California Ag Network

Category: Events

  • Watermelon Board Launches 2020 Recipe & Carving Challenge

    National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) kicked off its annual consumer recipe contest – but this time with a twist. Unlike in year’s past where consumers were asked to create and submit an original watermelon-focused recipe, in 2020 NWPB tasks fans with putting their own unique spin on existing recipes and carvings found on the newly relaunched watermelon.org website. The contest launched Memorial Day and closes August 21st.

    After visitors chose which recipe or carving they will personalize, home chefs can customize it by swapping out up to five ingredients, changing the way the dish is served or adding something new to the dish. Watermelon fans can then enter the contest two ways: by posting their recipe/carving image to their public profile on Instagram using #WatermelonRecipeContest or at watermelon.org.

    “Not only will this contest be more approachable to consumers who may have been intimidated to create a recipe, but they will have all summer long to experiment with the recipes and carvings from the Watermelon.org website and show us how they add their own unique flair,” says Stephanie Barlow. “Additionally, this time period, more than any other, is all about finding new stay-at-home activities for consumers and continuing to source the best products in health, value and versatility.”

    To help launch the contest on Instagram and gain exposure and momentum for the hashtag #WatermelonRecipeContest, NWPB recruited six influencer partners, all of whom have chosen their own recipe or carving to recreate and inspire their followers. Each partner is scheduled to post images and versatility messaging at different times throughout the summer in order to maintain a steady cadence of contest visibility.

    In addition to pushing fans to master watermelon carving techniques and recipes, the contest helps to drive traffic to the new website and capture user-generated content. Other benefits include:

    • Increase page views and engage with on-site with comments
    • Populates NWPB’s database of assets and editorial content with captured UGC and can use for promotion on owned channels
    • Crowd-sources recipe ranking by interest in entries, as well as tweaks for improvements
    • Incentivizes Instagram posts and tags during peak watermelon visibility showcasing versatility for the people, by the people
    •  Real-time feedback on watermelon techniques and recipe steps

    Prizes will be awarded in three categories including Food, Beverage and Carving. All winners will receive a watermelon prize pack of goodies, plus first place winners will receive a $250 gift card, second place a $100 gift card and third place a $50 gift card. Judging criteria will be a mix of the recipe or carving’s unique spin, visual presentation and appearance.

    For more information about the Recipe & Carving Challenge, including official contest rules and to submit an entry, visit watermelon.org/recipe-challenge prior to August 21, 2020.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board
    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25%), a source of Vitamins A (8%) and B6 (8%), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 15.6 pounds in 2019. Watermelon consumption in the United States was approximately 5.1 billion pounds in 2019. The United States exported an additional 321.2 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

  • CDFA Qualifies Dairy Families’ QIP Sunset Plan Petition

    United Dairy Families of California —Today, the industry-generated petition to implement a sunset plan to the QIP was qualified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The petition qualified with 28% of the number of Market Milk producers operating in California in May 2020.

    CDFA anticipates holding a Producer Review Board meeting in August followed by a public hearing to consider the petition.

    Dairy Families is grateful to the dairy producers that signed the petition and have supported the process thus far. We have taken a huge step together toward uniting the dairy industry!

    Dairy Families submitted a petition to reform California’s historic quota program to CDFA in June. The petition outlines a five-year sunset proposal, which was the result of a process that included input from hundreds of California dairy producers over several months of regional meetings. The Dairy Families’ petition calls for CDFA to bring the producer-generated idea to a referendum.

    You can find the announcement from CDFA below:

  • Celebrate National White Wine Day with Refreshing CA White Wine Cocktails

    Wine lovers looking for creative ways to celebrate National White Wine Day on August 3 can steal ideas from a new–and free–California Wine Cocktails eBook. The digital book, which includes several California white wine based cocktails, can be downloaded here for instant gratification!

    Luscious recipes featured in the eBook include Cucumber Herb Spritzer, Fresh Berry Moscato Mule and Strawberry Lemon Smash. While the white wines featured–from California California Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Moscato to sparkling wine–are delicious on their own, they are also wonderful in wine-based cocktails. Light and fresh but big on flavor, wine cocktails are easy to make at home for sipping on the patio or toasting friends during virtual happy hours.
     
