The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has finalized two new regulations that take effect on January 1, 2026.
Restrictions on 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) to protect occupational bystanders
New regulations, developed jointly and mutually by DPR and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), will restrict the use of the pesticide 1,3-D to address cancer risks to occupational bystanders, including farmworkers. The new regulations establish buffer zones and require ongoing evaluation of potential exposure risks. The regulations build on recent protections for residential bystanders that went into effect in January 2024.
New regulations update DPR’s requirements for pesticide applications near schoolsites to implement Assembly Bill 1864 (2024). For applications within ¼ mile of a schoolsite the regulations now require separate site identification numbers for pesticide use reporting along with the inclusion of application method details in permits and reports. The definition of “schoolsite” will expand to include private schools (K–12) serving six or more students on December 31, 2026. These reporting requirements build on existing restrictions for pesticide use near schoolsites.
California pear farmers are fighting for survival as a surge of low-priced pear imports from Argentina continues to flood the U.S. market each year just as the domestic harvest begins. Industry leaders are now in discussions with staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to find meaningful relief from a situation they say has become a major driver of the decline of California’s historic pear industry, which dates back to the Gold Rush.
“Since 2016, Argentine exports of fresh pears to the U.S. have increased by 125 percent in direct competition with California Bartlett and Bosc pears, particularly in the early season,” said Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “Argentina has been flooding the U.S. market just before the start of California’s harvest in early July.”
Although Argentina supplies more than 90 percent of pears imported into the U.S. during winter months, Zanobini notes that roughly 70 percent of Argentine pear imports now arrive in April and May—after long storage periods and right as California growers prepare to ship their first fresh fruit.
“This flood of cheap imports has a devastating impact on California growers,” he said. “Retailers feature these low-priced imports instead of newly harvested U.S. pears. Additionally, retail data indicates these imported pears are not being sold to shoppers at a discount. It’s bad for farmers and it’s bad for consumers.”
James Christie, president of Bryant Christie Inc. (BCI), which represents several U.S. agricultural groups including the California pear industry, says the need for action is urgent.
“The stakes are high and this will be a challenge, but we are doing everything we can to fight for California farmers,” Christie said. “The USTR has indicated they are looking for ways to help U.S. farmers manage import pressures. That is exactly what we are asking for.”
Christie emphasized that tariffs alone are unlikely to solve the problem.
“We are requesting relief in the form of a quota on Argentine pears or a defined period during which these imports cannot enter the U.S.,” he said.
According to Zanobini, Argentine pears are counter-seasonal to U.S. production, meaning the fruit arriving in spring has often been stored for half a year. Many Argentine shippers also use 1-MCP, an anti-ripening agent that extends storage life but can prevent pears from ripening properly, resulting in a poor eating experience for consumers.
“California pear shippers have pledged never to use this chemical,” Zanobini noted. “But when our fresh, newly harvested pears arrive, they are forced to compete with old, stored fruit that often won’t ripen.”
The impact is tangible. Zanobini described a major lost opportunity this past July:
“A national grocery chain had planned a large promotion featuring our early California fruit, including a price premium,” he said. “But the retailer canceled, citing a market flooded with Argentine pears. Our shippers lost both the sales and the premium.”
Small Family Farms at Risk
“This is just one example of how Argentine imports are harming U.S. farmers,” Christie said. “California pear growers are struggling. Acreage is shrinking. The number of pear growers continues to decline.”
Zanobini added that the industry is composed of small, multi-generational family farms known for producing nutritious fruit using some of the most environmentally responsible practices in the world.
“These are exactly the types of farmers U.S. trade policy should protect,” he said.
He also pointed out that pears are not alone. “California pear growers are just one of many U.S. farmers suffering from recent trade negotiations—from soybean farmers to cattle ranchers to citrus growers,” Zanobini said. “While the Trump Administration provides the Argentinian government with a $40 billion bailout, we believe there is room to negotiate a fair deal that prevents Argentine imports from undercutting U.S. farmers in their own market.”
