According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, California blueberry growers hit a sweet spot on the market this year and had a successful harvest season. Meanwhile, the two councils “Go Big” on their latest marketing efforts, determined to position blueberries as the world’s favorite fruit. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and learn more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
California fig growers have experienced delayed, yet ideal growing conditions this year. Karla Stockli CEO of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association and California Fig Advisory Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network in August to share an outlook for the 2025 crop and some exciting new global market opportunities for both fresh and dried California figs. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
There is a new fig variety finally being commercially harvested this year in California. Exclusively grown (for the time being) by the nation’s largest fig grower, The Specialty Crop Company, multi-generational Central Valley farmer Erik Herman met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network in August to talk about the performance of the new variety and share some insights on this year’s fig crop and how it’s expected to be received in the market. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
As American Pistachio Growers eyes Mexico for increased export growth potential, they have been sharing the results of health studies on the benefits of pistachios with consumers there. Currently the government of Mexico taxes its citizens on foods it deems unhealthy with a snack tax, and unfortunately, pistachios are on that list! Zachary Fraser from American Pistachio Growers met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network during their Pistachio Insights Day to share the details of this issue and how they are working with the Mexican government to change that. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
As if California growers and PCAs didn’t have enough on their plates with rising input costs compounded by the most restrictive laws & regulations in the nation, they’ve been further challenged with an unusual pest problem this year — rats! An increasing number of abandoned orchards and vineyards due to poor economic circumstances has caused a feeding frenzy for some uninvited rodent guests, whose numbers have been multiplying at unprecedented levels. Ruthann Anderson, President/CEO of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain this issue and what they are doing to help provide the tools and resources growers and PCAs to combat this emergency situation, beginning with an anonymous survey they can fill out HERE. Watch this brief video to learn more.
A new peer-reviewed white paper, “Detection of Foodborne Viruses in Berries – State of the Science and Considerations for the Future,” published in Food Control, presents a comprehensive appraisal of the issues associated with enteric virus (norovirus and hepatitis A) detection in berries. The authors deliberated the technical and practical issues related to currently available detection methods and called for realignment of resources towards enhanced risk management approaches across berry growing and processing to mitigate the flow of contaminated products in the global supply chain.
The international panel of academic, industry, and government experts in food virology, microbiology, food safety, and risk assessment was convened by the Frozen Food Foundation in response to heightened awareness of the risks associated with enteric viruses in the berry supply chain.
“This information represents a paradigm shift in how the entire frozen berry supply chain – from grower to retailer – can manage enteric virus safety,” said Sanjay Gummalla, PhD, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs for the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). “It is clear we cannot achieve our food safety goals through molecular detection methods alone. Rather we need to focus on prevention strategies including high-quality agricultural water, proper irrigation methods, worker hygiene training, and adequate sanitation facilities.”
The panel explored the nuances of current sampling and testing protocols used globally across all stakeholders (industry testing and regulatory surveillance), acknowledging it works best when concentrations of the virus are high and uniform. Dr. Gummalla pointed out, “These conditions are rarely met in real-world scenarios where contamination of berries mostly occurs at low levels and heterogeneously.”
The experts reiterated the age-old caveat, that testing can never guarantee safety, as the results only apply to the specific samples tested, not entire lots/batches.
“AFFI and its members take food safety seriously, and these findings are invaluable to our effort to work with government and industry to continuously improve the safety of frozen berries and protect consumers,” concluded Dr. Gummalla.
AFFI partnered with iDecision Sciences and developed an AI-based digital platform for enteric virus risk management called EViews to transparently manage risks in the supply chain and the frozen berry industry is actively using it globally. Additionally, AFFI’s food safety zone comprises its Enteric Virus Control Program and Enteric Virus Control Specialist Training, created in collaboration with the International Food Protection Training Institute.
An official scientific journal of the European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST) and the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), Food Control is an international journal that publishes manuscripts resulting from original scientific investigation into significant food safety and food quality concerns and preventative control measures that improve public health.
