California Fruit and Vegetable

Category: Featured Post

  • California Cantaloupe Industry Reports Temporary Supply Shortage

    California and Arizona cantaloupe growers in the southern desert production region report that current short-supply conditions are significant but temporary.

    “While weather-related production challenges have impacted the desert growing region, approximately 70 percent of California’s cantaloupe crop is produced in the San Joaquin Valley, where harvest is expected to begin by the June 29, which is right on schedule,” said Garrett Patricio, President of Classic Fruit Company and chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, who stressed shippers are expecting promotable volume to be available by early July.”

    In the meantime, unusual weather patterns have severely impacted melon production in California’s Imperial Valley and the Yuma, Ariz. growing region. Growers expect extremely limited supplies of all melon varieties, including cantaloupe, during the next two weeks.

    “I’ve never seen anything like this in my more than 30 years of growing cantaloupe,” said Barry Zwillinger owner of Legend Produce. “We would love to be able to fill retail orders at any price, but at the moment we simply do not have the volume available.”

    Zwillinger explained that a combination of unusual weather conditions contributed to the shortage. Warmer-than-normal winter temperatures and the absence of freezing weather allowed pest populations to increase significantly. This was followed by an exceptionally warm spring, causing harvest to begin nearly two weeks earlier than normal.

    “Spring harvest started out fantastic, but as the season progressed, we noticed plants becoming weaker, and yields in many fields declined by as much as 40 to 60 percent,” Zwillinger said. “Those conditions have led to the supply gap we’re experiencing today, with very few melons available over the next couple of weeks.”

    Patricio emphasized that growing conditions in California’s San Joaquin Valley have been considerably more stable, and harvest timing is expected to be normal.

    “The good news is that we expect strong cantaloupe volume beginning in early July and continuing throughout the remainder of the summer,” Patricio said. “Consumers and retailers can look forward to a steady supply of high-quality California cantaloupes once the San Joaquin Valley season gets underway.”

    About 75 percent of all cantaloupes consumed in the United States are grown in California. As the San Joaquin Valley harvest gets underway, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board is launching an expanded consumer marketing campaign designed to drive demand throughout the summer season. The program includes digital advertising, retail support materials, influencer partnerships and a strong emphasis on reaching younger Gen Z consumers through social media platforms.

    “California growers are looking forward to a great summer season with an abundant supply of high-quality cantaloupes,” said Patricio. “We encourage retailers and consumers to follow our social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X for selecting and eating tips, nutrition information and a lot of fun and engaging content from California cantaloupe growers.”

    “We appreciate the patience and support of our retail partners during this short transition period and look forward to supplying promotable volumes throughout the remainder of the summer,” said Patricio. — Story contributed by the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board

  • Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine Boundary Expands

    Effective June 18, the CDFA is expanding the sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine in the Burbank, Los Angeles and Long Beach areas of Los Angeles County and the Anaheim and Garden Grove areas of Orange County (grids 438, 439, 455, 456, 457, 470, and 471). A map of the new boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/sos/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3443. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3443, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, Calif. 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@CDFA.ca.gov) or call (916) 274-6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine in Portion of SD County

    A portion of San Diego County has been placed under quarantine for the Mexican fruit fly following the detection of one mated female fly in and around the unincorporated community of Spring Valley. This new quarantine will overlap a portion of the existing La Mesa Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine by 19 square miles. The USDA, the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner and the CDFA are working collaboratively on this project.

    The new quarantine area in San Diego County measures 76 square miles, bordered on the north by El Cajon; on the south by Proctor Valley; on the west by Lemon Grove; and on the east by McGinty Mountain. A link to the quarantine map may be found here: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/mexfly/regulation.html.

    Sterile male Mexican fruit flies will be released in the area as part of the eradication effort. The release rate will be up to approximately 250,000 males per square mile per week in an area up to 50 square miles around the infestation.

    The quarantine will affect growers, wholesalers and retailers of susceptible fruit in the area as well as nurseries that grow and sell Mexican fruit fly host plants. The quarantine will also affect local residents; home gardeners are urged to consume homegrown produce on site and not move it from their property.  These actions protect against the spread of the infestation to nearby regions where it could affect California’s food supply and backyard gardens and landscapes.

    The Mexican fruit fly can lay its eggs in and infest more than 50 types of fruits and vegetables, severely impacting California agricultural exports and backyard gardens alike. For more information on the pest, please see the pest profile at: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/go/MexFly. Residents who believe their fruits and vegetables may be infested with fruit fly larvae are encouraged to call the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

    The eradication approach used in the Spring Valley area of San Diego County is the standard program used by CDFA and it is the safest and most effective and efficient response program available.

