California Ag Network

Category: Events

  • Advances in Prune Production Research Meeting, Sept. 26

    Glenn, Calif., (September 22, 2017) – Want to learn about the recent advances in prune research and how they impact your prune management practices? Attend the UC Cooperative Extension’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday, September 26th at the Ord Bend Community Hall (3241 CA-45, Glenn, CA) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will feature UC Davis Plant Pathologist Themis Michailides, who will talk about cytospora canker; UC Davis Plant Pathologist Bob Johnson, who will talk about wood rot fungi; and UCCE Farm Advisor Emeritus Rich Buchner, who will talk about his prune rootstock trial research. The meeting will follow with a Question and Answer session to help growers and PCAs plan to apply research results ahead of the pruning season. Registration is $25 online (sacvalleyorchards.com/events/) and $35 at the door, and includes lunch.

  • Get Your Tickets Now for 8th Annual Bounty of the County

    Visalia, Calif., (September 18, 2017) – For the 8th year in a row, Tulare County Farm Bureau is inviting the community to join us in celebration of Tulare County Agriculture at Bounty of the County on Sept. 29, 2017, at the Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch in Ivanhoe.

    Guests can enjoy the finest food and beverage made with locally sourced products at the tasting event, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and available at the Tulare County Farm Bureau office. Tickets will also be available at the door for $70.

    The country casual evening will include live music by Take Cover as well as door prizes provided by Farm Bureau and participating local vendors. The popular gun raffle with be back, with 3 firearms to be given away that night (all federal and state firearm transfer laws apply).  Event and raffle tickets are on sale at the office, and gun raffle tickets will be available the night of the event.

    “We’re excited to provide the community with an event where they can come out and enjoy samples of fine local food, wine and beer in a casual, country environment,” said Roger Everett, Tulare County Farm Bureau President.

    Local farmers, restaurants and businesses will be showcasing their culinary delights at Bounty of the County including All Fired Up! Pizza, Cacciatore Fine Wine and Olive Oil Company and many more!

    The “Best of Bounty” contest will be held again this year, where guests can vote for their favorite dishes exhibited at Bounty of the County.  Guests can vote for their favorites in the categories of: Most Savory, Best Sweet Treat and Best Fresh Product. Exhibitors will be awarded prizes, recognition and of course bragging rights for being named the “Best of Bounty”.

    Tickets are available for $50 pre-sale and $70 at the door. Contact the Tulare County Farm Bureau at 732-8301 or TCFB@tulcofb.org to buy tickets today. For more information about the event, visit us online at www.tulcofb.org.

    Also during Bounty of the County, is the long anticipated drawing for a new DJI Phantom 4 Drone. All new Agriculture, Business Support, Gold Heritage, and Platinum Heritage Members that joined between May 1 and Sept. 29, will be entered in the drawing. The winner will also receive a free consultation from All Drone Solutions in Exeter. A separate prize drawing for a $100 gift card will be held for those that referred a new member to join.

    The drone has been sponsored in part by All Drone Solutions. To learn more about the Phantom 4, visit www.dji.com/phantom-4, or check out the video on TCFB’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TulareCoFarmBureau.

  • Pesticide Safety Instructor Training Workshops

    Sacramento, Calif., (September 8, 2017) – Participants who complete this training will become qualified to provide pesticide safety training to fieldworkers and pesticide handlers as required by California state regulations. This training is approved and co-funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

    Cost – $200 per person  

    Please submit one registration form per person. Payment is by credit card only. Includes breakfast, lunch and educational materials. You will receive an automatic email confirmation once you submit payment. No refunds will be given.  Substitutions are available with a fee of $20. Space is limited to 25 people. If the training you wish to attend is full and want to be added to the waiting list, or if you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our team at pesticidesafety@ucanr.edu or 530-750-1252. Registration closes 2 full business days before training date.

