California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: Strawberries

  • 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

  • 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

     

  • UC ANR: April Showers Bring Ruined Berries

    The Salinas Watsonville growing region was beset by significant amounts of rain recently, so it was time to go out and have a look. According to UC Ag and Natural Resources, the fruit is being thrown away instead of being put into clamshells and boxes for shipping.

    Much of the damage in the pictures below has to do with “water soaking”, meaning the riper fruit has pulled water into itself via osmotic pressure and the extra water coming in so quick has subsequently burst the epidermis.  A general rule of thumb is that most varieties of strawberry can take up to 1/2 inch of water before they manifest “water soaking” damage, so the berries around here which were subjected to 1 1/2 inches of water didn’t stand a chance.

  • Ventura County Farmers, Researchers Convene to Explore Regenerative Ag

    Ventura County will host a two-field series about regenerative ag this May, bringing together growers, ag researchers and sustainability leaders to explore the future of the region’s specialty crops.

    The series will be presented in partnership with the Ecological Farming Association, and will allow attendees to examine practical approaches to regenerative farming across avocados, citrus and strawberries — three cornerstone crops in Ventura County.

    The series will begin May 4 at Rancho Dos Hermanas in Fillmore, where participants will explore regenerative strategies in orchard systems, putting a focus on soil health, biodiversity and water management. The second event will take place May 11 at McGrath Family fam in Camarillo. This event, in partnership with the Rodale Institute, will highlight regenerative approaches to strawberry production that support long-term productivity and ecological resilience.

    “Ventura County has long been an agricultural leader, and growers here are increasingly interested in systems that work with nature rather than against it,” Nina Morris Thomson, Co-Fournder of Ranco Dog Hermanas. “This series is designed to bring farmers and scientists together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and strengthen the future of agriculture in our region.”

    People speaking and contributing to the event include:

    • Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Founder of the Ecdysis Foundation and the 1000 Farm Initiative

    • Tony Serrano, regenerative organic certified farmer, Salinas Valley
    Phil McGrath, McGrath Family Farms

    • Researchers from Cal Poly Pomona studying diversified orchard systems

    • Experts in pest management, irrigation efficiency, biodiversity and organic certification

  • California Strawberry Growers & Farm Workers Pick Safety

    Pick Safety is a new effort from the California Strawberry Commission to highlight farm worker safety and industry-leading training and safety practices by emphasizing that everybody is responsible to always pick safety.

    “Our new I Pick Safety logo reminds people to be safe and healthy, and it highlights why this is important,” said Carolyn O’Donnell, communications director of the Commission. “Incorporating the tag line ‘For Me. For All.’ keeps the focus on every person’s role in protecting our families—from kids to seniors, along with the community at large.”

    The Commission is highly respected for its award-winning food safety program, providing train-the-trainer, classroom and in-field training programs, as well as sustainability and a variety of workforce training and safety courses. As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic was identified, the Commission went straight to work, identifying how to keep workers safe and healthy, and working with government and medical experts to provide the best advice available to California strawberry farmers.

    The Commission’s website has become the go-to source for current information on the coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, specifically tailored for farms and farm workers (https://www.calstrawberry.com/en-us/Coronavirus). This website has a series of audio, video, visual aids, guidance, and other resources that are available in English and translated into Spanish and Mixtec to help farm workers stay safe on the job and at home. Many materials are printed and suitable for posting on the ranch.

    Over the past 60 days, the Commission staff has visited nearly every strawberry farm currently operating in California, and provided on-site training, signage and informative materials to keep farm workers healthy, highlighting the Centers for Disease Control guidance on creating a safer work environment, and how to protect oneself through daily activities.

    California’s 400+ family strawberry farms provide over 70,000 well-paying jobs and generate over $3.4 billion of annual economic impact. “Strawberries are one of the most labor-intensive crops, and strawberry farmers are working diligently to protect farm workers while providing a consistent supply of this nutritious fruit to consumers,” said  O’Donnell. “Many strawberry farmers started in the fields planting and picking berries. This gives them a unique perspective and they are very appreciative and protective of their workforce.”  

