California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Ensuring Effectiveness of Federal-State Milk Safety System While Bird Flu Impacts Dairies

    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), alongside its federal and state partners, is continuing to take a stepwise approach to its scientific analysis of commercial milk safety during the first-of-its-kind detection of HPAI H5N1 in dairy cattle. While FDA’s initial assessment of the milk safety system continues to be affirmed by sampling and testing of retail dairy products, there remain a number of collective activities being undertaken to ensure the continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. The FDA will continue to follow a sound scientific process to inform the agency’s public health decisions related to food safety.

    FDA recently announced preliminary results of a study of 297 retail dairy samples, which were all found to be negative for viable virus. The FDA is today announcing that all final egg inoculation tests associated with this retail sampling study have been completed and were also found to be negative for viable HPAI H5N1 virus. These confirmatory test results mark the completion of our laboratory research efforts related to these 297 retail dairy samples. Additional sampling and other surveillance activities will continue.

    While FDA retail sampling test results to date are clear about the safety of the commercial milk supply and representative of real-world scenarios, additional scientific work is being undertaken to validate the criteria for pasteurization relative to the HPAI H5N1 virus and will include tests using pasteurization equipment typically used by milk processors. Today, we’d like to share more about our additional research efforts.

    The established pasteurization process set forth in federal regulation (21 CFR 1240.61) and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) provides specific temperature and time requirements for effective elimination of known pathogens in the milk supply. To further validate pasteurization effectiveness against this recently detected virus, the FDA previously noted it was testing samples of pooled raw milk routed for commercial processing to characterize potential virus levels that the pasteurization process must eliminate. Our pasteurization study is designed to better replicate real-world conditions to deliver the pasteurization treatment parameters set forth in the CFR and PMO, and to assess their effectiveness in inactivating HPAI H5N1 in bovine milk and other dairy products.

    The results from this study will help further the FDA’s understanding of pasteurization efficacy against anticipated concentrations of virus under real-world processing conditions. The pasteurization study is ongoing and we anticipate making preliminary results available in the near future.

    The agency is also announcing an additional $8 million is being made available to support its ongoing response activities to ensure the safety of the commercial milk supply. This funding will support the agency’s ability to validate pasteurization criteria, conduct surveillance at different points in the milk production system, bolster laboratory capacity and provide needed resources to train staff on biosecurity procedures.

    Additionally, these funds will help support HPAI H5N1 activities in partnership with state co-regulatory partners, who administer state programs as part of the federal/state milk safety system. It may also allow the FDA to partner with universities on critical research questions.

    To date, the totality of evidence – including studies on the effectiveness of pasteurization against multiple pathogens, recent studies on the effectiveness of pasteurization of HPAI H5N1 in eggs at lower temperatures than generally used in dairy products, negative retail sample results to date, and real-world evidence from the last 100 years of the PMO — continues to indicate that the commercial milk supply is safe.

    At the same time, the FDA also continues to advise against the consumption of raw milk (milk that has not been pasteurized). The FDA and CDC have long standing information regarding the increased risk of foodborne illness associated with numerous pathogens that may be present in raw milk. This increased risk exists for both humans and other animals that might drink raw milk. Additional guidance on raw milk and milk handling can be found on our website.

    FDA is committed to continuing to initiate, support, and collaborate on research and surveillance of milk production, processing, and pasteurization to further our public health goals.

  • Small Farm Conference Continues to Provide Needed Education

    Since the beginning of production agriculture, the vast majority of farming operations have consisted of small family farms. That’s true today as well, as these farms comprise nearly 90% of all the farms in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Providing the education needed to help California’s small farms thrive is the top priority for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, a nonprofit that provides information and ideas that will allow small farmers to succeed, said Evan Wiig, CAFF’s director of membership and communications.

    “By equipping small-farm operators with the tools and education they need, and by working to promote programs that really benefit small farms, such as more farmers markets and making direct-to-consumer sales easier, we can help them be successful,” Wiig said.

    CAFF’s major initiative each year is its Small Farm Conference, sponsored in part by Farm Credit associations doing business in California. The 36th annual conference was held earlier this year and drew more than 1,200 small farmers from around the state to the hybrid event, consisting of 60 online workshops as well as 10 in-person gatherings from San Diego to Humboldt County where people could network and exchange ideas.

    Wiig said sponsorships such as Farm Credit’s support are vital for nonprofits such as his.

    “We could not put on the conference without sponsorships. That’s the short of it,” Wiig said. “We strive to make sure our education is accessible to all farmers, including new farmers, students and farmworkers. To make the conference accessible to those people, we have to keep our ticket prices down. We really appreciate everything Farm Credit does. They’re still our rainmaker sponsorship. They really do make it rain and we appreciate it.”

