California’s bearing almond acreage decreased slightly over the past year, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC). It is the first time since at least 1995 that the total of bearing acres has not grown.
Land IQ’s 2024 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate issued recently looked at bearing acreage – orchards planted before 2022 and that have matured enough to produce a crop for the coming 2024 harvest. It estimated that bearing almond orchards at harvest will cover 1.373 million acres across California, a decrease of about 600 acres.
In addition, Land IQ estimates that approximately 71,000 acres of orchards will be removed by the end of the crop year, adding to the 83,000 acres removed in the 2023-24 crop year, according to Land IQ’s estimate issued in November last year.
While the bearing acreage drop may be small – far less than 1 percent – it marks the first time since at least 1995 that bearing acreage has not increased, according to numbers issued previously by the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), and with the orchard removals continues a trend over recent years of decreasing almond acreage in California.
“The decrease in bearing acreage and continued orchard removals, coupled with drops in overall acreage and non-bearing acreage the last two years, signal a probable trend toward lower overall California almond acreage,” said Clarice Turner, ABC president and CEO. “We continue to see strong shipments this year, so we know global demand for California almonds continues to grow. There is no doubt that almonds will continue to have a very significant role in California and global agriculture and food industries for the foreseeable future.”
The Land IQ report is a snapshot of the coming 2024 harvest but does not offer an estimate on the actual almond yield this 2024-25 crop year. A fuller picture of crop size will come with USDA-NASS’ Objective Report in July.
Land IQ’s estimate covers bearing acreage and removals from Sept. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024. Note that the almond crop year runs Aug. 1-July 31, so this estimate looks at the harvest for the 2024-25 crop year.
Land IQ will issue a final acreage report on the 2024-25 crop year in November that will include total acreage along with bearing and non-bearing acres. Their report in November 2023 found that California’s total almond acreage had dropped two years in a row to 1.56 million acres.
Land IQ’s Initial Estimate and its Final Acreage Estimate in November are commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds, with the first report issues in 2019. The map is the result of more than a decade of research.
About the Almond Board of California
California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. ABC is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the USDA. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto, CA. For more information on the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has released “Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection Program Fiscal Years 2024-2028 Strategy.” APHIS worked with members of the National Plant Board to develop a unified roadmap for USDA and its partners to protect American agriculture from the threat of invasive fruit flies and measure our progress along the way.
“The United States is experiencing an unusually high number of invasive fruit fly detections – the worst of its kind in 70 years,” said Mark Davidson, USDA APHIS Deputy Administrator for the Plant Protection and Quarantine program. “Invasive fruit flies are a nuisance that drive up costs of producing fresh fruits and vegetables, which can hurt both producers and consumers. Our five-year plan lays out how Federal and State partners can continue to limit the flies’ spread as we further scientific research that will help us develop better pest management tools and options.”
The five-year strategy prioritizes strengthening the following goals for fruit flies of regulatory significance:
Domestic surveillance to support early detection.
Management and emergency response to ensure timely mitigation.
Targeted and effective sterile insect technique for preventive release and eradication programs (assuring rearing facilities are maintained for efficiency and safety).
International and import efforts to mitigate against the introduction and spread of invasive fruit flies in the United States.
To address the unprecedented outbreaks of exotic fruit flies, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently released $103.5 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to fund APHIS’ supplementary emergency response activities. These funds allow APHIS to reach beyond what the agency’s appropriated funding would be able to accomplish over the next few years.
Currently, there are exotic fruit fly quarantines in eight counties in California and five counties in New York. The California Department of Food and Agriculture and APHIS have established parallel quarantines and are working with the State’s agricultural commissioners to eradicate and prevent the statewide spread of the Queensland fruit fly, Tau fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, and Oriental fruit fly in California. APHIS is also working with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to manage the European cherry fruit fly in upstate New York.
