Just as the previous Farm Bill has supported farmers with cost-share programs like EQIP to improve their sustainability, the specialty crop sector of ag is pushing for the coming Farm Bill to support on-farm ag tech innovations in a similar way. Watch this brief interview with California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay to learn more.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
In a recent national food trends report, pistachios were named nut of the year. Pistachio color, flavor and natural health benefits were highlighted as an official 2023 trend. Watch this brief interview with Judy Hirigoyen from American Pistachio Growers (APG) as she explains the significance of this announcement. Hirigoyen also highlights APG’s recent economic impact study. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
National livestock groups have come together to support Congressional efforts to expand opportunities for industry to invest in meat packing capacity.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Sheep Industry Association, Livestock Marketing Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, and United States Cattlemen’s Association sent a letter to the Chairpeople and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees expressing the groups’ support of legislation to allow livestock market owners and operators to own or invest in small or regional livestock packing facilities.
The bipartisan legislation, the Expanding Local Meat Processing Act (S. 813), was reintroduced by Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) last week. This is the Senate companion to the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (APLUS) Act (H.R.530), being led by U.S. Representatives Mark Alford (R-MO), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD). If enacted, these bills would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to update a regulatory prohibition under the Packers and Stockyards Act which bars livestock auction owners from owning or investing in packers.
“This is an antiquated rule that does not fit with the current, transparent method of selling livestock at an open auction where sellers can view the transaction either in person or by streaming the auction online,” the letter states.
The bills would allow for investment in the packing industry at local and regional levels by those active in the livestock marketing business.
“We appreciate our partners, both on Capitol Hill and at fellow livestock groups, fighting for opportunities to enhance participation in livestock packing,” said Mark Barnett, LMA President and owner of Kentucky-Tennessee Livestock Market. “Livestock auction markets, like mine, are in the competition business. Allowing livestock auction owners to invest in small and regional packers could enhance competition which equates to needed additional profit for producers who are being squeezed by high inputs and low margins.”
If you have questions about this legislation, please reach out to Chelsea Good, Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Legal at cgood@lmaweb.com or 816-305-9540.
About the Livestock Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through support, representation and communication efforts. For more information, visit www.LMAWeb.com.
American Farmland Trust (AFT), the Agricultural Viability Alliance, and a national coalition of agricultural organizations, service providers, non-profits, businesses, lending institutions, and government entities, today sent a letter to leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees calling for dedicated funding for business technical assistance and farm viability in the upcoming Farm Bill.
“As you begin the process of developing a new Farm Bill,” the letter, signed by over 135 organizations, writes, “[we] urge you to include dedicated funding for one-to-one business technical assistance for small and midsized farm and food businesses. These investments in farm viability are critical to achieving a more just, secure, resilient food supply chain, growing our rural economies, and helping farmers and food businesses weather periods of uncertainty, high input costs, and market disruptions.”
“Congress begins work on a new Farm Bill at a time when the agricultural economy and food system face a number of urgent, overlapping challenges,” said Tim Fink, Policy Director for AFT. “From historic inequities and systemic barriers for underserved producers, to rising input costs and vanishing margins, to generational transfer of farmland – business technical assistance has proven an effective and cost-efficient way of addressing these challenges and building capacity on the ground.”
The call for dedicated Farm Bill funding builds on work that AFT, in partnership with the Agricultural Viability Alliance (the Alliance), began in 2021 requesting USDA to set aside a portion of Coronavirus relief funding for one-to-one business technical assistance. More than 110 organizations joined AFT and the Alliance in urging USDA to prioritize this type of technical assistance to small and mid-sized farm and food businesses. In addition, 50 Members of Congress similarly encouraged USDA to support business technical assistance. USDA responded to this request with its establishment of two new initiatives: the Farm Service Agency’s Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program, and the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Regional Food Business Centers.
“The entrepreneurs we serve face barriers to becoming financially viable, so we support them to develop financial management skills, access capital and land, and build resilient businesses,” said Benneth Phelps, Executive Director of the Agricultural Viability Alliance. “We do this by providing information, training, skill-building, and capital, within a carefully crafted ecosystem of support, and funding for this work in the Farm Bill is critical.”
