California Ag Network

Category: Grape Industry

  • Record Government Purchase of California Raisins Announced

    With California raisin harvest underway, growers are confident that more of their raisins will have a home domestically due to record USDA purchases of their raisins announced recently.  Watch this brief interview with Raisin Bargaining Association representatives Charles Salmon and Dwayne Cardoza for more details on the government buys and the status of price negotiations for the 2023 raisin crop.  And save the date for the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on November 10, 2023 at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds for American Vineyard’s annual State of the Raisin Industry Report.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor the U.S Department of Agriculture for their industry support.

  • California Farmland Trust Race to Slow the Pace 5k/10k, Sept. 17

    California Farmland Trust (CFT), a non-profit dedicated to preserving the best farmland in the country, is proud to announce the title and presenting sponsors of the third annual Race to Slow the Pace 5k/10k on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Bokisch Vineyards in Lodi, CA.

    Title sponsors of Race to Slow the Pace, The John and Jeani Ferrari Family Foundation are local long-term supporters of farmland protection. As growers and landowners themselves, the Ferrari’s passion for agriculture is deeply rooted throughout Stanislaus and Merced counties.

    “John and I are committed to fighting irresponsible land development,” Jeani Ferrari said. “Our nation depends on the highly productive farmland of the Central Valley of California, not only for food security, but also for quality, variety and affordable food. It has to be organizations like CFT to keep this region from becoming another L.A. County. We feel good about our support of Race to Slow the Pace because it’s a good concept that people can get involved in.”

    Presenting sponsors of Race to Slow the Pace, Farm Credit Alliance institutions AgWest Farm Credit, American Farm Credit and CoBank are avid supporters of the agriculture community. The cooperatively owned lending institutions’ specialization in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses make them a trustworthy source for farmers and landowners.

    Located in Contra Costa County, our presenting sponsor Dwelley Family Farms has maintained the sustainable production of a large variety of premium fruits and vegetables since 1921. Their conventional and organic produce can be found at their local fruit stand or at retail outlets across the Bay Area. Generations of diligence have led Dwelley Family Farms to provide communities with tasty, healthy, sustainably grown products.

    “We’re thrilled to have the support of agriculture advocates in this event geared towards connecting consumers with farmland protection,” said California Farmland Trust Executive Director Charlotte Mitchell. “All sponsors have demonstrated commitment to our farmlands and we’re grateful that they’ve chosen to support CFT and our efforts to protect California farms.”

    For details and how to register, visit www.cafarmtrust.org/racetoslowthepace.

    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 17,606 acres of farmland on 81 family farms. To learn more visit us: www.cafarmtrust.org.

  • California Table Grape Growers Report Significant Loss Due to Summer Storm

    While California farmers generally appreciate a good rain, there are certain times of the year when even a little rain can have a devastating effect on certain crops.  Hurricane Hilary brought a very untimely summer storm that has impacted up to 40% of California’s entire table grape crop.  With the bulk of the nation’s table grape supply grown in California, time will soon tell what kind of impact the unexpected reduction in supply will have on the marketplace.  Watch this brief interview with Fresno County table grape grower and crop insurance provider Doug Benik to learn more about the impact and status of this year’s table grape crop. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Rootstock Performance on Young and Mature Autumn King Grapevines

    If you missed Grape Day at the Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center this year, be sure to watch this brief interview featuring Ashraf El Kereamy and Tian Tian from the UC Cooperative Extension, who reported their recent trial observations on the performance of both young and mature Autumn King table grapes on various rootstocks and read more about grape growing in the new Table Grape Tasks column of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Sonoma Winegrowers Team Up With San Francisco Giants, Featuring Local Wines

    Building on the success of their partnership which began shortly before Spring Training this year, the Sonoma County Winegrowers and the San Francisco Giants are teaming up for a “Sonoma in the City” theme in the Cloud Club, one of Oracle Park’s private lounges. During twelve (12) home games from August 25 through September 13, the Cloud Club will exclusively feature wines, winegrowers and wineries from the iconic region.

    The San Francisco Giants historic hiring of Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein last year established  the team as the first professional sports organization to invest in the wine industry.  This partnership underscores the Giants dedication to providing exceptional gameday experiences by cultivating the look, taste and feel of Sonoma County throughout the Cloud Club for all visitors.

    “This is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase Sonoma County’s diverse, world-class wines to the San Francisco Giants community and fans,” said Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. “There is nothing like enjoying Giants baseball with some of the region’s finest wines while spending time with friends and family. We are proud to partner with the Giants and believe our wines embody the experience of a memorable day at Oracle Park.”