Invasive fruit flies feed on over 400 crops, including citrus and other fruits, nuts, vegetables, and berries. Fruit flies can damage fruits and vegetables when they lay their eggs under the skin of the produce. There, developing larvae make the fruits and vegetables unfit for human consumption. Infested produce may not look damaged from the outside but may take on a brown, mottled appearance as the larvae feed from the inside. Resources to combat invasive fruit fly threats are limited, so developing an efficient strategy to manage or eradicate invasive fruit flies is critical.
To reduce the spread, APHIS and affected states will work together to reduce, and to the extent possible, prevent human-assisted movement. Together, we will also promote public reporting to encourage early detection, and we will leverage the latest research and management tools available. The 5-Year Strategy drives Federal and State responders to explore new population suppression technologies, such as male annihilation technique, mass trapping, and the development of new and/or improved sterile fruit fly strains. Integrating these new technologies into the inter-agency response to invasive fruit flies will help improve the program’s efficiency.
The new strategy also builds the capacity to combat invasive fruit flies in areas at high risk of introduction and will leverage the public’s assistance to prevent further spread of these damaging agricultural pests.
Federal and State partners will also unite their research resources and share knowledge about fruit flies to limit their movement and distribution. While leveraging best practices in the field, State and Federal partners will prioritize more research on climate and host-plant suitability, as well as other effective management tools.
Federal and state fruit fly quarantines do not extend into Tribal lands, but the invasive fruit flies could impact Tribal communities near the quarantine areas. APHIS consulted with Tribes on the five-year strategy in August 2023 and will continue to engage Tribes and solicit feedback on the fruit fly management and outreach strategy.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Bogotá, Colombia, Aug. 13-15, 2024. USDA is now accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters who have interest in joining the delegation.
“Colombia represents a top-tier food and agricultural export destination for American farmers, ranchers and processors,” said Taylor. “As the second-most-populous country in South America, Colombia enjoys highly favorable demographics, coupled with 20 years of continuous economic growth, which saw a 36-percent increase in the median household income. USDA is committed to supporting and facilitating agricultural trade between suppliers and buyers throughout the Western Hemisphere, including Colombia.”
Colombia is the largest South American market for U.S. agricultural products and the seventh-largest market for U.S. food and beverage exports globally. Since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement was implemented in 2012, U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia have grown 237 percent, reaching a record $3.7 billion in 2023.
Changes in Colombians’ lifestyles – including increasingly common dual-income households, interest in healthier foods, and demand for packaged and prepared food products – bode well for U.S. exports. Furthermore, formal retail establishments, including supermarkets and mid-sized grocery stores, now account for 60 percent of food distribution nationwide.
While in Bogotá, U.S. agribusiness representatives will meet with potential importers from across Colombia, and FAS staff and local/regional industry trade experts will provide detailed market briefings. The mission will also include engagements with USDA leadership, site visits in Bogotá and the surrounding area, and multiple networking opportunities.
Colombia’s modern retail sector presents newfound opportunities for a diverse range of U.S. exports, including:
UC Cooperative Extension is hosting a Pear and Grape Day on May 28, 2024. This is the first event of its kind and we hope to provide programming like this each year for growers in California’s north coast region. The event will focus on the intersection between pear and wine grape production in the north coast. Presentations will be given by experts from University of California and other trusted organizations. Topics will include: Site Monitoring, Cover Crops, Fungal Pathogens, Common Pathogens, Soil Health, Water Use Efficiency in Perennial Crops, Insect Pests & Vectors and more. Registration is $35 and includes lunch. Space is limited, so please register soon if you wish to attend.
Two of the worst pests plaguing lettuce growers in the Salinas Valley area are aphids, specifically lettuce-currant aphids (Nasovonia ribisnigri), and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Lettuce-currant aphid is an invasive pest that sets up shop in the heart of the lettuce plant and will render the crop unsellable when it reaches high enough numbers. Thrips can both cause cosmetic damage to lettuce crops and are also responsible for the spread of Salinas impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), the fatal lettuce disease that has driven large losses since the 2020 growing season.
