California Ag Network

Category: Events

  • Date Production Workshop Set for April 23 in Palm Desert

    The 2025 California Date Palm Workshop will be held on April 23 in Palm Desert at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center. Anyone who is interested in growing dates is welcome to attend.

    “This workshop brings together researchers, growers and stakeholders to discuss recent research data on the ‘state of the date’ crop in California,” said workshop organizer Ali Montazar, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation and water management advisor for Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties.

    The international date research workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Scientists will share the latest research and information on various aspects of date production, including irrigation and nutrient management, disease and pest management, and laws and regulations.

    Abdelouahhab Zaid, secretary general of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will speak about the development of date palm cultivation regionally and internationally.

    Ricardo Salomon-Torres, research professor at Universidad Estatal de Sonora San Luis Río Colorado, will discuss the status of the date palm industry in Mexico.

    Montazar will discuss irrigation management. Mark Hoddle, UC Cooperative Extension biological control specialist based at UC Riverside, will give a presentation on South American palm weevil in California., Spider mites, date nutrition and the aspergillus species causing black mold of dates are among other topics that will be discussed.

    “We also will have a grower panel discussion on the concerns and the needs of the California date industry,” Montazar said. “This event is such a great opportunity to showcase how impactful date palm production and agriculture is in the low-desert region.”

    Participation is free, but registration is requested at https://ucanr.edu/datepalm2025. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at the UCR Palm Desert Center at 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211.

    For more information, contact Ali Montazar at amontazar@ucanr.edu or Kristy Kneiding at kkneiding@datesaregreat.com.

  • New Legislation Aims to Boost Farmworker Pay and Support Ag Employers

    In February, Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) introduced legislation to create a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the costs of providing overtime wages to farmworkers. SB 628, co-sponsored by California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and California Farm Bureau, aims to ensure that farmworkers have more opportunities to earn overtime pay while also providing relief to struggling agricultural businesses.
    “California’s farmers and farmworkers are the backbone of our agricultural economy. Unfortunately, overtime mandates have made it harder for farmworkers to get the hours they need and for growers to get their product to market,” said Senator Shannon Grove. “SB 628 is a commonsense solution that ensures farmworkers have more opportunities to earn, while providing relief to our agricultural businesses who sustain the world’s food chain supply.”
    SB 628 would do the following:
    • Establish a payroll tax credit allowing agricultural employers to offset the cost of overtime wages paid to their ag employees. NOTE: “Overtime wages” means the difference between the employees’ overtime rate of pay and their regular rate of pay.
    • Help increase available overtime hours for farmworkers, boosting their take-home pay, and supporting much-needed financial stability in rural California.
    “In 2016, when AB 1066 (Gonzalez) was approved to phase in agricultural overtime, growers warned that this new law would ultimately reduce farmworkers’ earnings,” said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “Today, with the smallest winegrape harvest in 20 years, growers are struggling to stay in business. If legislators genuinely want to increase take-home pay for farmworkers, growers are going to need support from Sacramento to make it possible. CAWG thanks Senator Grove for her leadership on this important issue.”
    “California farmers are incredibly resilient, but it is no secret that agriculture faces significant economic challenges,” said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. “Research has shown that placing the burden of overtime wages on farmers came at the expense of both farming operations and the families of farm employees. Senator Grove’s agricultural overtime tax credit bill is a sensible solution that will enable farmers to continue producing food while providing a real and richly deserved boost in take-home pay for farm employees. It is an investment in our food security and rural communities and in the long-term sustainability of production agriculture in California.”
    Recent research supports these concerns. A 2023 study by the University of California, Berkeley (“California’s Overtime Law for Agricultural Workers: What Happened to Worker Hours and Pay?” ARE Update 27(1): 1–4. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics) found that California farmworkers have been earning less since the “Phase-In Overtime for Agricultural Workers Act of 2016” became law. The study concluded, “This early evidence suggests that the law may not be benefiting the workers they aim to protect.”
    SB 628 follows the lead of other states that have recognized the unintended consequences of agricultural overtime laws and acted to ensure farmworkers can still earn overtime pay:
    • Oregon offers a refundable personal or corporate income tax credit for employers based on overtime wages paid to agricultural workers through 2028.
    • New York offers a similar tax credit through 2032 that is based on the eligible overtime agricultural businesses pay.
    Together, Senator Shannon Grove, CAWG and the California Farm Bureau are advocating for a policy that both increases farmworker earnings and provides relief to an industry facing unprecedented financial challenges. California must ensure that policies designed to help farmworkers do not inadvertently reduce their wages.
    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers: CAWG is a statewide nonprofit trade association advocating for California’s winegrape growers to ensure the sustainability of the winegrape industry. CAWG promotes the industry’s long-term success by advancing the adoption of sound public policies and fostering awareness and understanding of winegrape growers’ contributions to the economy, environment, and California communities. Learn more at cawg.org.
    About the California Farm Bureau: The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members. Learn more at cfbf.com.
    About Senator Shannon Grove: Representative of California’s 12th Senate District, which encompasses large portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare counties.