    Classes will be from 8:00 am-5:00 pm; Continental Breakfast and check-in start at 7:45 a.m.
    Clase de las 8:00 am a 5:00 pm; Registración y desayuno a las 7:45 am

    • Davis
      October 12, 2017
      UC ANR Offices
      2801 2nd Street
      This class will be conducted inEnglish
    • Santa Maria
      October 25, 2017
      Betteravia Farms/Bonipak
      1850 W. Stowell Rd
      This class will be conducted in English
    • Santa Maria
      26 de octubre 2017
      Betteravia Farms/Bonipak
      1850 W. Stowell Rd
      Esta clase será en Español
    • Bakersfield
      November 15, 2017
      UCCE Bakersfield Center
      1301 S Mt Vernon Ave
      This class will be conducted inEnglish
    • Bakersfield
      16 de noviembre 2017
      UCCE Bakersfield Center
      1301 S Mt Vernon Ave
      Esta clase será en Español
    • Clovis
      November 28, 2017
      DPR Regional Office
      395 W. Spruce Ave , Suite 103
      This class will be conducted in English
    • Clovis
      28 de noviembre 2017
      DPR Regional Office
      395 W. Spruce Ave , Suite 103
      Esta clase será en Español

  • 2017 Alfalfa and Forage Field Day

    Parlier, Calif., (September 5, 2017) – Please come join us for this year’s Alfalfa and Forage Field Day on Wednesday, September 20, 2017. The event will be held at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, located at – 9240 S. Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648.

    Here is the agenda for your review:

    7:30 AM – Registration

    8:00 – TRAM LEAVES FOR FIELD TOUR

    • Alfalfa Varieties for Pest and Disease Management – Shannon Mueller, Agronomy Advisor and County Director, UCCE Fresno
    • Remote Sensing in Sorghum to Phenotype Drought Stress – Jeffery Dahlberg, Director at Kearney Agriculture Research & Extension Center
    • Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation Alfalfa Management – Daniel Putnam, CE Agronomy & Forage Specialist, UC Davis

    9:15 – TRAM RETURNS

    9:20 – Managing Weeds in Agronomic Crop Rotations – Kurt Hembree, Weed Management Farm Advisor, UCCE Fresno

    9:40 – Alfalfa Weevil Management – Rachael Long, CE Agronomy & Pest Management Advisor, UCCE Sacramento, Solano, & Yolo Counties

    10:00 – Managing Sugarcane Aphid in Forage Sorghum – Nicholas Clark, CE Agronomic Cropping Systems & Nutrient Management Advisor, UCCE Kings, Tulare, & Fresno Counties

    10:20 – Irrigation & Nitrogen Fertility Management in Forage Sorghum & Corn – Robert Hutmacher, CE Specialist, UC Davis, & Director of West Side Research & Extension Center

    10:40 – Break

    11:00 – Irrigation Systems and Salinity Management in Forage Production– Daniel Munk, CE Agronomy & Irrigation Advisor, UCCE Fresno

    11:20 – Low Lignin Alfalfa & GMO vs. Conventional Varieties for Export – Dan Putnam, UC Davis

    11:40 – Optimizing Surface Irrigation in High Flow Systems – Marsha Campbell-Matthews, CE Agronomy Advisor Emeritus, UCCE Stanislaus

    12:00 PM – Lunch

    Continuing Education Requested: DPR 1.5 hours of Other

    For more information, contact: Nicholas Clark (559) 852-2788 neclark@ucanr.edu

    Announcing a Blue Ribbon Brunch at the Farm Fundraiser September 10, 2017

  • Announcing a Blue Ribbon Brunch at the Farm Fundraiser September 10, 2017

    Sacramento, Calif., (September 5, 2017) – The Kaiser Permanente Farm at Cal Expo K-6th Grade Farm Tours start September 12th. The Kaiser Permanente Farm presented by Save Mart is a jewel of the California State Fair. The 3.5 acre farm is a living, growing exhibit that provides a snapshot of California’s massive agriculture and food production industries. The Farm grows over 90 varieties of fruits and vegetables from squash, eggplant, kiwi, cotton, chili peppers, corn, melons to pumpkins.

    The Farm is an essential part of educating young minds about healthy foods, how foods get from the farm to the table and opens their minds to possible careers in agriculture.

    Funds raised for the Farm will go towards program materials for the year-round farm tours, new fruit trees, tools and supplies. The Friends of the California State Fair hosts this major fundraiser and tickets and donations are tax deductible.