Business technical assistance covers a wide range of one-to-one services offered to farm and food businesses by nonprofit organizations, state agencies, private consultants, and extension services. Customized to meet the unique needs of individual businesses, these services include coaching, skill development, and planning related to financial and labor management, marketing and business strategies, farm transfer and succession, and access to land and capital. BTA has proven effective at creating jobs and supporting local economies. This work is also critical to addressing historic and systemic barriers facing farmers and food entrepreneurs of color, who have been structurally denied opportunities to access capital, land, technical support, USDA programs, and broader professional advancement for generations.
American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on a half million additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families.
The Agricultural Viability Alliance connects farm, food and forestry viability advisors in New England and the Hudson Valley. These advisors work with farmers to build resilient businesses, access markets and farmland, execute business transitions, and achieve other goals. Regionally, we offer a community for advisors to access professional development and mentorship, so they can do their best work. Nationally, the Alliance brings advisors together to advance policy that ensures consistent funding for business assistance — so the groundbreaking work our network members have spearheaded for decades will be built into the sector long-term. The Alliance is hosted by The Carrot Project, a business technical assistance provider based in New England. Together, we work toward a just and resilient farm and food system, guided by our shared commitment to racial equity and an inclusive sector.
The Board of Directors of Westlands Water District (District) recently named Allison Febbo as the next General Manager. With nearly 25 years of experience in natural resources, hydrology, and water operations, Ms. Febbo will be the first woman to serve the District as General Manager.
“We are thrilled to welcome Allison Febbo to the Westlands Water District team,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Allison is a pragmatic, collaborative leader with a proven track record of bridging the gap between science, engineering, and policy related to California’s complex water resource systems. She brings technical expertise and civic mindset needed to ensure a sustainable water future for the environment and the hard-working families that continue to feed the world.”
As General Manager, Ms. Febbo will be responsible for directing, coordinating and reviewing the activities and operations of the District, and serves as the administrative head of the District in its relations with the public, legislative bodies, Federal and State governments, and local public agencies.
“I am honored the Board has entrusted me to serve as Westlands’ next General Manager. I am committed to ensuring a sustainable, diverse water supply and continuing the high-quality services provided by the District,” said Allison Febbo. “Westlands has long been recognized as a leader in California water policy, and I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, water users, and other agencies to explore and implement creative, comprehensive and climate-resilient approaches.
Ms. Febbo currently serves as the General Manager of Mojave Water Agency. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Operations Manager for the Central Valley Operations Office for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Ms. Febbo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters of Science in Hydrologic Science from the University of California, Davis.
Ms. Febbo will begin serving as Westlands’ General Manager on April 24, 2023.
About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.
After recognizing six exceptional California teachers as finalists through the Golden Owl Award, the California FFA Foundation, in partnership with Nationwide and the California Farm Bureau, selected Jason Ferreira, agricultural teacher at Hanford High School, as California’s 2022-2023 “Ag Educator of the Year.”
Ferreira was formally recognized as the Golden Owl Award grand prize winner during the California FFA State Leadership Conference in Ontario on March 18. In addition to the title of California’s Ag Educator of the Year, Ferreira received the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 Nationwide-funded donation to further Hanford High School’s agricultural education efforts.
Upon hearing of his win, Ferreira expressed his gratitude to students, colleagues, and community. “I’m grateful for everyone who has ever played a part in helping me serve my students, program, and community selflessly,” he said. “Receiving the Golden Owl Award reminds me of the powerful impact that FFA Advisors have on our community. I am humbled and proud to be a positive representative for California agricultural education and look forward to seeing the next generation of Golden Owls aspire to achieve success with their careers.”
Each Golden Owl Award finalist was also presented with an individualized plaque in front of attendees at the California FFA State Leadership Conference and received a $500 donation to support future educational efforts. The finalists included:
Ferreira’s passion for agriculture and his commitment to his students have made him an outstanding educator, and his recognition is well-deserved. Nominations described Ferreira as hardworking, dedicated, and inspiring. One student nomination read, “When I first met Mr. Ferreira I was not an active member and was only in FFA to get class credits, but in less than a few months Mr. Ferreira showed me the beauty of the FFA organization. He helped me work to become a sectional officer and helped me find my place in this organization. Sometimes I wonder how Mr. Ferreira is able to do all the remarkable things he does for this organization—it is a testimony to his love for and dedication to the FFA.”
