California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • New Measures to Improve Ag Exporter Conditions at the Port of Oakland

    While California agriculture’s current export shipping crisis is going to take a combined effort at multiple levels of government and supply chain leadership to resolve, a panel discussion at the recent convention of the Almond Alliance of California illustrated some positives steps that are being taken to improve the situation. Watch this brief interview with Andrew Hwang from the Port of Oakland to learn about some of these efforts, and read more about it in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Historic Drought Impacts Northern California Tree Nut Growers

    Northern California growers are really feeling the impact of drought this year with record low water allocations if any.  Watch this brief interview with grower Blake Vann, who serves on the Glenn Colusa Irrigation District Board as he explains, and read more about it in the next issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Project Apis m.’s Seeds for Bees’ 2022–2023 Season Open Enrollment Launched!

    The Seeds for Bees program open enrollment launched in California today and is open for three months until August 31st. This year’s goal is to plant 15,000 acres of cover crop in what growers and beekeepers are saying is one of the most challenging years in recent memory. “Last year was tough, this year is even tougher,” said Rory Crowley, Project Apis m.’s Director of Habitat Programs. “In every way possible, growers and beekeepers are being pressed to their limits, and that is why cover crop is so important. That is why Seeds for Bees is so important.” Crowley said that the drought and economic pressures actually demands more cover crop being planted.

    The challenges that growers and beekeepers are facing run the gamut, from economic—extreme increases in cultural cost—to agronomic—water availability, quality, and price. Project Apis m. is stressing its important economic and agronomic niche amidst these challenges. Seeds for Bees is now offering more money for free seed for first- and second-year participants. $2500 in free seed is being offered off overall seed purchases for first-year participants and $1500 for second-year participants. Because Seeds for Bees is nonprofit, buys seed in high volumes, and pays for shipping, growers of honey bee-pollinated crops in California can capitalize on pricing discounts through the program. Seeds for Bees has a huge competitive advantage that directly benefits producers’ pocketbooks, especially this year.

    “We are doing absolutely everything at Project Apis m. to help—giving away more, negotiating for better pricing on seed, and creating easy-to-use tools that growers can look at quickly and understand what to do and how to do it, like our new Management Quick Guide,” Crowley said. “We have two goals this year: to help growers and beekeepers get through and make a profit and get the bees the nutrition they need to come back strong and do it again next year. Let’s get to work.”

    There is only a 3-month Enrollment Period and funding is limited, so apply today HERE.

    Seeds for Bees

    Seeds for Bees encourages the use of cover crops to increase the density, diversity, and duration of bee forage in California working lands while improving soil health and crop production. The seed mixes available through Seeds for Bees are designed to bloom at critical times of the year when natural forage is scarce but managed and native bees are active. Seeds for Bees serves the needs of bees, beekeepers, and growers, increasing sustainability of pollination and agriculture. Learn more at www.ProjectApism.org/Seeds-For-Bees

    Project Apis m.

    Project Apis m. (PAm) is the go-to organization at the interface of honey bees and pollinated crops. Since 2006, we’ve infused over $8.5 million into honey bee research and $2.9 million into forage programs, resulting in better pollination and increased crop yields for growers, and lower losses and better honey production for beekeepers. We work closely with commercial beekeepers, growers, and top bee scientists in the USA and Canada to fund projects and direct strategic efforts focused on practical solutions. PAm funds studies, offers graduate scholarships to encourage careers in pursuit of science-based solutions to honey bee challenges, and has expanding efforts to put forage on the landscape where bees need it most. We are a 501(c)5 nonprofit organization governed by an eleven-member board of stakeholders representing major national and state industry organizations, and an additional seven-member Science Advisory Board.  Learn more at www.ProjectApism.org

  • CA Almonds on the Verge of Losing Their Place in the Global Market

    California almonds, among other tree nuts and agricultural products have been struggling to make their way across the sea to consumers around the world.  Organizations such as the Almond Board of California have worked hard and invested a lot to open global markets and pave the way for California almonds to reach grocery stores worldwide, and all of this is at stake now if we can’t get our product beyond our western ports.  Watch this brief interview with Aubrey Bettencourt, President of the Almond Alliance of California as she details the problem and what they are doing to make a difference.  Read more about it in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Spring Freeze Devastates Clarksburg CA Vineyards

