California Ag Network

Category: News

  • 2024 International Produce Excellence In Foodservice Awards Featured In Monterey, CA

    The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the names of the winners of the 2024 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards. Sponsored by FreshEdge, this prestigious awards program honors chefs and foodservice operators across the country for their produce innovation, creativity, and all-around excellence in the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. Along with global exposure, the winners also receive a trip to IFPA’s Foodservice Conference in Monterey, California on July 25-26 where they will be honored on stage.

    These nine leading chefs and foodservice professionals were nominated by their peers and then evaluated by an expert panel of produce industry judges based on a certain set of criteria. By shining a spotlight on fresh produce through menu creativity and concept development and their ability to incorporate produce into culinary trends, each of these honorees has been instrumental in the increase of produce consumption in their communities.

    “We are proud of our continued commitment to this exceptional program that honors the best of the best in foodservice who are elevating fresh produce to the forefront of their menus,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge.

    “Fresh produce remains a key driver of success for the foodservice, retail, and culinary industries with chefs and foodservice professionals playing an essential role in encouraging consumers to explore new produce items,” said Greg Corsaro, President of FreshEdge. “We are proud to recognize another great group of pioneers.”

    The 9 winners of the 2024 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards are:

    • Business and Industry: EJ Jimenez, Executive Chef/Chef Instructor, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus
    • Casual and Family Dining Restaurants: Grace Goudie, Executive Chef, Scratch Board Kitchen
    • Colleges and Universities: Jonathan Guitierrez Santiago, Executive Sous Chef, University of California Merced/Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center
    • Fine Dining Restaurants: David Ruiz, Executive Chef, Scalo Restaurant
    • Hospitals and Healthcare: Roel Mesta, Executive Chef, The Village at Germantown
    • Hotel and Resort: Manfred Lassahn, Executive Chef, Hyatt Regency Hotels — Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa
    • K-12 Foodservice: Julie Raway, Registered Dietitian, Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
    • Supermarket and Retail Operators: Dorene Mills, Hannaford chef, Hannaford Supermarkets
    • Quick-Serve Restaurants: Chris Mayo, Development Manager, Wildflower

    More information on the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards program can be found here on IFPA’s website.

    About FreshEdge

    FreshEdge is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, and was established in 2019 with the combination of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce in Indianapolis and Get Fresh Produce in Bartlett, IL. Since then, numerous other best-in-class distribution companies and their respective value-added operations have joined the FreshEdge family, growing it into a super-regional leader in the fresh food industry with a focus on fresh produce and specialty food items. FreshEdge’s footprint spans twenty-five states throughout the Midwest and southeastern United States. Together, Wind Point and FreshEdge intend to continue growing FreshEdge by welcoming more fresh food distribution companies into the group—all focused on high-quality produce and specialty food products, along with exceptional service—to create a unique group of complementary entities.

    Additional information about FreshEdge is available at www.freshedgefoods.com.

  • Ensuring Effectiveness of Federal-State Milk Safety System While Bird Flu Impacts Dairies

    The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), alongside its federal and state partners, is continuing to take a stepwise approach to its scientific analysis of commercial milk safety during the first-of-its-kind detection of HPAI H5N1 in dairy cattle. While FDA’s initial assessment of the milk safety system continues to be affirmed by sampling and testing of retail dairy products, there remain a number of collective activities being undertaken to ensure the continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. The FDA will continue to follow a sound scientific process to inform the agency’s public health decisions related to food safety.

    FDA recently announced preliminary results of a study of 297 retail dairy samples, which were all found to be negative for viable virus. The FDA is today announcing that all final egg inoculation tests associated with this retail sampling study have been completed and were also found to be negative for viable HPAI H5N1 virus. These confirmatory test results mark the completion of our laboratory research efforts related to these 297 retail dairy samples. Additional sampling and other surveillance activities will continue.

    While FDA retail sampling test results to date are clear about the safety of the commercial milk supply and representative of real-world scenarios, additional scientific work is being undertaken to validate the criteria for pasteurization relative to the HPAI H5N1 virus and will include tests using pasteurization equipment typically used by milk processors. Today, we’d like to share more about our additional research efforts.

