The National Watermelon Association (NWA) proudly recognized three outstanding individuals for their dedication and contributions to the watermelon industry during its annual National Convention in Austin, Texas.
Raymon Land was inducted into the prestigious Watermelon Hall of Fame, celebrating his decades of commitment to farming and his dedicated service to both the National Watermelon Association and the Florida Watermelon Association. His leadership and passion have left a lasting impact on the industry. Jesse James Wiggins received the esteemed Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his tireless work behind the scenes in support of NWA. From assisting with the annual auction to supporting the Queen Program and serving on volunteer committees, Wiggins has consistently demonstrated his deep commitment to the success of the Association.
Mr. Raymon Land receives his NWA Watermelon Hall of Fame honors from Courtney Davis of Syngenta.
Chad Chastain was honored with the Future Watermelon Farm Leader Award, acknowledging his hard work, dedication, and commitment to carrying on a legacy of eight generations of watermelon farming. Chastain represents the future of the industry, bringing innovation and passion to the next generation of growers. This year, the award was dedicated to the memory of the late Dan Thomas, an NWA executive committee member who passed last year.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize Raymon, Jesse James, and Chad for their unwavering dedication to the watermelon industry,” said George Szczepanski, Executive Director of the NWA. “Each of these individuals has made a significant impact in their own way—whether through leadership, service, or innovation. Their commitment ensures a bright future for our industry, and we are grateful for all they have done and continue to do.”
Mr. Jesse James Wiggins receives the NWA Outstanding Service Award from NWA Executive Director, George Szczepanski.
About NWA:
Since 1914, the National Watermelon Association (NWA) has been the voice of the watermelon industry in the U.S. NWA’s hundreds of members represent the watermelon industry, including growers, shippers, and key suppliers. With a strong presence in over 30 states, Canada, and Mexico, and bolstered by regional chapters across the United States, NWA’s purpose is to advocate for the watermelon industry’s holistic well-being, from production to consumption. Learn more at www.watermelon.ag.
The National Watermelon Association (NWA) proudly announced the crowning of Elanie Mason as the 2025 National Watermelon Queen during its annual National Convention in Austin, Texas. Elanie, who previously served as the Florida Watermelon Queen, will now take on the role of the watermelon industry’s official promotional ambassador for the next year. Her experience representing Florida will serve her well as she embarks on a nationwide journey to promote watermelon, engage with consumers, and support the industry’s marketing and educational efforts. The crowning was the culmination of a competition between Elanie and the other state watermelon queens, all of whom showcased their knowledge, poise, and passion for the industry. The contest was highly competitive, with an exceptional group of dedicated and talented candidates vying for the honor.
“We are thrilled to have Elanie represent the watermelon industry as our 2025 National Watermelon Queen,” said Kerri Lee Wiggins, NWA Promotions Coordinator. “Her enthusiasm, experience, and love for this industry make her an outstanding choice for this role. I’m also incredibly proud of Jules Singley, our outgoing 2024 National Watermelon Queen, for her dedication and grace over the past year. She set an incredible example, and I know Elanie will carry on that tradition beautifully.”
As the National Watermelon Queen, Elanie will travel across the country, advocating for the industry, attending events, media appearances, trade shows, and in-store promotions to share the joy and benefits of watermelon with consumers and industry partners alike.
Wonderful Citrus proudly celebrates 75 years as a world-leading, full-service citrus company, delivering exceptional quality from growing and shipping to packing and marketing. With a diverse portfolio, Wonderful Citrus offers more than 10 varieties including mandarins, seedless lemons, lemons, navels, valencias, cara caras, grapefruit, limes, key limes, and minneolas. Additionally, Wonderful Citrus is a trailblazer in branded produce with its iconic brands consumers know and love: Wonderful Halos mandarins and Wonderful Seedless Lemons.
