California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Ag Retailers & Crop Advisers Express Strong Support for USDA’s Regenerative Ag Initiative

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) welcome the recent announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding the new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program. ARA applauds the Trump Administration’s commitment to voluntary, incentive-based conservation efforts that place farmers first and strengthen America’s food and fiber supply.

    “ARA stands ready to collaborate with USDA, NRCS, and all agricultural partners to ensure the Regenerative Pilot Program strengthens producer profitability, enhances natural resources, and supports a resilient food and fiber system for generations to come,” said Hunter Carpenter, ARA’s Senior Director of Public Policy.

    Agricultural retailers and the Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) they employ have long been at the forefront of helping growers adopt practices that improve soil health, protect water quality, and enhance long-term productivity. Many regenerative agriculture principles—such as the 4R nutrient stewardship framework, no-till and strip-till systems, cover crops, variable-rate application, and grazing—are already implemented across the country. For decades, growers have voluntarily invested in these practices because they improve soil function, increase efficiency, and support more resilient farm operations. Farmers are the original conservationists, and their commitment to leaving the land better than they found it remains steadfast.

    ARA strongly supports USDA’s voluntary and incentive-driven approach to regenerative agriculture. These practices must make agronomic and economic sense for individual operations, and we encourage USDA to work closely with agricultural retailers—the trusted advisers who serve farmers every day—to help determine where and how regenerative approaches can be implemented profitably. At the same time, growers who choose not to adopt certain practices, for whatever reason, should not be penalized. Successful conservation requires flexibility and respect for the diversity of production systems across American agriculture.

    The technical expertise offered by ag retailers and their CCAs is essential for helping producers adopt regenerative practices in ways that fit their farms and improve their bottom lines. ARA looks forward to working in concert with NRCS staff—not in lieu of them—to expand technical assistance and ensure that growers receive the full benefit of both public and private-sector expertise.

    The Increased TSP Access Act represents an important opportunity to expand the number of CCAs who can be certified as Technical Service Providers, bolstering NRCS capacity and accelerating on-farm adoption of regenerative systems. ARA greatly appreciates Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Representative Jim Baird (R-IN), and others for introducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help address TSP shortages.

  • Secretary Rollins Challenges Newsom’s Proposed Redistribution of California Ag Land

    Today, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom (PDF, 1.4 MB) demanding California abandon a proposal that would redistribute agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. This letter comes as the California Land Equity Task Force considers a draft proposal that would encourage and facilitate land transfers and financial assistance exclusively to certain minorities.

    “[T]he United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) writes to express substantial constitutional concerns regarding the state of California’s proposed redistribution of agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. The proposed policies would grievously harm farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers,” the Secretary wrote in the letter.

    “All people should be treated equally and what California has proposed directly targets those who work from sunrise to well past sunset, faithfully tending our nation’s land and livestock. Hardworking farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers all deserve a shot at the American dream, and they should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin,” the Secretary continued.

    View the full letter (PDF, 1.4 MB)

    Background: In 2022, the California State Legislature established the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force to develop recommendations for the State Legislature and Governor Newsom on how to “equitably” increase access to minority farmers and tribes. Currently, the Agricultural Land Equity Task Force is reviewing a draft report that is due back to the legislature by January 1, 2026.

    You may view the draft report from California. It proposes several ways to redistribute agricultural land to “socially disadvantaged farmers” and claims that “diversity” will result in ecological benefits, environmental protection, and climate resiliency.  It recommends several actions that would apply exclusively to certain minorities. The Report also recommends the support and incentivization of:

    The development of local ordinances that would restrict the purchase of land unless you are a certain minority.

    The purchase of private land by the state and other non-profits under the guise of agricultural land preservation and only offer leases to certain minority farmers after the purchase.

    Exclusive leasing of existing state lands to certain minorities.

    Exclusive funding for acquisition of agricultural land by certain minorities.

    Exclusive tax credits to certain minorities for not only agricultural land but also infrastructure and student loans.

    Transferring public land exclusively to tribes.

    Transferring private land specifically to tribes, specifically to African Americans living in California, and exclusively to certain other minorities.

    Debt forgiveness for only certain minorities.

    The development of zoning laws that require “equitable” land access and specific climate-related agricultural practices.

    The prioritization of conservation programs for certain minority farmers over other farmers.

