California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • 2020 Raisin & Prune Crop Report & Average Prices

    Information contained in this report was supplied by handlers of raisins and prunes to fulfill reporting requirements of Sections 55601.7 and 55601.8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The report includes all tonnages of raisins and prunes that were either produced by the handler or purchased from producers. The final weighted average price, including bonuses and allowances, has been reported for all contracts which were finalized.

    All 2020 crop transactions completed through the close of business on August 31, 2021 are included in this report. A “good faith” estimate of final weighted average price was reported for those contracts which were not final on the same date. The data are shown by major varieties at the State level only.

    SUMMARY OF RAISIN HANDLERS’ REPORTS

    Free raisin tonnage produced by handlers in 2020 totaled 26,094 tons. This figure does NOT include raisins purchased from other handlers or producers.

    The total 2020 raisin crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 110,853 tons at an average price of $1,302 per ton. This price is rounded to the nearest dollar per ton and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 105,480 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was $1,075 per ton.

    The quantity of all raisins purchased from producers was 216,334 tons for the 2020 crop. This figure does not include raisins produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers.

    The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2020 raisin crop was 242,427 tons.

    SUMMARY OF PRUNE HANDLERS’ REPORTS

    Prunes produced by handlers in 2020 totaled 9,170 tons. This figure does NOT include prunes purchased from other handlers or producers.

    The total 2020 prune crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 22,351 tons at an average price of $1,834 per ton. This price is rounded to the nearest dollar per ton and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 27,182 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was $1,898 per ton.

    The quantity of all prunes purchased from producers was 49,533 tons for the 2020 crop. This figure does not include prunes produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers. The weighted average size count of tons purchased from producers was 56 for the French varieties and 66 for the Non-French varieties. 

    The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2020 prune crop was 57,225 tons of French prunes and 1,478 tons of Non-French prunes for a total of 58,703 tons.

    DEFINITIONS

    Producer: A person or operator who is responsible for the raisins or prunes in the unprocessed state. A dehydrator operator is considered the producer of raisins or prunes if they grew or purchased fresh grapes or prunes and dehydrated them.

    Handler: Firm that processes and markets raisins or prunes.

    Finalized Purchases: Tonnage purchased from producers, for which a pricing contract has been completed.

    Non-Finalized Purchases: Contracted tonnage, for which a final price has not yet been determined.

    Free Tonnage: Tonnage received by a handler, for which the only Federal marketing order regulation is a minimum quality or size standard. Reserve tonnage is the tonnage set aside as authorized by a Federal marketing order.

    Weighted Average Price: Weighted average price reflects prices or “good faith” estimates of prices as reported by handlers and include any bonuses or allowances.

  • California Avocado Growers Encouraged To Vote In CAC General Election

    The deadline to vote in the California Avocado Commission General Election is fast approaching — October 27, 2021. Election ballots were mailed to commercial producers and all handlers of record in late September and must be returned to the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the postage paid envelope by the deadline. The results of the election will be announced on November 18.

    The elections will be for one producer member seat and one producer alternate seat in each of the five CAC districts, as well as one handler member seat and one handler alternate seat. A complete list of candidates can be found on the CAC General Election 2021 webpage.

    The 2021 General Election ballots will again use the ranked voting method, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of their preference. The candidate who receives the highest number of first choice votes will be offered their choice of available seats while the candidate with the highest combined total of first and second choice votes will then be offered the available seat.

    California avocado growers are highly encouraged to take part in the 2021 General Election. Please contact April Aymami at aaymami@avocado.org or 949.341.1955 if you did not receive a ballot.

  • Assemblyman Villapudua Named 2021 Almond Champion of the Year for Support of Pollinator Habitat Legislation

    Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) is being honored as the Almond Alliance of California’s 2021 Almond Champion of the Year for his effective leadership in authoring legislation that supports California’s pollinator habitats, as well as leading efforts to educate his fellow legislators about the importance of a sustainable California almond industry to the state’s economic health.

    The legislature this year approved a budget containing funding that will help almond growers implement those important conservation practices that benefit honey bees as they forage for pollen and nectar in the orchard. Assemblymember Villapudua’s leadership on AB 391, which highlighted the need for funds to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices designed to integrate pollinator habitat and forage on working lands, was critical in getting these funds approved.

