Vine health starts with vine cleanliness, but how clean is the plant material you’re putting in the ground? In today’s vineyard landscape, growers face a rising number of threats: vine viruses, soilborne pests, and diseases that can compromise an entire block before it hits maturity. That's why more vineyard professionals are turning to nurseries that prioritize screenhouse propagation, a modern, controlled-environment approach to growing certified vines. At Casa Cristal, vines are not just grown, they’re protected. Their state-of-the-art screenhouse facility is built with double-entry doors, fine mesh screening, and rigorous sanitation protocols. This creates a physical barrier that keeps harmful pests like leafhoppers and mealybugs - known vectors of vine viruses - out, while giving young vines the ideal environment to thrive. Why does that matter to you? Because plants grown in a protected environment have: • Lower risk of virus transmission • Strong

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

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

Vineyard Team's introduction of Sustainable Winegrowing On-Demand in 2023 brought forth a game-changing initiative. This program includes no-cost online courses that explore essential subjects like soil health, pest management, nutrition, and climate change, benefiting winegrape growers and industry professionals alike. Get instant access to 20 courses - absolutely free! -These courses prioritize sustainable winegrowing methods and all count towards valuable Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) continuing education hours: Trunk Renewal for Management of Trunk Diseases | DPR 1 - O; CCA 1 - IPM Waves of Innovation in Virus Vector Disruption: Vine Mealybug | DPR 1 - O; CCA 1 - IPM Improving Nursery Practices to Prevent Fungal Contamination and Biocontrol Strategies Against Grapevine Trunk Diseases | DPR 1 - O; CCA 1 - IPM Beyond Climate Change: The Agricultural Response and the Concept of Climate Smart Agriculture | CCA 1 - SWM Biologicals Upda

Enjoy the perfect blend of in-person and online learning at the Sustainable Ag Expo! When: November 14 & 15 Where: The Madonna Inn Expo Center, in beautiful San Luis Obispo, CA With your 2-day pass to the Sustainable Ag Expo, you get access to our 14 in-person seminars November 14 & 15, PLUS 10+ hours of online courses (available Oct. 16 through Nov 30).  CE hours applied for: DPR: 8.5 hours in-person, 9.5 hours online (including 2.5 hours Laws & Regs) CCA: 16 hours in-person, 12.5 hours online THAT'S A TOTAL OF 18 DPR & 28.5 CCA HOURS! Click HERE to view the full program. GET YOUR TICKETS SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: KENT DAANE, UC Davis Kent Daane’s research focuses on the development of ecologically-based insect pest management systems. We have been lucky enough to hear from him at Tailgates and on our podcast (featured in this post)...and now you can meet him at day 2 of the Expo! EXPO SESSION  I  11.15.23  I  2:00-3:00 PM Th

The Sustainable Ag Expo is Coming Back in November! Looking for the latest viticulture and technology from the world's top experts? The Sustainable Ag 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. You Asked, We Listened. You told us that while it was great to be back in person, you also liked the flexibility of the virtual content. Enjoy the perfect blend of in-person and online learning with our 14 seminars and 10+ hours of online courses. Topics you don't want to miss: Precision viticulture, vine mealybug management, improving soil health, laws and regulations update, and more! Save the Date Tuesday & Wednesday, November 14 & 15, 2023* Madonna Inn Expo Center, San Luis Obispo October 16 - November 30, 2023 | Online Courses *View the in-person program here. Registration is Now Open! The two-day seminar and tradeshow provides an