While effective tools exist to control both aphids and thrips, they are almost exclusively chemical. Chemical sprays are increasingly under pressure due to changes in the regulatory framework in California as well as the development of pest resistance and discoveries of key chemistries in area watersheds1,2. The UC Davis FiVE lab biological control research program addresses a growing interest in developing alternative tools for managing both pests that do not rely on chemical applications. Biological control provides an opportunity for the management of thrips and aphids that do not rely on chemical tools.
Biological control is defined as the use of natural enemies to control a target pest. Three general categories of biological control could possibly be used as management practices for lettuce pests in the Salinas Valley area:
• Conservation biological control refers to the establishment and maintenance of resources and conditions favorable to a native or endemic beneficial species. Instead of releasing predators into crop fields, specific types of flowers and other habitats are planted to attract beneficial species that are already a part of the local ecosystem. To date, most efforts on biological control in lettuce have used the conservation biological control approach.
• Inundative biological control involves the release of a beneficial insect species in large numbers with the expectation that the beneficials that are released will only provide control for a short amount of time before eventually dying out. Such releases would need to be repeated at regular intervals for the duration of the growing cycle for a crop.
• Augmentative biological control refers to the use of releases of smaller numbers of beneficials to areas where a smaller population of the species already exists, but not in numbers great enough to provide adequate control of the targeted pest species. The goal of augmentative releases is to bolster already-existent populations of beneficial species so they achieve great enough numbers to provide control of the pest or pests of interest.
Conservation biological control in the Salinas Valley
Syrphid flies
Aphid pests of lettuce have been effectively managed in some lettuce production systems through the planting of sweet alyssum adjacent to and interspersed within crop fields3. Sweet alyssum is a favorite of the Syrphid fly (Diptera: Syrphidae), the primary biological control agent used to control aphid pests in lettuce. Syrphids, also called hoverflies or flower flies, are a family of black and yellow pigmented flies which resemble bees and stinging wasps. The coloration is a protective camouflage; Syrphid flies are harmless to humans. Syrphid adults are frequently seen visiting flowers for their nectar and pollen, which the insect consumes both as an energy source and to support their reproduction.
In exchange the female Syrphid flies will lay eggs in lettuce plants with lettuce aphid infestations, the primary food source for their young. Once the eggs hatch, the syrphid maggots, which are predatory on slow, soft-bodied insects, will feed on the aphids and suppress their population. Syrphid larvae are known to be voracious; some California species have been shown to consume upwards of 100 aphids per day4!
Syrphids are the intended beneficiaries of most conservation biological control in central coast lettuce fields, but other beneficial species take advantage of these resources as well.
Other predatory species love sweet alyssum
Many other biological control agents are supported by insectary plantings5. Ladybird beetles often inhabit lettuce fields and may provide some control of lettuce aphid infestations. Common lacewings (family Chrysopidae) are also found in lettuce fields and insectary plantings. Lacewings, which are only predatory in their immature or larval life stage, can provide biological control services against lettuce aphids and western flower thrips. Minute pirate bug (Orius sp.) and aphid midges (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) have also been observed in and collected from insectary plantings in lettuce fields, but it is not known the extent to which they can suppress populations of lettuce aphid or Western flower thrips.
UC Davis Fi-VE Bug IPM Lab biological control research programs
Including insectary plantings to attract naturally occurring predators has historically been the only efficient way to get beneficial species into crop fields. Newly developed technology using drones as a dispersal tool may provide another option for growers interested in using biological control as part of their pest management programs for aphids and thrips. This technology drastically reduces the time and labor required to conduct large releases of laboratory-reared beneficial insects, making the approach more feasible for growers.
As part of a research program funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CA DPR) and in collaboration with Daniel Hasegawa at USDA-ARS and with Parabug, we are studying the release of biological control agents using drones for the management of aphid and thrips pests of lettuce crops. Our three experimental programs are as follows:
In-field inundative releases of green lacewing larvae and predatory cucumeris mites to control aphids and thrips in lettuce
In-field drone release of green lacewing eggs and predatory mites
Experiments run by former Monterey County IPM Advisor Alejandro Del Pozo-Valdivia found that a single inundative release of green lacewing eggs (Chrysoperla rufilabris) in lettuce fields reduced aphid pressure six weeks after release6. Our experiment builds on Alejandro’s work, examining whether repeated releases of green lacewing eggs throughout the lettuce growing cycle reduce aphid numbers. Additionally, the experiment includes two treatments aimed at suppressing western flower thrips: inundative releases of a species of predatory mite (Amblyseius cucumeris), and a combined release of both predatory mites and green lacewing eggs.