Wonderful Citrus pioneered the produce industry with consumer marketing and innovation. Originally founded in 1950 as Paramount Citrus, the company marketed and sold citrus for independent California citrus growers who were underserved by packing consolidators and brokers. In 1981, Lynda and Stewart Resnick acquired Paramount Citrus, bringing their marketing prowess and financial acumen to the citrus industry. The acquisition paved the way for what is now one of the largest agricultural portfolios in the world, with The Wonderful Company establishing itself as the leader in branding and marketing of pistachios, almonds, pomegranates, mandarins, and seedless lemons.
Zak Laffite, President, Wonderful Citrus
“We are proud to celebrate a legacy built on deep expertise, boundless passion, and an unwavering commitment to putting our people and partners first,” said
Zak Laffite, president, Wonderful Citrus. “As we celebrate 75 years, Wonderful Citrus is excited to continue leading the citrus category forward through innovation, quality, marketing, and sustainability — because no one knows and grows citrus like us.”
In celebration of this anniversary milestone, Wonderful Citrus is bringing back its original namesake brand, Paramount Citrus, as a primary label within
its portfolio, representing its heritage as a citrus grower. Consumers can find the new Paramount Citrus label, including both packaged and stickered loose fruit, in produce departments across the country. Additionally, Wonderful Citrus relaunched a newly revamped website focused on its expertise and capabilities, featuring an enhanced user experience and a dedicated online grower portal to streamline communication and support collaboration.
Wonderful Citrus’ leadership and success are built around three pillars:
Cultivating our people and partners – With hundreds of growing partners around the world, imports from seven countries, and nearly 7,500 employees, Wonderful Citrus believes in investing in its people and partners. It operates 10 packing house locations in various regions across the country, including its main operations in California, Texas, New Jersey, and Mexico. As pioneers in produce marketing, Wonderful Citrus’ team of more than 200 in-store merchandisers – the largest in produce – work closely with retailers to leverage eye-catching branded packaging and high-graphic in-store point-of-sale displays in strategic locations throughout grocery stores to ensure continued growth and success. Similarly, Wonderful Citrus has expanded its impact in the food service sector by collaborating with key distributors to offer fresh, high-quality citrus that enhances menu offerings.
Best-in-class brands and fruit – From seed to shelf and root to fruit, Wonderful Citrus offers comprehensive nursery services, expert farming guidance, and state-of-the-art packing and juicing facilities, while delivering best-in-class sales and merchandising capabilities. Wonderful Citrus cultivates and harvests over 74,000 acres of fresh citrus and ships it around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply. By adhering to strict taste and quality standards, Wonderful Citrus maintains optimal quality for its varieties at every point of the season. This unwavering commitment to consistent quality helps set Wonderful Citrus apart from generic produce options, as consumers want brands they know and trust. Additionally, leveraging the innovation and best practices from its success with Wonderful Halos and tapping into consumers’ growing preference for seedless varieties, Wonderful Seedless Lemons is poised to disrupt the produce category. These non-GMO Project Verified, 100% naturally seedless lemons are driving substantial gains for the lemon category, accounting for 100% of bagged lemon category growth for three consecutive years.
Value beyond our products– Wonderful Citrus is committed to protecting the environment through sustainable farming practices, not only for the future of its business but for many communities it’s a part of. Its acreage and scale allow Wonderful Citrus to be at the forefront of progressive agricultural techniques, helping to set the bar in quality control, water conservation efforts, specialized nurseries, and integrated pest management systems. To strive for a healthier planet, Wonderful Citrus has taken measurable actions toward waste reduction, water stewardship, and carbon emissions tracking. In fact, 100% of Wonderful Citrus’ operations will be powered by renewable energy by the end of 2025. Additionally, Wonderful Citrus is a strong pillar in the community that supports unique philanthropic efforts where its employees live and work. Wonderful Citrus’ parent company, The Wonderful Company, and its owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have invested more than $2.5 billion in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility initiatives globally, including $1.3 billion in environmental sustainability efforts to help fight climate change.
