California Ag Network

Category: News

  • USDA Offers Grants To Help Local Food Sector

    Washington, D. C., (January 20, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the availability of $27 million in grants to fund innovative projects designed to strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses.

    “These grants will continue USDA’s support for the local food sector as an important strategy for keeping wealth in rural communities,” said AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer.  “Entrepreneurs around the country are creating jobs and new economic opportunities in response to growing consumer demand for local food.  AMS is excited to partner with local food stakeholders to strengthen local economies and improve access to fresh, healthy food for their communities.”

    AMS has announced the request for applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which includes Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grants, and theFederal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).  These programs and other resources across USDA are helping to revitalize rural America by supporting local and regional food stakeholders.

    The FMPP provides funds for direct farmer-to-consumer marketing projects such as farmers markets, community-supported agriculture programs, roadside stands, and agritourism.  Over the past 10 years, the FMPP has awarded more than 870 grants totaling over $58 million.  The successful results of these investments are summarized in the Farmers Market Promotion Program 2016 Report. (Add link). The LFPP supports projects focused on intermediary supply chain activities for local food businesses. LFPP was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase funding for marketing activities such as aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution of local foods.

    The FSMIP provides about $1 million in matching funds to state departments of agriculture, state colleges and universities, and other appropriate state agencies. Funds will support research projects to address challenges and opportunities in marketing, transporting, and distributing U.S. agricultural products domestically and internationally.

    AMS will host a webinar for potential FMPP and LFPP grant applicants on Wednesday, February 15, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and a teleconference for potential FSMIP grant applicants on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  For more information about FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP, visit: www.ams.usda.gov/AMSgrants.  The website also contains a link to a grants decision tree, “What AMS Grant is Right for ME?”, to help applicants determine which AMS grant fits their project best.

    The grant applications for FSMIP, FMPP and LFPP must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov/  by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, March 27, 2017.

    AMS will also host a webinar to introduce potential applicants to Grants.gov on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  Applicants are urged to start the Grants.gov registration process as soon as possible to ensure that they meet the deadline and encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the posted due date.  Any grant application submitted after the due date will not be considered unless the applicant provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance that prevented their timely submission of the grant application, read more on AMS Late and Non-Responsive Application Policy.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (January 20, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the second most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Continuing rains have benefited the growth of already planted grains and field crops, but the rain has hindered ground preparations for continued planting. Low spots in some fields are showing stress from repeated standing water. The forecast for optimal returns continues to look positive. Sorghum seed continues to be received for future planting. Black-eyed beans were exported to Malaysia.

    Table grapes from cold storage continue to be exported to Canada, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Vineyards continue being pruned and tied. Pistachios are being exported Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pecans are being shipped to Australia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Walnuts are being shipped to Hong Kong. Pomegranates are primarily being exported to Mexico. Deciduous fruit and nut orchards continue to be pruned and the brush shredded as weather conditions allow. Tree fruit, nut orchards, and vineyards have halted most post-harvest field activities due to the recent rain. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties.

    Wet weather continues to slow citrus harvest. Navel and Mandarin oranges are being harvested as conditions allow. Navel and Mandarin oranges are being shipped to Australia, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The second application of copper fungicide has or will be made to meet the February 4th deadline for continued export to Korea. Satsuma tangerines continue to be harvested and sent to domestic markets. Melogold grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being exported to Australia, China, Korea, and New Zealand. Removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting to new varieties in drier locations.

    Winter vegetables continue to mature ideally. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Blueberries continue to be planted, weather permitting.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture continues to improve with the recent rainfall. Rangeland quality is benefiting from this week’s rain at the lower elevations.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed and shipped out. Potted roses are currently being shipped. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock have remained slow due to winter weather and a lack of demand.

  • Flooding and Waterlogging Damage in Alfalfa – What to Do?

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 20, 2017) – When are seasonal heavy rains welcomed but worrisome?   When rains fill reservoirs, but also turn fields into seas of standing water!

    Such has been the case in northern California, which has seen torrential rains in recent weeks. After 5 years of intensive drought, the 2016-2017 rains are a welcome relief, but pose a danger to many crops including alfalfa.

    It seems strange that we’re discussing water damage a few months after discussing (lack of) water stress!

    Ah, the ups and downs of agriculture!

