Sonoma County Winegrowers has just announced it is bringing back one of its most popular programs this fall when Grape Camp returns.This three-day immersion in all thing’s agriculture, wine and food in Sonoma County is an experience of a lifetime.From vineyard immersions led by growers to sommelier-led wine tastings to unforgettable farm to table gatherings, the camp allows participants to learn first-hand why Sonoma County is a wine and food mecca.
“Grape Camp is much loved by past campers because it is true wine country immersion! The best part is getting to meet so many of our local family farmers and winemakers,”said Karissa Kruse, president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.She added, “We took a few years off, but we regularly received inquiries asking if Grape Camp was going to return, so we are thrilled to bring back this ‘bucket list’ experience for wine lovers.”
Grape Camp is more than an event — it is a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and connection to the land. From picking grapes alongside multi-generational farmers to blending wines and dining under the stars, guests will savor the region’s bounty in its most authentic form. Grape Camp offers a unique blend of Sonoma County’s luxurious hospitality and its grassroots winegrowing heritage.
Sonoma County is home to more than 495 wineries, over 100 wine grape varieties and 19 distinct wine growing appellations, as well as 50 miles of coastline—more than any other wine region in California.The region’s dynamic landscape and commitment to sustainability make it the perfect place to learn, sip, and savor. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply wine-curious, Sonoma County Winegrowers invites you to be part of the story — from vine to glass.
About Sonoma County Winegrowers: Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006, evolving from the Sonoma County Grape Growers Association, which was first launched in 1983 by local grapegrowers inspired to work together to elevate the region. SCW is a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality, sustainability and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers and influencers around the world. In 2014, Sonoma County’s winegrowing community embarked on a major initiative to have all Sonoma County vineyards certified sustainable. Today, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable winegrowing region in the world. In addition, in 2020, SCW became the exclusive pilot partner for the California Land Stewardship’s Climate Adaptation Certification. In 2022, SCW began envisioning a Farm of the Future which it officially introduced in 2023. SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA).
As warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine continue to dominate the local forecast, signs of an early grape growing season have been observed in Sonoma County.
Over the past week, several winegrowers throughout Sonoma County have spotted “bud break” in vineyards. This annual event in the lifecycle of grapevines is apparent when small green buds that are fuzzy in appearance first appear on the vine. Typically, this signals that vineyards are coming out of the dormant state they assume during the winter months, and that the year’s vintage is under way.
One concern of an early bud break is potential damage to the vines should a late-season frost appear in spring. Grapevines are more susceptible to frost damage after they have awakened from dormancy. “Bud break is a welcome sign as long as weather remains mild,” said Duff Bevill of Bevill Vineyard Management, “Once the buds pop, you’re vulnerable to frost.”
While bud break generally begins in March, it is not uncommon to see it as early as February. In 2019, a much colder, wet winter saw the start of the season in mid-March. In 2018 bud break started in mid-February.
“This year’s appearance of bud break is a little earlier than our local winegrowers would consider ‘average,’” commented Karissa Kruse, President of Sonoma County Winegrowers, “However, a late February bud break is not uncommon in warm, sunny years. It’s always exciting to see the vines come out of dormancy and kick off the vintage. This early spring weather has also been an welcome invitation for wine lovers to come visit our vineyards and wineries and enjoy the sun.”
The appearance of bud break has been reported in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Petaluma Gap. With more warm temperatures in the forecast this week, bud break is expected to be more widely reported in the coming days.
About Sonoma County Winegrowers:
The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), was established in 2006 as a marketing and educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier grape growing regions. SCW has oversight by California Department of Food and Agriculture which supports producer regions. With more than 1,800 growers, SCW’s goal is to increase awareness and recognition of the quality and diversity of Sonoma County’s grapes and wines through dynamic marketing and educational programs targeted to wine consumers around the world.
In January 2014, SCW committed to becoming the nation’s first 100% sustainable winegrowing region in 2019. As of September 12, 2019, 99% of the vineyard acreage in Sonoma County has completed certification by a third-party auditor making Sonoma County the most sustainable wine region in the world. SCW’s sustainability efforts have been recognized with California’s highest environmental honor, the 2016 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Learn more at www.sonomawinegrape.org
Following a record rainfall this past winter and a cool spring, the summer growing season has been near-perfect for Sonoma
Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers
County winegrapes. Now grape growers and winemakers throughout Sonoma County are in constant contact coordinating their schedules as the 2019 harvest began overnight.
