California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Weed Control During Pollinator Habitat Establishment

    Pollinator insects are essential to produce many economically and nutritionally important crops grown in the western USA. These crops include blueberries, almonds, sunflowers, cucurbits, and many others. Almond pollination in California plays a vital role in the apiary industry, driving beekeepers to haul huge numbers of bee colonies to California for the few weeks in late winter when almonds bloom. Bees are selective of the pollen and nectar they forage, and diverse floral resources can allow bees to forage according to their nutritional needs (Leponiemi et al. 2023). Planting pollinator habitat in natural areas, gardens, and agricultural land is one method of supporting bee health. Irrigated agricultural land in the western USA can be an excellent resource for bees during the dry summer when flowers are rarer. However, the resident weeds in these settings are often not of high nutritional quality for hungry pollinators. To make matters worse, pollinator habitat in agricultural fields can be choked out by competition from weeds. Our control plots from these studies (Figure 1) demonstrate that point effectively.

    Objective:

    The studies described here attempt to use herbicides to improve the chances for success in pollinator habitat establishment.

    Methods:

    Three locations in Oregon’s Willamette Valley were selected for studies. Two were hazelnut orchards watered with drip irrigation, and one was a field plot set up for sprinkler irrigation. Each location received different soil preparation. The first orchard location (Corvallis) was not tilled, and soil compaction issues were present. The second orchard location (Amity) was power-harrowed, so the top two inches of soil were loosened. The third location (Lewis-Brown Research Farm) was plowed and disked.

    All three locations were seeded in the fall with a set of flowering species with potential for pollinator habitat (Table 1).

    Table 1: Species and seeding rates used for pollinator habitat establishment in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

    These species were planted in rows, and herbicide treatments were applied over the top perpendicular to planting rows (Table 2). Four herbicides were applied post-emergence, and the rest were applied one day after planting (pre-emergence). Glyphosate treatments were only included in the orchard trials. Experimental plots were set up as a randomized complete block design with four replicates, and each species was treated as a separate experiment. A crop oil concentrate at 1% v/v was included for Motiff (mesotrione) and Basagran (bentazon), while a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% was included for Matrix (rimsulfuron) and Quinstar 4L (quinclorac). All post-emergent treatments (and glyphosate) included ammonium sulfate (AMsol 1% v/v).

    Table 2: Trade name, active ingredient, and rate of herbicides applied to pollinator habitat species. Pre-emergent herbicides were applied at planting, and post-emergent herbicides were applied 30 days after crop emergence.

    In Amity, competition from perennial grasses resulted in poor stand establishment. A grass-selective herbicide (clethodim) was used, and the site was reseeded six months after the initial planting when soil conditions were appropriate.

    Results and discussion:

    Site differences.

    Drastic differences were seen between sites. Table 3 shows how crop coverage differed between the three sites for each species.

    Coverage at the Corvallis site was deficient for all species except hairy vetch.

    Several species did very well at the Amity location. Phacelia in the glyphosate plots was exceptionally well established due to glyphosate’s good control of perennial grasses that were not killed by the power harrow.

    Lewis-Brown (LB) plots had the best crop establishment initially. However, this location had intense pressure from perennial weeds, so the initial crop establishment did not translate to superior pollinator habitat. The plots at LB where Alion was applied produced a good stand of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) by the end of the trial, which the bees loved.

    Table 3: Crop Coverage for each species at each location is shown here. The values reported are from the treated plots with the highest coverage.

    Pre-emergent treatments

    Pre-emergent herbicides often had inconsistent pollinator species safety; however, several combinations seemed safe. Napropamide was safe for Phacelia, Gilia, Clarkia, and Lobularia, while flumioxazin and pendimethalin were safe for poppy (Table 5). All five species only had adequate crop establishment at two of the three locations. Hairy vetch establishment was improved by simazine applications at all three locations, but crop coverage was not significantly different from the untreated control for this species (Table 5). Figure 2 shows the treatment by species combinations that were sometimes safe versus the combinations that were consistently safe for the planted species.

