Here’s a look at what’s coming out of the fields this month, as California continues to roll with unusually warm weather, a lighter-than-predicted grape crop, and pest issues. Central Valley In the Central Valley, nuts and grapes are the biggest crops of the season. The almond harvest is almost complete, […]
October is a month of transition. Now that the summer harvest is behind us, growers have the chance to perform the maintenance and cleanup tasks that can make a big difference once winter arrives. If you’re looking to make the most of this month, here are four items to put […]
For California growers, October is the time to plant winter cover crops before the first heavy storms arrive. This year, that work may be more important than ever. A strong El Niño is already developing, raising the potential for wetter weather across California. When winter storms hit the mainland, runoff […]
It’s harvest time in California, and growers are in the middle of a big transition. Nut harvests are accelerating. Vegetable fields are under pressure. Wine grapes are being picked at a rapid rate. And across the state, everyone’s looking toward the upcoming cycle of cooler-weather crops. Here’s a region-by-region look […]
For California growers, the impacts of extreme weather are harder than ever to ignore. According to a recent Fortune report, farmers across the state have suffered more than $800 million in losses this year, thanks to a combination of drought, heat, and unusual weather patterns. The impacts of those events […]
September is harvest time in California, but this year’s calendar isn’t following the usual script. An usually warm spring pushed crops like stone fruit and grapes way ahead of schedule. Hot temperatures during pollination caused problems for pistachios and cherries, too. The result is an uneven season — one that […]
Every year, California produces millions of tons of agricultural and food residues. Most of that material has limited economic value at the moment. Thanks to the state’s emerging bioeconomy, though, researchers have identified ways to unlock new value from agricultural byproducts previously seen as waste. Renewable natural gas. Biofertilizers. Bioproducts. […]
Is your wine grape harvest looking lighter than expected? Don’t worry. The grape harvest experienced a very early start in 2026, followed by unusual springtime weather that left many grape clusters sparse or uneven. Overall numbers are certainly down, but experts say that a lighter harvest this year will help […]
June was California Avocado Month — a celebration of a harvest that’s expected to reach 330 million pounds this year, as well as a showcase of the growers and agricultural workers who keep the industry thriving. In a market still dominated by imported avocados, California-grown avocados stand out for their […]
Be sure to wash your fresh produce before you eat it! That’s good advice for any time of the year, but it’s particularly important this summer, as food-borne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis continue to climb in America. An intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, cyclosporiasis’ recent spread has been […]