Among the first grapes of the season harvested in Sonoma County were picked this morning just after midnight at Sasaki Vineyards in Schellville. The Pinot Noir grapes will be going to Gloria Ferrer for their sparkling wine program. This year’s harvest start is only one day later than the 2018 vintage, despite predictions that it would begin a week to ten days later than last year. In Sonoma Valley, vintners, growers and members of the community will gather today at the Mission San Francisco Solano on the Sonoma Plaza to officially ring the harvest bell to signal the beginning of the harvest season in Sonoma Valley.
“This is the most exciting time of the year as the guessing and anticipation are over and ‘go time’ has arrived. The action is picking up and we are all looking forward to harvesting our grapes,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “Every report we are receiving from throughout Sonoma County indicate ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ quality. Ideally, this weather pattern holds for a smooth harvest but, during this time of year, you have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you.”
Early reports from the vineyards also indicate that the recent hotter temperatures are providing the right amount of stress to occur at the right time. The cool spring appears to have originally slowed down some of the fruit growth and held back the degree day accumulation slightly pushing back harvest in many areas compared to recent seasons.
The harvest begins just as Sonoma County Winegrape Growers close in on its goal of reaching 100% sustainability this year. This summer, wine consumers can now purchase the first wines bearing the new Sonoma County sustainably grown logos. Sonoma County’s Francis Ford Coppola Winery is releasing some of their Director’s Cut wines with the new Sonoma County sustainably grown labels. This follows the recent release of sustainable wines from Cline Cellar’s and Ferrari-Carano which also bear the new sustainability label. The label went through extensive consumer testing and proprietary research to measure effectiveness. After several revisions, the brand was finalized. Brand guidelines were developed and adopted before the TTB-approved label was made available to qualified Sonoma County growers and winemakers.
Here are some of the first 2019 harvest reports from the front lines of some of our AVAs:
Dutcher Crossing, Dry Creek Valley:
Dutcher Crossing Winery picked 4 tons of Chardonnay for sparkling wine on their Dry Creek Road estate in the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 13th.
Gloria Ferrer, Carneros:
Harvest kicked off today in the early morning hours. At their 12-acre vineyard property off San Luis Road in Schellville, winegrower Janet Sasaki predicted crews would pick around 61 tons, which is similar to their total tonnage last year. They are picking Pinot Noir for Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines. Janet Sasaki has been selling her grapes to Gloria Ferrer for 18 years.
Iron Horse, Green Valley of Russian River Valley:
Joy Sterling is expecting that they will kick off harvest on Tuesday, August 20th but they are keeping a close eye on the heat to see if they need to move that date up. They will be picking Pinot Noir from their estate. According to Sterling, “This year we are particularly excited about kicking off harvest as this vintage represents the 40th anniversary of the opening of Iron Horse winery and my father’s 90th birthday.”
Santa Rosa, Calif., (April 18, 2018) – As 5,000 students descended on the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and splashed through puddles on March 13 and 14, it was obvious they were all excited for a day out of the classroom.
This year’s theme was the Year of Water and Soil, with an educational emphasis on these elements that are critical to agriculture. Resource agencies and organizations from throughout the county gathered to educate kids about ag and the importance of soil and water.
For many, the most exciting part of the event is getting to see and touch all kinds of animals, including large livestock. Piglets and chicks are always a huge hit with the elementary school students.
This year, Suzann Perry with Fallen Oak Llama Ranch brought two llamas, a one-and-a-half-year-old classic style llama named Indy and Shoshone a nine-year-old full Argentine, which she says is a rare breed in the U.S.
Perry’s goal at Ag Days was to show students how llamas have several functions including packing and wool usage, that each one has their own personality and that llamas only spit to protect themselves. She said llamas are connected to agriculture as good livestock guardians to protect an entire herd from coyotes and other small predators and she finds that llama manure is a particularly good fertilizer.
With students from all backgrounds coming to attend Ag Days, Sonoma County Farm Bureau hopes they will take their knowledge home and share it with family and friends.
It takes a village to put on this event and educate so many children about where their food comes from. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the event and the sponsors who made the event possible.
Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 19, 2018) – In Sonoma County, our rich agriculture heritage is continually under attack from community members and elected officials who do not understand farming. There has never been more of a need for strong advocacy, education and communication on behalf of farmers. Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s board understands this and is making changes at Farm Bureau to provide leadership in defending and promoting local agriculture.
For the future of farming, the board believes that it is critical for Sonoma County Farm Bureau to refocus on its core mission of protecting agricultural lands, promoting agriculture and its products, educating the public and uniting in support of local agriculture.
Over the last year, we have been on a path to re-energize this mission. Starting with the grand opening of the new office and meeting space, Sonoma County Farm Bureau is becoming the go to place for ag groups to meet in support of local agriculture. This office space has been a vision of the board for the past few years and it is exciting to watch the space become a hub for conversations, meetings, workshops and even ag celebrations. And we are only getting started. More improvements are ahead that will support the collaboration of agriculture.
We have also been making leadership changes to our staff. I am happy to share that the board has offered the full time executive director position to our Interim Executive Director Tawny Tesconi. On March 1, Tawny assumes the full-time position. Over the last 75 days as interim director, she has done more for our mission than the progress we saw in the last couple of years.
Tawny’s extensive background includes being a Sonoma County native, growing up in agriculture, participating in 4-H and FFA as a kid and a 30-year career in fair management and public service. We are confident that she is the right leader at the right time for Sonoma County Farm Bureau.
Under Tawny’s leadership, we have hired a new executive assistant / office manager, Samantha Piehoff, and Tawny has also been working with the current staff to ensure operating efficiencies, deliver better service and offer more value to Farm Bureau members. We are excited to see how Sonoma County Farm Bureau will thrive under new leadership and clear direction.
Moving forward, we are fully committed to our mission and will stay focused on three key priorities:
Advocacy – be the leading champion for policy that supports agriculture and our right to farm
2. Education and Promotion – Deliver value to members through relevant workshops, access to influencers and communication that enhances local ag and supports farmers
3. Unification – Work with the other ag organizations to leverage learning, support and create one ag voice for Sonoma County
With the Board of Directors’ and Tawny’s great leadership, I look forward to a stronger and much more relevant Sonoma County Farm Bureau in the near future.
Written By: Steve Dutton, President, Sonoma County Farm Bureau
Sacramento, Calif., (March 9, 2018) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). The program provides funding for incentivizing and demonstrating soil health practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve soil health.
The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects.
The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of soil health practices that sequester soil carbon and reduce GHG emissions. California farmers and ranchers, as well as Federal and California recognized Native American Indian Tribes, are eligible to apply.
The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers’ and ranchers’ implementation of HSP soil health practices. By using demonstration projects, awardees can help support widespread adoption of soil health management practices throughout the state. Not-for-profit entities, University Cooperative Extension, federal and university experiment stations, Resource Conservation Districts, Federal and California-recognized Native American Indian Tribes, and farmers and ranchers in collaboration with any of the aforementioned entities are eligible to apply.
A total of up to $1.6 million will be awarded for the projects, with no more than $500,000 allocated specifically for HSP Demonstration projects.
This grant process may prioritize funding to agricultural lands in counties where a state of emergency was declared in 2017 due to wildfires under executive orders signed by Governor Edmond G. Brown, Jr. These counties include: Butte, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Ventura and Yuba.
Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically by April 13, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Awards will be made based on a first-come-first-served basis and will be subject to administrative and technical reviews prior to being funded.
For detailed information on eligibility and program requirements, prospective applicants should visit the CDFA Healthy Soils Program website at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.
CDFA will hold two workshops and two webinars to provide information on program requirements and the application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide examples, and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with his or her contact information, the number of seats required, and the workshop location.
Orange County – Tuesday, March 13, 2018
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – HSP Incentives Program
2.30 pm – 4:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
OC Fair and Event Center – Board Room
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Yuba City – Friday, March 16, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter/Yuba
142 Garden Highway
Yuba City, CA 95991
Webinar – Monday, March 19, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
Webinar – Wednesday, March 21, 2018
9:00 am – 10:30 am – HSP Incentives Program
10:30 am – 12:00 pm – HSP Demonstration Projects
Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions. For information regarding free-of-charge technical assistance provided by non-profit organizations, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), and California academic institutions, applicants should refer to www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils.
NOTE – The HSP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.