    At the two orchard sites, glyphosate treatments were the best for Gilia, Phacelia, and poppy establishment (Table 5).

    All three trials were conducted on fine soils with organic matter content ranging from 2-7% (USDA-NCSS soil survey). The safety of pre-emergent herbicides for pollinator species establishment may vary depending on soil characteristics.

    Post-emergent treatments

    Post-emergent (POST) applications were challenging to evaluate for safety. Weed control efficacy was inadequate, and so often, crop establishment was not good enough to confidently assess crop injury.

    One exception was hairy vetch. This species exhibited good tolerance to a post-emergent application of Basagran, a result seen at all three locations. The results from two trials suggest that Clarkia tolerated POST applications of Quinstar. Not enough data were collected to conclude the other four species. See Table 4 for crop coverage data.

    Conclusions

    Site preparation was an essential consideration in our study. Soil compaction and perennial weed pressure must be addressed to have a successful pollinator habitat planting. It was also clear that pre-emergent herbicides can improve habitat establishment, but safety must be adequately established. This is especially true of different soil types and environments. In California’s Central Valley, pendimethalin has been seen to occasionally cause injury in poppy plantings, which is in contrast with this study. — By Marcelo Moretti (Oregon State University) and Ryan Hill (UC Cooperative Extension)

    Table 4: Spring crop coverage (%) from plots treated with post-emergent herbicides one month after planting, which happened the prior October. Missing data from Phacelia and Lobularia at LB is due to crop loss from frost injury.

    Table 5: Spring crop coverage for pre-emergent herbicide treatments applied just after planting, which happened the prior October. Phacelia and Lobularia experienced winter kill at the LB location, so reported data is coverage from December for that location.

    Figure 2: Crop coverage pictures from two months after planting the Lewis-Brown research farm show that the planted species (rows) tolerated several pre-emergent herbicides (columns). A black outline surrounds successful combinations seen in at least one of the other two trials. Combinations that were never seen to be successful again are surrounded by a red outline.

    References:

    Leponiemi, M., Freitak, D., Moreno-Torres, M. et al. (2023). Honeybees’ foraging choices for nectar and pollen revealed by DNA metabarcoding. Sci Rep 13, 14753. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42102-4

    Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available online at the following link: http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/.

  • Organic Trade Association Awarded $2.5 Million to Open Untapped Export Markets

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to announce it has been awarded $2.5 million to open and develop untapped export markets for U.S. organic products through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP).

    The award will help fund market development activities over a 5-year period from June 1, 2024, to September 30, 2029. The activities will focus on boosting U.S. organic exports to Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean — areas beyond the U.S.’s traditional top customers of Canada, Mexico, the European Union and China.

    “Consumer and trade promotional activities historically funded by USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program have been key to opening foreign markets to U.S. organic exports and creating trust in the USDA Organic seal globally. With the allocation of $2.5 million from RAPP funding, the trade association is excited to further develop and expand our global consumer and trade promotional activities,” said Sarah Gorman, Manager of International Trade for OTA.

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week the first $300 million tranche of the RAPP awards. In a press call with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Vilsack said the investment underscores USDA’s commitment to addressing challenges related to creating new and better markets for American farmers.

    “Given the rising demand for organic products globally, and especially in Latin America and Southeast Asia, this additional funding offers a significant opportunity for U.S. organic exporters to explore and enter developing markets, driving growth for American organic farmers and industry while contributing to healthier, more sustainable food systems in the region,” said Tom Chapman, co-CEO for the trade association.

    USDA launched the $1.2 billion RAPP in 2023 in response to a bipartisan request from the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. RAPP’s aim is to diversify and expand market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products into new markets in parts of the world where the middle class is growing and the desire for high-quality food and farm products is increasing.

    OTA market development activities will include designing consumer-focused retail and educational campaigns that highlight the health benefits of organic foods and the quality of USDA-certified organic products, participating in trade shows and organizing trade missions in the targeted countries, and conducting market research to fully understand the preferences of consumers and better position U.S. organic for success in those markets.