    The Cloud Club is a private lounge on the Suite Level of Oracle Park that affords extraordinary views of the field, San Francisco Bay and Oakland Hills. The Club features rotating decor and programming that celebrates the art, culture, culinary scene, famous personalities of San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods, and now, Sonoma County wine country.

    During exclusive wine tastings and events, the Cloud Club will feature several wineries, including Bucher Vineyards, Lando Wines, Kosta Browne Winery, DaVero Farms & Winery, O’Connell Family Wines, Inman Family Wines, Lynmar Estate Winery, Paul Hobb’s Crossbarn Winery, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, MacRostie Winery, Bricoleur Vineyards and Cartograph Wines. Six (6) Sonoma County wines will also be regularly available at the Cloud Club bar from J. Vineyards, Bricoleur Vineyards, The Calling, Inman Family Wines, Dutton-Goldfield Winery and Kenwood Vineyards. The featured wines will highlight the wide range of grape varieties that are grown in Sonoma County’s 19 distinct American Viticulture Areas (AVAs).

    “We’re so excited to bring Sonoma County wine to Giants fans to help create memorable connections,” continued Kruse. “Baseball and wine have much in common, so engaging with an important and beloved franchise like the Giants is a perfect pairing.”

    Sonoma County Winegrowers and the San Francisco Giants will also launch a new video series titled, “Giants in Sonoma”,  across digital channels, in-ballpark and TV, hosted by Evan Goldstein and Giants ambassador Amy G.  The videos highlight the region and the unique intersection of wine, viticulture and baseball with accompanying stories from Rodney Strong Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards and Sangiacomo Family Wines.

    Sonoma County Winegrowers

    Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grape growers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world.  In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023.  SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).  Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org.

    San Francisco Giants

    One of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, the 140-year-old franchise moved to San Francisco from New York in 1958. After playing a total of 42 years in Seals Stadium and Candlestick Park, the team moved to the privately constructed, downtown ballpark on the corner of 3rd and King in 2000. The organization is widely recognized for its innovative business practices and baseball excellence having been named in the past decade the Sports Organization of the Year by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal, Organization of the Year by Baseball America and ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year. Oracle Park is also the only ballpark in the country to have earned Silver, Gold and Platinum LEED certification for an existing building.

    Since opening its gates, Oracle Park has become internationally renowned as a premier venue in the world of both sports and entertainment. On the diamond, more than 67 million spectators have witnessed countless magical moments, including three World Series Championships (2010, 2012 & 2014), the raising of four National League Pennants and eight playoff appearances. The ballpark has also hosted some of music’s biggest acts, including Lady Gaga, Beyoncé & Jay Z, Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Green Day and Billy Joel.

  • Jackson Family Wines Invests in Climate-Friendly Varietals

    As California wine grape growers work to adapt to ever-changing environmental pressures, watch this brief interview with Gillian Handelman from Jackson Family Wines relating their recent experience incorporating less common, climate friendly wines into their portfolio. Read more about growing “climate friendly wines” in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • California Growers Face High Mildew Pressure, Delayed Grape Harvest

    It’s been a while since California growers have experienced a wet year with a plentiful snowpack and water supply.  Weather conditions this season, though, have pushed harvest back for most grape growers and powdery mildew pressure has been unusually high for growers that didn’t stay on their spray programs with just the right timing.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor George Zhuang as he explains, and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Professor Spang Takes Helm of Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science

    Edward “Ned” Spang has been named director of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, or RMI, at the University of California, Davis. Spang, an associate professor with the Department of Food Science and Technology, began his new position on Aug. 1. He succeeds wine chemist Andrew Waterhouse, professor emeritus with the Department of Viticulture and Enology, who retired in June after five years as RMI director.

    The Robert Mondavi Institute is home to the university’s winemaking, brewing and food science programs, and their facilities. Through public education events and lectures, the institute provides the departments of Viticulture and Enology, and Food Science and Technology a prestigious forum for collaboration and outreach, built around the central mission of enhancing public understanding of wine, brewing and food sciences.

    Spang brings broad expertise on the relationships between food, water and energy to the institute, which connects faculty and students with a large network of scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, consumers and industry professionals engaged in wine, brewing and food science. Spang said he’s looking forward to continuing to shine a spotlight on the innovative wine and food research and education programs on campus.

    “I’m really excited to build on the great history of the Robert Mondavi Institute,” Spang said. “It’s been so successful at bringing people together to celebrate the joy of food and wine and to highlight different voices and perspectives from across the wine and food communities. It’s truly an honor for me to continue this work as the new director.”