As the number one insurer of farms and ranches in the United States, Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award with its state partners to shed light on the contributions of California’s leading agricultural teachers and provide additional resources to support their programs.
“As a company deeply rooted in agriculture, we are proud to collaborate with our state partners to recognize outstanding agriculture teachers, who are not only critical to the communities they serve, but also to the farming industry as a whole,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We are extremely grateful for the contributions and dedication of these selfless public servants.”
In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to the California FFA Foundation to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike.
The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Nationwide, the California FFA Foundation, and the California Farm Bureau.
Today, the Valley Air District and local Agricultural leaders hosted a Clean Agricultural Equipment Showcase demonstrating the air quality benefits of a state grant program designed to replace older high polluting equipment.
The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program, administered by the California Air Resources Board and funded through local Air Districts, expedites the turnover of high emitting agricultural equipment, like tractors, harvesters, pumps and utility task vehicles for cleaner and zero emission equipment. Investments through this program have the benefit of supporting farmers in the move to clean, low carbon technologies and practices, and providing for immediate community health and air quality benefits across the San Joaquin Valley.
“This is one of the District’s most cost effective programs, reducing emissions throughout the Valley while helping some of our smallest farmers transition to cleaner equipment”, stated Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer of the Valley Air District. “We appreciate the state’s support of great programs like this one, and hope for continued investments in these programs in this year’s budget.”
Since 2017, investments through the FARMER program matched with investments from Valley growers have resulted in the reduction of 185,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and 22,210 tons of harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrous oxide. Reducing these pollutants expedites the delivery of cleaner air in the San Joaquin Valley where residents experience some of the highest adult and childhood asthma rates.
FARMER is one of the most cost effective and timely ways in which the state can advance collective air quality and climate goals—improving air quality, lessening adverse health impacts, while advancing carbon neutrality. Realizing the vision of a more equitable and healthy future requires follow through with targeted and strategic investments that leave no one behind.
In addition to the FARMER and local programs, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) provides a wide suite of programs aimed at supporting agricultural transition to sustainable practices. Through this combined local, state, and federal partnership, the San Joaquin Valley has served as the national leader in the deployment of clean air technologies and practices.
The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern. For additional information about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, visit www.valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000.
As storms bring rain and snow to California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to enable local water agencies and other water users to capture water from the latest round of storms to recharge state groundwater supplies.
The order suspends regulations and restrictions on permitting and use to enable water agencies and water users to divert flood stage water for the purpose of boosting groundwater recharge. The order includes wildlife and habitat protections, ensuring that any diversions would not harm water quality or habitat or take away from environmental needs.
WHAT GOV. NEWSOM SAID: “California is seeing extreme rain and snow, so we’re making it simple to redirect water to recharge groundwater basins. This order helps us take advantage of expected intense storms and increases state support for local stormwater capture efforts.”
A copy of the executive order can be found here.
HOW WE GOT HERE:
News was being delivered throughout the day at the newly named Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ 5th annual Vineyard Employee Recognition Celebration. Acknowledged as one of the most innovative and prestigious awards in the winegrape industry, the Employee Recognition award salutes the accomplishments, talent and leadership of vineyard employees who contribute greatly to making Sonoma County a world-renowned wine region and sustainability leader. This year’s event was held at Saralee and Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in front 380 people including vineyard employees, their families, grape growers and community leaders.
“The Employee Recognition event is my favorite of the year because we publicly honor our valued employees in front of their families and peers,” said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. She added, “The relationship between Sonoma County winegrowers and vineyard employees is unique and the Employee Recognition program embodies that special relationship.”
The big news of the day was delivered by Congressman Mike Thompson in a taped address played for the crowd. He announced Jose Aceves, a 54-year employee at Dutton Ranch, was the 2022 Sonoma County Vineyard Employee of the Year and Jose Guadalupe Nuñez, a 35-year employee at Bevill Vineyard Management, was the Employee of the Year Runner-up.
