California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • California Olive Oil Grower Meeting, March 3

    Please join the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) for California Olive Oil Day on March 3, 2022, at the Robert Cabral Agriculture Center in Stockton. During this meeting, industry experts and researchers will present information on the latest innovation and research critical to the production of top-quality extra virgin olive oil.

    The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with a welcome from OOCC Executive Director, Chris Zanobini and Research Committee Chairman, Michael Fox.

    New research will be presented on several topics pertaining to olive orchard and disease management and best growing practices. These topics will include: water management strategies for hedgerow olive orchards in California: evaluation of canopy management practices on established Super High-Density olives for olive oil production: investigating young tree decline as a result of autumn frost events; epidemiology and management of olive knot; and evaluation of new fungicides in the control of olive leaf spot/peacock spot.

    The research in this session will be presented by Giulia Marino, Dept of Plant Science, University of California, Davis; Ciriaco Chavez, Boundary Bend; Mohammed Nouri, UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Systems Advisor, San Joaquin County; and James Adaskaveg, Professor, Dept of Plant Pathology, UC Riverside.

    Javier A Fernandez Salvador, Executive Director of the UC Davis Olive Center will then provide an update on the Center’s activities and Selina Wang will present findings of the Olive Center’s analysis of 2020 olive oil quality data collected as part of the OOCC’s mandatory sampling and testing program. Wang will also present findings from the Olive Center’s evaluation of fatty acid and sterol profiles.

    Wang will then provide reports on the UC Ag and Natural Resources Production Manual for Olive Oil and the latest findings from a study on utilizing olive pomace to make pavement. These presentations will be followed by an update on the establishment of benchmark data for the olive oil industry in California from Kyle J. Birchard of Integrative Economics, LLC.

    Attendees can also expect to hear updates from Kimberly Holding, CEO of the American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA), and Shanna Rahman, Board Chair of the California Olive Oil Council (COOC).

    The day will conclude at 12:30 p.m. with lunch provided by the OOCC. To RSVP, please email anne@agamsi.com.

    Click here for the 2022 California Olive Oil Day Agenda. 

  • EPA Fines SJV Almond Grower for Clean Water Act Violations, Orders Restoration of Wetlands

    Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Edward Lynn Brown, owner of an almond orchard near Merced, California, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act that impacted more than two acres of rare vernal pool wetlands . The settlement requires Brown to pay $212,000 in civil penalties and restore and preserve 15 acres of wetland habitat.

    On March 14, 2019, EPA inspected the site. Inspectors determined that earth-moving activities by Brown had discharged fill material into waters that flow into the San Joaquin River. This work had been undertaken without obtaining a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    “Grading and filling wetlands of the San Joaquin River Valley without proper permitting impacts water resources and endangers California’s unique native plants and animals,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “In a time of drought and climate change, it is essential to protect these rare and vital water resources and habitats from destruction.”

    Brown’s earth-moving activities from 2016 to 2020 involved building a retention basin and access roads and planting a new almond orchard. The impacts from these activities resulted in the degradation of over two acres of vernal pool wetlands adjacent to Parkinson Creek, a tributary of the San Joaquin River that bisects the ranch. This work violated provisions of a previous 2014 EPA Order, which had required Brown to notify the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of any proposed activity that may impact local water systems.

    A pond on the almond orchard that provides critical wetland habitat impacted by soil and sediment disturbances. (EPA photo)

    To mitigate these negative environmental impacts, under this settlement Brown has agreed to develop a plan for removing 1.9 acres of fill material, restoring, and enhancing 2.44 acres, and preserving 12.66 acres within an 81.39-acre area within the orchard.

    For more information on enforcement of Clean Water Act Section 309 visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwa-404/clean-water-act-section-309-federal-enforcement-authority.

    To view information on the 2014 Clean Water Act enforcement action, visit: https://archive.epa.gov/epapages/newsroom_archive/newsreleases/f7437d2c778475d685257d94006344bc.html.

    To view the 2014 public notice, visit: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/www3/region9/enforcement/pubnotices/pubnotice-merced-ranch.html.

    To view the proposed settlement, visit: https://www.epa.gov/publicnotices/edward-lynn-brown-merced-ca-proposed-settlement-cwa-section-309g-class-ii

    To view the Consent Agreement and Final Order, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ca/cwa-09-2022-0007-edward-lynn-brown-merced-ca-proposed-settlement-cwa-section-309g-class-ii

    Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

  • Guidance for Industry on Enforcement Approach to Human Food with Chlorpyrifos Residues Following EPA Revocations

    Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a guidance document titled Questions and Answers Regarding Channels of Trade Policy for Human Food Commodities with Chlorpyrifos Residues: Guidance for Industry. The guidance is intended to help food producers and processors who handle foods that may contain residues of the pesticide chemical chlorpyrifos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule on August 30, 2021, revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos; these tolerances are set to expire on February 28, 2022.