    OTA has represented the U.S. organic sector in USDA’s market development programs for more than 20 years, most recently receiving more than a million dollars in funding from USDA’s MAP  to promote U.S. organic products around the world in 2024.  OTA’s member companies provide the bulk of all U.S. organic exports. The market promotion activities administered by the association are open to the entire organic industry, however, not just members. For more information or to sign up for activities, visit OTA’s website.

    About the Organic Trade Association

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing more than 500 organic businesses across 50 states and 9,500 farmers through its Farmers Advisory Council. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.

  • Partnership, Funding Award to Advance South of Delta Drought Resiliency Pilot Program

    The United States Department of Interior, United States Bureau of Reclamation, along with the Friant Water Authority (FWA), San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA), and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority (SJRECWA), are pleased to announce the execution of a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a South of Delta Drought Resiliency Framework. This partnership establishes a program and advances projects that increase regional climate resilience in the San Joaquin Valley, and its implementation is being advanced through funding provided by the United States Bureau of Reclamation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) and the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), which nearly doubled the annual funding provided to the Bureau of Reclamation over eight years. Today marks a significant milestone to improve climate resilience for the communities, farms, and ecosystems served by the Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. ​

    Over the past decade, California has experienced unprecedented hydrologic variability, recording six of the driest years as well as two of the wettest years in California’s nearly 100-year historical hydrologic record.  While the historic unpredictability of hydrology in the state is the reason the CVP was built to begin with, the impacts of ever growing regulatory constraints on project operations has exacerbated the hydrologic variability, resulting in significantly reduced reliability of CVP water supplies for the Water Authorities’ member agencies. The Authorities involved in this MOU have collectively identified projects and potential actions aimed at enhancing drought resiliency south of the Delta, which will be referred to as the “South of Delta Drought Resiliency Framework.”

    The MOU establishes a cooperative and collaborative approach to implement drought resiliency projects and provides a framework for the Parties to work together, set short and long-term goals, and ensure successful implementation. The MOU is a living document that will evolve and change over time, with periodic updates to reflect progress made and new components identified. ​

    Key components of the Framework include: ​

    1. The development and implementation of a Drought Plan that allows participating entities to voluntarily conserve and securely store or exchange a portion of their CVP south of Delta deliveries for use in future years with lower supplies, in addition to supporting the advancement of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
    2. Allocation of Costs for Large Extraordinary Maintenance (XM) Projects, including the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC) Subsidence Correction Project.
    3. Commitment by the Bureau of Reclamation and SJRECWA to develop processes to ensure that the San Joaquin River Restoration Program can provide specific flows past Sack Dam via the San Joaquin River to Mendota Pool.
    4. Resolution on the Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir Project by FWA and the Exchange Contractors to ensure it supports the objectives outlined in the Drought Plan.

    “It is critical that we not only continue to invest in new infrastructure to capture and store water to prepare for future dry years, but that we work collaboratively to make the most of the resources we currently have. This agreement marks a new level of cooperation that will help to mitigate the impact of droughts on urban, agricultural, and environmental water users in our region, and to advance the goals of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program while maintaining water rights. We appreciate the collaboration of our partners as well as the Bureau of Reclamation for their commitment and resources for this effort,” said Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority.

    “As water operations certainty continues to decrease, and once reliable supplies become less so, it’s critical for water agencies and water managers to work together to find creative ways to meet our common goals”, said Jason Phillips, CEO of the Friant Water Authority.  “The agreement between our neighbors in the Valley, the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, as well as our partners at the Bureau of Reclamation, will help bring some predictability to water allocations and will help to provide certainty for the farms and communities we represent.  These efforts and outcomes are not easily achieved, but are a welcomed development and hopefully a sign of more partnering in the future.”

    “Today’s announcement is a positive step forward to improve climate resilience for the urban and rural communities, wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts, and agricultural productivity that the Water Authority’s member agencies support,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “This partnership – coordinated between the federal government and south of delta water users – and associated funding award will allow us to implement projects to improve our ability to manage water supplies across the dry years we know will come. This year’s allocation highlights the water supply reliability challenges that impact our members across all year types and further reinforces the need to develop proactive solutions to improve reliability. Today’s announcement advances one such solution and establishes a framework for south-of-delta water users and Reclamation to work together to improve outcomes for the San Joaquin Valley.”

