California Ag Network

Category: News

  • The Social Cost of Carbon Doubles

    Davis, Calif., (November 28, 2017) – The “social cost of carbon” — an influential figure used by policymakers to weigh the value of efforts that reduce greenhouse gas emissions — is outdated and underestimated. Updated estimates focused on the agricultural sector alone more than double the social cost of carbon, according to analysis from the University of California, Davis, and Purdue University.

    The social cost of carbon represents the damage a ton of additional carbon dioxide will have on society and the economy, including agricultural productivity, human health, property damage due to flooding and energy costs.

    The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, show that for every additional ton of carbon dioxide emitted, the global economy loses between $3.50 and $8.50 due to effects in the agricultural sector, rather than gaining $2.70 as previously estimated. This leads the overall social cost of carbon to increase from $8.60 per ton of CO2 to between $14.80 and $19.70, an increase of 72 to 129 percent.

    Climate change not a benefit to agriculture

    Previous estimates were based on data from the 1980s and 1990s that suggested the short-term benefits of increased CO2 emissions on plant growth would benefit agriculture. The updated estimates show that climate change has an overall negative effect on agriculture.

    Impacts of temperature change on yields of four major crops. (Courtesy UC Davis)

    Researchers analyzed more than a thousand published estimates of how crop yields from four global staples — wheat, rice, maize and soybean — respond to changing climate conditions.

    The study found that higher temperatures have a negative effect on yields of all crops in almost all locations. For example, temperature increases of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) result in average yield losses of 11 percent for maize and 26 percent for wheat. These are only partially offset by the benefits from higher CO2 concentration, leading to net yield losses from climate change.

    “The very early studies tended to show that the effects of warmer temperatures were not very severe and would be more than compensated by the beneficial effects of higher carbon dioxide concentrations,” said lead author Frances Moore, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at UC Davis. “Over the last few decades, as more work has gone into understanding how climate change might affect crop yields, science has found that hot temperatures themselves have large negative effects on crop yields.”

    The study modeled the economic consequences of those yield losses in order to estimate the social cost of carbon. The authors found that a temperature increase of 2 C would result in economic losses of roughly 3 percent of the current value of the agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa and China, 2 percent in the United States, 11 percent in Central America, 9 percent in the Middle East and 2 percent in Western Europe.

    One small part

    “Agriculture is a small part of the global economy, so it’s surprising that when we put this all together, the social cost of carbon for the whole economy actually doubles,” said co-author Thomas Hertel, Purdue University distinguished professor of agricultural economics. “It makes you wonder about the other pieces.”

    The National Science Foundation provided partial support to Purdue University for this study.

    Impacts of temperature change on yields of four major crops. (Courtesy UC Davis)

  • Sonoma County Winegrowers name new Director of Marketing and Public Relations

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (November 27, 2017) – Sonoma County Winegrowers has received a great deal of media attention in recent years.  From being recognized a global leader in its quest for

    Amy Landolt joins following career in wine marketing

    100% wine sustainability to providing insight on annual harvests to most recently sharing a perspective on the impact of last month’s fires has required a lot of interaction with the media around the world.  So when the organization recently went looking for a new director of marketing and public relations, it wanted someone with wine industry knowledge and marketing experience.  They found it in California wine industry veteran, Amy Landolt, who was just announced as the organization’s new Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

    “Amy possesses both the wine marketing experience and communications expertise that we were looking for,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We are thrilled she is joining us and I know Amy will add immediate value to our team and to our grower members.” 

    Amy has worked throughout California’s premier wine regions including in Paso Robles, Temecula, Napa and Sonoma County.  Most recently she was the senior marketing manager at Pernod Ricard USA where she worked on the Kenwood Vineyards and Mumm Napa brands.  Prior to that, she was the marketing manager at Benziger Family Winery and Imagery Winery in Glen Ellen.  She is a graduate of San Diego State University and earned an MBA at Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo.  Her responsibilities at Sonoma County Winegrowers will include leading public relations efforts with trade and consumer media, coordinating the Sonoma County marketing strategy and manage community relations.