Aceves began working at Dutton Ranch in 1969 when he joined his best friend from childhood, Juan Sanchez, the 2020 Vineyard Employee of the Year, to begin working in the family farm’s vineyards and apple orchards. During his 54 years working for Dutton Ranch, he has handled every job with skill and expertise from tending to the vineyard, to driving tractors, to foreman and now supervisor. He has shown many of his colleagues how to farm and even taught Joe and Steve Dutton how to drive tractors when they were young boys. Jose has always been willing to help others and to do whatever was needed to get the job done. Of note, Jose’s only son, Jose De Jesus Aceves, grew up on Dutton Ranch and is now the Human Resources manager for the family-owned Dutton Ranch business.
“Jose’s commitment to Dutton Ranch and his talent have made him a vital contributor to our success as a family business,” said Steve Dutton, president and co-owner of Dutton Ranch. He added, “Even after 54 years, during harvest, Jose is the first one here in the morning and the last to leave making sure our apples and grapes are delivered on time. Dutton Ranch would not be as successful without Jose’s dedication and expertise all these years. We grew up with Jose. He is part of our family.”
Runner up Jose Guadalupe Nuñez, or “Don Gualo” as he is called by his family, friends and co-workers, went to work for Bevill Vineyard Management in 1988. Over the past three-plus decades, Nuñez has demonstrated a true passion for farming. Not only does Jose share his experience and wisdom in the vineyards with his colleagues, but he also prepares, tends and harvests the Bevill employee garden each year. Nuñez is so valued that the company dedicated its newest workspace as the “Jose ‘Don Gualo’ Nuñez’ Conference Room” complete with a plaque recognizing Jose’s many contributions.
“Don Gualo constantly displays teamwork and is always ready to help any and all who need it,” said Duff Bevill, managing partner at Bevill Vineyard Management. He added, “His dedication to his craft is inspiring to all of us and I consider it an honor to have him on our team. We were excited to dedicate our new workspace to him and now he has also been recognized as a leader in the broader Sonoma County ag community. Don Gualo deserves all of this and more.”
The Employee Recognition Celebration also paid tribute to 49 additional women and men who excel at farming in Sonoma County as “Employees of the Month.” These individuals are hands-on in growing Sonoma County’s famed sustainable winegrapes and were recognized monthly during the past year. Throughout the year, monthly winners receive gift cards as well as recognition in the local community through advertisements, social posts and articles recognizing their success.
All employees working in Sonoma County agriculture for a vineyard owner, vineyard management company or winery, are eligible for the Employee Recognition awards. Employers nominate individuals each month throughout the year to recognize their skills, achievements and exceptional performance in a variety of areas including leadership, innovation, safety, frost protection, conservation, pruning, canopy management and harvest.
Finally, it was announced that the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation has changed its name and will now be called the Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos which translates to Voice of the Vineyards.
In late 2022, alumni members of the first class of the Foundation’s Leadership Academy were asked to brainstorm new names for the charitable organization that would best represent them and the work they do as vineyard employees. The name change, after 20 years, should better recognize the foundation’s evolving mission and singular purpose to elevate and support vineyard employees and their families. The name should reflect them and their contribution. “Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos” was recommended by Jose Cervantes, a vineyard employee from Cornerstone Certified Vineyard and the 2019 Employee of the Year, and was selected by the alumni group. His suggestion inspired conversation and excitement from the other members of the Leadership Academy who felt that the name represented them, their families, their peers and their desire to be a voice for the wine and ag community. From there, the recommended name was brought to the Foundation’s board of directors which enthusiastically approved renaming the organization, “Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos.”
According to Cervantes, the Leadership Academy alum, “It was an honor to be included in this process and to be able to give our recommendations to the Foundation for the renaming. The new name represents what we do and that we have a voice.”
The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos is the only non-profit in Sonoma County whose sole mission is to support vineyard employees and their families. It was first established in 2002 by local winegrape growers to help fund education workshops in Spanish. Relaunched in 2016, it expanded its focus to include improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families to ensure the region remains a place where they can continue to live, work and thrive. Following the devastating wildfires of 2017, 2019 and 2020, the organization established its Vineyard Employee Resiliency Fund, which has provided more than $2 million in support to more than 1,500 agricultural employees with temporary housing, rent support and gift cards to purchase household items, food and essential supplies. Today the foundation remains a committed employee resource but has focused its programming on initiatives that elevate the workforce including its flagship Leadership Academy.
