California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • CAWG Foundation Awards $30,000 in Student Scholarships

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

    “We are excited about the amazing students we honored with scholarships this year,” said Steve Heringer, chair of the CAWG Foundation board of directors. “Each of our scholarship award winners has shown tremendous focus, tenacity and accomplishment in pursuit of their educational goals. The CAWG Foundation is pleased to help these inspirational young adults reach their academic dreams and believes they can accomplish great things for themselves, their families and communities in the future.”

    Each year the CAWG Foundation board selects at least seven 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 $433,000 in scholarships. Funds are raised through the generous donations of members of the California Association of Winegrape Growers 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. An additional $4,000 scholarship was awarded this year to a high-caliber applicant. The two-year college scholarships are $2,000 each for students attending a California community college.

    The Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship was created by the family of Bob Miller, a California wine industry leader who helped establish the Central Coast as a leading wine grape growing region. The scholarship invests in the future of Central Coast students who plan to study viticulture or enology at either Allan Hancock College or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and pursue a career in the region’s wine grape industry. This year, scholarships were awarded to two Cal Poly-bound students.

    2018 CAWG FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

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

    Juan Rosa Guardado, Firebaugh, Firebaugh High School

    Liliana Villeda, Tulare, Tulare Western High School

    Four-Year University Scholarship Recipient / $4,000

    Nancy Gonzalez Andrade, Cloverdale, Geyserville New Tech Academy

    Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipients / $2,000 each

    Gloria Ramirez Barrera, Yuba City, Yuba City High School

    Luis Herrera, Ione, Argonaut High School

    Yuri Terrones, San Andreas, Calaveras High School

    Mariana Albor Villagomez, Santa Rosa, Analy High School

    Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipients / $1,000 each

    Samantha Grisaffi, Arroyo Grande, Arroyo Grande High School

    Chloe Kline, Modesto, Thomas Downey High School

    ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS

    Below are excerpts from the students’ essays and letters of recommendation:

    Juan Rosa Guardado, Firebaugh, Firebaugh High School

    Juan and his family moved to the U.S. from El Salvador to obtain a better standard of living. Financial and other difficulties did not deter his enthusiasm to learn and desire to excel. He worked diligently to succeed – taking nearly every AP class offered – and is now ranked No. 1 in his class with a 4.4 GPA. Juan is a member of the Academic Decathlon, California Scholarship Federation and FFA, and he volunteers for a migrant program that assists families. “Juan’s abilities and dedication as a student leave me no doubt about his ability to succeed at any college he should choose to attend,” his teacher wrote. Juan plans to attend UC Merced and major in computer science and engineering with a minor in business. “I aspire to achieve my goals and to share my success with my community despite the economic difficulties I will have to conquer,” Juan wrote.

    Liliana Villeda, Tulare, Tulare Western High School

    Liliana is the daughter of Mexican immigrant field workers who faced financial hardship. Life’s circumstances propelled her to go above and beyond academically and surpass intellectual expectations. Liliana has a 4.4 GPA, is ranked No. 1 in her class and has received numerous academic and FFA awards. Over the past four years she been an active member of FFA, a California Scholarship Federation member and a volunteer for numerous organizations. She has balanced school and extracurricular activities with a job throughout high school. “Liliana will use her education to build a successful life for herself, but also to build up her community,” her teacher wrote. Liliana plans to attend UCLA and major in human biology (pre-medicine). “I would be extremely grateful if awarded this money because it would prove that hard work, dedication and dreaming big ultimately pay off,” Liliana wrote.

    Nancy Gonzalez Andrade, Cloverdale, Geyserville New Tech Academy

    Nancy has seen how her immigrant parents have worked hard, struggled financially, handled a serious health issue and made sacrifices for the family. She has developed a strong desire to persevere and succeed – for herself and her family. Nancy is a straight-A student who is actively involved with the California Scholarship Federation, student council, MEChA, the school newspaper and yearbook, and sports. She also participates in the Upward Bound Program at Sonoma State University and as a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club. “Nancy’s personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments,” her teacher wrote. Nancy would like to attend UC Davis, major in neuroscience and explore a career as a psychiatrist or neurologist. “Attending college will help me expand my academic knowledge, gain new experiences, set a positive example for my younger sisters and make my parents proud,” Nancy wrote.