    The established pasteurization process set forth in federal regulation (21 CFR 1240.61) and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) provides specific temperature and time requirements for effective elimination of known pathogens in the milk supply. To further validate pasteurization effectiveness against this recently detected virus, the FDA previously noted it was testing samples of pooled raw milk routed for commercial processing to characterize potential virus levels that the pasteurization process must eliminate. Our pasteurization study is designed to better replicate real-world conditions to deliver the pasteurization treatment parameters set forth in the CFR and PMO, and to assess their effectiveness in inactivating HPAI H5N1 in bovine milk and other dairy products.

    The results from this study will help further the FDA’s understanding of pasteurization efficacy against anticipated concentrations of virus under real-world processing conditions. The pasteurization study is ongoing and we anticipate making preliminary results available in the near future.

    The agency is also announcing an additional $8 million is being made available to support its ongoing response activities to ensure the safety of the commercial milk supply. This funding will support the agency’s ability to validate pasteurization criteria, conduct surveillance at different points in the milk production system, bolster laboratory capacity and provide needed resources to train staff on biosecurity procedures.

    Additionally, these funds will help support HPAI H5N1 activities in partnership with state co-regulatory partners, who administer state programs as part of the federal/state milk safety system. It may also allow the FDA to partner with universities on critical research questions.

    To date, the totality of evidence – including studies on the effectiveness of pasteurization against multiple pathogens, recent studies on the effectiveness of pasteurization of HPAI H5N1 in eggs at lower temperatures than generally used in dairy products, negative retail sample results to date, and real-world evidence from the last 100 years of the PMO — continues to indicate that the commercial milk supply is safe.

    At the same time, the FDA also continues to advise against the consumption of raw milk (milk that has not been pasteurized). The FDA and CDC have long standing information regarding the increased risk of foodborne illness associated with numerous pathogens that may be present in raw milk. This increased risk exists for both humans and other animals that might drink raw milk. Additional guidance on raw milk and milk handling can be found on our website.

    FDA is committed to continuing to initiate, support, and collaborate on research and surveillance of milk production, processing, and pasteurization to further our public health goals.

  • Small Farm Conference Continues to Provide Needed Education

    Since the beginning of production agriculture, the vast majority of farming operations have consisted of small family farms. That’s true today as well, as these farms comprise nearly 90% of all the farms in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Providing the education needed to help California’s small farms thrive is the top priority for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, a nonprofit that provides information and ideas that will allow small farmers to succeed, said Evan Wiig, CAFF’s director of membership and communications.

    “By equipping small-farm operators with the tools and education they need, and by working to promote programs that really benefit small farms, such as more farmers markets and making direct-to-consumer sales easier, we can help them be successful,” Wiig said.

    CAFF’s major initiative each year is its Small Farm Conference, sponsored in part by Farm Credit associations doing business in California. The 36th annual conference was held earlier this year and drew more than 1,200 small farmers from around the state to the hybrid event, consisting of 60 online workshops as well as 10 in-person gatherings from San Diego to Humboldt County where people could network and exchange ideas.

    Wiig said sponsorships such as Farm Credit’s support are vital for nonprofits such as his.

    “We could not put on the conference without sponsorships. That’s the short of it,” Wiig said. “We strive to make sure our education is accessible to all farmers, including new farmers, students and farmworkers. To make the conference accessible to those people, we have to keep our ticket prices down. We really appreciate everything Farm Credit does. They’re still our rainmaker sponsorship. They really do make it rain and we appreciate it.”

    Kevin Ralph, California State President for AgWest Farm Credit, said providing ongoing education to farmers and ranchers is a top priority for California’s Farm Credit associations.

    “Each year, Farm Credit supports nonprofits focusing on ag education because educational opportunities offered by nonprofits such as CAFF are vitally important to the success of agriculture,” Ralph said. “Helping small farmers is something we should all support and keeping them up to date on the latest tools and techniques is a great way to ensure that they continue to thrive.”

    Farm Credit organizations members AgWest Farm Credit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are proud supporters of CAFF. The organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    The conference was abruptly transformed in 2021 into a virtual conference due to the pandemic, which turned out to be wildly popular since by definition small farmers often have a difficult time leaving their farms for four days and bearing the travel expenses to get to a central location.

