California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to announce the permanent protection of 327 acres of farmland two miles east of Los Banos, California. Farmed and owned by Bowles Farming Company, the addition of the Lone Tree Ranch agricultural conservation easement (ACE) exceeds 17,000 acres of total farmland protected by CFT.
Bowles Farming Company is a 160-year-old family farm, with agricultural roots stemming back to the mid-1800s. What started as a cattle and meat processing operation, has since vertically integrated into organic and conventional vegetable and fruit operations. The newly protected property is home to various irrigated field crops.
“California is the right place to grow so many healthy and nutritious crops, and the loss of California farms is a real problem,” said Cannon Michael, president and CEO of Bowles Farming Company. “With our family’s long legacy in farming, we wanted to see this land preserved and not converted to development like so much of the valley’s farmland.”
The farm involves the sixth generation of the Bowles and Lawrence families, making the desire to protect the historical land even greater. Putting these fields under an easement ensures their farming footprint will be available and secure for years to come.
“These subset fields under Bowles Farming Company are unique and valuable, in that they contain high quality soils, reliable water sources, produce high-yielding diversified crops, and incorporate practices which help sequester carbon to offset carbon impacts,” said Chelsea Slaton, conservation director at CFT. “With the growth pressure from the City of Los Banos, the protection of this property signifies the importance of productive farmland protection in order to store carbon and sustain the economy in an area designated by the state as a priority population.”
Funds for this project were made available through the California Strategic Growth Council’s (SGC) Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC). SALC is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particular in disadvantaged communities.
“This farm has been cared for by two Californian families for over 150 years, and we are thrilled to see the SALC program contribute to its permanent conservation,” said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, executive director at SGC. “Congratulations to the Bowles and Lawrence families and the California Farmland Trust on the easement of this landmark property, which is home to numerous ecological and cultural treasures.”
CFT has worked to permanently protect farmland throughout six counties, with the majority of its ACEs located in Merced County. This property adds to that extensive portfolio in Merced County, where CFT now holds 35 ACEs, with 11,416 acres protected.
Assembly Bill 535 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last week. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Ceclia Aguiar-Curry, establishes guidelines for how companies can use the word “California” on olive oil labels and other marketing materials.
While the OOCC does not have authority to lobby and did not take a position on this bill, the new ruling is critically important to the goals of our organization: ensuring California olive oil is accurately labeled so that customers can have confidence in the quality of California olive oil and all California olive oil is trusted and valued.
The bill was supported by a group of California olive oil producers who launched a Truth in Labeling informational campaign.
According to a press release from Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, consumers associate California produced olive oils with quality and demand has steadily increased over time. This increase in demand has led to companies using the word “California” on labels, even if the product only contains a small percentage of oil from olives actually produced in the state.
Aguiar-Curry carried the bill because she believes misleading labeling causes confusion among consumers. It also places 100 percent California olive oil farmers and producers at a competitive disadvantage because of the greater regulatory burden and higher costs, and hurts the reputation of California olive oil as a trusted product.
The guideline for olive oil labeling that Assembly Bill 535 provides consumers with clear and transparent information about the oil they are purchasing. The bill will require companies to disclose the minimum percentage of California olive oil present in their product and in the same size as the word “California” on their product label, packaging and marketing materials.
The bill does not prohibit or restrict blending oils from different sources and destinations, it only requires the term “California” be used in a way that truthfully and clearly represents the actual amount of California-grown olives used in the product.
With this bill, supporters hope to strengthen the integrity of California olive oils as a premium and trusted product. — Olive Oil Commission of California
The California Avocado Commission gathers critical yield forecasting data to make informed budgeting and marketing decisions by partnering with Land IQ to conduct an annual acreage survey. Data from this survey is then compiled in a database for use by the Commission. In addition, Land IQ releases a yearly report for public consumption. The 2021 Statewide Avocado Acreage and Condition report is now available on the California avocado growers website.
Highlights from the report are as follows:
The report also includes:
A copy of the report is available HERE.
The deadline to vote in the California Avocado Commission General Election is fast approaching — October 27, 2021. Election ballots were mailed to commercial producers and all handlers of record in late September and must be returned to the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the postage paid envelope by the deadline. The results of the election will be announced on November 18.
