California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Outlook 2024 Agribusiness Conference in Bakersfield, March 19-21

    Outlook 2024 – California’s Premiere Agribusiness Conference – will be held March 19 – 21 at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center. The conference is presented annually by the California Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). The theme of Outlook 2024 is ‘Sustainable Agriculture for the Future’ and the conference will feature a three-day schedule that includes education classes, an Ag Tour, BBQ, and full day of impactful program sessions. The conference includes the release of the highly anticipated 2024 Trends in Agricultural Land & Lease Values report covering California and Nevada.

    Classes at Outlook 2024 include continuing education offerings for agricultural appraisers. Appraisals Through the Eyes of the Reviewer will be held on March 19th and the 7-Hour USPAP Update required for licensed appraisers is March 20th. The Spring Ag Tour is also on March 20th followed by the California Classic BBQ & Scholarship Auction being held at one of Bakersfield’s oldest family operating businesses – Luigi’s. On March 21st, the full day Outlook Conference will be the highlight of the week including program sessions featuring experts covering the state’s agricultural water outlook, pistachio industry outlook, solar as an alternative agriculture solution to rebalancing land, ag and water, and a fresh perspective on California’s ag economy. The 2024 Trends in Agricultural Land & Lease Values session will highlight the drivers behind rural land value changes in California and Nevada over the past year offering a deeper dive into the various geographic areas covered in the report.

    Outlook 2024 Conference Chair and Bakersfield native, Mike Ming, ARA is excited to bring the conference back to Bakersfield after many years. “As we navigate the dynamic landscape of agriculture in California, our roots run deep, and our commitment to our profession is unwavering,” Ming said. Inviting anyone with an interest in California to attend the conference, he added, “Together, let’s cultivate resilience, foster innovation, and harvest the opportunities that emerge from challenges, ensuring a robust future for our vibrant agribusiness community.”

    The Outlook 2024 Agribusiness Conference is open to the public and preregistration is requested by March 10th. Download a copy of the conference brochure with complete details and registration fees.  Online registration is also available. Questions may be directed to the California Chapter, ASFMRA Office at (209) 368-3672 or to info@calasfmra.com.

  • Preliminary 2023 Grape Crush Report Reveals Slight Increase from 2022

    The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service released the preliminary California Grape Crush Report at noon on February 10th, revealing a total 2023 crush of 3,728,923 tons, up 1.6% from the 2022 crush of 3,670,861 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 1,959,024 tons, up 2.3% from 2022. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,709,270 tons, up 15.3% from 2022. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 43,621, down 58.9% from 2022, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 17,008, down 89.9% from 2022.

    The Grape Crush Report includes the total number of tons crushed for concentrate production. In determining grape tonnage crushed for concentrate production, each processor was required to report the estimated equivalent tons of grapes crushed for grape concentrate. For the 2023 season, this total was 282,343 tons, 7.6% of the 2023 grape crush total. This report provides only the aggregate figure for grapes crushed for concentrate production and does not include information by district, type, or variety.

    The 2023 average price of all varieties was $1,038.97, up 11.4% from 2022. Average prices for the 2023 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,346.13, up 13.6% from 2022; white wine grapes, $733.33, up 6.4% from 2022; raisin grapes, $285.60, down 7.7% from 2022; and table grapes, $195.57, down 8.7% from 2022.

    LEADING GRAPE VARIETIES AND DISTRICTS

    In 2023, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 17.5%. Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 17.3%. Raisin grape varieties crushed for wine accounted for 1.2% of the total crush and table varieties crushed for wine were .5% of the total crush.

    District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue192)), had the largest share of the State’s crush at 1,032,365 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $344.08.

    Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,943.33 per ton, up 3.7% from 2022. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,915.82 per ton, up 2.9% from 2022.

    The 2023 Chardonnay average price of $1,070.81 was up 4.0% from 2022 and the Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $2,141.17 was up 9.5% from 2022. The 2023 average price for French Colombard was $318.06, down 3.2% from 2022, while the Zinfandel average price was up 15.1% from 2022, at $757.23 per ton.

