California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Rural Industries Disproportionately Exposed to Federal Policy, Facing Downside Risks in 2025

    The U.S. continues to benefit from solid economic growth, low unemployment and moderating inflation. From today’s vantage point, the U.S. economy seems likely to continue on that trajectory into 2025. However, the outlook for the rural economy is more volatile and uncertain. Rural industries are disproportionately exposed to federal policy, and the outcome of the 2024 election cycle promises to bring significant changes in the federal government’s approach to everything from international trade and immigration to energy exploration and rural economic development.

    According to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the high level of policy uncertainty facing rural industries adds to their already long list of headwinds and challenges.

    “The environment we enter in 2025 hasn’t fully defined itself yet, but many of the policies proposed by the incoming administration would likely have a negative impact on U.S. agriculture,” said Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “Open access to export markets and labor availability are critically important for agricultural producers and processors. Depending on how policy plays out, those two areas could be big challenges in 2025 and beyond.”

    The CoBank 2025 outlook report examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S.

    U.S. Economy: A New Economic Era Begins

    Most economists are forecasting 2025 U.S. GDP growth around 2.5%-3.0%, essentially the same as today. However, those forecasts are based on rather mild assumptions on forthcoming policy changes. When taken in isolation, President-elect Trump’s proposed policies — tax cuts, decreased labor supply and tariffs on imported goods — are all inflationary. Consequently, longer-term interest rates have already edged higher, and the market has downshifted expectations for further Fed rate cuts in 2025. There is a good chance the proposed tariffs and the crackdown on undocumented immigrants will be more disruptive than markets have priced in, particularly in industries like construction and agriculture.

    U.S. Government: Trump Administration, Congress Set for Bustling January Start

    Congress is expected to wrap up the lame duck session of the 118th Congress by Dec. 19, hopefully addressing important pieces of unfinished business. A one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is increasingly likely. President-elect Trump is expected to pursue an ambitious first-100 days of executive orders and other legislative activity that will likely include many of his campaign promises. These may include significant deportation efforts and immigration reform, implementation of tariffs, extending the 2017 tax cuts and providing regulatory relief rolling back the Biden administration’s initiatives. The 119th Congress will have a long and challenging to-do list when members return to Washington on Jan. 3.

    U.S. Agricultural Economy: Trade War Could Send Ag Economy from Bad to Worse

    The short-lived commodity boom precipitated by global droughts, the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 supply issues is now a distant memory. Row crop prices are down nearly 50% from their 2022 highs. But production costs have remained elevated, and profitability has plunged to decade-plus lows. The silver lining is that dairy and livestock producers are generally profitable due to low feed costs and resilient consumer demand. However, more headwinds may be coming for both the crop and livestock sectors. President-elect Trump rode to victory on two main economic policy proposals: enact significant import tariffs and reduce immigration while deporting undocumented residents. In theory, these policies could achieve some limited objectives, but it is hard to paint them as anything but negative for the U.S. farm economy.

    Grains, Farm Supply & Biofuels: Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Exports, Biofuels

    A strengthening U.S. dollar, combined with the potential for trade disputes and record-large South American crops, weigh heavily on the outlook for grain and oilseed prices in 2025. U.S. farmers are widely expected to struggle with further margin compression as weaker commodity prices test farmers’ ability to lower production costs. Crop input decisions will be evaluated much more closely with a focus on inputs that provide the greatest return on investment. The bearish outlook for oil prices diminishes the demand picture for ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel. Uncertainty over U.S. biofuel policy under the new administration also clouds the demand outlook for biofuels.

    Animal Protein: Rising Margins Improve Prospects for Growth

    Falling feed costs and rising producer margins have renewed expansion interest in animal protein segments. However, labor, construction and land costs remain elevated, tempering expectations for any meaningful supply growth in the near term. U.S. beef cow herd expansion is not expected to start until 2026 or 2027. The smaller herd will further support higher feeder and fed cattle prices in the coming year. With consumers now pushing back on beef prices already near historic highs, packer margins will remain under pressure well into 2025.

    Dairy: Record Investment Will Continue to Grow the Category

    The U.S. will see an unprecedented $8 billion in new dairy processing investment through 2026. Some of the new plants are poised to come online in 2025, with about half of the investment in the cheese category. The expected surge in cheese and whey output will likely put downward pressure on dairy product prices in the second half of the year. Sourcing additional milk supplies to fill new plant capacity is a looming question. 2023 and 2024 will go down as the first back-to-back years since the late 1960s that U.S. milk production took a downturn. On the flip side, higher component levels in farmgate milk, largely butterfat and protein, have lifted finished product yields.

    Food & Beverage: Health and Nutrition Take Center Stage

    The headline news for food, beverage and consumer packaged goods in 2025 is President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy’s purported goals include eliminating ingredients banned in other countries and “getting the chemicals out” of America’s food supply. Meanwhile, consumers’ renewed focus on their health and the popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are showing signs of impacting food manufacturers. GLP-1 users purchase around 8% less food compared with average consumers, according to J.P. Morgan research. Food and beverage manufacturers’ concerns about volume attrition are likely to continue well into 2025.

    Power & Energy: What an IRA Rollback Might Look Like

    President-elect Trump’s return to the White House will signal a significant shift in U.S. energy policy. While he has promised to end the Inflation Reduction Act, slowing the clean energy momentum that has accelerated under the IRA may be more difficult than imagined. Popular programs in the IRA have directed significant investments to many rural and economically distressed communities. And more than a dozen House Republicans have voiced concern that repealing the IRA could jeopardize ongoing development in their communities. Clawing back IRA funds that have already been allocated could prove to be very difficult. The more likely scenario is that unallocated IRA funding will be redirected to other priorities.

    Digital Infrastructure: Rural Connectivity Faces New Challenges

    Political uncertainty and low participation in the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program raises big questions for bridging the digital divide in the year ahead. The $42.5 billion BEAD program, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, includes an unprecedented level of government support. However, a lack of operator participation could blunt the impact of this well-intended program to bring reliable broadband access to underserved rural areas. Many small operators lack the specialized expertise or financial resources to meet some of the complicated BEAD requirements.

    Read the full report, The Year Ahead: Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy in 2025.

    About CoBank

    CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

    CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

  • Preparing Soil for Winter can Protect Soil Health

    Farmers placed clumps of soil into metal mesh baskets, submerged the baskets into jars of water, then watched to see if their soil held together. The slake test, conducted at the Soil Health Field Day in Woodland, measured soil health. Healthier soil, which contains more organic matter and bioactivity and can better support plant growth, stays intact.

    “Participants said that it was particularly useful to see the slake test on a variety of soils to better understand the nuance of how soil health management practices such as cover cropping and reduction of tillage intensity could affect soil aggregation,” said Sonja Brodt, UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program coordinator for agriculture and environment, who attended the field day alongside Vivian Wauters, SAREP project scientist.

    Katharina Ullman, Organic Agriculture Institute training and technical assistance coordinator, left, and field day participant view results of soil health test.

    Technical assistance providers, farmers and other soil health professionals gathered at the Center for Land-Based Learning on Nov. 19 to learn about preparing soil for winter with a specific focus on how soil health impacts soil structure, as well as the ability for water to move through soil as opposed to puddling or running off a field.

    “Soil with stable aggregates can withstand this submersion and stay intact, whereas a soil with poor aggregation will fall apart in the water,” Wauters explained.

    This in-field test can produce dramatically different results, where poorly aggregated soil colors the water, while the stable, aggregated soil will leave the water column relatively clear.

