Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) and Congresswoman Connie Conway (CA-22) recently hosted a roundtable discussion with local leaders in the agriculture community to discuss how ongoing drought conditions, labor shortages, input costs, and supply chain disruptions are impacting the Central Valley agricultural sector. Roundtable participants also shared suggestions for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. “Agriculture is the backbone of our …

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced eight finalists in the Real California Milk Excelerator, a partnership with innovation consultancy VentureFuel. The program is focused on identifying, curating, and accelerating dairy-based products – including traditional consumer food and beverage items, textiles and beyond. The competition will award up to $500,000 in prizes for startups that introduce novel benefits and drive …

In Spring 2022, the National Grape Research Alliance (NGRA) announced the NGRA Fellowship, offering $30,000 per year for up to three years to a Ph.D. student conducting research addressing one or more of NGRA’s industry research priorities. In addition to the monetary award, the doctoral fellowship also includes a unique opportunity to receive mentorship, exposure to commercial grape production and …

The Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) Board of Directors has established a pre-season crop estimate of 1.8 million gallons for the 2022/23 season. The estimate is down significantly from the 2021/22 season when just over 3 million gallons were produced by OOCC members, who represent approximately 90 percent of California’s olive oil production. The Board also reviewed and adopted …

Western Growers and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2022 AgSharks Competition, a unique event where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live audience of the world’s largest specialty crop producers to win a $250,000 minimum investment. Impact-driven entrepreneurs and startups developing technologies that promote a more healthy and sustainable food and agriculture system can …

The California State Senate confirmed the appointment of Julie Henderson as director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Henderson’s formal confirmation – passed on a 29 to 0 vote  – follows her appointment by Gov. Gavin Newsom in December 2021. Henderson was acting director from July 2021 until her appointment. Prior to joining DPR, Henderson served as the California Environmental Protection Agency’s …

Winter grazing is part of what is called an integrated crop-livestock system. It is a process where livestock, such as cattle or goats, are allowed to graze a crop field during the winter. It is more common in climates with mild winters. Rather than eating the cash crop the farmer sells, the livestock eat the cover crop that was planted to grow …

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service — The 2022 California table olive forecast is 20,000 tons, down considerably from last year’s crop of 46,500 tons, according to a survey conducted by the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pacific Regional Office. Bearing acreage is estimated at 12,000, which results in a yield of 1.67 tons per acre. The Manzanillo production forecast is 18,500 tons, …

The California Prune Board (CPB) has officially seated its 22-member board and 16 alternates for the 2022-2024 term.  Following certification of the election by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture, the new board approved the 2022/23 fiscal year programs and budget at its June board meeting. The CPB officers are: Chair: George Sousa Jr., President of Mariani Packing Co., …

It started with a vision to share the hope in healthy soil. On August 22, 2017, the Soil Health Academy (SHA) kicked off its first, three-day, regenerative farming school at soil health pioneer Gabe Brown’s ranch near Bismarck, North Dakota. Today, the non-profit organization is celebrating its fifth year of operation while also announcing plans to expand its efforts to help …