California Ag Network

Tag: California Agriculture

  • New Webinar Series by CAFF and UC Aids Farmers Transitioning to Organic

    Farmers seeking guidance on starting or advancing their transition to organic crop production are invited to attend free webinars led by a wide range of experts, including University of California scientists and fellow growers.

    Held at noon every Wednesday from Jan. 14 to March 18, 2026, the “Transition to Organic Webinar Series” covers the certification process, market dynamics, soil health and soil amendments, pest and weed management, and other key topics of organic production. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions but can choose any webinars that are most relevant for them.

    Learn more and register; attendees also can choose real-time Hmong or Spanish interpretation for each session.

    The 10 online sessions – each comprising a 75-minute presentation and discussion, followed by optional office hours – are organized and sponsored by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, UC Cooperative Extension, and the UC Organic Agriculture Institute (an institute of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources).

    “This is the first time UC ANR is partnering with CAFF to offer such a series focused on transition to organic,” said Margaret Lloyd, UCCE organic agriculture and small farms advisor for Yolo, Sacramento and Solano counties. “Ultimately, we hope to provide the resources, community and support to folks who want to make a successful transition.”

    California leads the U.S. in the number of organic farms, land in organic production and organic sales. In 2023, there were more than 3,300 organic producers in the state, according to the latest California Department of Food and Agriculture report.

    Organizers designed the webinars to appeal to producers across California and to directly address issues that a variety of agricultural operations face.

    “This series brings together technical assistance providers and farmers to explore the full range of challenges producers face when transitioning to organic – from certification and market considerations to management practices, biodiversity, recordkeeping and inspections,” said Grace Jackson, the Central Valley regional lead for CAFF’s Farmer Services team.

    Series addresses challenges of certification, market dynamics, pest and weed management

    Another organizer, Katharina Ullmann – training and technical assistance coordinator at the UC Organic Agriculture Institute – said that demand for more information was quite apparent during workshops held this past year throughout the state, from Siskiyou County to San Diego.

    “Standalone workshops are great, but there is a lot of information to cover in a two- or three-hour workshop,” Ullmann said. “We thought it would be helpful to have a longer, regular series, where we would have a whole hour to dig into a specific transition topic.”

    The lineup of presenters – available on the registration page – reflects a diverse mix of perspectives on organic agriculture, encompassing firsthand farmer experiences and the latest scientific research.

    “We have farmer panels; we have people who work with certifiers, and organic inspectors; we have UCCE advisors and specialists who will present as part of this workshop,” Ullmann said. “Over the past three decades, many individual farmers and other partners like the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, the CCOF [California Certified Organic Farmers] Foundation and the Ecological Farming Association [EcoFarm] have provided training on transitioning to organic production. We are excited to add to that body of work.”

    She noted that the series covers many of the topics mentioned by respondents to the Organic Agriculture Institute’s statewide needs assessment survey. In addition to crop production challenges and market concerns, growers emphasized the need for support on certification processes and related paperwork (such as the Organic System Plan) – topics to be presented on Jan. 21.

    Aside from this new series on topics about transitioning to organic, Lloyd and other UCCE advisors are continuing an annual online Organic Agriculture Seminar Series on specific aspects of organic production. Details for those webinars, scheduled for Tuesdays at noon in 2026, will be posted on Lloyd’s website.

    Registration and information on the “Transition to Organic Webinar Series” can be found at: https://actionnetwork.org/events/transition-to-organic-webinar-series-for-crop-producers/.

    The series is made possible through funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture State Organic Program, the CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability, and the United States Department of Agriculture Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

    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.

  • Referendum to Terminate Dairy Quota Implementation Plan Fails

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) recently conducted a referendum vote among California Market Milk Producers within the State of California to determine whether the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) which became effective November 1, 2018, should be terminated effective immediately.

    On August 6, 2024, the Department received a petition titled “Petition to Terminate the QIP #5” by Stop QIP. The petition asked that the Secretary call a referendum to immediately terminate the QIP. The Department performed a review of the petition signatures and their respective reported volume and determined that the twenty-five percent (25%) thresholds had been achieved. The petition was then referred to the Producer Review Board (PRB) for consideration. At a Board meeting held on December 17, 2024, the PRB reviewed the petition and passed a motion recommending that the Secretary issue an industry referendum to vote on the petition. The Secretary reviewed the PRB’s recommendation and approved it.