    Farmers were invited to bring their own soil samples to perform slake tests at the field day. Kabir Zahangir, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service regional soil health specialist, compared soils from different management practices and discussed how to assess aggregate stability and soil water infiltration.

    Margaret Lloyd, UC Cooperative Extension small farms advisor for the Capitol Corridor, and Lindsey Kelley, UCCE small farms community education specialist, discussed regional benchmarks for soil health.

    Attendees also heard from experienced growers Scott Park of Park Farming Organics and Andrew Brait of Full Belly Farm, who described how they assess soil health on their farms.

    By collaborating with others, Brodt said farmers and researchers are achieving benefits through learning together in real time. “We will also be able to benefit from aggregating soils data from across regions to begin to develop a statewide soil health database, which is a critical step in order for researchers to be able to determine relationships between farming practices and soil health outcomes under California conditions in the future,” she said.

    Lindsey Kelley discussed regional benchmarks for soil health.

    Slake tests can be performed on soil from one’s own backyard, garden or farm to better understand the health of the soil. Additionally, the NRCS principles of soil health – minimized disturbance, maximized biodiversity, maximized soil cover and maximized living roots – can be applied across all scales, though the specific practices will vary based on the type of yard or farm as well as the local climate and soil type.

    Brodt and Wauters, who coordinate the California Farm Demonstration Network, emphasize that it’s important to have local examples of innovative conservation practices across the state so people can see what is working to protect and enhance the soil health in their specific region. They encourage farmers and technical assistance providers to visit https://www.calfarmdemo.org/ to find local farms that are showcasing innovative practices. Farmers interested in being a farm demonstration site are also encouraged to contact Brodt (sbbrodt@ucanr.edu) and Wauters (vwauters@ucanr.edu).

    They hope to continue to support the learning and sharing of knowledge around climate-smart farming practices to help California’s farmers adopt climate beneficial practices.

    “CDFA has funding programs, such as their Healthy Soils grants, that farmers in our network can apply for to help cover the costs of implementing soil health practices,” Brodt said.

    Current work on the California Farm Demonstration Network is funded through a University of California Office of the President Climate Action Grant. — By Judith Eppele, UCANR

    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.

  • UCANR Adds New Advisors/Specialists All Over California

    As California faces new challenges, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has been hiring UC Cooperative Extension experts with different skills to help Californians across the state, including residents in urban areas.

    Recently hired UC Cooperative Extension specialists, advisors and coordinators bring expertise in youth development, pest management, healthy families, soil health, urban water quality, urban agriculture, animal science, woody biomass and forest products, small farms, livestock and innovation for small food-related businesses to their communities.

    To better connect Californians with research developed at UC campuses, UC ANR has hired its first UCCE specialist based at UC Irvine.

    Since 1914, UC Cooperative Extension researchers have been working directly with community members to improve their lives and livelihoods.

    To see a list of UC Cooperative Extension experts who have joined in the past few months, visit https://ucanr.edu/About/DirectorySearch/Recent_Hires. The most recently hired scientists are introduced below.

    Berris to advise on water management, soil health in northern Bay Area

    Helaine Berris joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources on Nov. 4 as the UC Cooperative Extension water and soil advisor for Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Mendocino counties. Berris will conduct research and extension activities that promote sustainable, innovative and economically viable on-farm water management.

    “My program will be shaped around practices that help agricultural producers improve water efficiency and soil health, meet local regulations and adapt to environmental extremes,” Berris explained. “This may include soil health practices to improve water-holding capacity, irrigation management, research around soil-plant-water dynamics and more.”

    Originally from northern Nevada, Berris attained her bachelor’s degree in eco-hydrology from University of Nevada, Reno. She went on to earn a master’s in hydrologic sciences – and another master’s in international agricultural development – from UC Davis, where she studied farmer needs in water-stressed basins and soil-water dynamics in cover-cropped rice systems.

    Her career path included some time at an agricultural technology company and four years as a teacher in China and Spain. Most recently, Berris worked as a soil conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Seattle.

    “I love working on applied projects that have tangible outcomes, and working with passionate people,” Berris said. “I’m constantly inspired by the many incredible scientists, partners and producers working in this space – and it’s a great feeling when we can all combine our strengths for a common goal.”

    Berris said she looks forward to developing collaborations with clientele and community members to solve challenges across Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Mendocino counties.

    “My main career goal is that my work is relevant to the local community; for me, that’s what being an advisor is all about – to live and work in a few counties, where I can focus my energy on really understanding the nitty-gritty of the water/agriculture challenges at a local scale,” Berris said. “These challenges will be continuously changing, which will require me to be constantly learning and adapting – but that’s the fun of the job.”

    Based in Santa Rosa at the UCCE office for Sonoma County, Berris can be reached at hmberris@ucanr.edu or (707) 565-2621.

    Belt to improve family, community health along North Coast

    Grace Belt joined UC Agriculture and Natural Resources on Nov. 1 as the UC Cooperative Extension youth, families and communities advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. She will be designing, delivering and evaluating programs that alleviate local challenges surrounding food security, health, and youth and community development.

    “I am responsible for providing leadership and research expertise in nutrition and youth development, as well as providing academic oversight of the local 4-H Youth Development Program and the local Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP),” Belt said. “I have lived in Humboldt for many years and am excited to make a difference in a community that means so much to me.”

    While earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal Poly Humboldt, Belt became interested in research related to the improvement of communities large and small – which motivated her to pursue a master’s in psychology from the same school.

    “The focus of my research projects, both qualitative and quantitative, has been on community success, economic development and social motivations for human behavior,” Belt said.

    Equipped with that academic foundation, Belt is excited to share her perspective and partner with people and organizations along the North Coast to improve lives and livelihoods.

    “I’ve always aspired to a position that allows me to bridge the gap between research and community improvement strategies,” Belt explained. “In this advisor role, I can bring novel, evidence-based solutions and strategies to challenges facing my community.”

    Belt is based at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Eureka and can be reached at kbelt@ucanr.edu.

    Daly joins 4-H as community education specialist in Alameda County

    Tanya Daly joined UC ANR on Oct. 23 as the community education specialist for the 4-H Youth Development Program in Alameda County.

    The long-time 4-H volunteer is excited about being involved again with 4-H. A former homeschooling parent, Daly said her focus has been on education.

    Daly earned a bachelor’s degree in art history at San Francisco State University and recently completed her master’s degree in museum studies with an emphasis on education and public programming at San Francisco State University. She is interested in applying that background to educating children through 4-H.

    Daly is based at the Hayward office and can be reached at tdaly@ucanr.edu.

    Sung-Jereczek named UCCE’s first beneficial burning and tribal land stewardship advisor

    Ally Sung-Jereczek joined UC Cooperative Extension on Oct. 1 as the first beneficial burning and tribal land stewardship advisor for Mendocino and Lake counties.

    In this new role, Sung-Jereczek will be working alongside tribes to help identify needs and build capacity towards long-term sustainable land stewardship goals that align with the tribes cultural, social, and economic priorities.

    She is currently working on connecting and listening to each of the tribes throughout the region. She hopes to build relationships to provide tools, resources and funding opportunities for partnerships among tribes, state agencies, private landowners, organizations and policymakers to support beneficial burning, climate adaptation planning and resiliency projects.

    Born and raised on Muwekma Ohlone land in the East Bay Area, Sung-Jereczek always had an interest in humans and their connections to place and the environment. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and conservation biology at UCLA.