  • Historic Grape Crush Report and Live-Streamed Event to Explain It All

    California has just come off of the smallest grape crush the state has experienced in decades. Join American Vineyard live on February 21, 2025, at 10 AM PST to review the 2024 Grape Crush Report and what it means to wine grape growers, vintners, and industry stakeholders in California and worldwide. American Vineyard Live and the team at Turrentine Brokerage will dive deep into questions stakeholders have such as: What is the Grape Crush Report? Why such a low crush this year? Why were quality grapes left unharvested in 2024? How will the 2024 Grape Crush Report impact my decisions in 2025 and beyond? Will the wine market improve in 2025? How can we use the 2024 Grape Crush Report? What can the 2024 Grape Crush Report do to help me make decisions for my vineyard?

    The panel discussion will be streamed live from Fresno, California for all interested viewers worldwide. It is a FREE live stream for anyone who would like to attend virtually. Registered viewers will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $100 Amazon Gift card or brand new Bahco hand pruning tools. Prize winners will be announced during the event (must be “present” online to win).

    Questions about the 2024 Grape Crush Report for the panelists can be submitted when registering to attend. Questions will be answered live during the event.

    No special software or login is needed to register or join the event. Just register HERE, and a link to join the event will be emailed to the address provided.

    Stay informed on the 2024 Grape Crush Report and how it can serve as a compass to lead to a more successful 2025! “There has never been a more crucial time to use the information we have to navigate the headwinds of today’s market. We look forward to seeing you on the live stream!” says Matthew Malcolm, Editor of American Vineyard Magazine.

    REGISTER HERE

  • Workshop Highlights Advances in Desert Irrigation, Tech on Feb. 27

    The latest in irrigation research and technology will be showcased at the Advances in Irrigation Tools and Technologies Workshop in Holtville on Feb. 27.

    “This workshop brings together University of California scientists, irrigation and water industries, government agencies and the farming community to discuss advances in irrigation tools and technologies and provide a guide to smart farming choices in the low desert region,” said Ali Montazar, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation and water management advisor for Imperial County.

    The workshop will feature 19 presentations on cutting-edge irrigation technologies and innovations and precision farming irrigation. The irrigation industry will exhibit the latest products and technologies.

    Presentations will include a reservoir and hydrology update for the Lower Colorado River and cover alfalfa water use, water conservation, emerging irrigation tools and technologies, the Imperial Irrigation District Water Conservation Program, the California Department of Foods and Agriculture’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, and Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistance Programs.

    The workshop, a “guide to smart farming choices in the Low Desert Region,” begins at 8 a.m. at the Barbara Worth Country Club, 2050 Country Club Dr., Holtville, CA 92250.

    Workshop organizers have requested 5.5 hours of CCA CEU credits. To register, visit http://ucanr.edu/desertirrigation2025.

  • Propane Council To Unveil Innovative Soil Steam Weeding at World Ag Expo

    The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is excited to introduce the first propane-powered soil steam unit for commercial use at the 2025 World Ag Expo February 11-13 in Tulare, CA. At the Western Propane Gas Association Booth (West Street WS20 and WS22), attendees can learn about propane’s pivitol role as a clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy source in agriculture production.

    In addition to viewing a variety of propane-powered equipment, including irrigation engines, a mower, generator, and more, PERC will be hosting a press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11 to present the new propane-powered soil steamer. This groundbreaking new technology is designed to eliminate weeds and nematodes without the need for pesticides or herbicides—offering growers an eco-friendly solution to critical farming challenges.

    “Propane is already an excellent choice for modern agriculture—naturally reducing emissions without compromising efficiency—but this new technology is really a game-changer when it comes to organic and more sustainable food production,” said Michael Newland, director of agriculture business development at PERC. “With this soil steam unit, growers can maintain the optimal crop production necessary to have a successful operation, while also satisfying consumer and regulatory demands for lower emissions and reduced chemical reliance. It’s a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers.”

    This innovation is ideal for California’s high-value crops, including strawberries, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage. Using shallow steaming, the soil steamer applies steam to the top 1-2 inches of soil—the critical zone for weed seed germination—to ensure energy efficiency while achieving optimal results. Studies show that steam treatment can increase lettuce yields by 25% in areas affected by lettuce drop.