The elections will be for one producer member seat and one producer alternate seat in each of the five CAC districts, as well as one handler member seat and one handler alternate seat. A complete list of candidates can be found on the CAC General Election 2021 webpage.
The 2021 General Election ballots will again use the ranked voting method, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of their preference. The candidate who receives the highest number of first choice votes will be offered their choice of available seats while the candidate with the highest combined total of first and second choice votes will then be offered the available seat.
California avocado growers are highly encouraged to take part in the 2021 General Election. Please contact April Aymami at aaymami@avocado.org or 949.341.1955 if you did not receive a ballot.
University of Florida Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences — More than 50 citrus growers and researchers attended a field day to view 154 new citrus scion-rootstock combinations—some of which will result in the production of market-ready fruit from trees that tolerate the most serious citrus disease worldwide.
The disease is called citrus greening. It has reduced Florida citrus production to about half of what it was when 950,000 acres were under citrus production. Most researchers and growers agree that new scion and rootstock combinations hold a lot of possibility to preserve Florida’s signature crop.
The Millennium Block Drive-Thru Field Day 2021 took place on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 14, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS-IRREC) in Fort Pierce, Florida.
IRREC researchers guided attendees from information tents positioned at strategic points among 20 acres of carefully managed rows of grapefruit, orange, pummelo, and mandarin trees. Each plot of a scion-rootstock combination was labeled and corresponded to a 12-page packet Ronald Cave and researchers presented to visitors upon arrival. Cave is professor and director of IRREC, and he leads the citrus research project, along with manager Tom James, graduate student Martin Zapien, and agricultural assistant Mac Hossain.
“Our mission for the Millennium Block’s rootstock and scion trials is primarily to provide guidance to growers on the UFR rootstocks. There is also a secondary purpose to evaluate grapefruit and grapefruit-like hybrids,” said Cave. “No other trial like this is happening anywhere, but we need additional funding to continue with the trial until the trees are seven years of age.”
University officials and staff guided visitors to specific trees where growers left their vehicles to observe trees up close.
“The Millennium Block research project is taking the industry’s best scions and rootstocks and mixing and matching them to provide the industry with a brighter future, and some of the matches look promising,” said Doug Bournique, executive vice president of the Indian River Citrus League.
Jeanna Mastrodicasa, UF/IFAS Associate Vice President for Operations, led the event at booth #2. She fanned through the pages of the packet Cave gave her and noted the colored rows and legends. “Here is a great map and a great key that explains how the coding works and which rootstock appears where in the grove,” said Mastrodicasa.
In a row of grapefruit trees across from Mastrodicasa, IRREC Advisory Committee member Pete Spyke pointed to six trees of the same rootstocks. Spyke is a heritage Florida citrus grower who owns Arapaho Citrus Management in Fort Pierce, Florida. He lifted bunches of yellow grapefruit with pink blush from the 2-year-old trees. “Ray ruby grapefruit on UFR-15 rootstock shows the kind of thing we are after in the Millennium Block trials. It’s a very nice fruit—very high quality—excellent performance for a young tree,” said Spyke. “The tree has two blooms, a regular bloom and a late bloom. We will capture data from both blooms.”
At a second location, where white grapefruit trees grow, Chris Hernandez showed an attendee a tree that produces sweet grapefruit. Hernandez is a UF horticulture undergraduate student and an agricultural assistant at IRREC.
At another grove position, viewers gathered around Ken Gioeli, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County Natural Resources Agent, to learn about invasive, venomous, and harmless snakes that may be found in the grove. Gioeli recommends growers to be aware of four venomous snakes found in the Indian River District and how they can increase safety. He urged visitors to report Burmese pythons with a mobile application, I’veGot1.
Several longtime citrus growers were surprised to find some varieties in a condition they did not expect.
“There are some variations in the rootstocks,” said Matt Hamilton. He, along with his family, own Hamilton Grove Services, Inc., in St. Lucie County. “I am surprised that some of the rootstocks I expected would do well are not looking too good, but a few of the UF rootstocks look good.”
“Our family has been in the business since the 1960s,” said Mark Hamilton. “We are grapefruit growers, and we want to stay in business.”