    Almond Alliance Chair Mike Curry praised Villapudua for his work on legislation of importance to the California almond industry. “Assemblymember Villapudua as a freshman legislator has really taken the time to get to know the many facets of our industry,” explained Curry. “As one of the few legislators representing agriculture, he has done a great job of educating his fellow legislators about how important farming is to this state. His most recent efforts in obtaining funding for pollinator habitat conservation practices will benefit honey bees as they forage for pollen and nectar in almond orchards.”

    The Almond Champion of the Year Award is presented annually to those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in education, coalition building, partnerships and promoting legislation and policies that encourage the advancement and protection of California agriculture and the California almond industry. The award recipient is decided on by our Government Relations committee members. Committee members include:

    • Micah Zeff, Montpelier Orchards
    • Mike Curry, Johnson Farms
    • Dick Cunningham, Cunningham Ranch Inc.
    • Jeannine Grech, Campos Brothers Farms
    • Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers
    • Dave Phippen, Travaille & Phippen
    • Melissa Frank, The Wonderful Company
    • Steve Van Duyn, Van Duyn Family Farms
    • Todd Meyer, Bear Republic Nut
    • Bill Lyons, Mapes Ranch
    Past recipients of this award include:
    • Assemblymember Adam Gray
    • Assemblymember Heath Flora
    • Connie Conway, former Director of Farm Service Agency

    The award will be presented by the Almond Alliance at the California Almond Industry Political Action Committee’s Annual Modesto Fundraiser at Del Rio Country Club on October 27, 2021, at 5:30 pm. This event brings together members of the almond community as well as FFA students, elected officials and designated special guests. RSVPs can be made to Annie Romero at aromero@almondalliance.org or 209-300-7140.

    Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua visiting with Almond Alliance of California at their annual Convention this year in Las Vegas

    About the Almond Alliance 

    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of the California almond community. California almonds generate more than $21 billion in economic revenue and directly contribute more than $11 billion to the state’s total economy. California’s top agricultural export, almonds create approximately 104,000 jobs statewide, over 97,000 in the Central Valley, which suffers from chronic unemployment. The AAC is dedicated to educating state legislators, policy makers and regulatory officials about the California almond community. As a membership-based organization, our members include almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers and allied businesses. Through workshops, newsletters, conferences, social media and personal meetings, AAC works to raise awareness, knowledge and provide a better understanding about the scope, size, value and sustainability of the California almond community.

  • Leslie Wada Named USHBC’s First-Ever Senior Director of Nutrition and Health Research

    The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) recently announced the appointment of Leslie Wada, Ph.D., RD, as senior director of nutrition and health research. A longtime consultant for the council, Wada will continue to manage USHBC’s multi-million dollar pipeline of health research projects as she has for the past 12 years. In her expanded role, Wada will have increased ownership and responsibility in leading the health and nutrition pillar of the USHBC’s 2021-2025 strategic plan, integrating the research projects and results with the council’s overall strategy in marketing and promotions. 

    A registered dietitian with an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of California, Davis, Wada earned a Ph.D. in nutritional sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. She worked as a research scientist on nutrition studies and taught classes in dietetics at UC Berkeley before leaving academia to work with companies that developed functional foods and ingredients. For the past 20+ years, she has worked as an independent consultant for companies in the food and agriculture industry.

    To hear Wada tell the story of the heart-healthy properties of blueberries, check out this podcast episode of “The Business of Blueberries” from earlier in the year.

  • Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce Inducts 6 New Members into the San Joaquin County Ag Hall of Fame

    On Thursday, October 14, 2021 at a dinner at the Robert Cabral Ag Center, 6 new members were inducted into the San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

    The 2020-21 Hall of Fame Inductees were:

    Jim Clare, Pacific Southwest Irrigation

    Manuel J. Dutra Jr.

    David Phillips, Michael David Winery

    Michael Phillips, Michael David Winery

    Aldo & Rosalie “Rosie” Togninali (Posthumous)

    The San Joaquin County Ag Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed so much to a great part of our heritage.  Our Agricultural Hall of Fame marks the efforts and history of those who have gone before, those who have graced our homes and enriched our hearts and those who in the days past laid the foundation upon which we build for today and tomorrow. The agricultural community is a wonderful example of people working together and continuing a tradition that has been handed down throughout the years from people who had to sacrifice a great deal, both personally and physically, to nurture our land and our community.

    Honoree Bios:

    Jim Clare

    Jim Clare was born March 19, 1950 and grew up in Bakersfield, California.  From the time he was 14 years old he worked on his family farms every summer. He attended Bakersfield High School and continued his education at Bakersfield Junior College. Jim transferred to U.C. Davis where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Animal Science.

