Meal break violations are an open door for Class Action & PAGA lawsuits that farmers have been getting impacted by, according to longtime ag labor and employment attorney Ron Barsamian. Watch this video interview with Ron as he shares what farm employers can do to maintain better records and avoid the costly losses involved in such litigation.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
Although prices have been up, largely due to inflation, California wine shipments are down significantly to a level which has not been seen in decades. But, why the slump in shipments and what will this mean for the California wine market in the near future? Watch this brief interview with Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter to find out, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
As if there weren’t enough trunk diseases impacting California vineyards, UC Davis Plant Pathologist Akif Eskalen has been researching a newly identified disease causing a canker on the trunk of grapevines accompanied by fruit disease/sour rot symptoms. Watch this brief interview with Akif, and read more about it disease management in American Vineyard Magazine
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
Following record production years, pandemic and logistical issues slowed California almond shipments considerably, creating record carryover inventory and pricing issues for the industry. Coming off a shorter crop year in 2022 and what appears to be another short crop in 2023, almond growers are hoping to see prices moving up again. Watch this brief interview with Almond Board of California President Richard Waycott as he shares details of some record almond shipping months this year that is moving the industry back on track to greater prosperity.
Watch this brief video with Chowchilla walnut grower Mark Hutson who chose to fallow some of his land for groundwater recharge purposes last year, not knowing that he’d be able to put it to use so soon with the tremendous storm systems that came through this past winter and spring. Learn about his experience in utilizing NRCS grant funding to prepare his land for recharge, and consider whether some form of groundwater recharge will work on your farm in the near future.
California has been blessed with a tremendous amount of snow and rainfall this spring. Coming after many dry years that have reduced our groundwater supply, farmers want to do all they can in this brief time of plenty to not only irrigate their drought-stressed trees and vines, but also recharge the groundwater supply beneath their fields. But how quickly can a farmer prepare his/her land to take on some of this snowmelt for groundwater recharge purposes and what will it require? Watch this video featuring Madera grape and nut grower Jennifer Peters, who in a very short time was able to install an on-farm groundwater recharge basin and capture much of this stormwater.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
As the cost of labor increases and availability around harvest tightens, California raisin growers are hopeful that two new complete dried on the vine (DOV) varieties will make a big difference for the future of the industry. Austin Hubbell of Marthedal Enterprises is one such grower who has had the unique experience in harvesting both varieties, which appear to have promise. Watch this video with Austin and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
When Sun-Maid Growers announced its acquisition of baby food brand Plum Organics in 2021, it came as a surprise to many. Naturally, raisin growers wanted to know how this might benefit the California raisin industry, beyond simply growing and diversifying Sun-Maid’s portfolio. Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid Growers Executive Chairman Harry Overly as he explains.
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While growers still have many questions and concerns as to how flooding their vineyards and orchards for groundwater recharge purposes may impact their day-to-day farming operations and eventual crop yields, Madera almond & wine grape grower Nick Davis is more concerned with making the most of the recent rainfall and snowmelt to recharge their much needed soil profiles following extended drought conditions. Watch this video with Nick and read more about his experience with on-farm recharge in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
While farmers are accustomed to paying for the water they use, growers in Madera Irrigation District have recently been getting their water for free for groundwater recharge purposes. While the snow melts and water is aplenty, growers are working quickly to set their farms up to be able to spread some of this water across their fields, in a ditch, or a basin to replenish their groundwater supply. This not only serves to benefit the farmer, but the entire community as well. Watch this video with Thomas Greci, General Manager of the Madera Irrigation District as he explains.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.