Christie underscored the urgency of the issue. “California’s pear industry may be small within U.S. agriculture, but that does not make it unimportant,” he said. “If anything, the fact that these are small family farmers should make defending them a priority.”
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) recently announced a series of strategic promotions that recognize the contributions of four accomplished individuals who have played vital roles in advancing CMAB’s mission to support California’s dairy families by increasing demand for dairy products made with Real California Milk.
Veronique Lagrange Promoted to Executive Director of CDIC
Veronique’s leadership of the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) has connected industry partners, academic institutions, and external stakeholders toward achieving a common goal of advancing product, process, and packaging innovation for California dairy. She has spearheaded efforts to secure millions of dollars in grant funding for California through the Pacific Coast Coalition and was a driving force in its creation. She recognized a gap in training and development, and has organized dozens of short courses, providing training for hundreds of dairy professionals across California and beyond. Veronique and her team have developed product concepts and prototypes and assisted both entrepreneurs and existing processors with formulation assistance to jump-start product innovation.
Katie Cameron Promoted to Director of Foodservice
For the past four years, Katie Cameron has served as Senior Manager of Foodservice at the CMAB, where she has supported growth opportunities for California dairy processors and helped strengthen relationships with key distributor and industry partners. Katie evolved the organization’s foodservice distributor tours, adding educational and training elements that have enhanced the attendee experience and deepened processor engagement. She played a central role in advancing foodservice culinary contests and events—creating platforms that raise visibility for Real California dairy and support volume growth. Katie brings a well-rounded background in sales, marketing and research that has helped shape CMAB’s foodservice strategy and broaden its impact across the industry.
Jarett Margolis Promoted to Director of Business Development
Jarett has led the Real California Milk Excelerator innovation program for the last seven years, accelerating over 50 start-ups and providing ongoing mentoring to them and numerous other RCM entrepreneurs. With a keen eye towards results and a strong sense of stewardship, he’s led the evolution of the program to one that is focused on commercial results and guided by return to our dairy farmers. He pioneered dairy entrepreneur classes at multiple California universities, a program that has attracted national attention, and importantly invested in the future of our industry in California. A consummate can-do leader, Jarett has led several projects developing business propositions for value-added California dairy products and co-led CMAB’s strategic planning the last two years.
Maddy Martin Promoted to Senior Analyst
Over the last six years, Maddy has supported the U.S. and International Business Development teams as a coordinator, providing reliable and diligent support. Her strong analytical capabilities have allowed her to elevate CMAB’s data-driven decision-making, providing valuable insights through comprehensive data analysis, reporting, and the ongoing stewardship of key databases. These efforts have enhanced internal visibility, improved workflow efficiency, and supported strategic planning across departments. Maddy has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Salesforce CRM platform, assisting with organizational onboarding and helping to design and refine custom features tailored to the diverse needs of CMAB’s business development teams.
“Each of these team members has made a measurable and lasting impact on the California dairy community, and their promotions reflect both their individual accomplishments and the strength of our organization as a whole,” said Bob Carroll, CEO of the CMAB. “Their leadership has advanced innovation, strengthened key relationships, elevated the visibility of Real California Milk, and positioned us for continued growth. I am incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to the contributions they will continue to make in their new roles as we work together to drive demand for California dairy.”
California is the leading U.S. state in dairy production. Its family dairy farms are focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a more sustainable future for dairy in the state.
About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
MM Joel Rowyn-ET: Reserve Junior All American Four-Year-Old Cow, shown by Kamryn Kasbergen of Tulare, CA
Twenty-eight (28) Jersey youth between the ages of nine and twenty, representing 13 states, have been recognized by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) as the 2025 Junior All American winners. A total of 175 youth exhibited 295 Registered Jerseys during the 73rd All American Junior Jersey Show, held November 7, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.