As Wonderful Citrus looks ahead, it will focus on long-term growth and expansion, along with supply chain diversification. This will be achieved by continuing to strengthen relationships with growers and suppliers worldwide to ensure a premium-quality and reliable year-round supply, while also expanding into new international markets for exports. Wonderful Citrus is also investing in farming and cultivation activities to introduce and enhance the availability of high-demand varieties throughout the year.
For more information about Wonderful Citrus and its industry leadership, visit wonderfulcitrus.com
About Wonderful Citrus
Wonderful Citrus is the world’s leading vertically integrated citrus company that grows, ships, and packs fresh citrus, including clementine/mandarin, navel, and Valencia oranges; lemons; limes; grapefruits; and other citrus varieties. Wonderful Citrus cultivates and harvests over 74,000 acres of fresh citrus and ships it around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply. Its citrus can be found in the produce department of grocery stores across America under the flagship consumer brands of Wonderful Halos mandarins and Wonderful Seedless Lemons.
Wonderful Citrus is part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $6 billion global company, which also has other No. 1 brands such as Wonderful Pistachios, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, JUSTIN Wine, and Teleflora. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products, and its core values, please visit wonderful.com, or follow The Wonderful Company on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. To learn more about The Wonderful Company’s corporate social responsibility impact, visit csr.wonderful.com.
Current terms for U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) State Members and USHBC Importer #2, #3 and #4, and Exporter #2 (Canada) will end on December 31, 2025. Nominations will take place over the next few months to fill these 12 positions on the council. Nomination requests for USHBC State and Exporter Member positions will be handled by each country or state commission, except Florida, which will be sent by the USHBC to growers in Florida this March. The nomination packet will include a USHBC Nomination Application Form and instructions, and a USHBC Information Sheet. Nomination packet information will also be posted on the USHBC website at ushbc.blueberry.org/forms/.
The USHBC Industry Engagement Committee will be accepting nominees in 2025 to be considered by the committee for the Importer #2, #3 and #4 Member positions, as well as Alternates, on the council. The nomination period opens March 21, 2025. Nominees for these positions are sought for a three-year term beginning on January 1, 2026. The committee will present the recommended slate of nominees to the USHBC. Once approved, the Industry Engagement Committee will submit a final list of candidates for member and alternate to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, along with two additional candidates for each of the three positions for the secretary’s final appointment consideration.
Blueberry industry members interested in being considered for the USHBC Exporter or State Member and Alternate positions are encouraged to reach out directly to your country or state commission, respectively. Those interested in Importer Member and Alternate positions should complete the nomination application form (OMB No. 0581-0093) and email it to elections@blueberry.org, which must be received by the USHBC office no later than Friday, April 18, 2025.
All members of the blueberry industry are encouraged to attend and participate in USHBC meetings and are asked to also consider future service with the USHBC as an appointed committee member. Please contact the USHBC office via email at elections@blueberry.org if you have questions concerning the USHBC or need more information about USHBC members or alternate positions.
As part of a national team of entomologists studying the management of spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), the UC Cooperative Extension is reaching out to Central Coast Strawberry and Caneberry growers/PCAs regarding a survey on SWD Impacts. This survey will help us understand the current impacts of SWD on your farm and how these impacts may have changed in the last 10 years.
How will this information be used? This information will be used to develop new research goals as part of a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative proposal under development. It will also be compared to information collected in similar surveys in 2013 and 2014 to help us understand where challenges still exist for SWD management and what improvements have been made over the last 10 years and shared in extension and scholarly publications.
Who should I contact for more information? For more information about SWD management, contact Dylan Beal, djbeal@ucanr.edu, 831.294.9419, or members of our project team. For more information about this survey, contact Hannah Levenson, hklevens@ncsu.edu, 919.434.7882.