“The Foundation has always focused on improving the lives of our region’s agricultural employees and their families by providing a helping hand with innovative programs and outreach specific to our community including during the floods earlier this year,” said Kruse. She added, “This is a great day for Sonoma County as we are excited to share our new name with the community as it truly reflects the purpose and essence of the organization from those who know it best and to honor our talented vineyard employees for everyone to learn about and appreciate.”
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.
About the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos:
Originally called the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (SCGGF), Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos was first established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to help fund educational workshops in Spanish for agricultural employees. Relaunched in January of 2016, the Fundación is focused on improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families, while ensuring Sonoma County remains a place where agricultural workers will continue to live, work, and thrive. In 2022, the first class of the Leadership Academy met to brainstorm names for the Foundation which would best represent them and the work they do. They selected Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. Since its relaunch in 2016, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos has continuously proven it has a unique model of outreach and support, recognizing and relying on the trusted relationship that farmers have with their employees. The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos collaborates with various community-based organizations and agencies to identify existing resources, leverage available support, and create new programs to assist local agricultural employees and their families. This includes a focus on leadership, empowerment & recognition, resiliency, workforce development and being a trusted resource. The Fundación is managed by the Sonoma County Winegrowers with a 16-member board of directors comprised of agricultural leaders, vineyard and winery owners, and Sonoma County community leaders.
Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers, used the organization’s annual meeting to unveil a number of innovative programs and impressive new partnerships all linked to building upon its role as a global leader in sustainable farming.
“Our growers always ask, ‘what’s next?’ While we have made great progress in our commitment to sustainability, we refuse to rest on our laurels or assume we have reached our goal,” said Kruse. She added, “We are using our proven leadership in sustainability and climate stewardship to flip the narrative to go on offense for the future of farming in Sonoma County and beyond.”
In 2023, Sonoma County Grape Growers, celebrating its 40th anniversary, continues to drive the marketing for the region through its partnership with Landry’s, which operates more than 600 restaurants, hotels, casinos and entertainment destinations throughout the United States and around the globe; its on-going collaboration with GuildSomm to deliver education to the wine trade in the U.S.; and it will be the host of the Food & Wine’s Aspen Classic’s Publishers Party celebrating the renowned magazine’s 40th anniversary.
The organization will also host the second annual Healdsburg Food & Wine Experience to elevate Sonoma County at the only international wine and food show actually held in a wine region. The event will take place May 18-21 of this year. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $100,000 to its non-profit beneficiary, the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation.
Said Kruse, “Sonoma County has a unique opportunity to be a living lab for the future of farming and an innovative accelerator. Sonoma County is blessed with more soil types than all of France, a diverse topography and unique microclimates, and we have a proven record of leadership in sustainability and climate stewardship. We are offering an open invitation for thought leaders and innovators to join us in our mission to preserve agriculture in our county and country.”
The Farm of the Future is a forward-thinking effort that is based in scenario planning to respond to climate impacts and changes in the marketplace effectively and quickly. It will serve as an innovation accelerator where businesses can share new technologies and put them into real-life practice. Partners and collaborators can leverage Sonoma County Winegrowers sustainability leadership and a network of climate stewards and forward-thinking change agents.
“The Farm of the Future will address the future of our food source; the future of our national security; the future of our open space; the future of our ag land; the future of sustainability; and, the future of climate stewardship,” said Kruse. She added, “The ripple effect of our effective partnerships, as we are learning firsthand through our collaboration with Ford Pro, is that it is motivating great minds and innovative companies to contact us and ask to work with us to make their ideas a reality. By providing a living lab, Sonoma County winegrowers can pilot proof concept learning that may eventually result in game-changing solutions that can be shared with farmers across the country and around the world.”
The event also included the presentation of the Nick Frey Community Contribution Award to Congressman Mike Thompson. It marked the first time the award had ever been presented to an elected official. Congressman Thompson, first elected in 1998, was instrumental in creating the Congressional Wine Caucus which has been highly effective in bringing Members of Congress and the wine community together to address key issues. The congressman brought his entire staff to the event to share in the recognition.
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.