    “I am honored to be joining the team at Sonoma County Winegrowers,” said Landolt. She added, “I truly believe that every step of my career has prepared me for this great opportunity to promote and preserve Sonoma County’s rich history of agriculture and sustainability on behalf of our region’s winegrape growers and their families.”

  • Jordan College Mourns Passing Of Longtime Professor And Supporter Bob Glim

    Fresno, Calif., (November 27, 2017) – Bob Glim, a longtime Fresno State agricultural department faculty member and Ag One Foundation ambassador, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Fresno. He would have been 102 years old Wednesday, Nov. 22.

    Glim began his 30-year Fresno State teaching career in 1948 when the ag campus was located at Hammer Field near the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. He taught classes that ranged from animal husbandry to agricultural economics. He also served as a rodeo team adviser and helped oversee the campus feed mill, FFA campus field day and Big Fresno Fair judging competitions. He was a longtime Fresno State football and basketball season ticket holder and a West Coast Relays track and field official.

    Glim was the last living member of the “Twelve Disciples” faculty hired by Gene Egan, then-dean of the agricultural college, that set the foundation for today’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology curriculum. Glim retired in 1979 as assistant dean and shifted his focus to assisting the Ag One Foundation in its mission to support students and programs.

    Glim helped foster a relationship with his 49er RV Club friends Bud, Dee and Lowell Jordan that helped inspire a $29.4 million donation in 2009 that made the Jordan Agricultural Research Center possible. The Jordan family’s first donations to Fresno State were for agricultural scholarships and were initiated by Glim’s campfire presentation on the rich agricultural academic programs, farm activities and student-made farm products.

    Glim’s noteworthy professional accomplishments included a three-year USAID modern agriculture teaching tour in Sudan and other missions sharing agriculture information in the Central Valley, Mexico and Europe.

    Born in 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Glim grew up in Kerman for part of his youth and got an early start in the vineyard industry. His father, Rev. Olof Nelson Glim, purchased a 20-acre plot in 1906 and later became a founding member of Sun-Maid Raisin Co-operative. After graduating from Kerman High School, Bob Glim attended Fresno State for two years before he finished his undergraduate degree from UC Davis, where he also later earned his master’s degree and teaching credential.

    Before he joined the faculty at Fresno State, he started the Woodlake High School vocational agriculture department and taught there for eight years.

    “Professor Glim was one of Ag One’s most enthusiastic volunteers and was a cherished friend who will be missed,” said Alcidia Freitas Gomes, senior director of Ag One. “His impact at Fresno State will be remembered through the legion of students he’s taught and by helping to inspire the remarkable gift from the Jordan family.”

    He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Dorothy; five children (Alice, Margaret, Roberta, David and Mary) from his first marriage to Imogene Thistle, who died in 1966; Dorothy’s son (Len Schwartz); 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

    A celebration of life ceremony was held Nov. 17 at Campus Bible Church (4710 N. Maple Ave.). Donations honoring Glim should be made to the Fresno State’s Robert J. Glim Ag One Endowment or Jaron Ministries.

     

  • Drainage Deadline Fast Approaching

    Fresno, Calif., (November 27, 2017) – In Washington D.C. terms, 2015 marked a rare instance where something positive was accomplished – the United States and Westlands Water District reached a settlement to resolve a decades long dispute over the federal government’s failure to provide drainage for lands within the District. The settlement was negotiated by President Obama’s Department of the Interior, thoroughly reviewed by the Obama Department of Justice, and then approved by the Obama White House. The Executive Branch support from the Obama Administration carried over into this year, when the Trump Administration began.

    The settlement was based on years of analysis by federal agencies,
    bipartisan Congressional hearings on the drainage issues, the environmental consequences of inaction, and a voluminous amount of information presented to the federal district court assigned to resolve the matter. Prior to the settlement, California Members of Congress from both parties were kept apprised of the settlement negotiations and fully briefed when the settlement was announced.