Fusarium wilt of lettuce, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOL), is an economically significant disease on the Central Coast of California. We conducted field trials to evaluate 30 iceberg and 21 romaine varieties for tolerance to Fusarium wilt. The trials were located in commercial fields in Greenfield, CA (wet date of May 27, 2024) and Salinas, CA (wet date of June 8, 2024). Foliar disease severity was visually evaluated on July 31-August 2, 2024 at Greenfield and on August 5-7, 2024 at Salinas and converted to a marketability (yes or no) rating. Disease pressure was high at both locations. Iceberg varieties that exceeded 50% marketability at both locations were Powerball and two coded entries from Vilmorin-Mikado. Nine varieties exceeded 50% marketability at Greenfield but not Salinas, and two varieties exceeded the same threshold at Salinas but not Greenfield. For romaine, 19 out of 22 varieties exceeded 90% marketability at Greenfield, but only two of those varieties (Holbrook and Momentus) also exceeded the same threshold at Salinas. In a greenhouse experiment, isolates from Greenfield showed a susceptible reaction on variety Costa Rica #4, which is consistent with the Costa Rica FOL race variant. Although FOL race 1 is suspected to be present at the Salinas location, greenhouse testing is not complete. These trials provide public data on the tolerance of iceberg and romaine varieties to Fusarium wilt.
Methods
Field trials were conducted in Greenfield, CA and Salinas, CA to evaluate both in-slot and out-of-slot varieties (30 iceberg and 21 romaine) for tolerance to Fusarium wilt in commercial fields with disease history. At Greenfield, bed center spacing was 80 inches, and plots were 1 plant line wide by 100 ft. long. Due to space constraints, 4 iceberg and 10 romaine varieties were not included in the Salinas trial. At Salinas, bed center spacing was 40 inches, and plots were 1 plant lines wide by 40 ft. long. Iceberg and romaine varieties were evaluated separately, and plots of each type were arranged in a randomized complete block with four replications. Treatments were direct seeded using the grower-cooperators’ planters at Greenfield and using single-line push planters at Salinas. The wet dates were May 27, 2024 for Greenfield and June 8, 2024 for Salinas. The Greenfield trial was maintained to commercial standards for lettuce production, whereas the Salinas trial was not. After thinning by commercial crews, 50 plants at Greenfield and 30 plants at Salinas in the center of each plot were counted, and the section was marked with stakes. Data were collected from this center section. Evaluations were performed on July 31-August 2 at Greenfield and August 5-7 at Salinas, which was before maturity at the Salinas trial. Foliar disease severity was assessed on a 0 to 4 scale where: 0 = healthy; 1 = wilting or chlorosis of one to three outer leaves; 2 = up to moderate stunting and wilting or chlorosis of <25% of leaf area; 3 = head is severely stunted or absent and between 25% and 75% of leaf area is wilting or chlorotic; and 4 = head is absent and >75% of leaf area is chlorotic and nearly dead, or plant is entirely dead. For analysis, foliar disease severity was converted to marketability, where: disease severity of 0 or 1 = marketable; and disease severity of 2, 3, or 4 = not marketable. Marketability data was analyzed by an analysis of variance (P < 0.05), and variety means were separated using Tukey’s honestly significant difference test.
Results – Race of the FOL pathogen present
Two races of FOL are present on the Central Coast: race 1, and a novel race variant (Nayak et al., 2024). We are using the temporary name “Costa Rica FOL variant” for the novel race variant until it is officially named following completion of the upcoming ring test, which is a collaborative experiment between researchers and seed companies. To determine the FOL race present, isolates from each location were evaluated in a race typing experiment in the greenhouse. Variety Costa Rica #4 showed a susceptible reaction to both Greenfield isolates, which supports the observation that the Costa Rica FOL race variant is present at the Greenfield location. We suspect FOL race 1 is present at the Salinas location. However, greenhouse testing of the Salinas location isolates is ongoing.
