California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

    California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to seven students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or community colleges.

    Four field worker scholarships were awarded: three for $25,000 for four years of university study and one for $14,500 for study at a combination of community college and university. Recipients may study any field. To qualify, the applicant or parent or guardian must work in the California table grape harvest.

    Three agricultural scholarships were awarded as well: each for $25,000 for four years of university study in an agriculturally related field.

    Since 1985, California table grape growers have awarded nearly 170 scholarships to help students attend college.

    The 2021 scholarship recipients are listed below:

    $14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Johanna Arreola is a graduate of Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano. Johanna graduated with a 4.17 weighted grape point average. Johanna was a member of the school marching band and the Delano Police Department Explorer program. Johanna will attend Porterville College, then transition to Sacramento State. Johanna will major in criminal justice with a goal of becoming an FBI agent.

    $25,000 Four-Year Field Worker Scholarship

    Ms. Daniela Carrillo is a graduate of Reedley High School in Reedley. Daniela graduated with a 4.5 weighted grade point average (GPA), the highest in school history. Daniela was a member of the Youth Health Corps and participated in the Reedley toy drive and community food bank projects. Daniela will attend UC San Diego where she will major in public health with a goal of becoming a public health educator or doctor.

    Ms. Fernanda Sevilla is a graduate of La Quinta High School in La Quinta. Fernanda graduated with 4.5 weighted GPA. Fernanda was a four-year honor roll student, and a member of the school film and fashion clubs. Fernanda will attend UC San Diego where she will major in psychology with a goal of becoming a psychologist.

    Mr. Gustavo Valenzuela is a graduate of McFarland High School in McFarland. Gustavo graduated with a 4.52 weighted GPA. Gustavo was associated student body vice president, was a member of the varsity baseball team and provided educational resources to students in Mexico. Gustavo will attend UCLA where he will major in biology with a career goal of becoming a physician.

    $25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

    Mr. Enrique Carrillo is a graduate of Wasco Union High School in Wasco. Enrique graduated with a 4.20 weighted GPA. Enrique was a member of the school track, wrestling, and cross country teams. Enrique also volunteered at Wind Wolves Preserve where he helped with the removal of invasive plant species and the replanting of endangered species. Enrique will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where he will major in agriculture engineering with a career goal of becoming an ag engineer.

    Ms. Michaela Mederos is a graduate of Tulare Western High in Tulare. Michaela graduated with a 4.07 weighted GPA. Michaela was involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), where she earned many awards, including the state championship in Grapevine Pruning Team competition. Michaela will attend Fresno State in the fall where she will major in agriculture business management with a goal of owning a floral shop.

    Ms. Clarisse Tracy is a graduate of Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield. Clarisse graduated with a 3.98 weighted GPA. Clarisse was a member of the school track, tennis, and cheer teams. Clarisse was also an active member of FFA. Clarisse will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall where she will major in agricultural business with the career goal of owning her own farm.

  • Center for Land-Based Learning Announces Unprecedented Organizational Growth

    As the need for new farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards continues to increase, the Center for Land-Based Learning is announcing its unprecedented organizational growth in response to this need.

    The Center, which started offering its FARMS program in 1993, has remained committed to inspiring, educating, and cultivating future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards in California over the long haul.

    In 2017, the Center set forth a multi-year strategy plan to, among other goals, “build a new home in a new place.”

    In May 2020, the Center moved to Woodland, after a successful capital campaign. The Center for Land-Based Learning’s Headquarters at Maples Farm is a 30-acre campus that houses their new offices, the Best Classroom where they will hold in-person classes when it is again safe to do so, and productive farmland and associated infrastructure. Beginning farmers in the Center’s California Farm Academy Farm Business Incubator Program can lease plots of farmland on Maples Farm or in West Sacramento, to grow their nascent agricultural ventures.

    “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible support and the ability to propel innovative new programs and services at our new facility”, says Jeana Hultquist, Chair of the Center’s Board. “This also meant aligning our leadership with comparable forward-looking non-profit organizations.”

    Mary Kimball, CEO, Center for Land-Based Learning

    In the fall of 2020, the Board promoted Mary Kimball from Executive Director to CEO. Mary was the first employee hired to work with the Center back in 1998 and has served at its helm since 2003. Under Kimball’s leadership, the move to Maples Farm positions the Center for growing success for another 25 years.

    The Center has also created several new positions in recent months. These include their new Director of Operations, filled by Jesus Zavala since December, their West Sacramento Urban Farm Program Coordinator, filled by Heather Lyon since April, and their Beginning Farm and Ranch Management Apprentice, filled by Erin Morris since April.