    Read more details from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service HERE, and read an in-depth report on the 2023 Crush in the March issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • First Woman Honored As Sonoma County’s Vineyard Employee of the Year

    Sonoma County’s wine community has a long, rich history of women winegrowers, winemakers, winery owners, executives, and industry leaders.  Today, it has added to that legacy with the announcement by theFundación de la Voz de los Viñedos that it has chosen Yolanda Cruz, of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management (REVM), as Sonoma County’s Vineyard Employee of the Year, marking the first time a woman has been selected for the prestigious award which was established six years ago.

    Yolanda has been an integral part of the REVM team for twenty-three years.  She made history in 2011 when she became a supervisor and pioneered the formation of the local wine community’s first all-women harvesting crew.  Her ability to lead and inspire has made her crew one of the most popular and sought-after crews. Two of her children now work with her at REVM.

    “Everyone working at our company is so excited to see Yolanda being recognized and celebrated,” said Kevin Barr, president of REVM.  He added, “She has empowered so many other women throughout Sonoma County and takes such joy in sharing her experience and wisdom with the next generation.  She is an inspiration for all of us.”

    Juan Avila, a vineyard foreman at Emeritus Vineyards, was selected as the 2023 Employee of the Year Runner Up.  Juan has worked for Emeritus Vineyards for 23 years and has worked a total of 31 years in the Sonoma County viticulture community.

    The sixth annual Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ Employee Recognition Celebration honored 42 vineyard employees for their talents, accomplishments, and leadership.  The Employee Recognition Awards are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the winegrape industry.   This year’s event was held at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor in front of a crowd of more than 300 people which included vineyard employees, their families, grape growers, and community leaders.  Once again,  Congressman Mike Thompson addressed the group and announced the Employee of the Year as he has done for the past six years.

    “The Employee Recognition awards are so special for all of us in the local winegrowing community as we come together to honor and thank our valued employees in front of their families and peers,” said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers and executive director of the Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos.  She added, “The relationship between the vineyard employees and winegrowers in Sonoma County is built on mutual trust and respect which is so evident not only at this event but every day of the year.  That is why both Yolanda Cruz and Juan Avila have each worked for their employers for more than twenty years.”

    Juan Avila is primarily responsible for overseeing Emeritus Vineyards’ Pinot Hill vineyard which consistently produces some of the highest quality pinot noir grapes due to his vine oversight and daily activities focused on producing superior grapes.  He is a sought-after mentor for all his fellow employees.  He shares his experience and expertise on how to prune, leaf, thin and more.  He is team focused and believes each person is integral to the success of the team.  He is known to work side-by-side with employees to help them grow and succeed.  Juan also helps manage the employee gardens which provide fresh, nutritious food for all employees at Emeritus Vineyards.

    This year’s Employee Recognition Celebration also paid tribute to 40 additional men and women who excel at farming in Sonoma County.  These individuals were recognized during the past year as “Employees of the Month” for their skills and leadership in growing Sonoma County’s renowned sustainable winegrapes.  Throughout the year, the Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos presents gift cards and recognition in the local community through advertisements, social posts and articles saluting the employees of the month and their success.

    All employees working in Sonoma County agriculture for a vineyard owner, vineyard management company, or winery are eligible for the Employee Recognition awards.  Employers nominate individuals each month throughout the month to recognize exceptional performance in a variety of areas including leadership, innovation, safety, frost protection, conservation, pruning, canopy management and harvest.

    A special thank you to this year’s Employee Recognition Celebration sponsors: Zenith Agribusiness Solutions, Bahco, and Martinez Orchards. And congratulations to all our employee award winners and their families.

    The Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos is the only non-profit in Sonoma County whose sole mission is to support vineyard employees and their families. It was first established in 2002 by local winegrape growers to help fund education workshops in Spanish. Relaunched in 2016, it expanded its focus to include improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families to ensure the region remains a place where they can continue to live, work, and thrive. Following the devastating wildfires of 2017, 2019 and 2020, the organization established its Vineyard Employee Resiliency Fund, which has provided more than $2 million in support to more than 1,500 agricultural employees with temporary housing, rent support and gift cards to purchase household items, food, and essential supplies. Today, the Foundation remains a committed employee resource but has focused its programming on initiatives that elevate the workforce including its nationally recognized Leadership Academy.