    “We’re hearing from the farmers that they really appreciate this format,” Wiig said. “Attendees were posting on Instagram pictures of themselves tuning into the conference while doing all sorts of things on their farms. It was cool to see that we’re meeting them where they’re at and glad to see that they’re getting a lot out of it.”

    Workshops this year ranged from marketing a small farm to business administration to crop-specific workshops for commodities including strawberries and wine grapes. It also included innovative ways to do sales, such as online sales and selling to schools and hospitals.

    Wiig said programs are developed after a listening tour CAFF’s staff takes each fall to learn about what problems were keeping farmers up at night and where they should focus advocacy efforts in Sacramento.

    “A lot of the things that we’ve been hearing about for a long time continue to rise to the top – access to water and land, adaptation to climate change, dealing with wildfires, floods and droughts – the continued craziness of farming in California,” Wiig said.

    “But we also saw that because they are small operations, they struggle to access equipment and markets. We want to make sure smaller and new farmers have access to capital, processing equipment and infrastructure. We’re looking at things like helping start farm cooperatives and distribution collaboratives. We’re also cosponsoring a bill for tool-sharing programs so groups can get access to equipment they couldn’t otherwise afford on their own,” he said.

    Keith Hesterberg, President and CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, said it’s encouraging to see nonprofits sponsored by Farm Credit continue to come up with new ideas to promote agriculture.

    “CAFF does a great job of understanding the needs of small farmers and developing support systems to help them,” Hesterberg said. “We are proud that our support makes a difference and look forward to continuing to support CAFF and our state’s small farmers.”

    Next year’s conference is tentatively scheduled for February 23-28, and Wiig said after reviewing feedback and evaluations from participants, one thing CAFF will try to do is expand the local gatherings.

    “Clearly, there’s a desire to add more in-person workshops and field days. This year’s field days sold out within days and it’s clear that people want to get onto other farms and see how they do things. We want to make that a central focus of the conference going forward,” he said.

    About Farm Credit: 

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, Colusa-Glenn Farm Credit and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About CAFF:

    The Community Alliance with Family Farmers builds sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. The California Small Farm Conference convenes farmers and ag advocates to share resources, trade best practices, learn and collectively advocate for family farms in their community. For more information, visithttps://caff.org.

  • Wildfire Preparedness Strategies for Farms Covered in May 21 & 28 Webinars

    Late spring rains have delayed California’s fire season this year, which provides farmers and ranchers an opportunity to improve their wildfire preparedness. Barns, wood fencing, hay and other property commonly found on farms have inherent vulnerabilities to wildfire.

    Fortunately, buildings and infrastructure can be hardened and maintained to reduce their vulnerability to fire and fire-related damage to agricultural resources. Having a plan in place to keep livestock safe and healthy is essential to maintaining animal health and resume operations as quickly as possible post-wildfire. Join the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network team to learn about wildfire preparedness strategies for farms and ranches.

    The two-part webinar series will cover hardening structures and managing livestock during wildfire.

    Part 1: Ranch Hardening and Wildfire Preparedness Strategies for Agricultural Structures

    • May 21 at 6-7 p.m.
    • Join UC Cooperative Extension fire advisor Luca Carmignani and UCCE forest advisor Yana Valachovic to discuss best practices for incorporating principles of structure hardening and defensible space into agricultural structures and operations.
    • Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.

    Part 2: The Realities of Managing Livestock Health During Wildfire

    • May 28 at 6-7:30 p.m.
    • Join UCCE livestock and natural resource advisors and our partners for a set of presentations about managing livestock health during wildfire events and what to do if you find yourself trapped by an approaching wildfire.
    • Register by May 20 at https://bit.ly/3y1MbuP. Link to webinar will be emailed to registrants.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Registration Now Open for Fresno Stockmanship & Stewardship Event

    Registration is now open for a Stockmanship & Stewardship event, October 18-19, at the Fresno State Animal Sciences Pavilion in Fresno, California. Funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, Stockmanship & Stewardship is a unique educational experience for cattle producers featuring low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, facility design sessions and industry updates.