    Several wine grape growing regions of California were impacted by freeze events this spring. How severe are the impacts and how will this affect the 2022 vintage? Watch this brief interview with Tom Merwin from the Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association as he shares his perspective of what he’s seeing in the Clarksburg AVA.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Meat and Poultry Industry Prove Resilience

    The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following statement in response to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service report on Agricultural Competition and the first in a series of rules changes the Administration is proposing under the Packers and Stockyards Act:

    “Despite what the White House says, the meat and poultry industry proved to be remarkably resilient during the pandemic,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “Following the challenges of the spring of 2020, the industry acted immediately to reduce cases of COVID associated with workers in meat and poultry facilities reducing case rates to well below national averages even during the Delta and Omicron surges. (go here for actual reported case rates)

    “USDA’s own data tells us that in both 2020 and 2021, throughout the pandemic, regardless of slowdowns in processing, there was record beef production. This is resiliency by definition.”[1]

    “In the beef and cattle markets, once packers processed the backlog of cattle due to pandemic slowdowns, prices for producers rose to seven year highs in 2021, and now in 2022 prices are 17.5 percent above 2021 prices.

    “Unfortunately, due to the Biden inflationary economy, producers don’t benefit as much from higher prices because they struggle with high input costs for feed, fuel, and fertilizer.

    “The Biden Administration is once again blaming businesses for higher consumer prices when its own policies have created inflation throughout the economy.

    “Industry concentration is not the reason for higher consumer prices for beef, as the Meat Institute has proved time and again, the four firm concentration ratio has been in place for nearly 30 years holding prices low for consumers.

    “While the Meat Institute supports transparency in meat and poultry markets, we are still reviewing the rule proposed today. And we remain concerned about further government intrusion in the market through possible proposed rules mentioned in the Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making.”

    About North American Meat Institute

    The Meat Institute is the United States’ oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat products. NAMI members include over 350 meat packing and processing companies, the majority of which have fewer than 100 employees, and account for over 95 percent of the United States’ output of meat and 70 percent of turkey production.

    [1] USDA Livestock Slaughter 2020 Summary, Record High Red Meat Production for 2020;  USDA Livestock Slaughter 2021 Summary, Total Red Meat and Beef Production at Record High in 2021

  • Lake County Winegrape Commission Awards New Ag Scholarship

    The Lake County Winegrape Commission recently awarded its inaugural “Future of Agriculture” scholarship to Atlantis Jones, a senior graduating from Upper Lake High School.

    The $5,000 scholarship, awarded on behalf of Lake County Winegrowers, was presented during the Upper Lake High School’s Senior Scholarship and Awards Night.

    “It is so rewarding to see the positive impact that an award like this can have on a student,” said Jonathan Walters, chair of the Lake County Winegrape Commission Board of Directors. “It was a really special evening.”

    The Commission’s scholarship is awarded to one deserving Lake County student who will attend a four-year university, and selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and a demonstrated interest in agriculture.

    “Lake County Winegrowers are honored to be able to give back, to support youth in our community as they further their education and pursue careers that support the agricultural industry in Lake County,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission.

    The Future of Agriculture Scholarship is the latest extension of the organization’s efforts to support and inspire high school students. The Commission collaborated with Lake County Farm Bureau to develop “Cultivate – Careers in the Winegrape Industry,” a program that introduces high school students to careers in viticulture, winemaking, marketing, and sales. Cultivate was held as an in-person seminar at Ely Stage Stop in early 2020, as a virtual video series in 2021, and as part of the First Annual Lake County Career Ag Days at the Lake County Fairgrounds in 2022.

    “A big part of sustainability is growing the workforce of tomorrow,” Sommerfield said. “With these programs, we hope to contribute to both the long-term success of Lake County youth and long-term sustainability of Lake County agriculture.”

    About the Lake County Winegrape Commission

    Established in 1991, the Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) has been instrumental in developing the Lake County region’s unwavering commitment to farming high-quality winegrapes, promoting the winegrowers’ brand, and creating greater awareness of the winegrowing region within the wine trade and among wine lovers. A state agency with efforts focused on marketing, research, and education, LCWC has launched innovative programs like Master Vigneron Academy®, the Elevation of Wine, and the International Sauvignon Blanc Symposium. For more information, visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org

  • Growers Petition for a Sonoma County Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District

    Over the course of more than 18 months, a group of viticulturists and vineyard owners have been working together to research both the benefits of, and the process for establishing a Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District in Sonoma County. They have engaged in research and discussed an effort with elected and appointed Sonoma County Officials, University of California Cooperative Extension & UC-ANR, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Napa County Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District Board of Directors, State Legislators, and other Pest Control Districts throughout California.