    About the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de Los Viñedos: 

    Originally called the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (SCGGF), Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de Los Viñedos was first established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to help fund educational workshops in Spanish for agricultural employees. Relaunched in January of 2016, the Fundación is focused on improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families, while ensuring Sonoma County remains a place where agricultural workers will continue to live, work, and thrive.  In 2022, the first class of the Leadership Academy met to brainstorm names for the Foundation which would best represent them and the work they do.  They selected Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de Los Viñedos.  Since its relaunch in 2016, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de Los Viñedos has continuously proven it has a unique model of outreach and support, recognizing and relying on the trusted relationship that farmers have with their employees. The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de Los Viñedos collaborates with various community-based organizations and agencies to identify existing resources, leverage available support, and create new programs to assist local agricultural employees and their families. This includes a focus on healthcare, affordable housing, childcare, education, recovery and resiliency, and workforce development.  The Fundación is managed by the Sonoma County Winegrowers with a 16-member board of directors comprised of agricultural leaders, vineyard and winery owners, and Sonoma County community leaders.

  • Almond Board of California Announces 2024 Elections

    Elections for the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors will launch for the 2024-2025 crop year on Friday, Feb. 9 with the call to all candidates to file their petitions or declarations of candidacy by April 1, 2024.

    The industry will choose people to hold two independent grower positions and two independent handler positions on the ABC Board of Directors in voting that starts April 22 and ends May 23. Alternate seats for those spots are also open.

    To be considered for an independent grower or alternate seat, candidates must be a current grower and must submit a petition signed by at least 15 independent almond growers (as verified by ABC). Independent handler and alternate candidates must declare their intention in writing to ABC.

    All details, documents, open positions, the election timeline and deadlines, and frequently asked questions can be found at Almonds.com/Elections. All petitions and declarations must state the position for which the candidate is running and be sent to abcbodelections@almondboard.com or printed and mailed to ABC, 1150 Ninth St., Suite 1500, Modesto, CA 95354. The deadline for all filings is April 1. Potential candidates who’d like more information can contact ABC at abcbodelections@almondboard.com.

    “The ABC Board of Directors is tremendously important to the success of our industry,” said ABC President and CEO Clarice Turner. “More than 7,600 growers and 100 handlers count on them to guide the work of the Almond Board and to help the industry navigate these complicated times and work toward a positive future.”

    The ABC board sets policy and recommends budgets in major areas, including marketing, production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    Getting involved provides an opportunity to help shape the future of the almond industry and to help guide ABC in its mission to promote California almonds to domestic and international audiences through marketing efforts, funding and promoting studies about almonds’ health benefits, and ensuring best-of-class agricultural practices and food safety.

    ABC encourages eligible women, minorities and people with disabilities to consider running for a position on the Board of Directors to reflect the diversity of the industry it serves.

    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.

  • Turn Employees from Potential Brand Assassins to Brand Ambassadors at Animal Ag Alliance Summit

    Food and agriculture companies spend a lot of time looking outward – focusing on external image, responding to pressure from adversarial groups, and finding new customers. In the process, these companies often overlook their most critical audience: employees. Hinda Mitchell, founder and president of Inspire PR Group, will share how to turn team members from potential brand assassins to brand ambassadors at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit. Check out the full agenda and register by March 8 for the lowest rates here: https://bit.ly/AAA24.

    The annual Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies and media. The 2024 event is themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture” and set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo.

    “2024 Summit attendees will be scoring big with a dynamic lineup of speakers and sessions,” said Abby Kornegay, manager, issues and engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “The two-day program will cover key topics and issues in agriculture including how to navigate pressure and attacks from animal rights extremist groups. This includes outreach campaigns to current food and agriculture employees in attempts to gain sensitive information. Hinda’s session will be a great place to learn more about building employee engagement and loyalty to prevent these issues.”

    In the session “Whose Team Are They On? How Employees Can Make or Break Your Brand,” Mitchell will explore employee engagement and its impact on recruitment and retention, and focus on transparency and purpose as essential workforce strategies. Attendees will learn how to turn team members from potential brand assassins to brand ambassadors, audit their own employer brand, create lasting internal communications and engagement programs that build culture, and secure that first line of defense as employees can often be pressured by animal rights extremist groups to turn their back on their own team.