    “Educational programs like Stockmanship & Stewardship elevate producers’ commitment to continuous improvement through BQA principles,” said Bill Dale, Executive Director at the California Beef Council. “By participating in Stockmanship & Stewardship, California’s cattle ranchers and beef producers are demonstrating to consumers that they are striving to produce the highest quality, safest beef possible.”

    During the event, attendees can become BQA and BQA Transportation certified, network with fellow cattle ranchers and beef producers, participate in hands-on demonstrations led by animal handling experts, and learn innovative management techniques. Industry experts will cover topics such as low-stress loading, effective stockmanship, biosecurity, preharvest management, and California trailer laws. Stockmanship & Stewardship is sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Neogen, the California Beef Council, the California Cattle Council, and the Beef Checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Assurance program.

    “Neogen is dedicated to the advancement of human and animal well-being through science and technology,” said Elizabeth Wonsowski, livestock director of marketing at Neogen. “As a leader within the beef industry and proud partner of cattle ranchers and beef production, we recognize the important role that education and resources play in helping the cattle industry continue to grow in a healthy and sustainable way. We are proud to support NCBA and the Beef Checkoff through the Stockmanship & Stewardship program. Together, we can fuel a brighter future of global food security.”

    For more information, complete agenda, fees and to register, visit www.StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. Cattle producers attending Stockmanship & Stewardship are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.

    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 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 of 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.

  • Unearthing Opportunities in Fresh Potato Retail Sales

    While fresh potatoes are the number three seller in produce department dollar sales, retail analysts suggest there is still substantial opportunity for growth. To help grocers seize potatoes’ full potential, Potatoes USA has released a new educational series filled with fresh data and actionable recommendations.

    “Fresh potatoes are the number one selling vegetable accounting for more than 10% of all vegetable sales, but this is not their ceiling of opportunity,” said Anne-Marie Roerink, founder of 210 Analytics, LLC. “There are pockets of opportunity throughout the fresh potato category retailers can leverage to drive renewed pound growth.”

    To help retailers capitalize on fresh potato sales opportunities, Potatoes USA has created the “Powered by Potatoes” education series. Individuals can register here to access:

    • The 30-minute “Unearthing Opportunities in Fresh Potato Sales at Retail” webinar, featuring Roerink and Potatoes USA’s Director of Marketing Marissa Stein featuring exclusive retail data to help unlock opportunities in the produce department.
    • An ongoing email education program with tips to bring the webinar’s suggestions to life.

    Among the series’ recommendations:

    Win with the Big Sellers and Capitalize on Growth

    Russet potatoes generate more than 50% of fresh potato sales — a must-win performer to cement solid potato sales. But it is important to capitalize on growth drivers as well. In 2023, yellow potatoes surpassed reds as the second largest seller with a 6.7%-pound increase in 2023. This variety shows strong volume and dollar gains.

    “When it comes to capitalizing on the power of the potato, best-in-class retailers have a wide assortment that centers on Russet, yellow and reds and rounds out with smaller and mixed varieties.,” Roerink said. “Pound growth in the current marketplace is remarkable, so consider giving extra emphasis to marketing yellow, as they are trending strong now. Our data finds success in yellow across the board in bag/pack sizes and in bulk.”

    Growth in Smaller Quantities

    The 5-pound bags are the potato mainstay and represent 51% of fresh potato pound sales. However, smaller pack sizes are seeing steady growth. Roerink noted the smaller 1-<2-lb. And 2-4 lb. packs grew the most last year and now represent 12% of pound sales. Meanwhile, the larger 8-lb., 10-lb. and 10+ lb. packs have lost ground.

    There are several reasons for smaller pack sizes to have outperformed last year, including potatoes’ above-average inflation in the first half of the year, core households becoming smaller and consumers paying attention to preventing food waste at home as a chief way to save money,” she explained. “Consider a wide array of pack sizes when it comes to growing sales, including smaller.”

    Look to Opportunity Households

    Potatoes are loved by all with an 85% household penetration and few demographic differences in household purchasing statistics.

    “Potato households spend $40 per year on fresh potatoes, but some spend far more and others spend far less,” Roerink said. “The difference lies in trips per year. Boomers – especially male boomers – and large households with teens purchase potatoes far more often. They are locked in.”