    The use of propane for soil steaming also offers growers a more reliable, low-emission energy source that is critical in California’s continuous growing season, without the risk of sudden power interruptions. Increasing demand on the electric grid system and system failures are no issue when it comes to the anytime, anywhere energy access available with propane.

    Stop by the Western Propane Gas Association booths (WS20, WS22) at World Ag Expo or visit www.Propane.com/SoilSteamer/. To explore propane’s benefits for agriculture and see how this innovative technology is shaping the future of sustainable farming overall, visit www.Propane.com/Agriculture.

    About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.

  • New UCANR Climate Scientist to Deliver Keynote at Upcoming Irrigation Conference

    Daniel Swain joined University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources on Nov. 1 as a climate scientist in the California Institute for Water Resources. Swain studies the changing character, causes and impacts of extreme weather and climate events on a warming planet – with a particular focus on the physical processes leading to droughts, floods and wildfires.

    “We are very excited to have Daniel Swain join UC ANR,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “He brings a unique blend of skills and expertise that are crucial to meet the challenge of climate change, here in California and across the globe. Daniel’s research – and his ability to clearly explain the latest findings in climate science – can equip fellow academics, policymakers and communities with the vital tools they need to forge effective and sustainable solutions.”

    Swain is known for his exceptional science communication skills, explaining weather and climate in terms easily understood by the public.

    “I spend a great deal of time engaging directly with the public in California and beyond on weather, climate and disaster-related topics, so I’m thrilled to be joining UC ANR—where broad dissemination of research-based information is a key part of the mission,” Swain said. “I’m grateful for ANR’s support for my unusual hybrid climate research and science communication role, and look forward to helping expand ANR’s virtual and statewide reach in the years to come.”

    In November, Swain was named one of Vox’s Future Perfect 50 – “the thinkers, activists and scholars working on solutions to today’s (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.” Vox wrote: “Our communities and institutions are largely unequipped to fully understand, let alone deal with, the impacts of climate change. That’s where climate experts should, theoretically, come in. But knowing the science is one thing – being able to effectively communicate it is a whole other ballpark. Climate scientist Daniel Swain is that desperately needed liaison.”

    On his widely read Weather West blog, Swain has been sharing his perspectives on California weather and climate since 2006. He hosts regular “virtual office hours” for the public on YouTube. On X/Twitter, he has more than 101,000 followers.

    The “Weather Whisperer” fields hundreds of calls from reporters every year and has been the single most-quoted expert in recent years at UCLA, where he was a climate scientist in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Last year, when Swain was seeking institutional support that would allow him to do science communication as well as research, a Los Angeles Times columnist wrote, “I certainly rely on Swain and other scientists to tell environmental stories.”

    The term “Ridiculously Resilient Ridge” was coined in 2013 by Swain on his Weather West blog to describe the large, formidable high-pressure mass that persisted over the West Coast during winter and diverted storms away from California, contributing to the state’s 2013-2017 drought.

    Before joining UC ANR, Swain, who grew up in the Bay Area, was at UCLA and held a concurrent appointment as a research fellow in the Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research since 2018. While holding a 100% appointment with UC ANR, he will maintain his associations with UCLA and NSF NCAR.

    Swain holds a Ph.D. in Earth system science from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from UC Davis.

    He will be the keynote speaker at the California Irrigation Institute’s annual conference on Jan. 27 in Sacramento. His talk is titled “Drier and Wetter in 21st Century California? Managing Increasing Hydroclimate Whiplash in a Warming World.”

    In addition to posting on his blog at weatherwest.com, Swain is also on Twitter/X @Weather_West, Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/weatherwest.bsky.social, YouTube https://youtube.com/@weatherwest, Threads https://threads.net/@weather.west and Mastodon https://mastodon.social/@weatherwest.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Ag Retailers Association Celebrates 2024 Rising Stars

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recognized a group of top performers and emerging leaders as part of its Rising Stars award program at the 2024 ARA Conference & Expo.

    Through participation in ARA Conference educational sessions and networking events, ARA Rising Stars expanded their network to include industry thought leaders such as ARA board members and learned new approaches to apply to their work.

    “Each year we look forward to recognizing a new class of Rising Stars for their impactful work in the ag retail industry,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “We hope these top performers will remain engaged with ARA as we work together to advance our industry for years to come.”

    The Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is a meaningful way for ARA retailer member companies to nominate emerging leaders to be recognized for their work in front of hundreds of industry professionals and to explore new ways to hone their leadership skills.