Results – Marketability
Disease pressure was high at both locations. Iceberg varieties that exceeded 50% marketability at both locations were Powerball and two coded entries from Vilmorin-Mikado (Table 1). Nine varieties exceeded 50% marketability at Greenfield only: Balboa, Fontinas, Meridian, Paraiso, San Andreas, San Miguel, two coded entries from Salinas Valley Seeds, and one coded entry from Sakata. In contrast, two varieties exceeded the same threshold at Salinas only: Fredonia and a coded entry from Takii. This pattern of some varieties showing large differences in performance between locations whereas others showed similar performance suggests that a different race is present at each location, but this has not yet been confirmed by greenhouse testing.
Of the 21 romaine varieties evaluated, two varieties exceeded 90% marketability at both locations: Holbrook and Momentus (Table 2). A total of 17 out of 21 varieties exceeded the same threshold at Greenfield but not Salinas. At the Salinas location, Holbrook and Momentus were not statistically different from four varieties (Boronda, Copious, Patton, and Solid Heart) with average percent marketability ranging from 77% to 88%.
If you have additional questions about these trials, please contact Alex Putman at 951-522-9556 or aiputman@ucr.edu.
Please Send Us Samples
We are continuing to collect samples of lettuce Fusarium wilt to determine the distribution of races and to monitor the pathogen. To support this research, please contact the person in your region. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz Counties – Yu-Chen Wang (831-201-9689 or yckwang@ucanr.edu)
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or Ventura Counties – Chris Greer (805-888-1355 or cagreer@ucanr.edu)
Any other California county – Alex Putman (951-522-9556 or aiputman@ucr.edu)
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to D’Arrigo Brothers Co. of California and an anonymous grower for the space and maintenance of the variety field trials. We thank seed producers for providing seed for the trial. Funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA. Funding was also provided by the California Leafy Greens Research Program.
References
Nayak, S., K.L. Richardson, A.I. Putman, N.R. LeBlanc, F.N. Martin, N. Li, and J.D. McCreight. 2024. Detection of novel pathogenic variants of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae in California. Plant Pathology Early View. doi:10.1111/ppa.14019
Since the mid-2000s, citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB), has taken a toll on citrus fruits, causing significant crop and economic losses for citrus growers from Florida to Texas, and threatening to make its way to California — the nation’s #1 citrus state.
An aerial view of the new APHIS-funded Grove-First test site. Here researchers can partner with ARS scientists to evaluate therapies to combat citrus greening disease. (Photo by Cody Estes, owner of Estes Citrus Inc., Vero Beach, FL).
Photo Caption: An aerial view of the new APHIS-funded Grove-First test site. Here researchers can partner with ARS scientists to evaluate therapies to combat citrus greening disease. (Photo by Cody Estes, owner of Estes Citrus Inc., Vero Beach, FL).
With citrus trees in all major U.S. citrus-producing states affected by the bacterial pathogen, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is working to combat the disease. Citrus greening affects a variety of citrus fruits — with the greatest damage occurring within Florida’s orange groves.
Through the project “Grove-First,” ARS scientists Michelle Heck and Randall Niedz are working to stop citrus greening from overtaking these vital crops. Grove-First invites fellow researchers, citrus growers, and industry experts to test their scientific models to curb the effects of citrus greening directly in the field.
“We want to provide access to anyone in the research community to test their therapy against citrus greening,” said Heck. “This new project is going to open the door [to further research] and obliterate the barrier between the lab and the field. We are going to provide researchers with the ability to test their therapies directly in the field.”
With the support of ARS and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Grove-First will leverage a commercial grove in Vero Beach, FL, to evaluate different treatments on both mature and young trees.
“The only way to determine if a treatment works is to actually see it work in the field,” added Niedz. “When you have a woody perennial like citrus trees, they are large, and therefore expensive to grow. Most researchers simply don’t have the resources, or access to the trees. With Grove-First, we now have a field site to welcome collaborations with some of the best researchers in the country.”