    Following graduation, she worked as an environmental planner and wildlife biologist. “I began to notice how our personal connections to the land shape our perspectives and define our decision-making,” she said.

    Sung-Jereczek earned her master’s degree at the University of Michigan, working on an interdisciplinary degree at the School for Environment and Sustainability specializing in environmental justice, behavior change, communication and ecosystem science management.

    Her graduate research primarily focused on community-based participatory research and strengthening university and tribal partnerships alongside the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, facilitating listening circles and developing an ecological assessment that would support the priorities of the tribe for stewardship of the Chase Osborn Preserve (~3,000 acres of hemiboreal forest) located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She also worked on the Western Forest Fire Initiative at Michigan studying the relationship between wildfire, forests and communities in a changing climate as a social-ecological system.

    “I am looking forward to going beyond checking the regulatory box set by federal and state regulators and working towards building reciprocal relationships rooted in cultural humility, respect and responsibility,” Sung-Jereczek said. “Although I understand the current fear and trauma of fire that climate change and fire suppression regimes have caused, I also hope to empower communities and shift the ways in which we currently think, interact and live with fire in the future.”

    She will also be working alongside the UCANR Fire Network supporting the use of fire as a tool for land managers and climate resilience.

    Sung-Jereczek is based out of the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center on ancestral and unceded Shóqowa (Sho-Ka-Wah) territory and can be reached at asungjereczek@ucanr.edu.

    Warner becomes UCCE livestock and natural resources area advisor

    Andrea Northup-Warner started working as a UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources area advisor for Placer, Nevada, Yuba and Sutter counties on Oct. 1.

    Excited to serve the community in which she grew up, Warner will help ranchers solve their most pressing issues. Currently, small ranchers with up to 15 cows, for reference, need support establishing their operation. Commercial ranchers, however, are interested in technology and developing research that will help improve health and nutrition of their cattle.

    “If a rancher’s animals aren’t healthy, they can’t make money,” she said. “If they can’t make money, they can’t support their family or their business.”

    Despite profitability being “priority zero” for consumers, Warner said that staying in business and/or expanding business operations is a primary goal for many ranchers. As an advisor, she’s excited to not only support ranchers’ endeavors to increase profits, but challenge consumers’ perspectives on the matter, too.

    Although a new advisor, Warner has worked for UC Cooperative Extension since 2022. First hired as a staff research associate at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Yuba County, Warner said her research work has focused on nutrition and health of beef cattle, oak regeneration and rangeland management.

    Warner earned a master’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s in animal science from California State University, Chico. While her academic training will certainly be useful, Warner said that the mentorship she’s received from colleagues has been instrumental during her transition.

    She succeeds Dan Macon, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor, who transferred to UCCE in Calaveras County.

    Warner is based at the UCCE Placer-Nevada counties office in Auburn and can be reached at alnwarner@ucanr.edu.

    Palta named first UCCE specialist based at UC Irvine

    Monica Palta joined UC ANR on Sept. 1 as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in urban water quality, health and justice. She is the first UCCE specialist to be based at UC Irvine.

    Palta is an urban ecosystem ecologist and environmental scientist who has conducted applied research in aquatic and coastal ecosystems throughout the U.S. Before taking the position with UC ANR, she was an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University in New York City.

    The main goal of Palta’s research is to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships between natural ecosystems and human populations in urban watersheds. A central focus of her work is on interactions between infrastructure, ecosystem functions and associated environmental benefits to humans in urban waterfronts, and how these interactions may be altered by global change.

    Her research investigates sources and mitigation strategies for water pollution, as well as develops green infrastructure and environmental management strategies to facilitate greater environmental benefit, equity, access and resilience in marginalized waterfront communities.

    In 2023 she co-founded Participatory Science Solutions, LLC. This organization has provided research, training and evaluation on the social impact of urban environmental restoration projects (e.g., restoration of urban forests, wetlands and oyster reefs) conducted by nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

    Palta earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolution from Rutgers University and conducted postdoctoral work at Arizona State University. She earned a master’s in ecology from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Grinnell College.

    In her new position with UC ANR, she is excited to collaborate with UC faculty and UC ANR colleagues from diverse disciplines as well as local communities and water managers. Her work will inform management for long-term resilience and reliability of water resources in Southern California under climate change, with a strong focus on strategies that sustain health and social equity within local populations.

    Palta is jointly based at UC Irvine’s Department of Civil Engineering (School of Engineering) and the Department of Urban Planning and Public Policy (School of Social Ecology) and can be reached at mpalta@uci.edu and @MonicaMPalta on X.

    Azadfar joins UCCE as woody biomass and forest products advisor

    Ali Azadfar joined UC ANR on Sept. 3 as the UC Cooperative Extension woody biomass and forest products advisor for Siskiyou, Shasta and Trinity counties. In this role, he will focus on promoting sustainable forest products and woody biomass use to enhance forest resilience and support local communities.

    His work will involve collaborating with forestland owners, rural communities and local organizations to develop science-based solutions for managing woody biomass, reducing wildfire risks and advancing forest products.

    “I am committed to developing innovative strategies for forest management that empower communities and protect our natural resources,” Azadfar said. “By working closely with stakeholders, we can create sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the people who rely on it.”

    Originally from northern Iran near the Hyrcanian forests, Azadfar grew up immersed in the rich biodiversity of these ancient woodlands, which inspired his lifelong dedication to forest stewardship. His early experiences witnessing the impact of forest degradation on both the environment and local livelihoods motivated him to pursue a career in natural resources.

    “The moment I saw how utilizing old, corrugated container waste for paper production could reduce the need for deforestation was a pivotal turning point in my career,” Azadfar said. “It showed me the power of innovative, sustainable solutions in protecting our natural resources while still meeting industrial needs.”

    Azadfar holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in natural resources engineering with a focus on wood science and engineering from Iran, as well as a Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering from Washington State University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center, where he specialized in sustainable woody biomass utilization.

    “I look forward to working with local communities to continue addressing their needs by advancing sustainable woody biomass utilization and forest products, and improving forest resilience,” he said.

    Azadfar is based at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Yreka and can be reached at mazadfar@ucanr.edu.

    Beal joins UC IPM as advisor for Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito counties

    Dylan Beal joined UC ANR on Sept. 3 as the UC Integrated Pest Management entomology advisor for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. In developing sustainable IPM programs, Beal said he aims to support farmers and communities in the Salinas Valley and beyond.

    “I hope to serve the growers of the three counties and develop more sustainable integrated pest management programs that are centered on their experiences and knowledge,” he explained. “My major goal is to support growers of leafy greens, cole crops, berry crops, grapes and other crops in ways that empower and elevate growers.”

    A native of Valencia in Los Angeles County, Beal ventured east to Cornell University where he earned bachelor’s degrees in entomology and plant sciences. As an undergraduate research assistant at Cornell, he had his first experiences with Cooperative Extension and the mission of the land-grant university system.

    After attaining a European master’s degree in viticulture and enology from Montpellier SupAgro in France and Universita degli Studi di Torino in Italy, Beal returned to the U.S. to complete a Ph.D. in environmental science, policy and management at UC Berkeley. His dissertation focused on studying spittlebug vectors of a bacterial pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce’s disease in vineyards of California’s North Coast.

    Beal then went to Washington State University, where he worked as a postdoctoral researcher with growers on sustainable management strategies for spotted-wing drosophila in Washington cherry orchards and blueberry farms.