  • DPR Seeks Penalties Against Central Valley Aerial Pesticide Applicator for Drift into Almond Orchard

    Today, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced it is seeking monetary and licensing penalties against a Kingsburg-based aerial pesticide applicator, marking the first use of new administrative pesticide use enforcement authority granted by the Legislature in 2023.

    The accusation, filed by the California Attorney General’s Office on DPR’s behalf, alleges Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc. caused drift damage to a non-target almond orchard and committed multiple worker safety violations.

    “Trinkle Ag Flying has repeatedly violated rules designed to protect people, the environment, and private property,” said DPR Deputy Director of Enforcement Ken Everett. “These are serious violations, and the department will seek serious penalties for unsafe pesticide use to protect all Californians.”

    In the accusation, DPR seeks to revoke or suspend the pest control business license of Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc., as well as the qualified applicator and journeyman pilot licenses of owner Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. With a suspended or revoked license, the company would be unable to apply pesticides for hire. The department is also seeking a $30,000 fine.

    The accusation alleges a pair of violations occurred in 2024. On January 16, DPR alleges Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc. and Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. violated numerous worker-protection requirements during an application at a Hanford farm. According to the accusation, Mark R. Trinkle, Jr. refused to cooperate with an inspector from the Kings County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and continued the application despite visible worker health and safety violations involving insufficient protective equipment for employees mixing and handling chemicals.

    A month later, on February 13, DPR further alleges that Mark R. Trinkle, Jr., on behalf of Trinkle Ag Flying, Inc., was applying herbicides to a corn field in Visalia when they illegally drifted onto a neighboring almond orchard, causing damages estimated to be over $32,000. The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated the incident.

    “DPR is committed to protecting the health and safety of our communities by stopping the unsafe, illegal use of pesticides,” said Everett. “When violations are identified, we take action to prevent harm and ensure accountability.”

    Read the full accusation here.

  • New Webinar Series by CAFF and UC Aids Farmers Transitioning to Organic

    Farmers seeking guidance on starting or advancing their transition to organic crop production are invited to attend free webinars led by a wide range of experts, including University of California scientists and fellow growers.

    Held at noon every Wednesday from Jan. 14 to March 18, 2026, the “Transition to Organic Webinar Series” covers the certification process, market dynamics, soil health and soil amendments, pest and weed management, and other key topics of organic production. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions but can choose any webinars that are most relevant for them.

    Learn more and register; attendees also can choose real-time Hmong or Spanish interpretation for each session.

    The 10 online sessions – each comprising a 75-minute presentation and discussion, followed by optional office hours – are organized and sponsored by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, UC Cooperative Extension, and the UC Organic Agriculture Institute (an institute of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources).

    “This is the first time UC ANR is partnering with CAFF to offer such a series focused on transition to organic,” said Margaret Lloyd, UCCE organic agriculture and small farms advisor for Yolo, Sacramento and Solano counties. “Ultimately, we hope to provide the resources, community and support to folks who want to make a successful transition.”

    California leads the U.S. in the number of organic farms, land in organic production and organic sales. In 2023, there were more than 3,300 organic producers in the state, according to the latest California Department of Food and Agriculture report.

    Organizers designed the webinars to appeal to producers across California and to directly address issues that a variety of agricultural operations face.

    “This series brings together technical assistance providers and farmers to explore the full range of challenges producers face when transitioning to organic – from certification and market considerations to management practices, biodiversity, recordkeeping and inspections,” said Grace Jackson, the Central Valley regional lead for CAFF’s Farmer Services team.

    Series addresses challenges of certification, market dynamics, pest and weed management

    Another organizer, Katharina Ullmann – training and technical assistance coordinator at the UC Organic Agriculture Institute – said that demand for more information was quite apparent during workshops held this past year throughout the state, from Siskiyou County to San Diego.

    “Standalone workshops are great, but there is a lot of information to cover in a two- or three-hour workshop,” Ullmann said. “We thought it would be helpful to have a longer, regular series, where we would have a whole hour to dig into a specific transition topic.”

    The lineup of presenters – available on the registration page – reflects a diverse mix of perspectives on organic agriculture, encompassing firsthand farmer experiences and the latest scientific research.

    “We have farmer panels; we have people who work with certifiers, and organic inspectors; we have UCCE advisors and specialists who will present as part of this workshop,” Ullmann said. “Over the past three decades, many individual farmers and other partners like the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the CCOF [California Certified Organic Farmers] Foundation and the Ecological Farming Association [EcoFarm] have provided training on transitioning to organic production. We are excited to add to that body of work.”