    To provide more inspiration for signature wine-based cocktails for summer, California Wines has released a new free e-book, “Fresh + Delicious California Wine Cocktails.” Available to download here, it features recipes for fabulous seasonal drinks that celebrate the state’s bounty of sustainably grown wines, produce and fresh herbs.
     
    Recipes include:

    • Fresh Berry Moscato Mule: A bubbly blend of muddled berries, ginger beer and California Moscato wine
    • Cucumber Herb Spritzer: California white wine, cucumber and lime meet mint and basil for a fresh herbal twist
    • Strawberry Lemon Smash: Fresh strawberries, California sparkling wine and lemon create a summertime sensation

    To download a free copy of “Fresh + Delicious California Wine Cocktails” and sign up for the Discover California Wines monthly newsletter, visit here.
     
    Need More Summer Recipes to Try at Home?
     
    For seasonal dishes to prepare and enjoy with California wines and wine-based cocktails, pick up a copy of “Wine Country Table,” featuring recipes inspired by the Golden State’s sustainable winegrowers and farmers. The book is available at major bookstores and through Amazon. You can also find great seasonal recipes at Discover California Wines.
     
    Wine Institute is the public policy association of California wineries producing 80 percent of U.S. wine. California is the nation’s number one state for wine and food tourism with 3,900 wineries.

  • CA’s Robert Mondavi Winery Ranks #5 in 2020 World’s Best Vineyards, Sonoma County also Recognized

    The World’ Best Vineyards just released their 2020 results of top 50 vineyards, recognizing California’s Robert Mondavi Winery as the fifth top vineyard in the world, and North America’s number one vineyard.  Watch the full announcement HERE. As the awards were supposed to debut in Sonoma County this year, but curtailed by COVID-19, there was special recognition given to Sonoma County Winegrowers as leaders in sustainability — along with the following ten reasons to visit Sonoma’s wine country.

    1. Highest Ranking Vineyard in Sonoma – Francis Ford Coppola Winery

    The Highest Ranking Vineyard in Sonoma award recognises the vineyard that came highest in the 2020 list once all the World’s Best Vineyard nominations were counted and, in turn, the list created.

    Film director Francis Ford Coppola’s winery resort in Geyserville, in the Alexander Valley, offers a touch of movie magic.  Memorabilia on show includes the Godfather’s desk, a Tucker car, scripts, and Oscars.

    Star attraction

    In Geyserville did Coppola a stately pleasure dome decree… One of the most-visited attractions in Sonoma Wine Country, Francis Ford Coppola Winery is so much more than a mere winery. This sprawling estate complex offers an inexhaustible array of visitor attractions, from a landscaped park to a tasting room, a bar, two restaurants, two swimming pools with poolside cabanas, a cinema, a film gallery, bocce courts, a performing arts pavilion – oh, and there’s a winery somewhere in there too…

    A wine wonderland
    Taking inspiration from the magical Tivoli Gardens theme park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Francis Ford Coppola wanted to offer visitors much more than a glass of wine when he opened his eponymous winery in 2010. He wanted to create a wonderland every bit as immersive as his unforgettable films – a place for the whole family, with oodles of things for kids to do with no danger of getting bored while their parents indulge in fine Californian wines and food. He enlisted Academy Award-winning production designer Dean Tavoularis, whom he met on the set of The Godfather, to make this dream a reality – and make it a reality Tavoularis very much did.

    Building for the future
    Having worked at the famed Napa estate Inglenook (purchased by Coppola in 1975, reportedly with profits from The Godfather), chief winemaker Corey Beck has assumed a pivotal role at the Geyserville estate, not only growing the wine portfolio into the 11 distinct wine brands available today, but also managing hospitality and implementing the estate’s vital sustainability programme. Climate change has hit Californian wine in a big way in recent years, and Beck and his team are leading by example with such things as irrigation water management and vineyard biodiversity. Such responsible steps are good for both the environment and the precious wine grapes – and serve to confirm Francis Ford Coppola Winery as a true jewel in the Sonoma Wine Country crown.