    So, when HR 1769, the legislation authored by Rep. David Valadao to implement the settlement, was proposed for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), there was great hope that the decades old problem would nally be resolved before the January 15, 2018, court-imposed deadline. But those hopes were dashed when Senators Maria Cantwell, the ranking member on the Senate Energy and Resources Committee, Dianne Feinstein, and Kamala Harris announced that they were opposed to including the bill in the defense authorization legislation.

    Unfortunately, the failure to include the authorization language in the NDAA bill leaves the settlement in jeopardy.

    Despite this setback, Westlands will continue to aggressively pursue a path to success. Westlands will work with Congressman Valadao and other members to look for every possible vehicle to obtain congressional authorization to implement the settlement.

  • CALIFORNIA WINE 2017 HARVEST REPORT

    Strong Quality Across the State as Ample Rain Ends Drought

    San Francisco – California’s 2017 harvest wrapped up early this fall following summer heat spurts and a growing season that saw significant rain throughout the state ending a five-year drought. While October wildfires in North Coast wine communities made international headlines, the state’s vineyards and wineries were not significantly affected. Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, the regions most impacted, grow 12 percent of California’s winegrapes, and 90% percent of the harvest in Napa and Sonoma and 85% in Mendocino were already picked and in production at wineries before the fires.

    “The vast majority of California’s 2017 winegrape harvest was unaffected by the wild fires and the vintage promises to be of excellent quality,” said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. “The outpouring of support locally and from around the world for people in the impacted communities has been phenomenal. We are saddened by the loss of lives and homes and this will truly be remembered as a harvest of the heart. Wineries are at work making their 2017 wines and welcoming visitors during this beautiful late fall/early winter season.”

    CALIFORNIA WINE 2017 HARVEST REPORT-Night Harvest- California Ag Network
    Harvesting in the cool of night preserves fruit quality, is easy on workers and saves energy.

    The Growing Season

    With all but late harvest grapes in, vintners are looking back at the 2017 growing season throughout the state. The drought is over with the season beginning with rainfall that refilled reservoirs and replenished soils. Harvest began early at a normal pace in many regions, and then progressed rapidly during a heat wave in late August and early September. Temperatures cooled mid-September, slowing the harvest pace and allowing red grapes to ripen gradually. Many regions are reporting reduced yields due to the heat spell, but vintners are reporting strong quality for the 2017 vintage.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture estimated in early August that the state’s overall crop size would reach 4 million tons, down slightly from 4.03 mil- lion in 2016 and above the historical average of 3.9 million tons. The heat wave will likely lower this prediction.

    “We had above average rainfall this winter on the Central Coast, but not as much as areas that saw flooding,” said Steve Lohr, CEO, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. “It was wonderful because it helped ll up the reservoirs and bring new life to cover crops that had been parched after several years of drought. It has been a good year for us, all in all, on the Central Coast,” Lohr said. “From the 30,000-foot perspective, I would say that these wines are going to show particularly nicely in their youth but will have the capacity to age.”

    California Zinfandel is ready to pick, while the crusher destemmer goes into action on Chardonnay grapes.

    According to Neil Bernardi, vice president of winemak- ing at Duckhorn Wine Co., the increased rainfall also brought vine-vigor challenges. “It required special focus on cover crops and tillage and closely managing canopies. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in Napa Valley and Alexander Valley look especially healthy,” he said. “Our Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Merlot have excellent color, extraction and flavor, and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are showing excellent aromatics and great acidity.”

    The rainfall helped vines in the Santa Cruz Mountains rebound from the drought, but also caused some problems during flowering. “Zinfandel got caught by spring rain during bloom and most of our Zinfandel sites are down in tonnage anywhere from 15% to 40%,” said Eric Baugher, chief operating officer and winemaker, Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Winery. “It does appear that the Zinfandel vintage will be an extraordinary one, similar to 1999. I expect similar excellent quality out of Chardonnay since the fruit had such great intensity of flavor from the petite-size clusters and berries.”