Augmentative releases to bolster non-syrphid predatory species in insectary strips and intercropped alyssum
An insectary strip treated with an augmentative release of Orius insidious
Other native predators of aphids and thrips are present in the insectary plantings growers use to attract syrphids, but their numbers are too low to provide suppression of thrips and aphids in adjacent crops. These species are reared by commercial insectaries, but using them in an inundative release could prove too costly for growers. Experiments in this program examine the use of smaller releases of these predatory species early in the growing cycle over insectary plantings. The goal is to determine whether the presence of floral resources allows the predators to stick around and build up enough in population to control aphids and thrips in the crop field. Experiments will be conducted with aphid midge (Aphidoletes aphidimyza), an aphid predator, and minute pirate bug (Orius insidiosus), a predator of western flower thrips.
Augmentative releases to manage thrips in non-crop areas
Drone release of thrips predators over ice plant
Western flower thrips plague not just vegetable crop fields but also the vegetation surrounding crop areas. In this experiment, we will examine whether releases of cucumeris mites and minute pirate bugs over field edges planted with ice plant will establish these predators in the vegetation and provide long-term suppression of western flower thrips. — By Ian Grettenberger and Addie Abrams, UC Cooperative Extension
Citations
Deng, X. Study 321: Surface water monitoring for pesticides in agricultural areas in the Central Coast and southern California (2022)
Gao, Y., Lei, Z. & Reitz, S. R. Western flower thrips resistance to insecticides: detection, mechanisms and management strategies. Pest Manag. Sci.68, 1111–1121 (2012).
Brennan, E. B. Agronomic aspects of strip intercropping lettuce with alyssum for biological control of aphids. Biol. Control65, 302–311 (2013).
Hopper, J. V., Nelson, E. H., Daane, K. M. & Mills, N. J. Growth, development and consumption by four syrphid species associated with the lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri, in California. Biol. Control58, 271–276 (2011).
Bugg, R. L., Colfer, R. G., Chaney, W. E., Smith, H. A. & Cannon, J. Flower Flies (Syrphidae) and Other Biological Control Agents for Aphids in Vegetable Crops. (University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2008). doi:10.3733/ucanr.8285.
Del Pozo-Valdivia, A. I., Morgan, E. & Bennett, C. In-Field Evaluation of Drone-Released Lacewings for Aphid Control in California Organic Lettuce. J. Econ. Entomol.114, 1882–1888 (2021).
As the 2024 crop season moves forward, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine acreage, yield, and production estimates throughout the growing season.
“Each year, the agriculture industry anticipates USDA’s Crop Production reports, which provides monthly survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ yields throughout the year,” said Gary R. Keough, NASS Pacific Regional Director. “The May Agricultural Yield Survey provides the first indications of how farmers are doing.” NASS will mail the survey to producers in April, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they planted in 2024, how many acres they planted, and the anticipated yields on their farms.
Producers are encouraged to respond online at agcounts.usda.gov. On NASS’s Respondent Portal, they can complete their survey, track upcoming surveys, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA agencies, and more. Those who do not respond by April 29 may be contacted for an interview.
“Farmers reporting acreage of at least one commodity of interest are included in the monthly data collection to forecast crop yields,” explained Keough.
USDA NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, responses will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in identifiable form.
The survey data will be published in the Crop Production report on May 10, 2024. This and all other NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information, call the NASS Pacific Regional Field Office at 1-800-851-1127.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation has announced the 2024 crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton.
The differentials, also referred to as loan rate premiums and discounts, were calculated based on market valuations of various cotton quality factors for the prior three years. This calculation procedure is identical to that used in past years.