    The South of Delta Drought Resiliency Framework represents a significant step towards ensuring a more reliable water supply for communities, farms, and ecosystems dependent on the Central Valley Project.

    The Exchange Contractors Water Authority, Friant Water Authority, and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority express their gratitude for the funding provided by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and emphasize the need to secure additional funding to move these projects forward.

    About the Project Area
    The CVP water supplied by the Water Authorities member agencies serves approximately 2.5 million acres of agricultural lands within the San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and San Benito Valleys, a portion of the water supply for nearly 4 million people, including in urban areas within Santa Clara County referred to as the “Silicon Valley,” Fresno and Kern Counties, and millions of waterfowl that depend upon up to 200,000 acres of managed wetlands and other critical habitat within the largest contiguous wetland in the western United States.

    FWA is a joint-powers authority formed in 2004 by public agencies that receive water from the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project. Its primary purposes are to operate and maintain the Friant-Kern Canal and to serve the information and representation needs of its member agencies.

  • Student Ambassador, Samantha Gambonini to Share California Dairy Messages with International Audience

    Samantha Gambonini of Petaluma has been selected to represent the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in South Korea during the 2024 CMAB International Internship Program.

    Gambonini was chosen based on academic achievement, her connection to the California dairy industry, and her willingness to travel abroad to learn more about international dairy sales and marketing. The goal of the International Internship Program is to provide young agriculture and dairy college students an opportunity to learn about dairy foods and marketing in the international marketplace, with a focus on developing leaders who will serve on dairy industry boards, work in dairy foods processing, or in sales or marketing.

    Over the six week period, Gambonini will spend time with in-country CMAB marketing organizations in South Korea to gain a better understanding of markets, consumer buying habits, and promotional efforts on behalf of California’s dairy industry.

    “California currently accounts for around 33 percent of all U.S. dairy exports so international trade is essential for our continued growth. Over the last decade and a half, the CMAB has worked closely with partners in South Korea to develop markets for California dairy products. This program is focused on providing insight into international dairy marketing for future leaders,” said Glenn Millar, Director of International Business Development for the CMAB.

    Gambonini is currently working towards her B.S. in Agricultural Education at Washington State University, where she serves as the Social Media and Events Coordinator for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Club, as well as an Officer for the Agricultural Education Club. Gambonini was an active member of FFA, where she showed dairy cattle and served as the North Coast Region FFA President and Vice President. She also served as District 2 Dairy Princess from 2021 to 2022. Upon completion of the internship program, she will continue to advocate for the dairy industry, and hopes to incorporate this passion into her career.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X and Pinterest.

  • Almond Leadership Program Raises Over $21,000 for FFA Scholarships

    The Almond Board of California’s Almond Leadership Program (ALP) swung into action once again, hosting its annual golf tournament on Thursday, May 2, at the Dragonfly Golf Club in Madera. With 32 teams comprising a total of 128 enthusiastic golfers, the event teed off at 8 in the morning and concluded with triumph and camaraderie at 2 in the afternoon.

    The day wasn’t just about perfecting that swing or sinking that elusive putt; it was about rallying together for a common cause — supporting the future of agriculture. This year’s tournament proved to be a hole-in-one for fundraising efforts, as it soared past the $21,000 mark. Every penny raised will be funneled into FFA scholarships, ensuring that budding agriculturalists have the financial support they need to nurture their dreams and ambitions.

    The winning quartet, comprising of Ian Hudson, Mark Mallin, Danny Miller, and Max Sparrer, showcased not only their golfing prowess but also their commitment to the cause. Meanwhile, the event’s success owes much to the dedication of ALP program participants Zac Days and Ryan McCoon, who served as co-chairs, steering the tournament towards success.