    A heat spell impacted many California regions in late summer, speeding up harvest schedules and requiring extra vigilance. “Some vineyards that had exposed fruit showed desiccation,” said David Hayman, vice president of winegrowing for Delicato Family Vineyards, which farms grapes across the state. “Ripeness was accelerated and a lot of fruit became ready all at once. Flavors across the board look good.”

    Wine Region Reports

    AMADOR COUNTY/ SIERRA FOOTHILLS

    Vintners are reporting good quality fruit after a challenging season. Harvest began a week earlier than normal, then quickly picked up speed due to September heat. Cooler temperatures followed, slowing the harvest pace to a more normal rate. High temperatures caused raisining in some vineyards, which required additional sorting, and heavy rains brought some mildew issues. Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre fared well, and the region’s overall yield was smaller than normal.

    LAKE COUNTY

    Generous yields and excellent quality have the region’s vintners excited about 2017. Harvest began slightly later than normal and was still in full swing in early October, with a few final picks happening into late October. The winter rains replenished ground water and fed abundant cover crops, particularly valuable in helping the land heal in areas recovering from 2015 and 2016 wild res. A late summer heat wave had minimal impact on Lake County vineyards as growers prepared with advance irrigation to avert vine stress, so fruit was not subject to shrinkage or raisining. Vintners we able to give the fruit longer hang time into the cooler days of October, and winemakers are very optimistic about quality.

    LIVERMORE VALLEY

    Quality looks excellent for the 2017 vintage. Heavy rains early in the year flushed soils and improved vine health, and the growing season progressed smoothly. Heat spikes, including extreme temperatures over Labor Day weekend, stalled fruit development, but the grapes did not suffer heat damage. Harvest began in late August, as is typical. Yields are average except for Chardonnay, which is down as much as 20% in some vineyards. Petite Sirah is showing very well and Cabernet Sauvignon quality is exceptional. This year’s grapes generally have higher acids and lower pH at desired sugar levels.

    LODI

    Vintners described 2017 as a “very strange year” from a weather perspective with good quality and lower yields. An incredibly wet winter and spring created issues for growers, including flooding that delayed pruning and limited cultural practices in some vineyards along streams and rivers. Mildew pressure increased with the rains and canopy management was necessary to restore balance. An unprecedented heat wave that lasted from late August to mid-September resulted in some dehydration—especially in own-rooted old vine Zinfandel—and increased the pace of harvest. Many of the red varieties matured quickly after the early whites, but a cool stretch in mid-September allowed growers to wait for late season reds to fully ripen fully. Yields are down 10%-20%, but overall quality has been strong. Early season whites came in bright and fresh with good levels of acidity. Reds are showing good intensity and concentration.

    MADERA

    Yields were up slightly due to the heavy rainfall—more than 55 inches—that fell during the growing season. The region’s worst hail storm in 20 years shredded leaves on the vines, but the fruit was unharmed because the hail was relatively soft which mitigated any severe damage. Vines had more bunches than usual, and fruit was characterized by loose clusters, thick-skinned small berries and good pH retention. Stems and seeds matured at lower Brix than normal. High temperatures caused vines to shut down early. Red Bordeaux varieties fared well, and fruit overall is showing great color and aromas.

    MENDOCINO

    Harvest came a bit early in 2017, but closer to the average starting time than in many years. Vintners welcomed heavy winter rains, which fortified vineyards and resulted in big, healthy vines. Bud break timing was normal, and no major frost events or uneven weather occurred during that period. A late August heat wave caused major concern for white grape varieties, triggering premature ripening, rushing picks and necessitating triage on the crush pad. Because the heat wave occurred pre-harvest for the reds, ripening progressed at a leisurely pace after temperatures cooled. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are looking great and yields should be around average. Chardonnay may be a little light.