    She noted that the series covers many of the topics mentioned by respondents to the Organic Agriculture Institute’s statewide needs assessment survey. In addition to crop production challenges and market concerns, growers emphasized the need for support on certification processes and related paperwork (such as the Organic System Plan) – topics to be presented on Jan. 21.

    Aside from this new series on topics about transitioning to organic, Lloyd and other UCCE advisors are continuing an annual online Organic Agriculture Seminar Series on specific aspects of organic production. Details for those webinars, scheduled for Tuesdays at noon in 2026, will be posted on Lloyd’s website.

    Registration and information on the “Transition to Organic Webinar Series” can be found at: https://actionnetwork.org/events/transition-to-organic-webinar-series-for-crop-producers/.

    The series is made possible through funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture State Organic Program, the CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability, and the United States Department of Agriculture Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

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

    To read more UC ANR news, visit our newsroom at ucanr.edu/News.

  • SIP Certified: Vineyards Setting the Sustainability Standard Since 2008

    Since its launch in 2008, Vineyard Team’s SIP Certified® program has recognized vineyards and wineries that go above and beyond in their commitment to sustainable winegrowing. These businesses uphold rigorous standards that protect the people, planet, and prosperity of their business. Today, we proudly recognize the growers who have earned SIP Certified every year since 2008.

    Hahn Ste. Phillipe and Ste. Nicholas Vineyards (Monterey Pacific)

    Both vineyards are in the Arroyo Seco appellation within Monterey County, and both earned SIP Certified together in 2008. Today they are under the vineyard management of Monterey Pacific.

    Steve McIntyre, owner of Monterey Pacific (1992), is a founding member of Vineyard Team. Members of his team have continued to stay involved through Vineyard Team’s Board of Directors, and by sharing their expertise on various committees and at grower lead events.

    Castoro Cellars

    Niels and Bimmer Udsen share a deep respect for the land and a desire to encourage stewardship of the environment. Their vineyards have been SIP Certified since 2008 and are also CCOF Organic certified.

    They launched Castoro Cellars in 1983 with a laid-back, warm, welcoming style that showcases their emphasis on community.

    Castoro Cellars is home to the Whale Rock Disc Golf course and the annual Whale Rock Music & Arts Festival, which donates proceeds to the Templeton High School Band.

    Templeton Preserve Vineyard (Mesa Vineyard Management)

    The Merrill Family has been growing grapes on California’s Central Coast for at least 8 generations. They hold a strong belief in community and industry involvement.

    Dana Merrill is a founding member of Vineyard Team, and his son, Matt Merrill, has served on Vineyard Team’s Board of Directors and various committees over the years.

    Dana Merrill founded Mesa Vineyard Management in 1989. He purchased Pomar Junction vineyard in 2002 and worked diligently to earn SIP Certified in 2008.

    Today, Strongwater Viticultural Investments LLC, a partnership between three leaders in the Central Coast’s wine industry (Anthony Bozzano, Andrew Jones, and Michael Testa), is part-owner of the vineyard but the Merrill’s are still very much involved with daily operations.

    Jackson Family Wines Vineyards of Monterey

    Jackson Family Wines‘ vineyards have been in the program since the beginning, and the team continues to be involved with Vineyard Team on an organizational level to this day.

    Denise Shurtleff, VP of Production for South Coast and Bart Haycraft, VP of Farming for South Coast have both served on our Board of Directors and in various committees, and both have hosted educational and collaborative meetings.

    Today, all the Jackson Family Wines vineyards in California have earned SIP Certified.

    Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

    At Laetitia, sustainability goes beyond the vineyards. Their 900+ acre estate is permanently protected by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, guaranteeing that it will always be preserved.

    In 2024, long-time winemaker and general manager Eric Hickey, along with partners Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson, purchased the estate and are continuing its history of sustainable practices.

    Orcutt Road Ranch (Pacific Coast Farming)

    Pacific Coast Farming has been farming vineyards since the first Edna Valley planting in 1973 and certifying with SIP Certified since the program began in 2008.

    Orcutt Road Ranch was one of the first Pacific Coast Farming vineyards that earned SIP Certified.

