California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: UC ANR Connect

  • This Week In Ag – September 2

    Five stories are making headlines across California agriculture this week, from a familiar Central Valley face appearing on pistachio packaging to a new tool aimed at protecting cattle from New World screwworm. Here’s what you need to know in this week’s edition of This Week in Ag.

    Josh Allen Featured on Wonderful Pistachios Packaging

    Firebaugh native and NFL MVP Josh Allen is bringing more attention to one of California’s biggest specialty crops.

    Allen is featured on new limited-edition Wonderful Pistachios packaging rolling out at select retailers. The Buffalo Bills quarterback has a personal connection to the industry as a fourth-generation pistachio farmer.

    This marks the second year of Allen’s partnership with Wonderful Pistachios and also brings back the Josh Allen Scholarship program. The program supports first-generation students from Firebaugh pursuing higher education, providing recipients with up to $12,000 over four years of college.

    Nearly 40 high school seniors were accepted into the scholarship program during its first year.

    Blueberry Industry Votes to Continue U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

    The U.S. blueberry industry has voted in favor of continuing the work of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

    The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service announced that a majority of eligible blueberry producers and importers supported continuing the council.

    Created by the industry 26 years ago, USHBC works to increase consumer demand for blueberries, expand opportunities in global markets and provide resources to support the blueberry industry.

    FDA Authorizes Tool to Help Prevent New World Screwworm

    Cattle producers have another tool available as concerns surrounding New World screwworm continue.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Bimectin, an ivermectin injection, to help prevent New World screwworm infestations in certain cattle.

    Under the authorization, the product can be administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration or when a wound appears.

    Bimectin is not authorized for this use in lactating dairy cows or calves intended to be processed for veal.

    The FDA said available evidence indicates it is reasonable to believe the product may be effective when used as authorized and that its known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks.

    UC ANR Connect Seeks New Technology for California Agriculture

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is looking for agricultural technology that could benefit California growers.

    Applications are open for UC ANR Connect, a grower-informed commercialization program operated by UC ANR Innovate in partnership with Farmhand Ventures.

    Selected companies will receive commercialization support, feedback directly from California growers and agricultural professionals, industry connections and an opportunity to demonstrate their technology during a field day.

    The current application cycle is focused on commercially available technology for permanent and specialty crops, including fresh fruit, table grapes, pistachios, desert vegetables, berries, citrus and avocados.

    Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18.

    Mike Forbes Named President and CEO of American Pistachio Growers

    American Pistachio Growers has announced new leadership.

    Mike Forbes officially takes over as the organization’s president and CEO on Sept. 1, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across the food, consumer products and wellness industries.

    Forbes also has agricultural roots. A Wisconsin native, he grew up participating in 4-H and comes from a family of farmers. His career has included positions with McKinsey & Company, Jim Beam, Procter & Gamble and General Mills.

    As president and CEO, Forbes will lead American Pistachio Growers’ efforts to represent American pistachio growers and processors, strengthen domestic and international demand and promote the benefits of American-grown pistachios.

    Stay Up to Date with California Ag Network

    That’s this week’s look at five stories impacting agriculture.

    Follow California Ag Network for more news, industry updates and stories from across California agriculture.

  • UC ANR Connect Seeks Ag Tech for California Crops

    Applications are now open for UC ANR Connect, a grower-informed commercialization program operated by UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partnership with ag tech venture firm Farmhand Ventures. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18.

    Selected companies receive commercialization support, direct feedback from California growers and agricultural professionals, industry connections and the opportunity to demonstrate their technology live at a field day.

    The current application cycle is focused on commercially available technologies for permanent crops, including fresh fruit, table grapes, pistachios, desert vegetables, berries, citrus and avocados.

    “Entering the California market requires more than a strong technology. Companies need to understand how farmers make decisions, how their products fit into agricultural operations and what it takes to earn trust,” said Helle Petersen, director of UC ANR Innovate. “UC ANR Connect gives companies a structured way to build that understanding while developing relationships across California agriculture.”

    The program begins with challenges identified by California growers and agricultural professionals. UC ANR Innovate’s advisory board and agricultural partners help define priority needs and evaluate whether applicants have commercially available solutions that are relevant to those needs.

    Participants engage directly with growers, UC Cooperative Extension advisors, researchers and industry partners through customer-discovery conversations and feedback sessions. That input helps companies refine their value proposition, strengthen their market positioning and communicate more effectively with the people who may use, recommend or support their products.

    “The unique thing about our program is that it starts with grower priorities based on their biggest operational constraints,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead for UC ANR Connect. “We are looking for teams that have solutions to those problems and are ready to build lasting relationships in California agriculture.”

    The program culminates in a live field-day demonstration, where companies show their technology in an agricultural setting, explain how it works and answer questions from growers and other attendees. The demonstrations give companies immediate, practical feedback while allowing growers to evaluate emerging technologies before considering adoption.

    During its first two years, UC ANR Connect has worked with 55 companies through eight program cycles and brought more than 1,000 growers, researchers, agricultural professionals and industry representatives to its field days.

    Past participants have included Carbon Robotics, Verdant Robotics, Sami Robotics, Bonsai Robotics and Verdi Ag, with technologies spanning weed control, equipment automation, irrigation management, mechanical pollination, disease detection and harvest assistance.

    Applications must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2026. Learn more and apply at ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-innovate/ucanr-connect.

    UC ANR Innovate will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants and other interested stakeholders on Sept. 10, 2026, at 8 a.m. PDT. The webinar will explain how the program works, who should apply, how companies are selected and what participating companies can expect.

    Register for the webinar at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5x2lvlO-SjWcQjUIW3PFdQ#/registration.