California raisin growers have been disappointed this year with the raisin market after coming off of record high raisin prices the year before.  Is this price volatility expected to last, and will the continued removal of raisin acreage impact future pricing? Watch this brief interview with Steve Kister, Chairman of Board with Sun-Maid Growers, and read more about it in …

First 100% sustainability, now host of the World’s Best Vineyards — Sonoma County Winegrowers is on a roll and proud to be the World’s next host of the announcement of the top 50 vineyards across the globe.  Watch this brief interview with Karissa Kruse, President of Sonoma County Winegrowers for more details, and read more about it in American Vineyard …

The dried fruit sector hasn’t been as popular with millennial consumers as in other generations, but Sun-Maid Growers are working to turn things around (at least for California raisins) with some new strategies and investments as shared at their annual meeting in Fresno recently.  Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid CEO Harry Overly and read more about it in American …

Looking into new table grape cultivars to plant? Valley Pearl is a relatively new variety developed by the USDA-ARS and is commercially grown in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern desert regions of California.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Carmen Gispert as she explains some of the strengths and challenges of this cultivar, and read more …

Have you ever found yourself in the morning looking down the vineyard row and seeing what looks like a sumo wrestling match had taken place the night before right in your vineyard? You may likely have a problem with feral pigs.  Ryan McCreary from USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services recently addressed large wildlife pest threats in the vineyard at Malcolm Media’s Sonoma …

By now, most farmers know the regulations regarding pesticide use notifications near school sites; however, many are still getting fined by the counties for violation of this rule. So where are farmers coming short? Watch this brief interview with Travis Howard from the Sonoma County Ag Department as he clarifies some important dates and requirements farmers need to know about …

Growers across California are now accepting the fact that wildfires are a seasonal threat to their crops.  With wineries rejecting “smoke tainted” wine grapes even under contract, this has become a very sensitive issue, particularly in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. But just how much smoke exposure to the crop warrants rejection as being “smoke tainted?” Working with local wine …

From floods to drought, fire to hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners through a variety of USDA programs. Watch this brief interview with Brooke Pippi to find out how NRCS can support you. Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, …

In the fresh fruit world, which commodities have been hit the hardest by the international trade dispute and what is the industry doing to overcome the situation?  Watch this brief interview with Ian LeMay from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he explains, based on his recent presentation at the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo. Please thank our …

Wildfires, unharvested fruit, limited tank space… what’s going on in the North Coast wine industry? Is it all that bad? In a special State of the Grape Industry presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Sonoma Grape Expo, Ciatti Company Partner Glenn Proctor shares the big picture of what is going on in the industry.  Many of these trends aren’t new the …