    The California Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District Law enables owners of wine grape acreage within Sonoma County to petition the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to acknowledge and establish a Wine Grape Pest and Disease Control District. The Sonoma County Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District Coalition is organizing this petition effort for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.

    Included is a petition of support and frequently asked questions about the functionality of the Special District. Please take a moment to read through the benefits of such a district, visit https://sonomacountypcd.org, review what Napa’s WGPDCD has been working on for the last 20 years, and give your support in petitioning the Board of Supervisors to allow the formation of one in Sonoma County, which would allow collaboration in ongoing pest control efforts, not only with each other, but with neighboring districts to form area wide protection from harmful pests.

    Coalition member and Grower Relations Manager at Jordan Vineyard & Winery Dana Grande shared, “I have been a part of the group working on this for the last 24 months. A Pest and Disease Control District (PCD) for Sonoma County winegrapes is something that I have thought we needed for a very long time. When I heard about the opportunity to assist in the exploratory committee, I jumped in… Ultimately, the dollars spent will be up to the discretion of the PCD Board, but we envisioned that those funds would be used for local research, augmenting pest monitoring, pest mitigation and exclusion, and mobilization of efforts should an exotic pest be discovered in our County. Our neighbors in Napa County have had a PCD for the last 20 years. We can look to their model to envision what might be funded in Sonoma County.

    Bryon Sheets from Doc’s Ranch Vineyard added, “With all the challenges us growers face, it just makes sense to have this additional community resource to help us fight the important battle against invasive pests.”

    Karina Maher, a grower and doctor in Glen Ellen shared her support of the district as well, quoting Benjamin Franklin, that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” She continued, “As a pediatrician, I know this to be true for human health. Similarly, the time to prevent and recognize wine grape pest and disease infestations is before they get out of control. The Winegrape Pest and Disease Control District in Sonoma County will help do just that. The time is now.”

    Sonoma County growers are invited to Download and sign the petition HERE. “Please return your completed petition to us as soon as possible,” requests Jason Saling, grower and leader of the Sonoma County Winegrape Pest Control District Coalition. ” Your support is appreciated. It is through this effort that winegrowers of Sonoma County can secure and protect their agricultural interests now and into the future.”

    Don’t hesitate to reach out to Jason Saling at 707-328-5290 or SonomaCountyPCD@gmail.com for more information.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What is a Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District?

    A Pest & Disease Control District (PCD) is a grower funded, grower run Board serving the needs and priorities of the agricultural commodity that funds it.

    How is a PCD funded?

    As defined in the California Food and Ag Code, Section 6200-6290, funding is generated by a minor per planted wine grape acre assessment. The assessment is collected annually by the County Assessor as part of property taxes, and 100% of those funds are placed into a trust account specific for Pest & Disease Control District. The assessment is capped by State law at $5.00 per planted acre of wine grapes.

    Who forms the PCD Board? How do Growers/Owners know where the assessment dollars are spent?

    Wine grape landowners or their duly authorized representatives serve on the PCD Board. Meetings of the Board must comply with the Brown Act. Meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted ahead of the meeting. Agenda and non-agenda items can be addressed by growers at each meeting. Budgets are formed annually and formally presented at Board meetings. Directors, appointed by the Board of Supervisors serve a three-year term. The district is re-authorized by the BOS for 5-year terms.

    Why do we need a PCD now, can’t we wait until we discover a new pest threat in our vineyards?

    No. A PCD serves to manage both established pests, and works to avoid the establishment of new pest threats. A PCD is funded for a cohesive and coordinated system for detection and eradication. Without a PCD, individual expenses could be very high, and isolated eradication efforts may not banish the pest from our industry. Long-term effects could include increased costs for insecticides, increased labor costs for monitoring, establishment of new pest control compliance agreements, organic growers losing certification due to use of non-certifiable insecticides, fruit quality issues, and tarping/monitoring grape loads at harvest.

    A Sonoma County PCD will serve to promote and protect the long-term sustainability of our industry by ensuring that our integrated pest management activity remains resilient, protecting both our agricultural interests and our natural resources.

    How does a Sonoma County Wine Grape PCD add value to my vineyard?