2025 Junior All American Winners
Spring Heifer Calf
Junior All American: HC-Rader KRock Hanna, Shelby Rader, Conneaut Lake, Pa.
Reserve Junior All American: Freedom Lane KR Gabriella-ET, Eli Arp, Norwalk, Ohio
Winter Heifer Calf
Junior All American: Roc-N-Roll Keep My Sanity, Karlie Suplee, Mount Morris, N.Y.
Reserve Junior All American: Discoverys Ghost Janessa, Grace Sauder, Tremont, Ill.
Fall Heifer Calf
Junior All American: Mead-Manor Joel Cinnamon-ET, Kailey Guilette, New Franken, Wis.
The All American Junior Jersey Show is an annual production of the American Jersey Cattle Association. For information on sponsorship opportunities or to contribute to the Maurice E. Core Jersey Youth Fund, supporting Jersey youth exhibitors, contact the AJCA Communications Department at (614) 322-4451.
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) recently announced Smearcase as the grand prize winner at the 7th Real California Milk (RCM) Excelerator product innovation competition. The award was presented during the 2025 RCM Excelerator live pitch event on December 11th in Napa, Calif., where four new finalists were also selected to compete for the 2026 grand prize.
This competitive program is designed to drive value-added dairy innovation using California milk, ultimately strengthening the state’s dairy industry by providing brands with access to sustainably produced milk as well as resources, expertise, and non-dilutive funding to grow their businesses. As the winner of the 2025 Real California Milk Excelerator, Smearcase will receive $100,000 worth of marketing support from the CMAB to continue scaling their dairy-based innovation with milk from California dairy farm families.
Through the Excelerator, early-stage companies are able to leverage the power of Real California Dairy by accessing:
Tailored content and resources specific to the dairy industry, including access to quality, sustainably sourced milk, and other dairy ingredients
Mentorship from leading experts across product development, marketing, distribution, and sales
Extensive exposure to industry stakeholders
Smearcase was one of four finalists named in 2024 when the company was selected for its innovation as the first cottage cheese-based ice cream infused with collagen. As a “better-for-you” ice cream option, Smearcase features the most protein per pint of ice cream at about 40 grams and does not use artificial gums or sweeteners. Targeting health-conscious consumers, co-founders Joe Rotondo and Drew DiSpirito, launched the New York City-based brand after training for a marathon and identifying a market gap for high-protein ice cream.
Since being selected for the 2024 cohort, the founders have scaled production using Real California Milk and continue to demonstrate their company’s tremendous potential. Smearcase won this year’s Grand Prize based on their sales growth throughout the year. The company was recognized as a Dairy Foods 2025 Dairy Product of the Year Finalist and over the past year launched their products regionally in Whole Foods and will debut in Sprouts markets in Q1 2026. The $100,000 grand prize will provide marketing support for initiatives like on-pack promotions, digital and instant redeemable coupons, product sampling, and in-store signage to further drive brand awareness and retail expansion.
“The California Milk Advisory Board has taken our business to a whole new level,” Smearcase co-founder Joe Rotondo said. “They’ve opened doors that allowed us to work with world-class partners. We’ve increased the quality of our product and increased the scalability of our business with their collaboration.”
The Real California Milk Excelerator was established by the CMAB seven years ago to drive transformational growth for innovative dairy products that can deliver value both to consumers and the dairy community. Programs like the Excelerator play a crucial role in bridging the gap for high-potential food and beverage startups.
“Innovation pushes our industry forward, and Smearcase is a clear example of what happens when bold thinking meets real dairy. Their frozen cottage cheese is opening an entirely new lane in frozen indulgence. We’re proud to support their growth through the Real California Milk Excelerator and give consumers another fresh way to enjoy the benefits real California milk and dairy can offer,” said Bob Carroll, CEO of the CMAB.
At the 2025 Real California Milk Excelerator Live Pitch Event, attendees also experienced product tastings and exhibitions from seven pioneering dairy startups, and witnessed the selection of four new finalists chosen by a panel of judges from this year’s cohort:
Joseph Farms‘ String Cheese (Atwater, Calif.) – 99% lactose-free string cheese with 7g protein per stick.
