepting public comment on the advisory group’s recommendations report. Public comment can be submitted by email to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov any time before June 16, 2021 at 5 PM. See CDFA’s SWEEP page for more details: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/ — By Brian Shobe, California Climate & Agriculture Network

     

  • Modern Table Olive Acreage Well Positioned for Growth in Parched CA

    With emergency drought regulations being prepared and cuts in state and federal water deliveries being announced, farmers and ranchers are being forced to make tough decisions about the future of their operations.  One crop now getting a lot of attention as a possible alternative is table olives, grown in the modern acreage format, which the U.C. Davis Olive Center has called “California’s crop of the future.”

    The main catalyst for that attention is the olive modern acreage initiative, an effort being spearheaded by the Musco Family Olive Co. in partnership with U.S. family olive farmers. The U.S. grower/processor olive initiative is promoting a more competitive, drought-tolerant, environmentally friendly U.S.-based table olive sector by moving the industry towards a modern acreage format adaptable to mechanical harvesting and efficient irrigation methods.

    While traditional olive acreage is typically planted 60 to 80 trees per acre and hand-harvested, the modern acreage system is optimized with 200 to 250 trees per acre and mechanical harvesting using shaker technology. This approach doubles the yield per acre and reduces harvesting costs to roughly one-third of hand harvesting, which drives significantly improved grower economics.  Just as important is the fact that olive trees are also drought-tolerant and annually use less water than almonds or walnuts – a critical attribute given California’s constant drought concerns, rising water costs, and a tightening water supply.  The trees enjoy peak productivity for decades and perform well on marginal soil, which helps minimize capital investment.

    “The looming challenges facing all farmers – limited water supply, rising water costs, increasing labor costs, decreasing labor supply, loss of prime farmland, and reliance on selling products to volatile foreign markets – are all effectively addressed when planting and growing olives in the modern format,” said Dennis Burreson, a grower and vice president of field operations and industry affairs for Musco Family Olive Co. He added, “When you learn of the significant environmental benefits of the trees being drought tolerant and the recent successful trade actions, family farmers become very interested. As a result, we have already committed one million nursery stock trees free to select grower partners who stand ready to plant their own state-of-the-art orchards.”

    The U.S. government’s effective enforcement of U.S. trade remedy laws has provided a major boost to the hundreds of family farmers and processors comprising the U.S.-based olive industry. Since 2018, the United States has imposed antidumping and countervailing duties to redress heavily subsidized and dumped ripe olives from Spain, which for years have unfairly seized U.S. market share and pushed U.S. farmers and processors to the brink. By restoring fairness to the U.S. marketplace, those duties are giving the U.S.-based industry the time it needs to invest in its future competitiveness and protect thousands of American jobs. Today, the California ripe olive industry has regained nearly all the grocery business it had previously lost due to unfairly priced Spanish product.

    Because the modern acreage plantings will take time to reach maturity, the U.S.-based olive industry is taking every step necessary to ensure that effective antidumping and countervailing duties remain in place at the border. This includes actively monitoring imports and taking further actions as appropriate to stop evasion and other unfair imports that undermine a fair U.S. marketplace.

    “California’s olive growers have been taking every step possible to ensure a prosperous and growing table olive industry that will continue to provide the American consumer with premium California-grown ripe olives. We are grateful for the Biden Administration’s commitment to continued strong trade enforcement and ‘Build Back Better’ policies, which align with our industry’s aims and should help safeguard the future for table olives that are grown and processed in America,” said Andy Weinrich, a table olive grower from Glenn County who planted 80 acres in the modern acreage format about eight years ago.

    To provide growers with a better understanding of the benefits of modern acreage, the University of California, Davis Olive Center will host a free webinar on modernizing table olive groves on Wednesday, June 23, from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  To register for the webinar, visit: https://www.olives.com/milliontrees/

  • Suzanne Groth of Groth Vineyards & Winery Elected Wine Institute Chair

    Suzanne Groth, President and CEO of Groth Vineyards & Winery, headquartered in Oakville, CA, was elected Wine Institute Board Chairman for the 2021-2022 fiscal year at the organization’s 87th Annual Meeting of Members. Other officers elected were Rick Tigner of Jackson Family Wines in Santa Rosa, First Vice Chairman; Randall Lange of LangeTwins Family Vineyards and Winery in Acampo, Second Vice Chairman; Matt Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, Treasurer; and Robin Baggett of Alpha Omega Winery in Rutherford and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, Secretary. Bobby Koch is President and CEO of Wine Institute.