    Kevin Ralph, California State President for AgWest Farm Credit, said providing ongoing education to farmers and ranchers is a top priority for California’s Farm Credit associations.

    “Each year, Farm Credit supports nonprofits focusing on ag education because educational opportunities offered by nonprofits such as CAFF are vitally important to the success of agriculture,” Ralph said. “Helping small farmers is something we should all support and keeping them up to date on the latest tools and techniques is a great way to ensure that they continue to thrive.”

    Farm Credit organizations members AgWest Farm Credit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are proud supporters of CAFF. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    The conference was abruptly transformed in 2021 into a virtual conference due to the pandemic, which turned out to be wildly popular since by definition small farmers often have a difficult time leaving their farms for four days and bearing the travel expenses to get to a central location.

    “We’re hearing from the farmers that they really appreciate this format,” Wiig said. “Attendees were posting on Instagram pictures of themselves tuning into the conference while doing all sorts of things on their farms. It was cool to see that we’re meeting them where they’re at and glad to see that they’re getting a lot out of it.”

    Workshops this year ranged from marketing a small farm to business administration to crop-specific workshops for commodities including strawberries and wine grapes. It also included innovative ways to do sales, such as online sales and selling to schools and hospitals.

    Wiig said programs are developed after a listening tour CAFF’s staff takes each fall to learn about what problems were keeping farmers up at night and where they should focus advocacy efforts in Sacramento.

    “A lot of the things that we’ve been hearing about for a long time continue to rise to the top – access to water and land, adaptation to climate change, dealing with wildfires, floods and droughts – the continued craziness of farming in California,” Wiig said.

    “But we also saw that because they are small operations, they struggle to access equipment and markets. We want to make sure smaller and new farmers have access to capital, processing equipment and infrastructure. We’re looking at things like helping start farm cooperatives and distribution collaboratives. We’re also cosponsoring a bill for tool-sharing programs so groups can get access to equipment they couldn’t otherwise afford on their own,” he said.

    Keith Hesterberg, President and CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, said it’s encouraging to see nonprofits sponsored by Farm Credit continue to come up with new ideas to promote agriculture.

    “CAFF does a great job of understanding the needs of small farmers and developing support systems to help them,” Hesterberg said. “We are proud that our support makes a difference and look forward to continuing to support CAFF and our state’s small farmers.”

    Next year’s conference is tentatively scheduled for February 23-28, and Wiig said after reviewing feedback and evaluations from participants, one thing CAFF will try to do is expand the local gatherings.

    “Clearly, there’s a desire to add more in-person workshops and field days. This year’s field days sold out within days and it’s clear that people want to get onto other farms and see how they do things. We want to make that a central focus of the conference going forward,” he said.

    About Farm Credit: 

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About CAFF:

    The Community Alliance with Family Farmers builds sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. The California Small Farm Conference convenes farmers and ag advocates to share resources, trade best practices, learn and collectively advocate for family farms in their community. For more information, visithttps://caff.org.

  • Wildfire Preparedness Strategies for Farms Covered in May 21 & 28 Webinars

    Late spring rains have delayed California’s fire season this year, which provides farmers and ranchers an opportunity to improve their wildfire preparedness. Barns, wood fencing, hay and other property commonly found on farms have inherent vulnerabilities to wildfire.

    Fortunately, buildings and infrastructure can be hardened and maintained to reduce their vulnerability to fire and fire-related damage to agricultural resources. Having a plan in place to keep livestock safe and healthy is essential to maintaining animal health and resume operations as quickly as possible post-wildfire. Join the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network team to learn about wildfire preparedness strategies for farms and ranches.

    The two-part webinar series will cover hardening structures and managing livestock during wildfire.

    Part 1: Ranch Hardening and Wildfire Preparedness Strategies for Agricultural Structures

    • May 21 at 6-7 p.m.
    • Join UC Cooperative Extension fire advisor Luca Carmignani and UCCE forest advisor Yana Valachovic to discuss best practices for incorporating principles of structure hardening and defensible space into agricultural structures and operations.
    • Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.

    Part 2: The Realities of Managing Livestock Health During Wildfire

    • May 28 at 6-7:30 p.m.
    • Join UCCE livestock and natural resource advisors and our partners for a set of presentations about managing livestock health during wildfire events and what to do if you find yourself trapped by an approaching wildfire.
    • Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Registration Now Open for Fresno Stockmanship & Stewardship Event

    Registration is now open for a Stockmanship & Stewardship event, October 18-19, at the Fresno State Animal Sciences Pavilion in Fresno, California. Funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique educational experience for cattle producers featuring low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, facility design sessions and industry updates.