    Gloria Ramirez Barrera, Yuba City, Yuba City High School

    Gloria was three years old when her family moved from Mexico to the United States. She was always taught that education is a gateway to success. Since a young age she has applied herself academically and has worked hard for the past four years to be on the honor roll. Gloria is involved in the Spanish Honor Society and MEChA, a student organization through which she volunteers in her community. She has held a job in agriculture for the past year to help save for college. “It is evident that Gloria cares deeply and is committed to all she sets her mind to,” her school counselor wrote. Gloria became interested in a science-related career in seventh grade. She plans to attend Yuba College, transfer to Chico State to major in biology, and become a forensic scientist. “Attending college is truly something I feel passionate about and hope to achieve,” Gloria wrote.

    Luis Herrera, Ione, Argonaut High School

    Luis is an ambitious and well-rounded student who has taken advantage of many opportunities in and outside of school. A 4-year honor roll student, he has been a member of the Art Club, Catholic Club and Link Crew, which helps freshmen feel more welcome at school. Luis volunteers as a school office assistant and at his church. In addition, he played recreational soccer for many years and participated on cross country and track teams. “Luis is a reliable, courteous and hard-working student. He is most deserving of this scholarship opportunity,” his teacher wrote. Luis has also gained real-world experience working for vineyard operations. His goals are to become an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force Reserves and pursue a college education. “I am aware of the opportunities that await me…as well as the hours of studying and hard work in order to achieve my goals, and I am proud to say I am ready,” Luis wrote.

    Yuri Terrones, San Andreas, Calaveras High School

    Yuri is constantly trying to improve herself with extracurricular activities, academics or volunteering at her church’s bible school. She has been actively involved in FFA for four years – raising sheep, attending conferences and achieving degrees and awards. One of her biggest accomplishments is that she qualified to receive her California State FFA degree, which requires over 500 hours of project work. “Yuri has set goals for herself, and I know without a doubt that she will achieve them,” her teacher wrote. Yuri’s parents did not have the opportunity to attend college and thus faced struggles in their personal and professional lives. So, she understands the value of education and intends to pursue a career in cosmetology and interior design. “For me and my family, it would be an honor to attend Butte Community College and be one step closer to my dreams,” she wrote.

    Mariana Albor Villagomez, Santa Rosa, Analy High School

    Mariana did not speak English when she moved to the U.S. four years ago. But since then, she has embraced academics and volunteering in her community. She volunteers for the Work Ready Program, as a math and English tutor, and as the president of her high school’s MEChA club. “Her commitment to her community and her academic success has made her a role model,” Mariana’s teacher wrote. She is now the only one in her family who has the chance to pursue higher education. Mariana’s goal is to attend Santa Rosa Junior College, transfer to Sonoma State University and eventually become a Spanish teacher. “I want to continue my education to become an inspiration to the Latino community and other Latino students who may have the same struggles as me,” Mariana wrote.

    Samantha Grisaffi, Arroyo Grande, Arroyo Grande High School

    Samantha has demonstrated a strong work ethic balancing school, volunteer activities and a job. She credits her parents for showing her that with hard work comes success. Samantha has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school while showing her leadership through Link Crew and the LGBTQ+ Club. She also donates blood as a way to give back to those in need. “I find it very inspiring to see a young adult so focused on life in order to become the best she can be,” her school librarian wrote. Samantha plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, major in wine and viticulture, and someday work at a winery and grow grapes. “I am passionate about the field of wine and viticulture because of the many different processes to grow and transform grapes into wine. This scholarship will help with…pursuing my dreams in this field of study,” Samantha wrote.

    Chloe Kline, Modesto, Thomas Downey High School

    Chloe has shown resilience despite her family enduring setbacks with employment and a house fire. She has remained focused on academics, sports, activities and volunteerism. A scholar athlete, Chloe has maintained a high GPA while participating on the water polo and swim teams the past four years. She also serves as an assistant coach for the girls’ swim team. Chloe is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Blue Crew Club and other school clubs, and she volunteers in her community. “I have no doubt that whatever she ends up doing she will bring her intelligence and passion into the work,” her teacher wrote. Chloe has been accepted into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s wine and viticulture program and wants to continue her family’s farming history by pursuing a career at a Central Coast winery. “My community and school helped me discover my passion for agriculture and leadership,” Chloe wrote.