    What are the mechanisms for flood damage? Alfalfa grown in Mediterranean and desert climates is still alive, green and growing during winter periods and thus subject to water damage during floods. This is unlike colder regions where alfalfa is very dormant and brown during winter months (but damage can occur in those areas as well).

    The extent of either death or damage depends upon temperature, drainage, alfalfa growth status (young vs. old, active vs. dormant), and duration of flooding. The mechanisms for damage include:

    • Lack of Oxygen—Alfalfa roots must ‘breath’ just like humans, and respiration is reduced under waterlogging. If severe, lack of oxygen can cause death or lots of damage.
    • Temperature—Damage is greater under warm temperatures vs. cold due to increases in respiration rates (in plants and soil microorganisms). Hot temperatures can kill alfalfa within hours, but the crop can survive for days under cold temperatures.
    • Death of fine root hairs—Fine root hairs are particularly damaged during waterlogging and must be regenerated later if the plants survive. These are critical for nutrient and water uptake later.
    • Root Pruning. Saturated sub-surface layers can cause root pruning below that level (e.g. root pruning at 12” plow pans). These roots may recover but are damaged.
    • Micronutrient availability –Under reducing conditions (low oxygen), iron and other micronutrients may become unavailable for plant growth due to excess bicarbonates or other mechanisms including root damage.
    • Disease and pests—Since saturated soil conditions favor disease organisms, Phytophora, nematodes, and other organisms can gain the upper hand over a weakened alfalfa plant.
    • Weeds—Aggressive cold-favoring, flood-tolerant winter weeds can completely dominate alfalfa stands weakened by flooding.
    • Nodules— The Rhizobium nodules are weakened or damaged under flooded conditions, resulting in reduced nitrogen fixation.

    How long does it take to do damage? This will depend upon variety, temperature and soil drainage characteristics. Dormant varieties under cold conditions may tolerate some submersion for several days; actively growing plants less so. Sometimes it could be months before damage is noticed.

    We expect greater damage during late spring flooding vs. January flooding. Winter flooding causes less damage due to the plants slower physiological processes. Also, moving water is less harmful than standing water, containing more oxygen. Soils that rapidly drain after flooding exhibit less crop damage. Drainage limitations may affect plants many months after flooding occurred.

    What to do?  After the intense flooding, when fields have drained, inspect roots and crowns for damage caused by anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions in the soil. Dig up roots and examine their health. Do you see greater disease in crowns or center of roots? Roots that are soft and compress easily when squeezed may be damaged beyond hope. If roots are beginning to release a strong odor, they likely won’t recover. If roots are white, they may Assess your stand-if the plants recover, will you have an adequate stand? Dig up roots and see if soil impediments have caused greater damage 12-16” below the surface (root pruning). Keep an eye on the plants, inspecting for damage and yield throughout the following summer; sometimes disease development is delayed with weakened plants succumbing to damage months later.

    Seedling Fields. Newly-seeded fields, especially those seeded late in the previous fall, are the most susceptible to damage from saturated soil conditions. Seedling alfalfa has small weak roots which can die quickly from oxygen deprivation. Seedling plants are also much more susceptible to diseases such as Phytophora and Pythium.

    Ideas for flood-damaged seedling fields:

    • Assess stand of the new seeding. If less than about 15-20 plants/ft2, or with large gaps, consider mitigation measures.
    • Overseed with alfalfa to improve the stand – if this is done early in the spring it can be successful. However, pay attention to herbicide issues (residual herbicides), and it will be more difficult to control weeds due to different stage of development.  Light tillage or no-till can be effective.
    • Wait longer to harvest—It’s important to allow the root system to fully recover and delay first harvest as long as possible to allow root development before harvest.
    • Use caution with the use of herbicides. Crop injury is greater when the plants are injured from floods.
    • Replant: consider rotating to a summer annual and replanting in the fall. In California, safflower is a possibility, corn, sorghum, sudangrass, sunflower are options. Then start over in the fall.

    NOTE: water damage in poorly-developed new stands should be a STRONG message about the advantages of early fall or late summer seeding, e.g. August-September – these fields are a lot less susceptible to cold and flooding damage than November-planted seedlings.

    Established Fields. Established fields can exhibit loss of stand, greater weed intrusion, and have lots of disease issues under flooding conditions. Nematodes are another problem in addition to oxygen deprivation.