Growers recall many of the Indian River District’s citrus production challenges. Freezes, insects, and diseases have caused setbacks and the scion rootstock combinations may bring a comeback.
“We need to make sure the trends we see today are consistent as time goes on. Next year’s data should be much more enlightening,” said Spyke.
“The approach we are taking to breeding is to find tolerant scions and rootstocks that impart tolerance to the scion. Those combinations will be less expensive to grow and will produce larger crops of good wholesome fruit and those two factors will allow growers to make a good profit in the future. The data will be applicable to any variety growing anywhere in the state, including processed fruit.”
Mexico avocado production for marketing year 2021/22 is forecasted eight percent lower than the record production observed the previous marketing year. While production will remain strong, growers expect trees will need to recover for a season. High international demand and attractive global prices has encouraged producers to export product for higher returns. And while Michoacán is the only state with phytosanitary certification to export to the United States, exports to other global markets are expected to increase in the coming years.
PRODUCTION
The Post forecast for MY 2021/22 (July/June) avocado production is 2.33 million metric tons (MMT), eight percent lower than in the previous MY on reduced tree productivity. Grower’s state that they are expecting needed tree recovery after record productivity and production (especially in Michoacán) in the MY 2020/21 season. Additionally, insufficient rainfall and high temperatures are likely to reduce production and yields in non-Michoacan producing states. Planted and harvested areas are forecasted at 227,126 hectares (ha) and 225,910 ha respectively, with a national yield of 10.30 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha). Harvest reaches peak from October to February, with average supply from March to May, and low season from June to September.
Mexico is the largest avocado producer in the world, accounting for 30 percent of global production. Planted area is steadily increasing year over year, at an annual growth rate of three percent, mainly due to high profitability and increased international demand. Mexico produces three varieties of avocado, with Hass accounting for 97 percent of total production and Criollo and Fuerte accounting for the remaining three percent.
Michoacán is the top producing state in Mexico, with 75 percent of national production and 81 percent of total production value. Michoacán is also the only state with phytosanitary certification to export supplies to the United States. According to the Association of Avocado Producers and Packers and Exporters of Mexico (APEAM), there are more than 29,000 registered producers in the state (with small orchards of five to ten ha) with year-round production through four harvests. The first -and most productive- harvest of MY 2021/22 is forecasted 36 percent lower than the previous MY. The main avocado-producing municipalities are Peribán, Los Reyes, Uruapan and Tancítaro. Michoacan’s production forecast for MY 2021/22 is 1.78 MMT, nine percent lower than the previous MY, with planted area forecasted at 167,401 ha, and yields forecasted at 10.64 MT/ha. Approximately 63 percent of the states orchards are rain fed, and the remaining are equipped with drip or sprinkler irrigation systems.
Jalisco is the second largest avocado producing state with more than 250,000 tons produced year-round from 3,100 producers (medium sized production of 10 ha or more, and 50 percent of total area among 15 to 20 growers). MY 2021/22 planted area is forecasted at 21,414 ha, two percent higher than the previous MY. Jalisco has 12,000 ha that are five years old or less among its 75 growing municipalities. Eighty-five percent of orchards are irrigated with either drip or micro-sprinklers, and planting is high density and sophisticated with technological advances like drone usage to monitor crop advancement and health. 
CONSUMPTION
Most fresh domestic consumption is supplied from the states of Mexico, Nayarit, and Morelos. Domestic consumption for MY 2021/22 is forecast at 1.1 MMT. According to SIAP, annual per capita consumption is seven kilograms (approximately 15 pounds) per person. While a staple in Mexican cuisine, avocado consumption has not grown in recent years because of high prices driven by increased international demand.
Avocado has a wide range of uses as an industrialized product, including as a base for spreads, and oil production for cosmetic products. Avocado oil production from Hass and Fuerte varieties has increased in recent years. Read the full report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service HERE.
USDA International Agricultural Trade Report — Trade and production of blueberries is expanding globally as product development boosts their profile in form and function. Hailed for their flavor, versatility, and health benefits, blueberry consumption has expanded beyond fresh, ranging from pureed to powdered forms. Blueberries are also being used as ingredients and additives in foods and beverages. These new uses and forms of blueberries are combining with increasing fresh consumption to drive up production worldwide. Global production and trade have seen the most dramatic growth between 2010 and 2019, driven ever higher by mounting consumer demand.