    “We California vintners are so fortunate to be growing and producing our iconic wines here in an ideal and diverse climate. Even with the many challenges we face, especially in the last year of unprecedented times, we find golden opportunities,” said Suzanne Groth, Groth Vineyards & Winery President and CEO. “If a vintner’s quest is to grow and make the best wines in the world, there is not a better soil, climate and access to market than California.” 

    As a second-generation family member of Groth Vineyards & Winery, Groth became President and CEO in 2017. She previously led the family business as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and prior to that worked in wine sales and public relations, for a combined 19 years. Previously, Groth worked for the Henry Wine Group, a California wine distributor where she sold wine to San Francisco restaurants and retailers.

    Groth Vineyards & Winery has been a member of Wine Institute since 1984 and Groth has served as a board member since 2014. Groth has also served as President of the Oakville Winegrowers since 2019 and been member of the Board of Directors since 2013.

    Wine Institute’s membership also elected new district and at-large directors and alternates. District directors and their alternates were elected on a one-member-one-vote basis in each district, following nominations by regional winery associations. They are:

     

    District 

    Director 

    Alternate Director 

    Northern 

    Kaj Ahlmann
    Six Sigma Winery

    John Kane
    Fetzer Vineyards

    Sonoma 

    Julie Pedroncelli St. John 
    J. Pedroncelli Winery

    Katie Wetzel Murphy 
    Alexander Valley Vineyards

    Tobin Ginter 
    Rodney Strong Vineyards

    Steven MacRostie 
    MacRostie Winery & Vineyards

    Ana Keller 
    Keller Estate

    Alan Ramey
    Ramey Wine Cellars

    Christopher Lloyd
    Senses Wine

    James Perry
    Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards

    Napa 

    Suzanne Groth
    Groth Vineyards & Winery

    Hugh Davies
    Schramsberg Vineyards

    Dennis Cakebread
    Cakebread Cellars

    Robin Baggett
    Alpha Omega Winery
    Tolosa Winery

    Mike Reynolds 
    HALL Wines

    Delia Viader 
    Viader Vineyards & Winery

    Michael Maher 
    Harlan Estate

    Chris Hall 
    Long Meadow Ranch Winery

    Amelia Morán Ceja 
    Ceja Vineyards

    Paul Leary 
    Palmaz Vineyards

    San Francisco Bay

    Amanda Kent 
    Darcie Kent Vineyards

    William Cooper 
    Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards

    Monterey Bay 

    Scott Scheid
    Scheid Vineyards

    Vacant

    Central Coast 

    Nicholas Miller 
    Miller Family Wine Company

    Laura Booras 
    Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

    Gretchen Roddick 
    Hope Family Wines

    Gary Eberle 
    Eberle Winery

    Maeve Pesquera
    DAOU Vineyards & Winery

    Karen Steinwachs
    Buttonwood Farm Winery

    Clarence Chia
    Justin Vineyards & Winery

    Vacant

    Southern California

    Steve Kahle 
    Woof’n Rose Winery

    Linda McWilliams
    San Pasqual Winery

    Sierra

    Steve Millier 
    Milliaire Winery

    Stuart Mast 
    Brice Station Vintners

    Northern
    Interior

    Randall Lange 
    LangeTwins Family Vineyards and Winery

    David Phillips 
    Michael-David Winery

    Southern
    Interior

    Kyle W. Ray
    ASV Wines

    John Allbaugh
    Bronco Wine Company

    All members elected 20 at-large directors who had been nominated by the Institute’s Finance and Administration Committee. Alternates were chosen by at-large directors.

    At-large Director 

    Alternate 

    Corey Beck 
    Francis Ford Coppola Presents

    Kenneth Miniami 
    Francis Ford Coppola Presents

    Giancarlo Bianchetti 
    Fetzer Vineyards

    Erik Olsen 
    Fetzer Vineyards

    James E. Coleman 
    E. & J. Gallo Winery

    To be announced

    Matt Deegan
    Constellation Brands, Inc.

    Sam Glaetzer 
    Constellation Brands, Inc.