    California Farm Academy Director, Dr. Sridharan (Sri) Sethuratnam, added, “At the Maples Farm, we have access to quadruple the amount of land, and dramatically improved infrastructure and equipment. The land and infrastructure provide us with the capacity to better support the beginning farmers in the region and will eventually contribute to growing the next generation of farmers that our country needs.”

    Center for Land-Based Learning image courtesy of Fred Greaves https://fredgreaves.com/

    To learn more about the Center for Land-Based Learning, or to give to their mission, please visit landbasedlearning.org.

  • Good Bacteria Could Contribute in Fight Against Pathogens in Beef Processing Facilities

    Disease-causing bacteria like Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica could survive sanitization in beef processing facilities. Scientists and collaborators in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Agricultural Research Center (ARS) are investigating how this happens while also seeking approaches to solve the problem.

    E. coli O157:H7 (a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) and S. enterica are two disease-causing bacteria (pathogens) associated with foodborne illnesses in the United States. Because these pathogens can make people sick through contaminated food, scientists are researching effective and economical ways to lower risks of cross-contamination at food processing facilities.

    In a study, scientists explained the survival behavior of E. coli O157:H7 after exposure to unfavorable conditions such as those created by routine sanitation procedures, and how it varies within beef processing facilities that are following similar sanitizing protocols. “Under certain conditions, pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica would enter into a dormant or “hibernation” stage, forming a thin film that allows it to better survive on hard surfaces such as concrete or steel.  This is called a bacterial biofilm, and it cannot be seen with the naked eye,” explained Dr. Rong Wang, Research Microbiologist with U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE.

    A major concern is that biofilms allow harmful bacteria to better survive on hard surfaces at the facility, potentially contaminating food, and making consumers sick. Interestingly, studies show that these pathogens do not survive on their own! After comparing samples from different facilities that follow similar cleaning measures but experiencing different levels of pathogens, scientists learned that multiple species of bacteria found in the processing plant environment of each location could either enhance or reduce a pathogen’s chance of surviving sanitizing procedures. They do this by forming a biofilm community (mixed biofilm structure).

    “We look at the unique communities of environmental bacteria that collaborate or compete with pathogens at each location. The collaboration may lead to high pathogen prevalence at certain locations, but strong competition may inhibit pathogen survival at other places.  Since many of these environmental bacteria are not harmful to humans or animals, if we can identify the specific species that inhibit pathogen biofilm formation, we can use them as probiotics (preventive measures) against disease-causing bacteria.”

    Meanwhile, a couple of studies published in the Journal of Food Protection from this research group show that multi-component sanitizers, a novel multifaceted approach using combinations of various sanitizing reagents and treatments could inactivate biofilms formed by E. coli O157:H7 and S. enterica more effectively, reducing the chances of the pathogen surviving cleaning practices at beef processing facilities.

    More research is needed to understand the interaction of multiple species of bacteria present in different processing plant environments and how they vary from one facility to another—reflecting different locations, temperatures, and other factors. Can we develop a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach against pathogens in food processing facilities?

    “We understand how crucial it is for the food industry to have measures that will effectively prevent the formation of these biofilms and reduce the risk of food contamination and protecting public health,” said Wang.

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $17 of economic impact.

  • An Organic Alternative to Combatting Spotted Wing Drosophila

    Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are working to understand how something can be equally effective as both a government-approved food additive and as a pesticide.

    Methyl benzoate is a naturally occurring compound produced by plants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration long ago approved methyl benzoate for human use; its fruity and floral aroma makes it a staple in perfumes and cosmetics and as a food additive. Nature employs it to attract pollinators.

    While many insects find methyl benzoate appealing, Aijun Zhang, research chemist at the ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, is investigating why some insects and non-insect pests find it revolting.

    From left, research chemist Aijun Zhang, postdoctoral Nick Larson, and intern Lauryn Brooks demonstrated research into methyl benzoate uses as a pesticide in an ARS poster day demonstration.

    Zhang’s research has focused on methyl benzoate’s utility as a pesticide for human protection and crop protection. So far, Zhang has documented that the compound will kill or repel many insects in various stages of development, including mosquitoes, bed bugs, fire ants, ticks, flies, moths, and the brown marmorated stink bug. Perhaps most important, however, is its ability to repel and kill the spotted wing drosophila fly (SWD). “SWD is the most significant invasive insect pest of soft-skinned fruit crops in the USA,” Zhang said.