Santa Rosa, Calif., (February 28, 2018) – Everyone remembers those dreaded days of the firestorm of October, 2017. All of the brave, determined firefighters from so many places, Law Enforcement that came to help keep things safe, Army National Guard, Santa Rosa Police Department and last but not least, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, SCSO, played a huge part in saving residents, searching for missing persons, keeping areas secured and putting out updates on a regular basis and as they occurred. The SCSO was out and about 24/7 running 12 hour shifts with 2 Deputies per Patrol Car. Even though a few of these fine men and women had lost their homes to the dreaded firestorm, they were out and about doing their jobs in helping the citizens of Sonoma County.
What you didn’t hear about was the support group behind the scenes of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. When you have a great team out taking care of Sonoma County, then it just stands to reason you would have a great team supporting them. All non-sworn personnel such as, the Community Services Officers (CSO), office workers, Secretaries, Department Analysts, Accountants, Storekeepers, Legal Processors and the Volunteer Force, Volunteers In Policing (VIP). All of these folks came together and also worked 24/7 running 12 hour shifts.
The dedication, hard work and “let’s take care of these folks” attitude was second to none. These fine men and women worked tirelessly in support of the deputies, outside Law Enforcement agencies and the Army National Guard. Not only did the support group furnish food, water, facemasks and other items of health aids to the SCSO staff, they also furnished the same items to the Command Center; staging area for outside Law Enforcement agencies, Army National Guard, Search and Rescue team and the Main Adult Detention Facility Jail.
The Support Group took care of all supplies that were delivered such as pallets of Gatorade, water and sodas, paper plates, plasticware, snacks of all sorts and countless other items. The supplies that couldn’t be delivered were picked up by the Support Group. The task was like supplying a small army.
The Support Group made sure there was plenty of hot, fresh food available for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for everyone. The Support Group also made deliveries to outlying areas to make sure the patrol personnel that were watching the evacuated neighborhoods had plenty of drinks and food.
The support group made countless runs to the MADF for ice to keep the 40 something coolers well chilled. The harder these folks worked, the happier they became. What a pleasant place for the tired Law Enforcement people when they returned for the shift change. Together it made it easier for everyone to return to a tough job at hand day in and day out.
Every day the support staff would check all of the patrol vehicles to ensure they had the emergency equipment that was needed such as, fully charged fire extinguishers, plenty of facemasks and first aid boxes.
Several of the team members of the Support Group were evacuated from their homes and had been relocated. The old saying says, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. OMG how true is that saying? We have all had tough situations at some point in our lives where we have had to cope and we all manage to make it through in one piece. “What doesn’t kill us, just makes us stronger”.
Last, but not least is the Sonoma County Fleet Operations. Fleet Operations consists of a small group of mechanics and office personnel, a total of about 10 people. Fleet operation was in a 24/7 12 hour shift doing safety inspections on all of the patrol cars, making sure all filters were changed or checked, the tires were in good shape and making sure the vehicles were safe to drive. Because of the harsh conditions the deputies were driving in, the safety checks helped keep our deputies safe. Fleet Operations was changing tire after tire, all with screws, nails, or some other object stuck in the tire. One of the tires even had a screwdriver stuck in it. Unbelievable the areas our Deputies were driving in.
The support system that was put together was so important for the safety and wellbeing of all people that were involved.
What helped make the task such a success were the generous venders and suppliers. The businesses of Sonoma County with their support made the task of taking care of everyone that much easier. The around-the-clock support and the “We can do this” attitude helped keep Sonoma County alive.
Sacramento, Calif., (January 25, 2018) – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be holding a two-day meeting to discuss a variety of local agricultural issues impacting the Delta and Sonoma County. As an advisory board to the governor and the CDFA secretary, the Board addresses issues of importance to California’s farmers, ranchers and community stakeholders.
On Wednesday, January 31st the Board will hear from Delta stakeholders on the importance of Delta agriculture, agri-tourism and environmental restoration efforts. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Avenue (Barrel Room), Clarksburg, CA 95612.
Invited speakers include: Supervisor Skip Thomson, chair of the Delta Protection Commission; Mark Pruner, public member of the Delta Protection Advisory Committee; Stephen F. Herigner III, Heringer Estates Family Vineyard & Winery; Tim Neuharth, Steamboat Acres; Michael George, Delta Watermaster; and Kristopher Tjernell, California Natural Resources Agency. Following the meeting, board members will have a tour of Delta region in cooperation with staff from the Delta Protection Commission.