    2. Great wines…

    From producers who care. Sonoma County’s wine industry is made up of many multi-generational family businesses. There are 59,218 acres (nearly 24,000ha) planted to vineyards, more than 40% of which are in the hands of growers with parcels of less than 20 acres (8ha). Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most prevalent grape varieties, but Sonoma County is home to more than 60 varieties – from Alicante to Zinfandel. With valleys, mountains, a diversity of soil types and more than 50 miles of coastline, it is also home to 18 unique growing regions with their own special terroir.

    This small-plot, artisan approach to winegrowing, coupled with a diverse growing region, has attracted many world-renowned winemakers, resulting in endless styles of quality wine. Sonoma County was one of the first regions in California to have “vineyard designate” wines, illustrating the close relationship between winegrowers and winemakers.

    3. Great food, too

    Sonoma County is an agricultural wonderland, which means there is an abundance of local farms which deliver fresh produce, fish and meats, eggs and cheeses to local restaurants. It has also attracted many famous chefs who regard Sonoma County as an authentic leader in “farm to table” dining. The food is so good that many wineries have culinary programmes. St Francis Winery & Vineyards in Santa Rosa boasts one of America’s top restaurants. The food and wine pairing features five courses using produce and herbs grown on the estate, paired with wines from St Francis’ artisan collection. The stunning Sonoma Valley view just adds to the experience. Meanwhile, the Lynmar Estate in the Russian River Valley offers ‘Pinot & Pizza’, featuring seasonally inspired artisan pizzas made with estate-grown vegetables prepared in a brick pizza oven, and paired with an array of Lynmar wines. Silver Oak’s renowned winery in Alexander Valley has a full kitchen and winery chef on-site to offer unique food and wine pairings, sourced from the winery’s culinary garden.

    4. Sustainability is a top priority

    Sonoma County has long been regarded as a global leader in growing and making great wines while minimising the impact on the environment. 99% of its vineyards are certified sustainable by a third-party program, making it the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world. To continue this sustainability leadership, Sonoma County launched a ground-breaking climate program earlier this year. It is the exclusive partner in the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification Program, the first program of its kind for agriculture. Soon, you will know how drinking Sonoma County wine can offset your carbon footprint!

    This sustainability focus is also found in our local wineries and hotels. Vintner’s Resort, a beautiful hotel in the heart of wine country, offers sustainable practices that guests can see and enjoy, including walking paths through the vineyards and vegetable gardens and olive trees that supply the on-site restaurants. Vintners Resort was awarded the Environmentalist Level in the California Green Lodging Program by the State of California’s Department of General Services.

    5. It’s open all year

    In the off-season (December-March), there are bigger discounts and fewer crowds. Some think it’s the most beautiful time to visit, too, as it’s mustard season. Many vineyards plant mustard flower between the vines as a cover crop.

    Spring and early summer sees the launch of the new rosé wines, sometimes during rosé-themed parties. Two great wineries for rosé are Taft Street and Flowers Winery. Spring is also the beginning of the grapegrowing season, with budbreak in the vineyards.  Don’t miss events such as the Annual Barrel Tasting (March 6-8 and 13-15) and the California Artisan Cheese Festival (March 27-29).

    Summer sees a slew of outdoor events. Check out these two winery concerts: Gundlach Bundschu’s folksy Huichica Music Festival in June and the Sonoma Harvest Music Festival at BR Cohn Winery in September. Kendall-Jackson Estate, BR Cohn Winery, Imagery Estate, Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Patz & Hall Winery, and Seghesio Family Vineyards put on farm-to-table dinners in their vineyards May-October.

    Harvest season (September-November) – the busiest period – offers visitors the chance to stomp grapes among the golden autumn leaves and witness the grapes being brought in for winemaking.

    One of the traditional highlights around the holiday season is the annual “Lighting of the Plaza” in the idyllic centre of downtown Sonoma. Enjoy local food and drink vendors, while listening to live music and watching the trees and buildings in the 8-acre (3.2ha) plaza alight with festive bulbs signalling the start of the holiday season.

    6. Free tastings

    Many wineries in Sonoma County offer either free wine tasting or waive the tasting fee with a wine purchase. These include Adastra Wines in Sonoma, Alexander Valley Vineyards in Healdsburg, Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, Sonoma Portworks in Petaluma, and Williamson Wines in Healdsburg.

