West

Labor contractors’ group offers supervisor development program

The California Farm Labor Contractors Association is hosting several classes focused on its Ag Supervisor Development Program. "We launched this training program for supervisors, mayordomos, and crew leaders late last year, partly through USDA/NIFA grant... more »

California vintner honored as first-ever Nuffield International Scholar

The Nuffield International Farming Scholars program, which develop leaders to help shape the future of agriculture, has named vintner Thomas Merwin of Clarksburg (Yolo County) as a scholar for 2022. He is the program’s first-ever... more »

CAWG president John Aguirre to step down after 12 years

The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) announced Jan. 6 the planned departure of its president, John Aguirre, effective May 31, 2022. He started with the association on June 1, 2010. ... more »

2022 Western Food Safety Conference announces lineup

The Western Food Safety Conference on May 4-5, 2022, will present an outstanding lineup of leaders, experts and innovators from the world of fresh produce safety, with a hybrid format to optimize networking and global... more »

$1.5M NIFA grant for climate-smart agriculture goes to UC ANR

To help California farmers and ranchers adjust to uncertain weather and climate events, the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture has awarded $1.5 million to a team of scientists led by UC Agriculture and... more »

Advances in plant breeding could come from UC Davis findings

A simple roadside weed may hold the key to understanding and predicting DNA mutation, according to new research from University of California, Davis, and the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Germany. The findings,... more »

Clarity in revisions to US water rules sought by ag interests

Farmers and ranchers are advocating for a federal "waters of the United States" rule under the Clean Water Act that is clear and concise and maintains exemptions for normal agricultural activities. Upon review of the... more »

Early California rain surge is challenging for pomegranates

The pomegranate, a deciduous fruit that contains hundreds of deep-red seeds known as arils, is one of the oldest recorded fruits and is considered by many cultures a symbol of prosperity and luck. But for... more »