    “We encourage retailers to also look to ‘opportunity households’ who do buy potatoes, but far less often,” she added. “These include one-person, Asian and Gen Z households.”

    For more data, insights and inspiration, retailers can sign up today for the education series.

    About Potatoes USA

    Potatoes USA is the national marketing and promotion board representing U.S. growers and importers. Potatoes USA, the largest vegetable commodity board, was established in 1971 by potato farmers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes. For more information on Potatoes USA’s mission to “Strengthen Demand for Potatoes,” visit PotatoGoodness.com.

  • Initial Almond Crop Forecast Up 21 Percent from Last Year

    The 2024 California Almond Forecast published Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 3 billion pounds, 21 percent above last year’s 2.47 billion pounds.

    Forecasted yield is 2,170 pounds per acre, up 380 pounds from the 2023 harvest.

    “This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a productive bloom this spring, but it is also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California during difficult times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver on producing high quality California almonds to meet that demand.”

    The report said, “The 2024 almond crop experienced fluctuating, but mostly favorable weather for the first half of the growing season. The bloom began the second week in February for the early varieties. There were a handful of storms that brought rain, wind, and hail to some areas, but overall mild temperatures and excellent weather from the end of February into early March helped boost pollination. Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year … There was minimal to no threat of frost damage and water allocation is not an issue for the second year in a row.

    This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 19 to May 5 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online or phone.

    On July 10, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2024 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. If the 3.0 billion pounds holds, it would be the second largest crop on record.

    This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2024 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has decreased about 600 acres from the previous year to 1.373 million acres.

    USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast and Objective Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

  • CAWG Foundation Awards $36,000 in Student Scholarships

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $36,000 in college scholarships to eight deserving students. These scholarships are granted to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.

    “Every year, it’s an honor for the CAWG Foundation to grant these scholarships to the children of vineyard employees. Our workforce is the cornerstone of our industry, and these scholarships are a sincere token of our appreciation. The Board was deeply impressed by the ambitions, community involvement, and outstanding qualities exhibited by the scholarship applicants this year,” said Davindar Mahil of Creekside Farming and Chair of the CAWG Foundation Board of Directors.

    The CAWG Foundation board selects scholarship recipients who have demonstrated exceptional achievements across multiple domains. These include outstanding academic performance, active participation in extracurricular activities, financial need, and a notable commitment to public service and community involvement. Alongside evaluating academic aptitude, the Board places significant emphasis on qualities such as a strong dedication to community service, a proven record of leadership, and a personal essay that effectively narrates the applicant’s unique journey and aspirations.

    Since the program’s inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has awarded $639,500 in scholarships, empowering students to pursue higher education. These scholarships are made possible through generous donations from CAWG members and the supportive California wine community.

    This year, five four-year scholarships were awarded to students attending either a University of California or California State University campus and three two-year scholarships were awarded to students attending a California community college.

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

    Cindy Lopez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School

    Ariatna Navarrete-Gonzalez, Napa, Napa High School

    Sierra Stevenson, Fairfield, Angelo Rodriguez High School

    Leah Mauritson, Healdsburg, Cardinal Newman High School*

    Ross Poletti, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo High School**

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

    Layla Lopez-Barrera, Petaluma, Casa Grande High School

    Miguel Ninche-Sotelo, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Dayana Torres-Gonzalez, Lakeport, Clear Lake High School

    *$4,000 Special Award **$2,000 Special Award

    About the Recipients

    FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP / $8,000 EACH

    Cindy Lopez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School

    Cindy is a dedicated first-generation college student with a passion for the community she grew up in and a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. During her high school career, Cindy has actively participated in sports, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball, while maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA. She is academically accomplished and deeply involved in various school organizations such as ACID, S Club, CLARA, Interact, and Upward Bound, all of which strongly emphasize community service and volunteerism. These extracurricular activities have provided Cindy with a profound sense of connection to her community, a source of great joy for her. She looks forward to continuing her involvement in her community after college. Cindy plans to attend either UC Santa Barbara or CSU San Marcos in the fall to pursue her academic and career goals in child development.