    California State Fair Blue Ribbon Brunch

    Sunday, September 10
    10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

    Who: Enjoy a three-course farm-to-fork feast prepared by:

    • Official California State Fair Chef Keith Breedlove- owner of the Culinerdy Crüzer food truck. Chef Keith’s creations are unique and delicious. He constantly challenges himself to bring out the flavor of local ingredients.
    • Santana Diaz Executive Chef at Legends, Golden 1 Center- Most recently, Chef Diaz joined the Legends Hospitality team from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. He was the Executive Chef for Super Bowl 50 in 2016 where he and his team executed the first true Farm-to-Fork NFL experience.
    • Pro Chef Champion Jill Campbell- Former California State Fair Pro Chef Challenge winner, she runs her own Custom Cakes and Catering business from her home called Our Kitchen Table. She is always learning and testing new techniques to create exciting, beautiful, and delicious works of art.

    Featuring local ingredients plus award-winning wine and beer and recipes made from the best of show desserts from the California State Fair competitions.

    For Tickets: CAStateFair.org/Brunch or call (916) 263-3276.  $100.00 PER TICKET I $750.00 PER TABLE OF 8

    Help Friends of the California State Fair, a non-profit organization, raise funds for year-round K-6th Grade Farm Tours.

    Where: California Stat Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm presented by Save Mart at Cal Expo.

  • More Than 1,000 Gather to Celebrate Agriculture at Love of the Land

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (August 8, 2017) – On July 13th, more than 1,000 people gathered at Richard’s Grove and Saralee’s vineyard to celebrate agriculture. Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s annual Love of the Land event, was successful in bringing in people from all facets of agriculture to socialize and honor stewards of the land.

    People gathered from Sonoma County and beyond, seeing old friends and making new ones in the Sonoma grown reception. Guests enjoyed wines from around the county and food from local caterers and food companies.

    The program for the evening was kicked off by Brent Farris who introduced the Petaluma Riding and Driving Club who rode in decked out in red, white and blue on a paint, palomino, grey and bay. Mark Flowers sang the national anthem, and Farris introduced Steve Dutton, Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s President.

    “Sonoma County Farm Bureau was founded in 1917 and tonight we’re celebrating 100 years of protecting Sonoma County Agriculture,” said Dutton. “From the Right to Farm Ordinance to Riparian regulations, the work Farm Bureau does might not always be visible, but it is critical to our ability to farm on a daily basis. I am proud to be a fifth generation Sonoma County farmer, and I want to see agriculture continue far into the future so my children have the same opportunities I had. Alongside many others here tonight, I am proud to be a part of a family that has been farming in Sonoma County for more than 100 years.”

    This year’s honorees included Jackson Family Wines, recipient of the Luther Burbank Conservation Award; Earl and Dot Holtz, Hall of Fame Inductees; and the Lee Walker Family, the 2017 Farm Family of the Year.

    The Jackson family, large supporters of agriculture, donated the venue and La Crema Wines to be served throughout the evening. The Jackson family was also honored for their continuing commitment to sustainability. Headed by Katie Jackson, the company is a leader on many sustainability efforts including water, energy and land conservation programs.

    Earl and Dot Holtz were honored next on stage as the 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees. Respectively 84 and 83, the couple has dedicated 104 years to supporting the local agriculture industry. With Earl working in the dairy industry and Dot educating youth, their contributions to Sonoma County are invaluable.

    The night’s final recipient was the Lee Walker Family who have been farming apples on the same ranch in Graton for 107 years. The family patriarch, Lee Walker, said the award was especially important to the family because the award represented the time and passion the entire family put into the business, even though the majority don’t work for the family business.

    The awards were followed by a live action including a hot air balloon ride donated by Blue Star Gas, a trip to Cabo and an exclusive opportunity to host a private event at the La Crema pavilion with 106.3 The Bull.

    Bistro lights donated by Sonoma Clean Power glowed over the tables as the sun set and the evening came to an end. Sonoma County Farm Bureau thanks everyone who made another Love of the Land a success! From guests and sponsors to wineries pouring and great food by Preferred Sonoma Caterers, we appreciate everyone’s support. A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the event possible, we couldn’t do it without you!

    Courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Living with Wildlife at Hopland REC

    Hopland, Calif., (August 21, 2017) – In December 2016 we held our first workshop to share research and allow community conversation regarding ranching in an area rich in carnivores and the challenges that this poses. On August 31st we will be offering the follow up to this event, explaining current research efforts and the new data that has been collected on various methods of predator prevention.

    We hope you can join us!

    Living with Wildlife: New and Emerging Research

    Date: August 31, 2017

    Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Registration from 8:30am)

    Event Details: A series of brief research updates by UC ANR and other UC colleagues will detail ongoing work in the science and history of non-lethal carnivore control. Field demonstrations will allow direct experience of traditional and emerging non-lethal tools, including fencing types, guardian dogs, turbo fladry, Foxlights and e-Shepherd collars. Facilitated dialogue among diverse participants will be integrated throughout the day’s presentations including a rancher panel with representatives from the beef and lamb sector and from the coast to further inland. We look forward to hosting a range of speakers and participants, understanding new findings, building new partnerships, and moving toward solutions to manage for livestock and natural resource conservation.

    This workshop promises to be of value to ranchers, agencies, non-profits, researchers and all those with an interest in tackling the challenges associated with ranching in a landscape rich in wildlife.

    We hope you can join us at Hopland for this important and exciting event!

    $25 per person, includes lunch.
    No one turned away due to lack of funds – email hbird@ucanr.edu for more details

    Contact: Hannah Bird (707) 744 1424 ext 105 hbird@ucanr.edu

    Sponsor: Hopland Research and Extension Center/UC Berkeley

    Location: Rod Shippey Hall, UC Hopland Research and Extension Center 4070 University Road, Hopland CA 95449

  • Attendee Registration Now Open for Inaugural Organic Grower Summit

    Monterey, Calif., (August 17, 2017) – General attendee registration is now open for the inaugural Organic Grower Summit (OGS), slated for December 13-14 in Monterey, CA. A joint production between California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and Organic Produce Network (OPN), OGS will bring together organic growers, producers and processors for two days of education, information and networking opportunities with organic production supply chain and service providers.

    Attendee registration is $399, with discounts available for CCOF members. The registration includes all activities and events associated with the event, including opening reception, breakfast, educational sessions, keynote presentation, lunch and trade show floor.

    Over 50 sponsors have confirmed their attendance to date at the event, with more than half of the 72 available trade show booths sold. Among participating exhibitors are leaders in the fields of seed, packaging, soil amendments, food safety and ag technology who will be connecting with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors and food safety experts.

    “The Organic Grower Summit offers an important opportunity for agricultural producers and leaders to network and stay on top of the latest trends in organic production,” said Cathy Calfo, CCOF Executive Director/CEO, “The overwhelming enthusiasm for this gathering speaks to its importance for California’s organic and agricultural community.”

    Educational session panels at OGS will range in topics including farm soil management, environmentally sustainable packaging, advances in agricultural technology, and a discussion with elected state and federal officials on key issues facing agriculture. Among confirmed speakers are Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Miles McEvoy, deputy administrator at USDA-AMS; plus additional keynote presentations and speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, OGS is finalizing an educational Outreach Program for PCA, PRC and qualified applicators to kick off the event. Attendees are eligible for two hours of approved continuing education credit and will learn about new requirements for pesticide use near schools and worker protection standards.

    “The response to the event has been resoundingly positive from the organic community. They see the benefit of an event connecting organic growers and farmers with those on the supply and service provider side of the business. As organics continues to grow, the need for expanded education and information throughout the organic production community will be vital to our continued success,” said Tonya Antle, co-founder of OPN. “Our relationship with CCOF in putting together the OGS indicates we are producing the right event at the right time in bringing our community together.”