    Ideas for flood-damaged established fields:

    1. Assess the stand – if less than about10-12 plants/ft2 with lack of vigor or with large gaps, consider mitigation measures or replant decisions.
    2. Re-seeding of small areas in spring may be useful where alfalfa has completely died out and a new seed bed is formed.  However, reseeding of alfalfa into existing stands has had limited success – this is more successful with young vs. older stands.
    3. Use of glyphosate-resistant varieties is very helpful with overseeding alfalfa into existing alfalfa due to flexibility in weed management.
    4. Interseeding alfalfa plus red clover, berseem clover, or grasses may be better suited in problem areas where developing a new seed bed is not possible. This can be done no-till. An annual grass may enable forage production with later fall planting in rotation.  Plant early!
    5. Caution is advised on the use of herbicides when plants are stressed from floods. If weed control is necessary, use lowest label rates. Avoid the use of herbicides that are foliar systemic or absorbed through the roots.
    6. Delay first harvest until 10% bloom or longer. This will increase carbohydrate translocation to the roots and strengthen the root system.
    7. If possible, cut above the new re-growth (about four inches).
    8. Monitor and treat for weevil and aphid populations early. Stressed plants can be a preferred target and subject to increased damage by these pests.
    9. Silt deposits of over two to three inches will weaken the stand and may need to be re-graded and re-established in places.
    10. Some have suggested nitrogen (N) applications on yellowed flood damaged alfalfa.       Although this may help a little bit, generally its effects are marginal, and do not recommend N applications which are typically not economic.
    11. Hold off on irrigation until vegetative growth is substantial and allow roots time to strengthen and utilize excessive soil moisture.
    12. Manage your irrigation with quick shots of water. Any standing water beyond six to eight hours will only worsen the problem.
    13. If the alfalfa population decreases below 4-6 plants per square foot or with large gaps, the end may be near. Plan for a new crop in rotation!
    14. Land leveling: Pay attention to the leveling of existing fields. Take notes for corrections for the future, and for new plantings in low areas.
    15. On flood-prone fields, consider planting a more dormant variety.

    SUMMARY

    Lack of oxygen, disease and weed intrusion are the main problems with flood-damaged alfalfa.   There are some over-seeding and inter-seeding options to consider, but allowing sufficient time for the crop to recover and treating the crop well during the recovery period is critical to allow sustained forage production after the damage has occurred.

    Flooding in Yolo County Alfalfa Fields, January, 2017

     

  • CDFA Accepting Applications For Grants To Provide Workshops And Technical Assistance For Farmers Participating In The State Water Efficiency And Enhancement Program (Sweep)

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 16, 2017) – CDFA will begin accepting applications today from non-profit organizations, California academic institutions and California Resource Conservation Districts for grant funds to provide technical assistance to applicants for grants from the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP).

    Applicants may apply for funding in amounts between $2,500 and $5,000. Applications must meet several minimum requirements including holding at least one technical assistance workshop within a disadvantaged community, reporting on workshop attendance to CDFA, and providing computers and internet access to allow growers to complete SWEEP applications.

    “Requests for technical assistance to complete water and greenhouse gas reduction calculations, and also help with the applications, are one of the most common comments we receive about SWEEP” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

    Technical assistance will be made available through a $25,000 partnership grant between CDFA and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to achieve the mutual objective of providing technical assistance to SWEEP applicants. Technical assistance workshops that provide hands-on application assistance are critical to the success of SWEEP and the implementation of efficient irrigation systems to save water and reduce greenhouse gases.

    Organizations that wish to receive funding to provide technical assistance must access the “Request for Applications” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/SWEEP.  The Request for Applications contains detailed information on eligibility and program requirements. Applications must be submitted by email no later than January 25, 2017, 5:00 p.m. PST. Grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis beginning January 13, 2017.

  • Arabica Coffee Genome Sequenced

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    Davis, Calif., (January 17, 2017) – The first public genome sequence for Coffea arabica, the species responsible for more than 70 percent of global coffee production, was released today by researchers at the University of California, Davis.

    Funding for the sequencing was provided by Suntory group, an international food and beverage company based in Tokyo.

    Now available for immediate use by scientists and plant breeders around the world, the new genome sequence has been posted to Phytozome.net, the public database for comparative plant genomics coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute.

    Details of the sequence will be presented Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Plant and Animal Genome Conference in San Diego.