    The tournament provided a platform for industry members and FFA students alike to converge, forging bonds and making memories — all while championing a cause close to their hearts. The significance of these scholarships, as highlighted by ABC’s Rebecca Bailey, cannot be overstated. “College is expensive, so being able to support students as they pursue higher education will help to ease financial and stress-related burdens,” she emphasized.

    In the grand tapestry of California agriculture, events like the ALP’s golf tournament serve as threads that bind communities together, weaving a future with promise and possibility.

    For those interested in joining the ranks of future agricultural leaders, applications for the 2025 Almond Leadership Program will begin to be accepted in October. For more information, reach out to Rebecca Bailey at rbailey@almondboard.com.

    In the end, it’s not just about sinking putts; it’s about raising hopes, one swing at a time. — By the Almond Board of California

  • USDA Funding to Address Specialty Crop Export Challenges

    U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor today announced the availability of funding for the first five projects under the new Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative.

    The ASCE initiative is part of USDA’s commitment to create more, new and better markets at home and abroad for U.S. producers and agribusinesses. The innovative partnership between USDA and the specialty crops sector will focus on projects to address the non-tariff trade barriers that hinder U.S. exports of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, horticultural crops and related products.

    “Today, USDA is committing more than $20 million to support U.S. specialty crop exporters in their efforts to overcome trade barriers and open overseas markets,” Under Secretary Taylor said. “We’re excited to be accepting proposals from partners interested in implementing projects that will target cross-cutting issues that were identified in our discussions with a diverse set of stakeholders. U.S. specialty crop exports totaled $25.8 billion last year, increasing the bottom line for our producers and driving economic development in their local communities and beyond. With the ASCE initiative, we look forward to expanding specialty crop exports and generating even greater benefits.”

    The project opportunities for which USDA is accepting applications are:

    Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab – to support research and implementation projects that advance U.S. specialty crop exports through innovative solutions to emerging overseas regulatory requirements for packaging and labeling;

    Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) Regional Harmonization – to address existing and potential trade needs in Asia, Latin America, and Africa related to MRLs for U.S. specialty crops entering these regions, while supporting development of risk-based and trade-facilitative policies that are consistent with international standards such as Codex;

    Import MRL Guideline Implementation in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economies – to support establishment of import MRLs in key U.S. export markets through the adoption and implementation of official APEC MRL guidelines that facilitate trade and are consistent with international standards such as Codex;

    Data Generation for Codex and Harmonized MRL Setting – to reduce the number of missing and misaligned MRLs by supporting collaborative research and data generation capacity for the establishment of Codex MRLs; and

    MRL Quick Reference Sheets for Specialty Crops – to develop a set of quick reference sheets for specialty crop exporters that include MRLs for the top foreign markets.

    After touring the packaging materials lab at the University of Wisconsin-Stout today, Under Secretary Taylor said, “The work being accomplished by these students and researchers will help create innovative, sustainable packaging materials that will help specialty crop exporters meet the requirements of our trading partners and extend the shelf-life of their products to ensure cost-competitive, highly nutritious American products move safely  from our farm to consumers’ plates globally.”

    For more information about the ASCE initiative and the current funding opportunity, visit: https://fas.usda.gov/programs/assisting-specialty-crop-exports-asce-initiative

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

  • Dr. Ty Wagoner Welcomed As Senior Manager Of California Dairy Innovation Center

    The California Milk Advisory Board’s California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) has announced the addition of Dr. Ty Wagoner as Senior Manager, a new position at CDIC.

    Dr. Wagoner brings over 10 years of experience in dairy products research and innovation to the role. He got his start as a trained chef at the California School of Culinary Arts before obtaining his BS, MS, and PhD in Food Science from North Carolina State University. His career includes dairy ingredients research at NC State, two years working with Fonterra’s R&D Center (NZ) as a part of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain Primary Growth Partnership, and a stint leading ingredient innovation in the precision fermentation industry. Dr. Wagoner’s extensive background includes the formulation of new beverages, snacks, cheese products and novel ingredients. He also led strategic initiatives and worked extensively cross-functionally with R&D and operations teams.

