California Ag Network

Category: News

  • The Challenges of Establishing a Wine Improvement District

    Sonoma County Winegrowers — Since it was announced last month that leaders in the Sonoma County wine community were exploring the possible benefits and risks of establishing a Wine Improvement District, we have heard comments and questions from many, even those who don’t farm grapes or make wine from the County. That is fine as we appreciate the interest in the idea and the passion for Sonoma County’s wine community.

    Make no mistake, the greatest risk we face today is to do nothing and hope things improve. Our job is to explore any and all solutions to the challenges facing us – partnerships, grants, sponsorships, including a Wine Improvement District.  In fact, we continue to invite any proposals, ideas and funding models to consider to help us overcome these challenges.

    With this in mind, here are some facts about Wine Improvement Districts (WIDs) and the process in Sonoma County since February 2025:

    Fact: There are currently four WIDs in California with at least three others in the process of being established or considered as options for stable marketing funding.

    Fact: During February  – March of 2025, the Sonoma County Winegrowers did the following:

    • Spoke to leaders in other wine regions who have implemented a WID.
    • Participated in a regional association meeting hosted by California Association of Winegrape Growers and the California Wine Institute with a handful of trade associations in attendance, where Civitas and leaders from wine regions with WIDs presented general background on WIDs, the process to establish a WID, and the benefits, challenges and results.
    • On March 31, the Sonoma County Winegrowers board of directors voted at its meeting to spend up to $100,000 to pursue the formation of a business improvement district under the Sonoma County Winegrowers management which is the very model that the Lodi Winegrape Commission is following. Know that every Sonoma County Winegrowers meeting has oversight by California Department of Food & Agriculture and the board is nominated and elected by the entire grape growing community who pay assessments.
    • Hiring Civitas, which has worked with the other wine regions and is recognized as the national expert, was necessary to understand how a WID works – how it is formed, the boundaries, the types of businesses that can be included, as well as the types of items and activations that can be assessed. It would not be prudent to talk in a hypothetical way about how it works, we needed to understand the actual process.

    Fact: Did you know that even if we all agreed today to move forward with a WID, it would take approximately 18 months before the full funding came in?  Can we all survive another 18 months with the status quo?  This is why we were moving quickly to determine if a WID is the best solution for Sonoma County.

    Fact: Civitas was contracted on April 4, 2025 with a monthly fee of $7,500. When SCW reviewed the contract, we ensured that it was month-to-month so we could cancel it at any time.  This allowed the process to begin with learning how a WID works, then establishing a steering committee, beginning outreach to the AVAs and then broad outreach to the wine community before a management plan would be finalized or petition process started based on feedback.

    Fact: The first meetings with Sonoma County Vintners leadership to discuss a WID occurred on February 6th. Sonoma County Winegrowers and other wine industry stakeholders continued meeting with leadership of Sonoma County Vintners in March and April to discuss the WID and invite them to participate in the steering committee.

    Fact: May 14th, 2025 was the steering committee kick-off to explore WIDs. The steering committee was comprised of 15 members representing different size wineries, AVAs, and leadership roles in the wine community.

    • 5 small wineries
    • 2 mid-size wineries
    • 3 large wineries
    • SCW/SCV leadership (3 members from each board)
    • Current and Former AVA Board Leadership (AVW, WDCV, SVVGA, PGA, WSCV)
    • Staff

    Fact: Between May 13th – July 2, members of the steering committee met with the following AVA boards and/or leadership to discuss the WID and obtain initial feedback before going broader with wine community engagement:

    • Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley
    • Alexander Valley Winegrowers
    • Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance
    • Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance
    • Russian River Valley Winegrowers
    • West Sonoma Coast Vintners

    Fact: At the June 2 board meeting, as captured in the minutes, there was a discussion on the timing of the Sonoma County Winegrowers “referendum” (a 5-year reauthorization process where growers vote on whether to continue self-assessing their grapes to fund collective marketing efforts).  By law, the referendum vote needs to happen between July 1, 2025- June 30th, 2026. The decision was made to “move as quickly as possible” with the reauthorization referendum after the start of the new FY on July 1, 2025. This reference to the referendum had nothing to do with the WID timing. There was separate discussion on the WID and its process and timing.

    Fact: On July 21st, Sonoma County Winegrowers distributed a press release announcing the exploration of a Wine Improvement District with the intent to begin outreach and start the town halls and listening sessions. The release mentioned support to explore a WID from the Sonoma County Vintners leadership who were participating in the steering committee (this had not gone to the full SCV board yet).

    Fact: To date, Sonoma County Winegrowers, with the approval of its board, has spent $38,450 on Civitas, which is less than 2% of its marketing budget and less than 1% of its total budget.

    Fact: Civitas does NOT take a 2% collection fee. There is a 2% collection fee taken by HdL if a WID is established. HdL is a separate and independent tax and assessment collection organization used by counties and cities across California (including Sonoma County) and for most wine and business improvement districts. There is a 2% processing fee for collecting the assessments. Since this is not a tax, it is not collected by Sonoma County.