    Vineyard Manager Erin Amaral has shared her time and expertise through serving on Vineyard Team’s Board of Directors and speaking at the Sustainable Ag Expo. She also serves on the SLO County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors.

    Wolff Vineyards

    Jean-Pierre Wolff is a long-time supporter of Vineyard Team, has a long history of board membership with several local, State and Federal agricultural organizations on California’s Central Coast, and is constantly seeking innovation and efficiency in his own vineyard. In 2017, he decided to convert a portion of Wolff Vineyard to drought-resistant rootstocks and plant them three feet into the ground.

    Initially, this was a way to increase water efficiency by reducing evaporation. But he found the benefits extended to reducing pest pressure!

    Water and fertilizer are applied through PVC pipes that lead directly to the root systems, so weeds with shallow roots can’t access these resources.

    And vertebrate pests don’t typically dig to the depths at which the roots lie.

    Wolff Vineyards is host to many applied research projects with Cal Poly and State Agencies.

    Cheers to many more years of innovation to come!

    Congratulations!

    We honor the dedication of these SIP Certified vineyards and their ongoing efforts to shape a more sustainable future for the winegrowing community. Their leadership and commitment inspire others to join the movement and continue raising the bar for what it means to farm with care and integrity.

    About SIP Certified

    Sustainability In Practice (SIP) Certified ® is a sustainable certification program for winegrowers and winemakers. The program evolved from the first sustainable vineyard self-assessment (Positive Points System) developed by Vineyard Team which helped growers evaluate their sustainable practices on every level, from habitat to water, soil to human resources. Today, nearly 41,000 vineyard acres in California, Oregon, and Michigan, six wineries, and more than 65 million bottles of wine have been SIP Certified.

  • Almond Board of Directors Vote to Discontinue USDA Objective Measurement Report

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors has voted to cease funding for the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Objective Measurement Report, marking a change in California almond crop estimates going forward.

    This decision follows extensive consultation with growers, handlers, and other industry stakeholders, as well as a thorough review by the Almond Forecast Task Force, comprised of industry members, who compiled recommendations for the Almond Quality and Food Safety Services (AQFSS) Committee. After further review and discussion, AQFSS provided their recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board’s goal is to ensure crop estimates remain factual, unbiased, and responsive to the evolving needs of the industry.

    Since the 1960’s, ABC has contracted with USDA NASS to produce the Objective Measurement Report in July. However, industry feedback has highlighted ongoing challenges in accurately capturing variables such as larger crop sizes, diverse grower practices, and weather events across California’s production regions.

    While funding for the Objective Measurement Report will end, the California Almond Subjective Forecast, published annually in May by NASS, will continue. ABC remains committed to providing accurate and timely information to support the California almond industry and will continue collaborating with USDA and industry partners to refine crop estimation methods.

    For further information, please contact the Almond Board of California.

  • Late Fruit & Tree Nut Nursery Icon Commemorated

    On November 6, 2025, Dave Wilson Nursery (DWN) hosted about 200 people – from family to friends, co-workers, and people throughout the nursery and farming industry – to celebrate the life of family member and long-time DWN owner, Robert Woolley.  Woolley passed away in May after a long illness.

    Woolley was born in Stockton, CA in 1949.  After graduating from high school in Modesto in 1967, Woolley attended San Francisco State University, where he studied traditional and artistic woodworking.  He later became an expert cabinet maker and award-winning furniture designer.

    Woolley later applied the same diligence and creation of exceptional quality to developing and commercializing nut, fruit and ornamental tree cultivars.  After moving to the Central Valley with his wife, Jane Wynne Woolley, and their daughter Erica in 1980, he joined his father-in-law, John Wynne, in managing DWN in Hickman.  The Nursery had been founded in 1938 by Dave Wilson, Jane’s grandfather.  In 1989, Robert and Jane acquired the company, preserving its identity as a family‑owned enterprise while professionalizing and expanding its operations.  Under their 30+ year leadership, the nursery added the 640‑acre Red Rock Ranch in 1996, incorporated in 1999, and grew to farm more than 1,000 acres and produce over four million trees annually for both commercial orchards and the home‑garden trade.  Robert’s leadership positioned DWN as the nation’s largest producer of fruit, nut, and shade trees.