    Over the last 20 years, Sonoma County wine grape growers have seen the introduction and establishment of Vine Mealybug (VMB.) Additionally, Light-Brown Apple Moth (LBAM), Virginia Creeper Leafhopper, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, and European Grapevine Moth (EGVM) have all threatened the integrity of wine grape production in the County.

    A PCD will ensure that early activities for eradication of an invasive pest will be coordinated and can use funds to ensure that those costs don’t fall squarely on individual landowners.

    The PCD will:

    • – Establish a pool of funding dedicated solely for early detection, monitoring, and mitigation of wine grape pests and diseases

    • – Create an open forum and dedicated grower board to respond to grower / owner input to determine areas of greatest need, focusing on localized research and education/outreach

    • – Coordinate with UCCE / UC ANR, Sonoma County Ag Commissioner to leverage funding and labor resources

    • – Coordinate with neighboring regions, i.e. Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Marin and Solano Counties to extend a buffer zone around Sonoma County’s high value wine growing region

    • – Communicate, coordinate, and cooperate in establishing local research priorities to the UCCE / UCANR

    • – Establish a Board with a County level voice for requesting co-funding as required from Sonoma County BOS, and State and Federal Grant opportunities.

      Does Napa County have a Pest and Disease Control District?

      Yes. On January 4, 2022, the Napa County BOS renewed the NCPCD for its fifth consecutive 5-year term since its inception in 2002, when GWSS was first identified as an impending threat to the industry. The District was in place and ready when European Grapevine Moth was discovered, and quickly mobilized trapping efforts to successfully delimit and restrict the migration, and, within two years, eradicate the pest by working in tandem with and resources provided by the UCCE, Napa County Ag Commissioner, and CDFA.

      Additional examples of work funded by the NCPCD:

    – Vine Mealybug mapping identifying hotspots and published a GIS web map,
    o Public, Grower, and Field worker training and education on VMB,
    o Coordinated mating disruption to decrease insect population, and
    o Funded and Coordinated Anagyrus wasp release to augment biological control;

    – Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) –
    o Supplementing funding to ensure that 100% of nursery shipments are inspected,
    o Increasing trapping and seasonal monitoring now that GWSS is established in Solano County

    – Pest Identification workshops for all manner of pests, new and exotic threats to the industry

    But our Agricultural Commissioner already does plant inspections. Why do we need a PCD?

    The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture administers exclusion programs to keep invasive and injurious pests out of Sonoma County. In 2020, staff inspected 1069 nursery stock shipments for GWSS. Additionally, they deployed trap programs for other invasive insects and those 6531 traps were serviced 52,721 times. As robust as our AC’s programs are, their priorities are directed at specific pest species and ratings as defined by CDFA. As State and County funding for specific pest management/exclusion programs diminishes over time, PCD’s can step in to further fund prevention and monitoring for a wine grape specific pest, disease, or research not addressed by State or County priority.

  • Almond Acreage Increases in 2022 but Pace of Growth Slows

    Almond Board of California — California’s almond acreage continues to grow, but at a gradually slowing rate, according to two new reports. While the number of almond orchards removed also increased over the previous year, it was not enough to offset the overall acreage gains.

    According to an estimate from Land IQ, bearing almond orchards at harvest will cover 1.338 million acres across California, an increase of 29,000 acres – or about 2.2% – over last year. This estimate looks at orchards that will be productive and harvested in 2022. In addition, the report estimates 59,732 acres of orchards will be removed before harvest, nearly 12,000 acres more than last year.

    These estimates from Land IQ’s 2022 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate look at bearing acreage – orchards that have matured enough to produce a crop – for the current 2021-22 crop year. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) 2021 California Almond Acreage Report released today gives a comprehensive look at last year.

    The USDA-NASS report for the 2020-21 crop year estimated there were 1.32 million bearing acres in 2021, up 5.6 percent from 2020. Total almond acreage in 2021, which includes non-bearing trees, was estimated at 1.64 million, up 2.5 percent from the previous year. It also said the 320,000 non-bearing acres in 2021 is a total down 8.6% from 2020.

    The USDA-NASS report gave a preliminary estimate for bearing acreage in 2022 at 1.37 million acres, but cautioned that a major source of data for this estimate is a survey mailed to growers and is unlikely to be 100 percent accurate.

    USDA-NASS said nonpareil continued to be the leading variety, followed by Monterey, Butte, Carmel, and Independence.