    While fruit flies and other invasive species that threaten California’s crops and natural environment are sometimes detected in agricultural areas, the vast majority are found in urban and suburban communities. The most common pathway for these invasive species to enter our state is by “hitchhiking” in fruits and vegetables brought back illegally by travelers as they return from infested regions of the world. To help protect California’s agriculture and natural resources, CDFA urges travelers to follow the Don’t Pack a Pest program guidelines (www.dontpackapest.com). — Story Contributed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • UC ANR Hosting Berry Production Workshop in SD County

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting a berry production workshop in Escondido. Whether it’s backyard and container-grown production, or commercial, field-grown operations, growers can learn the essentials of cultivating, managing and the economics of growing strawberries, blackberries and blueberries in San Diego County.

    The workshop will cover site selection, planting, irrigation, pest management, harvesting and market considerations for berry production at any scale. Practices, strategies, and challenges for production of strawberries and cane berries

    Issues and strategies for container-grown blueberries in San Diego County. Challenges for commercial, field-grown production of blueberries in San Diego County Economic consideration for berry production, tasting and value-added product development with berries will also be discussed.

    Registration is $40 per person. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 15, or earlier if capacity is reached.

    Day of walk-ups will not be admitted. Registration includes educational materials, continental breakfast and tasting of berries and berry products.

    Registration Link: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=49412

              

    For questions about registration, contact Lupe Ibarra at (858)822-7711 or llibarra@ucanr.edu. For questions about the program, contact Ramiro Lobo at (858)243-4608 or relobo@ucanr.edu. — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • CDFA Expands Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine in Southern California

    Effective June, the CDFA is expanding the sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine boundary in the Artesia area of Los Angeles County and Buena Park area of Orange County (grids 470 and 471). A map of the new boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/sos/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3443. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3443, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than 10 working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916.274.6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program Accepting Applications

    The California Avocado Commission is encouraging its growers to apply for aid from the USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program

    For growers who submitted their 2025 eligible acres before the April 24 deadline, the ACSF has allocated $1.6 billion through a one-time bridge payment for specialty crops not covered through the Farm Bridge Assistance program. Payment limitations are set at $250,000 and the program has an adjusted gross income limitation of $900,000. The program is designed to provide financial support to allow specialty crop growers pay for production and marketing inputs in the face of significant market disruptions during the 2025 growing season.

    To be eligible, producers must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien and have reported eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by April 24. Avocado growers are considered tier 2 at $255 per acre.

    Pre-filled applications are available for growers who reported their 2025 crop acreage report by the deadline. Producers also can request their pre-filled application from their local Farm Service Agency office beginning June 8. Completed applications can be returned in person, via email or fax or electronically using Box and One-span.

    The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026. — Story contributed by the California Avocado Commission

  • Strawberry Crop Insurance: Understanding Your Options in 2026 and Beyond

    —Sponsored Content—

    Strawberry growers in California are operating in an increasingly demanding environment, where rising labor costs, tightening margins, and greater production risk are becoming the norm rather than the exception. In a crop that is highly labor-intensive and sensitive to timing, even small disruptions can have significant financial consequences. At the same time, growers are navigating ongoing challenges from soil-borne diseases, evolving pest pressure, and the rising cost of land and inputs—making it more difficult to maintain consistent profitability even in strong production years.

    Layered on top of these structural pressures is an increasing level of weather volatility that can quickly disrupt both yield and market conditions. Excess rainfall during critical harvest periods can damage fields and impact fruit quality, while unseasonably warm or cool conditions can shift production windows and affect pricing. As a result, many growers are facing a widening gap between their operational costs and the predictability of their revenue—creating less visibility from one season to the next and increasing the importance of managing risk more proactively. In this environment, maintaining a strong risk management strategy is critical—not only to protect revenue, but also to ensure operations are well positioned should disaster assistance programs become available.

    In response to these challenges, federal crop insurance programs have evolved to better reflect the realities of specialty crop farming. Programs such as the Production & Revenue History (PRH) plan and Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) now provide strawberry growers with tools to manage not only traditional production risk, but broader revenue exposure as well.  When structured appropriately, these highly subsidized programs can make comprehensive coverage surprisingly affordable—helping to stabilize income during difficult seasons and providing a layer of financial protection when both production and market conditions are working against the operation.

    What Does Strawberry Crop Insurance Cover?