    Fact: Sonoma County Winegrowers estimates that 30% of the Sonoma County winegrapes will not be sold this year and that there are around 5,000 acres of vineyards being pulled out. In general, the wine industry is experiencing an oversupply of grapes and a consumption problem.  Every day it seems there is a new report or media story about declining consumption, rising production costs and the impacts from tariffs.  Doing more of the same will not work.

    Fact: On August 19th, Sonoma County Winegrowers paused the work of Civitas and the WID through harvest to give Sonoma County Vintners a chance to deal with their transition and provide time for wineries around the county to brainstorm new ideas and funding models.

    Fact: As a leader of a countywide organization, it would have been irresponsible to not consider every possible funding model and opportunity to address the challenges facing the wine and grape growing community.

    At this critical time, let’s work together and have a dialogue on how best to improve the outlook for Sonoma County’s wine community.  Know that the Sonoma County Winegrowers has a very successful track record of supporting the Sonoma County wine community and its growers.  We led the effort to become the first 100% certified sustainable wine region.  We developed the first 100-year plan for the industry.  We have pioneered Sonoma County’s Farm of the Future to provide access to local vineyards to seek solutions to improve production agriculture.  And we established a Winery Collaborative and sought high-profile sports, trade, on-premise, and media partnerships to introduce Sonoma County wines to more people in new settings and experiences. We have also demonstrated that we pursue grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and now the WID as ways to supplement the investment Sonoma County grape growers make in the Commission. Every action we take and proposal we consider is done through a simple filter – will it help the growers and wineries in Sonoma County.  That will never change.

  • Delegation Asserts U.S. Agricultural Interests in the Asia-Pacific Region

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led the U.S. delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting (FSMM). APEC is the premier platform for the United States to advance economic policies in the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate American economic leadership, and shape the policy environment for trade and investment and strong economic growth, benefiting American farmers, ranchers, and businesses.

    “I am honored to represent our hardworking American farmers, ranchers, and producers who depend on sound global food and agricultural policies,” said Bekkering. “Our mission is clear: improve nutrition, make agriculture more efficient, and grow the American and world economy. We do that through sound science, strong markets, and fair trade. When farmers and ranchers can produce more, move their goods more efficiently, and compete fairly, everyone benefits – from farm to table to globe. President Donald Trump has consistently voiced his support for farmers and rural communities and their role as the ‘bedrock of our economy.’ We have a responsibility to drive a focused agenda that prioritizes practical solutions to empower agricultural producers.”

    The United States exported more than $126 billion in agricultural products to fellow APEC members in 2024, accounting for 72 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the world. Eight of the top 10 U.S. agricultural export destinations are APEC members. While at the Ministerial Meeting, Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from some of the United States’ top trading partners, including Japan and the Republic of Korea. Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering also met with U.S. agriculture commodity groups, including the U.S. Grains Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the U.S. Soybean Export Council, and U.S. Wheat Associates to understand their experiences and challenges in the Korean market and the broader region.

    Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering met with the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to address non-tariff barriers that U.S. agricultural exports currently face in the Korean market.

    All 21 APEC economies were represented at the Ministerial and adopted the Joint Statement – which supports broadband access and digital tools, including the application of artificial intelligence, and stressed the need for research and investments to foster agricultural productivity growth.

  • Secretary Rollins Blocks Taxpayer Dollars for Solar Panels on Prime Farmland

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Representative John Rose, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, recently announced USDA will no longer fund taxpayer dollars for solar panels on productive farmland or allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in USDA projects. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available. Within the last 30 years, Tennessee alone has lost over 1.2 million acres of farmland and is expected to lose 2 million acres by 2027. This problem is not just in Tennessee, since 2012, solar panels on farmland nationwide have increased by nearly 50%. That is why the Department is taking action.

    “Our prime farmland should not be wasted and replaced with green new deal subsidized solar panels. It has been disheartening to see our beautiful farmland displaced by solar projects, especially in rural areas that have strong agricultural heritage. One of the largest barriers of entry for new and young farmers is access to land. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are no longer allowing businesses to use your taxpayer dollars to fund solar projects on prime American farmland, and we will no longer allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in our USDA-funded projects.”

    “Tennesseans know that our farmland is our national security, our economic future, and our children’s heritage. We were honored to welcome Secretary Rollins to Tennessee this week, and I’m grateful for her leadership to defend America’s farmland from foreign adversaries and protect our food supply,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

    “Tennessee farmland should be used to grow the crops that feed our state and country, not to house solar panels made by foreign countries like Communist China,” said Senator Blackburn. “Secretary Rollins and President Trump are right to put an end to these Green New Deal subsidies that waste taxpayer dollars while threatening America’s food security. I applaud this administration for investing in rural communities across Tennessee and empowering them to prosper for years to come.”

    “Competition is the American way. As a business owner, I know well the importance of fighting for your spot in the free market. It sparks innovation and often drives down costs for consumers. By leveling the playing field, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins is ensuring an abundant energy future for Tennessee and beyond,” said Representative John Rose (TN-06).