Heck tributes citrus growers for bringing Grove-First to fruition as a collaborative project. She said that in the past, the only way growers could fight citrus greening disease was to deliver therapies to trees using broadcast sprayers or through irrigation lines.
Because citrus greening disease attacks the vascular tissue of citrus trees, many growers have now turned to injecting individual citrus trees with an antibiotic treatment, such as oxytetracycline, which delivers more immediate treatment.
“The innovation to open up field testing and Grove-First research came from grower willingness to treat each individual citrus tree by direct injection,” said Heck. “This was transformative.”
Grove-First will welcome researchers with three important considerations.
“We want the treatments to be safe … safe for the (citrus) trees and safe for the workers,” Heck said. “They also must be affordable for the grower, and they must be available. The treatments that are safe, affordable, and available will be prioritized for screening through Grove-First.” – By Tami Terella-Faram, USDA-ARS Office of Communications
The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) approved Ag Order 4.0 in April of 2021. This regulatory action requires growers to calculate the quantity of nitrogen (N) that leaves their fields in harvested product. This value is needed to calculate the metric applied (A) minus removed (R) nitrogen (A-R) which indicates the amount of N that remains in the field over the season and is considered the load of N at risk for nitrate leaching to groundwater resources that municipalities rely upon for drinking water. In Table 1 crop removal coefficients are provided for 75 crops and crop products. They include the larger acreage vegetable crops such as lettuce and broccoli as well as smaller acreage crops such as summer squash, green beans and Asian vegetables. Given the large number of species, gerberas (no foliage on the stem) and snap dragons (foliage on the stem) were evaluated as representative flower crops. Growers producing different flower crops can substitute gerberas or snap dragons to supply the N removal estimate of their crops.
The crop removal coefficient is multiplied by the total weight of harvested product to provide an estimate of the pounds of N that are removed from the field. This information can then be used to report N removal from production fields to the CCRWQCB.
For instance, in the case of whole heads of bulk romaine lettuce which in this example has a net* yield of 36,000 lbs/acre:
36,000 lbs harvested product/acre x 0.00149 = 53.6 lbs of N/acre removed
*subtract box weight from gross weight.
N removal coefficients were determined by multiplying the percent moisture content of the harvested product by its total N content. We worked with harvest crews to get freshly harvested products and immediately measured the moisture content. The samples were then dried and sent to the UC Davis Analytical Lab for total N content. We collected 4 to 6 samples per field from at least 10 to 15 production fields with diverse soil types, production practices and growing conditions (see Table 1 for exact number of fields sampled for each commodity), and as a result, there is variability around the mean values which is shown in Table 1.
Coefficients tend to be higher for commodities with high N content and high percent solids. The CCRWQCB allows growers to use different coefficients if they can justify their use; and growers can also develop their own coefficients using CCRWQCB guidelines. However, N removal coefficients for a given crop will tend to fall in certain ranges. For instance, high N content leafy vegetables will have higher coefficients that will tend to vary from 0.005 to 0.006. Head vegetables tended to range from 0.002 to 0.003. So, although coefficients may vary to some degree, they will tend to fall within certain ranges. In the above example if the maximum coefficient of 0.00166 was used for bulk romaine, the increase in the estimate of N removal would only be about 6 lbs N/acre (59.8 lbs N/acre removed). — By Richard Smith, UCCE Monterey County, Michael Cahn, UCCE Monterey County, Aparna Gazula, UCCE Santa Clara County, Daniel Geisseler, UC Davis, and Andre Biscaro, UCCE Ventura County
Table 1. Mean and range of crop coefficients (coeff) developed by this FREP funded project and additional crops evaluated. Factors used to develop the coefficients are also included: percent dry matter (%DM) and percent nitrogen (%N)
“This workshop brings together University of California scientists, irrigation and water industries, government agencies and the farming community to discuss advances in irrigation tools and technologies and provide a guide to smart farming choices in the low desert region,” said Ali Montazar, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation and water management advisor for Imperial County.
