USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist and director of the Western Regional Research Center (Albany, CA), Tara McHugh and her team in the Healthy Processed Foods Research Unit are experts at solving food-manufacturing problems. Using cutting-edge processing technologies, they have helped numerous small businesses, such as Ripple Foods, turn ideas into products for the consumer. ARS is helping Ripple Foods optimize its current pea protein drying process to …

Plant breeders are constantly working to develop new bean varieties to meet the needs and desires of the food industry. But not everyone wants the same thing. Many consumers desire heirloom-type beans, which have great culinary quality and are visually appealing. On the other hand, farmers desire beans with better disease resistance and higher yield potential. The bean varieties that …

Two of the nation’s great agricultural regions are the focus of new research that aims to head off emerging threats and improve sustainability. Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are joining colleagues to create and use artificial intelligence to help farmers in the Colorado River Basin and Salinas Valley, CA, improve their management of irrigation, fertilization, and pests. USDA’s National Institute of …

A recent study published in the scientific journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that a lack of adequate vitamin K levels was associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The researchers identified an increased need for vitamin K during a COVID-19 illness and noted that depletion or deficiency of vitamin K can have devastating consequences in the lungs. Vitamin K, a nutrient …

One piece of equipment changed it all. Ben Martin of Forest Grove, Oregon, served in the Marine Corps. After returning home from war, he pursued a career in winemaking.Ben credits a grant from Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) for making the difference in his budding wine business early on. Back in 2015, FVC awarded Ben the supplies needed to bottle his first vintage …

Supporters of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at Fresno State are invited to sign up for a virtual groundbreaking event for a new campus greenhouse that was made possible thanks to a fundraising campaign initiated nearly a decade ago by the Viticulture Club. Due to COVID-19 social gathering restrictions, Fresno State Interim President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval will keynote the virtual …

Just over nine months after the CARES Act passed, President Trump last month signed the first subsequent major pandemic relief bill, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, into law. Included among the $900 billion in pandemic relief spending is $280 billion for a new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans already being dubbed “PPP2,” which will give hard-hit PPP recipients a …

As raisin growers begin to prepare for a new season, most are still uncertain as to what their returns will be for their labors in bringing in the 2020 raisin crop.  There is a lot of uncertainty during these unprecedented times, and with their livelihoods in limbo from year to year due to delayed price agreements between the the Raisin …

The Almond Alliance has been in touch with County Health Officers about the number of vaccinations available in each county and to gather information on how the vaccinations are being distributed.  As you have heard and read, the process of vaccination has differed in each region and in many cases has been confusing.   Vaccinations are being distributed categorically as …

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Sonoma County winegrowers gathered around their laptops and computer screens to review the organization’s efforts last year and learn about the future direction from the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ president, Karissa Kruse, as the 30st annual Dollars and $ense Seminar and Trade Show went virtual for the first time Thursday morning. Additional speakers included Ray Isle, …