    This guidance is based on the channels of trade provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and follows the policies explained in the FDA’s 2005 Guidance titled “Guidance for Industry: Channels of Trade Policy for Commodities with Residues of Pesticide Chemicals for Which Tolerances Have Been Revoked, Suspended, or Modified by the Environmental Protection Agency Pursuant to Dietary Risk Considerations.”

    Under the channels of trade provision, after the EPA tolerances expire, a food that contains chlorpyrifos residues is not deemed unsafe solely based on the presence of the residue as long as the chlorpyrifos was applied lawfully and before the tolerance expired, and the residue does not exceed the level permitted by the tolerance that was in place at the time of the application.

    The FDA is responsible for enforcing the EPA pesticide tolerances for domestic and imported foods, with the exception of meat, poultry, Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish), and certain egg products that are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

    The FDA’s approach has two phases and applies to both raw agricultural commodities and processed foods.

    • Stage 1: The Agency intends to exercise enforcement discretion by not requesting showing documentation for residues complying with previous tolerances for a time period ranging from approximately 6 to 24 months, depending on the specific commodity. This is based on our estimate of how long raw agricultural commodities would remain on the market (e.g., time for growing and postharvest storage, distribution, and sale).
    • Stage 2: The Agency will accept showing documentation that demonstrates that chlorpyrifos was applied before February 28, 2022. If the responsible party does not provide appropriate documentation, the food may be subject to regulatory action.

    The EPA final rule also revokes tolerances applicable to animal foods. Enforcement of residues in animal foods will be addressed by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Any matter involving USDA regulated foods would be handled by the USDA.

    The FDA has a public docket to receive comments on this guidance. You may submit electronic comments or written comments at any time.

    Public comments can be submitted electronically to https://www.regulations.gov/ using Docket ID: FDA-2016-D-4484. Written comments can be submitted to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

    For Additional Information:

  • Deadline Extended to Enroll in 2022 Dairy Margin and Supplemental Coverage

    USDA has extended the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for program year 2022. The deadline to apply for 2022 coverage is now March 25, 2022. As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing efforts to support dairy farmers and rural communities, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC and SDMC signup in December 2021 to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities.

    “Over the past two years, American dairy farmers have faced unprecedented uncertainty, from the ongoing pandemic to protracted natural disasters. As producers continue to manage these interconnected challenges, FSA has tools at the ready to provide critical support,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We are encouraging dairy operations to take advantage of the extended deadline and join the 8,969 operations that have already enrolled for 2022 coverage. At 15 cents per hundredweight at the $9.50 level of coverage, DMC is a very cost-effective risk management tool for dairy producers.”

    Enrollment for 2022 DMC is currently at 55% of the 2021 program year enrollment. Producers who enrolled in DMC for 2021 received margin payments each month, January through November for a total of $1.2 billion, with an average payment of $60,275 per operation.

    The DMC program, created by the 2018 Farm Bill, offers reasonably priced protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. Supplemental DMC will provide $580 million to better help small- and mid-sized dairy operations that have increased production over the years but were not able to enroll the additional production. Now, they will be able to retroactively receive payments for that supplemental production. Additionally, FSA updated how feed costs are calculated, which will make the program more reflective of dairy producers’ actual expenses.

    Supplemental DMC Enrollment

    Eligible dairy operations with less than 5 million pounds of established production history may enroll supplemental pounds based upon a formula using 2019 actual milk marketings, which will result in additional payments. Producers will be required to provide FSA with their 2019 Milk Marketing Statement.

    Supplemental DMC coverage is applicable to calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023. Participating dairy operations with supplemental production may receive retroactive supplemental payments for 2021 in addition to payments based on their established production history.

    Supplemental DMC will require a revision to a producer’s 2021 DMC contract and must occur before enrollment in DMC for the 2022 program year. Producers will be able to revise 2021 DMC contracts, apply for 2022 DMC, and enroll in other FSA programs by contacting their local USDA Service Center.

    DMC 2022 Enrollment

    After making any revisions to 2021 DMC contracts for Supplemental DMC, producers can sign up for 2022 coverage. DMC provides eligible dairy producers with risk management coverage that pays producers when the difference between the price of milk and the cost of feed falls below a certain level. In 2021, based on data to date, DMC payments have triggered for January through November for more than $1 billion.