    “Inspired by my Extension mentors at Cornell, UC Berkeley and WSU, I aim to be a bridge between growers and researchers,” he said.

    Beal is based at the Monterey County UC Cooperative Extension office in Salinas and can be reached at djbeal@ucanr.edu and (831) 759-7359.

    Okella joins UCCE as 4-H animal science youth advisor

    Hedmon Okella joined UCCE on Aug. 1 as the 4-H animal science youth advisor for San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. He is developing an extension and applied research program in agriculture, with an emphasis on livestock for positive youth development. In addition, he will support the statewide 4-H Youth Development Program to help youth reach their full potential.

    “My focus is to partner with local communities to create new and innovative approaches that are responsive to the unique needs of the communities so as to strengthen and expand the 4-H animal science experience,” Okella said.

    Prior to joining UC ANR, he was a postdoctoral researcher in veterinary science and molecular biology at the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center.

    Originally from Dokolo, Uganda, Okella was born and raised in an extended family that cherishes goats, sheep, swine and poultry farming – a childhood experience that nourished his passion in animal science. In the past 15 years of his career, Okella witnessed the infinite potential of young people amid limited or no opportunities among the underserved youth living in multicultural communities of Uganda, India and United States.

    “I envision extending more support with emphasis on animal science so that young people can discover and develop their full potentials,” he said.

    Okella earned a Ph.D. from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda, with a focus on fish immunology, specifically bioprospecting of novel antimicrobial peptide drug candidates for potential application in veterinary and human medicine. He also holds a master’s degree in biotechnology from Saurashtra University, Gujarat, India, and a bachelor’s degree in science education (biology major) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

    “I hope to leverage my expertise to develop and implement applied research and extension programs focusing on animal science, particularly centered on livestock such as cattle, swine, sheep and goats, tailored for youth in San Benito, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties,” he said. “I am so excited to partner with the groups and community organizations to continue to address the needs of the communities we serve.”

    Based at UC Cooperative Extension’s San Benito County office in Hollister, Okella can be reached at hokella@ucanr.edu.

    Weinberg joins F3 as academic coordinator for food innovation and small business

    Yonatan Weinberg joined UC ANR on July 1 as an academic coordinator for food innovation and small business to support the Farms, Food, Future Initiative, also called F3. The F3 Initiative mission is to encourage economic development in the San Joaquin Valley through its regional food system.

    Weinberg will help promote specialty crops and support food business development in the valley. By enhancing local food distribution, processing and preparation, he hopes all valley residents get to taste the region’s delicious food and benefit from the value it provides.

    Before joining UC ANR, Weinberg studied European and Asian food systems. He earned master’s degrees in resilient farming and food systems from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and in agroecology from Institut supérieur d’agriculture Rhône-Alpes in France. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in history, technology and society from Georgia Tech.

    His master’s thesis centered on why conventional farmers in England transitioned to organic and regional markets on their own. He then researched the effects of indigenous farmers’ transition to conventional practices in Cambodia. Later, he worked for a local nongovernmental organization to build a farmers market in Battambang.

    Weinberg said he seeks to “harness his research and professional interests to nourish a bright future for the San Joaquin Valley’s farming and food systems.” He will be working with food entrepreneurs who process, cook, sell and distribute local produce and foster connections among them across the food system in the valley.

    “We are building out Instagram pages for F3Local and our flagship event Central Valley Flavor Fest,” he said. “We very much would love some follower-love from the community; our handles are @cvflavorfest and @f3local.”

    He earned masters degrees in resilient farming and food systems from Wageningen University in the Netherlands and in agroecology from ISARA in France. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history, technology and society from Georgia Tech.

    Weinberg is based in Fresno and can be reached at yweinberg@ucanr.edu.

    Levy becomes UCCE soil health and organic materials management advisor

    Natalie Levy began as the UC Cooperative Extension soil health and organic materials management advisor serving Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties on June 3.

    To reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions, Levy is working on recovering edible food for human consumption and diverting organic material from landfills. She will collaborate with diverse clientele to develop closed-loop systems that replicate natural decomposition cycles that sequester carbon and improve soil health in both urban and agricultural settings.

    “I am particularly excited to be working towards solutions to climate change and to promote carbon sequestration in California. What makes this role interesting is that the pathway to achieving these broader goals is through simple but powerful solutions,” said Levy.

    For instance, applying a 3-to-4-inch mulch layer in a landscape not only improves soil water retention but also sequesters carbon and reduces landfill emissions by diverting and repurposing green waste. “In this role, I am also very excited about supporting food waste recovery and addressing food insecurity in the three counties that I serve,” she added.

    Prior to becoming an advisor, Levy worked for UC ANR as a staff research associate at South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, where she partnered with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to study urban runoff and water quality monitoring in Orange County.

    Later, she became a UCCE associate specialist for water resources at South Coast REC, focusing on all phases of applied water resource management research and extension efforts. As a specialist, she managed national and statewide collaborative projects centered on water conservation, including the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trial program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded, multistate Climate Ready Landscape Plants project.

    Levy earned a Ph.D. in agricultural and extension education and evaluation from Louisiana State University. Her dissertation research studied the types of management practices Louisiana homeowners were using to apply fertilizers in urban landscapes. Through this exploratory research, she identified behaviors that can increase nonpoint source nutrient runoff and designed Cooperative Extension programming to help change those behaviors. She also obtained a master’s degree in agronomy from LSU and a bachelor’s in environmental science from UC Berkeley.

    Levy is based at South Coast REC and can be reached at nlevy@ucanr.edu.

    Smith aims to improve community health, nutrition in Central Valley

    Jasmin Smith joined UC ANR on Aug. 1 as the community nutrition and health advisor for San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties. Smith will work to research, identify and address community health concerns – as well as support CalFresh Healthy Living programs and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in the region.

    “My focus is on promoting nutrition and health initiatives responsive to the unique needs of the communities and ensuring that the programs are impactful and sustainable,” Smith said.

    Originally from Champaign, Illinois, Smith also lived in Thailand, the Dominican Republic and Kenya during her youth, as her father worked for the Foreign Agricultural Service. Her experiences overseas were a significant motivating factor in pursuing a career in community nutrition and health.

    “Witnessing health disparities firsthand in different areas of the world highlighted the critical need for equitable access to nutrition and health care,” she explained. “These experiences have fueled my passion to address the root causes of these disparities and work towards creating healthier communities.”

    Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina A&T State University, and a Ph.D. in human sciences from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she studied obesity prevention in rural communities.

    That focus continues in her current role, as Smith seeks to partner with local communities to promote health and wellness in underserved segments of California’s population.

    “I hope to leverage my experience to develop and implement strategies and programs that promote equitable access to healthy lifestyles,” she said. “I am also excited to collaborate with the teams and community partners to continue to address the needs of the communities we serve.”

    Based at UC Cooperative Extension’s San Joaquin County office in Stockton, Smith can be reached at jasm@ucanr.edu.

    Robinson returns as urban ag, food systems and environmental issues advisor

    Derrick Robinson began working as the UC Cooperative Extension urban agriculture, food systems and environmental issues advisor in San Diego County on July 1. In this role, Robinson is focused on improving food production and delivery systems, economic success and sustainability, as well as science literacy and youth development.

    Currently, he aims to serve San Diego County residents, especially those in urban interfaces. Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge about San Diego County’s food system to his advisor role and his network consists of nonprofits and their members in North County and in the City of San Diego, mostly concentrated in low-income and traditionally marginalized communities in the region.