    The Commission’s efforts include information on increased illness prevention training (at home and work), adopting crew and schedule modifications to implement social distancing during harvest, increasing the amount of hand washing facilities and hand sanitizing stations available in the field, sanitizing field facilities and work stations more frequently and keeping a watchful eye on employee health.

    Strawberry farmers and field supervisors are also working to quickly identify any workers who may be exhibiting illness symptoms and are being trained to help them isolate the individual to avoid spreading the virus to others. In California, most strawberry farm workers have paid sick leave as well as health insurance.

    While COVID-19 presents new challenges, for many years farmers in California have operated under the most stringent standards in the nation, governing field sanitation and worker safety. These existing standards have provided an important basis for the I Pick Safety program as farmers move with expediency to adopt worker protection protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, maintain the health of our dedicated farm workers and ensure the safety of our food supply. The increased training and attention during this coronavirus pandemic should reassure consumers that wholesome and delicious strawberries will remain available for their families to enjoy.

    About California Strawberries:

    The California Strawberry Commission represents more than 400 strawberry farmers, shippers, and processors, proudly working together to advance strawberry farming for the future of our land and people. Commission programs create opportunities for success through groundbreaking programs focused on workforce training, strawberry production research, and nutrition research. Through science-based information and education, we deliver good news about sustainable farming practices that benefit the health of people, farms, and communities. California Strawberry Commission

  • 2020 Strawberry Market Outlook with Rabobank

    Strawberry planted acreage in California is up YOY in 2020 from its lowest level in almost 15 years, and increased plantings in the Santa Maria producing region continue. Florida’s acreage remains flat, while strawberry plantings in Mexico continue to expand.

    Updated estimates, based on our proprietary analytical tool, show that weekly strawberry shipments will increase in 2020, especially during California peak season in May and June, bringing prices down in specific weeks, compared to observed prices in 2019. We now include estimates for the organic strawberry market. Higher yields and acreage will boost weekly shipments during spring/summer 2020. Despite general price-pressure, there are market windows with potentially more favorable opportunities in the organic space for cost-competitive firms.


    Impacts from COVID-19 are a mixed-bag for the strawberry industry. Food-service sales are in decline, while retail grocery sales have jumped. Labor availability is being negatively impacted, and remains the biggest issue.

     

    Click here to download the report

  • Breeding a Better Strawberry:Scientists Uncover Genetic Roadmap of Cultivated Strawberry

    Consumers want strawberries to be red, sweet, ripe and juicy, like those fresh picked from a garden. Suppliers want them to be easy to handle and ship, without getting squished. Commercial strawberry growers need their crops to be high-yielding and disease-resistant.

    An international team of scientists led by the University of California, Davis, and Michigan State University has taken a step that might allow breeders to grow a strawberry to satisfy all those needs. They’ve sequenced and analyzed the genome of the cultivated strawberry, which will provide a genetic roadmap to help more precisely select desired traits. The study was published today (Feb. 25) in the journal Nature Genetics.

    “Without the genome we were flying blind,” said Steven Knapp, professor of plant sciences and director of the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program. “It was like having a library of books, but all the books’ pages were blank.”

    Protecting strawberries from disease

    The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of strawberries, and almost 90 percent of them are grown in the cool, coastal climates of California. Growers are constantly struggling to fight off diseases like Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt and Macrophomina without having to use fumigants. The assembled genome will allow scientists to pinpoint specific genes that can protect the plant against diseases. Strawberries can also have diseases that may involve several different genes, similar to complex diseases in humans. Sequencing the genome will help unravel that complexity.

    “The genome sequence is powerful because it provides scientists with barcodes for nearly all the genes in strawberry. We can use that information to identify genes that play an important role in traits of agricultural importance,” said Knapp.

    Similarly, scientists may also be able to find genes in the strawberry that lead to increased flavor or aroma for the consumer, while maintaining the firmness and shelf life for producers.

    strawberriesOrigins of the strawberry

    Patrick Edger, co-corresponding author with Michigan State University, and his team also deciphered the complex evolutionary history of the cultivated strawberry. While humans are diploid species, meaning each cell contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, the cultivated strawberry is an octoploid. Each cell in a strawberry plant contains eight complete sets of chromosomes, so untangling its evolution is a feat.