Mavens Creamery (San Jose, Calif.) – Asian-inspired indulgent ice cream made with rich, exotic ingredients in flavors like Thai Tea, Durian, and Black Sesame.
Pioneer Pastures (Bozeman, MT) – Ultra Filtered, A2 whole milks crafted for superior nutrition and taste with higher protein and lower sugar for easier digestion.
“This year’s grand prize winner and finalists reflect the energy and creativity of California dairy,” said Fred Schonenberg, CEO of VentureFuel. “Their ideas are reshaping the category, and we’re proud to stand behind them with the CMAB as they help spark continued innovation and growth for dairy.”
The final pitch event offered industry stakeholders an opportunity to engage with products poised to shape the future of dairy, while also showcasing the commitment of California’s dairy farmers to sustainable practices. California is the leading U.S. state in dairy production. Its family dairy farms are focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a more sustainable future for dairy in the state.
California is the leading U.S. state in dairy production. Its family dairy farms are focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a more sustainable future for dairy in the state.
7th Real California Milk (RCM) Excelerator product innovation competition finalists
About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
About VentureFuel
VentureFuel helps accelerate enterprise growth through startup partnerships. Its custom accelerators drive transformative change with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. VentureFuel provides organizations like Hershey’s, Comcast, Dick’s Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and the State of California with the tools to learn, test, build and invest in what’s next. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net,LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. You can listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast on Apple, Spotify, Simplecast or wherever you get your podcasts.
Robert “Bob” Steinhauer, an iconic figure in California viticulture whose five-decade career reshaped modern winegrowing and elevated the profession of vineyard management, died on November 28, 2025. He was 84.
Born in 1941 to Edward and Freda Steinhauer in Exeter, California, Bob grew up in Easton, where his family farmed raisins. His earliest and most cherished memories were of riding on the fender of his Uncle Roy’s tractor from age 12 and working beside his cousin Leonard Hoskins in the raisin vineyards – experiences that rooted in him a lifelong love of farming, vines, and the people who tend them. Early on he was known for the traits that would define him for life: a sharp wit, a love of storytelling, and an energetic presence that seemed to stir the air around him. Friends would later call him a “force of nature,” and said that when he walked into a room, or a vineyard, the energy level instantly rose.
Bob earned his B.S. in Viticulture (1965) and M.S. in Plant Science (1969) from California State University, Fresno. He was among the first students to complete the newly created viticulture degree, developed by Professor Vince Petrucci, making him one of Fresno State’s first college-trained viticulturists. This foundation laid the groundwork for a career that would influence the course of premium winegrowing throughout the state, and later, Bob was instrumental in raising funds for the establishment of Fresno State’s Vincent E. Petrucci Library.
Bob began his career in the late 1960s, managing 5,000 acres of vineyards for Schenley Industries in California’s Central Valley, where one of his responsibilities was negotiating some of the state’s first farmworker union contracts. In 1971 he moved to Napa Valley to work for Andy Beckstoffer at Napa Valley Vineyard Company. Hired as a “college-trained viticulturist” to modernize vineyard practices and elevate fruit quality, Bob farmed historic properties for Inglenook and Beaulieu Vineyard and forged a formative relationship with winemaking legend André Tchelistcheff, who became both mentor and inspiration.
In 1979, Bob joined Beringer Vineyards (later Beringer Blass Wine Estates and Treasury Wine Estates), where he would spend 26 years, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations. During his tenure, Beringer’s farming footprint expanded dramatically, from a couple thousand acres to more than 10,000 across multiple California appellations. He managed the company’s estate vineyards and collaborated with more than 300 winegrape growers statewide.