    In 1974 Jim began working for Rain for Rent in Bakersfield, California, was transferred to Woodland, California and after 3 years was sent to Stockton to open a new Rain for Rent store. After 11 years he left and started his own company Golden State Irrigation in Stockton in 1985. For many years he created, designed, built and implemented irrigation systems throughout California and Arizona. In 2003 Jim along with Gary Simas, started Pacific Southwest Irrigation Company.

    Jim has been a pioneer and industry leader since the late 1970’s. In 1978 he installed the first commercially successful row crop drip irrigation system in the Central Valley. By 1980 drip irrigation became state-of-the-art for vineyards.  In conjunction with Nelson Irrigation Corp. And CertainTeed Corp. Jim led the development of the Yelomine and Certa Lok system for agriculture, inventing the 3” Certa Set System for pipe, for which he holds four patents.  He is one of the foremost experts in drip irrigation application for both row and permanent crops, portable irrigation systems and filtration systems, and pumping. Along with the design and installation of irrigation systems Jim has expanded into a pump company, an irrigation equipment rental business and more recently the manufacturing of sand media filters.

    Jim was a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Form Class of 2019. He has served on various committees including: Modesto Jr. College Agriculture Business Advisory Committee, Modesto Jr. College Agriculture Business Grant Foundation Committee and supports the Modesto Junior College Irrigation Department. Jim has invited numerous college agriculture classes to tour his facility and started an internship program offering students from Modesto Jr. College, San Joaquin Delta College, University of the Pacific, UC Davis, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and opportunity to work at Pacific Southwest Irrigation. Many of these students find employment with Pacific Southwest Irrigation upon graduation. Jim was a founder and Director of the California Irrigation Dealer Association and has also been a Director for a variety of organizations such as The Irrigation Association, the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the California Agricultural Irrigation Dealers Association. While serving as a director of CAIA Jim pushed for certification of irrigation designers and contractor licenses for irrigation dealers. He was one of the first dealer/owners to be certified in both drip and sprinkler designs, and to be qualified for licensure as a General Engineering Contractor.

    Over the years Jim has given his time and resources to many within the community. Jim has served as the City of Escalon Recreation Commissioner as well as sitting on the Farmington Fire Board of Directors. He was also the Escalon High School Girls Volleyball Assistant coach for 18 years. He is a tireless supporter of local FFA and 4-H members in purchasing animals at the San Joaquin County Fair and San Joaquin County Ag Fest for over 40 years. Pacific Southwest Irrigation has been a member of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau since its formation in 2003.

    Jim lives in Escalon with his wife Ellen. They have raised 4 children.

    Manuel J. Dutra Jr.

    Manuel J. Dutra Jr. was born July 15, 1923 in Patterson, CA and at the age of 2 his family moved to Tracy, CA. At the age of 7 Manuel started milking cows on his family ranch in Tracy. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1941. And in 1942 he was awarded the prestigious FFA American farmer degree. Over his life Manuel has done many things in the agricultural field.  He was a dairyman for 40 years with Registered Jersey cows and was recognized as one of the top Jersey herds in California for production and Type in the 1970’s. In 1979 he was named California’s Jersey Senior Breeder of the Year. Manuel went on to work for the Moorman Mfg. Company for 29 years selling minerals and vitamins to dairymen.  For 20 years of his time with Moorman he was the top sales producer for the 7 Western States for the company. 5 of those years he was in the Top 10 for the nation out of 1,500 sales reps. Moorman honored him with the Good Sam Award in 1989 and the Frank Lett award in 1990. Manuel retired from Moorman Mfg. Co. at the age of 71. He also raised heifers for 25 years, raising Holsteins and Jerseys from 9 months to 23 months. At the age of 89 Manuel and his wife Carmelita decided to make a change again and planted walnut trees on their farm. Over the years he has raised pasture, rye grass, alfalfa hay, tomatoes, grass hay for horses and Howard Walnuts.

    Manuel is the 6 time undefeated World’s Hand Milking Champion.  He won the title at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, retiring from competition in 1973.  He made the Guinness Book of World Records in 1969 as milking the most amount to milk in 2 minutes with 17lbs 2 ozs. In 1971 he broke his world record by pulling 20 lbs in 2 minutes. Due to an injury as a young man he had a unique way of milking a cow with his right hand using a thumb punch method and his left hand with the thumb on the outside.