    The referendum to consider termination started on June 12, 2025. On September 9, 2025, one day prior to the end of the voting period for the referendum, over 501 ballots were hand-delivered to the Department by a third party. Visual inspection upon receipt confirmed that the ballots had been removed from their sealed envelopes. Due to these unusual circumstances, the Department decided to reissue the ballots in question and grant a special extension to vote to the producers whose ballots were received open. The voting period for the special extension for the affected producers was October 8, 2025, to October 24, 2025.

    Criteria for Passage:

    In order for the termination to be approved, California Food and Agricultural Code Section 62717 specifies that:

    Not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of eligible producers in the state shall have voted in the referendum AND one of the following criteria must be satisfied:

    a) Sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (April 2025) by all producers who voted in the referendum approve the plan, OR,

    b) Fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (April 2025) by all producers who voted in the referendum, approve the plan.

    Summary of the Results of the Referendum Vote:

    Proportion of Eligible Producers that Participated: 63.76%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Favor: 40.46%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Opposition: 59.54%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Favor: 47.55%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Opposition: 52.45%

    In summary, 63.76% of the total number of eligible producers voted in the referendum, and 40.46% voted in favor, having produced 47.55% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in April 2025. Conversely, 59.54% voted in opposition, and produced 52.45% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in April 2025.

    Explanation of Results:

    63.76% of the total number of eligible market milk producers in the state voted, therefore the participation criteria was satisfied.

    a. Additionally, both elements of EITHER criterion in (a) OR (b) above must also be satisfied: The producers who accounted for 47.55% of the fluid milk produced by participants in the referendum, in April 2025 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of the threshold of 51% for the first element by 3.45%; AND 40.46% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% for the second element by 24.54%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not approved through this criterion.

    b. 40.46% of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the 51% threshold by 10.54%; AND producers who accounted for 47.55% of the total number of fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in April 2025 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% by 17.45%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not approved through this criterion.

    Since the outcome of this referendum does not meet the criteria set forth in Section 62717 of the California Food and Agricultural code, the Quota Implementation Plan will not be terminated. A further summary of the tally results and details on invalidated ballots are included with this notice.

    Anyone with questions regarding the referendum, should contact the Quota Administration Program at (916) 900-5012.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Details Actions to Maximize Grower Returns, Honors George Goshgarian Jr

    Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s leading almond cooperative, held its 115th annual meeting on Nov. 19 in Modesto, highlighting a year defined by bold operational decisions and strategic transformation.

    Kai Bockmann, president and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers, shared with growers in attendance that the cooperative navigated a challenging year by responding with urgency and clarity to strengthen long-term competitiveness and grower returns.

    “Our industry is facing real headwinds, from rising input costs and pest-related crop damage to persistent market volatility,” Bockmann said. “But we

    must stay focused on what matters most: maximizing returns for our growers while building a cooperative that will thrive for generations to come. The actions we are taking position us to do exactly that.”

    At the meeting, Blue Diamond’s leadership outlined concrete steps taken to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the cooperative’s market position across three strategic pillars.

    Transforming Operations to Drive Efficiency

    Earlier this year the cooperative announced plans to close its Sacramento manufacturing plant and consolidate operations to the existing Turlock and Salida facilities. The move will maximize efficiencies while moving the manufacturing facilities even closer to the almond-growing regions that are at the heart of the cooperative. The transition strengthens both efficiency and sustainability while honoring Blue Diamond’s commitment to growers.

    “It comes down to one fundamental thing: build a stronger and more profitable Blue Diamond that provides the best return for our growers’ almonds,” Bockmann said. “We’ve made the tough calls this year with decisions that position us for long-term success.”

    Driving Brand Performance and Innovations

    Despite category softness, Blue Diamond maintained the No. 1 position in both Almondmilk and Snack Almonds. The cooperative executed its first brand refresh in more than two decades, laying critical groundwork for renewed consumer engagement. The year saw the successful launch of new product lines including Almonds and More mixed nuts and almond-fruit produce blends in partnership with Oppy® to help establish a presence and ignite growth in the produce section. Additionally, limited-time flavors – including Cherry Slurpee® and Mike’s Hot Honey® – drove consumer excitement and helped the brand remain top-of-mind in a competitive marketplace.