    “Secretary Rollins understands that food security is national security, and preserving prime farmland for agricultural production is a key component of protecting our food supply. I look forward to working with her and this Administration to ensure any incentives for renewable energy projects have commonsense safeguards in place that provide options for producers while protecting our most productive farmland,” said House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15).

    “I strongly support Secretary Rollins’ action today implementing President Trump’s executive order de-prioritizing undependable energy sources, and protecting our prime farmland for much/needed food production. Ending wasteful taxpayer Green New Scam subsidies that have driven up energy costs and taken farmland out of production are long overdue. This action protects farmland so important to our Eastern Shore economy, strengthens American agriculture, and puts our energy independence first,” said Representative Andy Harris (MD-01).

    “The land that feeds America should never be sacrificed for unreliable green energy experiments subsidized by taxpayer dollars. With this action, the USDA is making it clear that agriculture, not foreign-made solar panels, belongs on America’s farmland. This step ensures our land, food supply, and rural traditions are protected for generations to come,” said Representative Tom Tiffany (WI-7).

    “We shouldn’t be subsidizing solar projects on prime farmland, that land is too valuable for producing the food and fuel our nation depends on. Secretary Rollins is right to step in and make sure taxpayer dollars aren’t used to take our best farmland out of production, and I strongly support stopping the use of solar panels made by foreign adversaries like China. I’m proud to see that the Trump Administration continues to be committed to protecting American agriculture and standing up to China,” said Representative Mike Bost (IL-12).

    “There is no such thing as a solar farm. It is a waste of one of our most precious resources, our land. The extortion of the American taxpayers through solar subsidies, and the destruction of our farm and forest resources, has gone on for far too long. I commend Secretary Rollins for taking action to keep taxpayer dollars from being wasted on solar panels, purchased from our adversaries like China, and to no longer allow these unaffordable “green” projects to waste space on our American farmland and destroy our forest and wildlife habitat,” said Representative Austin Scott (GA-08).

    “For too long, Washington bureaucrats and foreign adversaries have tried to dictate how we use our land and our resources. Taxpayers should never be forced to bankroll green new deal scams that destroy our farmland and undermine our food security. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Rollins for standing up for America’s farmers and ranchers by ensuring our prime farmland is protected from foreign adversaries and our taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Our agricultural heritage is the backbone of this nation, and these commonsense reforms put food security, national security, and American sovereignty first,” said Representative Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

    “The Trump Administration is continuing to listen to those at home who were struggling under the previous administration’s Green New Scam. It’s been proven time and time again that subsidies negatively impact market pricing, passing the cost directly to consumers. I applaud the work of the USDA protecting national security, prioritizing American products first, and amplifying an all-of-the-above energy approach,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05).

    “Green New Deal subsidies have distorted the energy market and supplanted American farmland. USDA is taking decisive action which complements policies I supported in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ending the misuse of taxpayer dollars and upholding our national security interests in energy infrastructure. I appreciate Secretary Rollins’ leadership in restoring common sense to these USDA programs,” said Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03).

    Protecting American Farmland:

    This action will rapidly eliminate the market distortions and costs imposed on taxpayers by reducing energy subsidies and builds upon the repeal of and modifications to wind, solar, and other “green” energy tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It will further USDA’s determination to end taxpayer support for unaffordable and unreliable “green” energy sources and ensure the supply chain consists of American products and manufacturing.

    Effective immediately, USDA will implement the following programmatic actions:

    • For the USDA Rural Development Business and Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program wind and solar projects are not eligible.
    • For the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan Program (REAP Guaranteed Loan Program), USDA will ensure that American farmers, ranchers and producers utilizing wind and solar energy sources will install units that are right-sized for their facilities. If project applications include ground mount solar photovoltaic systems larger than 50kW or ground mount solar photovoltaic systems that cannot document historical energy usage, they will no longer be eligible for the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program, and priority points will no longer be given for REAP grants.

    USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs to promote rural prosperity. The commitment and resources we bring to rural communities help drive economic security and prosperity. Our programs expand access to high-speed internet, electric, and transportation infrastructure, and support business growth, healthcare, education, housing, and other community essentials. Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov.

  • Growers & Landscapers Invited to California Nursery Conference Sept. 10-11

    Nursery owners and landscapers – do you know about the latest invasive pest lurking in greenhouses? Are you getting the most efficiency out of your irrigation systems? What are you doing to protect your plants from the next record-breaking heat wave?

    Scientists from University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources will address these pressing questions and other research findings at the 2025 California Nursery Conference on Sept. 10-11 at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.

    For more than 40 years, this conference has assembled UC researchers to catch horticultural business owners up to speed on science that can influence their bottom line.

    The first day of the conference will feature seminars, demonstrations and poster sessions in English and Spanish. Day two will offer hands-on experiences, with attendees invited to tour local nurseries, greenhouses and landscapes. Stops will include Seaside Gardens, Boething Treeland and more.