    Manuel was one of the original members that came up with the concept and vision of having a milking parlor at the San Joaquin County Fair to help promote the local dairy industry. Raising the money and building the milking barn in 1989 and naming it after long time Ag Extension Dairy Advisor Mr. Granville Hutton. He always loves to give back especially when it came to kids and agriculture. He was a Co-community leader and dairy leader for the Elkhorn 4-H Club for many years.  When it came to dairy judging he would hold practice seminars at his home for Lodi High School FFA, Galt High School FFA, Cal Poly and Fresno State judging teams.

    Manuel has lived in San Joaquin County for 95 years of his life. He and his wife Carm take great pride in his property of 65 years in North Stockton, you can see the big red barn on the corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Eight Mile Road.  He has been married to his wife Carmelita since February 16, 1946, celebrating their 75th anniversary earlier this year.

    David Phillips:

    David Phillips is the co-owner of Michael David Winery.  David spent his childhood farming the same land that is now home to the winery. Shortly after graduating from U.C. Davis in 1987, David went on a worldwide tour of wine regions in Europe, South Australia and New Zealand, then went to work for an international cork company before returning to help his older brother Michael run the family business in 1989.

    With a focus on distributor growth, David spent the 1990’s traveling around the country acquiring distributor accounts and building brand awareness of his family’s wines. By 2002, Michael David wines were distributed in all 50 states and David’s focus moved abroad. These days David and his wife Corene are the primary ambassadors for Michael David Winery and travel to spread the word across United States and the world.

    David has served for 12 years on the Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Winery Marketing Committee. He currently serves as an alternate on the Wine Institute Board of Directors. David is an active member of the Lodi Association of Wineries.  David and his wife Corene are members of the Lodi District Grape Growers Association Scholarship Committee.  He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Lodi, promoting Lodi tourism and preserving farmland in the region.

    David and Corene have two adult sons, Conner and Joseph.

    Michael Phillips

    Michael Phillips is the founder and co-owner of Michael David Winery. During his upbringing, Michael farmed with his father – driving tractors at the age of 10 and helping with grape harvests each year.  After graduating from U.C. Davis in 1975, Michael started planting vineyards of varietals not typical of Lodi and began winemaking as a home winemaker. His Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are amongst the oldest Lodi vineyards for the varietals. In 1976, he built a fruit stand on his family farm on Highway 12, which is still standing, and an integral part of the current tasting room experience today. Michael established a bonded winery in 1984, known today as Michael David Winery.

    Michael’s goal is to show the word that wines made from Lodi grapes can compete against wines from anywhere in the world. To promote the quality of Lodi wine, and his own wines in particular, Michael spends a lot of time traveling the United States focused on distributor relations with his wife Kristy.

    Michael is a founding member and past President of the Lodi Winery Association. He has also served as a board member for the Lodi Winegrape Commission, Wine Institute and several local organizations promoting Lodi agriculture. Michael is a charter member of the Lodi Sunrise Rotary Club.

    Michael and his wife Kristy have 3 children: Rebecca, Kevin and Melissa, as well as 8 grandchildren.

    Michael & David Phillips

    Michael and David Phillips’ family has fared in the Lodi area since the 1850’s when their great-great grandfather Andrew Harshner and his wife Lucille arrived from Ohio and settled in Mokelumne, west of what is now Lodi. The brothers are the 5th generation of Phillips to farm winegrapes in Lodi, now farming over 800 acres of Lodi vineyards.

    Michael David Winery, originally “Phillips Vineyards” was established in 1984 after years of growing grapes for other wineries. Today, not only does all of their fruit go into their own wines, they also purchase grapes from a number of Lodi growers. In 2002 they produced 7 Deadly Zins, a Lodi Zinfandel representing fruit from seven lots of Lodi Zinfandel from seven Lodi vineyards. They began with less than 1,000 cases in 2002 and grew it to the #1 selling Zinfandel in the world with production of 300,000 cases annually. In 2018 Michael David Winery sold the 7 Deadly Zins and 7 Deadly Reds wine brands to the Wine Group to focus on other brands.

    Each of the Phillips family’s vineyards are third-party certified under the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing. All purchased grapes used in Michael David wines are also certified sustainable. Michael David Winery was the first winery to offer per-ton bonuses to contracted growers for Lodi Rules certified grapes.