    Sequencing of the C. arabica genome is particularly meaningful for California, where coffee plants are being grown commercially for the first time in the continental United States and a specialty-coffee industry is emerging.

    “This new genome sequence for Coffea arabica contains information crucial for developing high-quality, disease-resistant coffee varieties that can adapt to the climate changes that are expected to threaten global coffee production in the next 30 years,” said Juan Medrano, a geneticist in the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and co-researcher on the sequencing effort.

    “We hope that the C. arabica sequence will eventually benefit everyone involved with coffee — from coffee farmers, whose livelihoods are threatened by devastating diseases like coffee leaf rust, to coffee processors and consumers around the world,” he said.

    The sequencing was conducted through a collaboration between Medrano, plant scientists Allen Van Deynze and Dario Cantu, and postdoctoral research scholar Amanda Hulse-Kemp, all from UC Davis.

    (A press kit, including video b-roll and high-resolution still images, is available.)

    Friendly challenge leads to C. arabica sequencing

    A few years ago, Medrano — born and raised in coffee-producing Guatemala — was urged by colleagues in Central America to consider introducing genomic technologies to improve C. arabica.

    In 2014, researchers elsewhere sequenced the genome of Coffea canephora — commonly known as robusta coffee and used for making coffee blends and instant coffee. There has been, however, no publicly accessible genome sequence for the higher-value and more genetically complex C. arabica.

    Medrano was intrigued with the challenge to sequence C. arabica, but as an animal geneticist was experienced in the genomics of livestock — not crops.

    Undeterred, he quickly tapped the expertise of molecular breeder Van Deynze, director of research at the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center and associate director of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Center, as well as Cantu, a plant geneticist in the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.

    Sequencing intersects birth of California coffee farming

    Coincidentally, the UC Davis research team was introduced to farmer Jay Ruskey, who with the help of University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Mark Gaskell, was growing the first commercial coffee plants in the continental United States at his Good Land Organics farm north of Santa Barbara.

    Coffee is a tropical crop, traditionally grown around the world in a geographic belt that extends no more than 25 degrees north or south of the equator. But at Ruskey’s Central Coast farm, coffee trees are producing high-quality coffee beans at a latitude about 19 degrees north of any other commercial coffee plantations.

    Ruskey also has planted coffee trees on some 20 other farms stretching from San Luis Obispo south to San Diego, launching what he believes will become a new specialty-coffee industry for California.

    Working with Ruskey, the UC Davis researchers collected genetic material — DNA and RNA samples — from different tissues and developmental stages of 23 Geisha coffee trees growing at Good Land Organics. Geisha, known for its unique aromatic qualities, is a high-value C. arabica variety that originated in the mountains of western Ethiopia.

    Plant material from one of the trees — UCG-17 Geisha — was used for developing the C. arabica genome sequence.

     

  • NRCS, USFWS Partner to Accelerate Conservation on Agricultural Lands for the Monarch Butterfly

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 17, 2017) – The monarch butterfly is a new national priority species of Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW), a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Populations of monarchs, a pollinator species cherished across North America, have declined significantly during the past two decades. This collaboration aims to help the species recover by working with agricultural producers to make wildlife-friendly improvements on their farms, ranches and forests.

    “Producers can make simple and inexpensive tweaks on working lands that provide monumental benefits to monarch butterflies and a variety of other insects and wildlife,” said NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “By adding the monarch to Working Lands for Wildlife, we can accelerate conservation for the species at the heart of its migration corridor.”

    NRCS and USFWS recently completed a conference report that explains how conservation practices can help the eastern monarch population, a species known for its remarkable annual, multi-generational migration between central Mexico and the United States and Canada. This report is an initial step toward adding the monarch to WLFW, which uses a science-based, targeted approach to help a variety of at-risk species.

    “We need to make every effort to help ensure monarchs don’t become endangered now and in the long term,” said USFWS Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. “Conservation efforts on agricultural lands across the nation can have a significant positive impact on monarchs as well as many other pollinator insects and birds. Working with farmers and other private landowners, we can ensure a future filled with monarchs.”

    The monarch butterfly joins an array of wildlife species across the country already part of WLFW, including the greater sage-grouse and New England cottontail, two recent successes in species conservation. The USFWS determined in 2015 that the two species didn’t warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because of voluntary conservation efforts underway to restore habitat.