    “Ty’s proven record of driving innovation and his deep understanding of the dairy technology landscape make him an invaluable addition to the CDIC team,” said John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board. “This new position will play a pivotal part in our expanding innovation ecosystem.”

    As Senior Manager, Wagoner will help guide CDIC’s initiatives to support processors and entrepreneurs; develop projects focused on product, process and packaging innovation; and collaborate with CDIC’s partnering academic institutions.

    “I’m honored to join the CDIC and contribute to its mission of advancing the dairy industry through innovation,” said Wagoner. “I’m enthusiastic about the industry’s potential and look forward to collaborating with the team to grow opportunities identified for the dairy processing community in California.”

    Dr. Wagoner’s appointment underscores CDIC’s dedication to recruiting and developing top-tier talent to drive progress and innovation within the dairy industry, providing technical support to processors and entrepreneurs, and strengthening academic institutions in the state. Information about the California Dairy Innovation Center and its initiatives is available at cdic.net.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable farming practices.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department   of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    About California Dairy Innovation Center

    The California Dairy Innovation Center coordinates pre-competitive research and educational training in collaboration with industry, check-off programs, and research/academic institutions throughout the state of California in support of a common set of innovation and productivity goals. A virtual organization created by the California Milk Advisory Board, the CDIC is guided by a Steering Committee that includes California Dairies Inc., California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dairy Management Inc., Fresno State University, Hilmar Cheese, Leprino Foods, and UC Davis. The CDIC is primarily funded by California dairy producers through the California Milk Advisory Board.

  • Fresno State Jordan College Uncorks New Wine Business Degree

    Junior enology student Madasen Gutierrez got the opportunity for hands-on experience with all things related to wine at a recent Cedar View Winery position.

    The Dinuba native balanced a busy schedule for one and a half years that ranged from winemaking, assisting with finances, marketing, sales and hosting wine tasting events.

    Her time there led Gutierrez to discover that she enjoys the business and marketing side of the wine industry even more than the art of winemaking itself.

    “Wineries bring people together,” Gutierrez said, “and I enjoy seeing and being a part of that. It’s more than just the wine for many people. It’s also about making relationships and finding friends. Marketing ties directly into that appeal, while connecting consumers to products they might enjoy.”

    A new Fresno State wine business degree, being introduced by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in fall 2024, will help prepare students like Gutierrez for an array of jobs in the ever-growing and renowned California wine industry, which employed 36,000 people in 2020. That number is almost twice what it was 20 years ago, with more than 40% of the nation’s wineries are found in California.

    Additional sales, marketing, branding, administrative and business personnel are also needed by leading wine producers such E. & J. Gallo, Constellation Brands, The Wine Group and Bronco Wine Company, which have processing locations in the San Joaquin Valley that supply customers around the world.

    “The business side is so crucial, just like the winemaking, so it’s great we have a chance to focus on both (with this degree),” Gutierrez said. “The wine industry is so unique and always changing, so the more you know about a company’s operation and market trends, the more successful you can be.”

    Students pursuing the new degree will integrate courses from Fresno State’s nationally-respected Viticulture and Enology Department in conjunction with its Agricultural Business Department and other departments across campus.

    Classes will be required in the areas of accounting, computer applications, economics, finance, management, marketing, regulations, statistics, viticulture, wine evaluation and production.

    Potential electives expand into the related areas of agri-food supply chains, cooperatives, exports, event planning, food policy, labor, natural resource policy and sales.

    “Our program is tightly connected to several generations of industry leaders” said Dr. Sonet Van Zyl, chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at Fresno State, “and this degree is something they’re very excited to see finally happen. We already have a nearly 100% placement rate with our winemaking students once they graduate through internships and jobs, and there’s an equally deep field of careers in the business side, too.”

    The Fresno State Winery, the nation’s first commercially bonded winery at a university and still the largest, offers diverse sales channels from wholesale to online and countless hands-on learning opportunities. Wine business students can engage with buyers; develop promotions; utilize industry applications; take part in internships, research partnerships and field trips; and learn from guest speakers.