    For further information about the first-ever Organic Grower Summit, visit www.organicgrowersummit.com

     

  • Tickets are on sale now to the Farm-to-Fork dining experience benefiting the CA State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm

    Sacramento, Calif., (August 16, 2017) – Join us for the 2017 Blue Ribbon Brunch at the California State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm on Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

    The Blue Ribbon Brunch is a three course farm-to-fork feast with the best fresh, local ingredients, plus award-winning wines, beers and desserts from the California State Fair competitions.

    The Second Annual Blue Ribbon Brunch features farm-to-fork inspired meals by the official chef of the California State Fair, Keith Breedlove and guest chef Jill Campbell.

    Guests can stroll through the farm enjoying freshly picked vegetables and fruits while they sip award winning wines and beers.

    Tickets are $100.00 and are tax deductible. The Friends of the California State Fair hosts this major fundraiser for the Kaiser Permanente Farm. The proceeds from the Brunch help to add new fruit trees, cover expenses for planting new California-grown crops, farm equipment, supplies, tools and programming materials that are needed for the Fall and Spring Farm Tours from year-to-year.

    Buy your ticket here!

    The California State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm offers K-6 grade students a unique, hands-on experience that shows them first-hand where their food comes during Spring and Fall Farm Tours at Cal Expo. Over 2500 students this year have experienced what it takes to plant, maintain and manage a farm from the 2017 CA State Fair Spring Farm Tours.

    The California State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm Tours are offered for six weeks in the spring and fall. The 2017 Fall Farm Tours begin September 12 and run through October 19. They are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. School sign-ups are going on now at http://www.castatefair.org/farmtours/ . There is a nominal fee of $5 per student for the tour.

    “… the first challenge we have as teachers is to get students to buy in. Once they step foot on The Farm, they’re sold”, said Josie Peavy, 2nd grade teacher American Lake Elementary School.

    The CA State Fair Farm grows over 90 varieties of fruits and vegetables all year long from kiwi, squash, eggplant, chili peppers, corn and melons to pumpkins and even cotton. The tours give students insight on what it takes to grow and produce healthy food. Students will see actual crops including a functioning greenhouse. They will participate in five learning stations: Grow it- they will explore seeds; See it: they will see what the seeds turn into; Save it: the newest methods for growing plants; Plant it: they can plant seeds; and Taste it: they will be able to taste the foods grown on The Farm.

    The Farm’s fresh produce also goes a long way to providing healthy food to those in need all year long. We donate the majority of the fruits and vegetables to the Sacramento Food Bank. In 2016, Cal Expo donated 12,788 pounds of produce. Through June of this year, we have already donated 7,082 pounds. The Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services provides free emergency goods and services to 135,000 men, women and children each month. A fraction of the produce is used as for students to taste on the school tours and in cooking demonstrations at the California Kitchen during the CA State Fair.

    The Farm does more than grow food; it grows knowledge and enriches the lives of area youth and even peaks the students’ interest to pursue careers in California’s number one industry: Agriculture.

    “My students still talk about The Farm. We actually extended our farm unit by planting wild flowers to try and attract the bees, because they found out that the bee population was disseminating so they wanted to help out. And that was something they thought of on their own”, said Peavy.

    Please consider supporting events like the Blue Ribbon Brunch to make California State Fair Kaiser Permanente Farm School Farm Tours available to all students.

  • UC Stone Fruit Day at Kearney Ag Center, August 9

    UC Stone Fruit Day

    Wednesday, August 9, 2017

    9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

    Kearney Agricultural Center

    9240 S. Riverbend Ave, Parlier, CA

    This meeting is free and all are encouraged to attend

    TOPICS

    • Tour of the 21st Century Peach Orchard Planting, including discussion of rootstock, tree architecture and density, pruning and light management
    • Design and management of subsurface drip systems for fruit trees
    • Water and nutrient movement in subsurface drip systems
    • Tree monitor and remote sensing
    • Water management to reduce fruit doubling

    SPEAKERS

    • Kevin R. Day, Pomology Advisor, UCCE
    • Becky Phene, Pomology Research Associate, UCCE
    • Claude Phene, Water Scientist Emeritus, USDA
    • Caleb Crawford, Pomology Lab Assistant, UCCEFor further information please contact Kevin R. Day at krday@ucanr.edu or 559-684-3300.