  • Western Growers’ Statement on Administration’s H-2A Reform Initiative

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released a joint cabinet statement on modernizing the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program. In response, Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

    “Any effort to simplify and streamline the federal government’s visa program for agricultural foreign workers – the H-2A program – will be welcomed by our members.

    “While we do not know what the end result will be of the process that begins today, we are hopeful it will enable greater utilization of the H-2A program by the fresh produce industry. We would hope this process will lead to changes in several areas of the existing program, including changes that would accomplish the following:

    • modernize and reduce unnecessary cost of recruitment methods;
    • improve the scope and accuracy of prevailing wage surveys;
    • simplify the application process;
    • incorporate greater flexibility for movement of workers to respond to production needs;
    • clarify interpretations of seasonality; and
    • streamline the approval process for housing and transportation.
    Tom Nassif, Western Growers CEO

    “While this effort to implement administrative changes are most welcome, key aspects of the H-2A program can only be modified by statute. We have grown accustomed to fluctuations in the program’s processes with each administration. Indeed, administrative improvements undertaken by one administration can be, and are, undone by the next, as was done by the prior administration.

    “Though we do support changes to the H-2A program to make the process more efficient, we are concerned with the suggestion that E-Verify would be a part of this proposal. Changes to H-2A should be made to improve the system for the use of all, and any implication that necessary reforms would be limited to those that use E-Verify is concerning.

    “This is why we continue to call on Congress to enact immigration reform legislation that provides a workable path to legalization for our existing workforce and creates a new guest worker visa program to ensure ready access to an adequate supply of labor in the future. Only then can America’s fresh produce farmers plan for long-term sustainability.”

  • Ag Advocacy Group Discusses Legislation at Annual Event in Sacramento

    Members of the California Women for Agriculture (CWA) walked the halls of California’s state capitol last week as part of the organization’s annual statewide meeting in Sacramento.

    “As an all-volunteer organization, CWA is in a unique position to influence our legislative leaders, including California’s Senators and Assembly Members,” said CWA State President Sara Reid Herman. “Sharing our experiences, and how proposed legislation affects us has a profound impact because it comes from the heart. We can offer a unique perspective and legislators appreciate our candid input.”

    Formed in 1975, the CWA is the most active, all-volunteer organization in the state, and its members are actively engaged in public relations, education and legislative advocacy on behalf of agriculture. Several statewide meetings are held throughout the year to brief members on current and proposed legislature affecting California agriculture, as well as ways to better promote the industry in their communities. One of the annual meetings is hosted in Sacramento where members can meet with representatives to discuss issues relevant to the agriculture industry.

    “While providing food is incredibly important, those of us that are involved or interested in doing so are a very small part of the population,” continued Herman. “Legislation, while often well-intended, can have a huge impact of what we do every day. We all have a responsibility to share our voice and passion.”

    Legislative advocacy is one of the three main focuses for the CWA. Before its annual meeting in Sacramento, supporting materials are sent to all California Senators and Assembly Members to encourage productive dialogue regarding current agriculture affairs. After a day of meetings, a legislative reception is held to further encourage networking.

    “When the CWA first formed in the mid-70s, it was rare to see a group of informed, dedicated and confident women walking the halls of the capitol,” stated Herman. “Now, we make it a point to come together as a team every year, and work towards creating positive change in our industry.”

    Herman noted that the CWA’s focus has now shifted from legislation to preparing for its largest fundraiser event, the Ag Boosters BBQ on September 9th at Borba Ranch in Madera. Herman plans to continue to build organization through fostering new internal and external relationships at CWA events scheduled to take throughout the remainder of this year.

    For more information regarding the CWA, please visit www.cawomen4ag.org, or connect with the organization through its Facebook (facebook.com/CaliforniaWomenforAgriculture), Instagram (instagram.com/StateCWA) and Twitter (@StateCWA) platforms.

    About California Women for Agriculture
    The CWA’s mission is to promote and develop the interest of California women involved or interested in agriculture and to promote a strong agriculture industry in California. CWA’s efforts are guided by five principle objectives: to speak on behalf of agriculture in an intelligent, informative, direct and truthful manner; to keep CWA members informed on legislative activities pertaining to agriculture; to join forces when the need arises to deal with agricultural issues and challenges; to improve the public image of farmers and; to develop a rapport with consumers, educators, and governmental & business leaders in communities throughout the State.

