Learn innovative methods for managing bird and vertebrate pests in vineyards. Bart Haycraft (Jackson Family Wines) and falconer Pogerof Scott discuss using falconry to deter birds. Chad Foster (Maverick Farming) shares his use of an autonomous bird laser deterrent. Kevin Garcia Lopez and Sarah Lord (Cal Poly) will present their barn owl research, focusing on nest box occupancy and how changes in vineyard habitat affect foraging behavior. The event will feature a live falconry demonstration and give attendees the opportunity to view a bird laser, including the autonomous bird laser deterrent system. Speakers: Bart Haycraft, Jackson Family Wines Pogerof Scott, Falconer Chad Foster, Maverick Farming  Joseph Traut, Cypress Agritech Graham Evans, Cypress Agritech Riley Boylan, Cypress Agritech Kevin Garcia Lopez, Cal Poly Sarah Lord, Cal Poly CE Approved: DPR 2 - O; CCA 2 - IPM

Saini Vineyards is a well-established and well-known family business producing premium quality grapes in Healdsburg. We were introduced to Mike who had serious bird problems in past years and was interested in what the Falcon Replica could do and how it would perform. In 2016 he was not having the typical bird pressure that he had experienced in prior years but nevertheless was willing to test the product. We installed a 22ft Falcon on a portable base (umbrella stand) so it could be moved around to be effective against birds and also to move it out of the way when harvest was in progress. The above photo hows one of the main access roads through the vineyard and the location of the falcon on its base at one of the cross roads. The Falcon easily launched in the winds that are present virtually every day in that location and throughout the remainder of the season did not have to be taken down nor did it suffer any damage.Here are some further photos of the installation. Notice how in t

Can you believe it’s March? Soon rain will abate, buds will break, and Q2 will be here before we know it along with, hopefully, tourists. This blog starts by summarizing a recent Forbes study about travel plans this year, and then we wrap up with a summary of some trends we think you can build upon this year. Will the political climate once again hijack all of America’s attention and make people wary of venturing out? Or will it be more likely to scare us to other countries for a respite abroad? If tasting room traffic is down this year as it was last year, it is even more important to know what consumers are looking for in the hopes of developing programs consumers want. The smart winery will be continually testing different experiences this year to try and attract the right customer to their brand. This blog starts summarizing a recent Forbes study about travel plans this year, and then we wrap up with a summary of some of the trends we think you can build upon this year

LISTEN IN to Sustainable Winegrowing's Marketing Tip Monday! What does it mean to farm sustainably? Sustainable farming is a collection of practices spanning from water and energy conservation, to soil health and biodiversity, and social equity. There are so many examples of sustainability in action to point to right outside of your window: Native landscaping: minimal irrigation and maintenance needs. Cover crops: promote soil health and provide refuge for beneficial insects. Alternative energy sources: reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Owl boxes & raptor perches: birds of prey feast on vertebrate pests. One topic that sustainable farmers get asked about often is pest management. In this Sustainable Story Marketing Tip, learn how Presqu’ile Vineyards utilizes technology to manage bird pests in a more environmentally and economically sustainable way. Safely Keeping Birds at Bay Birds like finches and starlings are common vineyard pests. They damage fruit and canopies,

The 3rd annual Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience was a weekend-long celebration that featured the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. This year's festival showcased the region's makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines, highlighting the vibrant culinary diversity, deep connection to agriculture, and sustainable farming practices of Sonoma County. HWFE is deeply involved in the Sonoma County community, making substantial donations from this year’s ticket sales and sponsorships to local organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of farmers and their families, including the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. These funds will help support the Leadership Academy and workforce development for vineyard employees and their families, fostering future leaders in both the industry and the community. As well as being co-founders of HWFE, Sonoma County Winegro

TRENDS SHAPING TRAVEL IN 2024 Can you believe it’s summer? Soon Memorial Day will be here before we know it along with, hopefully, tourists. This blog starts by summarizing a recent Forbes study about travel plans this year, and then we wrap up with a summary of some trends we think you can build upon this year. Will the political climate once again hijack all of America’s attention and make people wary of venturing out? Or will it be more likely to scare us to other countries for a respite abroad? If tasting room traffic is down this year as it was last year, it is even more important to know what consumers are looking for in the hopes of developing programs consumers want. The smart winery will be continually testing different experiences this year to try and attract the right customer to their brand. This blog starts summarizing a recent Forbes study about travel plans this year, and then we wrap up with a summary of some of the trends we think you can build upon this y

Did you know that owls are cannibalistic? Baby owls will feast on their owlet-siblings to reduce competition. Did you know that owls strike so fast they kill on contact? It’s the equivalent of getting hit with a truck…a truck with talons. I love talking to bird people. They’re such sadists. Or rather, they look at the grim brutality of the natural world and dive right in. They’re the ones who root for the T-Rex in Jurassic Park. In Don’t Look Up, they’re most likely rooting for the asteroid. So, when it comes to rodent control, a topic most people find icky, who better to consult than someone passionate about birds? Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with John Schuster of Wild Wing Company in Sonoma County, Calif. Schuster has had a fascinating career in forestry, firefighting and conservation. He also makes most of the owl boxes I see in the North Coast. It turns out if you ply him with a cappuccino, he’ll tell you all sorts of thing

There's Still Time to get Your Tickets for the Sustainable Ag Expo! November 14-15, 2023 | Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo The two-day seminar and tradeshow provides an opportunity for farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisors to learn about the latest farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture. "The Sustainable Ag Expo is a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences with each other.” - Bart Haycraft The Expo brings together researchers and growers so you can earn continuing education hours and improve your business all while connecting with peers and agriculture companies. 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! CE HOURS APPROVED: DPR: 8.5 hours in-person (1.5 Laws & Regs), 9.5 hours online (1 Laws & Regs) CCA: 16.5 hours in-person, 13 hours online THAT'S A TOTAL OF 18 DPR & 29.

Can You Explain Sustainable Winegrowing? Learn How in 30 Minutes. Vineyard Team recently released Tell Your Sustainable Story, a free, 30-minute online course designed to help hospitality, marketing, and sales staff answer the common question: what exactly makes your wine “sustainable”? Since writing the first self-assessment for sustainable vineyard farming (the Positive Points System - PPS) in 1996, Vineyard Team has worked with national researchers and experienced growers to develop a block to bottle program that sets the gold standard for sustainable winegrowing. Using the PPS as a foundation, industry members came together to launch SIP Certified in 2008. The goal was to develop a rigorous, third-party verified program so customers could trust that the wine in their bottle was made with care for the people and planet. With over 40K acres across three states and 60.3 million SIP Certified bottles of wine, it is clear that farmers and winemakers support sustainable pr

February 16th: Pinot Noir is already bursting at this Russian River Vineyard It's been a little toasty for February. It looks like we're off to an early start this season...again...and with that a particularly dangerous frost season.  If you haven't noticed, it's still pretty hard to get stuff. Frost systems are no exception. If you don't want to be camped out next to your fans this spring, now is the time to order your frost alert system. Set thresholds, get phone call alerts, and keep track of your data.  Contact loni@advancedvit.com to discuss the best solution for your vineyard. What can the EQIP grant do for you? A lot of you may have missed out on SWEEP this year. The EQIP grant can pick up where SWEEP left off, helping to cover soil probes, flowmeters, and weather stations. That's just the tip of the iceberg! What about rotating cover crops, or brush-management? Owl boxes? There's so much this program can do. Check out this full intervi