The 2017 “Leader of the Year Award”, given by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), was awarded to Salinas Valley wine grape grower Al Scheid from Scheid Vineyards Inc. Al was greatly instrumental in the formation of both CAWG and the CA Grape Crush Report, among many other accomplishments throughout his many years of service in the industry. Watch this video presentation from the CAWG Summer Conference to learn more about this grape industry leader.
Concerned with labor or liability issues? Consider converting to pedestrian orchards, with higher-density planting and shorter trees — no ladders necessary! Watch this video interview with UC Farm Advisor Kevin Day to share what he has been learning from the pedestrian orchard research trial at the Kearny Ag Center.
Growers were grateful for the additional rain we got this year; however, due to abnormal weather conditions in the early season, the raisin crop is looking to be much shorter this year, and the sudden rainstorm that hit last week did not help the situation, as many growers still had raisins drying out in the vineyard. Watch this brief interview with Madera raisin grower Jamie Hansen, as he describes the situation and what is being done to protect the precious crop.
With record acreage of almonds coming into production in California, hullers and processors are going to need to find new/alternative uses for hulls & shells. The Almond Alliance is working with the Almond Board of California to come up with sustainable alternatives including almond biochar to increase the water holding capacity and bring nutrients back into the soil. Watch this video interview of Karen Lapsley from the Almond Board with California Ag Network as she talks about biochar and its potential for the industry.
The “Grower of the Year Award”, the highest honor of the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) went to Brad and Randy Lange this year, as celebrated at the CAWG Summer Conference. Watch this video tribute presentation for the two star growers behind LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards.
When is the best time to prune/top stone fruit in-season to keep from shading next year’s fruitwood? For conventional orchards? For pedestrian orchards? Watch this brief video interview with UC Farm Advisor Kevin Day as he answers these important questions.
As labor grows tighter, growers are mechanizing their operations as much as possible; however, the need for a solid seasonal labor force is not going away anytime soon. Although not an easy one to utilize, the H2A Ag guestworker program is what more and more growers and farm labor contractors are using to meet their labor needs. Watch this brief interview with Bob Erickson from Foothill Packing and Jeanne Malitz from Malitz Law as they explain the program, and how to get involved in it. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
Dairying in California is not easy, and it can be an economic nightmare sometimes with the constant fluctuations in milk prices. Nevertheless, dairymen don’t want to give up their livelihoods and noble responsibility in providing consumers with healthy dairy products. But to ensure they can continue to remain economically viable, many dairymen are diversifying their operations with alternative crops and investing in renewable technology. Watch this video with Tipton Dairyman Mike Faria as he shares what he and his family are doing to stay ahead in the business.
Farming in California is not easy, but it is the best place in the world to grow raisins. As growers take on increasing input costs due to changing political and environmental conditions, sustainability becomes so important to remaining viable and prosperous in the industry. National Raisin Company has recently invested in some key renewable technologies to improve their efficiency and secure their longterm future in the industry. Watch this brief video interview with LindaKay Abdulian, president of the company, as she shares about these efforts.