This session maps how AI adoption unfolds in three waves: Efficiency (closing the loop on irrigation and maintenance), Quality (tighter stress bands, higher packout, more uniform fruit), and how our industry will Transform as a result. Arthur Chen—one of North America’s most connected AgTech innovators—offers an insider’s perspective on how AI is transforming agriculture right now and will show practical, near-term use cases such as adaptive irrigation, predictive maintenance, computer vision, and weather intelligence that will increase farm efficiency. Chen will also highlight work from across the ecosystem alongside Verdi’s own field learnings, to show what’s real now, what’s next, and how growers, from boutique operations to multi-site enterprises, can benefit from preparing for the upcoming changes in technology as AI becomes a dependable co-pilot in the vineyard. Speaker: Arthur Chen, CEO & Co-founder / Verdi 

Session 2: AI-Enabled Virus Detection & Yield Forecasting for Vineyards Broadcast Date: June 18th, 2025 – 10:00 am (PT) Join us for the next session in the Growing Forward virtual series as we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming vineyard operations. This timely webinar will examine the key trends driving the next evolution of viticulture and how AI is helping growers boost efficiency, reduce risk, and make more informed decisions. Experts will share the latest advancements in AI for agriculture and viticulture and discuss how predictive analytics is improving the accuracy of yield forecasting. You’ll also learn how innovative tools are being used to detect, map, and test for vineyard diseases such as Red Blotch and Leafroll 3. The session will highlight real-world examples of how leading growers are using technology to streamline their operations and stay ahead of vineyard health threats. Moderator: Kia Behnia Co-Founder and CEO / Scout

GROWING FORWARD: Navigating Workforce Challenges Insights on Migrant Labor and Immigration Compliance Understanding how to secure a stable workforce while remaining compliant with federal laws has never been more critical. As immigration policies continue to evolve and enforcement intensifies, agricultural employers are facing urgent questions about labor security, compliance, and the risk of workforce shortages. Many employers are wondering: What visa options are available to legally hire and retain workers? How can I avoid costly compliance mistakes and DHS audits? What are my rights during an ICE site visit? How do I ensure my employment verification processes are secure? Join us for a comprehensive session on how to secure your labor force and best to remain compliant with federal immigration laws in the Trump era. We will discuss nonimmigrant as well as immigrant visa options for your employees as well as how to best avoid a DHS audit of your HR files. Session Panel: Ally B

Session 1: Navigating Workforce Challenges: Insights on Migrant Labor and Immigration Compliance Broadcast Date: March 12th, 2024 – 10:00 am (PT) The Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies pose a significant challenge for agricultural employers. Initiatives aimed at mass deportations of undocumented immigrants can lead to labor shortages in sectors like agriculture that are heavily reliant on immigrant labor. In California, heightened immigration enforcement has already caused a substantial decrease in field workers reporting for duty, with reports indicating that up to 75% of workers did not show up following intensified raids. These policies may exacerbate existing labor shortages and threaten the timely harvesting of crops and disrupt farming operations. Join us for a comprehensive session on how to secure your labor force and best to remain compliant with federal immigration laws in the Trump era. We will discuss nonimmigrant as well as immigrant visa op

Join us for a comprehensive session exploring essential insurance solutions for grape growers. Industry experts will be discussing the new Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index (FIP-SI) endorsement for the 2025 crop year. They will cover how it enhances a grower’s underlying Multi-Peril Crop Insurance policy to protect up to 95% of a crop’s value against fire and smoke damaged grapes.  This session will review how the Risk Management Agency determines county-wide smoke events, grower requirements for the claims process, and how a claim payment is calculated with historical references to illustrate how FIP-SI can strengthen your risk management strategy.  They’ll also discuss the new Grapevine Policy, launched for the 2024 crop year, which provides coverage specifically for grapevines. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore these valuable programs and learn how they can protect your vineyard operations. Register Here Session Panel: Laura Hern

Registration Open for Growing Forward Session 2

Second Session Discussion Around Emerging Irrigation Practices and Technologies in the Vineyard Healdsburg, CA (May 22, 2024) Wine Industry

Session 1: Grapevine Disease Detection & Prevention  2024 Presenting Series Sponsor: Damaging grapevine diseases caused by virus and virus-like agents, including the red leaf diseases, are becoming widespread in vineyards and can cause significant devastation on grape quality and yield. This session, led by industry experts and researchers, will explore advanced techniques and technologies for early disease detection, empowering growers with the knowledge to identify and mitigate risks effectively. From understanding the nuances of common grapevine diseases to implementing proactive prevention strategies, participants will gain invaluable insights to protect their vineyards and optimize crop health. Additionally, we will examine the ongoing research efforts aimed at gaining further insights into vectors and other pertinent factors, which can inform the development of innovative strategies. Register Now! Session Panel:  

Conference plans have already begun for the 2024 Growing Forward virtual conference series and we'd like to know what you would want to learn about.  Session 1 of the 3 part series will be broadcasted March 6, 2024. Please submit any topic ideas that you would be interested in learning about in March. https://wineindustryadvisor.com/conference-topic Deadline is Wednesday, December 20th. 

Winegrowers and vineyard managers speak on Optimizing Irrigation, Climate Friendly Farming, AI in Grape Growing The 2023 Growing Forward conference, sponsored by LUMO, will cover a wide range of topics, including vineyard management, climate adaptation, soil moisture monitoring, irrigation best practices, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI. Session panels will include vineyard managers from Silver Oak Winery and Emeritus Vineyards, Jackson Family Wines, Peake Ranch Winery, and Derby Wine Estates sharing their experiences along with the results of implementing the programs presented. 2023 Session Topics: Optimizing Irrigation Practices in a Time of Change Climate-Friendly Farming: A New Frontier for the Wine Industry Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Grape Growing Virtual Broadcast is TOMORROW - Register for FREE Today!

Growing Forward Session Focused on Growers Experiences with Vineyard Technology

November 22, 2022 – Wine Industry Network (WIN) broadcast the third session of the 2022 Growing Forward series on Wednesday, November 16. The webinar featured winegrowers and vineyard experts sharing […]