News

Raising a glass to grapes’ surprising genetic diversity

Here's a discovery well worth toasting: A research team led by Professor Brandon Gaut with the University of California, Irvine and Professor Dario Cantu with the University of California, Davis has deciphered the genome of the Chardonnay grape. By d... more

University of California Extension adds staff members

Eight academics joined the ranks of UC Cooperative Extension advisors, specialists and an academic coordinator over the last few months. The new academics are: Kamyar Aram UCCE specialty crops advisor Contra Costa County Kamyar Aram joined UC AN... more

Washington Rep. wants better apple access in India

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Sept. 18, calling on him to elevate Washington apple access in India by reducing tariff rates for U.S. apple growers. “Washington state ... more

Actions taken to streamline H-2A process, improve recruitment

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has issued a Final Rule aimed at helping Americans find open agricultural jobs by modernizing the labor market test for H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification in... more

Researchers determine pollen abundance, diversity in pollinator-dependent crops

A new study provides valuable insights into pollen abundance and diversity available to honeybee colonies employed in five major pollinator-dependent crops in Oregon and California, including California’s massive almond industry. The study, a co... more

Portable technology sniffs out plant disease In the field

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed portable technology that allows farmers to identify plant diseases in the field. The handheld device, which is plugged into a smartphone, works by sampling the airborne volatile organic co... more

Farm Foundation names new president and CEO

Farm Foundation announced that Shari Rogge-Fidler will be joining the organization as president and CEO. Rogge-Fidler brings a breadth of executive, academic and managerial experience in production agriculture, business management, national and inter... more