    Mitchell leads Inspire PR Group, a national, multi-service public relations and marketing communications firm based in Columbus, Oh. A trusted counselor to major c-suite executives, she is a sought-after strategic leader and crisis and issues manager for corporate leaders, manufacturers, food companies, higher education, and school districts. She has led crisis management for numerous high-profile, challenging crises during her career, including recalls, labor negotiations, activism, and worker accidents. She has protected the reputations and preserved the brands of hundreds of businesses and organizations in her role. She has passion for employee engagement and positioning major food brands as an employer of choice.

    Get involved:

    Maximize your brand visibility and impact by becoming a sponsor of the 2024 Summit today! For more information on sponsorship opportunities still available, contact Logan Hall at lhall@animalagalliance.org.

    Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2024 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 3 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

    Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA24 for updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • $4.1 Million In Grants Available To California Dairy Processors

    Through February 29, 2024, dairy processors along the Pacific Coast are encouraged to apply for grants from the Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII). $4.1 million in grants are currently available to dairy processors in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington and Oregon. This fourth round of funding will include pandemic recovery (such as price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19.)

    Dairy producers and dairy processing businesses in the aforementioned states are invited to submit proposals that meet one or more of the PCC DBII program goals:

      • Developing new dairy value-added products, culturally diverse and ethnic value-added dairy products to meet evolving consumer trends in the region.
      • Adapting current dairy products to meet evolving consumer “wants,” to meet both domestic and export demand trends.
      • Developing new product lines and expanding the dairy product portfolio to meet domestic and/or export demand for fresh milk and milk products.
      • Expanding milk usage beyond food and drink, for example packaging/films, edible products for companion animals, cosmetics, and other high-value segments.
      • Adding value to milk by increasing its intrinsic value through differentiation production system/feed additives for nutritional enhancement, and fractionation of components.
      • Adopting alternative processing technologies for value-added dairy products, optimization, and/or recovery of high-value co-streams to increase the profitability of the dairy sector.
      • Creating future opportunities for value-added ingredients and nutritional powders, milk fat products, and specialty blends, and decreasing the dependence on commodity markets.
      • Developing sustainability leadership through innovation in packaging, processing efficiencies, reduced losses/waste, and novel uses of co-products (net-zero dairy processing plants). Note: Dairy producer and/or processor applicant(s) may need to partner with non-dairy entity(ies) to address this goal)
      • Extending awareness and consumption of higher value dairy processing products through communications, strategic planning, marketing plans, and expanding hands-on agritourism

    The PCC-DBII, hosted by California State University, Fresno and funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, is dedicated to strengthening and supporting the dairy industry. By addressing these goals, they seek to help diversify the dairy product market, reduce risk and develop higher value uses for dairy products, promote business development that diversifies farmer/processor income through innovation, and encourage the use of regionally produced milk.

    The initiative is in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman University, Chico State, Oregon State University, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, UC Davis, New Mexico State University, Washington State University, and the California Dairy Innovation Center. This is the fourth round of grant funding through the PCC-DBII. Once this round closes, the PCC-DBII will have made nearly $9.1 million in grants from the USDA AMS available to regional dairy businesses for innovation-related investments, helping dairy processors evolve their operations and adopt more sustainable practices.
    href=”https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/215/cugi9vpqil9hha9bmv337zhmi/7/6487d7386d0c69671f1faeee82993294a2c160e63ce0a9e4c7872b6694f53f2e”>Applications will be accepted January 2, 2024 – February 29, 2024.

    The PCC-DBII is hosting an “Office Hours” via Zoom on Thursday, February 8th at 4pm to answer any questions businesses may have about their eligibility and the application process. Link to attend HERE

    Meeting ID: 853 0563 1054
    Passcode: 045233

    For more information: https://www.dairypcc.net/

  • Students Partner With California Dairy Families To Raise Milk Donations For Families in Need

    One in five Californians currently struggle with food insecurity, with milk being one of the most requested but least donated items at food banks. In Fall 2023, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) worked with student dairy advocates from California State University, Chico (Chico State), California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), and Modesto Junior College (MJC) to hold the inaugural Real California Milk Intercollegiate Give-A-Gallon Challenge in support of #GivingGallons milk drives in their local communities.