    Ben Dollard 
    Treasury Wine Estates

    Debra Dommen 
    Treasury Wine Estates

    Michael Drobnick 
    O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

    Matthew Towers 
    O’Neill Vintners & Distillers

    Jeffrey Dubiel 
    The Wine Group

    Keith Bauman 
    The Wine Group

    Matthew J. Gallo 
    E. & J. Gallo Winery

    Stephanie Gallo 
    E. & J. Gallo Winery

    Cate Hardy 
    The Wine Group

    Amy Hoopes 
    The Wine Group

    Cheryl Indelicato 
    Delicato Family Wines

    Mark Merrion 
    Delicato Family Wines

    Peter N. Larson 
    Trinchero Family Estates

    Roger J. Trinchero 
    Trinchero Family Estates

    Daniel Leonard 
    Bronco Wine Company

    Chris Mifsud 
    Bronco Wine Company

    Lawrence T. Lohr 
    J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

    Jeff Humphreys 
    J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

    Alex Ryan 
    Duckhorn Wine Company

    Sean Sullivan 
    Duckhorn Wine Company

    Viviann Stapp 
    Jackson Family Wines

    Carolyn Wasem 
    Jackson Family Wines

    Rick Tigner 
    Jackson Family Wines

    Katie Jackson 
    Jackson Family Wines

    Robert R. Torkelson 
    Trinchero Family Estates

    Anthony Torres 
    Trinchero Family Estates

    Michael Walker 
    Constellation Brands, Inc.

    Tiffanie De Liberty 
    Constellation Brands, Inc.

    Christine Wente 
    Wente Family Estates

    Aly Wente 
    Wente Family Estates

    Jolene Yee 
    Delicato Family Wines

    Kathleen Mayhew 
    Delicato Family Wines
    Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses, working at the state, national and international levels. Based in San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., six regions across the U.S. and 13 foreign countries, Wine Institute is guided by 80 vintners who are members and alternates on an active board of directors. The board elects the Chairman and officers on an annual basis.

  • National Coalition Presses for Water Supply Infrastructure

    Citing an “acute and critical need” magnified by another all-too-familiar drought, a national coalition representing thousands of Western farmers, ranchers, water providers, businesses and communities urged Senate leaders yesterday to take action to address the shortcomings of aging water infrastructure.

    In a letter to Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the coalition said federal investment in a diversified water management portfolio that serves a broad range of water uses must be included as essential infrastructure in the next legislative package.

    The coalition includes more than 220 organizations from 15 states that collectively represent $120 billion in agricultural production—nearly one-third of all agricultural production in the country—and many of the local and regional public water agencies that supply water to more than 75 million urban, suburban and rural residents.

    The coalition warned that changing hydrological conditions and an expanding population in the West raise serious concerns about the future viability of the nation’s water infrastructure. To keep water flowing to farms, ranches, cities and the environment, the coalition said substantial federal investment is needed to bolster deteriorating storage and conveyance facilities and build new ones.

    “This funding will assist in addressing critical safety needs, develop new infrastructure, invest in smart water technology and conservation, and improve forest and water ecosystems. Additionally, it will spur economic recovery and prepare us to meet the water needs of the next generation in the face of a changing climate,” the coalition letter said.

    As part of a comprehensive water management portfolio, the coalition identified 1) more than $13 billion in Bureau of Reclamation water infrastructure needs over the next 10 years, including storage and conveyance, dam safety, rural water, water-smart technologies, and water recycling and reuse projects; 2) $34 billion for USDA to undertake forest restoration, watershed protection and flood prevention projects; and 3) $1.75 billion for Army Corps of Engineers water storage projects and environmental infrastructure.

    The coalition concluded the letter with a call for Congress to streamline regulation and permitting processes, along with other reforms, to ensure the timely construction of federal water projects as part of President Biden’s jobs and economic recovery plan.

    Click here for the letter to Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso.

    Click here for the list of 2022-2032 Western water infrastructure needs.

    Click here for a list of signatories to the letter.

    About Association of California Water Agencies:

    The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is a statewide association of public agencies whose more than 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more than a century, ACWA’s mission has been clear: to help members promote the development, management and use of good quality water at the lowest practical cost and in an environmentally responsible manner.

    About California Farm Bureau:

    The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 32,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 5.5 million Farm Bureau members.

    About Family Farm Alliance:
    The Family Farm Alliance is a powerful advocate for family farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts, and allied industries in seventeen Western states. The Alliance is focused on one mission – To ensure the availability of reliable, affordable irrigation water supplies to Western farmers and ranchers.

    About National Water Resources Association:

    National Water Resources Association advocates federal policies, legislation, and regulations promoting protection, management, development, and beneficial use of water resources. The association is dedicated to achieving sustainable water supply for all beneficial uses in an economical and environmentally responsible manner.

    About Western Growers:
    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.