    Currently Michael David’s brands include: Freakshow, Earthquake, Petite Petit, Inkblot, 6th Sense, Rapture, Lust, Rage, Gluttony, Sloth, Lodi Red, Lodi Zin, Politically Correct, Going Viral, and Michael David.  Michael David’s 500,000 cases sold landed them in Wine Business Monthly’s top 50 wine brands for 2020.  In November of last year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Michael David Winery “2020 American Winery of the Year”.

    Michael David Winery and the Phillips family are members of numerous organizations supporting the wine industry including: the Lodi District Grape Growers Association, Lodi Association of Wineries, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Wine Institute, and the San Joaquin Farm Bureau.  Over the years they have volunteered their time, served in leadership roles, and donated wine and money to support these and other organizations.

    Michael David Family Foundation was founded in 2012 and has donated over one million dollars to the local San Joaquin community including contributions to: Loel Senior Center, GOT Kids, San Joaquin Cancer Kids, the San Joaquin Historical Society, Lodi Adopt a Child, and the World of Wonders Science Museum. Since 2013, the Foundation has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to local students continuing their education in agriculture. The Phillips family are major supporters of the San Joaquin Ag Fest Junior Livestock Auction.

    Aldo and Rosie Togninali

    Aldo Togninali was born on July 20, 1926, in Stockton California. He grew up on a farm growing rice and tending milk cows. In the mid 1950’s Aldo and his father started farming in the Collegeville area. Aldo passed away on May 15, 2007.

    Rosalie La Rossa Togninali, known as “Rosie”, was born July 20, 1931 in Stockton. The La Rossa family farmed in Stockton and grew produce. Rosie passed away on April 23, 2021.

    Aldo and Rosie met at an Italian Catholic Federation event, where mutual friends set them up. They hit it off and were married on June 29, 1952. They eventually had 2 children, Marilyn and Larry.

    Aldo was a very quiet man, but very well respected for his amazing work ethic. Togninali Farms grew mostly row crops and field crops on over 2,000 acres. Aldo could be seen driving his D4 Caterpillar tractor late into the night and up at dawn to get started on the tomato harvester. Before drip irrigation became as prevalent as it is today, Aldo got together with irrigation consultant Jim Clare and discussed the pros and cons on installing drip irrigation.  After much thought Aldo decided to try it on his tomatoes. The gamble was a success and many tomato farmers in the area took note.  If you look around the county it was the successes of pioneers like the Togninali’s that resulted in most tomato farms using drip irrigation. While Togninali Farms was growing and Aldo was busy working the crops, Rosie was taking care of the books, and the marketing of the produce and hay crop.  Rosie was also very active in the California Women for Agriculture San Joaquin Chapter where she was celebrated as Woman of the Year in 1995 and received the Cornucopia Award in 2017. During her time volunteering for CWA, Rosie headed up any and all fundraising events. She sat on the Bequest Management Fund Committee which helps to fund the SJCWA scholarships. Rosie participated and represented CWA everywhere. From the Stockton Ag Expo committee meetings, the Stockton Asparagus Festival, CWA/Fresno State Ag Booster BBQ, hosting the Hospitality Room at AgVenture, helping build exhibit booths used at the San Joaquin County Fair and California State Fair. The Togninali’s were members of many agricultural organizations such as the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, the San Joaquin County Cherry Growers, the California Tomato Growers Association and the California Sugar Beet Growers Association.

    When they built their new home in the Collegeville area they included a full basement for entertaining. The agricultural community was always grateful that the Togninali’s provided a safe space for groups to meet and gather free of charge.  Rosie and Aldo were a part of many of the local Italian clubs in the area. They included the Italian Catholic Federation, Italian Gardeners’ Society, the Italian Athletic Club, the Waterloo Gun and Bocce Club, the Lodi Italian Men’s Club, Good Times Accordion Club and the Associazione Liguri Nel Mondo. And after Aldo passed in 2007, the family became big supporters of Alzheimer’s research and has participated in the Alzheimer’s Walk in Stockton every year.

    Aldo and Rosie earned their living by farming but lived their lives supporting the agricultural community. They just did the right things, volunteered their time and talents, and never wanted to be in the spotlight. Their generosity helped many farmers discover new agricultural techniques and helped spread the love of agriculture throughout the community.