    “I’m also eager to identify policy issues that need to be addressed, especially as it relates to my scope of work – policies involving worker standards or climate-change impacts, for example,” said Robinson.

    His new role builds on work he did for UCCE in the past. From 2016 to 2019, he was a UCCE academic coordinator serving California. He developed and taught the “Living on My Own” curriculum for 14- to 24-year-olds, an expansion of the “Money Talks” financial literacy series promoting positive youth development. Before returning to UC ANR, Robinson worked for the Center on Policy Initiatives, a policy think tank focused on economic justice policy issues.

    Originally from Atlanta, Robinson moved across the southeastern part of the U.S. in pursuit of higher education. He earned a doctorate in applied economics from Auburn University in Alabama after obtaining bachelor’s degrees in communication and economics from the University of North Florida. Robinson also earned an associate’s degree in geography from Florida State College.

    Before moving to California, Robinson was an economics professor at the University of North Florida as well as at Tuskegee University in Alabama, where he taught agricultural economics. While in graduate school, Robinson conducted coastal resource evaluations with Sea Grant as a collegiate fellow for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    Just prior to returning to UCCE, he helped to develop San Diego County’s State of the Food System 2020 report and the Food Vision 2030 plan based on his outreach and community organizing.

    Robinson is based at the UCCE office in San Diego County and can be reached at drobinson@ucanr.edu.

    Babu joins UCCE Imperial County as entomology advisor

    Arun Babu joined UCCE on July 8 as the entomology advisor for Imperial County. Babu is responsible for developing and implementing research and education programs on managing insect pests of vegetables, forage, field and specialty crops in Imperial County.

    Babu earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural science from Kerala Agricultural University in Kerala, India. He started his career as an agriculture consultant on a project sponsored by the government of India, serving as an advisor for small-scale subsistence farmers of Southern India, providing technical assistance to a diverse clientele of underserved growers in making crop management decisions.

    In 2011, Babu moved to the United States to join the master’s program in entomology at Mississippi State University, where he studied why Helicoverpa zea, corn earworm, was becoming resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) toxins in transgenic field corn.

    During his Ph.D. studies and postdoctoral research at North Carolina State University, Babu worked extensively on integrated pest management in field crops, focusing on pests such as brown stink bugs, Euschistus servus, corn earworm and aphids in various crop systems. These studies generated tangible results with direct economic benefits for growers and crop consultants.

    In further postdoctoral research at the University of Georgia, he focused on monitoring and sampling, behavioral and chemical management of the invasive pest Drosophila suzukii in small fruit crops. Results from his trials enhanced adoption of IPM practices in managing D. suzukii in small fruit crops and helped growers reduce their dependency on frequent insecticide applications.

    As an entomology advisor for Imperial County, Babu is committed to working with growers, pest control advisers, industry partners, government agencies and others. He is dedicated to developing practical, cost-effective solutions for the various pest management problems faced by the growers in Imperial County.

    Babu is based at the UCCE Imperial County office in Holtville and can be reached at arbabu@ucanr.edu, (442) 265-7708 and @_ArunBabu_ on X.

    Kraus named small farms advisor for Fresno County

    Emily Kraus joined UCCE on July 1 as the small farms advisor for Fresno County.

    Kraus aims to find solutions to small farms’ production issues such as pests and soil nutrition. Some of her specific goals are to investigate the range and management strategies for Mexican rice borer, identify pest problems for longbean, and determine sustainable strategies for diversified cropping systems.

    Prior to joining UC ANR, Kraus was a Cooperative Extension scientist for pesticide knowledge and safety in the Pesticide Information Office at the University of Florida.

    The Indiana native earned her bachelor’s degree in entomology at Purdue University, where she focused on both biological control and medical entomology. She earned her master’s degree at Kansas State University, studying mosquito-transmitted diseases.

    Then she took a break from academia to serve in the U.S. Peace Corps in Senegal, West Africa. Upon her return, she resumed her studies by working in integrated pest management in rice production at Louisiana State University.

    While working on her Ph.D. she traveled extensively to rice-producing regions of the world. Her desire for travel carried her through her postdoctoral fellowship at Rhodes University in South Africa, where she again studied biological control. This experience set her up for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture.

    Kraus is based in Fresno and can be reached at ekraus@ucanr.edu.

    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.

  • Unique Conditions in Modoc County Drive Organic Ag Adaptations

    Modoc County, home to 8,500 people and tucked in the remote northeastern corner of California, has been a leader in advancing organic agriculture through its significant ranching and agronomic crop production, namely of potatoes and hay.

    In fact, Modoc County is California’s number one county for organic beef cattle production (119,782 acres in 2022), and consistently in the top five counties for total harvested certified organic acres in the state, according to the most recent California Department of Food and Agriculture statistics.

    “Modoc County farmers and ranchers in many ways exemplify the values of organic agriculture, adapting and tailoring their operations to the contexts of the unique landscapes we live in,” said Laurie Wayne, University of California Cooperative Extension nutrition, community health and food systems advisor for Modoc, Siskiyou and Lassen counties.

    Laurie Wayne

    This past summer, Wayne and Rob Wilson – UCCE farm advisor and director of the Intermountain Research and Extension Center operated by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources – shared their insights with a visiting team from the UC Organic Agriculture Institute.

    Established in 2020 as an institute under UC ANR, OAI was created to develop research, extension and education support for certified, transitioning and aspiring organic farmers and ranchers across California. The OAI team has been visiting different regions to better understand the unique conditions of organic agriculture in those areas.

    “These tours are our chance to build relationships with local farmers, partner organizations and colleagues and see how organic agriculture has grown and developed in that specific region,” said Houston Wilson, OAI director. “We also get to learn directly from farmers and ranchers about how regional contexts and community goals influence organic agriculture in their area.”

    Modoc County’s geography, climate spur adaptive strategies

    Wayne, who previously operated a farm in Modoc County and also co-founded the Surprise Valley Saturday Farmer’s Market and Modoc Harvest Food Hub, was the perfect person to introduce the OAI team to local agricultural producers.

    “I hoped to show our visitors just a glimpse at the many lessons I’ve learned and inspiration I’ve gained from the agriculture community in Modoc,” Wayne said.

    A common theme across Modoc County is the use of innovative and place-based strategies to farm within diverse ecosystems. For example, extensive rotational grazing is well-suited to the region’s vast sage steppes, perennial grasslands and sagebrush ecosystems.

    333 Ranch – a third-generation ranch in Lake City owned and operated by Sophie Sheppard, Lynn Nardella, and their son, Jason Diven – raises rotationally grazed beef cattle and calves, hogs and Icelandic sheep and grows organically managed vegetables.

    One of several beaver dams can be seen in a creek at 333 Ranch, where high tensile fencing has been installed alongside the creek. Photo by Houston Wilson

    Half of 333 Ranch is under conservation easement to preserve natural resources and wildlife. Their land stewardship practices include working with the Savory Institute – a nonprofit that supports the health of grasslands and the livelihoods of people on those landscapes – on ecological grazing techniques. They also partner with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to convert barbed wire fencing into high tensile fencing for riparian habitat restoration. Sheppard reported that one year after the fence conversion, the ranchers saw beavers building dams in their creek and nesting Greater Sandhill Cranes.

    Leah Larsen of Bidwell Canyon Farm in Fort Bidwell said she learned high tunnel production from Sheppard at 333 Ranch and others in the area. High tunnels allow farmers to extend their growing seasons to accommodate diverse crop rotations and opportunities for local food production.