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) represents America’s frozen food and beverage makers. Our members are farmers, fruit and vegetable growers, makers of prepared meals, suppliers and distributors that provide over 670,000 American jobs. We are committed to advancing food safety practices throughout the frozen food supply chain by investing in scientific research, developing and disseminating best practices and collaborating to educate. For more information about AFFI, visit www.affi.org.
The Frozen Food Foundation is the not-for-profit scientific arm of the industry that supports research and education on the nutritional, safety and societal attributes of frozen foods. For more information, visit https://affi.org/fffoundation.
Early registration discounts for the November 2-4 Annual Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC) will expire on October 10 with the fee rising $40 per individual after that. The fee structure will go from $645 to $695 for members and $755 to $795 for nonmembers. A one-day only registration for Nov. 4 will remain at $295 but closes on October 13. October 10 is also the day the group’s room block expires at the conference hotel.
While there will be excellent speakers on all three days of the meeting, a highlight to note is a special panel on November 3 discussing What I wish I knew then/What I know now. Moderator for the session will be Margy Eckelkamp, leader of Farm Journal’s Top Producer brand. This role includes developing the program for Top Producer Summit, the industry’s top education event for leading-edge, business-minded farmers and ranchers. Panelists will be: Don Tyler, a management and executive coach and founder of Tyler & Associates; Paige Gilligan, CAC, a business advisor with Risk Mitigators and Advisors, LLC; and Dane Watson, founder of the consulting firm Watson’s Ag Forward and a specialist in agricultural robotics.
The panelists will address such topics as, “What actions they took to grow their businesses,” “How they adjusted their approach as they gained experience,” and “What they would do differently if they started today.” Question-and-answer time will be provided, with the opportunity to continue conversations at the reception which follows.
Behind-the-Scenes Ag Tours
The panel, and other speaker presentations on Nov. 3, will be preceded by a tour of the Beck’s Hybrids home office and facilities located in Atlanta, Indiana. The tour will include a history of Beck’s Hybrids and the Beck’s Family, a tour of their innovation center and a presentation on Beck’s Policy and Regulation Impacts. Depending on harvest progress, there may be a stop at the Husk and Sort facility to learn about their unique production process.
The guided tour of Corteva Agriscience’s global headquarters will showcase the journey of its crop protection products – from early research and innovation to manufacturing and launch. Attendees will explore key stops including product discovery, seed technology, soil and product testing, and visit the greenhouses – offering a high-level look at how solutions are developed for farmers.
About the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC)
The American Society of Agriculture Consultants (ASAC) is a nonprofit organization whose members represent a diverse range of disciplines in the agriculture industry. ASAC’s membership is comprised primarily of experienced consultants boasting a wide array of expertise. Their business models range from sole proprietorships to leadership roles in larger, multi-consultant organizations, which cover a wide geographical area. To learn more about how ASAC can help you grow your agricultural consulting business, go to www.agconsultants.org.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced acceptance of 1.78 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through 2025 General, Continuous, Grassland, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program enrollments.
According to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), about 25.8 million acres are currently enrolled in CRP, the agency’s flagship conservation program through which landowners, farmers and ranchers voluntarily convert marginal or unproductive cropland into vegetative cover that improves water quality, prevents erosion, restores wildlife habitat and in the case of Grassland CRP, enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.
“What better way to celebrate CRP’s 40th anniversary and mark four decades of voluntary private lands stewardship than to announce an extremely successful 2025 enrollment for CRP’s many program options,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “I think the numbers speak for themselves; America’s agricultural producers recognize the value of preserving and protecting our most sensitive lands and are very committed to conserving our natural resources.”
FSA received offers on more than 2.6 million acres. The program’s total acreage is capped at 27 million acres for fiscal year 2025 of which 1.8 million was available for enrollment, after offsetting for expiring acres and an administrative reserve, making for a highly competitive process for those who submitted offers for CRP.