    “Educational programs like Stockmanship & Stewardship elevate producers’ commitment to continuous improvement through BQA principles,” said Bill Dale, Executive Director at the California Beef Council. “By participating in Stockmanship & Stewardship, California’s cattle ranchers and beef producers are demonstrating to consumers that they are striving to produce the highest quality, safest beef possible.”

    During the event, attendees can become BQA and BQA Transportation certified, network with fellow cattle ranchers and beef producers, participate in hands-on demonstrations led by animal handling experts, and learn innovative management techniques. Industry experts will cover topics such as low-stress loading, effective stockmanship, biosecurity, preharvest management, and California trailer laws. Stockmanship & Stewardship is sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Neogen, the California Beef Council, the California Cattle Council, and the Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Assurance program.

    “Neogen is dedicated to the advancement of human and animal well-being through science and technology,” said Elizabeth Wonsowski, livestock director of marketing at Neogen. “As a leader within the beef industry and proud partner of cattle ranchers and beef production, we recognize the important role that education and resources play in helping the cattle industry continue to grow in a healthy and sustainable way. We are proud to support NCBA and the Beef Checkoff through the Stockmanship & Stewardship program. Together, we can fuel a brighter future of global food security.”

    For more information, complete agenda, fees and to register, visit www.StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. Cattle producers attending Stockmanship & Stewardship are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.

    About the California Beef Council

    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to amplify the voice of the California beef industry to strengthen beef demand through innovative promotions, research, and open communication. For more information, visit www.calbeef.org.

    About the Beef Checkoff

    The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national Checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

  • Unearthing Opportunities in Fresh Potato Retail Sales

    While fresh potatoes are the number three seller in produce department dollar sales, retail analysts suggest there is still substantial opportunity for growth. To help grocers seize potatoes’ full potential, Potatoes USA has released a new educational series filled with fresh data and actionable recommendations.

    “Fresh potatoes are the number one selling vegetable accounting for more than 10% of all vegetable sales, but this is not their ceiling of opportunity,” said Anne-Marie Roerink, founder of 210 Analytics, LLC. “There are pockets of opportunity throughout the fresh potato category retailers can leverage to drive renewed pound growth.”

    To help retailers capitalize on fresh potato sales opportunities, Potatoes USA has created the “Powered by Potatoes” education series. Individuals can register here to access:

    • The 30-minute “Unearthing Opportunities in Fresh Potato Sales at Retail” webinar, featuring Roerink and Potatoes USA’s Director of Marketing Marissa Stein featuring exclusive retail data to help unlock opportunities in the produce department.
    • An ongoing email education program with tips to bring the webinar’s suggestions to life.

    Among the series’ recommendations:

    Win with the Big Sellers and Capitalize on Growth

    Russet potatoes generate more than 50% of fresh potato sales — a must-win performer to cement solid potato sales. But it is important to capitalize on growth drivers as well. In 2023, yellow potatoes surpassed reds as the second largest seller with a 6.7%-pound increase in 2023. This variety shows strong volume and dollar gains.

    “When it comes to capitalizing on the power of the potato, best-in-class retailers have a wide assortment that centers on Russet, yellow and reds and rounds out with smaller and mixed varieties.,” Roerink said. “Pound growth in the current marketplace is remarkable, so consider giving extra emphasis to marketing yellow, as they are trending strong now. Our data finds success in yellow across the board in bag/pack sizes and in bulk.”

    Growth in Smaller Quantities

    The 5-pound bags are the potato mainstay and represent 51% of fresh potato pound sales. However, smaller pack sizes are seeing steady growth. Roerink noted the smaller 1-<2-lb. And 2-4 lb. packs grew the most last year and now represent 12% of pound sales. Meanwhile, the larger 8-lb., 10-lb. and 10+ lb. packs have lost ground.

    There are several reasons for smaller pack sizes to have outperformed last year, including potatoes’ above-average inflation in the first half of the year, core households becoming smaller and consumers paying attention to preventing food waste at home as a chief way to save money,” she explained. “Consider a wide array of pack sizes when it comes to growing sales, including smaller.”

    Look to Opportunity Households

    Potatoes are loved by all with an 85% household penetration and few demographic differences in household purchasing statistics.

    “Potato households spend $40 per year on fresh potatoes, but some spend far more and others spend far less,” Roerink said. “The difference lies in trips per year. Boomers – especially male boomers – and large households with teens purchase potatoes far more often. They are locked in.”