On Thursday, February 1st the Board will have a meeting in Sonoma County to discuss the impacts of the October wildfires on local agricultural production. The meeting will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Iron Horse Vineyards, 9786 Ross Station Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472. Invited speakers include: Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar, County of Sonoma; Karissa Kruse, Sonoma County Winegrowers; Honore Comfort, Wine Business Institute; Gladys Horiuchi, Wine Institute; and a representative from Sonoma County Tourism.
Prior to the meeting, board members will have a tour of impacted areas in Sonoma County in cooperation with staff from the County of Sonoma.
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
Santa Rosa, Calif., (January 9, 2018) – Suzanne and Alina Amaral describe themselves as polar opposites. But the sisters from Sonoma have a lot in common: both are successful, driven young women who have recently returned to Sonoma County to start their professional careers.
Alina and Suzanne Amaral grew up in Sonoma and were very involved in the agricultural community. After graduating with a doctorate degree and teaching credential, the sisters have moved back to Sonoma County to start their professional careers as a veterinarian and an ag teacher. Photo by Rachel LaFranchi.
Alina, 27, started her career as a veterinarian at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital in her hometown of Sonoma in August. Alina has always been passionate about animals, joining 4-H when she was five and following that later with FFA. Growing up, she showed everything from beef, sheep and swine to chickens, rabbits and dairy cattle.
Alina attended Sonoma Valley High School, and continued her education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she received a degree in Animal Science. She took a year off to work as a veterinary technician to get more experience with small animals. She went on to graduate from Western University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in May.
Alina describes a typical day at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, a companion animal practice, as not being very typical at all. She said work ranges from wellness and preventative care for pets to surgeries and internal medicine cases. In addition to that, the hospital does a lot of x-rays, ultrasounds and dental care.
Alina has a lot of plans for her future as a veterinarian, but said she feels it’s important for her just coming out of school to focus on the medicine.
“Ideally, what I’d like to do is a mixed animal practice, but unfortunately you don’t see that much in Sonoma County,” said Alina. “I’d like to practice food animal medicine, mostly cattle, but I’m open to some small ruminants and equine. There are also a lot of the companion animal aspects that I like; I enjoy the medicine and surgeries. Ideally it’d be a practice that has both large and small animals. Maybe five years down the road you’ll see me at that practice. Maybe owning a practice too, that’s a goal.”
Suzanne, 23, followed in much of her sister’s educational footsteps. After graduating from Sonoma Valley High, she went on to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where she received her degree in Ag Science with an Animal Science concentration. After graduating in 2016, Suzanne stayed another year in their graduate program and got her teaching credential in agriculture which she finished in June of this year.
She student taught last year at St. Helena High School and said she had a great experience. This year, she took a full time teaching position at Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa and just finished her first semester teaching. This year the courses she’s teaching include agri-science, landscape design, veterinary science and intro to ag mechanics.
“What I love about my job is that it’s just different every day and I’m not always in the classroom,” said Suzanne. “I could be out in the greenhouse or at the school farm or in the ag mechanics shop. Just getting the chance to help all these kids and show them the things I’m passionate about and leading them to those things they’re passionate about is always a really cool experience.”
Like her sister, Suzanne joined 4-H when she was five and continued to be actively involved until she aged out of the program, and during her time in the program she showed almost every species of animal and entered still exhibits at the fairs. In 4-H, she served as a junior and teen leader for her club’s beef and poultry projects. In addition to 4-H, Suzanne ran for dairy princess and served as the District Three Dairy Princess for 2012-2013.
Unlike Alina who was in FFA during her entire time in high school, Suzanne didn’t join the program until her junior year. She was on an AP and honors track and had no room in her school schedule. When a space finally freed up and she joined her junior year, she continued to focus on 4-H.
It was during her senior year when she separated her shoulder and couldn’t play volleyball, that she has time to take a leadership role in FFA as a chapter officer. Once joining the officer team, she participated in every competition and activity she could and said she ended up doing very well in FFA.
“At state conference that year, I ended up falling in love with the organization and that’s when I decided I wanted to be an ag teacher,” said Suzanne. “I was kicking myself in the butt for not joining FFA sooner.”
Suzanne said her passion for Sonoma County agriculture originates from all the opportunities and experiences she was afforded growing up because of it.