    Using 100-gallon donation commitments from the CMAB as an incentive, students in each area shared information about the need for milk and options for donating through their social media channels. Each team coordinated donations through local and campus milk drives, in person and virtually. As a part of the Real California Milk CADAIRY4GOOD program, this initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to increasing access to nutritious foods.

    “I’m so happy to be a partner in this initiative. Dairy farmers care about our communities. Donating gallons of milk to local food banks has been a great way to give back to those in need and support the California dairy industry. The amount of excitement centered around this project has been inspiring,” said Anthony Agueda, California dairy farmer and Fresno State Dairy Science student.

    MJC and Chico State also weighed in on the challenge. “We loved visiting food banks in our area to deliver milk, and to hear their stories. It was great to hear their why, and how food banks make such a difference in people’s lives who are less fortunate,” said Trinity Harter, MJC student and volunteer.

    Chico State student and volunteer Aspen Hoyer noted, “Chico State Organic Dairy and Chico State Dairy Science and Industry Club were very excited to be involved in the first Intercollegiate Giva-A-Gallon Challenge. It was a great experience that brought many of our students together to help make a difference in our community.”

    A total of 3,000 gallons were raised through this initiative. The donations will be distributed to the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley Foodbank, the Cal Poly Student Pantry and the Chico State Hungry Wildcat Pantry.

    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 families using some of the most sustainable farming practices in the world.

    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.

  • Exploring Honey’s Sweet Benefits

    Foodborne pathogens, which can encompass viruses, bacteria, and parasites, can cause foodborne illnesses when consuming a meal that has been contaminated. There are an estimated 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses every year. A commonly known pathogen that fits into this category is Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), which infects the small intestine causing diarrhea and other consequences to the person infected.

    ARS scientists, in collaboration with the National Honey Board, are examining the way honey affects the gut microbial community and possibly assists it in resisting infection by the foodborne pathogen ETEC. To begin their studies, both pathogen and honey were put through a model of the stomach to better represent how the study components would interact with each other during human consumption. ETEC has a tolerance to acidic environments and honey is naturally acidic, as is the stomach. Therefore, all of honey’s bioactive compounds and anti-microbial components are used to working in that kind of environment.

    “We have to put ETEC through the stomach because it’s going to change how it behaves once it’s exposed to that acidity,” explained Ste Traxler, a graduate student researcher at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA.

    The choice to use honey was not only due to its natural acidic nature, but also because of the accessibility of this food. The particular honey utilized in this research project was clover honey, which is available in supermarkets.

    “So, the plants that the bees are collecting their nectar from determine your honey type,” explained Traxler, “and that will also determine a lot of those bioactive components.”

    Honey is also being used in some hospitals as a way to prevent infections, particularly in hospital’s burn wards, because of the need for having protection for the broken skin barrier from outside bacteria that could pose as a threat. The more hydrogen peroxide in the honey, the more it is effective as a topical antimicrobial. The honey with the highest concentration of methylglyoxal, a natural potent anti-microbial, is Manuka honey.

    Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tree, which is native to New Zealand. Sometimes this tree is referred to as the New Zealand tea tree because both the Manuka and Tea Tree produce oils with similar properties and come from the same plant family. All types of honey have some level of concentration of methylglyoxal, while also having other micronutrients that contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

    Foods like lettuce, Brussel sprouts, and spinach may become contaminated with E. coli. It’s important to notice that these items are typically ingested without cooking them, which causes the risk of exposure to foodborne pathogens like E. coli to heighten. This is one of the reasons researchers are studying how honey can help prevent infection after ingesting contaminated food.

    Honey has a lower glycemic index than standard table sugar (sucrose). Therefore, ARS scientists are also investigating whether the benefit of reduced metabolic stress that comes from sugar consumption also occurs when consuming honey in the context of a snack with the added benefit of consuming a healthier option. Another benefit seen from honey is that, so far, there hasn’t been any bacterial resistance observed from it, the same way that happens with antibiotics. For these reasons, researchers are learning how honey can positively affect our digestive health and help us obtain protection against pathogens and bacteria. — By Olga Vicente, USDA-ARS’s Office of Communications

  • National Ag Day Coming March 19, 2024

    The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) announced March 19, 2024, will be National Agriculture Day with the theme of “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.”