    “We encourage retailers to also look to ‘opportunity households’ who do buy potatoes, but far less often,” she added. “These include one-person, Asian and Gen Z households.”

    For more data, insights and inspiration, retailers can sign up today for the education series.

    About Potatoes USA

    Potatoes USA is the national marketing and promotion board representing U.S. growers and importers. Potatoes USA, the largest vegetable commodity board, was established in 1971 by potato farmers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes. For more information on Potatoes USA’s mission to “Strengthen Demand for Potatoes,” visit PotatoGoodness.com.

  • Initial Almond Crop Forecast Up 21 Percent from Last Year

    The 2024 California Almond Forecast published Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 3 billion pounds, 21 percent above last year’s 2.47 billion pounds.

    Forecasted yield is 2,170 pounds per acre, up 380 pounds from the 2023 harvest.

    “This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a productive bloom this spring, but it is also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California during difficult times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver on producing high quality California almonds to meet that demand.”

    The report said, “The 2024 almond crop experienced fluctuating, but mostly favorable weather for the first half of the growing season. The bloom began the second week in February for the early varieties. There were a handful of storms that brought rain, wind, and hail to some areas, but overall mild temperatures and excellent weather from the end of February into early March helped boost pollination. Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year … There was minimal to no threat of frost damage and water allocation is not an issue for the second year in a row.

    This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 19 to May 5 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online or phone.

    On July 10, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2024 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. If the 3.0 billion pounds holds, it would be the second largest crop on record.

    This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2024 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has decreased about 600 acres from the previous year to 1.373 million acres.

    USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast and Objective Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

  • CAWG Foundation Awards $36,000 in Student Scholarships

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $36,000 in college scholarships to eight deserving students. These scholarships are granted to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.

    “Every year, it’s an honor for the CAWG Foundation to grant these scholarships to the children of vineyard employees. Our workforce is the cornerstone of our industry, and these scholarships are a sincere token of our appreciation. The Board was deeply impressed by the ambitions, community involvement, and outstanding qualities exhibited by the scholarship applicants this year,” said Davindar Mahil of Creekside Farming and Chair of the CAWG Foundation Board of Directors.

    The CAWG Foundation board selects scholarship recipients who have demonstrated exceptional achievements across multiple domains. These include outstanding academic performance, active participation in extracurricular activities, financial need, and a notable commitment to public service and community involvement. Alongside evaluating academic aptitude, the Board places significant emphasis on qualities such as a strong dedication to community service, a proven record of leadership, and a personal essay that effectively narrates the applicant’s unique journey and aspirations.

    Since the program’s inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has awarded $639,500 in scholarships, empowering students to pursue higher education. These scholarships are made possible through generous donations from CAWG members and the supportive California wine community.

    This year, five four-year scholarships were awarded to students attending either a University of California or California State University campus and three two-year scholarships were awarded to students attending a California community college.

    Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients / $8,000 each

    Cindy Lopez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School

    Ariatna Navarrete-Gonzalez, Napa, Napa High School

    Sierra Stevenson, Fairfield, Angelo Rodriguez High School

    Leah Mauritson, Healdsburg, Cardinal Newman High School*

    Ross Poletti, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo High School**

    Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipient / $2,000 each

    Layla Lopez-Barrera, Petaluma, Casa Grande High School

    Miguel Ninche-Sotelo, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Dayana Torres-Gonzalez, Lakeport, Clear Lake High School

    *$4,000 Special Award **$2,000 Special Award

    About the Recipients

    FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP / $8,000 EACH

    Cindy Lopez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School

    Cindy is a dedicated first-generation college student with a passion for the community she grew up in and a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. During her high school career, Cindy has actively participated in sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, while maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA. She is academically accomplished and deeply involved in various school organizations such as ACID, S Club, CLARA, Interact, and Upward Bound, all of which strongly emphasize community service and volunteerism. These extracurricular activities have provided Cindy with a profound sense of connection to her community, a source of great joy for her. She looks forward to continuing her involvement in her community after college. Cindy plans to attend either UC Santa Barbara or CSU San Marcos in the fall to pursue her academic and career goals in child development.

    Ariatna Navarrete-Gonzalez, Napa, Napa High School

    Ariatna is a driven student with a strong commitment to academic excellence and community involvement. Ariatna has taken a rigorous course load at Napa High School while also taking advantage of a dual enrollment opportunity at Napa Valley College, where she has successfully completed numerous college- level courses. Ariatna is a dedicated participant in extracurricular activities, including the California Scholarship Federation, orchestra, drumline, and theater. She is also a member of the tennis and lacrosse teams, showcasing her versatility and teamwork skills. Outside of her school commitments, Ariatna is an active member of the Teens Connect Council, a group that focuses on student mental health awareness. She plans to attend UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Berkeley to major in Mathematical Biology/Biological Sciences, to become an emergency medicine doctor.

