Sustainable Ag Expo

From grape selection to nest-box placement

Tuesday opens with Dr. Michelle Moyer of Washington State University’s IAREC on modern grape varieties, which the program describes as disease-resistant hybrids. Her talk considers how disease management may change for those varieties. A following panel brings Moyer together with Kevin Judkins of Inland Desert Nursery and Adam Tolmach of The Ojai Vineyard to discuss the path from nursery to vineyard: how the varieties perform, what growing and winemaking adjustments they may call for, and what it takes to bring the wines to market.

Later in the morning, the focus shifts from plant choices to beneficial wildlife. Dr. Matt Johnson of Cal Poly Humboldt presents research involving Cal Poly Humboldt, UC Davis and UC Riverside on bluebirds and swallows eating vineyard pests, including three-cornered alfalfa hopper, blue-green sharpshooter and vine mealybug. The talk also covers where and how viticulturists can install nest boxes.

Bob Peak of Pacific Wildlife Care follows with barn owls and rodent pests. His session addresses nesting-box design and placement, available box options, and the maintenance and monitoring needed to encourage owl populations. The program says attendees can see two live barn owls after the presentation; Pacific Wildlife Care is also scheduled to take part in the lunch-time animal showcase. Together, the sessions pair research on pest consumption with the practical work of providing and caring for wildlife habitat.

Further reading: In-Person | Sustainable Ag Expo ↗ · Sustainable Ag Expo & International Sustainable Winegrowing Summit ↗

Inputs, measurements and machinery each pose a different decision

The Tuesday afternoon sessions approach vineyard management from several angles. Dr. Pam Marrone of Invasive Species Corporation surveys biological crop inputs, including biopesticides, biostimulants and bionutrients, and considers how they can fit into integrated programs. Dr. Brent Warneke of Oregon State University compares spray technologies, from airblast equipment to sensor-controlled machines that adjust output to the crop. One talk concerns which inputs and technologies growers might consider; the other focuses on how spray application can be matched to vineyard conditions.

Dr. Charlotte Decock of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo draws on an on-farm study of 87 California vineyard blocks. The work developed vineyard-specific soil-health scores, identified practices associated with healthier soils and examined how soil health relates to vineyard performance. That emphasis on turning measurements into management decisions leads into Eric Steiger of Field Asset Solutions on grants, fleet planning and equipment transitions. His session also considers how equipment investment connects with wine buyers’, brands’ and consumers’ expectations for transparency about grape-growing practices.

Further reading: In-Person | Sustainable Ag Expo ↗

Wednesday connects disease, labor and regional pest response

Wednesday starts with Dr. Akif Eskalen of UC Davis on emerging approaches to vineyard disease management, including nursery disease prevention, biological control, endophytic and rhizosphere microorganisms, pruning-wound protection and precision management. Dr. David Hearick of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo then addresses invasive insects, the regulatory and economic effects of quarantines, and actions growers can take before, during and after a pest arrives.

The labor session features Carlos Casteneda and Christina Shallanberger of Casteneda & Sons. Their California viticulture discussion focuses on the H-2A visa program, recent regulatory changes, compliance and strategies for workforce stability. Dr. Yiliang Cheng of Fresno State University presents field and winemaking trial results on thyme-based biofungicides in San Joaquin Valley vineyards, including effects on grape and wine quality and possible integration into existing spray programs.

In the afternoon, Dr. Monica Cooper of UCANR discusses natural enemies—including predators and parasitoids—and coordinated regional efforts to detect and suppress vine mealybug. A subsequent panel brings Cooper together with grower Erin Amaral of Pacific Coast Farming, Dr. Kent Daane of UC Berkeley, Emily Kuhn of UCANR and VineIQ LLC, and Chris Storm of Crop Solutions. They consider pesticide effectiveness, vine removal, biological controls and regional coordination in managing the vine mealybug/leafroll complex. Angelina Ceja of AgSafe closes the listed seminars with common pesticide-safety violations, regulatory issues and practical ways to address them.

Further reading: In-Person | Sustainable Ag Expo ↗

Time between talks is part of the conference format

Trade-show periods are scheduled between seminar blocks on both days, including 10–10:30 a.m. and 3–3:30 p.m. The organizer describes more than 60 exhibitors, and the ticket listing includes equipment demonstrations. Those breaks give attendees a chance to visit exhibitors alongside the research sessions.

The morning and lunch details differ by day. Tuesday begins with coffee, breakfast burritos and networking; the provided noon lunch includes an Ojai Vineyard wine tasting and a Pacific Wildlife Care animal showcase. Sustainable Gear & Beer follows the final seminar, from 5 to 6 p.m., with agricultural technology and equipment on display and local wine and beer. Wednesday starts with coffee, donuts and networking, and its provided lunch is listed as tri-tip.

Two-day ticket holders also have an on-demand course bundle with subjects beyond the in-person agenda: biofungicides; pathogen and dispersal monitoring; UV treatment; spore traps for fungicide timing; the economics of winegrape adaptation; vineyard nutrition monitoring; fungicide-resistance monitoring in Australian vineyards; and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Other courses address virus-based delivery of interfering RNAs for grapevine and citrus disease management, pests in Virginia winegrape vineyards, electric weed control in Australian vineyards, and pesticide-use violations. The topics offer additional study for attendees whose interests extend beyond the scheduled seminars.

Further reading: In-Person | Sustainable Ag Expo ↗ · Sustainable Ag Expo & International Sustainable Winegrowing Summit ↗ · Experience the Sustainable Ag Expo ↗ · Sustainable Ag Expo Attendee Course Bundle ↗

The Expo is presented by Vineyard Team, a nonprofit founded in 1994. The organization says the conference has brought growers and agricultural professionals together since 2005 for education and collaboration around sustainable farming.

Further reading: Sustainable Ag Expo & International Sustainable Winegrowing Summit ↗ · Vineyard Team - Promoting Sustainable Winegrowing ↗