    Activities planned for March 19 feature a virtual Ag Day program, and in-person events in Washington DC. ACA will invite students to interact virtually with legislators and agency representatives, delivering the Ag Day message. A core leadership team of college students will participate in the DC events, along with representatives of national farm and commodity organizations, representatives of the food, fuel, and fiber communities.

    Jenny Pickett, ACA President says students from AFA, 4-H, FFA, and MANNRS participated in 2023 National Ag Day. “Students are interested in advocating on behalf of agriculture and their future roles in the industry. Their participation in National Ag Day activities provides a glimpse of the future of agriculture. It’s exciting to learn from the students what they think agriculture will be like in the years ahead, and how their involvement will shape the industry and America as a whole.”

    According to USDA Economic Research Service* more than 22 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sector, or roughly 10 percent of all US employment. On-farm jobs represented about 2.6 million jobs, or a little over one percent of US employment. Take that a step further, agriculture- and food-related jobs totaled more than 19 million.

    “More and more, students and individuals are finding careers in agriculture. The industry needs scientists, biologists, food safety technicians, livestock nutrition specialists, arborists, conservationists – one doesn’t have to be a farmer or have a direct on-farm job to be involved in the agriculture industry,” Pickett says.

    2024 National Ag Day marks the 51st year of the nationwide effort to share real stories of American agriculture, and remind citizens that agriculture affects everyone. “From the food we eat and the fuel for our vehicles, to the fiber in the clothes we wear, and the oil used to make kids’ crayons, agriculture touches everyone in some way,” Pickett says.

    The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

    • Understand how food, fiber, and fuel products are produced.
    • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.
    • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
    • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

    In addition to the events on March 19, the ACA will offer the Ag Day Essay Contest. Interested students would create video essays on the topic of Agriculture in the Future: If I had two minutes to talk to a farmer.” The winning video essay will be presented on National Ag Day.

    Sponsorship opportunities for Ag Day 2024 are available.  Visit www.agday.org for more information, or contact Pickett to discuss sponsorship opportunities, or with any additional questions.

    About Agriculture Council of America

    Agriculture Council of America, a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, organizes the annual activities which are part of a national effort to increase the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

  • California Beef Council Names New 2024 Leadership

    At their Annual Meeting, held in December, the California Beef Council (CBC) named new leadership and approved 2024’s program budgets. This year’s work plan to promote beef, provide consumer information, engage with foodservice and retail stakeholders, educate health and nutrition professionals, and provide educational and informational resources to beef producers was approved by the producer-led CBC board of directors on the final day of the December 5-6 meeting.

    “Like many cattle-producing states, we’re facing financial challenges for the coming year,” said outgoing Chair Steven Maxey, who serves on the CBC in the packer sector of the supply chain. “Some tough decisions had to be made, but the council as a whole discussed the best way to move forward in the current economic climate and we reached consensus. CBC decisions are driven by the beef producers who serve on the council. These men and women consider all the strategies and information presented to them to determine the best way to invest our Checkoff dollars-always with the goal of driving beef demand.”

    All of the 2024 CBC staff-driven programs presented to the council support one or more of the CBC’s strategic priorities:

     ·       Positively engage healthcare professionals and the public in conversations about beef’s role in a healthy diet and lifestyle.

     ·       Communicate the positive net environmental benefits of beef and cattle production practices.

     ·       Communicate how beef’s taste, convenience, and versatility are of value to consumers and retail & foodservice professionals.

    These strategic priorities-adopted in 2023 and in place through 2025-guide the CBC staff as they develop and evaluate California Checkoff-funded programs.

    Maxey, who steps into the role of ex officio in 2024, is with Certified Meat Products and JD Food in Fresno, as well as Fresno’s butcher shop, The Meat Up, which he owns and operates with wife Cassi.

    Serving as chair and vice chair for 2024 are Jarred Mello of Escalon from the dairy sector, and Mike Williams of Los Angeles County representing the range sector. The CBC’s executive committee is comprised of producers representing every sector of California’s beef industry.

    For more information about the CBC and the Beef Checkoff, visit CalBeef.org.

    About the California Beef Council

    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to amplify the voice of the California beef industry to strengthen beef demand through innovative promotions, research, and open communication. For more information, visit www.calbeef.org.

    About the Beef Checkoff

    The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.