    Through WLFW, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help producers adopt conservation practices that benefit the monarch. Meanwhile, through the conference report, the USFWS provides producers with regulatory predictability should the monarch become listed under the ESA. Predictability provides landowners with peace of mind – no matter the legal status of a species under ESA – that they can keep their working lands working with NRCS conservation systems in place.

    Work through WLFW centers on 10 states in the Midwest and southern Great Plains that are considered the core of the monarch’s migration route and breeding habitat. Much of this work will focus on planting and enhancing stands of milkweed and other high-value nectar plants for monarchs. Assistance is available to producers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

    USFWS has committed significant funding – $20 million over five years – to support monarch conservation efforts. Additionally, USFWS is working with partners, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wildlife Federation and the Mexican and Canadian governments to leverage resources and investments to support and implement conservation actions across the continent.

    During the past two years, NRCS has made available $6 million through a variety of Farm Bill conservation programs for monarch conservation in the 10 states. Additionally, NRCS is working with partners, including The Xerces Society and General Mills, to increase staffing capacity to help producers design customized conservation strategies for working lands.

    The two agencies’ efforts contribute to a multi-agency, international strategy to reverse the monarch’s population decline in North America, estimated to have decreased from one billion butterflies in 1995 down to an estimated 34 million. Through the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, released by the White House, the United States has a goal of increasing the eastern population of monarchs back to 225 million by 2020.

    Producers interested in NRCS assistance should contact their local USDA service center to learn more. NRCS accepts landowner enrollment applications on a continuous basis. NRCS offers more than three dozen conservation practices that can provide benefits to monarchs as well as a variety of other pollinators.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 17, 2017) – A continued abundance of moisture across the State for the entire week tapered off over the weekend as the upper-level trough pulled away to the east with surface high pressure building over the western United States.

    Temperatures were fairly consistent, but cooled slightly late last week as a drier airmass settled over the State.

    Nearly all locations in the State saw precipitation last week, with the heaviest rainfall impacting the northern and central Sierras from Tahoe northward to the Lassen Volcanoes area, where precipitation totals reached near 12 inches. Specifically, the area around Blue Canyon received a total of 9.99 inches of rain. The coastal mountains received heavy rainfall with 4 to 8 inches falling, while most of the valley received rainfall totals between 3 to 4 inches. Even the deserts, received up to 1 inch of rainfall over the weekend. The mountains once again received very heavy snow this week, with some areas receiving 2 feet of snowfall in a single day. Lodgepole reported a total of 23 inches of new snow on Thursday. The heaviest snow fell in the Tahoe region and in the mountains just to the north, where up to 5 feet of snow fell. Elsewhere in the mountains, 2 to 4 feet was the norm in the Southern Sierras, with coastal ranges seeing up to a foot of new snow.

    Temperature highs were in the 20s to 40s in the mountains, 40s to 60s valley, 50s to 60s along the coast and, 50s to 70s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 20s to 30s in the mountains, 30s to 50s in the desert and the valley, and 40s to 50s along the coast.

    Recent rains benefited the growth of already planted grains and field crops, but the rain hindered ground preparations for continued planting. The forecast for optimal returns continued to look positive. Sorghum seed continued to be received for future planting. Hay alfalfa remained dormant.

    Some pomegranates were harvested. Deciduous fruit orchard continued to be pruned and brush shredded as weather conditions permitted. Most post-harvest field activities were halted due to the heavy rains and standing water. In drier locations the removal of orchard and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. Blueberry planting continued, as weather permitting. Rains continued to slow navel orange and mandarin harvest. Fungicide applications to citrus were made as conditions allowed.

    Nut orchards continued to be pruned and brush shredded as weather conditions permitted.  Most post-harvest filed activities were halted due to the heavy rains and standing water.

    In San Joaquin County, winter Farmer’s Market vegetables were harvested.  Commercial basil fields were cut and packaged when weather permitted.  In Madera County, tomato fields were being prepped for planting.  In San Luis Obispo County, winter vegetables such as Chinese Napa cabbage, bock choy, parsley, cilantro and spinach were harvested.  Spring vegetables were planted.  In Fresno County, there were heavy rains, but winter vegetables remained in good condition.  In Tulare County, the growth of the winter vegetables benefitted from favorable weather conditions.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland greened up considerably due to recent rains. Range was reported to be primarily in fair to good condition. Snow and ice covered some grazing land in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Some dairies were impacted by standing water and sloppy conditions from the week’s precipitation. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Bees continued to be brought into the state in preparation for the bloom season. Bee keepers continued to feed their hives to compensate for the lack of blooming vegetation.