    – Adverse weather (hail, frost, heat, freeze, wind, drought, excess rain/flooding)
    – Earthquake
    – Irrigation water failure due to insured perils
    – Fire and wildfire (including smoke exposure)
    – Insects and plant disease (excluding mismanagement)
    – Wildlife damage
    – Volcanic eruption
    – Harvest price decline (when revenue coverage is selected)

    The PRH Program (Production & Revenue History)

    The PRH program uses your own historical production and revenue data to build a customized insurance guarantee tailored to how your operation actually performs.

    Available Coverage Options:

    – Production (Yield) Protection: Covers loss of production due to natural causes
    – Revenue Protection: Covers both yield loss and declines in market pricing
    – Revenue Protection Plus: Covers yield loss or revenue decline, whichever is greater

    Where PRH Is Available

    PRH coverage is currently available in Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura counties.

    Effective for the 2027 crop year, PRH may also be available in additional counties through a written agreement (special request), subject to approval.

    PRH Deadlines

    – Summer Planting: July 1
    – Winter Planting: September 30
    – Dual Season Counties: July 1

    Catastrophic (CAT) Coverage

    – Covers 50% of average yield
    – Paid at 55% of the RMA price
    – Fully subsidized premium
    – $655 flat administrative fee per county

    Buy-Up Coverage

    Buy-up coverage offers stronger protection levels (50%–85%) and is designed to protect against moderate losses that can still have a meaningful financial impact on the operation.

    One of the most important—and often overlooked—features of crop insurance is the level of federal subsidy built into the program. A significant portion of the total premium is paid on behalf of the grower, making higher levels of coverage far more affordable than many expect.

    Subsidy Overview:

    • At lower coverage levels (50%–60%), approximately 65%–70% of the premium is subsidized
    • At mid-range coverage levels (65%–75%), subsidy levels remain strong at approximately 60%–65%
    • Even at higher coverage levels (80%–85%), growers still receive meaningful support, with roughly 40%–50% of the premium subsidized

    Recent Improvement in Subsidies:

    • Due to recent updates under the Big Beautiful Bill, subsidy levels have increased:
      • +5% additional subsidy for coverage levels between 50%–75%
      • +3% additional subsidy for coverage levels at 80% and above

    These enhancements further reduce the grower-paid portion of the premium, improving the overall value and affordability of higher coverage levels.

    What This Means for Growers:

    In many cases, growers are only paying 30%–40% of the true premium cost at common coverage levels—and even less at lower levels—while still gaining meaningful protection against both production and revenue risk. When evaluating coverage, it’s important to focus on the **grower-paid premium—not the total premium—**to understand the true cost of the policy.

    Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)

    WFRP covers total farm revenue across all commodities and is based on your historical Schedule F tax records coupled with your expected revenue for the upcoming crop year.

    Depending on your operation and overall risk strategy, Whole Farm may be elected as a standalone alternative to PRH or used in conjunction with PRH to better align coverage with both crop-level and whole-farm revenue exposure.

    Key Features:

    – Up to 80% subsidy support —among the highest available in federal crop insurance
    – Revenue-based across the entire operation
    – Can be paired with PRH to create a more comprehensive, layered risk management strategy

    New for 2026:

    – Single commodity strawberry growers are now eligible for WFRP
    – Coverage levels available up to 90%

    Deadlines:

    – February 28 (WFRP)
    – March 31 (Micro Farm)
    – November 20 (Early Fiscal Filers)

    Micro Farm:

    – Similar to Whole Farm but designed for smaller operations
    – Up to $350,000 revenue eligibility
    – Simplified reporting

    Beginning Farmer & Rancher (BFR) / Veteran Farmer & Rancher (VFR) Benefits

    For newer operators, federal crop insurance programs—including PRH, Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP), and Micro Farm—offer enhanced benefits designed to make coverage more accessible and affordable.

    To qualify, growers must have 10 years or less of farming experience (not necessarily consecutive), with additional eligibility pathways available for Veteran Farmer & Rancher status.