    Ariatna Navarrete-Gonzalez, Napa, Napa High School

    Ariatna is a driven student with a strong commitment to academic excellence and community involvement. Ariatna has taken a rigorous course load at Napa High School while also taking advantage of a dual enrollment opportunity at Napa Valley College, where she has successfully completed numerous college- level courses. Ariatna is a dedicated participant in extracurricular activities, including the California Scholarship Federation, orchestra, drumline, and theater. She is also a member of the tennis and lacrosse teams, showcasing her versatility and teamwork skills. Outside of her school commitments, Ariatna is an active member of the Teens Connect Council, a group that focuses on student mental health awareness. She plans to attend UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, or UC Berkeley to major in Mathematical Biology/Biological Sciences, to become an emergency medicine doctor.

    Sierra Stevenson, Fairfield, Angelo Rodriguez High School

    Sierra is a natural leader with a passion for education and a drive to make a positive impact on the world. Her love for history and politics has driven her to pursue a career as a district superintendent, where she hopes to advocate for education equality and ensure accurate representation for all. As the first in her family to graduate high school and attend college, Sierra values education deeply. She has worked to maintain an impressive 4.35 GPA. In addition to her academic achievements, Sierra is actively involved in extracurricular activities, including serving as the ASB Treasurer and holding leadership positions in various other school clubs. She also participates in her school’s theater program, showcasing her diverse interests and talents. Sierra’s commitment to education and leadership is evident in all aspects of her life. She plans to continue her education at either UC Los Angeles or UC Irvine, where she will major in Political Science.

    Leah Mauritson, Healdsburg, Cardinal Newman High School*

    Leah is a driven student with a profound passion for the winegrape industry, a passion cultivated through her hands-on experience working alongside her father in the vineyards. Her career trajectory was shaped by this early exposure, allowing her to gain comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of winegrape cultivation, from tending vines to harvesting. Leah has tackled a range of tasks, from repairing irrigation systems to shoot thinning and grape picking, demonstrating her diverse skill set. Leah actively participates in leadership roles and community projects while maintaining a 4.2 grade point average. Leah plans to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Agricultural Business, and furthering her knowledge and expertise in the field she loves.

    Ross Poletti, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo High School**

    Growing up surrounded by vineyards, Ross learned the value of hard work from his parents. He approaches challenges with a natural willingness and is known for his responsibility and ability to thrive under pressure.

    Ross values the importance of his education and has maintained a 4.1 GPA. His involvement in the San Luis Obispo High School Automotive Club has not only honed his leadership skills but has also provided him with the opportunity to represent his club at the SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technology Competition. As a varsity-level competitive swimmer, Ross has further developed his time-management and leadership abilities, earning recognition as a scholarly athlete. Ross has been accepted to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he will pursue a major in Computer Engineering with the goal of becoming a Network Administrator.

    TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP/ $2,000 EACH

    Layla Lopez-Barrera, Petaluma, Casa Grande High School

    Layla is a committed student who values her family, school, and community. She has been inspired by her parents’ strong work ethic, which has instilled in her a profound understanding of the importance of dedication and perseverance. As a bilingual student, Layla has used her language skills to benefit her school community, serving as a Bilingual Ambassador. In this role, she conducts guided tours for Spanish-speaking families and provides interpretation services as needed. Layla also volunteers weekly at a local elementary school, where she leads a robotics club and helps younger students with coding. Throughout high school, Layla has challenged herself with advanced placement courses to better prepare for college. She plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College with a major in Public Health Sciences, with the ultimate goal of becoming a physician.

    Miguel Ninche-Sotelo, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School

    Miguel is a dedicated student who has demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout his high school years. His immigrant parents have instilled in him the value of hard work and perseverance. Miguel has spent his summers working to support himself, further emphasizing his commitment to his education and future. Actively involved in the Interact Club, Miguel currently serves as President. The club plays a vital role in helping students fulfill their community service requirements by providing them with various opportunities. Through his involvement, Miguel has developed essential skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and reliability. Miguel plans to attend Mendocino College to pursue a major in Health Science. His career goal is to become an anesthesiologist or pharmacist.