    Larsen – who grows vegetables, fruit trees and berries on 1.5 acres (including in two high tunnels) – also raises milk goats and chickens, maintains grazing pasture and operates a farmstay rental. With 11 years of experience farming in Modoc’s high desert climate, Larsen offers mentorship to other growers in the region and shares information through channels such as the region’s high tunnel Facebook group.

    Canyon Creek Ranch in Alturas uses prescribed burns to manage invasive tree species in the sagebrush steppe. Richard (Dick) Mackey and his family operate 3,300 certified organic acres, with 350 head of cattle and 500 acres of hay, pasture and alfalfa. In addition to organic certification, Canyon Creek Ranch is also Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV)-certified; EOV is a program of the Savory Institute that gathers ecosystem data to verify that ranching practices are regenerating the land.

    Dick Mackey (middle) of Canyon Creek Ranch leads the OAI team on a tour of his property, and points out various conservation efforts, such as prescribed burns to manage invasive tree species. Photo by Houston Wilson

    Mackey, whose family has owned and operated the ranch since 1946, brought the OAI team to an area of their property that is managed with fire, demonstrating how their agroecological stewardship has improved the land and suppressed invasive species.

    “It was remarkable to see the difference ecological management such as prescribed burning and targeted grazing can make in promoting both healthy ecosystems and more productive organic agricultural systems,” said Krista Marshall, OAI policy and partnerships coordinator. “I feel incredibly grateful to have gotten the opportunity to learn from the innovative and thoughtful farmers and ranchers across Modoc County about how we can accomplish multiple goals in agroecosystems.”

    Another example of ecological and agricultural goals being met simultaneously can be found at Tule Lake, where rotations incorporate a wetland wildlife refuge and crop production. Rob Wilson noted that this “Walking Wetlands” program has benefited organic producers with good pest and disease control from the flooded years in the rotation.

    “The Walking Wetlands program is a great example of public and private land managers working together to meet land use objectives,” said Wilson, the UCCE farm advisor. “The program results in hundreds of acres of restored marshland habitat for migrating waterfowl each year, while providing organic potato and small grain growers with productive farmland largely devoid of soilborne pathogens and nematode pests.”

    Farm labor support, meat processing infrastructure investment needed in region

    All ranchers on the OAI tour commented on the lack of U.S. Department of Agriculture-accredited meat processors in the county. Ranchers explained that they must transport animals hundreds of miles to other counties or across state lines to access facilities.

    Jon and Kelsey Arreche of Cow Creek Meat, Inc. at Arreche Farms in Cedarville said that the year-long wait lists for processing complicates planning.

    Lambs and calves enjoy a snack at Cow Creek Meat, Inc. at Arreche Farms in Cedarville. Photo by Houston Wilson

    The Arreches manage 1,300 acres of pasture, alfalfa, wheat, barley and hay and raise 110 grass-fed and grass-fed/grain-finished beef cattle, as well as hogs, lamb and poultry. Cow Creek Meat was certified organic for 12 years and continues to farm organically despite not pursuing certification currently.

    Jon Arreche commented that prices for commodities like alfalfa are not stable but rather fluctuate between organic and non-organic markets, with some years offering a better premium than others. He said that they may pursue certification again in the future.

    “Greater investment in processing infrastructure and the need for organic market development are two concerns we heard consistently on the tour,” said Shriya Rangarajan, a postdoctoral researcher with OAI. “We have to ensure the long-term economic viability for these local ranchers.”

    The remoteness of Modoc County also has contributed to labor challenges for farmers and ranchers across the region. Some growers have pursued hosting farm apprenticeships or internships, through programs like World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) or through direct hire.

    Bidwell Canyon Farm has a farm internship program, which helps with labor on the farm and also contributes to mentoring and teaching the next generation of farmers. There was widespread interest in developing training programs, akin to Rogue Farm Corps in Oregon, to link beginning farmer apprentices with host mentor farmers.

    “Hands-on experience working on farms is the best way to inspire and train the next generation of farmers,” said Marshall. “Farmers in Modoc are already creating these types of apprenticeship programs on their farms, so network and capacity building to support these efforts would benefit the agricultural community.

    At Oz Garden, Kay Antunez de Mayolo (second from right) shows what’s growing to the OAI team of (from left) Lexie Wilson, Shriya Rangarajan and Laurie Wayne. Photo by Houston Wilson

    Markets often dictate whether organic certification is useful

    The number of certified organic farms and ranches in Modoc County declined from 34 in 2018 to 19 in 2022, according to CDFA statistics. The OAI visitors learned from growers in the region that markets often dictated if formal certification made business sense for their organically managed operations.

    Kay and Erik Antunez de Mayolo grow vegetables, herbs, berries and natural dye plants on a quarter-acre and heritage apples, peaches and other fruit trees on an additional three acres at Oz Garden in Eagleville. They manage their farm organically, but are not certified. Kay Antunez de Mayolo, who markets produce and value-added goods at the Surprise Valley Farmers Market in Cedarville and the Alturas Farmers Market, also contributes to the Modoc Harvest Food Hub.

    Most Modoc growers, certified or not, know their customers through direct sales and build trust around the integrity of their operations. Many farmers and ranchers ultimately don’t see the financial benefit of certification because of these direct relationships with their customers – especially given the certification cost and administrative effort required.

    While cost-share programs for organic certification fees exist (such as the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program), applying for and maintaining certification status takes valuable time – in addition to direct financial outlay.

    Modoc growers contribute to conserving plant diversity

    The lively local food and farming community in Modoc County also includes smaller-scale vegetable and fruit farms; the State Organic Program reported 1,281 organic vegetable acres in Modoc in 2023. Modoc fruit and vegetable growers are conserving heritage crops on farm and preserving unique plant varieties while producing food for the community.

    Known for its stark natural beauty, Modoc County also supports a variety of agricultural activities through the efforts of innovative farmers and ranchers. Photo by Houston Wilson

    At Oz Garden, the apple trees are over 125 years old. Through the Modoc Harvest Heritage Fruit Tree Project, Kay Antunez de Mayolo and others work to identify these cultivars through research and DNA fingerprinting at the UC Davis Genetics Lab. Oz Garden grows diverse plant varieties, including the “Old Fashioned Surprise Valley Tomato,” a locally adapted beefsteak variety stewarded by Modoc resident June Perry.

    Bidwell Canyon Farm introduced the OAI team to honeyberries, also known as Haskap berries, which look like an elongated blueberry but have a distinct honeyed flavor and produce well in Modoc County.

    “That bit of honeyberry was symbolic of the entire tour – a small but memorable taste of the richness and diversity of Modoc County organic agriculture,” Marshall said. “We are so grateful to Laurie and all the farmers and ranchers for taking the time to share their experiences and feedback with us.” — By Lexie Wilson, UC Organic Agriculture Institute

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

  • Ag Workers Reduce Hours or Move Locations to Avoid Wildfire Smoke

    Millions of cell tower pings from dating, weather, messaging and other mobile apps that use location-sharing services are helping agricultural economists better understand how farmworkers respond to environmental hazards such as wildfire smoke.

    During California’s most destructive wildfire season in 2020, the number of farmworkers in a surveyed field fell by nearly 35% and the number of hours worked in that same location dropped by 37% on smoky days when elevated levels of particulate matter were in the air.

    On less smoky days, the number of workers in surveyed fields was nearly 18% below typical levels and the hours worked were 23% below normal, according to novel research from the University of California, Davis, to be published in the January edition of Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.