    Sierra Stevenson, Fairfield, Angelo Rodriguez High School

    Sierra is a natural leader with a passion for education and a drive to make a positive impact on the world. Her love for history and politics has driven her to pursue a career as a district superintendent, where she hopes to advocate for education equality and ensure accurate representation for all. As the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college, Sierra values education deeply. She has worked to maintain an impressive 4.35 GPA. In addition to her academic achievements, Sierra is actively involved in extracurricular activities, including serving as the ASB Treasurer and holding leadership positions in various other school clubs. She also participates in her school’s theater program, showcasing her diverse interests and talents. Sierra’s commitment to education and leadership is evident in all aspects of her life. She plans to continue her education at either UC Los Angeles or UC Irvine, where she will major in Political Science.

    Leah Mauritson, Healdsburg, Cardinal Newman High School*

    Leah is a driven student with a profound passion for the winegrape industry, a passion cultivated through her hands-on experience working alongside her father in the vineyards. Her career trajectory was shaped by this early exposure, allowing her to gain comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of winegrape cultivation, from tending vines to harvesting. Leah has tackled a range of tasks, from repairing irrigation systems to shoot thinning and grape picking, demonstrating her diverse skill set. Leah actively participates in leadership roles and community projects while maintaining a 4.2 grade point average. Leah plans to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Agricultural Business, and furthering her knowledge and expertise in the field she loves.

    Ross Poletti, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo High School**

    Growing up surrounded by vineyards, Ross learned the value of hard work from his parents. He approaches challenges with a natural willingness and is known for his responsibility and ability to thrive under pressure.

    Ross values the importance of his education and has maintained a 4.1 GPA. His involvement in the San Luis Obispo High School Automotive Club has not only honed his leadership skills but has also provided him with the opportunity to represent his club at the SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technology Competition. As a varsity-level competitive swimmer, Ross has further developed his time-management and leadership abilities, earning recognition as a scholarly athlete. Ross has been accepted to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he will pursue a major in Computer Engineering with the goal of becoming a Network Administrator.

    TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP/ $2,000 EACH

    Layla Lopez-Barrera, Petaluma, Casa Grande High School

    Layla is a committed student who values her family, school, and community. She has been inspired by her parents’ strong work ethic, which has instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of dedication and perseverance. As a bilingual student, Layla has used her language skills to benefit her school community, serving as a Bilingual Ambassador. In this role, she conducts guided tours for Spanish-speaking families and provides interpretation services as needed. Layla also volunteers weekly at a local elementary school, where she leads a robotics club and helps younger students with coding. Throughout high school, Layla has challenged herself with advanced placement courses to better prepare for college. She plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College with a major in Public Health Sciences, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician.

    Miguel Ninche-Sotelo, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Miguel is a dedicated student who has demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout his high school years. His immigrant parents have instilled in him the value of hard work and perseverance. Miguel has spent his summers working to support himself, further emphasizing his commitment to his education and future. Actively involved in the Interact Club, Miguel currently serves as President. The club plays a vital role in helping students fulfill their community service requirements by providing them with various opportunities. Through his involvement, Miguel has developed essential skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and reliability. Miguel plans to attend Mendocino College to pursue a major in Health Science. His career goal is to become an anesthesiologist or pharmacist.

    Dayana Torres-Gonzalez, Lakeport, Clear Lake High School

    Dayana has had a clear vision from a young age to pursue nursing in college and ultimately become a pediatric nurse. Her innate compassion and love for working with young children have always been driving forces in her life. Dayana has maintained a 4.0 GPA while actively participating in her school community. She is a dedicated member of the Latino Club and the California Scholarship Federation, demonstrating her commitment to both her heritage and academic excellence. Additionally, Dayana has served as a student representative for the Class of 2024 for the past two years, showcasing her leadership skills. Her dedication reflects her determination to succeed and her commitment to her education. In the fall, she plans to attend Mendocino Junior College, where she will continue to pursue nursing and make her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse a reality.

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

    The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.

  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry Recognized with Ag Council of California Influential Legislator Award

    Agricultural Council of California (Ag Council) presented its 2024 Influential Legislator Award to Majority Leader Cecelia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) during the organization’s annual Legislative Conference in Sacramento.