  • American Vineyard Foundation Funds $1.4 MM for Wine & Grape Research

    The American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) is pleased to announce new funding for twenty-four projects addressing critical viticulture and enology research needs.   The AVF relies on voluntary contributions to support ongoing projects and to provide funding for new high priority projects.  “Thanks to the generosity of nearly one-thousand grower and vintner members, the AVF continues to drive research solutions to the challenges we face in our vineyards and wineries,” remarked AVF Chairman Tony Stephen.

    The AVF received 68 proposals for grant consideration covering topics diverse as “Exploring Wine Protocols to Mitigate Smoke Taint” and “Evaluating Fine Root Response to Drought” to “Next Generation Trunk Disease Diagnostics.” Each proposal was evaluated by one of the six AVF review committees for scientific merit, the ability to accomplish stated objectives and to deliver value to the industry.

    AVF members are surveyed on a periodic basis to determine which issues are in most need of research.  “We encourage broad participation when we conduct our 2018 Industry Research Priority Survey later this year,” AVF Manager Scott Deitrick emphasized.  “This is your opportunity to identify and rank your top research priorities to help guide AVF project funding going forward.”

    To view the full list of 2018 funded projects and browse prior research summaries, please visit www.avf.org

    About the American Vineyard Foundation – The American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) is a California corporation organized in 1978 by the American Society of Enology and Viticulture as a vehicle to raise funds for research in viticulture and enology. Basic and applied research has made the American grape and wine industry the world’s leader. The AVF provides a unique opportunity to unify the industry through an industry-wide research effort to maintain this progress. For more information visit www.avf.org

  • CA Wine Sales Hit $35.2 Billion in U.S. Market

    California wine shipments in the U.S. reached an estimated retail value of $35.2 billion in 2017, up 3% from the previous year. The state shipped 241 million nine-liter cases in the U.S. in 2017, up 1%.

    California wine sales to all markets, including shipments to the U.S. and exports worldwide, were 278 million cases in 2017.

    “Consumers in the U.S. and worldwide continue to trade up to higher-priced premium wines,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, Wine Institute President and CEO. “The quality, selection and commitment to sustainability make California wines well-positioned for growth.”

    “California wine sales in the U.S. market have grown 15% in the past decade from 209 million cases shipped in 2008 to 241 million cases in 2017,” said Jon Moramarco, founder and managing partner of BW166, and editor of the Gomberg-Fredrikson Report. “Last year the growth mainly came from premium wines priced over $10.”

    According to Moramarco, demographic trends play a significant role in wine sales. While per capita consumption has been flat over the last decade, wine sales have grown in line with the legal drinking age population, which increased roughly 10 percent over the same time period. Additional trends impacting sales included wineries focusing on tasting room and direct-to-consumer sales, which accounted for nearly $2.7 billion in retail value and 5.8 million cases in 2017. Wineries also found opportunities in independent, local restaurants with wine menus listing limited production wines to appeal to consumers shifting their spending to these smaller eating establishments.

    2017 California Wine Stats

    “Wine is growing but in a more challenging environment, with rapid and broad retail and consumer changes,” said Danny Brager, Senior Vice President of Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area. “Wine selling locations in the U.S. are up 20% from a decade ago to 565,000 off- and on-premise locations, with a wide range of formats such as natural/gourmet grocery stores, no frills/value-based formats, theaters, premium bars and fast/casual on-premise outlets. There is also a diverse range of consumers, from Millennials who have less disposable income than a generation ago to Baby Boomers who are retiring and likely slowing their wine consumption as an increasing number of Americans are entering their golden years. Marketers need to find the right balance in attracting these diverse sets of consumers. E-commerce is increasingly having an impact on expanding consumer access to wine, and wineries are working on several digital platforms where wine is being sold,” he explained.

    According to Nielsen-measured U.S. off-premise sales, top-selling varietals by volume are: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blends, Pinot Grigio/Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Moscato/Muscat, Rosé and White Zinfandel/Blush. Rosé continues to be a phenomenal growth story, with sales volume jumping 60% compared to the previous year.