Bob played a pivotal role in the development of Beringer’s critically acclaimed Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay programs and its Single Vineyard Napa Valley wines. He was equally central to the company’s expansion into the Central Coast, helping diversify its grape supply and laying the foundation for new AVA-driven brands and bottlings. Jim Efird of Pacific Vineyard Company said, “I cannot provide an accurate accounting of the thousands upon thousands of acres of vineyards professionally established in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties under Bob’s direct guiding hand.”
In recognition of his extraordinary impact, Beringer named one of its Howell Mountain estate vineyards Steinhauer Ranch, an honor seldom bestowed in the wine industry. In the early 2000s the company also named its Santa Barbara County winery “Taz” after him, a reference to his nickname “Tasmanian Devil,” given for his habit of rushing into vineyards or offices, delivering rapid-fire questions or instructions, and rushing off just as quickly. In Beringer’s White Hills Vineyard in Santa Barbara County, a park was named Steinhauer Park in his honor. Industry colleagues widely credit Bob with building one of Napa Valley’s most advanced, research-driven, and technically sophisticated vineyard programs in his time at Beringer.
After retiring from Beringer in 2005, Bob founded Wineland Consulting LLC, where he advised a select group of high-quality wineries and vineyards for the next 20 years. He continued to influence the industry by advocating for modern, data-informed vineyard practices and mentoring the next generation of winegrowers.
Bob’s leadership reached far beyond the vineyards he managed. He was a Fellow in the newly formed Agriculture Leadership Associates beginning in 1971. He served as President of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (1985–1986), the first viticulturist ever chosen for the role, breaking precedent and inspiring a generation of vineyard managers. He served as Chairman of the California Grower Foundation (1982–1983), President and Board Chair of Napa Valley Vintners (2004), Chairman of the statewide Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board (successfully helping pass the PD/GWSS Grape Growers Assessment) and more recently was a member of the International Technical Working Group for the European Grape Vine Moth. He also served as a Director of the American Vineyard Foundation (1988–2001) and chaired the Program Development Committee for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium (2006–2008).
His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Napa County Farm Bureau Agriculturist of the Year Award (2010) (for which he received U.S. Congressional recognition); ASEV Merit Award (2008); Fresno State’s “Top Dog” Outstanding Alumnus Award (2006); Lodi Winegrape Commission Wine Integrity Award (2005); Copia Winegrower of the Year (2004); Fresno State Viticulture & Enology Research Center Bloom Award (1994); and Foremost-McKesson California Vintners Award (1983).
But Bob’s most enduring legacy may be the way he elevated the direction and profession of viticulture itself. From the mid-1980s through the 2000s, a period of massive wine industry growth and change, he was one of the most influential voices in viticulture – intellectually rigorous, deeply curious, and unafraid to challenge established thinking. He attracted support for viticultural research, set the agenda for what needed to be studied, and pushed researchers to be better. He was known for asking the toughest questions, yet once convinced, he would be the first to implement research findings in the field and often improve upon them.
Colleagues described him as a “font of knowledge,” a man who knew every inch of Napa Valley and could tell you anything about a vineyard’s past, present, or potential. Nick Dokoozlian, Vice President of Viticulture, Chemistry, and Enology at E&J Gallo, commented, “Before Bob we were all farmers. Bob became the first winegrower.” Richard Mendelson of DP&F Law observed, “He was the leading viticulturist of our era.”
Bob cared deeply about the welfare of vineyard workers, advocating for fair pay, health insurance, and pension benefits for those who worked in the vineyards. His respect for vineyard laborers was unwavering, and he considered them essential partners in crafting fine wines.
Bob was a natural storyteller -one who could make short stories long, savor a good glass of red wine, barbecue with gusto, or linger over a family meal in the shade of the camphor tree. Among his favorites was a tale from South Africa, where he learned that a peculiar vineyard fence was designed to keep out baboons. “Is that the worst problem you have?” he asked, only to be told, “No, the worst is when the winemakers come in!” It became a running joke for years.