    Spang first joined UC Davis 12 years ago as associate director of the Center for Water-Energy Efficiency, where he led a team of researchers studying ways to improve how resources are used by managing water and energy together. He’s been with the Department of Food Science and Technology faculty since 2015. He’s the faculty advisor for the Food Loss and Waste Collaborative, an interdisciplinary research program on campus focused on developing solutions and innovative approaches to reduce loss and waste throughout the food life cycle.

    He also dedicates his time as a board member for the Yolo Food Bank to ensure the community has access to healthy foods. The topic of food security is an important issue that Spang hopes will spur meaningful conversations about how to improve access to nutritious foods for our campus population and the broader region.

    “Anytime you take a position like this, you want to add some of your own flavor to the programming,” Spang said. “I’ve been working on the topic of food and sustainability for a long time, so I’ll be pursuing some things in that area that will be exciting for both the students and the community.”

    Helene Dillard, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said Spang is ideally prepared to support the mission of the college and the institute.

    “We are very excited for Professor Spang’s vision and commitment to the future of the RMI,” Dillard said. “His experience in working across disciplines, reaching diverse audiences and connecting with communities will ensure that the RMI continues to reach public and academic audiences and support our mission of ‘enhancing our quality of life through wine, brewing, and food sciences.’” — By Tiffany Dobbyn, UC Davis College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

  • Celebrating 100 Years of USDA Grape Breeding in the Central Valley of CA

    Strategically positioned in the nation’s center of grape production — the Central Valley of California, 2023 marks 100 years for the USDA’s raisin and table grape breeding program at their agricultural research facility, currently based in Parlier, CA. Watch this brief interview with Summaira Riaz, the current head of grape breeding at this one-of-a-kind research station, as she highlights some of the major milestones of this program over the years, and her expectations moving forward. Read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine. (Editor’s Note/Correction: Craig Ledbetter was referred to at 3:27 as ‘caretaker’ of the the program, when in actuality, he formerly held Riaz’s position as head of the grape breeding program following David Ramming, and is much appreciated for his accomplishments with the Agricultural Research Service.)

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Congressman Valadao Introduces Package of Bipartisan Bills to Support Specialty Crop Producers

    Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) introduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry – the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. Specialty crops are a cornerstone of California agriculture – the state produces the most specialty crops in the country both in quantity and diversity, with over 400 different commodities produced in the state per year.

    “Our specialty crop producers in California have faced many challenges over the last few years. From supply chain backlogs at our ports, rising input costs, labor shortages, and drought – farmers have continued growing our nation’s food despite these obstacles,” said Congressman Valadao. “Specialty crop producers face unique challenges, and we need to ensure they are better equipped to handle them. These bills make technology and resources available to our specialty crop producers so they can access new markets and remain competitive.”

    “American farmers produce some of the best quality and nutritious food in the world. Our fresh fruit and vegetable industries are critical to our food security and rural economies,” said Congressman LaMalfa. “I’m pleased to join my colleagues in cosponsoring these important pieces of legislation for our specialty crop producers and California agriculture.”

    “California produces over half of the nation’s fresh produce. But supply chain disruptions, COVID-19, and the drought have made it more difficult for specialty crop producers to put food on America’s dinner table,” said Congressman Costa. “I’m proud to support these pieces of legislation to equip producers with the tools they need to access new markets and safeguard our food supply chain.”

    “CFFA is proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this effort to expand the promotion of the U.S. specialty crop industry domestically. Many healthy specialty crops are grown in the U.S. and should be enjoyed by all Americans. The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2023 will enhance the opportunity of American growers, including CFFA members, to better market their produce to U.S. consumers. CFFA thanks Congressman Valadao and Congressman Costa for their bipartisan partnership to support American farmers and consumers,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association Ian Lemay.

    California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay (Photo by Matthew Malcolm)

    “CFFA is proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this collaborative effort to help equip farmers with the tools and technologies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I would like to thank Congressman Valadao and Congressman Costa for their partnership to support the needs of American agriculture. This bill will not only support farmers, but also their employees, to ensure that America continues to a global leader in agricultural production,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association Ian Lemay.

    The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act would create a program that helps specialty crop producers market their products to access American markets. It replicates the popular Market Access Program (MAP) through USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) specifically for specialty crop producers to break into niche domestic markets. Rep. Valadao was joined in introduction of the bill by Reps. Darren Soto (FL-09), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act makes it easier for specialty crop producers to remain competitive in the face of labor shortages by making expensive automation technology more accessible to producers. This bill aims to create a reimbursement-based cost-share program which would permit growers and processors to invest more in these time and money-saving technologies. Rep. Valadao was joined in introduction of the bill by Reps. Jim Costa (CA-21), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Dough LaMalfa (CA-01).

    Read the full text of the bill here.