    Total shipments of sparkling wine and champagne to the U.S. reached 26.3 million cases in 2017. Up 8% from the previous year, sparkling wines/champagnes accounted for a 7% share of the U.S. wine market.

    The U.S. Wine Market
    Wine shipments to the U.S. from all production sources — California, other states and foreign producers — grew 1% to 403.4 million cases in 2017, with an estimated retail value of $62.2 billion, up 2% from the previous year. The U.S. has remained the world’s largest wine market by volume since 2010. California’s 241 million cases shipped within the U.S. in 2017 represent a 60% share of the U.S. wine market.

    U.S. Wine Exports
    U.S. wine exports, more than 90% from California, reached $1.53 billion in winery revenues in 2017. Volume shipments were 380 million liters or 42.2 million cases. The European Union’s 28-member countries were the top market for U.S. wine exports, accounting for $553 million; followed by Canada, $444 million; Hong Kong, $119 million; Japan, $94 million; China, $79 million; South Korea, $25 million; Mexico, $23 million; Singapore, $17 million; and Philippines, $14 million.

    CALIFORNIA WINE SHIPMENTS1
    (In millions of 9-liter cases)
    Year California Wine Shipments to All Markets in the U.S. and Abroad2 California Wine Shipments to the U.S. Market2 Estimated Retail Value of CA Wine to U.S.3
    2017 277.9 240.7 $35.2 billion
    2016 279.7 239.1 $34.3 billion
    2015 278.2 233.7 $32.6 billion
    2014 273.0 229.7 $31.3 billion
    2013 263.8 221.2 $29.7 billion
    2012 250.4 210.8 $29.0 billion
    2011 265.5 224.3 $28.5 billion
    2010 246.1 206.3 $28.5 billion
    2009 253.2 213.8 $27.6 billion
    2008 255.3 208.8 $26.1 billion
    2007 241.2 198.3 $24.8 billion
    2006 235.8 196.9 $24.4 billion
    2005 231.6 194.1 $23.0 billion
    2004 226.3 182.4 $22.2 billion
    2003 211.9 177.0 $20.8 billion
    2002 195.4 168.3 $21.5 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates and U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Preliminary. History revised.

    1Includes table, champagne/sparkling, dessert, vermouth, other special natural, sake and others. Excludes cider.
    2Excludes bulk imports bottled in U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs.

    WINE SALES IN THE U.S
    (Wine shipments in millions of 9-liter cases from California,
    other states and foreign producers entering U.S. distribution)
    Year Table Wine1 Dessert Wine2 Sparkling Wine/
    Champagne    		 Total Wine Total Retail Value3
    2017 336.3 40.8 26.3 403.4 $62.2 billion
    2016 333.2 41.2 24.4 398.8 $61.1 billion
    2015 325.6 40.2 21.7 387.5 $57.4 billion
    2014 323.7 34.6 20.6 378.8 $55.5 billion
    2013 327.0 31.6 18.9 377.5 $52.3 billion
    2012 319.5 30.3 17.9 367.7 $50.8 billion
    2011 308.1 31.4 17.5 357.0 $48.6 billion
    2010 290.8 28.9 15.4 335.0 $46.5 billion
    2009 282.4 27.2 14.0 323.5 $45.2 billion
    2008 272.2 27.7 13.6 313.5 $45.0 billion
    2007 272.5 26.7 13.9 313.0 $43.5 billion
    2006 258.8 24.3 13.6 296.7 $41.5 billion
    2005 255.4 22.5 13.1 290.9 $38.5 billion
    2004 245.3 20.3 13.2 278.8 $36.2 billion
    2003 237.0 17.6 12.0 266.6 $34.0 billion
    2002 222.5 15.9 11.5 250.0 $33.0 billion

    Sources: Wine Institute, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, and Estimates by BW166/Gomberg, Fredrikson & Associates. Preliminary. History revised. Excludes exports. Excludes cider as of 2011 going forward. Totals may not add up exactly due to rounding.

    1Includes all still wines not over 14 percent alcohol, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    2Includes all still wines over 14 percent alcohol and sake, including bulk imports bottled in the U.S.
    3Estimated retail value includes markups by wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs. Includes on- and off-premise expenditures.