    Key Benefits:

    • Extended eligibility period:
      BFR and VFR benefits are now available for up to 10 years, giving newer operations more time to establish a strong risk management foundation
    • Additional premium support on buy-up coverage:
      Eligible growers receive an additional 10%–15% premium subsidy, depending on the program and coverage level, further reducing out-of-pocket costs
    • Administrative fee waived:
      The standard $655 per county administrative fee is waived, reducing upfront costs—especially impactful for CAT coverage, which effectively becomes free coverage aside from paperwork
    • Improved yield calculations (simplified):
      If historical production records are limited, approved yields may be adjusted closer to county averages, helping establish a stronger starting guarantee

    Additional Advantages for Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm:

    • Higher effective subsidy levels compared to standard applicants
    • More flexibility for newer operations with limited production history
    • Better alignment between expected revenue and approved coverage levels

    What This Means for Growers:

    These provisions are designed to help newer and transitioning operations get meaningful coverage in place earlier, without being heavily penalized for limited history. In many cases, this results in stronger protection and significantly lower net cost, particularly when factoring in waived administrative fees and increased subsidy support.

    Choosing the Right Strategy

    Each coverage option serves a different purpose, and the right approach will depend on how your operation is structured, how your fruit is marketed, and your overall risk tolerance.

    • CAT (Catastrophic Coverage):
      Designed for growers who want minimal cost and basic disaster protection, covering only severe losses. This is typically used as a safety net for operations that are less concerned with moderate losses or are comfortable retaining more risk.
    • PRH Production (Yield-Only):
      Best suited for growers who are primarily focused on protecting against yield loss, particularly in operations where pricing is more stable or contract-driven. This approach may fit growers who want a lower-cost option while still protecting against major production shortfalls.
    • PRH Revenue / Revenue Plus:
      Typically the most comprehensive option for strawberry growers, this structure protects against both yield loss and price fluctuations. It is well suited for operations that are exposed to market volatility, variable pricing, or shifting production timing, and want a higher level of income stability from year to year.
    • Whole Farm / Micro Farm:
      A broader approach that aligns coverage with total farm revenue rather than a single crop. This option may be a better fit for:

      • Diversified operations with multiple crops or income streams
      • Growers with direct-to-market or mixed marketing channels
      • Operations looking to protect overall business revenue rather than focusing only on strawberries

    In some cases, Whole Farm may be used alongside PRH to create a more layered risk management strategy, depending on how the operation is structured.

    Farm Service Agency (FSA) Relief Programs and Why Coverage Matters

    In addition to the protection provided under crop insurance programs, participation in federal crop insurance also plays an important role in positioning growers for disaster assistance through Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs, such as the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and other ad hoc relief initiatives.

    When disaster programs are implemented, growers with crop insurance coverage are generally eligible for Stage 1 benefits, which are:

    • Delivered sooner than other forms of assistance
    • Based on existing crop insurance data and loss records
    • Typically more streamlined and easier to process

    By contrast, growers without crop insurance coverage are often directed to Stage 2 assistance, which:

    • Requires additional documentation and review
    • Is typically distributed later in the process
    • May involve greater uncertainty in timing and payment amounts

    What This Means for Growers:

    Maintaining crop insurance coverage not only provides direct protection against production and revenue losses, but also helps ensure you are better positioned to access federal disaster relief when it becomes available. In many cases, insured growers are able to receive assistance more quickly and with fewer administrative hurdles than those without coverage.

    As a result, crop insurance should be viewed not only as a risk management tool, but also as an important component of a broader strategy to maintain financial stability during years impacted by adverse events.

    Final Thoughts

    Strawberry crop insurance has evolved significantly in recent years, and growers now have more flexibility than ever in how they protect their operation. Programs like PRH allow you to tailor coverage based on your own production and pricing history, while Whole Farm provides a broader approach tied to total farm revenue—including now for single-commodity strawberry operations beginning in 2026.

    The right strategy ultimately depends on:

    • How your crop is marketed (fresh vs. processing exposure)
    • Your exposure to price volatility
    • Whether your operation is single-commodity or diversified
    • Your overall cost structure and risk tolerance

    With strong federal subsidies helping offset a significant portion of the premium, many growers are able to secure meaningful levels of protection at a relatively low out-of-pocket cost. For eligible Beginning and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, additional benefits—such as increased subsidy support and waived administrative fees—can further improve the economics of coverage. When structured appropriately, coverage can serve as a financial backstop during years when both production and market conditions are working against the operation.

    Beyond direct protection, maintaining crop insurance coverage also ensures growers are better positioned to access federal disaster assistance programs, such as those administered through the Farm Service Agency. In many cases, insured growers are eligible for earlier-stage relief (Stage 1 benefits), which are typically delivered sooner and with fewer administrative hurdles than later-stage assistance. This can play an important role in maintaining cash flow and operational continuity following a difficult season.

    As a result, crop insurance should be viewed not only as a risk management tool, but as a key component of a broader financial strategy—helping to protect revenue, manage volatility, and position the operation for potential relief opportunities when adverse events occur.