The workshop will feature 19 presentations on cutting-edge irrigation technologies and innovations and precision farming irrigation. The irrigation industry will exhibit the latest products and technologies.
Presentations will include a reservoir and hydrology update for the Lower Colorado River and cover alfalfa water use, water conservation, emerging irrigation tools and technologies, the Imperial Irrigation District Water Conservation Program, the California Department of Foods and Agriculture’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, and Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistance Programs.
The workshop, a “guide to smart farming choices in the Low Desert Region,” begins at 8 a.m. at the Barbara Worth Country Club, 2050 Country Club Dr., Holtville, CA 92250.
In one of the conservatories, a team of UC Cooperative Extension advisors and staff grew seven varieties of basil and by the end of October, the plants stretched nearly two feet tall with leaves large enough to warrant a closer look. The wonderful smell would soon become delightful tastes, as the team planned to turn the basil into pesto.
L to R: Gerry Spinelli, Chris Shogren, UCCE Environmental Horticulture Advisor, Lindsey Pedroncelli and Natalie Levy, UCCE Soil Health and Organics Material Management Advisor, pose with a batch of fresh pesto.
“The rationale was to provide a high-value crop and a value-added solution for urban horticulture, transforming a highly perishable product into something that can be conserved,” said Gerardo “Gerry” Spinelli, UC Cooperative Extension production horticulture advisor for San Diego County, who initiated the passion project.
After noticing a sign at South Coast REC asking consumers to use produce grown onsite in their everyday cooking, Spinelli felt inspired. The sign also requested photos of homemade dishes be sent to South Coast REC’s interim director, Lindsey Pedroncelli, to generate content for the REC’s Instagram account.
Envisioning a “bigger picture” for this effort, Spinelli turned to Pedroncelli for support. The two agreed that the basil project demonstrates a viable pathway for urban growers who have limited space, and positions South Coast REC as an ideal partner for such endeavors. Uniquely located in urban Irvine, South Coast REC has nearly 200 acres of land reserved for agricultural research and is one of nine RECs housed under UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“Urban growers are constantly looking for new ways to grow food and market their products. Growing plants using the Kratky hydroponic system is a low-input method that is simple to establish and easy to maintain,” said Pedroncelli.
Aside from its research purposes, the project was the perfect opportunity to engage other advisors and staff at South Coast REC. The extra hands and taste buds that helped with this effort would later be known as the South Coast REC Pesto Task Force.
Growing in hydroponics
Given Spinelli and Pedroncelli’s Italian ancestry, it was no question that the basil would be used to make pesto – a traditional sauce originating from Genoa, Italy that’s commonly consumed on pasta. In just about two months, the following basil varieties flourished in a hydroponic system: cinnamon, Mrs. Burns’ Lemon, Kapoor Tulsi, Thai Towers, Amethyst Improved, Red Rubin and the traditional Genovese. With these varieties, Spinelli and Pedroncelli were also interested in testing how taste and color affect the pesto.
Since learning about the Kratky method, a passive hydroponic technique developed by Bernard Kratky at the University of Hawai’i, Spinelli has championed it as an easy and affordable way to grow food. He has produced several videos in English and Spanish about the technique on his YouTube Channel and created a fact sheet that can be downloaded from his website.
Some of its advantages are the low initial capital investment, excellent water and nitrogen use efficiency, short cycle of production and the fact that it is modular and easy to set up, move and store – a major advantage for growers who only have access to space for a limited time and investments on immobile structures are not justifiable.
For the setup, eight 2’-by-3’ tubs were used, and each was filled with 20 gallons of water before adding a fertilizer mix that contains one ounce of calcium nitrate, one ounce of magnesium sulfate or Epson salt and 0.6 ounces of lettuce formula. With the additional steps of seeding, drilling holes into the Styrofoam, and placing the net cups with seedlings into each hole, Spinelli estimated about 30 minutes of setup for each tub.
