At a recent Ag Breakfast Club meeting in Fresno, CA, farmers joined English-American Commentator Steve Hilton live on Fox News to share their urgent need for increased water allocations, among other challenges that need to be addressed to support agriculture across the state. Former policy adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Steve is also seriously considering running to succeed Governor Newsom in 2026. Watch as Steve joins Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss his views supporting agriculture and the need for a “California revolution”.
Category: Video News
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What We can Learn from Recent Vineyard Planting Trends, or Lack Thereof
Wine market issues have led to a major slowdown in grapevine planting activity in California over the last few years to the point that some of the top suppliers of planting material have recently determined to exit the market. At the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared the results of their annual grapevine nursery survey report, highlighting which varieties are still being planted and in what areas of the state. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what growers can learn from these planting trends.
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Despite Trade Uncertainty, American Pistachio Growers Continue Global Market Promotions with Nearly $7M in Federal Funding
U.S. pistachio production volumes continue to grow steadily, with the bulk of consumer growth opportunities in international markets. American Pistachio Growers has had great success in establishing and building demand for U.S. pistachios overseas, and as such, has recently been awarded nearly seven million dollars in federal funding to continue this growth. Over the last couple months though, federal funding freezes, budget cuts, and the threat of retaliatory tariffs in key export countries has agricultural communities deeply concerned. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with APG’s VP of Global Marketing Scott Fryer to discuss how APG is navigating these concerns, all the while staying the course in building global demand for American pistachios in new and established markets. Watch this brief interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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Central Valley Farmer Responds to Initial 2025 Water Allocation
On February 25, the Central Valley Water Project announced an initial farm water allocation of 35%. This comes as welcome news to farmers that were hampered last year around the same time by an initial allocation of only 15%. Watch this brief interview with pistachio/carrot grower and Director at Westlands Water District William Bourdeau, as he shares his perspective on the announcement on California Ag Network with Matthew Malcolm.
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Historic, Low California Grape Crush Reported: Analysis with Turrentine Brokerage on American Vineyard Live (Recording)
American Vineyard Magazine hosted a special livestream webcast on February 21st, featuring representatives from Turrentine Brokerage providing a detailed analysis on the 2024 CDFA Grape Crush Report. The webcast was recorded and can now be viewed for free here. Watch now as Turrentine representatives share key insights on using the results of the report to make informed, critical business decisions moving forward, with wine market perspectives from the North Coast, Central Coast, Northern Interior and Central Valley wine regions.
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Signs of Stabilization in the Wine Market on the Horizon
With the preliminary Crush Report revealing the lowest wine grape crush California has experienced in many years, and having heard from State of the Wine Industry panelists at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, including Glenn Proctor from Ciatti Company, growers and winemakers are still wondering when will things get better for the wine industry. Watch this brief video as Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network interviews Glenn sharing that hope is on the horizon based on new indicators in the global wine market. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Watermelon Growers Face Challenges When Expanding Their Season
Watermelon is a favorite summertime treat for consumers. Naturally anticipating those summer picnics and BBQs, consumers may want to enjoy this sweet treat earlier or even later in the year, outside of California’s traditional harvest window. Determined to meet consumer demand with an innovative spirit, California growers are planting watermelons earlier than ever before and expanding their seasons late into the fall as well. This does not come without consequence though, and growers faced some particular challenges during their extended 2024 season that they won’t soon forget. Watch this brief interview as Zheng Wang, UCCE Vegetable Crop Advisor — specializing in Central Valley melon crops, discusses these challenges with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network. Read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
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Hazelnut Farmer Sues Federal Gov’t Over Credibility of Organic Claimed Foreign Imports
Organic farmers in the US undergo some of the most strict regulations and certification procedures in the world in order to obtain the consumer-trusted “USDA Organic” logo on their harvested crops, naturally commanding a premium price; however, when imported foreign products hit the US market and secure “USDA Organic” status, can consumers trust that those products came from farms that met the same criteria as required by US organic farms? Bruce Kaser, an organic hazelnut grower in Oregon would beg to differ and is suing the federal government over what he claims not only comprises the integrity of the entire organic sector, but is also financially damaging to the American farmer. Watch this brief interview as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm meets with Bruce to discuss the details.
Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.
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Local Chefs at Whole Vine Festival Awarded for Innovative Use of California Table Grapes
To support the local and innovative culinary use of grapes, the California Table Grape Commission sponsored a competition at the recent Whole Vine Festival, awarding cash prizes to the top three food trucks incorporating grapes from California on their menus. A $1,000 grand prize was awarded to Rice and Spice for their Thai Papaya (and grape) salad. Runner up $250 prizes went to Marcelino’s Wood Fired Pizza for their Whole Vine Pie (grape & balsamic glaze reduction drizzled over cheese blend topped with arugula and fresh sliced grapes) and their dessert pizza (with red grapes, brie and honey), and Madtown’s Burger & Tacos for their Grape Pollination Salad and PB&J Burger. Watch this brief interview with Whole Vine Festival President Vickie Goudreau as she introduces the grand prize winner and shares more details with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network.
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Sun-Maid Growers Report Success in New Product Development & Global Demand for Calfornia Raisins
The State of the Raisin Industry address was once again a big hit at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo. In addition to hearing from Raisin Bargaining Association representatives, Steve Loftus from Sun-Maid Growers shared his perspective of 2024 raisin harvest, how the global raisin market is performing, and what Sun-Maid is doing to build demand for California raisins with new product development and consumer outreach. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read the full report in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.