    MONTEREY

    Vintners saw a more typical, temperate growing season in 2017 than in recent years, resulting in healthy vines. Winter rains produced excellent root flush and mild spring weather brought good bloom. Warm temperatures in late July helped the grapes transition to full ripeness. The harvest for sparkling wine grapes began the second week of August, and in mid-September for still wine production. Record-breaking heat in early September caused Brix levels to jump, speeding up the harvest and causing log jams at some smaller wineries. The weather soon cooled and harvest slowed to a more normal rate. Yields were light to average, estimated at approximately 170,000 tons. The fruit looks very good overall, with especially high quality in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—all showing rich flavors.

    NAPA VALLEY

    Abundant winter rains thrilled vintners and helped recharge reservoirs and groundwater. Spring weather was cool to mild, with increased vine vigor and extended flowering in some areas, but few reports of shatter. A freak June hail storm caused isolated damage, but left the crop mostly unscathed. Initially, harvest seemed like it would proceed at a leisurely rate, but that changed with the Labor Day weekend heat wave. High temperatures kicked harvest into high gear until mid-September, when cooler weather arrived to give red Bordeaux varieties some extra hang time. Vintners are optimistic about quality. Reduced yields are expected for some varieties due to discarding fruit damaged by heat and the wild fires. The whites have bright, fresh flavors and the reds are intense and rich. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are showing especially good quality.

    PASO ROBLES

    Vintners are predicting a very good vintage despite hurdles during the season. Spring was mild and wet, followed by a period of unusually warm and humid weather that resulted in sporadic downy mildew on Central Coast vineyards. Warm weather during most of the growing season, coupled with drought-busting rains, created vigorous growth and more clusters per vine. An extended cool period during bloom caused shatter in some varieties, but also created loose, open clusters that allowed bene cial air and light penetration. A nine-day heat spike that began late August pushed picking decisions ahead of schedule and dramatically reduced crop sizes for some vintners. Heat damage was seen throughout the region, with certain areas faring better than others. Even so, vintners are optimistic about quality. The fruit is showing great intensity, with lower Brix levels and higher acids than normal.

    SAN DIEGO COUNTY

    With good winter rains and a cool spring, San Diego County experienced back to “normal” bud break dates in March. Fruit set was quite good. Harvest for whites and sparkling began in mid-July with white varietals coming in throughout August. A heat wave in early September pushed some red harvests early as sugars jumped. Those varieties that remained were harvested through October. In fact, some varieties still hanging in early November showed overall good physiologic maturity. Additional heat spells mitigated by cooler spells kept vintners guessing, with heat taking its toll in some cases, but overall crop yields were up by 25% with good to excellent quality fruit. The 2017 vintage will be excellent for San Diego County wines.

    SAN LUIS OBISPO

    Harvest began on August 21, a few weeks later than recent years, but in more in line with pre-drought start dates. Overall, the season ran two to three weeks later than 2016 due to heavy rainfall which delayed bud break and other key season milestones. Heavy rains resulted in increased botrytis and mildew pressure, but also provided vigorous shoot growth that balanced the crop load and canopy. Vines fared well during the Labor Day weekend heat spike, which had a shorter duration in SLO than in many other regions. Good soil moisture helped mitigate the effects of the heat and vintners are optimistic about the vintage. Chardonnay yields are a bit higher than average and Pinot Noir is just below. Both are showing good flavor development, with a little less acidity than usual.

    SANTA BARBARA

    The growing season got off to a good start, with generous winter rainfall and warm spring temperatures that prevented spring frost issues. The winter rains contributed to strong canopy growth and reduced the need for irrigation. High temperatures and humidity in late August and early September contributed to increased fungal pressure, but vintners reported no significant fruit damage. Harvest began in the third week of August. Fruit quality was above average, characterized by small berries with good color and concentration in the reds. Clusters were also smaller than normal, resulting in yield reductions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Yields were average to nearly 50% of normal.

    SANTA CLARA VALLEY

    The Santa Clara Valley experienced a very wet winter, almost three times normal. This led to large vigorous growth of the vines. Additional shoot thinning and leaf pulling were required but set was normal to slightly above normal for most varietals. The summer heat waves, especially the soaring heat over Labor Day weekend, hastened the harvest of early ripening varieties. With the cooler temperatures in September, the later ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah could continue to evolve on the vine and deliver excellent quality grapes.

    SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

    The region experienced a remarkably wet winter with as much as 100 inches or more of rainfall on the ocean side. This brought healthy vigor to the vines, along with the need for additional canopy management, oor management and weed control. Bud break began in early to mid-March and bloom followed in late May to early June. Harvest came at the end of August, spurred by a heat wave that sent temperatures into triple digits for several days and quickly spurred harvest into overdrive. Some vineyards were affected more than others, depending on microclimates and farming practices. Crop loads were very good and quality looks fantastic for the varieties that were able to ride through the heat spell—especially Cabernet Sauvignon.

    SONOMA COUNTY

    Record-breaking winter rainfall kicked off the season, filling the water table to capacity and replenishing soils. A mild spring brought bud break at the normal time, and vintners reported small berries with excellent color. A hot summer culminated in a Labor Day weekend heat wave that caused some vintners to move up their harvest dates by a week or so. The grapes endured the heat and once cooler weather arrived, fruit was able to mature at a gradual pace. Mid-September rain forced growers open up canopies, and in some instances, use blowers to dry out certain varieties prior to harvesting. Early estimates predicted an average yield, but some vintners reported weight loss in the grapes after the heat wave. Because most of the fruit was picked prior to the October res, vintners have a positive outlook on the 2017 wines, comparing the vintage to 2003, 2013 and 2014. The fruit has excellent color, pronounced flavors and high quality across varieties.

    TEMECULA VALLEY

    Early season rains brought yields back to normal levels this year, increasing 20%-25% over 2015 and 2016. A cool spring resulted in normal timing for bud break, in late March. Temperatures remained fairly cool in May and June, but high temperatures in July triggered an early start to harvest—around mid-July for sparkling wine grapes. A heat wave in late August and early September drove up sugar levels and stunted physiological ripening in some varieties, but early whites looked very good and acid levels were higher than expected. Rhone, Italian and Portuguese varieties fared well, and quality was solid for the vintage overall.

  • Winemaker Gina Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery to Keynote at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

    SACRAMENTO, CA, November 20, 2017 – Third generation winegrower and artisan winemaker Gina Gallo of E. & J. Gallo Winery will deliver the keynote luncheon speech on opening day of the 2018 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on Tuesday, January 23, in Sacramento at the Sheraton Grand.
    “As a member of one of America’s historic winemaking families, Gina embodies a sense of tradition, family legacy, craft and business acumen that transcends generations and inspires future growth amongst colleagues,” says John Aguirre, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), a co-organizer of the event along with the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV).
    Gina Gallo oversees the Gallo Signature Series and Ernest & Julio Gallo Estate wines. In her role, she is intimately engaged with the Gallo family’s premier estate vineyards in Napa, Sonoma and Monterey counties. As the Senior Director of Winemaking, she views winemaking as both a creative expression of the land and as a demonstration of the unique qualities of a specific vintage. Her values stem from her family’s entrepreneurial history, using her experience and creative vision to craft luxury wines from her favorite blocks from the family’s estate vineyards.
    Gallo was a 2016 inductee to the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America. Fortune magazine named her one of the “Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink,” and she was named #17 on Decanter magazine’s “Power List” of the most important men and women in wine. She is a board member of the American Farmland Trust, which works to preserve agricultural land, and Taste of the NFL, which raises funds and awareness for food banks and anti-hunger initiatives.
    Unified’s Tuesday keynote luncheon was first introduced in 2014 and has since become a feature of the Unified Symposium. Tuesday also includes a welcome reception in the late afternoon — an added benefit with every general registration. 
    The 2018 Unified Symposium will again take place at the Sacramento Convention Center, located in downtown Sacramento, January 23-25.
    Built with the joint input of growers, vintners and allied industry members, the Unified Symposium serves as a clearinghouse of information important to wine and grape industry professionals. The Unified Symposium also hosts the industry’s largest trade show of its kind, with over 650 vendors displaying their products and services. For additional information, visit www.unifiedsymposium.org.