    James Dillon
    ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
    Relation Insurance Services

    CA Individual License #0I59029
    CA Agency License #0F89850

    7673 N. Ingram Avenue, Suite 103
    Fresno, California, 93711

    Office: (559) 777-6106
    Mobile: (559) 321-6686

    james.dillon@relationinsurance.com
    relationinsurance.com

    AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER OF FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE

     

  • Citrus Research Board to Host Webinar Series

    The Citrus Research Board (CRB) is preparing to host the 2026 Citrus Growers Educational Webinar Series. CRB will be holding two one-hour webinars, scheduled for June 9 and 23, which will highlight research and discussions for growers.

    The first webinar, “Plant Growth Regulators and California Citrus — Review and Updates,” will review the plant growth regulators (PGRs) currently available to the California citrus industry. This will include uses and effects of each of the PGRs covering both a historical perspective and current needs. The importance of 2,4-D timing will also discussed with respect to the premature fruit drop observed in Fall 2025.

    Registration for the June 9 webinar can be done here.

    The second webinar, “On the Ground with CA-CRaFT,” was started by California Research and Field Trials in 2023 to develop practical, field-based ACP management strategies under real commercial conditions across California. A major focus of this webinar will be updates on canine-assisted Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) inspections, field scouting, tap sampling, sticky traps and drone imagery are being integrated to support regional ACP management decisions and strengthen early detection efforts. Additional updates will include planned expansion of CA-CRaFT activities into Ventura County with stronger emphasis on biological control using self-release Tamarixia radiata cage systems. Ongoing Argentine ant management efforts will also be discussed, as invasive ants continue to be an important factor Tamaraxia establishment and overall biological control success in California citrus.

    Registration for the June 23 webinar can be done here. — Story contributed by the Citrus Research Board

  • Valadao Welcomes Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield

    Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) hosted USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins last Friday at Allied Potato for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Central Valley growers, ranchers and producers.

    The event brought together agricultural leaders from across the region to discuss key industry priorities and celebrate the USDA’s finalizing of the Specialty Crops Farmers program. This will provide $1.6 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers to help offset rising input costs and market disruptions — $625 million more than previously announced.

    Prior to the roundtable, Valadao and Rollins toured Allied Potato, where the visited the fields and observed the processing and packaging operations. Attendees included representatives from the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, Wonderful Citrus, California Dairies Inc., Milk Producer’s Council, California Citrus Mutual, Grimmway Farms, Western Tree Nut Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farmworker Foundation, Family Tree Farms, Monte Vista Farming Company, and Cauzza Growers.

    “Agriculture drives the Central Valley’s economy, and I was honored to welcome USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield for a discussion with local agricultural leaders today,” Valadao said “For years, I’ve worked closely with producers across the Valley to address the challenges they face—rising input costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, and the need for a stronger specialty crop safety net—and this conversation reinforced the importance of continued collaboration. As the sole dairy farmer in Congress, I understand these issues firsthand, which is why I was proud to join the Secretary as she announced USDA finalized $1.6 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers to help offset high costs and market disruptions. I appreciate her engagement with our local leaders, and I look forward to continuing to work with USDA on commonsense policies that support Central Valley agriculture and give producers the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

    “Thank you Congressman Valadao, a leader on the House Commitee on Agriculture, for hosting an incredible roundtable today at Allied Potato here in your beautiful Bakersfield, California. Your extraordinary farmers, ranchers, and dairymen exemplify what it means to feed the country and the world,” Rollins said. “Everyday, the Trump Administration is putting Farmers First. As we announced after the roundtable, we are committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as  we continue opening  new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce. Congressman Valadao was critical to helping pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which is already helping over 63,000 California farms sell more agriculture products than any other state, protecting 2 million family farms from the death tax, increasing reference prices for the first time in more than a decade, and making the largest investment in rural America in history. And we are just getting started.”

  • Dry Farming with Tomatoes

    In the summer of 1993, I visited the two small farms on the campus of UC Santa Cruz (UCSC). One of them was a flat, sunny site near the coast, the air pleasantly warm instead of blistering hot like further inland. The tour guide showed us a field in which small, round, bright-red tomatoes peeked out from brown, withered, un-staked vines. I felt appalled to see a UC growing tomatoes so incorrectly.