    Expanding within International Markets

    Blue Diamond continues to expand its international footprint across multiple regions and segments. In Canada, the cooperative grew distribution with major retailers at a pace faster than both category and private-label growth. Strategic beverage partnerships and pipeline opportunities took shape in Japan, while new flavor tests launched across Europe for broader retailer expansion. The cooperative also strengthened its core almond segment leadership with in-shell almonds showing impressive growth in key markets including India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

    Announcing the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador of the Year Award

    At the annual meeting, Blue Diamond’s Board Chairman Steve Van Duyn presented the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador Award to George Goshgarian Jr., a Blue Diamond grower whose family has farmed with the cooperative for nearly 50 years. Goshgarian Jr. is from Fresno and is completing his MBA at Fresno Pacific University School of Business.

    For more than 13 years, Goshgarian Jr. has served in various capacities at the Almond Board of California, including the Environmental Committee, Almond Quality and Food Safety Services Committee, and Strategic Ag Innovation Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for eight years, including two terms as vice chair. He values being part of a team that creates solutions to challenging industry issues and serves as a voice for farmers.

    “Serving at the Almond Board gives even the smallest farming operation a seat at the table,” Goshgarian Jr. said. “I’ve been very proud to represent Blue Diamond at the Almond Board of California for more than a decade.”

    Bockmann concluded the annual meeting with remarks reflecting the cooperative’s readiness for the years ahead.

    “Our balance sheet is strong, our strategy is clear, and our team is energized to execute,” he said. “The coming year – and beyond – is about translating strategy into results. We do this in service to our growers, and we’re confident in the direction and path forward.”

    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing approximately 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • New Research Reveals California Cannabis Cultivation and Regulatory Process Puts Tribal Cultural Resources at Risk

    A comprehensive new report from researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University reveals that cannabis cultivation in California threatens Tribal cultural resources. As in other arenas of development, however, protecting those resources faces systemic challenges.

    Based on findings from a two-year study that surveyed both Tribal and agency representatives across the state, the survey found that the state’s current consultation policies, while stronger than in many other states, remain inadequate and are inconsistently applied, leading to significant risks of irreparable harm to Tribal cultural heritage sites.

    “Our research shows a significant disconnect between state policy and the experience of California’s Native American Tribes. The current cannabis permitting system, while well-intentioned, fails to adequately protect ancestral lands and cultural resources,” said Jennifer Sowerwine, principal investigator on the project, and UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley. “It’s not just about historical preservation; it’s about respecting Tribal sovereignty and ensuring that this new industry does not perpetuate old harms. These findings provide a clear roadmap for the state to move beyond performative consultation toward a process that is truly meaningful and just.”

    The same landscape features that are ideal for cannabis cultivation – southern exposure, flat land, near a source of water – are also ideal for a village site or other Tribal culturally sensitive area.

    Good place to grow cannabis may be Tribal cultural resource

    Jeremy Sorgen, lead researcher on the project and research faculty at Northeastern University’s Oakland campus, said, “One of the first things we heard from Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and county officials plugged into cultural resource protection efforts is that cannabis cultivation often occurs on land with a high probability of being sensitive for Tribes.”

    “If it’s relatively flat, near a source of water, and south-facing, it’s not only a good place to grow cannabis, but it may also be a ceremony or village site or other place of cultural importance to Tribes,” said Sorgen, who is also a researcher at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. “What this means is that cannabis cultivators, historically and today, are actively selecting for Tribal cultural resources.”

    In 2014, California Assembly Bill 52 amended the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, to include statutory requirements for Tribal cultural resource protection. This law was implemented shortly before Proposition 64 legalized adult use of cannabis in 2016. The study, “Examining Tribal Sovereignty over Cannabis Permitting on Native Ancestral Lands,” investigated the intersection of these two laws and found that AB 52, while strengthening Tribal consultation at the local level, retains many of the same problems of previous state and federal cultural resource laws.