The 2024 crop differential schedules are applied to 2024 crop loan rates of 52 cents per pound for the base grade of upland cotton and 95 cents per pound for extra-long staple cotton. The 2018 Farm Bill stipulates that the loan rate for the base quality of upland cotton ranges between 45 and 52 cents per pound based on the simple average of the Adjusted World Price for the two marketing years immediately preceding the next crop planting. However, the established loan rate cannot be less than 98% of the preceding year’s established loan rate. The loan rate provided to an individual cotton bale is based on the quality of each individual bale as determined by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service classing measurements.
These differentials are important to cotton producers because they are used to derive the actual loan rate for each bale of cotton – above (premium) or below (discount) the average per pound loan rate, depending on the grade or quality of the cotton. The actual loan rate is significant because it is used to determine any marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments.
The Commodity Credit Corporation adjusts cotton loan rates by these differentials so that cotton loan values reflect the differences in market prices for color, staple length, leaf, extraneous matter, micronaire, length uniformity and strength.
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.
People have known for centuries about the usefulness, worth, and value of cotton, but one fairly recent innovation – intended to shelter the crop – has actually become an obstacle for the industry.
Farmers frequently wrap their large round cotton bales in plastic to protect them from environmental contaminants as they await transportation from the field to processing plants. While effective, shreds of plastic sometimes break away during the removal process and become entangled with cotton fibers. The resulting contamination leads to machinery damage, processing inefficiencies, and a notable reduction in market value.
Fortunately, new technology created by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and industry partners is helping to solve that problem.
According to Matthew Pelletier, agricultural engineer with the ARS Cotton Production and Processing Research unit in Lubbock, TX, the technology leverages color cameras and advanced custom algorithms to identify and eliminate plastic contaminants during ginning. “Ginning” refers to the process of removing stems, burrs, soil, and other debris from cotton bolls.
“The VIPR (Visual Inspection and Plastic Removal) system uses color cameras to rapidly and accurately detect plastic contaminants,” Pelletier said. “We use cell phone technology to reduce the cost and make it economically viable on a large scale. This approach allows us to integrate advanced imaging and processing capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional industrial systems.”
Cotton bolls pass through the Visual Inspection and Plastic Removal system during the cotton ginning process. The system uses cameras to detect plastic contamination. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Pelletier)
Cameras scan for plastic contaminants as cotton enters the ginning process. When detected, precise air knives remove it from the cotton stream. This process eliminates the contamination and minimizes the loss of good cotton.
Plastic contamination has led to significant financial losses for the cotton industry, Pelletier said – more than $750 million annually since the practice of wrapping bales in plastic began. For an average cotton farmer growing 1,500 acres of cotton, plastic-related losses could be more than $30,000 per year.
The VIPR technology team recently won two awards for their efforts: the 2020 Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLCTT) Regional Mid-Continent Award and the 2021 FLCTT National Award.
“This technology represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology,” Pelletier said. “It not only aims to restore the international market value and reputation of U.S. cotton, but also has implications for other agricultural or manufacturing sectors that face similar challenges.” – By Scott Elliott, USDA-ARS Office of Communications
Mendocino Winegrowers Inc. (MWI) has announced the appointment of Bonnie Butcher as its new executive director. Butcher brings a wealth of experience in event management, sales, and strategic planning to her new role. With a diverse background in hospitality and event planning, Butcher is poised to drive MWI’s mission of promoting and advancing the Mendocino County wine industry to new heights. According to MWI Board President Hoss Milone, “We can’t imagine anyone better suited to take MWI in the direction we are envisioning, including more wine events and increased visibility for vineyards and wineries inside and out of Mendocino.”
A Track Record of Growth and Innovation
At BARRA of Mendocino, where she worked for the past eight years, Butcher served as the tasting room and event center manager, where she oversaw all aspects of operations. Under her guidance, the tasting room experienced substantial growth in both wine sales and event rental revenue, showcasing her ability to drive business performance and enhance customer experiences.
Butcher’s expertise extends beyond operational management. She has a proven track record in strategic sales, data analysis, and cultivating strong customer relationships. She also has a substantial background in event planning from large multi-day events to intimate and upscale gatherings.