    Since SWD was first detected in California a little over a decade ago, the fly has become a key pest in blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherries. These crops have a combined annual value of over $5.8 billion, and farmers lose about $718 million annually to SWD damage.

    Farmers fight SWD with synthetic insecticides, but at prices up to $1,200 per acre, that method is expensive. It is costly in other ways, too, Zhang said; the synthetic insecticide is harmful to the environment, contributes to pesticide resistance, and may be harmful to humans.

    Because methyl benzoate is an environmentally friendly, bio-based compound, Zhang thinks it has great potential to be used by people for human protection as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. It also costs much less than synthetic pesticide treatments.

    According to Zhang, methyl benzoate shares the same “chemical skeleton” as DEET, the gold standard in arthropod repellency, a detail that is leading future research efforts.

    “Understanding the structure-activity relationship will allow researchers to modify the chemical structure of the methyl benzoate molecule to develop pesticides that are more efficient at controlling arthropod pests,” he said. — By Scott Elliott, USDA-ARS Office of Communications.

  • Numerous Health Benefits Found in Summer-Favorite Watermelon

    No summer barbecue is complete without fresh watermelon. As the nation moves towards the summer grilling season, you may want to consider how watermelon’s fruit chemistry can affect your overall health. Researchers in the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently identified over 1,500 small molecules of diverse chemical characters in the fruit, known as phytochemicals. They concluded that eating watermelon is an excellent way to increase your intake of antioxidants, non-protein amino acids and lycopene. This means that every time you eat watermelon, you’ll be improving the health of your cells, organs and nervous system.

    The research specifically finds that the antioxidants in watermelon can help your body fight free radicals and slow down cell damage. The fruit’s non-protein amino acids will also help to repair your body tissue, break down food from other meals, and even regulate your blood pressure.

    “Watermelon could be part of the refreshing and healthy fruit options on your summer picnic table,” said USDA-ARS scientist Larry Parnell. “The fruit has gone through many years of evolution, domestication, and selection for desirable qualities—mainly those associated with flesh color, texture and nutrient and sugar content. But our research continues to find that the fruit contains a wide range of nutrients that improve your overall health.”

    Most Americans purchase the sweet dessert watermelon species, Citrullus lanatus, at their local grocery store or farmer’s market.  This species is among the most important vegetable crops grown and consumed throughout the world, with over 100 million tons in annual global production.  The fruit also has more lycopene than a raw tomato, which is linked to healthy eyes, overall heart health and protection against certain cancers. Other nutrients, like carotenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates and alkaloids, are also found in the flesh, seed, and rind.

    “I worked with Dr. Parnell and the team to develop a pioneering concept of using big data and computational biology to identify and catalog all of the phytochemicals that exist in edible fruit,” said ARS researcher Amnon Levi. “The research to identify the metabolic pathways and genome sequence of genes involved in the production of beneficial phytochemicals could be highly useful for plant scientists and breeders aiming to improve nutrient content in fruits and vegetables.”

    The watermelon’s phytochemicals are human-cell-protecting compounds found in fruit, vegetables, grains and beans. All of these nutrients can contribute to your overall health in numerous ways.

    Watermelon was introduced to Europe via Moorish Spain in the 10th century. Since then, watermelon has been cultivated successfully in warmer Mediterranean regions before being brought to the Americas by European colonists during the 16th century. Today, watermelon is grown in 44 U.S. states, while major production is centered in California, Florida, Georgia and Texas.

    Fruits and vegetables are a part of a healthy, balanced diet, with the recommendation being 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $17 of economic impact.

  • Preparing for Almond Hull Split

    Almond experts say there is only one proven way to know when hull split begins: inspect your trees from the top down, starting in the southwest corner of the canopy.

    The importance of knowing precisely when hull split occurs is critical because it signals the proper timing for treatments to control navel orangeworm (NOW) and, as appropriate, hull rot. Whether growers use a ladder, climb atop a pruning tower or lop off a few high branches with extension pruners, the goal is to understand what’s happening in the top of the tree, where nuts mature at a faster rate.

    Simply looking up into a tree’s canopy from the orchard floor is a sure fire way to miss the advent of hull split. When hulls split, a scent is released into the air, attracting female NOW moths to lay their eggs on the suture of the splitting hull. As the hull splits, fungal spores also can enter and spawn hull rot infections.

    Missing the beginning of hull split and allowing NOW or pathogens to gain a toehold in an orchard can wreck a grower’s entire season and reduce the value of the crop, costing growers in returns if nuts are rejected after harvest.