    7. Vineyard picnics

    One of our favourite experiences is picnicking among the vines. There are plenty of opportunities in Sonoma County, especially in Healdsburg (for example at Dry Creek Vineyard, Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate, and Preston Farm and Winery) or in Kenwood (at VJB Vineyards, Cellars & Marketplace, Ledson Winery, and Chateau St Jean).

    8. California’s oldest winery

    Buena Vista Winery – founded in 1857 by Hungarian farmer, author and businessman Agoston Haraszthy – is California’s oldest premium winery. Since 2011, the winery has been owned by Jean-Charles Boisset, a Frenchman who first visited Buena Vista at the age of 11 with his family, who own estates in Burgundy, the South of France, and California’s Napa Valley. Jean-Charles has renovated the winery, cellar and grounds, and installed the Wine Tool Museum – a fascinating tribute to Haraszthy.

    Sonoma County also boasts the oldest, continuously operating family winery – Gundlach-Bundschu, built in the 1870s and now in the hands of the sixth generation.

    9. Gorgeous gardens

    There’s more to the wineries than wines and vines. Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery’s four acres of gardens include a secluded tea garden and a stream. Matanzas Creek Winery has three acres of lavender – a popular spot for marriage proposals in the summer. Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens has a viticultural demonstration vineyard, and red and white wine sensory gardens with plants that have aromas found in some wines. Arista Winery has a Japanese-style water garden. Korbel Champagne Cellars has more than 250 varieties of antique roses and more than 1,000 other types of flowers. Paradise Ridge Winery’s 156-acre estate provides sweeping views of estate vineyards and the Russian River Valley and a large sculpture garden, including an iconic two-storey LOVE sculpture.

    10. Dog-friendly wineries

    The labels on the wines at Mutt Lynch Winery in Windsor feature dog art and a portion of sales is donated to local animal rescue organisations. Mutt Lynch also hosts monthly ‘Yappy Hours’ and the annual Dog Days of Summer gala. Kunde Family Estate Winery in Kenwood has a dedicated dog hike that winds through oak woodlands, native grasslands, and chaparral, with magnificent views of Sonoma Valley.

    Get the FREE Sonoma County Wineries Map: https://www.sonomacounty.com/guide-order

    Sonoma County in numbers

    1812 – when the first vineyards were planted

    59,218 acres planted to vineyards (about 6% of Sonoma County’s total acreage)

    500 wineries

    1,800+ growers

    18 American Viticultural Areas (AVA), with plans to designate more

    60+ grape varieties but the main ones are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Natural Health Benefits Bring Sports Team Ambassadors for American Pistachios

    Pistachios are coming to be the snack of choice for America’s professional football teams. Watch this brief interview with Men’s Health Magazine Nutrition Advisor Mike Rousell as he shares why, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/

  • New Virtual Offerings for Women in Agribusiness Event Series

    In a pivotal move to ensure event excellence during the changing business climate, the Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit series has announced virtual attendance options for its 2020 U.S. and international conferences.

    Its WIA Summit Europe, July 2-3, originally scheduled to take place in Paris, will now be held completely virtual, and its flagship Women in Agribusiness Summit U.S. has added a remote attendance choice for the September 16-18 event in Nashville, Tenn. Planning is now underway to ensure these virtual experiences mirror the benefits of networking, intelligence gathering and interactivity that have come to be the hallmarks of WIA events.

    “Our robust virtual platform will supercharge attendees’ experience,” said Joy O’Shaughnessy, WIA event director and COO at HighQuest, parent company of WIA. “Speaker presentations will be brought to life with embedded live-streaming video, interactive Q&A sessions and engaging polling options, not to mention networking that includes instant messaging and real-time chat, and connecting with attendees via private group video discussions as well access to a multi-tiered database of information about fellow delegates.”

    Not to miss speakers and topics for WIA Summit Europe, July 2-3, include:

    • Keynote: Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, who will speak on “Building Back Better” after COVID-19.
    • Panel: Experts from Matador Ventures Lt, Syngenta, CapAgro and AgriSat will talk to “Farming 4.0: Ushering in the Digital Age in Agriculture” and address: How are those that collect this data using it? Who actually owns the data? Who is benefitting from this and how?
    • Presentation: Carol Heil, associate at Ernst & Young, will speak to “Agricultural Trade After COVID-19”.
    • Short Pitch Series: From biotechnology advances in ag to upcycling and eco-extraction, and robots in the poultry sector, these ingenious women will provide a glimpse into the future of ag during this always lively Ag Innovation Hour.