Domestication of Blueberries: From Idea to Industry
The development of cultivated blueberries began in the early 1900s through the collaboration of Elizabeth White and USDA botanist Frederick Coville. Living on a cranberry farm in New Jersey, White started conducting her own research into wild highbush blueberry plants in the 1890s. Coville began his research on cultivating wild blueberries in 1908. After they began corresponding, White eventually invited Coville to work with her on her family farm. They become business partners in 1911, harvesting and selling their first commercial crop of blueberries in 1916.
Since then, commercial blueberry production has expanded in the United States and to every continent except Antarctica. Enabled by advances in genetics and production practices, blueberries were grown in at least 30 countries in 2019 and in a variety of climates. The major classes of blueberry plants now grown commercially are highbush, lowbush (sometimes referred to as wild), half-high (a cross between highbush and lowbush species), Rabbiteye, and Southern highbush. Plant production can be short or long-lived, with some cultivar plants productive for as little as 1-5 years or as long as 40-60 years.
Global production more than doubled between 2010 and 2019, rising from 439,000 metric tons to nearly 1.0 million. During this time, the number of countries with reportable production expanded from 26 to at least 30, with 27 countries showing growth. In 2010, only 4 countries produced more than 10,000 tons: the United States (224,000 tons), Canada (84,000 tons), Chile (76,000 tons), and France (11,000 tons). The number of countries producing at least 10,000 tons started increasing by 2012 and has not declined since then. By 2019, at least 11 countries were above the 10,000-ton threshold. Peru had the most dramatic expansion, rising from less than 50 tons to nearly 125,000 to become the fourth-largest producer behind the United States, Canada, and Chile. Peru is now the world’s leading exporter by value.
Southern Hemisphere countries account for nearly 40 percent of the world’s production growth during this time, reaching close to 300,000 tons in 2019. The spread of production to the Southern Hemisphere has expanded blueberries’ seasonal market presence to all 12 months of the year, boosting availability for consumers and driving worldwide demand.
In the United States, blueberries are the second-most produced berry. Until the early 1970s, they were commercially grown mostly in three states: New Jersey, Michigan, and North Carolina. The industry worked to develop production in other states. In the 1990s, U.S. production reached 100 million pounds or more than 45,000 tons. In 2010, Michigan was the largest producer at almost 50,000 tons, accounting for 22 percent of U.S. production. Other states were expanding output, with Washington becoming the top grower in 2015. Washington remains the leading producer averaging 58,000 tons per year and 19 percent of U.S. production, while Oregon is a close second averaging 55,000 tons. The number of states that USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service includes in its annual survey was reduced from 14 states to 9 states in 2018 (the other 5 states accounting for less than 5 percent of production). However, production has continued to rise, reaching a record 339,000 tons in 2019. U.S. production has averaged nearly 300,000 tons since 2015, accounting for 36 percent of global production.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) publishes the International Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System or HS), a “multipurpose international product nomenclature” that is a hierarchical framework consisting of 4- and 6-digit classification codes (referred to as headings and subheadings, respectively). Currently, blueberries do not have their own 6-digit classification code. Under the HS, they are classified and harmonized in HS-6 codes that group them with other fruits of the genus Vaccinium (including cranberries), making it difficult to get an accurate understanding of actual blueberry trade. (See section below “Working Towards Better Trade Data.”) By using data from the U.S. Census, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and industry as a guide, leading fresh blueberry exporters include Peru, Chile, Mexico, the United States, South Africa, Poland, and Canada.
Though the value of fresh blueberry export trade is not known for all exporting countries, looking at these countries gives a good indication of the export situation. Using U.S. Census Bureau, Trade Data Monitor, and country data provided by FAS’s overseas offices, exports for these countries totaled $2.1 billion in 2019. For these seven countries, combined growth has averaged 18 percent annually since 2016, with Peru, Mexico, Poland, and South Africa seeing continuous growth. If exports average only 5 percent growth during the next 5 years, export value for these countries alone will reach nearly $3.0 billion by 2025. According to FAO data, global export volume has not declined since at least 2010, rising on average 46,000 tons per year between 2015 and 2019. Considering the expansion in production and exports since 2010 and the continued rise in consumer demand, exports of fresh blueberries are expected to continue their upward trajectory.