    Robert’s ownership coincided with some of the most important varietal and rootstock innovations in modern orchard crops.  Continuing John Wynne’s close relationship with Zaiger Genetics, Robert positioned DWN as the private propagator and exclusive U.S. licensor for many of their introductions, including key rootstock advances and the Independence® self‑fertile almond.  He called Independence® “huge” for growers, as it reduced reliance on pollinizer rows and beehives.

    Robert Woolley, prior owner of Dave Wilson Nursery, advanced the tree nursery industry. Most notably, during his tenure he released Independence almond, the first self-fruitful almond cultivar, developed by Zaiger Genetics.

    For decades, Woolley and other team members gathered at Zaiger Genetics every Wednesday during fruit season to taste-test and discuss prospective new varieties.  In cherries, Woolley promoted the use of inter-stem rootstocks to widen the range of “cherry ground,” enabling production on soils previously considered unsuitable.  He often shared this practical knowledge with growers in California and beyond.  Beyond commercial varieties, he supported the preservation and propagation of non‑commercial heirloom apple cultivars.

    Off the farm, Woolley played a central role in advancing clean‑plant and nursery certification programs.  A respected industry statesman, he chaired the California Fruit Tree, Nut Tree and Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board, which advises the California Department of Food & Agriculture on registration and certification of nursery stock and funds research to improve plant health. At UC Davis, he served as one of the co‑chairs of the UCD – Industry Task Force that reshaped the Foundation Plant Materials Service (now Foundation Plant Services).  Nationally, he testified before both the US House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture and the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, speaking on behalf of the nursery and greenhouse sector about labor, specialty crop competitiveness, and the critical need for a robust National Clean Plant Network. He also worked closely with regulators and researchers on issues such as nematode certification and fumigation alternatives, emphasizing “zero tolerance” standards for nursery stock destined for commercial orchards.

    Colleagues remember Woolley as combining a designer’s eye with a plantsman’s pragmatism—someone equally at home discussing joinery, color and form as he was talking about rootstocks, fumigants, or clean‑plant protocols.  His work took him across California, the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and internationally to Mexico, Spain, Australia, and elsewhere, sharing expertise on tree selection, propagation, and orchard establishment.  His collaborative spirit was evidenced at his Celebration of Life event, where almost every major California tree nursery was represented.

    Through his intelligence and passion, creativity and competence, Woolley advanced the fruit and nut tree industry in California and beyond, enriching the lives of those around him along the way.

    Woolley has reunited with his wife, Jane, who passed away in 2007. Woolley is survived by his daughter Erica, the current owner of DWN.

  • Fleeting Relief for Some Farmers, But ‘Bridge Payments’ Lack Long-Term Solutions

    Yesterday, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced limited details of the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which will make $12 billion available in one-time payments predominantly for row crop farmers. The announcement comes at the conclusion of a tumultuous 2025, during which rising production costs, low crop prices, diminished market access, and unprecedented instability in federal partnership converged to push many farmers to the brink.

    “By nearly any measure, 2025 has presented American farmers with a set of unprecedented challenges. The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program provides some initial relief, but is insufficient on its own. It effectively excludes most specialty crop growers and does little to prevent the loss of farms or farmland due to acute financial hardship. Congress must act quickly to keep farmers on the land – offering loan support and cash-flow assistance, increasing market access, and investing in input-reducing conservation practices – coupled with a commitment to overhauling the safety net and building out financial resilience,” said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.

    The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will direct over 92% of payments to a handful of commodities, including corn, cotton, peanuts, rice, wheat, and soybeans. Roughly $1 billion will be reserved for other crops, including specialty crops, though a timeline for those payments is not yet available. USDA reportedly confirmed that FBA eligibility will be limited to those individuals or legal entities with an adjusted gross income below $900,000, and payments will be capped at $155,000 per recipient.

    “Young farmers know how to roll with the punches and navigate the unexpected, from weather impacts to pest and disease pressures and shifts in market access, whether local or international. At the same time, farmers expect a certain level of confidence in how our public agriculture systems are governed and maintained. The layered and persistent uncertainty of 2025 is pushing many farmers to the limits of what their operations can withstand. The collective government response to these conditions needs to be robust, multi-faceted, and appropriately targeted. This means that the payments announced this week must be followed by additional and expedient efforts to keep farmers on the land and to improve the farm safety net, leaving annual bailouts as cautionary historical context rather than ongoing policy,” said David Howard, Young Farmers Policy Development Director.

    Producers will not be required to enroll in crop insurance to be eligible for FBA payments. While income limits and payment caps have been clarified in press reports, it is unclear whether ‘actively engaged farming’ requirements will be applied to eligible recipients. USDA will use a national loss average to calculate payments, which is unlikely to adequately account for geographic differences in the market conditions that producers face.

    The program will be rolled out on an incredibly tight timeframe: USDA has set a deadline of December 19 for farmers to ensure their 2025 acreage reporting numbers are accurate. Commodity specific payment calculations are to be completed and announced by the end of December, with checks flowing to producers by February 28, 2026. This short timeline is warranted, but may prove difficult amidst USDA staff shortages – the Farm Service Agency has lost 1,200 staff since January 2025. Under these circumstances, it is critical for USDA to ensure accurate and equitable program delivery – and to avoid the “significant improper payments” that have plagued previous assistance programs.

    Looking beyond this current effort, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Young Farmers Coalition strongly urge USDA and Congress to come together and work on additional solutions to repair and expand the farm safety net to all farmers. As Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated in yesterday’s announcement, “It is imperative we do what it takes to help our farmers, because if we cannot feed ourselves, we will no longer have a country.” We must ensure that across the country, people producing the food we eat have adequate certainty to plan the future of their agricultural operations and provide a reasonable quality of life for their families.

    The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is a national grassroots network of young farmers changing policy and shifting power to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. Visit Young Farmers on the web at youngfarmers.org.

    The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more: https://sustainableagriculture.net/

  • Fresno Chamber Presents Ag Awards at Malcolm Media Expo

    Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo returned to the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on November 14th, where 1,600+ ag professionals gathered for some amazing networking and educational opportunities. With a vast indoor and outdoor agricultural tradeshow, CE credited seminars, BBQ tri-tip lunch, and an expanded series of State of the Industry sessions for key grape, nut and fresh fruit commodities, attendees enjoyed a one-of-a-kind experience and took home insights that will benefit the future of their farming operations.

    New to the Expo this year – the Fresno Chamber of Commerce presented its annual Ag Awards in partnership with Malcolm Media and the Fresno County Farm Bureau.  To celebrate the occasion, the fairground tables and stage were lavishly decorated by The Chamber with flowering plants from Belmont Nursery and an edible arrangement of fresh grapes, persimmons and pomegranates.

    AGvocate of the Year: Shelly Abajian

    The first award, for AGvocate of the Year, was conferred on Shelly Abajian.  Abajian said that after college, “I farmed a little bit with my father and then ended up with the job of my life with US Senator Dianne Feinstein. . . . Because of that job, I was able to meet and connect with agriculture and people throughout the state.”  During the 21 years that Abajian worked for Feinstein, she earned the appreciation of farmers as a trusted broker of their interests.  She travelled the state and dug deeply into the issues, especially water.

    Abajian resides as the third generation on her family’s raisin farm in Selma, accompanied by the fourth and fifth generations.

    Shelly Abajian, awarded AGvocate of the year, served as a liaison between farmers and the late senator Dianne Feinstein.

    Agricultural Employee of the Year: Edgar Blanco

    The second award, Agricultural Employee of the Year, was bestowed on Edgar Blanco. Originally from Mexico, Blanco serves as the Vice President of Operations for the Home Management Group, Inc., where he plays a central role in strategic workforce planning, vineyard development and safety compliance across all ranch operations.  In 2021 he expanded his leadership role even more by partnering with Earl Hall to co-own BH Grinding, LLC, a vineyard and orchard removal company.

    “Blanco’s career reflects the very spirit of the award: unwavering dedication, leadership, and a profound understanding of what it takes to keep agricultural enterprises thriving,” remarked Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen as he presented the award to Blanco.   

    Edgar Blanco (pictured with Ryan Jacobsen) was awarded Agricultural Employee of the Year for his “unwavering dedication, leadership, and profound understanding of what it takes to keep agricultural enterprises thriving.”

    Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year: Belmont Nursery

    The “Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year,” was awarded to Belmont Nursery.  Belmont owner Jon Reelhorn was a self-described “city boy” who studied landscaping at Fresno State.  After selling plants for another large wholesale nursery for 15 years, Reelhorn acquired Belmont Nursery in 2001.  The previous owner, Jerry Palmer, graciously mentored him.

    Expanding under Reelhorn’s leadership from 13 to 50 employees, Belmont stands out for its innovation and industry leadership.  They have modernized operations and developed unique plant varieties.  As Reelhorn says, “We’re a grower first, and then we happen to have a store.”  They encourage employee-driven creativity in their own business and beyond.  They further invest in the broader horticultural community, hosting educational events, supporting staff certifications and actively participating in state and national nursery associations.

    Equally impressive is Belmont’s commitment to philanthropy.  Their Giving Committee donates plants, supplies and funding to schools, community gardens and educational programs.  Belmont also champions sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping, enabling customers and peers to surround their built environment with plantings that are both ecologically responsible and visually appealing.

    Jon Reelhorn accepted the “Baker Tilly Agribusiness of the Year” award on behalf of his business, Belmont Nursery. The Nursery encourages employee-driven creativity and promotes sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping.

    Agriculturist of the Year: Stuart Woolf of Woolf Farming

    The prestigious Agriculturist of the Year award was presented to Stuart Woolf of Woolf Farming.

    Woolf’s specialty crops farm lies in a water-challenged area along the west side of the southern Central Valley.  To accommodate the insufficient water, Woolf is experimenting with growing agave on 450 acres of his farm.  Agave needs only 2 inches of water per year, compared to 45 inches for other crops.  Agave is used to make mezcal, a Mexican distilled liquor, of which tequila is the most familiar type.   

    Besides being an innovative farmer, Woolf is known for treating everyone around him with respect.  He claims that he loves going to work on his farm even more than going to the beach or the mountains.

    The Chamber was pleased to honor these four recipients for their contributions to Fresno County agriculture, celebrated with an amazing turnout of Expo attendees.   

    California Fresh Fruit Association President Daniel Hartwig (left) congratulating Stuart Woolf (right) awarded as Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s “Agriculturist of the Year” at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno on November 14.

  • California Ag Leadership Foundation Breakfast Fundraisers Set for February 2026

    The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is proud to announce the upcoming Ag Leadership breakfast fundraisers at the Colusa Farm Show and World Ag Expo. These long-standing events bring together alumni, industry partners and friends of agriculture for meaningful connection, inspiration and community. More than just gatherings, these breakfasts are significant fundraisers that directly support CALF’s mission of growing leaders who make a difference across California agriculture. Attendees will enjoy engaging keynote speakers, celebrate industry leadership and contribute to the continued growth of the Ag Leadership Program.

    24th Annual Colusa Farm Show Breakfast — Feb. 4, 2026

    The 2026 Colusa Farm Show Breakfast will be held at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4 at Saint Bernadette’s Hall, Colusa, CA.

    Keynote Speaker: Don Cameron, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.

    Cameron is General Manager of Terranova Ranch and a recognized pioneer in groundwater recharge in the San Joaquin Valley. Farming 25 diverse crops in a district with no surface water rights, he has led innovative groundwater sustainability efforts while serving in leadership roles with the California Tomato Growers Association, California Cotton Alliance, Western Growers Association and the McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

    32nd Annual Ag Leadership Alumni World Ag Expo Breakfast — Feb. 12, 2026

    The 2026 breakfast will take place at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the VIP Tent South, International Agri-Center, Tulare, CA.

    Keynote Speaker: David Carr, former Fresno State star, No. 1 NFL Draft pick and Super Bowl champion.

    Carr led Fresno State to an 11–3 season, earned the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Sammy Baugh Trophy, and became the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Over his NFL career, he played for the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants — winning a Super Bowl title in 2011. Today, he is a lead analyst for the NFL Network, hosts a weekly iHeart Media program and co-hosts the Home-Grown podcast.

    These signature events not only fuel CALF’s leadership development programs but also strengthen the network of alumni and supporters who power the future of California agriculture. We invite our Ag Leadership community and industry partners to join us, reconnect and invest in the next generation of leaders who will shape our fields, businesses and communities.

    Tickets are available now at: www.agleaders.org/events/

    About the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation

    The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) is dedicated to cultivating leaders who have the vision and capacity to advance, benefit, and promote California’s agricultural community. Since its founding in 1970, more than 1,500 fellows of the California Agricultural Leadership Program have become lifelong leaders, serving as catalysts for a vibrant agricultural industry and making lasting contributions to their businesses, communities, and families. CALF delivers a comprehensive and diverse leadership curriculum in collaboration with its five partner universities: UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Chico State.