    To see the agenda and register, visit https://ucnfa.ucdavis.edu/events/california-nursery-conference-2025.

    During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: During last year’s California Nursery Conference, growers demonstrated plant propagation and pest management practices in greenhouses. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Tapping into low-water landscaping

    Nursery agriculture is a billion-dollar industry in California, generating more value than processing tomatoes or broiler chickens. It’s also diverse in its products, including backyard citrus trees, flower bouquets or native plants used for habitat restoration.

    Despite the industry’s size and broad offerings, there are some challenges all nursery growers must contend with, says UC Cooperative Extension horticulture advisor and conference organizer Gerardo Spinelli. Water is at the top of that list.

    “Whether you grow a dieffenbachia in a big greenhouse, or you grow an agave outdoors, you need to irrigate it. There’s no way out of it in California,” Spinelli said. “Irrigation efficiency is something that is relevant for everybody.”

    “Low-water” plants and landscapes are a hot topic for discussion in this drought-prone state, and this conference taps into the issue. Seminar topics will include water retention in various substrates, managing pathogens in recirculating irrigation systems and advice on successfully managing a low-water landscape.

    Knowledge exchange goes both ways – input shared by horticultural professionals may inspire the next research projects taken on by UC scientists. Spinelli is looking forward to this social aspect of the conference and hopes to understand the market pressures growers may be facing. For example: which flowers are selling well this year? Which are out of fashion?

    “Nursery and floriculture is an industry that is always very dynamic…the trends are fast,” Spinelli said. “You are more picky when you choose something that has to do with beauty.”

    The event is intended to meet growers’ specific needs, while offering broad value to more general audiences as well. In fact, the conference agenda was developed to include issues facing landscaping professionals, according to Natalie Levy, UC Cooperative Extension soil health and organic materials management advisor.

    Levy is looking forward to the landscaping session, which will include a talk highlighting the market demands and extreme climate conditions weighing on nursery growers and landscapers alike. Growers may want to consider selling plants that have been evaluated through research as being high performing under low-water treatments, such as those Blue Ribbon Winners identified in the UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials. That recognition from scientists could be a marketable quality.

    “This information just gives another edge of marketability to the grower,” Levy said.

    The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    Photo Caption: The California Nursery Conference 2025 will have hands-on learning components, including demonstrations and field trips. Photo by Saoimanu Sope.

    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.

    Follow @UCANR on LinkedIn, Instagram, X (Twitter), Bluesky, Threads and Facebook.

  • UC Davis Nematologists Share International Spotlight

    UC Davis nematologists shared the international spotlight at the 64th annual meeting of the Society of Nematologists (SON), held recently in Victoria, British Columbia.

    Doctoral candidate Alison Blundell of the laboratory of associate professor Shahid Siddique, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, received the 2025 John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award from the Society of Nematologists at its recent meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. As the recipient of the $1500 prize, she presented a 30-minute talk on her research,   “Overcoming Resistance: Unraveling The Mechanisms Behind Root-knot Nematode Evasion of Tomato Mi-1 Gene.”

    Siddique delivered a keynote address, “Biotechnology and Genomics for Sustainable Nematode Management” in the international symposium series, which was sponsored by a grant received from the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and Co-Operative Research Programme: Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems. It centered on the SON conference theme,  “Nematodes on the Move: Building Resilience and Sustainability through International Collaboration and Better Policies.”

    Siddique presented his keynote address under the realm of the symposium, “Reducing the Global Movement of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Rethinking Control Strategies,” Part 2.  Part 1 focused on “Understanding the Impact of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on Global Food Security and Trade in a Changing World.”

    Siddique was one of 14 keynote speakers from 11 countries across 5 continents participating in the discussion, which consisted of three plenary sessions.

    Two doctoral candidates in the Siddique lab, Veronica Casey and Alison Blundell each won a travel award to attend the conference. Casey received the Hubbard Ag Science Award, and Blundell, the Bayer Award.

    Presenting talks were UC Davis Distinguished Professor Steve Nadler, former chair of the Department of Entomology and Nemtology; Amanda Hodson, assistant professor, and two postdoctoral researchers in the Siddique lab, Vera Putker and Bardo Castro.

    Nadler discussed “Phylogenetic Inference and the Diversity of Animal-Parasitic Nematodes”;  Hodson,  “The Relationship Between Nematode Indicators and Soil Carbon Pools across Managed and Unmanaged Landscapes in California”; Putker, “GPA2-Induced Selection Pressure Does Not Select for 187S Allele of the Effector GPRBP-1 in Virulent Globodera Pallida Populations,” and Bardo, “Biotechnology Approaches Against Root-Knot and Root Lesion Nematodes.”

    Blundell is the first UC Davis student to win the Webster award, launched in 2007 to recognize “a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in his/her thesis research in nematology as well as other skills necessary to be a well-rounded scholar.”