    The tour guide then extracted some of the red globes from the brown rubble of vines and gave each of us one to try. The juicy tomato erupted with deep, complex flavor and sweetness. Feeling disloyal to the Jersey tomatoes I had enjoyed every summer growing up, I had to admit that this was the best tomato I had ever tasted. It still is 33 years later. I happily revised my opinion of the UCSC farming methods.

    The tour group leader explained that the tomatoes were dry farmed, meaning that they were grown with only the water that the soil absorbed the previous winter. The tomato vines did not need staking because the dry surface of the ground was inhospitable to harmful insects and fungi.

    The lack of water concentrated the flavor and sugars into a smaller volume. As researcher, Yvonne Socolar said at a recent dry farming webinar, “Dry-farmed tomatoes and grapes taste incredible, and consumers are willing to pay for that. But most dry-farmed crops don’t have a quality bump, so it is not a slam dunk for dry farming.”

    Dry farming concentrates rich flavor in the tomatoes. Photo by Berkeley Food Institute

    However, dry farming is getting more attention across California as growers look for ways to farm in a water-constrained environment. But what does dry farming actually involve, where does it work well and what are the tradeoffs?

    The dry farm webinar, sponsored by the Berkeley Food Institute, dug into those questions. Socolar — one of two presenters — noted that the changing climate is making the water supply in California less predictable, and 16% of California’s main groundwater systems are running dry.

    As in other Mediterranean climates, rain falls mainly in the cool winter season and typically not at all in the summer growing season. Dry farming of tomatoes occurs in coastal areas but potentially could work in parts of the western foothills of the Sierras. By contrast, the inland valley floors are too hot and dry.

    Socolar presented a map of suitable locations for dry farming in California that she generated based on interviewing dry-farm tomato growers. The map can be seen in her research paper at Where dry farming could work in CA. Fortunately, the high priority water areas do have land suitable for dry farming.

    Researcher Yvonne Socolar of Berkeley Food Institute conducted a study on dry farming. Photo by Berkeley Food Institute

    How Do the Plants Survive?

    Socolar explained that dry farming is inherently a diversified farming system, with cover cropping and hedgerows complementing the crop. The plants need deep roots in soil that holds moisture. Organic matter from cover crops is central for holding water and creating a conducive microbiome.

    Although not widely used yet, biochar can also hold water, and it does not break down, so it might help even in years when the cover crop does not thrive. Cover crops, however, also provide nutrients. Foliar sprays also may be used to distribute micronutrients.

    Eight of the 10 farmers who Socolar interviewed also rotate crops, but two do not, growing tomatoes repeatedly (10 years in a row and counting), or switching between tomatoes and fallow.

    Socolar wrote in her article, “These management decisions to maintain fields as dry farmed rather than rotating irrigated crops through are particularly compelling in light of recent research on many of the same fields, showing that repeated seasons without any external irrigation result in soil microbial communities that are associated with improved dry farm tomato performance.”

    Water Savings

    The dry-farm methods used in California come from Greece and Spain, which have the namesake Mediterranean climate. Whereas the average water consumption for irrigated crops on typical dry-farm land is roughly 3 acre-feet per acre, most dry-farm tomato growers use between zero and ten inches of water.

    Socolar estimates that nearly half of the water of the Shasta reservoir could be saved — 776 billion gallons/year — if all the potential dry farmland were dry farmed.

    Built-In Pest Control

    Because the surface of dry-farmed soils is dry during the growing season, weeds, pests and diseases have a harder time gaining a foothold. That lessens the need for labor. “Weed seeds need water to germinate, so they don’t emerge as easily, and fungal diseases that thrive in moisture do not have the conditions they need to take hold and spread,” Socolar described.

    But Socolar cautions that not all that potential dry-farm land is ready to be dry farmed immediately. Rehabilitation with cover cropping and incorporating green manure may take years before the field reaches the level of performance needed to dry farm.

    For farmers renting land, the lease term would need to be at least ten years to make the investment in soil benefits worthwhile and so the farmer can get to know the fields. The grower also needs a market willing to pay the quality premium.

    Socolar notes that some farmers have also found nuts and orchard fruits to be desirable options to add to tomatoes and grapes for dry farming. “These crops have similar market appeal and quality premiums, making them economically viable,” Socolar wrote. Olives, too, being from the Mediterranean area are traditionally dry farmed, and were grown without irrigation until the 1970s. Globally, by far most olive oil crops are still dry farmed, according to Leandro Ravetti of Cobram Estate Olive Oil.

    Whatever the crop, the current dry farmers are paving the way for viable options for other California farmers as the squeeze on water tightens.

    — By Nancy Power, Assistant Editor