    For DMC enrollment, producers must certify with FSA that the operation is commercially marketing milk, sign all required forms and pay the $100 administrative fee. The fee is waived for farmers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or a military veteran. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.

    Updates to Feed Costs

    USDA has also changed the DMC feed cost formula via final rule published on December 13, 2021, to better reflect the actual cost dairy farmers pay for high-quality alfalfa hay.  FSA now calculates payments using 100% premium alfalfa hay rather than 50%. In December 2021, following publication of the new feed cost policy, $102 million was paid to producers as a result of the revised high quality alfalfa feed cost formula.

    The amended feed cost formula will make DMC payments more reflective of actual dairy producer expenses.

    More Information

    For more information, producers can visit the FSA dairy programs webpage, or contact their local USDA Service Center. To locate their local FSA office, producers can visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Due to the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors.  Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at  farmers.gov/coronavirus

  • Record US Dairy Exports in 2021, Assistance Still Needed to Ease Supply Chain Challenges

    According to USDA today, 2021 U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record set in 2014 by 14.6 percent. Moreover, U.S. agricultural exports logged 230.7 million metric tons of volume in 2021, another record.

    “Today’s export figures demonstrate how the United States is poised to become the world’s leading supplier of dairy products thanks to the resilience and innovation of American dairy exporters and dairy foods companies,” shared Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.  “Consumers in the United States and around the world continue to demand more U.S. dairy because we provide an assortment of delicious, nutritious, affordable, and sustainable dairy products. From high-value whey to award-winning cheeses, from milk powders used to make life-saving products for children and adults to safe and nutritious ESL milk, U.S. dairy is known throughout the world for quality and reliability.

    Dykes continued, “As we dig into the export data released today, we see that U.S. dairy exports hit a record $7.66 billion in 2021, outperforming the previous record of $7.08 billion achieved in 2014. Volume also set a new high, reaching 2.69 million metric tons to outpace the previous record of 2.44 million metric tons set in 2020.

    “Outstanding results like (this) in U.S. dairy exports don’t happen overnight. They’re the result of a lot of hard work by our industry to build demand for U.S. dairy products around the world and harness the opportunities that past trade deals – from U.S. free trade agreements to the World Trade Organization’s Uruguay Round – have made available,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. “We look forward to continuing to build on this success further and to ensure we have the right trade and export supply chain policy tools to support that growth.”

    “The record demand for U.S. milk overseas in 2021 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of U.S. dairy farmers and the entire industry to making sure our high-quality, nutritious products feed the world as well as Americans,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “As we’ve said many times, exports represent the next frontier for U.S. dairy – it’s gratifying to see decades of effort bear fruit and only makes us more excited about the future successes ahead.”

    “While today’s news is certainly cause for celebration among U.S. food and agriculture, exporters throughout the dairy industry remain severely challenged by supply chain challenges that have hampered our ability to export more product, fulfill obligations to customers, and meet the world’s growing demand for U.S. dairy,” Dykes clarified.  “According to industry estimates, export delays and supply chain challenges have cost the dairy industry more than $1.5 billion in lost opportunities. Through the IDFA Supply Chain Task Force and Dairy Exports Working Group, IDFA members and partners continue to look for long-term solutions to help U.S. dairy exports reach greater heights in the months and years ahead. We encourage the Biden Administration to remain active in removing bottlenecks, investing in infrastructure, and looking at public-private solutions to ease supply chain challenges.”

  • California Dairy Producer Shares Sustainability Message at House Ag Hearing

    National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Board of Directors member and California dairy producer Melvin Medeiros told a House Agriculture subcommittee that dairy farmers have made significant sustainability gains and stand ready to serve environmental solutions to make even further progress.

    “U.S. dairy farmers are environmental stewards. We tend with great care to our land and water to improve the resources on our farms and ensure future generations can carry on our important work of feeding the nation and the world,” said Medeiros, a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative who serves on NMPF’s Executive Committee, in a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

    “We value a proactive approach to sustainability, which can take many different forms, and we have adapted as agricultural practices and technologies have evolved and improved over time,” said Medeiros, who owns and operates a 1,600-cow dairy near Merced, CA. “Farmers place a high importance on land and water stewardship, and our family farm-owners continue to perfect these practices through sustainable innovations on the farm.”

    Medeiros in his testimony at the virtual hearing cited research showing that producing a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land, had a 19% smaller carbon footprint, and produced 20% less manure than it did in 2007. He also cited dairy’s Net Zero Initiative as an example of proactive, producer-led agricultural leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    Medeiros also asked lawmakers to support policy improvements that would assist producers in sustainability efforts, such as enhanced funding for conservation programs with greater emphasis on areas like feed and manure management, an investment tax credit to cover the upfront capital costs of digesters to help reduce methane emissions, and expedited approval of innovative animal feed additives that can significantly diminish enteric emissions. NMPF has previously hailed the landmark conservation funding increases in the Build Back Better Act and hopes that Congress will provide the funding needed to bolster these critical programs.

