West
New board chair elected at Almond Board of California
The Almond Board of California’s board of directors has elected a new leader. Alicia Rockwell is the new chair of the board. Rockwell is set to take over the role on Jan. 1 from Alexi... more »
California almond acreage falls again in 2024
California’s total almond acreage dropped again in 2024, making three years in a row that acreage has decreased. This is something that has not happened since at least 1995, according to a new report from... more »
USDA sets California Almond Continuance Referendum dates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scheduled dates for growers to vote on continuing the Almond Board of California. In a Nov. 8 notice to trade, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that... more »
USDA releases $2 billion for specialty crops growers disaster recovery
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has introduced programs designed to help specialty crop growers recover from natural disasters, including a trio of hurricanes that this fall struck the Southeast. The new programs are also developed... more »
IFTA members gain grove insights, view Central Valley tech and orchard practices
During the California’s Central Valley tour, participants in the International Fruit Tree Association’s 2024 event viewed a variety of fruit tree training, pruning and harvesting methods. The orchard bus tour showed how growers are more... more »
USDA to open Davis, California, ag research center
The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) broke ground on the Agricultural Research and Technology Center (ARTC) in Davis, California, marking a new phase in agricultural innovation. The modern facility will centralize ARS labs currently at... more »
‘Brutal’ wine market leaves farms in peril
Steve Perrin and his family have grown winegrapes on the land around their Lodi farmhouse for four generations. Behind the house stand a towering oak, a workshop and 150 acres of grapevines, mostly zinfandel, some... more »
Heat produces uneven California fall organic fruit supply
An inconsistent supply of fall organic fruit is expected this year. Stephen Paul of Homegrown Organic Farms (HGO) in Porterville, California, said the record heat that scorched the valley from spring to fall took its... more »