    Kevin Smith, who earned his MBA from Fresno State, is equally excited about the new degree. The viticulture and enology lecturer will teach many of its classes and can share a first-hand perspective after he oversaw the Fresno State Winery’s sales and marketing from 2013 to 2023.

    “There are a handful of university programs tied to wine business to some degree,” Smith said, “but none locally, or that have the resources we have here on campus. Students have a 120-acre vineyard, a winery that produces 5,000 cases of wine each year and a raisin processing facility all next to their classrooms. It’s an industry that’s very competitive, and our department is excited to work with other areas on campus to grow with it.”

    Gutierrez and other students can access a department road map to see required and elective classes before they begin fall class registration, and can officially apply for the new degree this August.

    In the interim, interested students can apply now for the viticulture or enology undergraduate degrees and switch to the wine business degree in the fall. More information on the new degree is also available by emailing Van Zyl at svanzyl@csufresno.edu. — By Evenee Gonzalez-Burgos, Fresno State University

  • U.S. Ag Exporters Invited to Join Vietnam Trade Mission

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters for a trade mission to Vietnam, Sept. 9-13, 2024. Participants will attend events in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and will also have the opportunity to engage with visiting buyers from Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia and Thailand.

    “Markets in Southeast Asia hold immense opportunity for U.S. exporters,” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor. “In 2023, the United States exported $3.1 billion of agricultural products to Vietnam, maintaining a sizable market share across several food and ag-related categories, including cotton, dairy, distillers grains, fresh fruit, poultry, soybeans and tree nuts. Through the Vietnam trade mission, as well as new efforts with the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative, USDA is confident that we can continue to help U.S. exporters grow and diversify their markets in Southeast Asia and boost economic returns for America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.”

    Trade mission participants will begin the week in Ho Chi Minh City and end it in Hanoi, connecting with key importers for business-to-business meetings and learning about local and regional market conditions through site visits and briefings by FAS staff, industry experts and government officials.

    To apply to participate in the mission, and to learn more about export opportunities in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region, please click here. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, June 4.

  • California Fruits and Vegetables Prove Some of the Safest in the World

    Newly released California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) data show that 97% of fresh fruit and vegetable samples collected and tested contain no illegal pesticide residue.

    The department’s 2022 California Pesticide Residue Monitoring Annual Report includes information on 3,281 produce samples collected from more than 500 businesses throughout California.

    Key findings from the report include:

    • 97% of fresh produce tested had no detectable pesticide residues or had residues below health-protective thresholds set by the federal government.
    • 37% of all samples collected had no detectable pesticide residues, while another 60% had residues below federal benchmarks. Just 3% of all samples had illegal residue levels.
    • Only 1% of domestically grown produce sampled and tested contained illegal residues.
    • No illegal residues were found on 78 types of produce tested, including highly consumed products like avocados and apples.
    • Of the illegal residues found, 82% were on imported produce.

    DPR samples produce from wholesale and retail outlets, distribution centers, and roadside and farmers markets. Samples include imported and domestically grown produce that have been both organic and conventionally farmed. When illegal detections are found, the department traces the produce back to the store, distributor and farmer. Produce with illegal detections are quarantined and may be destroyed to prevent further distribution of tainted products.

    Samples are analyzed by scientists at California Department of Food and Agriculture laboratories and tested for 500 types of pesticides and related compounds. The testing occurs on unwashed, unpeeled produce. Residue quantities above limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are illegal to sell. These limits are called “tolerances” and are set for specific pesticides found on specific crops.

    Violators may face fines or other penalties. In one case, results found through DPR’s monitoring led to a $10,000 fine levied by the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for illegal use of multiple pesticides on strawberries.

    In gathering produce samples, special emphasis is given to the types of produce commonly consumed by children. The department also prioritizes produce varieties with a history of illegal pesticide residues, produce originating from countries with past illegal-residue detections, and products often treated with pesticides listed under Proposition 65 as carcinogens or reproductive toxins.

    Information about DPR’s food safety program, plus past reports, can be found here.

    Watch this YouTube video on the residue monitoring program.