    NMPF worked closely with Medeiros and DFA to help strongly spotlight the dairy industry’s priorities and concerns during the hearing.

    “NMPF and the dairy producers it represents are grateful to the House Agriculture Committee for inviting Melvin to highlight dairy’s commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “But as he noted, improving sustainability will also require improving public policy to aid farmers in their critical stewardship mission. We stand ready to partner with Congress to get the job done.”

    About the National Milk Producers Federation

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

  • Annual Sweetpotato Growers Meeting, Feb. 15

    Growers are excited to be gathering back in-person for the 56th annual Sweetpotato meeting held by the UC Cooperative Extension in the UCCE Classroom at 2145 Wardrobe Ave. in Merced, CA. The Sweetpotato Council of California will also be holding their business meeting right after. Due to current Covid rules, face masks will be required to be worn throughout the meeting. Attendees are invited to come and sign in at 7:30 a.m. and enjoy some coffee and Jantz Sweetpotato muffins.  The meeting with end at noon with lunch.  Presenters will include: UCCE Farm Advisor Scott Stoddard, Assistant Merced County Ag Commissioner Sean Runyon, Brian Hegland from Teleos Ag Solutions, Jill Silverman Hough from the Sweet Potato Council of California, Robert Drozdowski from AgriControl Technologies, and Darren Barfield from the Sweet Potato Council. DPR and CCA Continuing Education Credits have been requested. Click HERE for the full agenda.

  • Inaugural Global Harvest Automation Report Reveals Grower Investment

    Growers are keen to adopt automation to bridge the growing labor gap and ensure that their crops can be picked in time, according to the Global Harvest Automation Report, a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by Western Growers. The report is the first in a new annual series that will track, measure and report on industry progress in harvest automation across the fresh produce industry.

    The Global Harvest Automation Report is part of WG’s Global Harvest Automation Initiative, which aims to accelerate ag automation by 50 percent in 10 years.

    “One of the main aims of the report was to take a comprehensive look at the entire harvest ecosystem and provide a quantitative look to the Western Growers membership at how much harvest innovation is impacting their operations across fresh products for specialty crops, where the most progress is occurring, and why,” says WG VP of Innovation Walt Duflock. “Second, we wanted to provide an in-depth view of the innovators who are doing the heavy lifting by crop type, so growers would know who to contact based on the crops they grow.”

    Among the findings of the report, which was prepared in collaboration with consultants at Roland Berger:

    • 65 percent of participating growers have invested in automation over the past three years
    • The average annual spend on automation was $350,000-$400,000 per grower
    • Spending occurred in pre-harvest and harvest assist activities, including weeding, thinning, harvesting platforms and autonomous ground vehicles. It is anticipated that 30-60 percent of these activities will be automated by 2025.
    • Harvest automation itself remains limited because of the technical difficulties in replicating the human hand to harvest delicate crops. It is anticipated that 20 percent of harvest activities will be automated by 2025.

    Full print copies of the Global Harvest Automation Report will be available at the Western Growers booth at the World Ag Expo Feb. 8-10, 2022 in Tulare, Calif.; to download a complete digital copy please click here.

  • CA Walnut Board Leverages Plant-Based Eating & Taco Night Trends to Drive Consumer Demand for Walnuts

    As consumers seek more plant-based options and creative recipes for at-home cooking, the California Walnut Board encouraged consumption of walnuts by linking to the ever-popular taco. The recent campaign capitalized on a timely and trending food holiday: National Taco Day (October 4). Americans are eating 4.5 billion tacos annually, providing an opportunity to build demand for walnuts. Two appealing walnut meat taco recipes were placed in consumer magazines and newspapers, with an estimated 177 million views.
     
    Adding walnuts to a taco recipe is a simple and enticing way to help build demand, especially as many Americans (about a third of the population) are also following a flexitarian diet – primarily vegetarian, with the occasional incorporation of meat and fish. October 4 marked National Taco Day, providing the timely moment to appeal to consumers searching for new and exciting ways to celebrate the holiday at home.
     
    “To inspire and encourage consumers to do more with walnuts, the Board utilized the timeliness of National Taco Day to bring attention to the versatility of walnuts as a nutritious, plant-forward option for consumers to celebrate,” said Jennifer Olmstead, senior director of U.S. marketing and communications.
     