    The Women in Agribusiness Summit U.S., now in its ninth year, is heading to Nashville for the first time (COVID-19 restrictions permitting), offering in-person and virtual attendance. During this interactive, engaging conference – which brought together nearly 900 attendees last year – delegates will be immersed in discussions that will help them know their business better, through session titles such as: “Fortifying Agriculture’s Resiliency”, “Reducing Litigation Exposure for Ag Companies”, and “Leveraging Liquidity to Thrive in Business”. Learn more at womeninageurope.com or womeninag.com or follow us at @Womeninagri, on Facebook and LinkedIn.

    About Women in Agribusiness

    Women in Agribusiness (WIA) is a business unit of HighQuest Group, a global agribusiness consulting, events and media firm, based north of Boston, Mass., USA. The first Women in Agribusiness Summit was held in 2012 in Minneapolis, Minn. Since that time, WIA initiatives have grown to include the WIA Membership, WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, Student Scholarships, and the WIA Today blog. Learn more at womeninag.com

  • Spotted Lanternfly – A Threat to CA Winegrapes (June 11 Webinar)

    The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive insect from Asia that was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. The spotted lanternfly can decimate entire grape vineyards and damage fruit orchards, hops, walnuts, hardwoods, and landscape trees. While the SLF has not yet reached California, officials at CDFA are already engaged and the Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board has designated the SLF as a threat to CA winegrapes. Join CAWG, Wine Institute, and Family Winemakers of CA for a webinar on Thursday, June 11th at 10:00am where CDFA will provide an overview of SLF efforts in California, detection and regulatory possibilities, and how growers can be on the lookout for this invasive pest.  
    Presenting will be Dr. Matt Kaiser, Senior Environmental Scientist, CDFA and Dr. Andrew R. Cline, Assistant Director of the Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division and Acting Statewide Coordinator for the Pierce’s Disease Control Program of CDFA This webinar is co-hosted by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, and Family Winemakers of California. We welcome and encourage all members of the wine industry to join us. Register HERE.

  • CAWG Foundation Awards $30,000 in Student Scholarships

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation has awarded $30,000 in college scholarships to six students. The scholarships are awarded annually to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.

    “All of the amazing scholarship recipients are inspirational because of their unwavering dedication to learning, volunteering and leading,” said Davindar Mahil, chair of the CAWG Foundation board of directors. “We applaud them for their outstanding accomplishments, hard work and their drive to make a difference. Some of the recipients are the first in their family to attend college. The CAWG Foundation is honored to provide these scholarships and show our support for vineyard employees who are valued members of our winegrape industry family.”

    Each year the CAWG Foundation board selects several recipients from high schools throughout the state. Scholarship selection is based on scholastic ability, financial need, community involvement, leadership and a 500-word essay. Since the program’s inception in 1998, the foundation has awarded $494,500 in scholarships. Funds are raised through the generous donations of members of CAWG and the California wine community.

    The four-year scholarships are $8,000 each for students attending a University of California or California State University campus. The two-year college scholarships are $2,000 each for students attending a California community college.

    Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients / $8,000 each

    Angeli Aquino, Calistoga, Calistoga High School

    Melissa Castillo, Livermore, Livermore High School

    Alexandria Ramirez, Hollister, San Benito High School

    Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipient / $2,000

    Vanessa Jimenez Ramirez, Shandon, Shandon High School

    Yasmin Rodriguez, Shandon, Shandon High School

    Anahi Ruiz, Cloverdale, Cloverdale High School

    ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS

    Angeli Aquino, Calistoga, Calistoga High School

    Achieving the American Dream has been instilled in Angeli since she immigrated to the United States at 6 years old. Angeli has challenged herself to be a conscientious, hard-working and high-achieving student. She excelled with difficult classes, earning a top-ranking 4.22 GPA, and with extracurricular activities. Angeli played volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field. She served as ASB president and Interact Club president, was a member of the Soroptomist Club, and volunteered as a youth basketball coach. Additionally, she held a part-time job as a lifeguard during the year. Angeli plans to attend UCLA, major in nursing and someday earn a master’s degree. Her teacher wrote that Angeli is “one of the most dedicated, hardworking, responsible and dependable students I have seen in 14 years of teaching” and “will achieve success and make positive contributions as a leader and problem solver wherever she goes in life.”