    Summer split invites unwanted guests

    Growers can determine if hull split has occurred – and if it’s time to spray – if, when they squeeze the end of the hull, the entire suture opens up, exposing the shell within.  Almond hulls split as the fruit ripens, and timing varies based on weather conditions and variety. For instance, the variety Nonpareil typically splits in early- to- mid-July, earlier than some other varieties.

    However, it’s at the stage before this, when the hull is split in a deep “V,” that susceptibility to NOW and wound pathogens that cause hull rot (Rhizopus, Aspergillus, and Monilinia) increase, making it vitally important that growers actively monitor their trees.

    Vice President of Member Services for Blue Diamond Growers Mel Machado advises growers to look for blank nuts – those without a kernel inside – as those hulls are the first to split, several days ahead of the “sound” nuts (those with a full kernel).

    Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers

    “The blanks are like the warning shot, signaling the start of hull split,” he said. “When full hull split does occur, the nuts at the top of the canopy will open up first.”

    Experts say growers should pay attention to trees on the edge of their orchards as they often ripen more quickly. Growers should also closely monitor the upper and outer portions of the canopy, particularly the southwest quadrant of the orchard block where the hot afternoon sun aids in the splitting and drying process.

    “Better to be too early than too late”

    Hull split applications should be made no later than at 1% hull split. This is the most effective time to spray for NOW as it often coincides with initiation of the second NOW flight.1

    Once growers identify hull split in their orchard, their next step should be to initiate timely treatment. Experts warn that waiting too long to begin spraying will cost growers, as will performing a poor spray job.

    Machado advised, “It’s better to be a bit on the early side than late” when spraying. Once hull split begins, he recommended the entire orchard be sprayed in five days or less. “If it takes 10 or 15 days, that’s too long,” he said.

    Planning ahead – especially for smaller growers who rely on custom applicators – is essential.

    “Watch your fields closely and be in contact with your operator early on,” Machado advised.

    In larger orchards, Machado advises growers consider starting with aerial sprays, recognizing that ground-based sprays don’t always provide complete coverage at the tops of the trees.

    “We’re seeing growers effectively incorporate aerial applications into their treatment programs for the first application in order to cover the acreage in a timely manner,” Machado said.

    The best time to spray is early in the morning or at dusk.

    “Do not spray in the heat of the day – your application will evaporate into thin air and you won’t get the material where it needs to go. That’s a waste of time and money, as you’re not only wasting spray material but you also won’t achieve the coverage necessary to combat crop damage,” Machado said.

    Finally, growers should ensure their ground-based sprayers are properly calibrated, the nozzles are unplugged and that air flow isn’t restricted. Once it’s time to spray, growers should remind applicators to drive no more than two mph through orchards to ensure optimum coverage and to drive down each row to ensure the trees are equally covered.

    “There are some guys who spray every other row, and that’s not a good idea,” Machado said. “There are two sides to the tree; you need to spray both of them.”

    Machado reinforced that hullsplit sprays offer the final chance to manage NOW populations before harvest. Still, these applications are only part of a coordinated, year-round, integrated pest management plan to combat NOW that also must include winter sanitation and mating disruption, both of which are performed earlier in the crop year. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Whole Orchard Recycling Benefits and Incentives

    Almond Board of California — Exciting research shows that conducting Whole Orchard Recycling (WOR) in almonds can increase crop yields in subsequent orchards, provide long-term benefits to soil health (such as improved water retention and nutrient levels) and increase carbon sequestration.

    Conducted by researchers from the University of California (UC) Davis and UC Agricultural and Natural Resources, with funding in part by the Almond Board of California (ABC), this study identifies significant advantages to practicing WOR, the breadth of which are detailed in a report published in the journal PLOS ONE.

    The study spanned over a decade and compared plots within a nine-year-old orchard where WOR took place with plots where trees had been burned and their ashes tilled into the soil. At ninth leaf, researchers also tested the impact of deficit irrigation mid-growing season by reducing the amount of water applied by 20% for some of the trees.

    When the results were placed side-by-side, the plots where WOR took place consistently bested the plots where old trees’ ashes were tilled into the soil. Among other benefits, researchers discovered a:

    • 19% increase in yields at ninth leaf and 15% increase in cumulative yield over five years, 
    •  30% increase in soil water holding capacity (water retention), and 
    • 17% increase in total soil nitrogen levels. 
      • To note: Subsequent research found that additional nitrogen is needed in the first year.