    The annual award is given to a legislator who embodies an active and collaborative approach to finding positive outcomes for agriculture and all of California.

    Ag Council President Emily Rooney said, “Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry works strategically with others in the Legislature to achieve critical results for our members and is a staunch ally of agriculture on a wide variety of policy issues. When considering policies, she asks, ‘What do my ag people think about this issue?’ She has worked to ensure funding for ag programs to reduce emissions and meet climate goals. She also helped secure a grant program for farmers and ag-related businesses affected by recent flood or drought events.”

    As majority leader, Aguiar-Curry works in close communication with the Assembly speaker and speaker pro tempore to build agreement across the Democrat Caucus and expedite Assembly proceedings. She also serves as vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus.

    She is a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Health, the Committee on Transportation, and is chair of the Select Committee on Wine.

    Aguiar-Curry was elected to the Assembly in 2016 to represent the 4th District comprising all of Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa and Solano Counties and part of Sonoma County. Previously, she served as mayor of Winters and was an elected city councilmember.

    Growing up, she helped her father in the walnut orchards in the area. She is still involved agriculture as she and her brothers own an 80-acre walnut orchard.

    Her leadership is commendable, and Ag Council thanks her for being a steadfast advocate for our members. Congratulations to Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry for being named Ag Council’s Influential Legislator of the Year.

  • FDA to Host Webinar on the FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water

    View on the FDA Website

    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an informational webinar on Monday, May 20, 2024, 1-2pm ET on the recently released Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Relating to Agricultural Water (Agricultural Water Final Rule) issued under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The rule represents an important step towards enhancing the safety of produce, as agricultural water can be a major conduit for pathogens that can contaminate produce.

    During the webinar, the FDA will provide an overview of the final rule and answer pre-submitted questions as well as take live questions.

    The final rule replaces certain pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce (other than sprouts) in the 2015 produce safety rule with requirements for systems-based agricultural water assessments to determine and guide appropriate measures to minimize potential risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water. Specifically, this rule:

    • Establishes requirements for agricultural water assessments that evaluate a variety of factors that are key determinants of contamination risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water; this includes an evaluation of the water system, water use practices, crop characteristics, environmental conditions, potential impacts on water from adjacent and nearby land, and other relevant factors;
    • Includes testing pre-harvest agricultural water as part of an assessment in certain circumstances;
    • Requires farms to implement effective mitigation measures within specific timeframes based on findings from their assessments. Hazards related to certain activities associated with adjacent and nearby land uses are subject to expedited mitigation; and
    • Adds new options for mitigation measures, providing farms with additional flexibility in responding to findings from their pre-harvest agricultural water assessments.

    The rule also finalizes the dates for compliance with the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for non-sprout covered produce as follows:

    • For very small farms: 2 years, 9 months after the effective date of the final rule
    • For small farms: 1 year, 9 months after the effective date of the final rule
    • For all other farms: 9 months after the effective date of the final rule

    Register at: FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Webinar

    The webinar is a virtual event. Registration will remain open until the day of the webinar. Attendees who wish to submit questions may do so during registration through May 15.

    The webinar will be recorded and posted to the meeting page.