    The research was designed, conducted and analyzed in collaboration with a seven-member Tribal Advisory Committee and included comprehensive surveys of 46 Tribal representatives and 56 agency officials, alongside 61 in-depth interviews conducted across the state.

    Key findings from the report include:

    ●      Power imbalances: “Agency discretion” policies mean state and local agencies often have the last word on permit approval, CEQA exemptions, and designating Tribal cultural resources. This undermines Tribal sovereignty and exposes Tribal cultural resources to harm.

    ●      Flawed mapping: The state’s reliance on inaccurate and contested maps results in systematic under-consultation, where the wrong Tribes are notified, culturally affiliated Tribes are excluded from the process and cultural resources go unprotected.

    ●      Insufficient consultation: Even when consultation is triggered, the process is often treated as a procedural “box-checking” exercise rather than a meaningful, government-to-government dialogue.

    ●      Underfunded mandate: AB 52 has resulted in an unprecedented number of project notifications, many of them likely to threaten Tribal cultural resources. Tribes lack funding for consultation-related staff, equipment and training. Agencies also lack training and resources for effective and respectful consultation.

    The report offers a series of actionable recommendations for the Department of Cannabis Control and other state agencies to address these systemic issues. Key recommendations include collaborating directly with Tribal governments to develop more equitable consultation processes and accurate maps of ancestral territories. Other recommendations include initiating consultation as soon as a permit application is received, providing increased funding and specific training for Tribes and agency staff engaged in consultation, and fostering stronger data-sharing agreements between state, local and Tribal governments.

    New tools support Tribal sovereignty in consultation

    Building on the research findings, the research team and Tribal advisors have developed two sets of tools to support Tribal control of the consultation process.

    “California has some of the strongest cultural resource protection laws in the U.S., but meaningful consultation is undermined by structural problems in the consultation process,” said Shasta Gaughen, environmental director and Tribal historic preservation officer of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and a member of the Tribal Advisory Committee. “We brought together Tribal historic preservation officers from around the state to develop a toolkit that reflects Tribal consultation experiences, is concise and easy to use, and empowers Tribes rather than agencies to set the terms of consultation.”

    The By Tribes, For Tribes Consultation Policy Toolkit offers a customizable Consultation Policy Template and supplemental materials for Tribes that wish to create their own consultation policies or ordinances. The “By Tribes, For Tribes” approach enables Tribes to proactively guide government agencies through consultation processes based on Tribal priorities, rather than reacting to agency interpretations of what the law requires.

    The UC Berkeley Cannabis Site Mapping Tool provides Tribes a means to assess the extent of cannabis agriculture on their ancestral or aboriginal territory. It can be used to determine possible threats to Tribal cultural resources and sensitive sites.

    Both tools, the full project report, and related academic journal articles can be accessed on the Resources for Tribes webpage housed on UC Berkeley’s Cannabis Research Center website. — By Edith Friedman, UC Berkeley

    About the Research Team: The research was led by a collaborative team from the University of California, Berkeley, and Northeastern University, hosted at the UC Berkeley Cannabis Research Center. Team members, specializing in environmental policy, Indigenous rights, and the social impacts of cannabis legalization, include Jennifer Sowerwine; Jeremy Sorgen; Seth LaRosa, UC Berkeley graduate student; Peter Nelson, assistant professor of environmental science, policy, and management and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley and Coast Miwok and tribal citizen of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria; and Van Butsic, former UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Berkeley.

    The project was funded by the California Department of Cannabis Control and conducted in partnership with Tribal advisors and participants from across California.

    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.

  • California FFA Foundation Supporters Recognized at 2025 National Convention

    California FFA is proud to celebrate a distinguished group of leaders, educators, and supporters recognized at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. This year, 22 California FFA Honorary American FFA Degree recipients were awarded, along with one recipient of the VIP citation.

    The Honorary American FFA Degree is awarded to individuals who have provided exceptional service at the national level to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. Recipients include educators, industry partners, community leaders, and advocates who go above and beyond to support FFA members and agricultural education programs. Individuals honored with the VIP citation have dedicated 20 years of service to FFA and agricultural education on a national level.

