We’re excited to unveil the full in-person schedule for this year’s Sustainable Ag Expo, happening November 11–12 at the Madonna Inn Expo Center. Whether you’re a grower, researcher, or ag business, our two-day program delivers actionable insights to help you grow smarter and more sustainably. Highlights include: Expert-led talks & cutting-edge research — Learn from leading voices in soil health, climate-smart farming, and ag-technology Practical, field-tested strategies — Gain tools you can implement immediately CE-accredited sessions — Earn continuing education hours while you learn Networking opportunities — Connect with peers, exhibitors, and industry experts Don’t miss your chance to plan the ultimate Expo experience!

Kick things off Monday, November 10 with an exclusive welcome event at Center of Effort Winery, then join us for two full days of seminar, and networking on November 11–12 at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo. What to expect:  • Expert-led sessions & cutting-edge research on soil health, climate-smart farming, ag-technology, and more  • Practical, field-tested strategies you can implement immediately  • Earn continuing education hours as you learn  • Networking opportunities with fellow growers, researchers and sustainable ag businesses Whether you’re looking to deepen your technical know-how, explore new innovations, or forge partnerships across the industry, the Sustainable Ag Expo delivers practical value for every ag professional. 🔗 View the full in-person schedule and secure your spot.

Doors open in 5 days! There's still time to get tickets for the Sustainable Ag Expo before prices increase!*  Doors open Tuesday, Nov. 12 & Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 am. *Prices increase Saturday, November 9 GET TICKETS Check out: The program schedule, featuring 16 in-person seminars hosted by industry experts. The Exhibitor Map, showcasing 63 sustainable ag companies. CE Hours Available 16 in-person seminars next Tuesday and Wednesday give you access to 7.5 DPR and 15.5 CCA hours. Continue taking your 12 online courses* through November 29 to earn an additional 10 DPR and 12 CCA hours. *Add your license numbers into the online portal *Online courses are accessible with a 2-day pass. FAQs Get ready for the premiere sustainable ag event of the year! Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for all of the info you need to know. If you have any questions that aren't addressed here, please reach out to Hayli@VineyardTeam.org.

Using Weather Data to Gauge Spray Drift Risk Sustainable Ag Expo   I   November 12    I    2:00-3:00 pm The regulatory situation of spray drift is changing, with increasing penalties for infractions. Mark Battany's presentation will explain the weather conditions that lead to drift and how data tools can help growers and applicators avoid spraying at high drift risk periods.  CE Approved: 1 DPR - O; 1 CCA - IPM Get Tickets!  --- Mark graduated with a B.S. in Agronomy from Colorado State University and an M.S. in Hydrologic Sciences from UC Davis. He subsequently spent two years at the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture in Cordoba, Spain as a Fulbright scholar. Mark worked for the UC Cooperative Extension from 2001 until 2024, initially as the Viticulture Farm Advisor and later the Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Now retired from UC, Mark will continue to work diligently

Panel: Areawide Management of Vine Mealybug and Leafroll Virus Sustainable Ag Expo   |   November 13    |    2:00-3:00 pm Dr. Kent Daane will be joined by a panel of expert growers from various California growing regions to discuss the challenges of areawide management of vine mealybug and leafroll virus. Get Tickets! --- Dr. Kent Daane is Professor of Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA. He has laboratories on the Berkeley Campus and at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, where his lab works on the development of integrated pest management (IPM) and sustainable agriculture programs for insect and mite pests of perennial crops. Research to improve and extension to implement insect pest management are his primary objectives and, to this goal, he has delivered 100s of presentations and co-authored numerous publications. Biolog