    Melissa Castillo, Livermore, Livermore High School

    Melissa arrived in the United States as a young child and was passionate about learning English. Facing hardships, she found hope and worked diligently in what she calls the “land of opportunity.” Her hard work in high school, which included several AP classes, resulted in a 4.12 GPA. Melissa’s school activities were lacrosse, National Honor Society, Interact Club, Link Crew and Latinos Unidos Club. Through these, she learned leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Melissa works several hours per week at a winery, interned at Kaiser Permanente’s oncology radiation department, and volunteered for many years for a church charity organization. Her goal is to major in biology and attend medical school, and the scholarship will help further her education and a career in the medical field helping impoverished people. Her teacher wrote, “Melissa is a bright, compassionate and ambitious person” and “any college would be wildly improved by her presence on campus.”

    Alexandria Ramirez, Hollister, San Benito High School

    Opportunities and challenges have shaped Alexandria into the person she is today: a highly-motivated leader and ambitious student with a strong work ethic and positive attitude. She balanced academics, part-time work and myriad extracurricular activities throughout high school, and had a long list of leadership roles, awards and achievements. She was extremely involved with FFA, through which she held officer positions, participated in speaking contests and earned three FFA degrees. She was also a youth ambassador for the 33rd District Ag Association. One of her main community service activities is Guide Dogs for the Blind, which trains puppies for the visually-impaired. With agriculture at the center of her educational and career goals, she plans to major in ag communications and become a high school ag teacher. Alexandria’s assistant principal wrote that she “will continue to have an internal drive to be the best at everything she does and will do whatever it takes while maintaining high morals and standards.”

    Vanessa Jimenez Ramirez, Shandon, Shandon High School

    Vanessa believes that anything can be accomplished with hard work and perseverance. She has successfully managed her academic and extracurricular responsibilities with family, job and community commitments. Vanessa has been involved with student government, serving as class secretary and treasurer. She played a variety of sports, volunteered many hours doing softball statistics, and participated in FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience activities. Beyond school, she serves in her community and holds a part-time job. As the first one in her family to attend college, Vanessa plans to attend a community college, pursue a degree in human services and become a social worker. He counselor wrote, “I am consistently impressed with Vanessa’s strive for excellence, self-discipline and growth potential. She is a prime example of a student that can be an academically-sound student, well-rounded and caring individual even when faced with challenges.”

    Yasmin Rodriguez, Shandon, Shandon High School

    Yasmin is the first generation to go to college, and she believes that getting the right education is vital to making a difference and achieving goals. A diligent honor roll student with a 3.8 GPA, she prioritized academics while being actively involved throughout high school with the FFA program and softball team. With FFA, she earned the greenhand degree and learned public speaking skills. In her community, Yasmin has volunteered for the Food Bank Coalition of SLO County for the past few years, participated in her church’s Chosen program for confirmation, and works as a babysitter. Yasmin plans to attend Cuesta College and pursue a degree and career in social work, specifically foster care. Her teacher wrote, “I have found her to be exceptionally hard working, focused, kind and generous. Her ability to stay laser-focused on her goals and make the sacrifices necessary to reach those goals is truly admirable.”

    Anahi Ruiz, Cloverdale, Cloverdale High School

    Anahi’s parents told her, “school is your future,” acknowledging the value of education. She feels lucky to have the opportunity to attend college, which her parents weren’t able to do. Anahi overcame adversity with the tragic loss of three family members during high school, but she persevered in her classes. She has been deeply involved in community endeavors, investing at least 700 volunteer hours and fundraising for causes over the past four years. Those groups include Key Club, Children’s Miracle Network and Save the Rain. She also plays tennis, attends Upward Bound, and holds jobs at a law office and restaurant. Anahi plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College, pursue a degree in administrative justice or business marketing, and seek a career in law. Citing her intelligence, effort and strength, her counselor wrote, “I have not encountered a student able to fight her way out of a challenge and adversity quite like Anahi” and “she will be more than successful in college and beyond.”