  • New Dairy Princess Crowned
 in Fresno County

    Monserrat Vazquez of Fresno Selected as District 8 Dairy Princess

    Monserrat Vazquez of Riverdale was selected as the 2018 Dairy Princess for the California Milk Advisory Board’s (CMAB) District 8. The crowning took place before a crowd of approximately 100 dairy industry members and their families and friends, on Friday, April 27, 2018, at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall in Fresno.

    Retiring Dairy Princess Jennifer Garcia ended her reign by turning over the title to Monserrat and wished her well as she represents the California dairy industry throughout the coming year.

    Monserrat will represent District 8, which includes Fresno and Madera counties. As Dairy Princess, she will play an important role on the CMAB’s Communications Services team in meeting community relations objectives.

    Monserrat is the daughter of Gustavo Vazquez and Patty Garcia of Riverdale. She is a senior at Riverdale High School and plans to attend California State University, Fresno with a long-term career goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. Monserrat is an active member of Riverdale FFA, where she has served as an officer and competed in many contests. She shows dairy cattle at the Big Fresno Fair.

    First Alternate, Elizabeth Martin, is the daughter of Patrick and Sherry Martin of Fresno. She is a junior at Washington Union High School. Elizabeth is an active member of the Washington Union High FFA where she has participated on the dairy and sheep show teams. She plans to attend a four-year college and major in agricultural education and minor in dairy science in hopes of becoming an agriculture teacher.

    Miss Vitality 2018 was Drew Vogt of Kingsburg. Drew is the daughter of Bill and Devon Vogt of Kingsburg. She is a junior at Immanuel High School and very active in FFA. She is a member of the dairy cattle evaluation team and is the current San Joaquin Regional FFA president. Drew shows sheep and swine and competes in public speaking contests with FFA.

    Elizabeth will assist the new District 8 Dairy Princess in her duties, which include speaking on behalf of the California dairy industry at schools, service clubs, with the media, and at numerous public events throughout the year.

    In addition, the Dairy Princess and her Alternate will attend a training session with workshops on presentation development, promoting the California dairy industry and leadership and etiquette tools.

    The emcee for the event was Hal H. Bolen II. Contestants were judged on poise, personality, speaking ability, education and dairy background. Judges for the contest were Matt Alvernaz of Livingston, Lauren Evangelo of Hanford and Barbara Matheron of Hilmar. The event chairpersons were Lucy Areias of Fresno and Melannie Rollin of Riverdale. The Dairy Princess Contest was catered by Blair Harlan Catering of Riverdale. Photos were by Ashley Loyd photography of Riverdale.

  • Alfalfa Project Reports Massive Water Savings

    The Alfalfa Project (TAP) recently released its environmental impact report of the last three years, sharing that water usage on alfalfa farms using its precision agriculture practices and subsurface drip irrigation dropped by nearly half. The 47% water savings totaled 3.1 billion gallons of water over three years on 1,100 acres during 2015-2016 and 1,430 acres during 2017 that took part in the project.

    San Joaquin Valley farmers still face the threat of water scarcity and state-mandated management of their water use. “These results demonstrate not just the promise of The Alfalfa Project but its real-world benefits to farmers and California’s environment,” said Tyler Bennett, founder of The Alfalfa Project.  “With our farmers facing multiple pressures to reduce their water usage significantly, The Alfalfa Project offers a unique path forward to help them not just manage their water use but actually improve their yields and strengthen the health of their business. It is a way to address the challenges ahead while improving agricultural practices and results.”

    The Alfalfa Project was created with the goal of converting 350,000 acres of alfalfa in California’s San Joaquin Valley from traditional flood or sprinkler irrigation to subsurface drip irrigation, and from conventional farming practices to precision farming practices. The conversion of the 350,000 acres is expected to take three to five years. Full project implementation would reduce water usage by more than 400 billion gallons of water annually while increasing crop yields and farmer profits, based on the results released by TAP today.

    As a comparison, the state average water use per person is 85 gallons per day or 31,000 gallons per year. The water savings TAP announced today would be enough to supply the annual water needs of 100,000 Californians. The fully scaled project would save over 400 billion gallons of water annually, enough to supply the annual water needs of over 12 million Californians, and is also equivalent to roughly half of the water California conserved during the state’s mandated reduction in water use from June 2015 to February 2017 (total state savings of 2.6 million acre feet or roughly 847 billion gallons).