“When I think about every memory I have growing up, it has something to do with Sonoma County agriculture. Whether that was showing at the local fairs or being dairy princess and getting to present in the different classrooms or traveling back to Kentucky to get my American degree, my best memories are centered around agriculture that all stemmed from Sonoma County.”
Alina added that the mentors and people they had to look up to in the agriculture industry greatly contributed to their passion for local agriculture. From the older 4-H and FFA members who served as their role models to the supportive farmers and ranchers in their area, they said they’ve built so many connections that it’s nice to be able to come back and help the people who helped them.
The sisters both agree that the same people who helped them growing up are still helping them as they start their professional careers. They said they can count on those people and it’s nice to have a sense of community that’s so strong in Sonoma County.
Similarly, they said this support was one of the things that made them so successful. From the support of their parents to the role models and mentors they had growing up, it was the people in their lives that pushed their driven personalities to become successful.
The sisters also talked about how community support in the form of scholarships helped them through school. Alina said eight years of school was a financial burden and scholarships through community organizations such as Farm Bureau helped support their education efforts. In addition to the obvious financial assistance, Alina said the scholarships provided them real life experience and it also put them in a position to volunteer with Farm Bureau and become more connected in the community.
Both Alina and Suzanne agree that they’re driven and goal-oriented people, and they agree on two of the three things they would list as most important in their life: people and their careers. From friends and family to community support, they both know they wouldn’t be where they are without the people in their lives. And they also both agree they work too much and that their jobs are very important to who they are. The third item they come up with varies: Suzanne feels that setting and achieving goals is very important to her while Alina lists animals, something her career centers around.
In addition to their full time jobs and involvement in the community, the Amarals also raise their own Angus cows. They have seven head, a few mother cows and babies and hope to sell a bull in next year’s Cal Poly Bull Test.
When asked about their relationship as sisters, both girls just look at each other and laugh. Growing up, they said they fought all the time. It wasn’t until they were 12 and 16 years old that their relationship began to change. Suzanne credits the change to a car accident they were both in although Alina feels they may have reached an age where they just got along better.
“Things just shifted and we’ve been really close ever since,” said Suzanne. “We totally bicker like typical sisters, but we get along really well now.”
Santa Rosa, Calif., (December 6, 2017) – More than 150 agricultural workers and their families from Sonoma County who were displaced by the fires in October will begin receiving a much needed helping hand today from a housing recovery fund recently established by the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.
Beginning today, more than $430,000 will be distributed to individuals and families who were totally displaced by the fire, incurred damage to their homes or lost wages during the historic disaster. The funds are being distributed in the form of Visa gift cards to purchase new household items, food and supplies and to help pay utilities. To support the need for temporary or new housing, funds will be paid by the Foundation directly to landlords for rent. The “Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation Wildfire Housing Support Fund” was announced on October 18 to support ag workers and their families and has raised more than $550,000 since it was established. Once the immediate needs are met, any remaining funds will be used by the Foundation to address the long-term need for affordable housing for ag workers in Sonoma County.
“Our ag workers are the heart and soul of Sonoma County agriculture and wine community so we want to do all we can to lessen the impact the fires has caused them,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers and the executive director of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation. She added, “This fund was specifically established to help any ag worker in Sonoma County and it is very gratifying to know that our neighbors who work in the dairy, fruit, vegetable and grape industries are benefitting from the generosity and compassion of people from throughout the country and around the world.”
Donations to the Foundation’s housing recovery fund include contributions from charitable foundations, businesses including wineries in San Diego County that were ravaged by wildfires a few years ago; restaurants, wine bars and wine clubs; the local community and the general public. Contributions have ranged from $50,000 to numerous individual donations of $100, $50 and $25. One hundred percent of every donation made to the Fund goes directly to support ag workers and their families in Sonoma County.
“It is our hope that these funds will eliminate a lot of anxiety and help re-establish households so the workers and their families can enjoy the Holidays and quickly get their lives back to the new normal we are all now facing,” said Steve Dutton, president of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and a fifth-generation Sonoma County farmer. He added, “The generosity and compassion of all who have contributed has been simply amazing and has exceeded all expectations.”
For anyone interested in contributing to the housing fund, visit: www.scggf.org to make a contribution. SCGGF is a 501(c)(3) organization.