Even near the end of his life, Bob spoke and dreamed of farming, vineyards, and work. He loved his family, his friends, the land, and the profession that defined him. He often said, simply and proudly, “I had a great life.”
Bob is survived by his wife – the rock of his life for 57 years – Verna Grimm Steinhauer; his children, Erik John Steinhauer (Audrey); Anne Christine Steinhauer; his beloved granddaughter, Parker Gayle Steinhauer; and his cousin, Leonard Hoskins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Vineyard Foundation, Justin Meyer Graduate Student Research Fellowship (avf.org), in honor of Bob’s lifelong dedication to advancing viticulture.
A celebration of life will be planned for Spring 2026.
The countdown to the holidays is on, and the Real California Milk taste team is making it easier than ever to spread cheer with delicious gifts straight from the Golden State. From artisan cheeses to small-batch dairy treats, these California dairy gift boxes celebrate the craftsmanship and sustainability of the state’s dairy farm families.
Shop Local, Gift Deliciously
California’s dairy artisans make holiday gifting effortless. Choose from curated collections that fit every taste and budget—all featuring the Real California Milk seal, your assurance that each product is made with wholesome, sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farms.
Whether sending a thoughtful gift to loved ones or elevating your own holiday table, these California-made cheese and dairy gifts are a meaningful way to support local producers while indulging in the best the state has to offer.
Explore and Order Online
Find the perfect California cheese box, butter sampler, or ice cream gift set—shipped directly from the state’s finest creameries to your doorstep. Visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com to discover California cheeses and dairy products at retail and find perfect pairing ideas to complete your holiday celebration.
California Dairy: Wholesome, Sustainable, and Local
California is the number one dairy state, home to more than 1,000 family-owned farms dedicated to quality and sustainability. Every purchase of Real California Milk products supports these farm families and contributes to a more sustainable dairy future.
About Real California Milk / California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, represents the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a mission to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, CMAB promotes California dairy products, including California dairy gifts, artisan cheeses, and other sustainably sourced dairy foods, across retail, foodservice, and global markets. These efforts help connect consumers to high-quality products made with Real California Milk and support holiday gifting trends that highlight local, sustainable foods. Connect and learn more at RealCaliforniaMilk.com.
Samantha Murray, education and garden coordinator of the UC Davis Bee Haven and a bee specialist, has just received a grant from the El Dorado Beekeepers (EDB) to support her research on how nutritional supplements affect honey bee health and colony performance.
Jim Guilliams, president of EDB, and his wife, Debbie Katz, secretary of EDB, recently toured The Haven — the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology’s half-acre public demonstration garden on Bee Biology Road — and presented her with a check.
Samantha Murray, education coordinator of the UC Davis Bee Haven and a bee specialist, receives a research grant from Jim Guilliams, President of the El Dorado Beekeepers. At left is UC Davis bee scientist and Bee Haven director Elina Lastro Niño.
“I’ll be investigating how different dietary supplements influence the health and survival of caged honey bees, with the goal of generating insights that can be applied to colony-level management,” Murray said. “The project will track bee health, survival, and feed intake. Findings will be shared with beekeepers and used to help improve practical beekeeping strategies that enhance colony health, productivity, and resilience against environmental and disease-related stressors.”
“Bee losses nationwide are particularly bad this year,” according to UC Davis Bee Haven Director Elina Lastro Niño, professor of UC Cooperative Extension, Apiculture; a key member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology (ENT) faculty; and the founder and director of the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP). “This past winter the nation’s beekeepers lost 1.1 million bee colonies. Since 2006, beekeepers have reported average annual colony losses of up to, and in some cases above 50 percent, threatening the stability of our food supply.”
Guilliams, a 30-year beekeeper who has achieved the journey level of CAMBP,the second highest level, said that “Promoting science driven education is very important to our bees and beekeepers. Too much unproven information is being dispersed throughout our communities which increases mortality among all our bee populations.We are happy to support projects from the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, the leader in our region in the field of entomology and bee research.”