Growth has been more moderate for U.S. exports. While the export value of fresh blueberries has grown 30 percent between 2010 and 2019, exports experienced 4 straight years of decline between 2014-2017, some of which coincided with years of lower output. On either side of that timespan, exports had peaked at $147 million in 2013 and have seen continuous growth since 2017, rising from $107 million to nearly $121 million in 2020. For 2021, January-July exports are slightly ahead of last year, up $3 million to nearly $99 million. On average, more than 80 percent of U.S. shipments go to Canada, valued at more than $106 million in 2020. Among the seven leading exporters, the United States ranks fourth behind Peru, Chile, and Mexico.
Research into varieties no longer relies on public institutions but is now also happening in private industry, resulting in more rapid advances in genetics and varietal development. Research is underway to improve yield, berry quality, disease and pest resistance, and cold and heat resistance. Improvements are also happening in technology to better manage, harvest, and package crops. For example, due to its range of required chill hours (from 400 to 0 hours), Southern highbush cultivars can be grown as an evergreen, a system of managing bushes to produce berries year-round or at specific points in time. Depending on the geographic area, “evergreening” can prevent or manage defoliation through timing and severity of pruning. While prevention enables year-round production, managed defoliation allows growers to control or target when berries will be ripe, and therefore when they can be harvested. For managed defoliation, depending on the cultivar, the time period between pruning and harvest ranges from 5 to 8 months. For example, if aiming for a May harvest, bushes would be trimmed in January. While evergreen production is used in some areas of the United States, it has also allowed the spread of blueberry production to areas with warmer climates such as Australia, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.
Current blueberry varieties are all within genus Vaccinium and section Cyanococcus. However, wild varieties outside Cyanococcus are known to exist around the world, including in more isolated areas such as islands in the South Pacific. With the success of blueberries, some of these countries are starting to cultivate their wild varieties. The current level of science does not yet easily allow the combining of genetics from Cyanococcus and non-Cyanococcus varieties. Expected advances in genetic technology will likely make this possible in the coming decades, leading to the development of new varieties and further spreading blueberry production.
As noted above, blueberries are included in HS-6 codes that group blueberries with other fruits of the genus Vaccinium, such as cranberries and bilberries. Under the HS, blueberries are currently classified and harmonized globally at the HS-6 level subheadings of 0810.40 (fresh), 0811.90 (frozen), and 0813.40 (dried). Monitoring blueberry trade is challenging because only some countries break out blueberries beyond the HS-6 level as the United States does for fresh, frozen, and dried.
Due to the considerable growth in global blueberry production and trade in the past 10 years, especially trade in fresh blueberries, FAS has prepared a proposal to submit to the WCO to amend the HS by creating specific subheadings for fresh, frozen, and dried blueberries, thereby distinguishing them from other Vaccinium fruit. Proposals for amendments to the HS are typically submitted by the industry. However, due to the need for global trade data, FAS has undertaken this effort to provide clarity on trade (and thus production) and achieve a more precise understanding of how large the market is and where trade (and thus production) is happening.
The following are the steps for submission, review, and approval for amendments to the HS:
FAS submitted a proposal to USITC in September 2021. If it successfully proceeds through the above process, the proposed changes will be reflected in the 2027 HS. Though it will be several years before the changes are implemented, ultimately the changes will significantly improve our ability to understand and forecast blueberry trade.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) recently announced the appointment of Leslie Wada, Ph.D., RD, as senior director of nutrition and health research. A longtime consultant for the council, Wada will continue to manage USHBC’s multi-million dollar pipeline of health research projects as she has for the past 12 years. In her expanded role, Wada will have increased ownership and responsibility in leading the health and nutrition pillar of the USHBC’s 2021-2025 strategic plan, integrating the research projects and results with the council’s overall strategy in marketing and promotions. 
To hear Wada tell the story of the heart-healthy properties of blueberries, check out this podcast episode of “The Business of Blueberries” from earlier in the year.