A few of the basil varieties before they were harvested to make pesto.
Estimating potential profit for urban growers
Although prices per quantity vary, he also estimated about $25 for the 20-gallon tub, a panel of Styrofoam and net baskets, which can all be reused. In addition, the fertilizer and propagation materials, including seeds and pellets, will cost roughly $68. When breaking these materials down according to the number of growing cycles, about one to two months each, the cost amounts to approximately $5 per tub for 25 cycles.
Using basil sold at Trader Joe’s for reference, Spinelli estimated that each ounce of basil grown is worth about 70 cents. The “million-dollar question,” as Spinelli puts it, is how much profit one can earn from this endeavor. Because the Amethyst Improved and Red Rubin varieties had the lowest yields of 12 and 18 ounces, they were combined to make 40 ounces of pesto. In contrast, Genovese had the highest yield of 51 ounces of basil – which produced 64 ounces of pesto.
Using a ratio of 0.7 to 0.9 ounces of basil for every liquid ounce of pesto, and calculating projected value based on Trader Joe’s pricing, the Amethyst Improved and Red Rubin combined pesto had a projected value of $21, whereas Genovese had a projected value of $36. Without being combined with any other variety, however, the smallest projected value was the Kapoor Tulsi variety which had a yield of 22.5 ounces, making 28 ounces of pesto and resulting in a $16 projected value.
There are a few costs that Spinelli and Pedroncelli could not account for, such as hypothetical transportation to the market for sale, and the various prices of ingredients used to make pesto – almonds and walnuts, for instance, could be used as a cheaper alternative to the traditional pine nuts.
“With a traditional recipe you spend $5 for the basil and $25 for the other ingredients to produce eight 8-ounce jars of pesto. If you can sell each jar for $10 at the farmers market, there are $50 for profit – maybe more if you can sell one jar for $15, or you can save with non-traditional ingredients,” Spinelli explained.
An additional advantage, which may come with additional expenses, is that pesto can be conserved. The business model could be that the grower sells basil at the farmers market and transforms the unsold product into pesto before it goes bad.
“Getting involved in agriculture can be intimidating and costly, so researching and showcasing inexpensive methods that can easily be scaled to fit your needs is incredibly helpful for both new and seasoned growers,” Pedroncelli said.
South Coast REC staff offer taste buds at ‘pesto party’
Following their harvests in October, Spinelli and Pedroncelli hosted two “pesto parties” for staff at South Coast REC. Although traditional pesto is made with Genovese basil, pine nuts, garlic, Pecorino cheese and olive oil, Spinelli and Pedroncelli experimented with different cheeses and nuts across the seven varieties of basil. Staff offered their taste buds and critical review of each pesto, advising the two chefs to add more or less of a particular ingredient.
Eager to share their progress and vision with UC ANR’s senior leadership, Spinelli and Pedroncelli carefully preserved and packaged eight jars of homemade pesto and had it specially delivered to Vice President Glenda Humiston.
“This is a creative way to demonstrate innovation and a fantastic opportunity to support our urban communities. It’s not just practical, but economically feasible,” said Humiston, who was pleasantly surprised by the pesto delivery. “Plus, I love pesto!” she added.
What started out as a passion project quickly turned into an opportunity to show how a resource hub like South Coast REC can empower its urban clientele both educationally and economically. It was also the perfect opportunity to engage South Coast REC staff in an activity outside of their day-to-day responsibilities, making for excellent photo ops and social media posts. — By Saoimanu Sope, UCANR
Darren Haver (left), REC System Director, and Saoimanu Sope (right), Digital Communications Specialist, present the gift of pesto to Vice President Glenda Humiston (center) from the South Coast REC Pesto Task Force.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, economic and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu.
