We’ve got great news for growers and ag professionals looking to knock out some continuing education—11 of Vineyard Team’s most popular online courses are now re-released and approved for DPR and CCA hours! Each course has been updated with new codes and fresh certificates, so even if you’ve taken them before, you can enroll again and earn credit. Whether you need to maintain your license or just want to stay sharp on sustainable farming practices, these courses offer valuable, accessible education at just $10 each. Enroll today and start learning at your own pace! GO TO COURSES *Don't forget to revisit CE requirements and make sure your license number is attached to your account.

Big Ideas. Bold Solutions. We’re excited to welcome Dr. Chris Chen as the headliner for the Sustainable Ag Expo! Known for turning research into action, Dr. Chen will share practical, climate-smart solutions to help growers adapt, innovate, and lead in a changing environment. This is a must-attend for anyone ready to future-proof their vineyard. About Dr. Chen: Dr. Chris Chen is a trailblazer in climate-adaptive viticulture, serving California’s North Coast through the UC Cooperative Extension. With a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Agronomy from UC Davis, he empowers vineyards to thrive amid climate change with cutting-edge, science-driven strategies that champion both resilience and sustainability. Don't miss Dr. Chen's sessions: Mon., Nov. 10  |  5:00-6:00 pm  |  Farming for the Future: Climate-Resilient Vineyard Practices* Tues., Nov 11  |  8:00-9:00 am  |  Soil Carbon in Practice: Monitor, Test, & Improve Tues., Nov 11&nb

To conclude a year defined by forward-thinking practices and community engagement, we at Vineyard Team proudly share an annual review to highlight our industry’s significant achievements and ongoing commitment to sustainable winegrowing. In 2024, we hosted 8 Tailgates and 2 collaborative events across 3 counties, offering over 20 continuing education (CE) hours to growers and ag professionals. These events strengthened the sense of community, supported five local coffee shops, and fostered the formation of countless new friendships. November’s annual Sustainable Ag Expo included: 531 attendees 63 exhibitors 3 special networking opportunities 16 in-person seminars 13 online courses 29 hours of continuing education  147 attendees experienced streamlined DPR reporting through a collaboration with CE Reported. All attendees enjoyed 38 gallons of coffee, 205 donuts, 26 bottles of wine, and 600 ounces of beer in the event’s lively and engaging atm

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

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

We are thrilled to announce Fritz Westover as the 2024 Sustainable Ag Expo Headline Speaker. Fritz brings more than two decades of hands-on viticulture experience. He's dedicated to making knowledge accessible and understandable for every grower. Once on the team, always on the team! Fritz was the Technical Program Coordinator at Vineyard Team from 2013-2015, and we are excited to collaborate with him yet again. Don't miss his sessions: Welcome Event at Center of Effort Winery Nov 11, 5:00-6:00 pm | Dormant Grapevine Pruning & Vine Training: Are we Slowly Killing our Vines?   Trade Show & Seminars at Madonna Inn Expo Center Nov. 12, 8:00-9:00 am | Vine Pruning & Training Practices to Promote Vineyard Longevity & Better Disease Management Nov. 12, 9:00-10:00 am | Grower Panel: Practical Approaches for Adapting Optimal Pruning to Match Wine Styles and Changing Markets GET TICKETS When you attend the Sustainab

Your tasting room may be the most customer-facing facet of your wine business. This makes it the perfect setting to display your dedication to sustainability. Provide visual cues to let your guests know that the wine they sip is more than delicious – it’s environmentally and socially responsible. Get inspiration from this Marketing Tip to share your commitment with your guests in fun, decorative ways.   Sign Sustainably Communicate what your business values by using eye-catching signage. On a recent Team trip to Oso Libre, we could immediately see that they are passionate about sustainability. Their passion is seeded throughout every area of the tasting room. From sustainable signs posted on the fence line, to informational pieces hung inside, outside, and even in the restrooms, every wall has a message that connects guests what sustainability really means to Oso Libre.  Curious tasters are enticed by in-depth material that welcomes them to dig a littl

225: California’s Ban on Autonomous Tractors An antiquated California law makes using autonomous equipment in the vineyard challenging. Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations at the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) explains that workplace safety standards developed in the 1970s based on 1940s equipment state that self-driven tractors must have an operator onboard. To update this law, CAWG is working closely with manufacturers and countries that allow autonomous equipment to aggregate data on safety. Automation has many potential benefits to farm workers including developing transferable skills, upward mobility, precision agriculture, and increased safety. Learn about how the law works today and about funding opportunities to train staff. LISTEN IN Resources:         117: Grapevine Mildew Control with UV Light 120: Autonomous Drone Vineyard Spraying 219: Intelligent Sprayers to Improve Fungicide Applications and Save Money Californ

Tailgate | Fungicide Spraying: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Financial Burden Learn how to optimize the use of biofungicides alone or integrated into a conventional fungicide program.  Dr. Ding of Cal Poly shares results from a recent study on on the efficacy of different fungicide programs and their impact on grape yield and berry chemistry.  Talk with farmers from three growing regions about their fungicide programs. Plus, learn about Cal Poly’s wine & vit programs during a tour of the new, state of the art winery and vineyard. REGISTER Agenda: 8:30 am - Winery Tour with Erica Nordby, CalPoly 9:00 - 11:00 am - Presentations & Panel Discussion Speakers: Shunping Ding, Cal Poly Erica Nordby, Cal Poly Erin Amaral, Pacific Coast Farming Hilary Graves, Booker Wines Ruben Solorzano, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates Bob Thomas, Mesa Vineyard Management CE Approved: DPR 1 - O; CCA 2 - IPM REGISTER Directions: - Take exit for California Blvd. - turn right

We are thrilled to announce Dr. Terry Bates as our headline speaker this year! Dr. Bates is Director of Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab Cornell AgriTech. He will speak about integrating multiple layers of spatial vineyard information into variable-rate management maps and the myths, misperceptions, and motivations for precision vineyard management. His research program focuses on viticulture with an integrated systems approach to vine productivity, fruit quality, and farm profitability. Research interests and contributions include vine mineral nutrition and root biology to control vegetative growth, mechanized vineyard management for fruit quality and labor reduction, and Precision Viticulture to increase production efficiency. Read more about Dr. Terry Bates, his experience, and articles HERE. Get your tickets for the Sustainable Ag Expo HERE.