    “Almond growers have long been told that implementing practices to improve soil health will provide all these benefits, but until now there had been very little data demonstrating that a focus on feeding the soil with organic matter can make a meaningful difference in yield and crop quality,” said Gabriele Ludwig, Ph.D., director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs for the Almond Board.

    Study shows significant yield increases
    Key among the multiple positive outcomes discovered by this WOR study is the potential for increased yields. This finding not only brings good news for a grower’s bottom line, but it also has positive implications on the industry’s effort to produce “more crop per drop,” an effort it is striving to achieve as part of its Almond Orchard 2025 Goal to reduce the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by an additional 20%.

    “The increased water holding soil capacity that occurs as a result of Whole Orchard Recycling means that trees are subject to fewer extremes in terms of water availability, as more water is held in the upper layer of the soil where the majority of the tree’s roots are, and where tree uptake takes place,” Ludwig explained.

    Research shows that WOR increased water retention in the soil by up to 30%. While Ludwig cautioned that this data does not lend itself to a recommendation that growers can use less water if they practice WOR, it does indicate that applied water is used more efficiently by trees in orchards where WOR has occurred.

    Amélie Gaudin, Ph.D., an associate professor of agroecology in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and a co-author of the WOR research report, said that by allowing more water to penetrate and the remain in the soil, WOR also reduces potential irrigation-related losses caused by runoff or evapotranspiration.

    “In plots where WOR occurred, water was more likely to reach and be used by the trees, allowing for increased yields as trees experienced less short-term stress and therefore achieved greater water use efficiency,” Ludwig said.

    A hedge against deficit-induced tree stress
    This study also demonstrates that by increasing soil organic matter, WOR helps insulate orchards from negative impacts of deficit irrigation, which involves a delicate balance between stressing one’s trees just enough to prevent too much moisture and potential for disease in the orchards with not overstressing the trees to a point where their yields and overall health are compromised. According to the research, the deficit-irrigated trees in the WOR plots maintained higher stem water potential compared to the deficit-irrigated trees in the burn plots, indicating trees in the WOR plots were less water stressed.

    “We forget that trees can get stressed enough to shut down photosynthesis, whether that’s because they can’t keep up with water demand in the hot afternoons, for a day or two before irrigation, or during harvest,” Ludwig said. “So, when the upper layers of the soil can hold more water, the trees are better buffered from those stresses.” 

    Gaudin said that by improving water holding capacity, WOR also helps orchards retain nitrogen, one of almond trees’ most necessary nutrients. This has positive implications for groundwater quality in areas where nitrogen leeching is a concern. It also may contribute to yield increases as trees in the WOR plots were shown to have greater access to nitrogen for longer periods of time.

    Another supplementary benefit, Ludwig noted, is that over time, as microorganisms in the soil break down the woody biomass, both macro- and micronutrients contained within the wood are released for reuse by the next generation of trees. This allows growers to “recycle” those nutrients so that they may be used throughout the lifetime of their newly planted orchard.

    Next steps for researchers working on this WOR research, Gaudin said, include further study of carbon sequestration and its implication for greenhouse gases, gaining a better understanding of nitrogen retention, optimizing WOR in different soil conditions and the impacts of integrating WOR with other responsible growing practices such as cover crops or anaerobic soil disinfestation.

    Support for those seeking to conduct WOR
    Growers may be eligible to receive incentive funding to conduct WOR if they apply for funds far enough in advance of conducting the practice.

    • WOR is now a practice eligible for co-funding through CDFA’s Healthy Soil Incentives Program. Payments cover about 50% of the cost of WOR, according to CDFA Senior Environmental Scientist Geetika Joshi. The next round of funding for the program begins in July 2021.
    • USDA-NRCS offers Conservation Stewardship Program funds to growers who find alternatives to burning old trees, providing $783.29 per acre for chipping (used for animal bedding or applied as mulch on another piece of ag land) and an additional $242.09 per acre for Whole Orchard Recycling. While applications are accepted year-round, funding for 2021 has already been announced. Still, growers can submit their applications now to apply for 2022 funding.  
    • For those in the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District provides cost-share funds to reduce ag burning through its Alternative to Agricultural Open Burning Incentive Program. Growers participating in this program are eligible to receive $300-$600 per acre, with a maximum of $60,000 per grower. Incentive recipients are typically paid four-to-six weeks after their completion of WOR, and after an invoice has been sent to the district.

    For general questions about incentive programs, industry members may contact ABC’s Jesse Roseman at jroseman@almondboard.com.