    Blundell, who anticipates receiving her doctorate in 2026, joined the UC Davis doctoral program in 2020. She is completing her dissertation on “Trade-Offs Between Virulence and Evading Resistance in Root-Knot Nematodes.”  She investigates how root-knot nematodes overcome Mi-1 in tomatoes and is testing for susceptibility associated with resistance breaking. Mi-1 is a crucial gene in tomato plants that confers resistance against root-knot nematodes, which are parasitic nematodes that can and do severely damage crops.

    In addition to her scientific contributions, Blundell is involved in professional services with SON, including oral and poster presentations and as vice chair of the SON Graduate Student Committee. She engages in teaching, mentoring, and public outreach on the UC Davis campus. She promotes science education and agricultural awareness by volunteering at the annual UC Davis Picnic Day and the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day.

    Blundell, formerly Alison Coomer, holds a  bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts in chemistry (2020) from Concordia University, Seward, Neb., where she received the Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology Award.

    The conference drew 179 attendees. The group experienced “a slightly lower attendance due to Visa concerns among foreign students attending U.S. universities,” a spokesman said. SON was formed in 1962 to advance the science of nematology in both its fundamental and economic aspects. Its membership stands at 356.

  • California Master Beekeeper Program Creates Quite ‘The Buzz’

    The UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program created quite “the buzz” when they presented an educational and entertaining program at the Vacaville Museum Guild’s annual Children’s Party, held in the Museum courtyard.

    CAMPB introduced the children, ages 3 to 9, to  “the wonderful world of bees.”

    CAMBP members displayed a bee observation hive and encouraged them to “find the queen’; answered questions about bees; and engaged them with arts and crafts activities. The “ingredients” included crayons, paper plates, googly eyes, popsicle sticks, papier-mâché, pipe cleaners and other materials.

    Staffing the bee tables were four CAMBP members: Wendy Mather and Kian Nikzad, co-program managers of CAMBP; Samantha Murray, education and garden coordinator  of the UC Davis Bee Haven; and Rick Moehrke, beekeeper and retired Vacaville teacher who is working on his CAMBP master-level beekeeper project.

    Amelia Vasquez-Fuller, 6, of Vacaville searches for the queen bee in the California Master Beekeeper Program’s bee observation hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

    If the children found the queen, they could win a prize. If they spun a wheel and answered a question correctly, another prize. The questions included:

    • How many legs does a bee have?
    • Why do bees have fuzzy bodies?
    • What do bees eat?
    • What is royal jelly and who makes it?
    • What is the job of a worker bee?
    • How many eyes does a bee have?
    • Name a crop that bees pollinate.

    The crops included strawberries, which tied right into the strawberry and blueberry ice cream that Fenton’s Creamery and Restaurant, Vacaville, donated.  Fenton’s generously donated 10 3-gallon tubs of ice cream: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and blueberry.

    The children delighted in looking for and finding the queen.

    Question: “Can you find the queen? She’s in here with the worker bees and drones. The worker bees are the girls and the drones are the boys.”

    Chlld: “What does the queen look like? Is she wearing a crown?”

    “No, she’s wearing a number!”

    Child:”I see her! There she is! I found her!”

    The event offered a wide variety of activities, including games, arts and crafts,  face-painting, chalk art, a petting zoo of farm animals, Mother Goose storytime, books, live music and more.

    Ford Devine, 3, of Vacaville, hugs the costumed bee. Kian Nikzad, co-program manager of the California Master Beekeeper Program, wore the costume and answered questions about bees (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

    Photo Caption: Ford Devine, 3, of Vacaville, hugs the costumed bee. Kian Nikzad, co-program manager of the California Master Beekeeper Program, wore the costume and answered questions about bees (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

    The Hive,  part of Z Food Specialty at 1221 Harter Ave, Woodland,  provided honey sticks (straws) at the Children’s Party. “Queen Bee” Amina Harris of The Hive, served as the founding director of the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center, part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, until her retirement in 2023.

    Bee scientist Elina Lastro Niño, professor of Cooperative Extension, Apiculture, founded CAMBP in 2016 and continues to serve as the founding director. She’s a member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty, and the director of the UC Davis Bee Haven, a half-acre bee friendly demonstration garden located next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road, UC Davis and open from dawn to dusk.

    CAMBP offers science-based information to educate stewards and ambassadors for honey bees and beekeeping. It provides “provide science-backed, practical training informed by the latest research and industry best practices.” It’a train-the-trainer kind of program offering classes. Beekeepers can advance from Ambassador and Apprentice to Journey and Master levels. The general public–including those who are contemplating becoming beekeepers–can learn about bees at the Ambassador level.

    The Hive,  part of Z Food Specialty at 1221 Harter Ave, Woodland,  provided honey sticks (straws) at the Children’s Party.

    Pamela King, who chaired the Children’s Party, described it as “amazing” and “a great success. We drew more than 300 people, all smiles and happy faces.”

    Although the Vacaville Museum Guild launched the Children’s Party in 1984, the price of tickets, $3, remained the same. It is more of a “fun-raising” party than a fund-raising program.