    In order to leverage the holiday to help drive consumption, the Board shared a recipe press release with a simple prompt and two walnut-meat taco recipes. The release was sent to hundreds of online and print media publications, inviting readers across the country to spice up their favorite taco dishes by making walnuts the star ingredient. Walnut-Stuffed Korean Street Tacos and Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos were highlighted as two tasty and nutritious meal options, loaded with all the goodness of California walnuts.
     
    In less than a month, the recipe press release earned media coverage with outlets like Yahoo!, International Business Times, the Boston Herald and Minneapolis’ Star Tribune. In California, recipes touted as a plant-forward way to rethink family taco night were placed in the Huntington Beach News, Napa Valley Register, Sonoma West Times and News, Malibu Times, The San Fernando Sun, Santa Maria Times and more.
     
    In total, in the first month of publication, more than 892 outlets shared these walnut-centric recipes and mouthwatering photos to nearly 180 million people.
     
    In addition to the earned media and in an effort to build an increased awareness of walnuts as a taco meat alternative, CA Walnuts also shared a blog post titled “3 Must-Try Plant-Forward Taco Recipes” that was shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and IG Stories utilizing the hashtag #NationalTacoDay. The post reached 82,800 people, generating 26,400 video views.

  • Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Pruning Contest Celebrates 20 Years

    The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation celebrated its 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest at Beringer’s Gamble Ranch Vineyard on Saturday, February 5.  It was a beautiful day, as 90 contestants displayed speed and technique in what is considered the most prestigious competition for Napa Valley’s vineyard professionals.

    “It’s incredible celebrating 20 years of the Napa County Pruning Contest!  Participants are passionate about improving their skills each year and competing against their peers,” said Rolando Sanchez, General Manager for Walsh Vineyards Management and member of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s Education Committee. “The Pruning Contest is an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication to high-quality, Napa Valley grape growing.”

    The FWF celebrated its 20th anniversary with commemorative giveaways, hoodies provided by FELCO, a past champions round, and festive music and décor.

    Erika López from Renteria Vineyard Management competing in the final round of the 20th annual Napa County Pruning Contest (All photos courtesy of Suzanne Becker Bronk)

    “The Napa County Pruning Contest highlights the talent, skill and precision of our local vineyard workforce” said Arnulfo Solorio, Partner at Silverado Farming Company and Vice President of the FWF, “and I’m ready for another 20 years.”

    To ensure a safe competition environment, the FWF implemented COVID safety protocols and followed all COVID-19 county guidelines.  OLE Health joined the event as a premier sponsor and health care partner, volunteering their time to administer rapid tests onsite for all competitors.  Everyone attending was required to provide a proof of vaccination, a negative test result taken onsite, and a signed COVID safety waiver; masks were worn at all times.

    During the main event, each of the contestants pruned five vines in the day’s preliminary competition.  Those with the highest scores went on to the final round, which produced the winners: 4 in the women’s division and 4 in the men’s division.  The winners took home cash, pruning tools, clothing, gift cards and other prizes; a handmade silver belt buckle was given to the 1st place winners.  Employers typically match the cash prize winnings, so the day was highly rewarding for the top 8 finalists.  All contestants enjoyed a catered lunch between competition rounds.

    Contestants were Napa County residents and full-time employees. All who participated volunteered their time to compete and most were paid by their employers for the day.  Many had successfully competed in internal competitions within their own companies prior to arriving to the countywide contest.

    Women’s Division Winners:

    1st Place: Erika López, Renteria Vineyard Management- $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub 

    2nd Place: Verónica Medina Reyes Bayview Vineyards – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
     
    3rd Place: Ana Mejia, Trefethen Family Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub 

    4th Place: Rosa Martínez, Bettinelli Vineyards – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    Men’s Division Winners:

    1st Place: Casimiro Zaragoza, Joseph Phelps Vineyards – $950 in cash and gifts cards plus a custom trophy belt buckle; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    2nd Place: Agustín Arias, Atlas Vineyard Management – $675 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub
     
    3rd Place: Hector Rodríguez, St. Supery Estate Vineyards – $400 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    4th Place: Lorenzo Hernández Aquino, Walsh Vineyards Management – $250 in cash and gifts cards; FELCO heritage belt and vineyard loppers; Central Valley gift tub

    About the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation

    Founded by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers in 2011, the mission of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is to support and promote Napa Valley’s vineyard workers through education and professional development. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is the only one of its kind in the United States, providing educational opportunities, advanced training programs, leadership and management classes, English literacy programs, and much more. To date, the Farmworker Foundation has offered education and professional development opportunities to more than 21,000 vineyard workers and their families. For more information, visit our website at  Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation.