California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Santa Barbara County Agricultural Production Report 2016

    Santa Barbara, Calif., (July 7, 2017) – Santa Barbara County Ag Commisioner Cathleen M. Fisher released the Annual Agriculture Crop Report and reported the following as an introduction to the report:

    In accordance with the provisions of Sections 2272 and 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, I am pleased to submit the 2016 Santa Barbara County Crop Report. This report summarizes the acreage, production, and gross value of Santa Barbara County’s agricultural commodities.

    Santa Barbara County agricultural commodities grossed $1,426,664,069 for 2016, which is a decrease of 3.7% or $52,428,493 from the pre- vious year. Poor water quality and labor issues continue to impact most, if not all, commodity groups. It is always important to note that the figures provided in the annual crop report are gross values and do not represent or reflect net profit or loss experienced by individual growers or by the industry as a whole. Growers do not have control over most input costs, such as fuel, fertilizers, and packaging, nor can they significantly affect market prices. Agriculture is the number one contributor to the county’s economy and through the multiplier effect, contributes a total of $2.8 billion to the local economy and provides 25,370 jobs.

    Significant events of the 2016 crop year:

    •  Strawberries continue to be the number one commodity with an overall gross value of $413,999,130. This represents a reduction of approximately $11 million from 2015. This is the third year in a row that strawberries experienced a reduction in gross value. This is primarily due to a drop in unit price even though strawberry acreage and production volume were at record levels in 2016.
    •  Raspberry crops had a tough year in 2016. Total gross production value in 2016 was approximately $16 million, which is an alarming $44 million reduction compared to 2015. Harvested acres dropped dramatically as well as overall production along with a drop in unit price.
    •  Blackberries had a very good year with a gross production value over $23 million, which is an increase of $9,577,429 from 2015. Santa Barbara County’s berries are shipped to many international markets and domestically throughout the country.
    •  Avocado production rebounded in 2016 compared to 2015. Overall gross production value was approximately $63 million, which is an increase of approximately $16 million. This was mostly due to a significant increase of production per acre and price even though growers were forced to reduce the number of acres in production by stumping trees due to many years of drought. Stumping forces the trees into a dormant state requiring less water.
    •  Wine grape growers had an outstanding year in 2016 and surpassed broccoli as the number two most valuable commodity in the county. Gross production value increased by approximately $45 million compared to 2015. This was due to a dramatic increase in production and price per ton. Famous for ripe, yet elegant, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the County’s wine industry is also gaining a reputation for Rhone varietals including Syrah and Viognier. Santa Barbara wine grapes now command among the highest prices any- where in the state.
    •  Santa Barbara County is an oasis of rolling hills, ancient oak trees and cattle ranches. Cattle prices continued to improve in 2016 with an increase of $847,494, which helped to offset the impacts of a historical drought.
    •  Broccoli gross production value decreased sharply by approximately $15 million compared to 2015. Even though the unit price value was higher than in 2015, harvested acres and production declined. Regardless of the reduction of value in 2016, the quality of broccoli grown in Santa Barbara County maintains a reputation of high quality and nutritional value.
    •  The cut flower industry experienced a drastic reduction in overall gross production value in 2016 of approximately $30 million. Many factors attribute to the reduction in value of cut flowers in the county however; cut flowers remain as the h overall most valued com- modity at approximately $75 million. Santa Barbara County cut owers are shipped throughout the world and bring beauty into people’s lives and provide many with the ability to express their feelings of love, joy, sympathy, friendship and celebra on.

    I wish to express my sincere thanks to our farmers and ranchers, industry representatives and the members of my staff who assisted in the gathering of data for this report. Without their assistance, this report would not be possible.

    To view the whole report CLICK HERE

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (July 7, 2017, 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 Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; and being irrigated, cut, and baled. Planting of corn and sorghum for silage is almost complete, but still being cultivated and irrigated. The corn silage crop is in various stages, from newly planted to already producing tassels, and the earliest planted corn is developing ears. Cotton continues to be irrigated, cultivated, and growing well. Early planted cotton is forming squares. Black-eyed beans continue to be irrigated and cultivated.

    Mid-season peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to domestic markets, with exports to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Demand for stone fruit remains strong in the domestic market. Last year’s almonds and pistachios are being exported to the Chile, European Union, Hong Kong, and India. Walnut, almond, and pistachio orchards continue being irrigated. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Grapevines continue to have leaves removed to allow for improved air circulation and light around the developing bunches to improve color.

    Valencia orange harvest continues for the domestic market. Regreening is becoming more common due to the higher temperatures.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested. Blueberry harvest is slowing down in most parts of Tulare County. Blueberries are being exported to Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan. Sweet corn harvest is picking up with more roadside stands opening and sales at the local Farmer’s Markets.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Fed cattle prices remained at $128.00 per hundredweight.

    Surface water is flowing in many of the irrigation canals as the hot weather accelerates the snow melt. Many farmers across Tulare County are able to use surface water to irrigate crops this year instead of relying solely on pumping ground water. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets continue. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold.

  • FAACT Application Deadline Is July 21

    Fresno, Calif., (July 7, 2017) – FCFB is accepting applications to be part of the 2017-2018 Future Advocates for Agriculture Concerned about Tomorrow (FAACT) Class XV. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 21.

    The FAACT leadership development program provides community leaders with a comprehensive education highlighting specific issue areas in agriculture. Both agricultural and non-agricultural, community-minded individuals are encouraged to apply. The eight session topics this past year included:

    • Fresno County Agriculture Introduction: Celebrating diversity through the past, present and future
    • Cultivating Minds and Ideas: Agricultural education, research and the consumer
    • Agricultural Regulation: The good, the bad and the putting you out of business
    • Politics and Agriculture: Governments’ roles in the growing of our food
    • Water: CVP and Delta
    • Labor, Food Safety, Trade & Marketing
    • Water: The Kings River System
    • Class wrap-up

    Beginning on October 2, class participants will meet once-a-month for a day-long seminar to discuss current issues in food and fiber production. Tuition for the program is $550 for Farm Bureau members and $650 for non-members, which will include a FCFB membership for one year. The deadline to apply is July 21. Applications are available at www.fcfb.org. Questions may be directed to FCFB at 559-237-0263 or info@fcfb.org.

  • California Almond Crop Projected to Increase 5.1 Percent

    MODESTO, Calif., July 6, 2017 – This year’s California almond crop is forecasted to exceed 2 billion pounds, according to the California Almond Objective Measurement Report announced today by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service — Pacific Regional Office (NASS/PRO).

    Based on 1 million bearing acres, the objective forecast for the 2017 crop is 2.25 billion meat pounds. Almond Board of California funds the annual forecast administered by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

    Following the Subjective Forecast each year, the Objective Report is the second and final forecast of almond production, providing almond growers and handlers information about the projected harvest size to direct business decisions for the year.

    “Almond trees thrive in our state because California is home to the world’s most efficient almond growers, who continually improve farming practices through research and innovation,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO, in response to the announcement. “It’s one of the few places on earth with a Mediterranean climate perfect for growing them, so it’s no wonder we’ve been successfully growing them here for over 150 years.”

    The National Agriculture Statistics Service said the latest crop forecast is up 2.3 percent compared to the May subjective forecast of 2.2 billion pounds. The estimate is up 5.1 percent from the 2016 crop production of 2.14 billion meat pounds.

    The average nut set per tree is 5,714, down 7.2 percent from the 2016 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set is 5,717 up 2.4 percent compared to last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.57 grams, up 6.1 percent compared to the 2016 average weight of 1.48 grams.

  • California Cow’s Milk Processors Score 68 Wins at California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition

    TRACY, Calif. – July 6, 2017 – California cow’s milk processors that use the Real California Cheese and Milk seals brought home 68 awards from the 2017 annual cheese competition held by California State Fair, in Sacramento. Cheesemaker – Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese was nominated as Best of Show Cow’s Milk Cheese and Best of California Cow’s Milk Cheese during the annual event. Two cheesemakers – Bellwether Farms, LLC and Fiscalini Cheese Co., were nominated as Best of California Cow’s Milk Cheese.

    California cow’s milk cheeses that use the Real California seals won 19 first-place, 32 second- place and 17 third-place awards in this year’s judging. Highlights from these wins include:

    • Bellwether Farms, LLC, Valley Ford, 1st for Crème Fraiche, Cultured Cheese – Crème Fraiche
    • California Dairies Inc., Visalia, 2nd for Real Cream Cheese, Soft Cheese – Cream Cheese
    • Fiscalini Cheese Co., Modesto, 1st for Bandage Wrapped Cheddar, Semi-Hard Cheese –Aged Cheddar
    • Joseph Gallo Farms, Awater, 2nd for Mozzarella, Semi-Soft Cheese – Pasta Filata
    • Marin French Cheese Co., Petaluma, 1st for Petite Cendrée, Semi-Soft Cheese – WhiteSurface Mold – Brie
    • Marquez Brothers International, Inc., Hanford, 1st for Queso Oaxaca, Semi-Soft Cheese –Hispanic Style
    • Nicasio Valley Cheese Co., San Rafael, 1st for Locarno, Semi-Soft Cheese – WhiteSurface Mold – Open
    • Orland Farmstead Creamery, Orland, 2nd for Ricottage, California Originals – Cow Milk
    • Point Reyes Farmstead, Point Reyes, 1st for Point Reyes Bay Blue, Semi-Soft Cheese – Blue Veined Cheese
    • Queso Salazar, Brentwood, 2nd for Queso Fresco, Semi-Soft Cheese – Hispanic Style
    • Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Willows, 1st for Organic Traditional Jack Cheese, Semi-Hard Cheese – Monterey Jack
    • Stuyt Dairy Farmstead Cheese Co., Escalon, 1st for Habanero Gouda Cheese, Semi-HardCheese – Open Category

    California dairy means real food from real people. Consumers can look for the Real California Milk and Cheese seals on dairy brands throughout the U.S. These seals ensure they are made with 100 percent milk produced by more than 1,300 Real California dairy farm families.

    For more information on California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition, go to: http://www.castatefair.org/california-commercial-cheese/.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (July 6, 2017) – A ridge of high pressure sat over the western United States, which resulted in another hot and dry week across the State. The only rain for the week was along the northern coast, where Eureka reported four hundredths of an inch for the week. A broken band of snow approximately 40 miles wide between Lake Tahoe and Sequoia National Forest still existed above 9,000 feet. Snow depths in this band were two to four feet at most. The peaks of Mt. Whitney, Mt. Lassen, and Mt. Shasta remained snow-capped.

    Temperature highs were in the 50s to 80s along the coast, 70s to 90s in the mountains, 80s to 100s in the valley, and 90s to 110s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 30s to 50s in the mountains, 50s to 60s along the coast and the valley, and 60s to 80s in the desert.

    Alfalfa fields were making excellent progress and being irrigated. Corn and sorghum planting for silage were almost complete, but still being cultivated and irrigated. The corn silage crop was in various stages, from newly planted to already producing tassels, and the earliest planted corn was developing ears. Cotton continued to be irrigated, cultivated, and was growing well. Black-eyed beans continued to be irrigated and cultivated.

    Peach, nectarine, apricot, and plum harvests continued. Fruit orchards and vineyards were irrigated. Some apple orchards used overhead cooling systems to mitigate the impact of the heat. Late Navel orange harvest was complete for the season.  Valencia orange harvest continued.  With high temperatures, regreening in citrus has become more common, and packers were color sorting to compensate.  Ruby Red grapefruit were harvested.

    Walnut, almond, and pistachio orchards were irrigated. Mechanical and chemical weed control continued in nut orchards. Pistachios were fertilized. In some locations walnut growers applied sunburn preventive materials.

    In Tulare County certified producers were picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmers’ Markets.  Italian squash, eggplant, and cucumbers continued to be harvested.  Blueberry and strawberry harvests slowed down and were expected to come to a close with hot weather.  Sweet corn harvest began with a few roadside stands opening and sales at the local Farmers’ markets.  Carrot harvest had slowed down.  In Fresno County, carrots harvest was reaching its end.  Pepper harvest was completed with good yields. Dehydrated onion left to dry.  Fresh onions harvest was half completed. Roughly one-third of the onion harvest had been completed. Onion seed drying out. In Monterey County, celery harvest began and was picking up.  In Imperial County, spring melons and sweet corn were harvested.  Some growers reported exceptional yields.  Many farmers were finished with melon harvest and were plowing fields.   In Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties, tomato crops were progressing, even though the recent heat wave slowed crop development.

    Non-irrigated grasses and forbs continued to dry out as the dry days of summer continued. Rangeland was reported to be in good to very poor condition depending on elevation, aspect and soil moisture. Foothill watering holes were drying up. Cattle continued to be moved to higher elevation range. Milk production was impacted by the high heat.  Livestock deaths increased due to the extended elevated temperatures. Sheep grazed on retired pasture and dormant alfalfa. Bees were active in melon and vegetable fields.

  • Gamlake Dairy: The Gambonini Family, Passionate About Dairy Cattle, Has Been Farming on the Same Land for 104 Years

    Petaluma, Calif., (July 6, 2017) – The Gambonini family has been farming in Petaluma for nearly 150 years, passing down their family ranch off Lakeville Highway for the last 104 years. Frank Gambonini runs the ranch alongside his wife Stacey, and the couple has three daughters who are actively involved in the ranch and the dairy industry.

    Left to right: Frank, Stacey, Samantha, Francesca and Alex Gambonini. Photo courtesy of the Gambonini family.

    Frank’s great great-grandfather, Battista Gambonini, was an Italian-Swiss immigrant who travelled to the U.S. via ship and flatcar. When he arrived in Petaluma, Battista spoke no English and worked for nine years as a ranch hand before leasing his own property in Marin. Battista purchased his first ranch near Bodega Bay in 1908. His neighbor, Paulo Dado, was also a Swiss immigrant and the two met repairing fence lines only to discover that Battista’s son and Dado’s daughter had been born on the same day. Twenty seven years later, their children, Silvio and Evelina married, and together they purchased the family’s current ranch on Lakeville Highway in 1913.

    The family churned their milk into butter and sold it heavily salted to merchants in San Francisco. The Gamboninis and Dados also brought their butter to town via horse and wagon every two weeks.

    Silvio and Evelina had four children. Their son Earl married Esther Giacomini and they took over the family dairy in 1947. Their son George married Margaret Gervasoni in 1962. George and Margaret took over the family dairy in 1965, and their son Frank became a partner in 1993. Frank and Stacey purchased the dairy business from George and Margaret in 2010.

    Frank and Stacey have three daughters: Francesca who recently graduated from Cal Poly and will be attending Penn State in the fall to pursue her master’s degree in Animal Science concentrating on dairy reproductive science; Alex who will be a junior at Cal Poly this fall is studying dairy science and agribusiness; and Samantha who will be attending Petaluma High School this fall as a freshman where she plans to be actively involved in FFA. The dairy was converted to organic in 2007 and the family milks about 270 head. They have approximately 600 cows total, all of which are Holsteins except a few Brown Swiss and Jerseys that are their daughters 4-H and project animals.

    Stacey was born and raised in Chicago and said her outsider’s point of view shows her how unusual but incredible their family’s situation is. Stacey remembers one particular morning walking into the kitchen to find her husband and three children (then teenagers) sitting at the kitchen table all reading dairy magazines – she described what she saw as a little surreal, funny and definitely amazing how the dairy life is a part of every minute of every day.

    “I don’t know how or why Frank gets up seven days a week and does this, but it’s in his blood and he’s placed that passion in all three of our children.” Stacey said the men in the family have always passed on their passion and love for the dairy cow to the next generation. She said her husband is a great teacher and his father George is the same – both have passed on their love and dedication of the dairy industry to their children.

    Alex, who is interning for Western United Dairymen this summer, intends to come back to Sonoma County after graduation and wants to see the ranch continue. She is young and enthusiastic about her family’s business with ideas about diversification and a passion to keep the Gambonini’s dairy in the family.

    “Growing up on the ranch, it’s not just a possible career,” said Alex, “it’s a lifestyle.”

    By Rachel LaFranchi

    Courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • CDFA Announces $5.1 Million In Cap-And-Trade Funded Grants For 2017 State Water Efficiency And Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

    Sacramento, Calif., (July 6, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is pleased to announce the projects selected for the 2017 State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). Fifty-eight agricultural operations throughout the state will receive grant funding to improve crop irrigation systems that result in water savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2017 SWEEP list of selected projects is available online at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep.

    The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, a competitive grant program, was initiated in 2014 in response to California’s historic five-year drought. The program has attracted a lot of attention as agricultural operations look for opportunities to improve water and energy efficiencies in agricultural practices.

    The program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.

    More than 230 agricultural operations applied to receive funding through the 2017 SWEEP solicitation process. Applications and quantifications of water and GHG benefits were thoroughly reviewed by a team of irrigation specialists from the University of California and California State University systems.

    The awarded projects can combine multiple strategies to achieve the required water savings and emissions reductions. Project components often include drip systems, variable frequency pumps, solar energy, and sensors or weather stations to effectively time irrigation with crop water needs. The 2017 SWEEP awards leverage $7 million in matching funds from the program participants, thereby furthering the positive impacts and buy-in of the program.

    Since SWEEP was launched in 2014 the program has extended funding to 587 projects, totaling more than $62 million. Cumulative benefits are estimated at 958,000 acre-feet of water savings — enough to fill more than two-million swimming pools – and 741,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent of greenhouse gas emission reductions over10 years, the equivalent of the removal of more than 20 thousand vehicles from our roads.

  • Hushour Leads Fresno State Bulldoggers at National College Rodeo

    Fresno, Calif., (July 5, 2017) – Five Fresno State rodeo men’s and women’s team members capped their season at the College National Finals Rodeo on June 11 through 17 in Casper, Wyo.

    Senior Dillon Hushour (Fairfield) claimed the team’s top effort with a ninth-place finish in the steer wrestling final standings. His best time of 5.4 seconds came in the opening round, and he also clocked a 5.5-second time in the short go final round.

    Junior Colton Campbell (Klamath Falls, Ore.) was one of six competitors overall that scored in at least two of the six men’s events thanks to his 19th-place finish in the team roping and 27th-place finish in tie down roping.

    Two other Fresno State sophomores, Bodi Dodds (Sanger) and Rial Engelhart (Lakeview, Ore.), competed in men’s team roping (19th) and tie down roping (42nd), respectively.

    Junior Jamie Giefer (Springville) competed for the Fresno State women’s team and finished 42nd in the breakaway roping event.

    The Fresno State competitors earned their bids based on top-three West Coast rankings that were compiled over eight regular season competitions from September through May.

    Campbell, Hushour and Giefer also competed at the college national rodeo in 2016, and the team is under the guidance of second-year coach Tony Branquinho.

    Campbell was the top returning Fresno State national placer that will return to Casper after a fourth-place team roping healer finish in 2016. His horse, Nic-N-Pine, also received the 2016 NIRA/American Quarter Horse Association Horse of the Year award.

    Entering this year’s event, Hushour ranked 12th nationally and second regionally in steer wrestling; Dodds stood 14th nationally in team roping header and third regionally; Engelhart ranked third regionally in the tie down roping standings; and Giefer stood second regionally in the breakaway roping category.

    In the regional team rankings, the Bulldoggers men capped the regular season ranked ninth nationally and third in the West Coast Region — one position shy of a national invitation. The women’s team stood fifth regionally.

    In recent years, the women’s team has advanced to the national event after second-place regional finishes in 2015 and ’16.

    The national event features over 400 entrants from 100 universities and 11 regions, and more information is at http://cnfr.com. Regional standings are available at https://www.collegerodeo.com/standings.

    The Fresno State rodeo team dates back to 1946 and officially became a club in 1949 — the same year the first College National Finals Rodeo was held in San Francisco. Today, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association sponsors more than 100 college rodeos that include 3,500 student members and 137 universities.

     

  • New Survey Highlights the Valuable Contributions of Winegrape Growers to Sonoma County

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 5, 2017) – A new survey of more than 295 winegrape growers in Sonoma County confirms that the local winegrape industry provides a number of valuable contributions to the community. As one of the largest employers, winegrape growers pay top wages to their workers and serve as generous philanthropists contributing to non-profit organizations and groups in every corner of Sonoma County.

    The survey results were released during the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ Annual Grower Seminar and Tradeshow held in Santa Rosa. The 295-plus respondents represented more than 82% of the total vineyard acreage in Sonoma County or some 47,975 acres planted to winegrapes. In addition, the respondents farm another 36,170 acres in diversified agriculture including vegetables, apples, row crops and dairy. The survey participants also own more than 53,000 additional acres that is either pasture land or open space.

    “These results are so impressive as they show the valuable contributions provided by our local winegrape farmers and their families,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We all know that our wines are recognized as some of the world’s best and we are global leaders in sustainability but it is the actions and efforts of our local winegrape growers each and every day which truly makes Sonoma County unique.”

    Among the survey’s findings:

    • Sonoma County grape growers employ 5,186 full-time workers
    • An additional 2,644 seasonal workers are employed by grape growers;
    • Vineyard employees in Sonoma County earn on average $16.34 per hour which is 60% above California’s current minimum wage of $10.50 per hour;
    • More than 29% of local winegrape growers offer housing to their employees providing more than 950 total bed units in Sonoma County;
    • More than 93% of the winegrape growers surveyed personally donate money to charitable causes on an annual basis and more than 74% of the winegrape farming businesses donate money to charitable causes;
    • Some 63% of those surveyed personally volunteer for community organizations that serve Sonoma County; and,
    • Local grape growers and their businesses contribute more than $26,959,000 annually to local charities through financial and in-kind contributions.

    “Santa Rosa Junior College could not fulfil our mission of providing a quality education for Sonoma County residents were it not for the support of our local grape growers!” said Frank Chong, President of Santa Rosa Junior College. He added, “The grape growers understand the power and importance of education. While Sonoma County Grape growers harvest world class grapes, SRJC harvests world class students thanks to their support for affordable quality higher education.”

    According to the survey, the top causes supported by Sonoma County’s winegrape growers either through financial contributions or volunteer services include education both general education issues and ag education (40.4%), healthcare (18.6%) and the environment (17.6%). Of those surveyed 29% of the winegrape growers serve as a board of director for an organization that supports Sonoma County residents. In fact, Sonoma County’s winegrape growers volunteer approximately 12,830 hours annually to local organizations and causes.

    “These survey results demonstrate what we have always known and that is Sonoma County has an amazing collection of farmers who have always been leaders in agriculture and the community,” said Kruse. She added, “Though local residents may not know a winegrape grower or work in the wine industry, they should know that the entire region benefits from a successful wine community and the efforts of Sonoma County winegrowers.”