    Additional Information

  • Organic Trade Association Announces Annual Leadership Award Winners

    The Organic Trade Association is thrilled to recognize six individuals for their outstanding leadership, vision and commitment to advancing the organic movement and making a positive difference on their farms, in their communities, in our climate and environment, and the lives and diets of millions of people throughout the world.
    The trade association will honor these exemplary men and women with its 2024 Organic Leadership Awards at an official reception on May 14, the opening day of Organic Week (May 14-16) in Washington, D.C. OTA’s leadership awards were established in 1997, and since then OTA annually recognizes a group of exceptional individuals who have been nominated by their peers and chosen unanimously by the association’s Board of Directors.
    The distinguished 2024 Organic Leadership Award Honorees are: 
    A person wearing glasses and a sweater Description automatically generatedOrganic Lifetime Achievement
    This award is reserved to recognize decades of extraordinary commitment by an individual to the organic industry. The well-deserving recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award is George Siemon, the founding CEO of CROPP, the largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in North America, better known as Organic Valley, its bestselling brand.
    In 1988, at the peak of the U.S. farm crisis of the ‘80s, Siemon united a small group of organic family farmers in Southwest Wisconsin to found a new farmer-owned cooperative with a focus on organic agriculture and the mission of keeping farmers on their land. Siemon led the co-op for some 30 years as CEO of Organic Valley | CROPP Cooperative, building the business to over $1 billion in sales and over 2,000 farmer members. True to its roots, Organic Valley is still promoting regional and local organic production and distribution that provides a livelihood for thousands of family farmers and brings organic food to millions of consumers around the world.
    He has contributed countless hours and attention to leading organic-centric legislative campaigns, securing research and education resources for the trade, and being a mentor for hundreds of not only aspiring organic farmers but also business leaders and activists throughout the organic community.  George Siemon was the face and voice of the small farm organic movement for over three decades – a straightforward approachable CEO and go-to spokesperson for the industry.
    “I have been blessed to have been a part of pioneering the organic trade, and being part of such meaningful work,” says Siemon. “It is a great honor to receive this recognition, and I am humbled knowing how many other people have contributed so greatly to the organic movement. Organic has not only built a great selection of organic products but also has pioneered better methods of production. We can be the change that society needs.”
    A close-up of a person smiling Description automatically generatedOrganic Champion
    The Organic Trade Association’s Organic Champion Award recognizes and honors individuals in government who have been supportive of organic agriculture and trade. The esteemed honoree this year is the honorable Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA’s Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs, who has worked effectively within the organic community to encourage the sector’s input and consider organic priorities.
    Under Secretary Moffitt grew up on a California Walnut Farm that transitioned to organic in 1989. She worked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture for many years, including serving as Under Secretary from 2018-21. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges faced by organic farmers and producers. Her on-the-farm experience and leadership in both state and federal government have helped build partnerships to strengthen organic agriculture.
    At USDA, Under Secretary Moffitt’s dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate leadership has fostered historic support for the National Organic Program, including the Transition to Organic Partnership Program and Organic Market Development Grants, as well as helped enable three key regulatory updates – Origin of Livestock, Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards and Strengthening of Organic Enforcement.
    “As someone who grew up and worked on my family’s organic farm, this award means so much to me. I am honored to be recognized by the Organic Trade Association for the work I’ve done supporting organic agriculture and truly humbled by this acknowledgment,” says Under Secretary Moffitt. “I am proud of our efforts at USDA to advance organic integrity by strengthening organic standards and growing the organic sector through the Organic Transition Initiative. This award is a symbol of the great work we can do when government and the organic community come together.”
    A person smiling at the camera Description automatically generated
    Organic Groundbreaker
    The Organic Groundbreaker Leadership Award honors trade association members who have dedicated their careers to advancing organic agriculture and trade by providing vision, innovative creations and solutions, and the work and leadership that makes dreams a reality. This year’s winner, Mac Ehrhardt, chairman of Alberta Lea Seed – inspired by his family’s love of nature – recognized the promise of organic agriculture more than 30 years ago and, working with his brother Tom, led the transformation of his granddad and dad’s seed company into the nation’s largest organic field seed supplier.
    Founded in 1923 by Lou Ehrhardt, the Minnesota-based Alberta Lea Seed has been owned and operated by the Ehrhardt family for three generations, earning its first USDA organic certification in 1996. In 2022, the company purchased Blue River Organic Seed, to form the strongest lineup of organic field seed in the U.S. In 2023, Ehrhardt spearheaded another initiative aimed at serving organic farmers by investing in an independent corn breeding program focused on the needs of organic farms.
    “I believe that the demand for organically raised food will continue to grow,” says Ehrhardt. “But we must actively work to encourage that growth by strengthening consumer confidence in the Organic label; addressing the issue of gene-editing from both a scientific and a consumer perspective; and reducing the carbon footprint of organic farming practices.”
    Ehrhardt’s advice to future organic groundbreakers: “Work hard. Be nice to people. Keep an open mind. Be honest and own your mistakes. And to steal a line from Practical Farmers of Iowa, ‘Make your experiments small enough that you can afford to fail.’”
    A person with a mustache and cap Description automatically generatedOrganic Farmer of the Year