    Beekeeper and CAMBP member Samantha Murray, the education and garden coordinator for the UC Davis Bee Haven, works with youngsters in creating bee-themed arts and crafts at the Vacaville Museum Guild’s annual Children’s Party. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

  • International Dairy Foods Association to Gather in California for 2026 Dairy Forum

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is excited to announce that registration for Dairy Forum 2026 opens today.

    From January 25–28, 2026, more than 1,200 leaders from across the dairy supply chain will unite in Palm Desert, California, for the industry’s premier annual event. Held at the luxurious JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Dairy Forum 2026 will bring together executives from dairy processors, cooperatives, retailers, and suppliers to strengthen collaboration, spark innovation, and shape a bold, dynamic future for the industry. This year’s theme—UNITED FOR DAIRY—highlights the industry’s shared commitment to progress through innovation, leadership, and cross-sector partnerships.

    “Dairy Forum 2026 is where the future of dairy takes shape,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. “This is the place for leaders to come together, build meaningful connections, and explore new strategies to grow, adapt, and lead. When we are united, the dairy industry is more resilient, more innovative, and more prepared to meet the moment.”

    Dairy Forum includes main sessions, deep dive sessions, panel discussions, special presentations by conference partners, and numerous opportunities to connect with leaders in the dairy industry. The 2026 event features keynote presentations from:

    • Rahm Emanuel, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Mayor of Chicago, White House Chief of Staff, and U.S. Congressman
    • Sarah Frey, farmer, best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur
    • Jason Dorsey, researcher, speaker, and best-selling author
    • Brad Nordholm, president and chief executive officer, Farmer Mac

    Set against the stunning backdrop of the California desert, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers panoramic views, two championship golf courses, world-class tennis and pickleball courts, sparkling pools, and a luxurious day spa. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options at signature restaurants offering fresh, local cuisine. With over 234,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor event space, it’s an ideal destination for gatherings in the heart of the desert.

    Sponsorship opportunities are available to organizations looking to elevate their brand among the industry’s most influential decision-makers.

    To register for Dairy Forum 2026 and explore sponsorship opportunities, visit www.dairyforum.com.

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $198 billion in wages and $779 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

  • California Walnut & Ag Industry Leader Jonathan Field Passes

    California’s agriculture industry is mourning the loss of Jonathan W. Field who served as Manager of the California Tree Fruit Agreement for over a decade, led the Walnut Bargaining Association and served as the Compliance Officer for the California and Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreements and the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board.

    Field, 77, of Lincoln, California, passed away peacefully August 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

    Field’s passion for agriculture began at age six when he received his first sheep on Christmas morning. A lifelong 4-H member, he spent nine months in Kenya, Africa with the 4-H and Peace Corps, teaching crop rotation and agricultural best practices. He always maintained his own sheep and cattle, fulfilling his lifelong dream of farming.

    He attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where he earned an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Business and then a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from University of California, Davis.

    Field’s professional journey as part of California’s agricultural industry was as expansive as it was impactful. He began his career with California Agricultural Statistics Service and then as an economist for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) where he worked on programs for iceberg lettuce, fresh tomatoes, carrots, celery, potatoes, cling peaches and processing pears. While at CDFA, Field wrote the first Marketing Agreement program and was the economist assigned to the first Commission laws created in California.

    In 1981, Field became Assistant Manager for the California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA), a conglomerate of marketing order programs representing California-grown peaches, plums, nectarines and pears. He became Manager in 1987, serving until 2000 where he championed growers, strengthened industry standards and left a lasting mark on California’s tree fruit sector. Importantly, he was integrally involved in the litigation which went successfully to the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the legality of mandatory commodity programs.

    “During the 1990s, the California Tree Fruit Agreement was extremely fortunate to have Jonathan Field as its Manager,” said Melvin Enns, a tree fruit grower-shipper who served on the CTFA Board for many years.  “Jon was well-versed in the intricacies of government regulations. He formed a diverse team of experts in the areas of merchandising, export development, communications and grower relations to create programs that complied with these directives. And, together with the 1500+ growers of California peaches, pears, plums, and nectarines, Jonathan and his team built a federal and state marketing order that was the envy of tree fruit growers in every other state.”

    Not only did Field leave a lasting impression on the California fruit industry, but he championed several causes impacting California agriculture in general. Working with a group of marketing order and commission managers (who are now retired) including:  Bruce Obbink, California Table Grape Commission; Dennis Balant, California Walnut Board; Rich Peterson, California Prune Board; Terry Stark, California Raisin Advisory Board, and Dave Riggs, California Strawberry Commission, Field was instrumental in founding the Alliance for Food and Farming, the Agricultural Issues Forum, the Minor Crop Farmer Alliance, the California Specialty Crop Council and the Buy California Marketing Agreement, or “California Grown”.

    After leaving CTFA, Field formed Paradigm Consulting Company where he worked for several organizations including as Executive Director of the Walnut Bargaining Association, a cooperative of California walnut growers.

