…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…
Small Wineries Under Pressure: Ziveli Winery
…to ship frozen grapes from Chile than to buy locally in Lodi. “If that’s true, we have a lot of issues,” he said. High costs and strict regulations, they argue,…
California Wine Faces a Generational Challenge: Marlena Paolilli
…Tastes Paolilli explained that California’s wine sector continues to battle an oversupply of grapes, a problem rooted in the pandemic and compounded by an influx of new producers. With over…
Marlena Paolilli on Cry Baby Wine and the Future of California’s Wine Industry
…Imported frozen grapes from countries like Chile are sometimes cheaper than sourcing from Lodi or other California regions, creating financial strain on local growers. Industry experts, including Allied Grape Growers…
Ted Torosian Builds Custom Produce into Ag Success Story
…Unlike many operations in the Valley that focus on a single commodity, Custom Produce set itself apart by offering a wide variety of crops in one location. From grapes and…
Rachel Nettleton Leads Kern County Farm Bureau
…the nation and the world. From table grapes lining Highway 99 to diverse commodities across the valley, agriculture is the backbone of Kern’s economy and identity. The Role of the…
Freight Safety and Dairy Market Pressures: Nick Folio
…in the state’s freight industry. Rainfall Raises Questions for Crops Unexpected rainfall across the Central Valley sparked concern for sensitive crops like peaches, plums, nectarines, and grapes. While some crops…