    The Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award honors individuals who have significantly contributed to supporting and advancing organic agriculture and trade at the farm level. Receiving that honor this year is Larry Santos, Senior Farm Manager for Taylor Farming, grower and supplier of vegetables to Taylor Farms and Earthbound Farm (owned by Taylor Farms). Santos successfully oversees 3,000 organic acres, working with four experienced organic farm managers to produce more than 30 different vegetable and high-quality tender leaf crops in the Salinas Valley.
    Santos’s deep farming roots date back to when he was a young teenager in South Monterey County of California, and his involvement in organic farming to 1995 when organic was still a trendy niche and organic farming a relatively unknown practice. Santos was in his early 20s and working on a piece of land in the Salinas Valley that had not been farmed for 15 years; he encouraged his boss to give this “new, experimental” growing method a try, and the farm was transitioned to certified organic by 1998. What started as 200 acres is now a bountiful 600-acre organic farm and one of the most productive organic farms in the Valley. Santos still manages that farm, planting three crop rotations per year and producing 1,800 organic crop acres a year from the 600 acres. Santos also helps educate the local school kids on how to grow healthy organic vegetables; he works with his community’s elementary school in an after-school program in which 14 students are each tending their own organic garden box and growing organic spinach, broccoli, radishes and more.
    “Trust and integrity are crucial to the success of organic. We’re only using this earth for a little while, so we want to make sure it’s there for the next generation,” says Santos. “Organic is the safest thing for our planet today and a way to give back. We have to give back to our soil to protect it for our children and their children’s children. Plus, organic is the tastiest produce you can buy!”
    Santos is optimistic about organic: “I see more non-organic farmers adopting more organic methods, and I see a really big demand for organic with future generations. I believe as people get more educated about environmental issues and organic’s benefits, there will be more pressure for organic.”
    A person with long hair and beard Description automatically generatedOrganic Climate Action
    The Organic Climate Action Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing organic solutions to mitigate climate change. This year’s award goes to Renaud des Rosiers, Director of Sustainability for Amy’s Kitchen, who committed early on in his career to strive towards a sustainable world through the power of business and has for almost a decade directed sustainability efforts for Amy’s, the largest provider of organic prepared foods in the nation.
    For the past 20 years, des Rosiers has been working within the organic industry helping companies implement sustainability and climate strategies. Through his work on sustainable supply chains and packaging at Amy’s, Renaud has worked collaboratively with a broad group of organic companies over the years to broaden the collective understanding of sustainability issues in the organic sector. He is active in advocacy and policy work to drive the development of biobased, compostable materials as an alternative to conventional fossil plastic packaging and has created a replicable framework for smaller organic companies to cost-effectively bring renewable energy into their supply chains.
    “Overhauling the modern food system for the better is a foundational element of our transition to a sustainable future, and the organic movement has done more to drive that transition than any other idea,” says des Rosiers.
    Des Rosiers sees an important role for organic in the future: “Impact is driven by scale, and I look forward to an increased role for organic—one that meets evolving social needs, adapts to scientific advances, and unlocks broader markets while staying grounded in its core principles—to inspire the next generation of farmers and be accessible to an ever-wider group of eaters.”
    Social Impact
    The Social Impact Leadership Award honors individuals who have made outstanding efforts to be a source of positivity and stability for customers and organic community members. This year’s winner is Jyoti Stephens, Vice President of Mission and Strategy for Nature’s Path. She grew up listening to her parents—organic pioneers Arran and Ratan Stephens and founders of Nature’s Path—talk about the importance of growing food the healthy way and of contributing to the betterment of our communities and our planet.
    Stephens has launched and oversees multiple initiatives at Nature’s Path to make organic food more accessible to more people. She oversees the Gardens for Good program, which, since its beginning in 2010, has donated more than $500,000 and supported over 60 community organic garden projects to nourish local communities, and the Eat Well Do Good initiative, which provides healthy, organic food to those in need through annual community “foodraisers,” raising over $2.8 million in cash and organic food to date. Her team also coordinates the Love Crunch Bite4Bite program, which donates a minimum of $2 million worth of organic food to food banks annually. Stephens is the executive sponsor of Nature’s Path Sustainability and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) mission and is leading the development of goals around culture, consumers, and community to embed J.E.D.I. across the business.
    “This amazing award is not just for me but for the foundational legacy of sustainability and organic advocacy that my family and the team members at Nature’s Path have built and pursued over the last 40 years,” says Stephen. “It serves as a reminder of the positive impact we can have when we hold ourselves accountable to a collective sense of responsibility.”
    Her advice for individuals and businesses wanting to make a positive impact: “Start with a clear vision and values, build alliances, share knowledge, and engage with your community,” she says. “And never underestimate the importance of perseverance. Despite the challenges, resilience and dedication can lead to meaningful change to create a more just and equitable food movement.”
    Registration for Organic Week is still open and can be done here. Sponsors for the event include: Organic Valley, General Mills, Stonyfield Organic, Argus Media, CIRANDA, CLIF, Danone, Driscoll’s, Horizon, New Hope Network, True Organic, UW Madison, Bejo, National Co+op Grocers, Quality Assurance International, Applegate, Aurora Organic Dairy, Naturepedic, Once Upon a Farm, Amy’s, Gallant, Vital Farms, Wolf & Associates.
    About the Organic Trade Association
    The     Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing more than 500 organic businesses across 50 states and 9,500 farmers through its Farmers Advisory Council. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.