The 2024 Sustainable Ag Expo is set to take place from November 11-13, 2024. This year’s event promises an unparalleled educational experience, offering over 20 continuing education hours through both online and in-person programs. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into the latest innovations and research in pest management strategies, automation and mechanization, soil health, and more. The Expo boasts an impressive lineup of speakers from prestigious institutions such as UC Davis, Oregon State University, Cal Poly, and UC Berkeley. These experts will present cutting-edge findings and practices that are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.   Take a Sneak Peak: Monday, November 11, 5:00-6:00 pm Speaker: Fritz Westover, Westover Viticulture Dormant Grapevine Pruning & Vine Training: Are we Slowly Killing our Vines?: Hear from our Expo Headliner about the impact of pruning and training on vine health, the extent of problems caused by diseases versus w

Wondering who you'll meet at the Sustainable Ag Expo this year? Check out the exhibitor map to see who will be there and where you can find them. Our Exhibitor community is growing stronger than ever with the return of many of our fantastic Business Members, as well as some exciting new faces! Come network with these sustainable ag professionals and get up to date on the ever-changing practices, research, and innovations in viticulture and ag business.   Exhibitor Spotlight: Vineyard Industry Products Serving the needs of growers since 1979. Vineyard Industry Products believes integrity is vital to building long-term customer, employee, and vendor relationships. We thank VIP and their amazing team for being our 2024 Title Sponsor! Come see them at Booth C10!   Speaker Spotlight: Josiah Hunt Practical Applications of Pyrogenic Organic Matter (aka Biochar/Charcoal) in Vineyards  |  Tuesday, November 12  |  11:15a - 12:00p Charcoal has been part of topso

Farmers and agricultural experts indicate that better access to ongoing education is crucial to advance their businesses. Recognizing that advancements in science and technology are constant, Vineyard Team launched a series of online courses to deliver the latest education on sustainable winegrowing.  Courses feature insights from experienced farmers, researchers, and UC Extension. Best of all, viewers can access these courses for free (saving $380)! All courses within Sustainable Winegrowing On Demand include valuable continuing education hours (11.5 Department of Pesticide Regulation, 34 Certified Crop Advisor), and a train-the-trainer kit so viewers can easily educate their team. Through this program, there is a unique opportunity to connect with other sustainable winegrowers through roundtable discussions. Larry Witted, PCA and CCA from Lodi, California shares, "The Sustainable Winegrowing education from Vineyard Team allows me to view cutting-edge educational pro

The 2024 Sustainable Ag Expo is set to be an unforgettable event, offering a unique blend of educational sessions, exhibitors, and exclusive networking opportunities November 11th - 13th, 2024. Here are three reasons you won't want to miss at this year’s event:   Reason #1: Welcome Event Featuring an Exclusive Presentation  Kick off your experience with a pre-Expo event on Monday, November 11th, from 5:00-7:00pm at beautiful Center of Effort Winery in Arroyo Grande, California. Expo Headliner Fritz Westover presents, Dormant Grapevine Pruning & Vine Training: Are we Slowly Killing our Vines? This intimate conversation delves into the critical impact pruning and training have on vine health, and discusses whether diseases or improper techniques are more detrimental. Attendees will walk away with pruning strategies that minimize disease. Westover will also share methods for in-season vine training and summer pruning to enhance vine longevity using

In the 1880s, Pierce’s disease caused a devastating, total collapse of the Southern California grapevine industry. Today, growers have hope for the future thanks to new varieties. Adam Tolmach, owner of Ojai Vineyard, planted four of these new varieties as a field trial on a plot of land where Pierce's disease wiped out his grapes in 1995.  Pierce’s disease is a bacterium spread by insects, typically a sharpshooter. One bite and the vine dies within two to three years. To develop resistant varieties, Andy Walker of the University of California at Davis crossed the European grape Vitis vinifera with Vitis arizonica. 20 years later, commercial growers have access to three red and two white varieties. Listen in to learn how Tolmach’s experiment is a success both in the vineyard and with customers. Plus get tasting notes for the new varieties. LISTEN IN Resources:         REGISTER: The Ins & Outs of Developing a New Vineyard Site 89: New