    About the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

    Founded on February 21, 1901, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce speaks for thousands of local businesspeople. For these 120 years, the Chamber has been the authoritative voice in all business matters throughout the Central Valley. The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.

    www.stocktonchamber.org

  • Steve Wilbur Introduced as 2022 World Ag Expo® Chairman

    After a 16-month wait, the 2022 World Ag Expo® season was kicked off by Show Chairman Steve Wilbur on Saturday, September 25. The “Kickoff Dinner” was attended by volunteers, staff, and invited guests at the Social Hall on the International Agri-Center® grounds. For many, it was the first time they had seen each other since the 2020 show.

    “This is a great night,” gushed Wilbur. “It is so good to be back together and working on a farm show!”

    A local cotton farmer, Wilbur also runs a dairy with his family, grows feed and multiple row crops. He has previously served as the International Agri-Center® Board Chair, as well as being the 2014 Chairman of the California Cotton Growers Association and serving on the board of Cotton Inc.

    The 2022 show proclaims World Ag Expo® is “Back in Agtion,” a play on words with a few meanings. While COVID-19 sidelined the live show in 2021, farmers and ag professionals never stopped working during the pandemic. Volunteers and staff are ready to bring back the live show and provide a place for everyone in ag to meet, shop, and learn something new. Plus, “Agtion” is a Dad-joke style play on “Action” reminding people that farm shows are a fun place to be.

    “We’re so happy to be back,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center® CEO. “The 2021 digital show was an interesting experience, but we’re ready to get our boots on the show grounds to work with our exhibitors and host our attendees.”

    The annual show is produced by the International Agri-Center®, a non-profit focused on agriculture education year-round.

    Entering its 55th year, World Ag Expo® is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2020, the show saw 106,357 attendees from 46 states and 56 countries. With more than 1,400 exhibitors and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, World Ag Expo® provides a platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. Applications are open online for seminar submissions at https://bit.ly/WAE22SeminarApp and the Top-10 New Products Contest at https://bit.ly/WAE22Top10App.

    Tickets are on sale online now at https://bit.ly/WAE22Tickets, and attendees can plan their visit at www.worldagexpo.org. With a diverse lineup of agriculture companies and seminars covering international trade, irrigation, ag policy, hemp, and more, there is something for every ag professional at the 2022 World Ag Expo®. The 55th edition will run Tuesday, February 8 through Thursday, February 10, 2022, at the International Agri-Center® in Tulare, CA.

    For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.org.

  • New platform connects consumers, food processors with regeneratively grown products

    The non-profit Soil Health Academy (SHA) announced today that it has launched a web-based platform to connect its regenerative farming and ranching graduates with a growing base of consumers, food processors and retailers interested in purchasing regeneratively grown products.

    “The ‘Shop Regen Foods’ platform will allow consumers and others to search by location, by pasture-raised products available and by delivery and shipping options,’” said SHA President Dawn Breitkreutz. “And because an increasing number of producers are entering the regeneratively grown space, shoppers will know that the farmers and ranchers featured on our platform are producers who have attended SHA’s three-day, on-farm schools—producers who are committed to continuous soil health improvement through their regenerative ag journey.”

    Breitkreutz said that while SHA does not verify the practices used on the featured farms and ranches, the platform provides links to the websites of the participating producers so consumers can research on their own to learn what soil health principles and practices are being utilized in the production of the food they’re interested in purchasing.

    “This platform provides a way to connect consumers with regeneratively grown products and it allows consumers to learn more about the farm families growing their food,” she said. “I believe the more consumers learn about the soil health principles and practices SHA graduates are using, the more they’ll value the products they’re purchasing and appreciate the added connection with the farm families producing those products.”

    Breitkreutz said consumer interest in purchasing food grown in ways that protect the environment and enable ecosystem diversity has been steadily growing, boosted by the popularity of the Netflix documentary, “Kiss the Ground,” released earlier this year. The movie, narrated by Woody Harrelson, highlighted the many benefits of soil health-focused regenerative agriculture, including improved nutrition.

    SHA’s new “Shop Regen Foods” platform provides a way to connect consumers with regeneratively grown products and it allows consumers to learn more about the farm families growing their food.

    “We know from experience that foods grown using soil health principles are more flavorful, which is something we all value,” she said. “And increasingly, research is pointing to the health benefits of consuming pasture-raised, nutrient-dense protein products.”

    For SHA’s graduates, Breitkreutz said the platform provides another marketing venue to help regenerative family farms improve their profitability.

