California raisin growers were poised to enjoy a beautiful, high quality crop this year due to ideal spring and summer growing conditions. Stormy weather at harvest, however, followed by a cool spell, dampened their great expectations. American Vineyard Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm met with raisin growers Nick Melkonian and Doug Benik in an unharvested raisin vineyard to assess the situation. This year’s tragedy has also shed some light on a major gap in USDA RMA insurance coverage, impacting up to half of the raisin industry today. Watch this brief interview and learn more in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Joseph Malcolm is an Emmy award winning videographer and editor. He is currently studying at Fresno State University and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism with an emphasis in broadcast and digital journalism. When he’s not working with agriculture or studying at school, he is spending time with his family.