    “Jon Field was a true representative for our industry,” said Donald Norene, Chairman of the Walnut Bargaining Association (now known as the Walnut Alliance of California.). “He was committed to empowering walnut growers with the financial information necessary to successfully negotiate a fair return for their walnut crop and his analysis was highly regarded by bankers, growers and handlers.”

    In 2007, Field began working as the first Compliance Officer for the newly formed California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) and its sister organization the Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement to help ensure leafy greens growers are following stringent food safety practices. In 2012, he began performing these same functions as the Compliance Officer for the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board. Field finally retired in 2023.

    “I had known Jon for many years prior to bringing him on at the LGMA as our very first Compliance Officer,” said Scott Horsfall, former president and CEO of the California LGMA. “He was the perfect person for this role with his strong background in working with CDFA, his knowledge of marketing orders and agreements and his strong desire to help the agricultural industry through challenges. He will be missed.”

    Jon is survived by his wife, Christine, of 52 years; and children Erin, Jonathan and Heather; seven grandchildren, sister, Shirley and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  The family will provide more information about a Celebration of Life at a later date.

  • The Wonderful Company Ranks No. 1 on PEOPLE®’s List of Companies that Care

    The Wonderful Company has taken the coveted No. 1 spot on the 2025 PEOPLE® Companies That Care list, rising from No. 3 last year. The $6 billion enterprise, with 10,000 employees worldwide and a portfolio of well-known healthy brands, earned the recognition for its commitment to employees, communities, and the environment. This commitment is rooted in the vision of founders Lynda and Stewart Resnick, whose philanthropic giving, along with their foundations and company, accounts for more than $2.5 billion and focuses extensively on the communities where Wonderful employees and their families live and work.

    Based in Los Angeles, The Wonderful Company is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and among the world’s largest agriculture companies. With operations spanning the Central Valley and wine regions of California, Texas, New Jersey, Arizona, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the countries of Mexico and Fiji, its family of brands include Wonderful Pistachios, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, Teleflora, and JUSTIN, Landmark, and Lewis Cellars wines. To qualify for the PEOPLE® list, thousands of anonymous employee survey responses provided input attesting to The Wonderful Company’s culture, leadership, and relationships with workers.

    In bestowing the top honor, PEOPLE® highlighted The Wonderful Company’s signature Career Pathways program, which empowers students to obtain an associate’s degree upon graduating from one of seven partner high schools in the Central Valley. Students also receive critical work- based learning experiences by participating in job shadows, career workshops, and paid internships at Wonderful. Since 2018, more than 1,600 students have graduated from the program with an associate’s degree.

    Wonderful Career Pathways Graduation

    “In the Central Valley of California, our people do the hard work of feeding our nation. Their children deserve every opportunity,” says Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of The Wonderful Company. “Wonderful Career Pathways is one of the many ways we are committed to ending the cycle of poverty by taking a holistic view and focusing on the social determinants of a healthy society. This program empowers students to enter college with 60 credits and a two- year head start on classes – or graduate high school and step right into higher-paying jobs in health care, education, and agriculture. And, Wonderful is with them every step of the way.

    Over the past decade, The Wonderful Company and the Resnicks, along with their foundations have committed over $1 billion in the Central Valley, home to more than 3,000 of their employees. Wonderful offers free health care services to its full-time workforce in the Central Valley, including preventive care, physical therapy, prescriptions and more. Every meal served at its onsite cafeterias is fresh, nutritious, and cooked from scratch. They also support 5,000 students across 70 schools, including two public charter schools the Resnicks founded, and over 1,000 Wonderful Scholars, many of whom are employees’ children, with tutoring, academic coaching, emotional support, up to $40,000 each in college scholarships, and more. To learn more about Wonderful’s award-winning CSR and philanthropy, please visit csr.wonderful.com.

    “Witnessing the innovative spirit with which these companies invest in their employees, communities, and the world is trulyinvigorating,” says Charlotte Triggs, PEOPLE GM and editor- in-chief. “Their commitment reflects our mission, to feature what happens when ordinary people do extraordinary work.”

    Earlier this year, The Wonderful Company was also named one of Fortune® magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. It was recognized again as one the Best Places To Work in the Central Valley by Best Companies Group for its commitment to the well-being of its workforce.

    To be considered for the PEOPLE® and Fortune® lists, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified™ and have at least 10 U.S. employees.

    About The Wonderful Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility

    The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have a long-standing commitment to investing inthe communities where their employees live and work, especially in California’s Central Valley, home to 3,000 employees. The Resnicks, along with their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across the Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, and its core values, visit csr.wonderful.com.

    About the PEOPLE® Companies that Care List

    Great Place To Work selected the 2025 PEOPLE Companies that Care List by gathering and analyzing over 1.3 million confidential survey responses from companies representing more than 8.4 million U.S. employees at Great Place To WorkCertified organizations. Of those, more than 1 million responses came from employees at companies eligible for the list and these rankings are based on that feedback. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index™ Survey and essays submitted by participating companies. Read the full methodology.

    To get on this list next year, start here.