    Of the 22 individuals recognized nationally, four were nominated by the California FFA Foundation for their continued support of its mission to secure resources and partnerships that create opportunities for students across the state. This year’s California FFA Foundation honorees include Jenny Nicolau and Rebecca Bailey of the Almond Board of California; Emily Rooney, California FFA Foundation Board Member and Ag Council of California President; and Toni Lindeleaf, past California FFA Foundation Board Member. Additionally, Charles Parker, who recently retired from his role as State Supervisor for Agricultural Education and State FFA Advisor, received National FFA’s VIP Citation.

    “California FFA is strengthened by leaders who believe in students and serve as advocates for agricultural education across our state,” said Matt Patton, executive director of the California FFA Foundation. “These Honorary American FFA Degree and VIP Citation recipients have helped create opportunity, mentorship, and hands-on learning for FFA members across our state, and we are pleased to see their efforts recognized at the national level.”

    In addition to this year’s Foundation honorees, California FFA is proud to acknowledge the remaining Honorary American FFA Degree recipients: Mike Albiani, Joe Buffington, Sara Carney, Amber Charter, Peggy Flynn, Amanda Galan, JessaLee Goehring, Wesley Hunt, Amy Jacobsen, Johan Jacobsen, Julie Luxon, Celeste Morino, Jenny Lynn Oilar-Svejda, Gregory Osmundson, Mayra Osmundson, Jon Sellenrick, Lisa Wright and Mark Wright.

    About California Association, FFA, and the California FFA Foundation: The California Association, FFA, serves more than 108,000 students, developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The California FFA Foundation supports these efforts by securing resources and partnerships that make these opportunities possible for students statewide. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    Facebook: @CaliforniaFFA | LinkedIn: @California-FFA-Association | Instagram: @californiaffa | TikTok: @officialcaliforniaffa

  • What is California Grown? New Board Chair Shares Perspective

    What is California Grown, its Mission, and what it means to the hundreds of agricultural commodities it represents? Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with the new Chair of the organization, Kiaran Locy from the California Prune Board to find out. Watch this video if you love agriculture and want to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Turning Food Scraps into Opportunities

    For every juicy tomato or crunchy almond California grows, there’s a pile of pulp, hulls or scraps that often goes to waste. A new online tool, created by University of California, Davis researchers, tracks those agricultural byproducts aiming to find innovative ways to put them to use.

    The Byproduct Database, maintained by the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, is an ongoing research project that includes a catalog of byproducts like fruit skins and nut shells, and potential ways to reuse them across different industries.

    Edward “Ned” Spang, principal investigator and associate professor with the Department of Food Science and Technology, said about one third of the food produced worldwide, doesn’t get eaten. The database consolidates information about food waste in one place, detailing what the various leftovers are made of and where they’re available in the state. Spang believes it could help guide decisions on reducing waste by potentially turning these materials into new products for food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries.

    “In the food production space, there’s a lot of edible material, or potentially valuable material, that’s been overlooked for a long time as waste,” Spang said. “So, the questions we are trying to understand include: ‘How much of this material is out there? What is it composed of? Where is it? When is it available?’”

    Tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates

    The pilot phase of the database currently features four major crops: tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. As the research team continues to gather data, they will update the site to include other crops and byproducts, including wine grapes, stone fruits and citrus. In collaboration with Ilias Tagkopoulos with the Department of Computer Science, Spang is looking into developing and applying AI tools to expand the site faster and with less manual work.

    For pistachios, the website illustrates that the largest byproduct is the hull, which is often discarded, and that undersized pistachios could be a valuable resource if there was a market for it. The website helps outline the various byproducts for potential upcycling, where leftovers are transformed into new ingredients. Local companies are already developing new products using materials such as brewers’ spent grain (a byproduct of beer production), okara (a fibrous byproduct from soymilk production) and grape pomace (leftovers from winemaking).

    Researchers are looking at where food gets lost in the field and at the processing plant. With tomatoes, some get damaged on the vine, others get tossed out for not meeting quality standards. Spang said those leftovers, or side streams, are opportunities for upcycling.

    “It’s a material that’s already been cultivated, harvested and processed, so anything you do that’s economically productive means that all the resources embedded in that material, like fertilizer, water and energy, were not wasted in vain,” said Spang, who also directs the Robert Mondavi Institute of Wine and Food Science. “It is a real win-win opportunity.”