Guilliams described Murray’s grant submission as “outstanding,” adding that “her research topic is centered on nutritional supplements and how they affect honey bee health.The outcome of this research will contribute to healthier colonies with higher survivorship. We are happy to award our 2025 research grant for $1000 to Samantha, and we thank her for doing this important work.”
EDB is a 501(3) (C) organization providing science-based education to its members and improving beekeeping information through the support of bee science.
“We annually donate money to bee research and community organizations that teach the importance of bees in our lives,” Guilliams noted.“EDB has members from throughout the Sierra foothill community in central California and we strive to provide them with the best science-based bee and beekeeper education. We have approximately 150 members in our club, extending from Sacramento’s 6-foot elevation to South Lake Tahoe’s 6300-foot elevation. So there is a lot of diversity in climate, etc., within our club area.”
Vital Resource
The UC Davis Bee Haven, installed by ENT in the fall of 2009, is known as a vital resource for pollinator education, research, and conservation. More than 200 native plants thrive in the garden, which is located next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. UC Davis Distinguished Emeritus Professor Robbin Thorp (1933-2019) recorded more than than 80 species of native bees at the site.They range from the yellow-faced bumble bee, Bombus vosnesenskii, to the metallic green sweat bee, Agapostemon texanus.
A key art attraction in the garden is the six-foot-long ceramic-mosaic worker bee sculpture by self-described “rock artist” Donna Billick of Davis, who served as the co-founder and co-director of the UC Davis Art-Science Fusion Program with UC Davis Distinguished Professor (now emerita) Diane Ullman of ENT.
Samantha, a member of the E. L. Niño lab, and known as “Sam,” is a bee researcher, beekeeper, a pollinator garden specialist, a UC Davis alumna, and a harpist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music (2025) from UC Davis.Throughout her UC Davis career, she performed with the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Flute Choir and the Harp Ensemble.
Sam became involved with the UC Davis Bee Haven in the summer of 2024 when she served as a lab technician at the Laidlaw facility for Richard Martinez, a graduate student in the E. L. Niño lab. “I was assisting with his research on nutritional diets for bees,” she related.
Samantha, who grew up in Sonoma County,traces her interest in bees to age 7, when she joined a Girl Scout Brownie troop. Her interests soon expanded to pollinator gardens and beekeeping. She became a beekeeper as a sophomore at Santa Rosa High School, and served as president of the Santa Rosa High School Beekeeping Club for three years. She subsequently joined the Sonoma County Beekeepers’ Association and the California State Beekeepers’ Association.
Murray interned with Conservation Works, a non-profit organization based in Santa Rosa that fosters environmental awareness and action, seeking “tangible efforts in pollinator protection, water conservation, climate resilience, and the development of sustainable communities.”
“Within this encouraging setting, I collaborated with Girl Scout troops across Sonoma County, embarking on projects to establish bee-friendly gardens to support local pollinators,” Murray related. “This immersive experience ignited within me a profound fascination and connection with bees that would later grow to deepen my interest in apiculture and the greater biology of bees.”
In the summer of 2021, Samantha received the Girl Scout Gold Award, equivalent to the Eagle Scout award, the highest rank in the Scouts BSA program. In her project, Samantha “addressed the critical lack of knowledge surrounding bees by developing informative presentations aimed at educating youth about the significance of pollinators. By delving into topics such as bee welfare, environmental improvement, and the intricacies of the bee world—from pollination to beekeeping and communication—I sought to bridge this educational gap. To make learning about bees interactive and engaging, I curated bee activity kits containing exciting projects like crafting clay seed bombs for flower planting. These presentations covered a spectrum of bee-related topics, including pollination, bee-friendly planting, metamorphosis, and the vital roles bees play within the hive.”
While at Conservation Works, Samantha designed and implemented pollinator gardens, and educated the public, including “the young ones” on the importance of pollinator gardens. She participated in an episode of the Imagine If podcast, co-sponsored by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and the National Geographic Society.