    Those interested to learn more about how WOR may be practiced on their operation are encouraged to download or request a physical copy of the Whole Orchard Recycling Guide for California Almond Growers, created in partnership by ABC and UC ANR. Growers are also welcome to watch the     Whole Orchard Recycling Overview and Whole Orchard Recycling – A Grower’s How-To videos, which are hosted on YouTube and found on ABC’s website. Finally, UC Davis provides a robust website dedicated to Whole Orchard Recycling, which offers a deep dive into the research findings, grower testimonials, and more. 

    In addition to Gaudin, co-authors of the study include Kelsey Brewer and Emad Jahanzad of UC Davis; Brent Holtz, Sean Hogan and Cameron Zuber of UC Cooperative Extension; and David Doll, a former UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor.

  • National Watermelon Promotion Board Partners with Disney and Pixar’s Luca

    It will be a summer of adventure for National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), thanks to a month-long collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s original feature film Luca, which streams exclusively on Disney+ starting June 18.

    “Luca” is a fun and heartwarming story about friendship, stepping out of your comfort zone and an extraordinary pair of sea monsters who experience a life-changing summer. Watermelon makes a special cameo in the film as sea monsters Luca and Alberto, who look human when they’re dry, venture beyond the surface to the Italian seaside town of Portorosso to see—and taste—all this new world has to offer.

    The Joy of Watermelon Meets the Thrill of Pixar

    As part of its collaboration, NWPB has developed the “Unforgettable Summer” campaign, connecting watermelon and Luca’s inherent themes of summertime joy and happiness.

    Throughout the month of June, NWPB will encourage people nationwide to visit a special landing page (Watermelon.org/PixarLuca) to either share an unforgettable summer adventure they’ve had or would like to have in 2021.

    Individuals who share their stories and dreams are entered for the chance to win weekly prizes, such as Lucamerchandise or one grand prize of an “Unforgettable Movie Night” prize pack which includes an Outdoor Movie Projector, Projector Screen, Popcorn Maker, Watermelon Slicer and a BlendJet.

     

    “Watermelon and summertime adventures go hand-in-hand, which makes our collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Luca a perfect pairing,” said Stephanie Barlow, Senior Director of Communications, NWPB. “While watermelon is incredibly versatile, there’s no denying most everyone associates enjoying watermelon with our best summer memories – whether it’s family picnics, weekend getaways or unforgettable vacations. That connects directly with the themes of Luca, which arrives just as we find ourselves in peak watermelon season.

    “Our members are incredibly excited about the “Unforgettable Summer” campaign, as well, and look forward to sharing with their stakeholders in the months ahead,” Barlow added.

    On the Watermelon.org landing page, visitors also will find:

    • The world of Luca brought to life.
    • The film’s trailer.
    • Watermelon recipes inspired by Italian cuisine – such as “Watermelon Pizza alla Italia” and “Watermelon Caprese alla Feta.”
    • A chance to enter the “Unforgettable Summer” Sweepstakes*.

    Promotions Online and In Social

    To draw people to the landing page, NWPB will promote the collaboration on its social channels as well as via pre-roll digital ads – all targeting watermelon lovers while drawing new fans and followers of Pixar and Luca.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 16 pounds in 2020. Watermelon consumption in the United States was approximately 5.3 billion pounds in 2020. The United States exported an additional 359 million pounds of watermelon.

    About Disney and Pixar’s LUCA

    Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar’s original feature film “Luca” is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer), but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface. Directed by Academy Award® nominee Enrico Casarosa (“La Luna”) and produced by Andrea Warren (“Lava,” “Cars 3”), “Luca” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on June 18, 2021.

    *Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts June 1, 2021 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on July 2, 2021. For full official rules and to enter, visit www.Watermelon.org/PixarLuca. Sponsored by National Watermelon Promotion Board, 1321 Sundial Point, Winter Springs, FL 32708.

  • Preparing Almond Growers for Another Drought

    Drought is a serious concern for farmers this year, and in this interview with Daren Williams from the Almond Board of California, he shares some complimentary resources from the Almond Board to help growers weather another dry year, as well as some other insights. Watch this brief video with Daren and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • What the Farm Workforce Modernization Act Means for Farmers

    While it has seemed impossible to get anything done at the national level regarding ag labor reform, Sara Neagu-Reed from the federal policy Division of the California Farm Bureau Federation shares in an interview with California Ag Network that hope is on the horizon with the progress of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Watch this brief video with Sara as she explains why, and what ag employers should know and do about it.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.