    Finding new uses

    The skin and pulp of a tomato contain lycopene, an antioxidant known for its health benefits. Users of the website can visualize where these leftover tomato parts, and its valuable lycopene, are found, helping to imagine new ways to make use of this healthy compound.

    “We expect our primary user to be entrepreneurs who are looking for new business models in upcycling, or who might have an advanced extraction technology to derive value from some of these overlooked materials,” Spang explained. “But producers and growers would also benefit as new revenue streams deliver value up and down the food supply chain.”

    The database will soon include cost estimates and economic variables to help users make more informed decisions. This will allow them to assess factors like how much lycopene is in a byproduct, its value per milligram and the costs associated with extracting it.

    New space for agricultural innovation on campus

    The research project is funded by a grant from the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund, created by a $50 million gift by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company. Part of that donation also establishes the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, currently under construction on campus, that will include a large space for biomass staging and extraction, a process to pull valuable compounds from fruits, vegetables and grain residues.

    Food waste happens, but this work is helping build a food system that wastes less and supports sustainability, which Spang hopes will excite everyone.

    “We have to be a little more creative with our food system,” he said. “We can make our current food system more productive by investigating novel upcycling ideas and processing systems that create more revenue for producers and hopefully deliver more value to consumers as well.” — By Tiffany Dobbyn, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, tadobbyn@ucdavis.edu

  • California Table Grape Growers Double Impact of Food Bank Donations

    California table grape growers are doubling the impact of each gift made to the Central California Food Bank between October 20-31 to help provide meals for families facing hunger across the Central Valley.

    October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, a month-long acknowledgement of California’s hardworking farmers and farmworkers. In celebration of the hands that help feed us, every dollar donated during the two-week campaign, up to $15,000, will be matched by California table grape growers. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and provide essential support to sustain food distributions in the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, funds raised will help strengthen Central California Food Bank’s Farmworker Community Partnership Program across Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

    Central California Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central California, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties. In Central California, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children face food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Through a network of more than 260 member partner agencies, Central California Food Bank distributes nutritious foods to over 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children.

    The campaign is a demonstration of California table grape growers’ collective commitment to building thriving communities in the table grape growing regions. “The commission is a service-based organization, and this initiative is a reflection of the commitment of California table grape growers to the communities they live and work in,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.

    For more information about the campaign, please visit give.ccfoodbank.org/calgrapes.

  • Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo Awarded Almond Champion of the Year

    The Almond Alliance is pleased to announce Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo as the recipient of the 2025 Almond Champion of the Year Award. Assemblywoman Macedo is being recognized for her leadership on key issues affecting California agriculture and the almond industry. She has advanced efforts to address abandoned agricultural properties and invasive species, supported improvements to water infrastructure and wildfire prevention, and worked to reduce fuel costs for Californians. Her practical approach and engagement on agricultural policy reflect a strong commitment to the state’s farming communities.

    “Assemblywoman Macedo has taken a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to some of the biggest challenges facing California agriculture,” said Alexi Rodriguez, CEO of the Almond Alliance. “Her focus on abandoned land, water infrastructure, and wildfire prevention demonstrates an understanding of the pressures facing the almond industry today.”

    The Almond Champion of the Year Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate leadership in education, coalition building, partnerships, and the advancement of policies that support California agriculture, including the almond industry. Assemblywoman Macedo’s efforts reflect the purpose and spirit of this recognition.

    Past recipients of this prestigious award include Assemblymember Juan Alanis, Department of Water Resources, Assemblymember Adam Gray, Assemblymember Heath Flora, former USDA State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency Connie Conway, Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, and CDFA Undersecretary Christie Birdsong.

    The award will be formally presented to Assemblywoman Macedo at the California Almond Political Action Committee’s Annual Modesto Fundraiser, taking place at Del Rio Country Club on November 5, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. This event brings together members of the almond community, FFA students, elected officials, and special guests.

    For RSVPs or more information, please contact Annie Romero at 209-300-7140 or aromero@almondalliance.org.

    About the Almond Alliance

    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture.

    Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.