The public opening of The Haven took place on Sept. 11, 2010 when hymenopterist Lynn Kimsey,now a UC Davis Distinguished Professor Emerita, chaired the department, and when Missy Borel Gable (now director of the University of California Master Gardener Program), served as the garden’s inaugural director.Also in 2010, Sacramento Bee selected The Haven as one of the top 10 public gardens in the region.
The Haven is open to the public from dawn to dusk. Admission is free throughout the year, as is the first hour of parking on weekdays, according to the UC Davis Transportation Services. Parking is always free on weekends.
The Haven’s only financial support is through public donations. “Every dollar goes directly toward maintaining the garden, supporting educational programs, and ensuring a thriving future for pollinators,” said Cari DuBois-Wright, Director of Development, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Donations can be made through the website at https://beehaven.ucdavis.edu/donateor by contacting DuBois-Wright at (530) 752-6971 or caduboiswright@ucdavis.edu.
The Friant Water Authority (FWA) announced the appointment of Julie Gantenbein, a respected water law expert and longtime advocate for effective water management in California, to serve as its General Counsel. Gantenbein has spent nearly 15 years as a shareholder at the Water and Power Law Group, where she built a strong reputation for her expertise in water rights, regulatory compliance, and statewide water policy.
The decision was made at the December 12, 2025 meeting of the FWA Board of Directors and the appointment is effective immediately.
“We are pleased to welcome Julie to the Friant Water Authority,” said Rick Borges, Chairman. “Her experience, approach to problem solving, and proven track record, will be a tremendous asset to the FWA Board of Directors.”
Gantenbein’s legal career includes extensive experience in non-federal hydropower licensing and compliance proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), natural gas certificate and compliance matters before FERC, and regulatory proceedings for federal water control facilities before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
She has also represented public agencies and conservation groups in cases involving hydropower, water rights, and the protection and enhancement of environmental and recreational benefits of public waters. In addition, she is a certified mediator with appellate experience.
Gantenbein earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (2002) and her B.A. in International Studies (magna cum laude, 1998) from California State University Monterey Bay.
Her expertise will help strengthen the Authority’s efforts to support the Friant Division’s water users, advance critical projects, and promote sustainable water management throughout the region.
The California Plant and Soil Conference will be held on February 3-4 at the Visalia Convention Center 303 E. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291
The conference is organized by the California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy (CA ASA). Registration is now open through the conference website (https://na.eventscloud.com/plantandsoilconference).
The annual conference provides an opportunity for students, professionals, and other attendees to increase their knowledge of current topics of agronomic importance in California. Many Certified Crop Advisers and Pest Control Advisers attend the conference to earn continuing education units that are important to their professional standing.
This year’s conference will convene sessions covering the following topics:
· The State of California Agriculture in 2026 and Beyond
· Precision Ag
· Integrated Pest Management
· Robotics
· Nutrient Management
· Technology for Irrigation Management
· Tools for Soil Health and Regenerative Ag
· Circular Economies
· Frontiers in Genetic Engineering
· Crop Diversification
· Groundwater Quantity and Quality for Agriculture
In addition to presentations on these topics, there will be an award ceremony to honor individuals who served the profession through their careers, a student poster competition, non-competitive professional posters, a student mentoring breakfast, and the CA ASA business meeting. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support student participation; please see the conference website for more information (https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/sponsors/). Early bird registration is available through January 10th.
The conference is planned and presented by a team of volunteer professional agronomists from research institutions, cooperative extension, public agencies, and private companies. If you are interested in serving on the board, or have questions about the conference, please contact a current board member (https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/leadership/).
The CA ASA organization was founded in April 1971 by a group of California agronomists who recognized the value in creating a forum to focus on California agriculture. The purpose of the annual meeting is to promote research, disseminate scientific information, foster high standards of educational and ethical conduct in the profession, and facilitate robust cooperation among organizations with similar missions.