  • Friends of the California State Fair Awarding Over $46,000 In Scholarship Funds

    Sacramento, Calif., (November 22, 2017) – The Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2018 – 2019 academic year.

    The program offers 14 categories of scholarships ranging from $1,000 – $2,500 each with varying eligibility requirements. Categories include: agriculture, art, academic excellence, business, culinary/hospitality/event management, education, international relations, trade school, viticulture and enology.

    Applicants may apply for one scholarship category of their choice per year and will be evaluated based on academics, community service, quality of essay and recommendation. Top scholarship winners in select categories may be invited to compete for the $5,000 Ironstone Concours Foundation Scholarship. Scholarships are not renewable; however, students may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

    The Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program is a collaboration between the Friends of the California State Fair, the California Exposition & State Fair, the California State Fair Agricultural Advisory Council, the Ironstone Concours Foundation, Blue Diamond Growers and Western Fairs Association. International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), an independent scholarship management company, hosts the online application process and disburses awards for the program.

    The deadline to apply is March 2, 2018. Learn more at CAStateFair.org/scholarship. For questions about the Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program, please email scholarship@calexpo.com.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (November 22, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Cotton harvest is coming to an end. Fields are being shredded and disked to comply with Cotton Plowdown Regulations. All fields must be brought into compliance prior to December 20th. Black-eyed beans are being exported to Argentina. Fields are being worked and having fertilizer spread for winter planting. Seed is being shipped in and planted to winter forage crops such as wheat, barley, and other cereal grains and forage mixes. Recent rain may have helped germinated planted forage, but irrigation will be necessary if more rain isn’t forthcoming.

    Table grape harvest is coming to an end, and grapes are being exported to China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates. Kiwifruit are being exported to Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico. Persimmons are being harvested and sold domestically and exported to Mexico. Pomegranates are being exported to Australia and Taiwan. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Walnuts continue to be harvested and exported to the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Walnuts are being shipped to China. Pruning continues in some stone fruit orchards. Some older, poorly producing orchards and vineyards are being removed and prepared for replanting.

    The navel orange harvest is ongoing. Early varieties are being shipped domestically and some exported to Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Thailand. Pomelos are being harvested and sold domestically as well as exported to Australia. Melogold hybrid grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Mandarins are being packed and shipped to El Salvador and Honduras. Lemons are being exported to Mexico. Limes are being shipped to New Zealand. Finger limes are being exported to France and the Netherlands. Young citrus trees are being bagged to protect them from frost.

    Fall vegetables are being harvested. Acorn and Spaghetti squash, pumpkins for pies, turnips, yams, kale, cauliflower, chard, collards, and leeks are just some of the choices available now at the local Farmer’s Markets. Strawberries continue to grow at roadside stands.

    Rangeland forage conditions are fair to poor. Rains should help with germination of rangeland forage, but more is needed. Some supplemental feeding is required. The fed cattle market price was stable this week at $124.00 per hundred weight.

    Nursery shipments continue to be slow. Wholesale nurseries are shipping small amounts of stock to local and out-of-state retail outlets. Bare-root roses are being received and processed for reshipment out-of-state.

  • Mechanized Agriculture Lab Renovations Made Possible By Moller Family Gift

    Fresno, Calif., (November 22, 2017) – The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State showcased initial renovations to its mechanized agriculture laboratory on Tuesday, Nov. 14 that were made possible by a $250,000 gift by Dr. James Moller and his wife, Carol Moller.

    The event was attended by University President Joseph I. Castro, Jordan College Dean Sandra Witte, faculty, staff, students, alumni of the mechanized agriculture program and James Moller.

    The donation was made in memory of Moller’s father, Leonard Moller, who owned and operated the Acme Machine Shop in Fresno until 1973. The shop was originally started by Herman Moller in the 1920s, and he later co-owned it with his son, Leonard.