    “We remain consistently impressed by the level of professionalism and enthusiasm demonstrated by the Rising Stars,” shares Randy Canady, Atticus Founder and CEO. “It is with great pride that we acknowledge these emerging leaders for their passion, dedication, and steadfast commitment to advancing the agriculture industry.”

    The theme of this year’s Rising Stars award program was “Empowering Leadership through the Next Frontier.” As part of the award application process, many nominees submitted videos to Atticus, sharing their unique stories and explaining what this year’s theme meant to them. One Rising Star, Eric Winans, PhD, research farm manager and technical agronomist with Brandt, was named this year’s grand prize-winning Rising Star for his video! Watch Eric’s winning video.

    New this year was the Atticus Fan Favorite Video Contest, which empowered our Rising Star nominees to share their application videos on social media, encouraging friends and family to vote for them. Chase Porter with Southern States Cooperative was named the 2024 Fan Favorite winner, totaling the most votes. View Chase’s Fan Favorite video.

    As part of the program, each Rising Star also completed the ARA NAVIGATOR 360°online leadership assessment to identify their own strengths and areas to improve as it relates to their company’s unique needs. Developed specifically for agricultural leaders by NuVue, LLC, this ARA tool empowers organizations to thrive in challenging times through developing effective leadership.

    ARA knows that when employees are challenged and engaged in their own professional development, companies are more likely to retain a higher number of high achieving employees to tackle the challenges facing our industry. Nominations are accepted annually from late spring until early fall and are open exclusively to ARA members.

    Learn more about the Rising Stars Award program in this video.

    View each of the videos submitted by this class of Rising Stars. See a list of this year’s ARA Rising Stars.

    Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association
    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

  • Postharvest State of the California Walnut Industry Highlights Improving Market

    Did you miss the State of the Walnut Industry address at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno or the Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock?  Following his presentation, Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share highlights from this year’s walnut harvest and improving global market conditions. Watch this brief interview, and read the full State of the Industry report in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Postharvest State of the California Table Grape Industry

    How did the 2024 harvest fare for California table grape growers following the extensive high heat conditions they weathered over the summer? What are the biggest challenges concerning growers moving into 2025? California Fresh Fruit Association President Daniel Hartwig addressed these questions at Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in his State of the Industry address. Watch his interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Fresno State Sweeps Soil Judging Regional Team and Individual Titles

    The Fresno State soil judging team celebrated a first-place finish in the 2024 Region 6 Collegiate Soil Judging Contest on Saturday, Nov. 2, near Albuquerque, New Mexico to qualify for the 2025 national competition, which will be hosted April 27 to May 2 by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

    Plant Science Department seniors Tanner Ozuna (Hanford), Adrian Gutierrez (Merced) and Hannah Chamberlin (Fresno) placed first, second and third overall, respectively. The overall team win was the first for Fresno State under the guidance of plant science faculty and team coach Michael Sowers.

    Among the 38 contestants, senior Jimena Quezada Ayon (Fresno, sixth), junior Mariela Perez-Garcia (Kerman, seventh) and senior Juan Magana (Firebaugh, ninth) also finished in the top 10 overall.

    Other members of the team included seniors Gabriela Rios (Sanger, 11th), William Dowling (Fresno, 14th) and Aaron Delgado (Avenal, 23rd) and junior Emma Fabbri (Bakersfield, 28th).

    “The team’s performance was incredible,” Sowers said. ”Having six team members in the top 10 and taking first, second and third was an amazing feat, especially when competing against top universities with soil science majors. The students had to learn, grasp and understand not only how to describe soils, but to also interpret their features and classify their taxonomy. Their strong performance in this competition was a result of their hard work and dedication throughout the semester. I’m looking forward to taking them to nationals.”

    The contest was hosted by New Mexico State University on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service research farm in Los Lunas, New Mexcio along the west side of the Rio Grande River. Soils evaluated for the contest consisted of recent and old alluvial, water-based deposits and eolian, wind-based deposits.

    Students were scored based on their soil pit observations, evaluations of physical and chemical properties and related feasibility in agricultural and engineering applications.

    Fresno State students who competed are part of the plant science soil judging class taught by Sowers, who also works as a managing soil scientist at Valley Science and Engineering, a Valmont company.

    The course emphasizes USDA methods for describing and interpreting soils for their capabilities and uses to prepare students for careers in a wide range of agricultural and natural resource-related areas such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management, private farm management and environmental consulting.

    Under the guidance of Sowers, Fresno State also made trips to the national competition in 2024 (24th), 2018 (15th), 2017 (20th) and 2016 (18th).

    Other teams that earned 2025 national invites from the recent regional event included Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (second place) and UC Davis (third place). New Mexico State and Cal Poly-Humboldt also competed in the five-team event.