In addition to the announcement of Dwayne Cardoza stepping down as CEO of the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) at their recent annual meeting, Harvey Singh was also announced as the new RBA Chairman.  Watch this brief interview with Harvey Singh as he introduces himself and shares his outlook for the California raisin industry. Read more about it in the May issue …

Have you seen spotted lanternfly? If so, report it immediately. It is an invasive pest making its way around the US from the East Coast and it can be very destructive to vineyards. Watch this brief interview with Cindy Kron from the UC Cooperative Extension as she shares more about this pest and how California growers can prepare for it. …

Attendees at the recent annual meeting of the Raisin Bargaining Association were surprised to hear Dwayne Cardoza’s announcement that he was stepping down as CEO of the association.  This announcement comes after serving several years as Chairman and then as CEO following Kalem Barserian’s retirement.  He served the raisin industry faithfully through some very tumultuous times for not only the …

While innovations in vineyard mechanization have come a long way, labor challenges still prevail in the California raisin industry — and those issues have been amplified since the pandemic.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor George Zhuang as he shares what labor-saving options growers have to stay in the game.  Read more about it in American Vineyard …

Where there’s drought, there’s fire, and where there’s fire, there’s smoke.  This is a major concern for wine grape growers in the drought-stricken west this year.  Evacuations, power outages and smoke taint have had a major impact on the wine industry at harvest-time in recent years, and not having an industry standard or threshold defining smoke taint can raise questions …

It’s a golden year for the Nisei Farmers League, and its members recently enjoyed their 50 year anniversary celebration.  The celebratory dinner in Fresno featured this special video presentation that included reflections from some of the league’s membership on 50 years, as well as interviews with its Agriculturalist of the Year honorees.  Watch this special video, featuring the five Central …

In addition to the grape crush report, its also nice to get a good picture of where the California wine grape industry currently stands from a vineyard acreage and planting perspective. What varieties are being planted and where in the state? How’s the vineyard planting to removal ratio looking? Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers …

With an ongoing drought in western US, wine grape growers surrounded by neglected wildlands are becoming more and more concerned about the drought-induced dying vegetation around them.  Many want to proactively manage this risk for them the communities around them; however, they are running into quite a few stumbling blocks as addressed by Michael Miiller from the California Association of …

As California’s agricultural industries progress towards a more sustainable future with new technologies and innovations, current Cal OSHA regulations (unless changed) may hinder their progress, particularly with regard to autonomous or self-driving tractors.  Watch this brief video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he explains.   Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

Interested in furthering your wine industry education or do you know someone that is? Watch this brief video with Ray Johnson, Executive Director of Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, as he shares some upcoming programs and scholarship opportunities to take advantage of.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.   Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.