    James Moller, a University of Minnesota professor emeritus of pediatrics and medicine, grew up in Fresno near the original Fresno State campus. On a visit in September 2016, he saw the laboratory’s traditional but outdated welding and mechanical equipment during a tour led by mechanized agriculture faculty member Ken Heupel.

    “Educational institutions, especially state universities and colleges, have pressing financial concerns, and Ken quietly expressed the program’s obvious needs,” Moller said. “The surroundings reminded me so much of my father’s machine shop that I could visualize him there, and it really touched me. Even though I moved away 60 years ago, I wanted to express my appreciation for the educational opportunities that I was afforded as a third-generation Fresnan while helping to create better opportunities for future students, many of whom are training to be educators and key members of the Central Valley ag industry.”

    The gift has already provided for a revamped welding area this fall with new multi-processing booths, racks, gas line manifolds, work tables, a computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutting table and a freshly-painted interior.

    Future planned improvements will include new tungsten inert gas (TIG) welders, a hydraulic shear, hydraulic brake, drill press, iron worker, band saw and chop saw equipment, engine stands and metal material storage units.

    The mechanized agriculture program in the Plant Science Department is overseen by John Williams, a 2008 Fresno State agricultural education graduate and former student of Heupel’s. Williams has served as a part-time faculty member since January 2015, and he was elevated to full-time faculty after Heupel’s retirement in August.

    Heupel had directed the program since 1997, and his 51-year vocational teaching career also included 25 years at Merced College and six years at Manteca High School.

    “Thanks to Ken’s hard work and vision, our curriculum is essential in preparing students to safely operate and maintain a wide variety of modern production agriculture equipment,” Williams said. “Students from ag education, plant science, viticulture, industrial technology, ag business and our campus farm develop skills from the hands-on labs that will be essential for the rest of their careers.”

    Fresno State is the only California State University campus that offers a mechanized agriculture emphasis for agriculture education majors. Its curriculum includes six classes in small gas and diesel engines, power equipment safety, advanced farm machinery, tractor topics, mechanized agriculture skills and basic agricultural machinery. A permanent fabrication class is also planned so students will get experience building and designing equipment and projects.

    The laboratory also provides students with applied learning experience by helping conduct Future Farmers of America high school state judging contests in farm power and machinery, small gas engines and mechanized agriculture.

    To discuss potential partnership opportunities to fund further research or academic programs, contact Alcidia Freitas Gomes at alcidia@csufresno.edu or 559.278.4266.

  • Trump Administration Appoints Aubrey Bettencourt to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in California

    Davis, Calif., (November 21, 2017) – The Trump Administration recently appointed Aubrey Bettencourt as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA California Farm Service Agency (FSA). Bettencourt joined the California FSA team on Monday, Nov. 13.

    Bettencourt most recently held the position of executive director of the California Water Alliance, a position she assumed in 2009. In this role, she worked to protect California’s water for health & security needs of families, farms and the environment. Additionally, she manages Bettencourt Farms and oversees the business operation including water and land management. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, with a minor in business and economics, from Westmont College.

    The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, ranchers and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs. The agency offers farmers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA continues to conserve natural resources and also provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including special emphasis on beginning, underserved and women farmers and ranchers.

    Under the direction of Secretary Sonny Perdue, the USDA will always be facts-based and data-driven, with a decision-making mindset that is customer-focused. Secretary Perdue leads the USDA with four guiding principles: to maximize the ability of American agriculture to create jobs, sell foods and fiber, and feed and clothe the world; to prioritize customer service for the taxpayers; to ensure that our food supply is safe and secure; and to maintain good stewardship of the natural resources that provide us with our miraculous bounty. And understanding that we live in a global economy where trade is of top importance, Secretary Perdue has pledged to be an unapologetic advocate for American agriculture.

    As SED, Bettencourt will use her leadership experience to oversee FSA programs in a customer-focused manner to ensure a safe, affordable, abundant and nutritious food supply for consumers.