    About Great Place To Work

    As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model™ helpcompanies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.

    Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram or visit greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more.

  • Three New Champions Awarded in Real California Milk Annual Pizza Bake-off Event

    Following a bake-off competition where 12 professional chefs crafted innovative pizzas highlighting California cow’s milk cheeses, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced three new pizza champions in the 2025 Real California Pizza Contest, the premier national search for the best pizza recipes that feature Real California Cheeses.

    Chef Salvatore Trupiano, CEO of Mangia e Bevi in Oceanside, Calif. won the contest’s Grand Prize and the Big Cheese category award for his Creamery Crown recipe. The Creamery Crown combines Real California Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Carmody, Dry Jack, and Crème Fraîche in a decadent balance of creamy, tangy, and nutty flavors.

    Chef Salvatore Trupiano’s award-winning pizza

    Photo Caption: Chef Salvatore Trupiano’s award-winning pizza

    Trupiano took home $10,000 – $5,000 as a category winner, plus $5,000 for the Grand Prize distinction.

    In the On the Menu category, Chef Edward Stalewski of Mercurio’s in Pittsburgh, Pa., took home the $5,000 category prize for his Iron Crust pizza – a bold, flavor-packed creation prepared in a cast iron pan featuring cupping pepperoni and layered with Real California Mozzarella, Provolone and white Cheddar cheeses, topped with whipped Ricotta and grated Gouda.

    Chef Marcus Medina of Hella Pie Pizza in Tracy, Calif. won the $5,000 Innovation category prize for his Hellapeno Za’pper, apizza that pairs four Real California cheeses – Mozzarella, Cheddar, Cream Cheese, and Dry Jack – with maple bacon, fresh jalapeños, and smoked hot honey.

    Each of the nine remaining finalists received $1,000 for advancing to the pizza bake-off.

    “Each year, this contest demonstrates how chefs across the country continue to use California dairy products to push culinary boundaries,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “This year’s pizza recipes were especially exciting with bold, authentic flavors and inventive spirit. The judges were impressed by the versatility of Real California cheeses and how they were highlighted.”

    Now in its seventh year, the contest, which was open to professional chefs and culinary students across the U.S., received a record number of participants, leading to the most competitive finalist selection in its history. The bake-off final was held at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia in Napa, Calif.

    The judging panel included renowned industry leaders such as Tony Gemignani, 13-time World Pizza Champion and owner of 22 culinary concepts; Glenn Cybulski, certified pizzaiolo and award-winning executive chef; and Laura Meyer, International pizza champion, restaurant owner and co-founder of Fork to Future. Pizzas were scored based on taste, texture, visual appeal, and the inventive use of Real California cheese.

    “California remains the leading producer of milk and Mozzarella in the U.S., and it’s clear that chefs nationwide recognize the value of our state’s sustainable, high-quality dairy products,” said Bob Carroll, CEO of the CMAB. “From bulk Mozzarella to artisan cheese, Real California dairy products continue to raise the bar on flavor and performance throughout the foodservice industry.”

    The 2025 Real California Pizza Contest winners and finalists are as follows:

    The Big Cheese Category

    • WINNER: Salvatore Trupiano – Mangia e Bevi, Oceanside, Calif.
    • Finalist: Kira Zabrowski – Much Ado About Pizza, Pleasanton, Calif.
    • Finalist: Randy Lewis – Hearth Wood Fired Pizza & Catering, San Leandro, Calif.
    • Finalist: Charles Cullison – Charlie and the Pizza Factory, Kingman, Ariz.

    On the Menu Category

    • WINNER: Edward Stalewski – Mercurio’s, Pittsburgh, Pa.
    • Finalist: David Goldy – Wild West Pizza, Lompoc, Calif.
    • Finalist: Sean Dempsey – Dempsey’s Brewery Pub & Restaurant, Watertown, S.D.
    • Finalist: Sergio Balderas – Truly Pizza, Dana Point, Calif.

    Innovation Category

    • WINNER: Marcus Medina – Hella Pie Pizza, Tracy, Calif.
    • Finalist: Vanessa Vinsick – Caliente Pizza & Drafthouse, Pittsburgh, Pa.
    • Finalist: Adam Sachs – Toscano Brothers, San Francisco, Calif.
    • Finalist: Ryan Mondragon – Sanctuary Pizza, Modesto, Calif.

    Additional details, videos, and recipes from the bake-off event will be available in an online recipe book launching this October that will feature all finalist pizzas and tips for working with Real California Cheese in foodservice. For further information, visit https://realcaliforniamilkfoodservice.com/pizza-contest/.

    California’s reputation as the leading dairy state continues to inspire chefs with more than 200 varieties and styles of cow’s milk cheeses and a full catalogue of dairy ingredients made with sustainably sourced milk from California dairy farm families. Learn more at https://realcaliforniamilkfoodservice.com/.

    About Real California Milk / The California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S., and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with milk from California’s more than 1,000 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK), email businessdevelopment@cmab.net, or visit RealCaliforniaMilkFoodservice.com.