    These reports are being issued side by side by the Almond Board of California (ABC) to provide a complete picture of California’s almond acreage.

    Neither of these reports offer any estimate on the actual almond yield this 2021-22 crop year. The first look at yield will come on May 12 with USDA-NASS’ Subjective Estimate. A fuller picture of crop size will come with USDA-NASS’ Objective Report in July.

    Bearing acres reflect plantings from 2019 or earlier. The removal estimates cover orchards taken out beginning in 2021 through March 31, 2022, added to acreage projected to be removed through Aug. 31, the end of the crop year. The projection uses historical data and present conditions.

    “These estimates show that California almond production will remain strong,” said ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott. “Demand for almonds in California, the U.S. and around the globe continues to grow and California almond growers are prepared to meet that demand.”

    Land IQ’s Initial Estimate and its Final Acreage Estimate in November, along with USDA-NASS’s April Acreage Report, May’s Subjective Estimate and the Objective Report in July are all commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world.

    In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds. The map is the result of nearly a decade of research and has an accuracy of 98% or greater.

    Data for USDA-NASS’s acreage reports comes from a number of sources including voluntary responses from almond growers’ to mailed questionnaires with telephone and field follow-ups. USDA-NASS also uses Land IQ data to fine tune its reports.

  • Heart-Friendly Focus Fuels Almonds in Mexico

    Almond Board of California — Almond exports from the U.S. to Mexico increased 25% in 2021, reflecting a growing appetite for the nuts by health-conscious consumers in that market. 

    Wellness is top of mind for many Mexicans, who increasingly have gravitated to almonds for several health benefits. Almonds contain magnesium to support a healthy immune system, vitamin E to support skin care (vitamin E may help protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, caused by pollution, UV rays from the sun, cigarette smoke and other environmental and intrinsic factors) and good fats (to support heart health). One serving of almonds (28g) has 13g of unsaturated fat (healthy fat) and only 1g of saturated fat.

    Since 2018, the Almond Board of California has conducted consumer advertising and public relations in Mexico under the “Ponte Almendra” campaign. Ponte Almendra is a play on words in Spanish, adapted from the colloquial “ponte las pilas,” a popular idiom to tell people to work harder or make a bigger effort – essentially to get going. The message in Ponte Almendra is that a handful of almonds contains the natural energy-giving protein to help active people get through their busy days.

    Clearly, the marketing efforts are paying off. Last year, almond shipments to Mexico increased to 30 million pounds, making Mexico one of the up-and-coming countries ABC staff are most excited about.

    “The Almond Board is enthusiastic about the emerging growth of this market,” said Becky Jeffers, ABC’s manager of North American marketing. “Consumers are looking for healthy snacks as their lifestyles have changed and diseases of affluence such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are increasing.”

    Marketing efforts have leveraged the popularity and credibility of Mexican TV stars and trusted medical experts. ABC also has partnered with the Mexican Heart Foundation to underscore the value of almonds in a heart-healthy diet.

    A consumer survey funded by the Almond Board showed that 68% of Mexican consumers were motivated to eat almonds if they understood that almonds as part of a heart-healthy diet could potentially help with improving cholesterol levels.

    In 2021, the Ponte Almendra campaign featured TV ads that aired during major sporting events, such as the broadcast of the Super Bowl in Mexico and national soccer championships, and award shows such as the Grammy’s in Mexico. One TikTok video posted on Feb. 16, 2021 (designated as Almond Day in Mexico) garnered an impressive 2 million organic (un-sponsored) views in one day.

    ABC’s research revealed that consumers ranked almonds high in overall preference and said it is the nut they’ve seen the most positive stories about.

    “There is more opportunity to drive consumer awareness and perception of almonds’ specific heart health benefits. In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of nuts as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease,” Jeffers said. “The survey showed 82% of Mexican consumers rate knowing that almonds are good for your heart would make them more likely to eat almonds. However, only 33% of respondents said that almonds are the best nut for their heart, showing the opportunity to amplify the nutrition research on heart health that is motivating to consumers.”

    The Almond Board has already shifted the communications to focus on heart health while keeping Ponte Almendra as the overarching campaign slogan. For example, for World Heart Month in September 2021, ABC partnered with credible doctors for TV media interviews and social media posts – including a 30-minute interview between a health coach and a doctor on Instagram Live. The heart health efforts will continue throughout 2022.