    Alfalfa in California primarily is used as feed for dairy cows and is one of three key forage crops. “As farmers, we know we have to re-think how we approach our practices given the realities of sustainability and the mandates that will come with new groundwater regulations,” said Stephen Maddox Sr. of Maddox Dairy. “What is critical is that we don’t inadvertently hurt our farms, our dairy and cattle industries and our state’s critically important agricultural economy. We feed not just California, but our country and the entire world.”

    TAP works using a program called Precision Alfalfa Management (PAM), which begins with the engineering design and installation of a subsurface drip irrigation system. The subsurface drip irrigation allows for water and fertilizer to be spoon fed directly to the alfalfa plant root system. Underground drip tape, originally invented in Israel, delivers a uniform application of water and fertilizer by controlling hydraulic pressure throughout the entire system. Subsurface drip irrigation has been proven as the most efficient irrigation method and it gives farmers more control than any other method.

    In addition, the PAM program addresses specific issues such as water sources, cost and water quality, soil characteristics and plant health, hot-spot mitigation, and a gopher control plan. PAM operates on the ground and from the air to evaluate and adjust programs to current and future conditions including continual soil moisture and crop monitoring and reporting as well as irrigation scheduling – amount, frequency, and duration.

    “Based on the rigorous, independent study, TAP clearly has potential to help farmers save significant amounts of groundwater while increasing the crop yield,” Bennett said. “With the coming increased water regulations all farmers will face, the need for efficient irrigation methods such as TAP that consistently produce high-quality crops has never been higher.”

    As well as its significant water conservation, the TAP project also increased alfalfa yields. The California state average yield for alfalfa in 2015 was 6.9 tons, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The audited results for TAP for the years 2015 and 2016, covering the 1,100 acres of independently owned alfalfa fields, and 1,430 acres in 2017, was an average of 12.77 tons, meaning that cumulatively over the three years, TAP has increased production of 21,308 tons of alfalfa.

  • Westlands Water District Selects New General Counsel

    On May 15, 2018, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors appointed Jon D. Rubin to the position of General Counsel, effective June 1, 2018.
    Mr. Rubin brings to the District a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to help handle the many issues and pressures the famers and people of Westlands face every day.
    As General Counsel, Mr. Rubin will work under the direction of the Board of Directors, in coordination with the General Manager, to manage the District’s legal affairs. In addition, Mr. Rubin will provide legal guidance to the Board of Directors and the District’s senior management staff.
    Mr. Rubin has represented Westlands and other Central Valley Project agricultural water service contractors during his entire 20-year legal career. Immediately prior to accepting the position of Westlands General Counsel, Mr. Rubin was employed as General Counsel by the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA). The SLDMWA is comprised of 28 water agencies, including Westlands, that deliver water to more than 2 million acres of land within the western San Joaquin Valley, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties.
    “Jon Rubin has proven over the years to be a tireless advocate for agencies that serve water to farmers, urban populations, and wildlife refuges,” said Westlands President Don Peracchi. “His legal experience and dedication to the diverse water interests of south-of-Delta CVP contractors make him a tremendous asset for the farmers in Westlands. We are fortunate to have him.”
    Mr. Rubin has been married for 14 years to his wife, Elaine. They have two children, Zachary, who is 11, and Jaymeson, who is 9. When not working, Mr. Rubin enjoys spending time with his family and the outdoors.

  • UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) Recognized for Education Efforts

    UC Davis SBC Education Director Rale Gjuric

    UC Davis is excited and proud to announce the placement of UC Davis SBC Education Director Rale Gjuric on EUROPEAN SEED’s list of highly influential people in 2017. In a time where seed companies worldwide are having trouble filling their breeding vacancies, Rale has been instrumental in spearheading education efforts that have trained numerous students. Under his leadership, the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy has offered 15 classes worldwide since 2006 that were attended by 281 breeders from over 60 countries, making this organization the most recognized program of its kind.

    Read about Rale in European Seed article: http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/files/283367.pdf or full article at: http://www.european-seed.com/docs/books/volume-5/issue-2/inc/pdf/flipbook.pdf.