Local Roots & a Vision for the Future
Butcher was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama. Her passion for wine and hospitality, combined with her Southern hospitality roots, make her a natural fit for MWI’s leadership team. Says Butcher, “Mendocino County is a vibrant wine region with immense potential, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to help MWI elevate the profile of Mendocino wines on a broader scale.”
Butcher’s appointment comes at an exciting time for MWI as the organization develops new ideas and opportunities to expand its reach and promote the exceptional wines produced in Mendocino County.
Few organizations or businesses have been as proactive in addressing environmental concerns and lessening their impact than the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW).
Ten years ago, Sonoma County Winegrowers announced its intent to become the nation’s – and likely the world’s – first 100% certified sustainable wine region by 2019. It was a bold, ambitious declaration but Sonoma County’s winegrowers were committed and, together, they succeeded in meeting their target in just five years. Today, Sonoma County has a record 99% of its local vineyards certified sustainable.
Five years ago, Sonoma County Winegrowers became an exclusive participant in the California Land Stewardship Institute’s (CLSI) Climate Adaptation Certification program marking the first-time participating growers could obtain certification for a comprehensive greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration program. Over the past few years, CLSI has created customized local farm plans based on soil type, microclimate, elevation, history of the land and farming practices that meet the certification requirements. In partnership with the California Farm Bureau Federation’s scientific arm, 3,860 acres in the pilot program have been certified. An additional 9,000 acres are in the process of achieving certification later this year.
Last week, local winegrowers began receiving Smart Apply , precision spraying equipment from John Deere Company, as Sonoma County Winegrowers embark on a major collaboration with one of the world’s most iconic brands. The John Deere technology is designed to enhance eco-friendly practices, minimize the carbon footprint, and encourage sustainable land management. It is an important part of John Deere’s collaboration with SCW’s innovative Farm of the Future, a living lab for the future of agriculture and an innovation accelerator.
Clearly, winegrowers in Sonoma County are constantly pushing to do more. Over the past ten years, their commitment to continue to build on their sustainability leadership through a variety of activities and programs has earned them a worldwide reputation as a global leader in sustainability and regenerative agriculture. It is no surprise that SCW has been recognized with California’s highest environmental award, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award.
“It is important on Earth Day to recognize Sonoma County and our 1,800 local, forward-thinking winegrowers who have a proven track record of disrupting the status quo through collaborations, innovation, and leadership. Since 2014, we have developed, partnered, and implemented a wide variety of initiatives to bring about a real impact,” stated Karissa Kruse, President and CEO of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.
Through its Farm of the Future, Sonoma County Winegrowers view their vineyards as a living lab to collaborate with innovative companies to pilot concepts that may eventually result in game-changing solutions for farmers around the world. In addition to John Deere Company, Farm of the Future collaborators include Ford Pro, Wilbur Ellis, and Agrology.
Said Kruse, “Today, Sonoma County is rapidly transforming into an ag incubator and living laboratory as a multitude of companies are seeking to work with our growers to develop game-changing solutions and real-world applications to some of the biggest environmental challenges.” She added, “It is so exciting to hear from companies that want to come to Sonoma County and be a part of the Farm of Future.”
Sonoma County winegrape farmers and winemakers are dependent on a healthy environment to grow and make some of the world’s best wines. Because of this, SCW has also developed the industry’s first one-hundred-year business plan; established the Center for Ag Sustainability; created a sustainable wine label that now appears on more than 3 million cases of Sonoma County wines and 600 different wine SKUs; cut the use of glyphosate in Sonoma County by 70% while more than 45,000 vineyard acres of Sonoma County’s 60,000 vineyard acres have become glyphosate free; and established a leadership academy to teach a variety of skills and trainings to help vineyard employees become better leaders in their community and workplace.
“In Sonoma County’s vineyards, it is clear that every day is Earth Day and consumers can order any glass or purchase any bottle of wine from Sonoma County with full confidence knowing that the wine is made with certified sustainable grapes,” said Kruse.
About 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.