    Dayana Torres-Gonzalez, Lakeport, Clear Lake High School

    Dayana has had a clear vision from a young age to pursue nursing in college and ultimately become a pediatric nurse. Her innate compassion and love for working with young children have always been driving forces in her life. Dayana has maintained a 4.0 GPA while actively participating in her school community. She is a dedicated member of the Latino Club and the California Scholarship Federation, demonstrating her commitment to both her heritage and academic excellence. Additionally, Dayana has served as a student representative for the Class of 2024 for the past two years, showcasing her leadership skills. Her dedication reflects her determination to succeed and her commitment to her education. In the fall, she plans to attend Mendocino Junior College, where she will continue to pursue nursing and make her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse a reality.

    About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

    The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.

  • Steve Koretoff & Flory Industries Named Almond Alliance Members of the Year

    At its annual convention held this year in Lihue, Hawaii, the Almond Alliance recognized an exceptional business (Flory Industries) and individual (Steve Koretoff) as its 2023/2024 Members of the Year.

    Flory Industries has been an integral part of Central California agriculture since 1936 and has been selected as the Associate Member of the Year. Flory Industries’ expertise and support of almond industry advocacy have reinforced the company’s position as an essential contributor to the industry’s growth and success.

    “Flory Industries’ deep roots in Central California agriculture and their commitment to innovation have made them a vital partner in the almond industry,” said Aubrey Bettencourt, outgoing President and CEO of the Almond Alliance. “Their increased activity within the Almond Alliance has amplified advocacy efforts and strengthened the industry’s voice.”

    Flory Industries was awarded Associate Member of the Year at the 2024. Left to Right: Blake Vann, Chairman of the Almond Alliance; Jason Flory, CEO of Flory Industries; Todd Wille, COO of Flory Industries; and Katie Staack, Vice Chair of the Almond Alliance.

    In recognition of his contributions to the almond industry and the Alliance, Steve Koretoff was awarded the Member of the Year. Grower, processor, and handler Koretoff marks the second generation at Purity Organics and has completed his second term as Secretary of the Almond Alliance. Through his dedication and strong moral character, he has contributed calm wisdom to the leadership of the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the Grower Committee, and the greater almond community.

    “Steve embodies the essence of excellence in our almond community,” Bettencourt said. “His unwavering commitment to the industry and remarkable leadership as Secretary of the Almond Alliance has not only earned him this prestigious honor but has also left an indelible mark on our collective journey.”

    About the Almond Alliance
    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture. As the voice of almonds, the Alliance represents the fourth-largest commodity in the United States and the third-largest American export.

    Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.

  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry Recognized with Ag Council of California Influential Legislator Award

    Agricultural Council of California (Ag Council) presented its 2024 Influential Legislator Award to Majority Leader Cecelia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) during the organization’s annual Legislative Conference in Sacramento.

    The annual award is given to a legislator who embodies an active and collaborative approach to finding positive outcomes for agriculture and all of California.

    Ag Council President Emily Rooney said, “Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry works strategically with others in the Legislature to achieve critical results for our members and is a staunch ally of agriculture on a wide variety of policy issues. When considering policies, she asks, ‘What do my ag people think about this issue?’ She has worked to ensure funding for ag programs to reduce emissions and meet climate goals. She also helped secure a grant program for farmers and ag-related businesses affected by recent flood or drought events.”

    As majority leader, Aguiar-Curry works in close communication with the Assembly speaker and speaker pro tempore to build agreement across the Democrat Caucus and expedite Assembly proceedings. She also serves as vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus.

    She is a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Health, the Committee on Transportation, and is chair of the Select Committee on Wine.

    Aguiar-Curry was elected to the Assembly in 2016 to represent the 4th District comprising all of Napa, Lake, Yolo, Colusa and Solano Counties and part of Sonoma County. Previously, she served as mayor of Winters and was an elected city councilmember.

    Growing up, she helped her father in the walnut orchards in the area. She is still involved agriculture as she and her brothers own an 80-acre walnut orchard.

    Her leadership is commendable, and Ag Council thanks her for being a steadfast advocate for our members. Congratulations to Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry for being named Ag Council’s Influential Legislator of the Year.