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

    The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.

  • Almond Board of California 2020 Election Results

    The Almond Board of California has released election results for the Board of Directors positions whose terms of office will run from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021. The names of the following nominees have been submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for selection:

    Independent Grower:

    Member Position One (one-year term):          

    Paul Ewing, Los Banos

    Alternate Position One:

    Joe Gardiner, Earlimart                                 

    Independent Handler:

    Member Position One (three-year term):

    Alexi Rodriguez, Caruthers

    Alternate Position One:

    Ron Fisher, Modesto

    Member Position Three (one-year term):           

    Darren Rigg, Le Grand            

    Alternate Position Two:

    Chad DeRose, McFarland

    Cooperative Grower:

    Member Position One (three-year term):

    George Goshgarian Jr., Fowler

    Alternate Position One:

    Christine Gemperle, Ceres

    Cooperative Handler:

    Member Position Two (three-year term):

    Bill Morecraft, Sacramento

    Alternate Position Two:

    Alicia Rockwell, Sacramento

    ABOUT THE ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

    Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds with a research-based approach to responsible farming, production and marketing on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom have third- and fourth-generation family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.

  • On World Milk Day, U.S. Dairy Celebrates American Consumers

    National Milk Producers Federation — While no one can say with certainty that the slow re-openings across the U.S. mark the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s clear these attempts to return to a more normal existence mark the end of the beginning. The world is an experiment, both of science and of societies. Outcomes will remain uncertain for months.

    But data can help draw a few conclusions. One from the consumer sector is that, in times of uncertainty, people turn to the bedrock items that they know will nourish themselves and their families. And dairy is an important choice.

    Retail-sales as reported by consumer market researcher IRI over the past three months show that consumers have reacted to the coronavirus crisis first by stocking up on dairy, then by continuing to buy milk and other products at disproportionately high levels.

    From March 8 to March 22, as stay-at-home orders and business closures proliferated nationwide, dairy products flew from store shelves. Milk sales were 43 percent higher than during the same period a year earlier. Yogurt rose 31 percent. Ice cream sales gained 40 percent and cheese 76 percent. Butter sales more than doubled during the same period. 

    Gains have continued into the “new normal,” and in fact take up more of a consumer’s retail dollar than they did during the panic peak. Retail dairy sales from late March through May 17 remain 25 percent higher than a year ago, while overall grocery sales during that same period are only up 14 percent — meaning that at a time when people are relying more on grocers to fill their needs, they’re relying on dairy significantly more than they are on other products. 

    That vote of consumer trust shows every sign of continuing for the foreseeable future – and that shouldn’t be a surprise, really. When milk is already in 94 percent of U.S. households, it follows that it would be especially important as families choose how to weather a storm. This real-world, real-time affirmation of dairy’s value can’t help but inspire the entire dairy community to keep working and maintain resilience through whatever comes next. Dairy owes a deep debt of gratitude to consumers whose support has helped carry farmers through this crisis. 

    Of course, consumer faith has been only one part of dairy’s story in the past few months. Pre-coronavirus, about half of all dairy sales came from outside the home. Even as retail consumers increased dairy buying, sales to restaurants, schools and cafeterias plunged. That turbulence prompted sharp declines in the USDA’s forecast for milk prices for 2020. That’s been a big reason why federal assistance for dairy farms has been so important.

    But even that story is brightening. A recent price rally is changing the outlook from mortifying to merely difficult – still cold comfort for many producers, but more manageable in a way many wouldn’t have dared to wish for even one month ago. Restaurant sales are slowly returning, and federal aid has provided a meaningful boost to bottom lines, even as signs of stress will still need to be monitored and additional aid will be necessary. 

    The past few months have been difficult for dairy, as it has for everyone. The next few will be as well. But dairy is resilient. Its value to consumers is beyond dispute, and early signs of recovery give reasons for hope. Today is World Milk Day. there remains much to overcome, there is also much to celebrate. Raise a glass.