While harvest is generally a highly anticipated time of the year for California wine grape growers, it was a real let down for growers that could not find a home for their crop. The global wine market remains depressed while supply and demand continues to be out of balance, despite the shorter crop that was delivered to the wineries this year. This is what Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter shared at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in his annual State of the Wine Industry address. Watch this brief interview as Jeff shares with American Vineyard Editor Matthew Malcolm what growers can expect heading into 2025. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Tag: Matthew Malcolm
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Setton Farms Acquires 50 Owl Boxes From Tulare FFA
Supporting the next generation of farmers in sustainable stewardship of the land is a priority for Setton Farms, the second largest pistachio processor in the United States. That is why they have partnered with the Future Farmers of America Tulare Chapter to support their agricultural programs while distributing 50 student-made owl boxes across their farming operations. Watch this brief interview with Mike Smith and Jared Castle meeting with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network during the owl box exchange to learn more.
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California Association of Pest Control Advisers Celebrates 50th Conference
The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) recently gathered for their 50th annual conference. Bringing together a bright group pest control advisors tasked with protecting the most diverse agricultural landscape in the nation, watch this special video presentation highlighting what CAPCA is all about and what it means to be a member of this organization as they celebrate this milestone year.
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Harnessing the Power of Hydrogen to Support California Agriculture
California leads the nation in the adoption of renewable energy. Significant investments have been made in solar electricity generation and biogas digesters in its agricultural industry, but what about hydrogen power? The State of California was recently awarded $1.2 billion from the Federal Dept. of Energy to invest in hydrogen power as a renewable energy source and offers much promise to the agricultural processing and trucking industries. Neil Navin from SoCalGas met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share some of the possibilities, and explain how hydrogen power compares with electricity in its sources for sustainable generation and its ability to serve the needs of trucking and large equipment. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Malcolm Media’s agricultural publications.
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2024 California Walnut Harvest Begins With More Optimism
California walnut growers are expecting a shorter crop this year, but high quality product. With a lower carry-in inventory, things are looking more positive in the market ahead. Watch this brief interview with Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission, as he met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share highlights of this year’s walnut crop and a look at global market trends. Verloop will be sharing the State of the Walnut Industry report at Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 8th at the Fresno Fairgrounds and at the Tree & Vine Expo on Nov. 12th at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, so be sure to register to attend free at https://agexpo.biz/.
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Ag Processing Labor Contractor Thoughts on New Indoor Heat Illness Rule
California has experienced an unusually hot Summer this year, which may have had influence in Cal/OSHA’s recent approval of a new regulation “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment” that went into effect immediately, which impacts indoor workplaces in ag such as nut hulling and processing facilities, wineries, dairies, packinghouses and more. Key indoor temperature/heat index thresholds of 82 & 87 degrees F will mandate certain procedures to ensure the health and safety of employees. Looking into the impact of the new regulation, Matthew Malcolm visited with labor contractor Robert Heredia of H&R Labor, who specializes in meeting the labor needs of food processing facilities in one of the hottest regions in the nation — the Central Valley of California. Watch this brief interview as Heredia shares his thoughts on the recent changes.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
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Tapping into Growing Market Opportunities for U.S. Blueberries
According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, the global market potential for U.S. blueberries has been largely untapped, considering the tremendous growth opportunities he sees for the industry. The U.S. may reach a new record this year in blueberry production, and the increased supply is poised to meet the growing global demand for this nutrient-dense product. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm at California Ag Network and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.
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SGMA Progress Hampered by Insufficient Surface Farm Water Allocations
Farmers and local water districts have worked together endeavoring to rebuild and sustain California’s underground aquifers through groundwater recharge projects among other conservation practices. Much progress has been made in complying with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), but without access to adequate surface water in year’s of plenty such as this, farmers are left struggling to keep their crops alive and productive, prematurely having to tap back into groundwater supplies. Watch this brief interview with pistachio grower and Chairman of the California Water Alliance — William Bourdeau, as he explains. And read about farm water solutions in the September issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
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Low, Late Water Allocations Undercut California Ag, Pistachio Grower Aims to Make a Difference
After years of drought conditions, California has finally had a couple years of great rainfall and snowpack — yet that has not translated to much better water availability for California growers responsible for feeding the world with some of the safest most nutrient-dense crops. With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) taking effect in the state as well, growers are very concerned for the future of their family operations. Crippled by gov’t regulations and delayed water allocations, watch this brief interview with pistachio grower Rebecca Kaser, who farms in Westlands Water District and aims to make a difference.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.