…agricultural commodity, but grapes hold a special place. “We are number one in raisins, number one in table grapes, and supply about 60% of the nation’s wine grapes,” Goudreau explained….
Elaine Culotti: Fighting for California’s Farmers and Future
…strides, and the reason is fiscal. Nobody wants this rampant spending of tax dollars.” For Culotti, her national appearance wasn’t just about exposure — it was about representation. “Having a…
California Raisin Leaders on Trade, Water & Future
…has not produced more than 200,000 tons, and the outlook for this year is no better. Once ranked as the world’s leading producer of dried grapes, California has slipped to…
Raisin Industry Legends Warn of Challenges and Chart a Path Forward
…California from the world’s number one producer to fourth — and possibly soon fifth — behind Turkey and others. He explained that land once planted with Thompson seedless grapes has…
Kevin Kester on Ranching, Trade, and Ag’s Next Generation
…removed from agriculture. In the 1960s, nearly everyone had a family or friend connected to farming. Today, particularly in California, very few young people have any exposure to agriculture at…
Pistachios, Water & Trade: Kreps on Farming’s Future
…called it, or what many growers refer to as “legalized gambling.” The Lifespan of a Pistachio Tree One major advantage pistachios hold over crops like almonds or grapes is longevity….
John Duarte on Central Valley Agriculture: Water, Prop 50, and the Future of Avocados
…grapes, and even stone fruit, avocados could represent the next chapter of California agriculture. “We need a new crop,” Duarte said plainly. “Olives don’t quite make enough money. Wine grapes…
Innovation, Water, and Politics Take Center Stage in California Ag
…Fire in Napa Valley, now contained but leaving growers anxious about potential damage to premium wine grapes. With smoke, air quality concerns, and fire season lasting longer every year, the…
Tariffs, Trade, and Table Grapes: Richard Matoian Shares Insights on California Farming Challenges
…Turning to his own farm, Matoian discussed 90 acres of table grapes and 40 acres of pistachios, noting that table grapes remain especially labor-intensive. With about 65 workers in the…
From Olives to Almonds: Melissa Oberti Shares Her Family’s Farming Legacy and the Struggles Facing California Growers
…household name. But competition from Spain and Italy eventually priced California growers out of the market, forcing the family to pivot into almonds and wine grapes. “We just couldn’t compete…
Melissa Oberti on Grapes, Almonds, and Water Challenges
…name. Grapes and Almonds: Managing Crop Production in California Melissa explains the complexities of growing grapes and almonds in the Central Valley. Wine grapes benefit from long-term contracts with local…
California Agriculture: Fires, Wolves & Farm Labor Reform
…worsening Central Valley air quality caused by wildfires, likening the smoke to winter fog. He warned that tensions between state and federal governments over forest management may intensify as fall…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads
…challenges facing California agriculture. Recent thunderstorms in the Central Valley brought rare lightning-sparked fires near Madera, while wildfires threatened vineyards in Napa Valley, raising concerns about crop damage and smoke…
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau: Advocacy, Education & the Future of Agriculture
…focuses on youth outreach, scholarships, grower education, and consumer awareness. From Ag in the Classroom programs to bringing teachers and policymakers out to farms, Genasci believes exposure is key. “We…