    The next class of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy in Davis starts in September 2018.  The registration is still open for the few remaining spots.  For more information on the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy contact Joy Patterson at jpatterson@ucdavis.edu or visit http://pba.ucdavis.edu.

    The mission of the Seed Biotechnology Center (SBC) is to mobilize the research, educational and outreach resources of UC Davis in partnership with the seed and biotechnology industries to facilitate discovery and commercialization of new seed technologies for agricultural and consumer benefit.  As part of its educational program, the UC Davis SBC offers a variety of courses catered to the needs of seed industry professionals.

    UPCOMING COURSES

    Seed Biology and Quality, June 19-21, 2018, Davis, CA

    (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Seed_Biology_and_Quality/)

    Seed Business 101 Field Crops, August 20-24, 2018, St. Charles, IL

    (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Seed_Business_101/Seed_Business_101_-_Field_Crops/)

    Program Management for Plant Breeders, September 18 – 20, 2018, Davis, CA
    (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Program_Management_for_Plant_Breeders/)

    Seed Business 101 Horticulture, December 3-7, 2018, Davis, CA

    (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Seed_Business_101/Seed_Business_101_-_Horticulture/ 

    Seed Production, February 12 – 14, 2019, Davis, CA USA

    (http://sbc.ucdavis.edu/Courses/Seed_Production/)

  • NEW STUDY REVEALS CA CITRUS ECONOMIC IMPACT 

    Citrus Research Board Quantifies Industry Importance

        The total economic impact of California’s iconic citrus industry is $7.117 billion according to a new study commissioned by the Citrus Research Board (CRB).

    Bruce Babcock, UC Riverside

    “In updating our economic analysis, we selected a well-known expert, Bruce Babcock, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of California, Riverside, to conduct the research. His findings quantified the significant impact of citrus on California’s economic well-being,” said CRB President Gary Schulz.

    According to Babcock, the California citrus industry added $1.695 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016. “California citrus is a major contributor to the economic value of the state’s agricultural sector and is much larger than just the value of its sales,” he said. “Estimated full-time equivalent California citrus jobs totaled 21,674 in 2016-17, and estimated wages paid by the industry during that same timeframe totaled $452 million.”

    Babcock added, “The application of management skills and capital equipment to efficiently utilize land and water to produce high-quality citrus also generates upstream and downstream jobs and income that magnify the importance of citrus production beyond its farm value.”

       In 2016-17, the most recent marketing year of data compilation, Babcock found that the total direct value of California citrus production was $3.389 billion. This value generated an additional $1.263 billion in economic activity from related businesses that supplied materials and services to the citrus industry. Layered on top was another $2.464 billion in economic activity generated by household spending income that they received from California’s industry, according to Babcock, thus rendering a total economic impact of $7.117 billion.

    The study revealed that 79 percent of California’s citrus was packed for the fresh market and 21 percent was processed in 2016-17, which is economically significant because fresh market fruit has a higher value than processed fruit.”

    Of further note, California produced about 95 percent of all U.S. mandarins in the most recent reporting season.

    Joel Nelsen, President of the California Citrus Mutual

    California Citrus Mutual President Joel Nelsen commented, “The “wow” factor in this report is something as it relates to gross revenues and positive impact for the state, people and local communities.  This enthusiasm must be tempered by the fact that huanglongbing (HLB) can destroy all this in a matter of a year if the partnerships that exist between the industry and government cannot thwart the spread of this insidious disease.  Just this week, coincidentally, Brazil authorities reported a 20% reduction in fruit volume.  Reading how that would affect our family farmers, employees and the state is sobering.”

    The CRB study also looked at the possible impact of a potential 20 percent reduction in California citrus acreage or yield or a combination of the two that could result from increased costs associated with meeting government regulations, combatting the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and warding off the invasion of HLB, a devastating disease that has decimated citrus production in many other growing regions such as Florida. Babcock calculated that such a reduction could cause a loss of 7,350 jobs and $127 million in associated employment income and could reduce California’s GDP by $501 million in direct, indirect and induced impacts. The CRB currently is devoting most of its resources to battling ACP and HLB to help ensure the sustainability of California citrus.

    Babcock is a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and has won numerous awards for his applied policy research. The economist received his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and his Masters and Bachelors degrees from the University of California, Davis.

    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. Read the full report on the “Economic Impact of California’s Citrus Industry” Here.