  • USDA Surveys – how to tell if it’s legitimate?

    Modesto, Calif., (January 16, 2017) – This week we received a call at the office from a concerned member who was asked to participate in a tallow survey. The person calling identified himself as a USDA employee. While there are plenty of phone surveys going around, this particular one sounded suspicious (typically dairy producers are not asked to participate in the tallow survey, which is geared toward ag businesses).

    If you get a call, you should know: each government agency should be able to provide a link to the questionnaire online, a letter about the survey, or something to show the survey isn’t fake. Employees calling for surveys should also state their last name and what agency they are affiliated with. If you have any doubts, please call us at the office and we can take the necessary steps to determine the legitimacy of the call. You can also contact Curt Stock, Deputy Regional Director at USDA at (916) 498-8935.

    As a heads-up, USDA will be conducting a dairy cost of production survey in the coming months. If you are a selected participant (lucky you!), you should have received (or will receive) a postcard in the mail. USDA staff will be going around in upcoming months to gather data. This is different from CDFA’s cost of production study, which only targets California. This valuable US wide information is collected by USDA very infrequently, so if you get selected we encourage you to consider the value in participating. You can also rest assured your personal information will be kept confidential.

    California’s cost of production has changed dramatically in recent years, and the only way to get a benchmark measure on how the recent regulations impact you is by collecting data directly from you. If you were selected and decline to participate, USDA cannot replace you, and the sample size is directly weakened. If you have any questions on this, please feel free to contact Annie by phone or at aacmoody@westernuniteddairymen.com.

  • Sonoma County Winegrowers To Establish Center For Ag Sustainability To Address Concerns About The Future Of Farming

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (January 16, 2017) – As the calendar turns to a new year, Sonoma County Winegrowers (www.sonomawinegrape.org) are quickly closing in on its goal of becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable wine region by 2019.  According to the latest Report Card published in the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ 3rd Annual Sustainability Report, 85% of the county’s vineyard acres have completed the sustainability self-assessment – the first step in achieving certification.  In addition, 60% of the vineyard acreage in the county – more than 34,000 acres – has been certified sustainable.

    Bolstering its position as the global leader for sustainable winegrowing, Sonoma County Winegrowers president, Karissa Kruse, today also announced the group will establish the Sonoma County Center for Ag Sustainability to enable winegrowers to identify and focus on the most challenging problems facing the local wine community to ensure its continued success and the preservation of Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage. This announcement was made during the organization’s 26th Annual Dollars & $ense Seminar and Tradeshow, one of California’s oldest grower and vintner gatherings.

    “We have long recognized that our job as farmers is to preserve and protect our agricultural legacy and way of life for future generations.  The reality is that ag is on the brink of a crisis. Not only are thousands of acres of farmland being lost to development in California every year, but there are serious threats to the financial viability of our businesses due to increased regulations, rising labor costs, new overtime requirements, drought and more,” said Karissa Kruse, president of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “Clearly, the status quo is not an effective strategy moving forward.  We must look to lead on addressing these pressing issues and new ones that will emerge to ensure our continued success and the preservation of agriculture in Sonoma County.”

    The Sonoma County Center for Ag Sustainability will be a strategic think tank to help develop innovative ideas and strategies to strengthen and build upon the region’s sustainability efforts and its 100-Year Business Plan to Preserve Agriculture.  Understanding that it takes creative, thought provoking, and out-of-the-box thinking to solve some of the critical challenges facing Sonoma County’s agricultural community, the Sonoma County Winegrowers are creating a groundbreaking program that will bring together a small, diverse group of thought leaders and experts from across various business industries, subject matters, academia, job functions and skill sets, and other unique backgrounds, to problem solve and develop new, fresh ideas that will advance farming not only in Sonoma County, but may also revolutionize grape growing and the larger wine industry across the globe.

    As a first step, the organization hired a globally recognized leader in strategy facilitation, Professor George Day, to help facilitate and manage the strategic planning of the Center for Ag Sustainability.  As the Geoffrey T. Boisi Professor Emeritus at The Wharton School of Business and Co-Director of the Mack Institute for Innovation Management, Dr. Day has consulted with some of the most recognizable corporations, including General Electric, IBM, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Best Buy, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic.  He is also the past chairman of the American Marketing Association.