October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, and the California Prune Board is celebrating those within the industry who work so hard to produce the premium fruit that contributes to health and wellbeing.
“California’s prune growers and orchard workers have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep this wholesome fruit on tables and in pantries for families, frontline workers, and food banks,” said Kiaran Locy, California Prune Board, Director of Brand & Industry Communications, and Buy California Marketing Agreement board member. “While many Americans were sheltering in place and working from home, the California Prune industry worked together with retailers and distributors to ensure a consistent and stable supply of premium fruit.”
The California Prune industry generates more than $717 million in annual economic impact flowing into the state economy creating and sustaining more than 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs. California’s prune industry is an important economic driver that contributes to the economic health of the communities throughout the state.
“Choosing California Prunes and other California-grown food, wine, flowers, garden and nursery plants, directly supports and stabilizes our economy,” added Locy. “California is the largest producer of agricultural products in the nation and the largest producer of prunes in the world.”
California Prune growers steward 43,000 acres of land. Generations of growers across the Sacramento and
San Joaquin Valleys have brought a craftsmanship to cultivating their trees with the best orchard management practices. The California Prune industry has invested millions of dollars in agriculture and sustainability research that conserves energy, reduces water use, and improves the safety and quality of prune production while ensuring longevity for the industry.
Growing a healthy food takes dedication and California’s prune growers and orchard workers are part of the vital network of producers that provide nutritious school meals and pantry-stable wholesome fruits for the most vulnerable of our population. Each year California Prunes works with USDA to secure prune purchases for school nutrition programs and food banks which also helps support the livelihood of prune-growing communities.
As prune growers and orchard workers are an invaluable part of California’s ag community, the California Prune Board celebrates October California Farmer and Farmworker Month by spotlighting a series of meet-the-grower profiles, sharing videos on “What Makes California a Great Place to Grow Prunes” and “How I Got Into Agriculture,” alongside heritage recipes from grower families. The California Prune Board is further sharing these stories on social media channels throughout the month of October in partnership with #CAGROWN to honor the grower and orchard workers’ contributions and dedication to ensuring a safe food supply, even under the most daunting of circumstances.
Always in season, California Prunes are good for your gut, heart, and bones. With under 100 calories per serving this fruit has no added sugar and packs a powerful punch of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that support overall health and wellbeing.
California Prune fans can access heritage recipes from grower families by visiting:https://californiaprunes.org/california-prunes-101/our-growers/ and follow @CAPrunes on Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter.
Mitchell Family Prune Cake
What’s a prune farmer’s favorite way to eat prunes? Well, for the Mitchell family of Yuba City, Calif., the choice is easy: this old-fashioned prune cake recipe takes the (ahem) cake. A soft, prune-studded spice cake is covered in a buttery-sweet glaze that has everyone going back for another slice (or two.)
| SERVINGS: 12 pieces | PREP TIME: 20 minutes | COOK TIME: 1 hour | |
| INGREDIENTS
For the cake: 1 heaping cup California Prunes, minced (28-30 prunes) 2 cups boiling water 1 cup neutral baking oil or olive oil 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 3 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour (or 2 cups gluten-free flour + 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped |
For the icing: 1/4 cup melted butter 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pinch coarse kosher salt
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DIRECTIONS
Place the minced prunes in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 20 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
Preheat the oven to 300°F and spray a 13×9 metal or glass baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine the oil, sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
In a separate mixing bowl combine the flour (or gluten-free flour + xanthan gum), baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture alternating with the buttermilk in 3 additions. Stir to combine. Fold in the drained prunes and walnuts.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45-60 minutes until cooked through and a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
While the prune cake is baking, make the icing:
Combine all the ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan. It will seem like the pot is too big, but the sugar mixture needs room to swell up in the pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes or just before the softball stage.
While the cake is hot from the oven and still in the pan pour the icing over the cake. Use a fork to gently poke holes all around the top of the cake so that it can absorb the icing. Enjoy the Mitchell family’s Old-Fashioned Prune Cake at your next special occasion!
Recipe Notes: Sugar in the cake recipe can be substituted for 1/2 cup monk fruit.