    “Many of our graduates are already doing a great job of marketing their regeneratively grown products to local markets,” she said. “’Shop Regen Foods’ is another ‘store front’ for our graduates to expand their direct-to-consumer sales and to potentially connect with food processors and retailers interested in sourcing regeneratively grown products.”

  • Initiative Encourages Families to Create Fantastic Fall Flavors with California Butter

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced today the launch of an October consumer promotion focused on Real California Butter as the foundation of the fall baking season. Featuring recipes such as Apple Brown Butter Crumble with Caramel Sauce and Poached Pears in Puff Pastry with Honey Whipped Cream, the month-long promotion will focus on creating delectable treats with classic fall flavors including pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, caramel, maple, and more all while highlighting California butter as a star baking ingredient.

    The promotion will be supported with in-store media that will be displayed at 475 California stores including Raley’s, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Lucky Supermarkets, FoodMaxx, and Save Mart. Integrated digital media will include geotargeted email communication, recipe and related site banner ads, sponsored social media posts, and food influencer partnerships.

    “Butter is a crucial ingredient in pies, crumbles, breads, and so many of the baked goods we enjoy during the cooler months,” said Katelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development, U.S. Retail for the CMAB. “We are encouraging families to use high quality, sustainably produced Real California Butter in their favorite baking recipes.”

    Thanks to milk from California’s dairy farm families, California leads the nation in butter production. As the nation’s leading milk producer, the state also is responsible for producing more ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made exclusively with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • UnitedAg Announces the 2021 Vocational Scholarship Award Recipients

    This year, the Agribusiness Education Foundation Vocational Scholarship Program awarded two UnitedAg members a total of $1,600 to further their education and job-specific training in agriculture. The recipients were selected based on both merit and need.

    In Irvine, California, Gurpreet Ubbu an employee of UnitedAg was awarded $600 to pursue a CPA certification. Marisol Guerrero Mosqueda, of Green Rubber-Kennedy Ag based in Salinas, California, was awarded $1,000 to complete a Food Safety certification.

    “The UnitedAg Vocational Scholarship was a very straightforward process to apply to. This scholarship will help pay for my expenses for a program that will vastly increase my competence, knowledge, and skills in accounting,” said Gurpreet Ubbu.

    Since its inception, the Agribusiness Education Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarship monies to over 1,000 students seeking educational, post-secondary, and vocational certifications.

    “Your willingness to help students financially is wonderful and I hope your organization continues to do so for as long as it is within your power. Thank you for investing in my future,” said Marisol Guerrero Mosqueda.

    About UnitedAg

    Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative health benefits and services for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 1,000 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, including agricultural companies (growers, shippers, coolers, processors, dairy and livestock producers, and supporting businesses); associates; cooperatives; and partner agricultural associations. UnitedAg helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interest with lawmakers, and helps them achieve their academic and career goals. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices and health and wellness centers in Salinas, Colusa, King City, Chico, Turlock, Visalia and Santa Maria. For more information, visit unitedag.org.

  • CA Farmland Trust Welcomes Trustee Council Member Reagan Denny, and Extern Chase Steele

    California Farmland Trust (CFT) is pleased to welcome Reagan Denny and Chase Steele to our organization. Denny will serve as the California Association, FFA representative on CFT’s Trustee Council, while Steele joins the staff under a law school externship.

    Originally from Sutter County, Denny was elected as the California FFA State Sentinel in May. During her year of service, Denny and her team will be educated in various areas of the agriculture industry and will share this knowledge with 95,000 California Association, FFA youth members.

    Charlotte Mitchell, executive director at California Farmland Trust shared that as CFT focuses on building its’ relationship with younger generations, Denny’s perspective will be insightful to help strengthen and advocate the importance of protecting our working lands to this younger demographic.

    “I could not be more thankful to be involved with CFT,” Denny said. “Their focus on education, advocacy, and helping farmers protect the best farmland in the world is truly inspiring.”

    Steele, a Galt native and third-year student at McGeorge School of Law, will work closely with CFT’s legal team and executive management on farmland protection issues and conservation projects.

    “We are looking forward to having Chase’s expertise in the area of law, and his assistance in complex legal assignments will be especially helpful as we work through matters relating to the protection of farmland throughout the state,” Mitchell said.

    Steele’s externship plans to continue through May, while Denny’s role on the Trustee Council will conclude once she retires as a state FFA officer.

    The California Farmland Trust is a California nonprofit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. To date, we have protected 17,261 acres of farmland on 79 farms. To learn more visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.