    “When this smoke is really heavy there’s a large reduction in the amount of people in a field in day,” said Tim Beatty, chair of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the senior author on the research.

    The researchers also found that farmworkers tended to work more hours in the days leading up to smoke events and switched fields to avoid the worst conditions.

    “We could figure out very rich hourly information of where these farmworkers went and if they moved to another location,” said Goeun Lee, a postdoctoral scholar and lead author on the journal paper. “This is kind of the first application of this data to answer some important questions in agricultural economics.”

    A new resource

    The research represents a new way of gleaning information about one of California’s most elusive workforces – farmworkers who harvest crops that help feed the nation – that conventional sources cannot quantify.

    “The results are relevant for policy makers seeking to protect workers health, safety and well-being and to ensure the sustainability of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world,” the authors wrote.

    Lee and Beatty used crop field boundaries to define agricultural crop locations, overlayed smoke plume and weather data to determine environmental conditions and accessed cell phone data from a company that collects location information from about 400 mobile applications.

    They identified time, place and movement data of cell phones at the field level from January to mid-October for 12,667 crop workers – representing 8% of the agricultural workforce in California – and a sample size 20 times that of the federal National Agricultural Worker Survey of 2020, which is a main but limited point-in-time resource for tracking this population.

    “We don’t do a good job of collecting data on these pretty marginalized groups who are very important, so it’s very hard for us to say anything about policies that affect them because they don’t turn up in the data,” Beatty said. “This mobility data is interesting and important to really answer questions about a group of people who are underrepresented in surveys.”

    Shocks on the horizon

    Major wildfires and other environmental shocks are projected to become more frequent and current protections may not be adequate to protect farmworkers and their financial health, the authors said.

    “Farmworkers primarily work outdoors and they’re exposed to many environmental shocks and factors that can affect their health and productivity negatively,” Lee said. “Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of wildfire smoke and California relies a lot on this labor force. They are essential for California agriculture.”

    Wildfire smoke can cause fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion and other symptoms that increase the risk of injury. The researchers defined high smoke days as those with 40 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter. California regulations require workers to wear protective gear like respirators, alter their schedule or work in an area with better air quality when particulate matter is 55.5 micrograms per cubic meter.

    The short harvest season coincides with more intense wildfire months, which means farmworkers could lose wages while avoiding smoke hazards. “We should worry about people’s health but also their ability to earn a living because that also impacts their health and wellbeing quite directly,” Beatty said.

    Future studies

    The research has some limitations related to who made decisions related to smoke.

    “It could be as simple as farmers have multiple fields and they just switch the field they’re harvesting that day. It could be they work for a farm labor contractor and they just basically change the client they are working for that day,” Beatty said. “That sets the table for a lot of future questions.”

    The methodology could be used to answer future labor, environmental and agricultural economics questions and the authors are using cell phone data to track farmworker movement and behavior during extreme heat events and after pesticide use.

    “This kind of new data set that we made can be a valuable resource to answer other questions about farmworkers,” Lee said.

    The research was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. — By Emily C. Dooley, UC Davis

  • Sonoma Vintners Announce “Wine Is Us” Campaign Promoting Benefits of Wine

    Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is excited to announce their new “Wine Is Us” multimedia campaign as part of their ongoing efforts to advocate for and promote Sonoma County wines to the world.

    The “Wine is Us” campaign is designed to increase awareness of the many comprehensive benefits of moderate wine consumption, as reported in reputable medical studies. It will also invite consumers to enjoy positive personal interactions that may result from sharing a glass of wine with friends and family, emphasizing the more positive social, mental and physical health impacts.

    SCV’s new campaign will begin over the 2024 holiday season and expand throughout 2025 on various media platforms including radio, social media, digital display, and more.  A dedicated web page will be created that will feature news articles and studies highlighting wine’s social engagement benefits.

    “Our ‘Wine Is Us’ campaign is designed to provide a positive and informed  narrative that highlights the cultural, social and well-being impacts of wine,”  stated Michael Haney, Executive Director of Sonoma County Vintners.

    To learn more about Sonoma County wine and stay updated on the rollout of the “Wine Is Us” campaign, visit sonomawine.com or follow @sonomacountyvintners.

    About Sonoma County Vintners
    Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) connects Sonoma County wine and the global marketplace for the sustainable growth and prosperity of our members and community. SCV represents over 250 wineries throughout the county. The organization actively promotes Sonoma County and its world-class wineries through educational programming and marketing initiatives; advocates for its members at local, state and federal levels; and contributes to the local communities through Sonoma County Vintners Foundation. Sonoma County Wine Celebration, its annual fundraiser, benefits non-profit organizations throughout the region. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit SonomaWine.com.

  • Can Whole Orchard Recycling Suppress Weed Establishment in New Orchards?

    Recent research has shown many potential benefits of utilizing whole orchard recycling (WOR) when removing an orchard. Instead of burning the wood produced in orchard removal, WOR involves chipping the wood from pulled trees and redistributing it back into the field using a chip or amendment spreader. This management technique has been mostly used in walnut orchards being followed by new walnut orchards. The conservation of the carbon in the wood benefits the soil by increasing nutrients available for the next crop, improving the soil’s water holding capacity and and enhancing microbial activity. After a recent evaluation of weed populations in a WOR trial in Yuba County, it appears that weed suppression in the first few years after orchard establishment at a WOR site may be yet another benefit to this practice.

    A WOR trial in Yuba County, led by UCCE Yuba-Sutter Farm Advisor Clarissa Reyes, was initiated by removing and chipping a mature walnut orchard at removal in late fall of 2023. The chips were spread at 60 tons/acre in winter 2023 in a grid design to allow comparison of orchard performance between areas with chips and areas without chips (control). RX1 rootstock trees were planted in April of 2024 and budded to Wolfskill walnuts in September 2024. In the first three months after orchard establishment, weed suppression was observed in the plots that had been covered in wood chips. Weed populations were surveyed in each plot in the orchard in August 2024.

    A representative three foot by twenty foot strip within the rows between two trees was evaluated for each plot within the trial. The percent of soil covered by weeds was estimated, and the dominant weed species were recorded. The plots treated with wood chips averaged 14% weed cover, while the control plots with no wood chips averaged 58% weed cover. This difference was significant and very visually apparent.

    In addition to difference in coverage of weeds, different species were observed in the chipped versus control plots. Almost all plots, regardless of treatment, had common knotweed (Polygonum arenastrum) and littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor). Control plots also had established populations of crabgrasses (Digitaria spp.), hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) and fringed willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum). It is interesting that hairy fleabane, a particularly difficult weed to manage with known herbicide resistance, was suppressed in plots with chips. The possible mechanism of suppression for this particular weed could be physical, in that the seeds cannot germinate or seedlings are unable to break through the thick layer of mulched wood chips. Hairy fleabane has also been shown to be susceptible to allelopathy from juglone, produced by walnuts. There is no specific evidence indicating that the juglone in the soil from the wood chips is the control mechanism, but it may be worth evaluating in future trials.

    We expect that over time, the weed suppression will decrease and eventually there will be no difference between the chipped plots and the controls. However, reduced weed pressure in the critical first few years after orchard establishment may prove to be a valuable benefit to WOR. Annual weed surveys will continue in coming years of the Yuba County WOR trial. — By Becky Wheeler-Dykes, UCCE Glenn Orchard Systems & Weed Ecology Farm Advisor

  • Almond Alliance Responds to Proposed Endangered Species Protection for Monarch Butterfly

    Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed listing the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to the proposed listing rule, its purpose is to reverse the population decline of this pollinator species.