    “I am proud to work alongside the Sonoma County Winegrowers to launch this innovative process that will help bring fresh ideas and innovations to solve some of the critical issues facing agriculture today,” said Dr. Day.  He added, “I am struck by the commitment and vision of the winegrowers.  Their thinking is truly unique, not only for agriculture, but for business in general.  It will be exciting to bring this effort to fruition as it will greatly benefit farmers, their employees, families, local residents and the region.”

    The Sonoma County Center for Ag Sustainability will kick-off as a 2-year program starting in January of 2017.  The first 6 months will be used to determine who will be invited to participate in order to create a diverse group of subject matter experts who can bring new thinking to one of the oldest professions in the world. In addition, the Sonoma County Winegrowers will develop the program and format in conjunction with Professor Day, as well as facilitate a retreat with the Sonoma County Winegrowers Board of Directors to better understand scenario planning and the 100-year business plan pillars. In June of 2017, the Sonoma County Center for Ag Sustainability will begin to meet every 4 months for a strategic planning session on the pillars of 100 Year Business Plan to determine insights, innovations and recommendations on moving the grape growers forward.

    Throughout the 2-year program, the Sonoma County Winegrowers will share learning and progress broadly, which will culminate in a White Paper which will be published providing the insights and learnings to a global audience. These findings and ideas will also be incorporated into the Sonoma County Winegrowers strategic plan, marketing and branding efforts, and other areas of the organization that will guide their focus on the preservation of agriculture.

    Incredible Progress Made Towards a 100% Sustainable Sonoma County

    “The progress made in the past three years towards our goal for 100% sustainability in Sonoma County is nothing short of remarkable,” said Kevin Barr, Sonoma County Winegrowers’ board chairman and owner of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management Company.  He added, “Sustainability is critical to maintaining our agricultural heritage and ensuring our vineyards thrive for generations to come, while also providing Sonoma County with a significant point of differentiation in the global marketplace for consumers.”

    According to the new Sonoma County Winegrowers’ 3rd Annual Sustainability Report:

    • 49,577 vineyard acres (85%) of Sonoma County’s 58,235 vineyard acres have been sustainably self-assessed;
    • 34,654 vineyard acres (60%) of Sonoma County’s 58,235 vineyard acres have been certified sustainable by a third-party audit; and,
    • More than 1,200 vineyard properties in Sonoma County are sustainable by either completing their sustainability self-assessment or receiving third party certification; and,
    • More than 40 wineries are certified sustainable.

    As it closes in on 100% sustainability, the Sonoma County Winegrowers will continue to work with four sustainability programs, all of which offer certification from an independent third party auditor: California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA), Fish Friendly Farming, Lodi Rules, and Sustainable in Practice (SIP).  Sonoma County’s Winegrowers take a triple-bottom line approach to sustainable practices that measure grape growers’ commitment to being socially responsible in how they treat their employees, neighbors, and community, environmentally conscientious with their farming and winery practices, and economically viable as a business.

    In 2016, the group announced it was focusing its efforts on the social-responsibility component of sustainability with the relaunching of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation to provide resources and support for agricultural employees and their families.  The Foundation has been working with a variety of community-based organizations and governmental agencies to identify existing resources, leverage available support and create new programs which will assist local farm employees and their families in the areas of affordable housing, childcare, education, healthcare, and workforce development.

  • 2017 Pesticide Safety Instructor Training Workshops

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 13, 2017) – UC IPM is partnering with AgSafe to offer up-to-date instructor training programs that are approved and co-funded by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Updates to the Federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that will have the most impact on CA agriculture include:
• Annual pesticide safety training for all fieldworkers
• Instructors must attend an updated and approved Train-the-Trainer course, and
• Expanded training content for fieldworkers and handlers

Participants who complete this training will become qualified to provide pesticide safety training to fieldworkers and pesticide handlers, as required by California state regulations and the revised Federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Visit the workshop website for specific date/location information and to register. 
Spring 2017 Pesticide Safety T2 workshops

    Spring 2017 Pesticide Safety T2 workshops flier

    We have additional workshops are available through the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (https://napagrowers.org/events/18/details) and the AgSafe Annual Conference (http://www.agsafe.org/index.php/en/agsafecalendar/2104-annual-conference.html)