California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Malcolm Media

  • This Week In Ag – September 9

    From new leadership in California wine to an expanding citrus quarantine, several developments are making news across California agriculture this week.

    Here are five stories to know in this week’s edition of This Week in Ag.

    The Wonderful Company Names Chris Avery President of Wine

    The Wonderful Company has named Chris Avery president of its wine business, effective Oct. 5.

    Avery currently serves as CEO of Shafer Vineyards and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the luxury wine industry. In his new position, he will oversee JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Landmark Vineyards and Lewis Cellars.

    Throughout his career, Avery has also held senior positions at Darioush, DAOU Family Estates, Patrimony Estate, Opus One and Jordan Vineyard & Winery.

    His experience includes operations, global sales and distribution, marketing, hospitality and direct-to-consumer business.

    CAWG Launches Merchandise for California Wine Month

    September is California Wine Month, and the California Association of Winegrape Growers is giving supporters a new way to celebrate.

    CAWG launched a collection of California wine merchandise designed to promote the state’s wine and recognize the growers and communities behind the industry.

    Proceeds from the collection will support CAWG’s ongoing advocacy efforts for California winegrape growers.

    California Wine Month has been celebrated since 2004 and recognizes the state’s wines, winegrowing regions and the people behind them.

    Almond Industry Award Nominations Open

    The Almond Board of California is accepting nominations for two awards recognizing contributions to the California almond industry.

    The Almond Achievement Award recognizes an industry member who has made a lasting impact through long-term service and commitment to California almonds.

    The Almond Technical Achievement Award focuses on contributions through research, innovation or helping the industry adopt practices that benefit growers and the broader almond sector.

    Nominations for the 2026 awards are due Oct. 9, with the recipients scheduled to be announced during The Almond Conference in December.

    In 2025, Ross Blackburn received the Almond Achievement Award, while Christine Gemperle received the Almond Technical Achievement Award.

    HLB Quarantine Expands in California

    Federal and state officials are expanding quarantined areas for Huanglongbing, or HLB, in parts of California.

    The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is adding one square mile to the Santa Paula quarantine area in Ventura County. The expansion impacts approximately 151.7 acres of commercial citrus.

    Another 10 square miles are being added to quarantined areas in Riverside and San Diego counties, impacting approximately 121.5 acres of commercial citrus.

    The expansion follows positive tests for the bacterium that causes HLB from plant tissue collected at residential properties.

    The quarantine and associated movement restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of HLB spreading into areas that are not currently infested.

    Western United Dairies Pursues Funding for Tule Subbasin Farmers

    Western United Dairies is pursuing additional federal conservation funding that could benefit farmers and agricultural land in the Tule Subbasin.

    The organization submitted two proposals to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

    The proposals build on existing water conservation efforts and programs such as LandFlex, with the goal of bringing additional resources to dairy farmers and agricultural operations in the region.

    Water availability and groundwater sustainability remain significant issues for agricultural operations throughout the Central Valley, making programs that support conservation and water management increasingly important for producers.

    Stay Connected with California Ag Network

    From wine and almonds to citrus, dairy and water, This Week in Ag brings together five stories impacting California agriculture each week.

    For more news impacting the California ag industry, follow California Ag Network.

  • Didn’t Get Much of a Cherry Crop This Year? This Might be Why…

    Some Central Valley cherry growers grappled with little to no yields this year. Cherries are notoriously a high risk crop, but can be highly profitable when they yield well. Unfortunately, that was not the case for some Central Valley growers this year. But how could this have happened? UC Cooperative Extension Fruit & Almond Advisor Raymond Mireles met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in the coming issue of California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Five Ways to Avoid Expensive Irrigation Repairs & DU Losses

    Irrigation systems today are amazing at getting just the right amount of water where it needs to be to meet a crop’s needs; however, if these systems are not well-maintained, things can go south pretty fast, resulting in distribution uniformity-related losses and expensive repairs. During his presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Tree & Vine Expo, UC Cooperative Extension Irrigation & Soils Advisor Moneim Mohamed noted that regular and proper irrigation system maintenance can prevent expensive repairs.  Watch his video interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network for five key tasks for preventative maintenance.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Stink Bugs Foul Up Central Valley Stone Fruit

    While growers hoped the invasive brown marmorated stink bug would stay out of California orchards, they seem to have taken a liking to stone fruit, along with other stink bug species, and caused problems for some growers this year. UC Cooperative Extension Fruit & Almond Advisor Raymond Mireles shared this at Malcolm Media’s recent Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno. Following his presentation, Raymond met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Why Do Some of My Peaches Stay Small and Never Fully Develop?

    Have you seen “nubbins” in your orchard? During a presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Tree & Vine Expo, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Cameron Zuber described nubbins as occasional smaller sized fruit you may find on a peach tree that never fully develops. Watch this brief interview as Zuber meets with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain nubbins and why you might be seeing them in your orchard.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • CAPCA on the Rise & Role of Biologicals in Crop Protection

    Crop protection tools are becoming more and more regulated and limited in California. Biostimulants, biopesticides and biofertilizers offer more options for growers. How they fit into conventional and organic farming systems is still being investigated and how the California Department of Pesticide Regulation should treat and classify them is still in debate. The California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) has been actively involved in the conversation though, advocating for tools for sustainable pest management. At their annual Conference, Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm sat down with CAPCA State Board Vice President Adam Tavares from AMVAC Chemical as he shared his perspective on where their at and priorities for the future.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • What is California Grown? New Board Chair Shares Perspective

    What is California Grown, its Mission, and what it means to the hundreds of agricultural commodities it represents? Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with the new Chair of the organization, Kiaran Locy from the California Prune Board to find out. Watch this video if you love agriculture and want to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • Western Brassica Growers Troubled by Diamondback Moth Insecticide Resistance

    When a prevalent pest like Diamondback Moth develops insecticide resistance, pest management costs can rise astronomically for farmers and can even lead to food shortages. California Fruit & Vegetable Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with CAPCA Board Member Kyle Kuechel from Syngenta to discuss the gravity of the situation, what growers can do to manage resistance issues, and what hope can be offered looking to the future.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • How to Effectively Control Rats on California Farms in a State of Emergency

    Rats have taken an unusual interest in the specialty crop capital of the nation. Many attribute the cause to the pest multiplying unchecked in orchards and vineyards in the Central Valley that have been abandoned due to water restrictions and economic challenges. This becomes a real problem when the rats move into neighboring farms in active production, tearing up driplines, feeding on crops and damaging trees. Growers are in a state of emergency and have limited tools for managing this pest.  Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with UCCE Wildlife Specialist Roger Baldwin at the California Association of Pest Control Adviser’s annual conference to gain answers on how to knock down populations effectively and keep the pest at bay.  Watch this brief interview and learn more by attending Baldwin’s presentation on rat control at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Nov. 14 (register to attend at agexpo.biz).

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot Grower Solutions for their industry support.

  • U.S. Blueberries ‘Go Big’ on Domestic & Global Marketing, California Hit a Sweet Spot This Year

    According to Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, California blueberry growers hit a sweet spot on the market this year and had a successful harvest season. Meanwhile, the two councils “Go Big” on their latest marketing efforts, determined to position blueberries as the world’s favorite fruit. Watch Cronquist’s brief interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and learn more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.