About 955,795 acres are expiring Sept. 30 this year. Producers submitted re-enrollment offers for just over 624,000 acres and offers for enrollment of new land totaled 2 million acres.
Kansas, South Dakota and Colorado hold the top three slots for accepted acres for all 2025 CRP enrollment opportunities.
The American Relief Act, 2025, extended provisions for CRP through Sept. 30, 2025.
More Information
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production, the program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits.
Awards totaling approximately $1.5 million will empower farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs and strengthen local food systems and supply chain resiliency throughout the southwestern United States.
Barraza Farms is a small-scale organic farm growing mixed vegetables in Santa Cruz County.
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center are pleased to announce the first round of Business Builder Award grants to 73 small and mid-sized farm and food businesses across the Southwest region.
The Business Builder Award Program is designed to build capacity for food producers and processors by supporting infrastructure, innovation and market access. Recipients include businesses working on:
●Food safety equipment for egg processing, cleaning and grading for a pasture-raised flock, modernizing operations and improving efficiency
●Grain mill for organic heirloom flour production, which will increase supply tenfold to meet growing demand from school districts
●Meat inspection and processing equipment supporting cattle ranchers in Arizona, Nevada and Utah
●Marketing and packing supplies for small food businesses to expand into new markets; examples include spice blends, baked goods, mobile markets, farmers and fish harvesters
“These projects reflect the diversity and ingenuity of our regional food producers,” said Tracy Celio, program manager for the Southwest Regional Food Business Center. “We are thrilled to distribute Business Builder awards across the Southwest in partnership with USDA, which will address the unique needs of farmers, ranchers and food producers while strengthening local food systems with lasting impact.”
The recipients include a small, Los Angeles-based spice company, which creates authentic flavors of West Africa.
“I’m so grateful to receive this grant for Gloria’s Shito,” said founder Gloria Allorbi, whose business creates authentic flavors of West Africa. “These funds will help elevate our shipping process, improve the unboxing experience, and reduce package damage. It’s a big step toward our mission of bringing the bold flavors to more tables and our vision of making the cuisine visible in mainstream grocery spaces; starting with our direct-to-consumer platforms while we grow into retail.”
Another award recipient, Oatman Flats Ranch, is a farm in Arizona that aims to provide farm-to-fork regenerative, organic-certified food to schools, bakeries, restaurants and health-conscious consumers.
“We’re thrilled to be an integral part of building local, regenerative and organic food network infrastructure with other local participants,” said Oatman Flats Ranch co-founder Dax Hansen. “This award helps us elevate the value chain with a walk-in freezer and refrigeration unit, improved packaging equipment, and sustainable logistics with local food hubs while supporting the integrity of the products for the community we serve.”
Part of a national system of USDA food centers, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center – managed by UC ANR alongside its partners – provides coordination, technical assistance and capacity building for food and farm businesses.
The center’s work across the Southwest is led by a coalition of partners including Utah State University Extension; Utah Department of Agriculture and Food; University of Nevada, Reno Extension; Nevada Department of Agriculture; UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Valley Vision; UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology; California Department of Food and Agriculture; Occidental College; Local First Arizona; Arizona Department of Agriculture; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; California State University, Chico; Fresno State; Kitchen Table Advisors; and San Diego Food System Alliance.
“UC ANR is proud to be part of this transformative initiative, supporting food and farm businesses across the Southwest and helping build a more resilient, diverse and competitive regional food system,” Celio said.
For a full list of the 73 awardees and project descriptions, visit https://swfoodbiz.org/business-builder/. Updates on the progress of the projects will be posted on the website and on the SWfoodbiz Instagram and LinkedIn pages.
USDA has terminated the national Regional Food Business Center program, effective Sept. 15, eliminating direct funding and training for small farmers. Over the past two years, the Southwest Regional Food Business Center has directly assisted 2,181 individuals and over 1,850 farm and food organizations to grow new businesses and strengthen local and regional food systems.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.