    “Strawberry has a rich history that spans the globe, ultimately culminating in the fruit we enjoy today,” said Edger.

    Other UC Davis authors in the study include postdoctoral scholars Thomas Poorten and Michael Hardigan. The study was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, and the California Strawberry Commission.

    — By Amy Quinton in Food & Agriculture

  • New High-Yield Strawberry, Raspberry Varieties Released

    By Krisy Gashler

    These berries yield like the dickens.

    Cornell’s berry breeding program is releasing two new varieties, which will be available for planting in spring 2019: a strawberry, Dickens, and a raspberry, Crimson Treasure. Both varieties produce large fruits with vibrant colors that maintain peak flavor for longer than most heritage varieties.

    The new berries are the handiwork of berry breeder Courtney Weber, associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences based at Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, New York.

    Dickens is a traditional, June-bearing strawberry with high yields and bright red fruit that continues bearing late into the season. The berries are firm, so they hold well on the plant and in the container, Weber said, but not so firm that they have no flavor. Strawberries are the third-leading fruit crop in New York state, but most strawberries sold in supermarkets are from California.

    “With New York-grown berries, because we don’t have to ship so far, we can handle a softer fruit. And people notice the softer, sweeter, juicier fruit,” Weber said. “Customers can get supermarket strawberries any day of the week; the reason people make the effort to come to the farm stand or farmers market and buy the local product is because it tastes so much better. Maintaining that flavor is paramount to what we do in our breeding program.”

    The Dickens strawberry was first discovered in Weber’s breeding fields in 2002 and was originally noticed for the plant’s hardiness in surviving cold winters, making it especially suitable for New York and other cold-winter climates. Production trials throughout the region have shown Dickens to be an adaptable and consistent producer of high-quality fruit. Dickens has been tested in annual and perennial production systems, without soil fumigation, and found to be tolerant to root rot and other common diseases.

    Weber has named his strawberry varieties after his favorite authors, including L’Amour, Clancy, Herriot, Walker and, most recently, Archer. Because this newest berry “yields like the dickens,” Weber decided to name it after prolific English author Charles Dickens.

    The new raspberry, Crimson Treasure, is also very high-yielding, with larger fruit than traditional varieties grown in the region. The well-known Heritage raspberry produces fruit of approximately 2.5 grams, while Crimson Treasure produces berries twice as large – averaging between 4 to 6 grams. That’s typical of what you see with supermarket raspberries, Weber said.

    Crimson Treasure is a fall-bearing raspberry with bright-red fruit that holds its color and texture well in storage.

    “Color is a big deal. You need fruit that does not darken after you pick them,” Weber said. “A lot of older varieties, after you pick them and put them in the cooler, they darken and then look overripe. This one doesn’t; it holds its color and eating quality well.”

    Crimson Treasure was originally discovered in 2012. Weber has worked to speed the process of developing new raspberry varieties because the program has so many international collaborators interested in raspberries. These collaborators plant trial raspberries and collect data, giving Weber more information on disease resistance and other traits that can inform his breeding trials.

    The name continues another Weber tradition. This is the third raspberry in the “Crimson” series. Two previously released raspberries were named Crimson Giant and Crimson Night.

    Cornell’s berry breeding program is the oldest in the country and is the only one in the Northeastern U.S. The university’s berries are grown all over the world: Crimson Treasure has been planted in trials in New York, California, Mexico and the European Union. The berry program works with commercial partners across North America, in Morocco, Spain and Portugal. Heritage, the most commonly grown raspberry variety in Chile, was developed at Cornell, and two Cornell raspberry varieties, Crimson Night and Double Gold, are under license in Japan.

    The Dickens strawberry will be available from Nourse Farms, a licensee in Whately, Massachusetts, 413-665-2658. Crimson Treasure raspberry will be available from North American Plants, a licensee in McMinnville, Oregon, 877-627-4636. For information on licensing opportunities, email Jess Lyga at the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University.

    Krisy Gashler is a freelance writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.