    While we have concerns about the potential impacts of this listing on growers and their operations, we are committed to working with the USFWS to develop solutions that protect the monarch while supporting our growers.

    As a leader in pollinator conservation, almond growers have made significant contributions, including:

    • Leading the nation in Bee Friendly Farming certification, ensuring sustainable and supportive environments for pollinators. In fact, 86% of all U.S. bee-friendly certified farms are almond farms.

    • Providing more than 35,000 acres of permanent pollinator habitat managed by family-owned farms.

    • Additionally, 20% of California almond orchards plant blooming cover crops between tree rows to provide more than 130,000 acres of seasonal pollinator nectar resources.

    California’s working lands will be essential to the monarch butterfly’s recovery. Almond growers have shown that proactive pollinator conservation and sustainable farming can coexist. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with USFWS to accelerate the monarch’s recovery while continuing to provide benefits to ecosystems, farming communities, and sustainable food production.

    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture.

    Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.

  • New Marketing Assistance Now Available for Specialty Crop Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications from Dec. 10, 2024 through Jan. 8, 2025. Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, MASC was announced in November alongside the $140 million Commodity Storage Assistance Program for facilities impacted by 2024 natural disasters.

    “Specialty crop growers have typically faced higher marketing and handling costs relative to non-specialty crop producers due to the perishability of fruits, (nuts), vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Through this marketing assistance program, we can expand U.S. specialty crop consumption and markets by providing specialty crop producers the financial support needed to help them engage in activities that broaden and enhance strategies and opportunities for marketing their commodities.”

    MASC helps specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:

    • Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursey crops and herbs;
    • Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;
    • Packaging to prevent damage;
    • Moving perishables to market quickly; and
    • Higher labor costs.

    MASC Eligibility

    To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025.

    MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops:

    • Fruits (fresh, dried);
    • Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);
    • Tree nuts;
    • Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;
    • Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and
    • Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.

    Applying for MASC

    Eligible established specialty crop producers can apply for MASC benefits by completing the FSA-1140, Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program Application, and submitting the form to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025. When applying, eligible specialty crop producers must certify their specialty crop sales for calendar year 2023 or 2024.

    New specialty crop producers are required to certify 2025 expected sales, submit an FSA-1141 application and provide certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc. New producers are those who began producing specialty crops in 2023 or 2024 but did not have sales due to the immaturity of the crop, began producing specialty crops in 2024 but did not have a complete year of sales or will begin growing specialty crops in 2025.

    MASC applicants, established and new, must also submit the following information to FSA if not already on file at the time of application:

    • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
    • Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
    • Form CCC-941, Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information.  
    • Form FSA-942, Certification of Income from Farming, Ranching and Forestry Operations, if applicable, for the producer and members of entities.
    • A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.
    • Other Documentation if requested by FSA to support reported specialty crop sales.

    Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms or producers who may be new to conducting business with FSA, can contact their local FSA county office.

    For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing, or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales. Further explanation of what is considered by FSA for specialty crop sales as well as an online MASC decision tool and applicable program forms, are available on the MASC program webpage.

    MASC Payments

    For established specialty crop growers, those who certify crop sales in 2023 or 2024, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales. Payment calculation details and examples are available on the MASC webpage or related questions can be directed to local FSA county office staff.

    FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered.  If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.

    Specialty crop producers interested in applying for MASC benefits, are encouraged to review the program fact sheet for detailed information on program eligibility, required documentation, payment calculations and more.

    More Information

    Additional information on MASC is available in the Notice of Funding Availability, which went on public inspection in the Federal Register on Dec. 9, 2024.

    FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

  • Newly Established Century Club Honors 22 Sonoma County Legacy Farm Families

    The image of vibrant farms and rugged ranches set among Sonoma County’s beautiful landscapes has long been sought after by tourists, painters and photographers. The sheer beauty has always stood out, but, given that the area’s first vineyards date back to 1812, it is the region’s agrarian roots and family legacy that makes Sonoma County unique.

    Today, twenty-two local families, all winegrape growers, were recognized as the original members of the “Century Club” in honor of their continuously farming their family’s original land for more than one hundred years. Sonoma County Winegrowers created the Century Club to mark the unique legacies of farm families in the region and it will recognize new families with the honor as they hit the one-hundred-year mark in the years ahead. Each of these farms – and the families behind them – have endured the ups and downs of the cyclical nature of today’s agriculture to survive and thrive.

    “To have so many families still working the very land where their grandparents, great grandparents and great, great grandparents settled and began farming over a hundred years ago is truly the definition of sustainability and the DNA in our wine region,” said Karissa Kruse, President and CEO, of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We are very excited to launch this program because we are fortunate to live in an area where so many multi-generational farm families continue to farm the very ground that their ancestors farmed and ranched more than a century ago.”

    All of the families being honored share one common theme – brave ancestors who left their homeland to seek the American dream by working the land. Some examples include the Mauritson family who have been growing grapes in the Dry Creek Valley since 1868. The Munselle family arrived in the Alexander Valley with a vision of producing fine wines nearly 150 years ago. The Bisordi family began farming hops, prunes and more in 1898.  The Dutton family has been working the land since the 1880s and today the fourth, fifth and sixth generations are still farming. The Martinelli family first planted grapes and began making wine in the area in the 1880s.

    Each of the families honored today received commemorative pins, special recognition signs to place on their property and a Congressional certificate from Representative Mike Thompson. Looking ahead, the Century Club members will be invited to attend the annual recognition lunch, as well as participate in exclusive members-only events.

    The member families of the inaugural 2024 class of the Sonoma County Century Club and the year their ancestors began farming in Sonoma County are:

    • Azevedo Family – Azevedo A-Bar Ranch, began farming in 1904
    • Bacigalupi & Gaddini Family – Bacigalupi Vineyards, began farming in 1883
    • Bastoni Family – Bastoni Vineyards, began farming in 1905
    • Bisordi Family – Bisordi Ranch & Vineyards, began farming in 1898
    • Bundschu Family – Bundschu Company, began farming in 1858
    • Denner Family – Denner Ranches, Inc., began farming in 1890
    • Dutton Family – Dutton Ranch, began farming in 1880
    • Giusti Family – Giusti Ranch & Vineyards, began farming in 1875
    • Kunde Family – Wildwood Vineyards Arthur Kunde & Sons, Inc., began farming in 1904
    • Leras Family – Leras Family Vineyards, began farming in 1918
    • Martinelli Family – Martinelli Winery & Martinelli Vineyard Management, began farming in 1860
    • Mauritson Family – Mauritson Farms, began farming in 1868
    • Munselle Family – Munselle Vineyards, began farming in 1876
    • Puccioni Family – Puccioni Ranch & Vineyards, began farming in 1904
    • Rafanelli Family – Rafanelli Winery, began farming in early 1900s
    • Saini Family – Saini Farms, Inc., began farming in 1917
    • Sanchietti Family – Sanchietti Ranch & Sanchietti Farming, began farming in 1919
    • Sebastiani Family – Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, began farming in 1904
    • Seghesio Family – Seghesio Family Vineyards, began farming in 1895
    • Serres Family – Serres Ranch, began farming in 1924
    • Schmidt Family – Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards, began farming in 1856
    • Young Family – Robert Young Estate Vineyards, began farming in 1858

    To learn more about the founding families of the Century Club, click here!

    About Sonoma County Winegrowers:

    Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grape growers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world. In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023. SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org.