California Ag Today, Author at California Agriculture News Today

USDA Forecasts Slightly Larger Almond Crop

Harvest 2025 is estimated to be up 3 percent above last year’s final production

The 2025 California Almond Subjective Forecast, published Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), estimates that the crop harvested in 2025 will come in at 2.8 billion pounds, 3 percent above last year’s 2.73 billion pounds.

Forecasted yield is 2,010 pounds per acre, up 30 pounds from the 2024 harvest.

“This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a solid water winter and generally good weather during bloom, but it’s also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver, producing high quality California almonds to meet that demand.”

The report shared that the 2025 almond bloom began the first week of February in the Sacramento Valley and peaked during the middle of the month. The weather during bloom varied throughout the state, with storms bringing heavy rainfall, wind and hail. Crop development in the San Joaquin Valley was slower than normal due to cool temperatures and lower bee flight hours. However, conditions improved in early March with warm temperatures accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom.

There were also reports of significantly lower yields in the Nonpareil variety due to an overall lighter flower set than their pollinators. The impact on orchards from the intense summer heat in 2024 continues to be assessed. Growers are actively irrigating, fertilizing and treating their orchards for pests and diseases. Water is not expected to be an issue this year.

This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 21 to May 7 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online or phone.

On July 10, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2025 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield.

This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2025 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has slightly increased about 6,000 acres from the previous year to 1.389 million bearing acres.

USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast and Objective Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

California Ag Today2025-05-12T15:04:29-07:00May 12th, 2025|

UC Davis Doctoral Candidate Wins International Award

Doctoral candidate Alison Blundell of the laboratory of associate professor Shahid Siddique, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, is the recipient of the 2025 John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award from the Society of Nematologists.

She is the first UC Davis student to win the award, launched in 2007 to recognize “a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in his/her thesis research in nematology as well as other skills necessary to be a well-rounded scholar.”

As the recipient of the $1500 prize, Blundell will deliver a 30-minute oral presentation of her research at SON’s 64th annual meeting, to be held July 13-17 in Victoria, British Columbia.

“The evaluation committee was very impressed by your personal qualities and accomplishments,” the committee wrote, in praising her scientific accomplishments, leadership and commitment to the field of nematology.

Blundell, who joined the UC Davis doctoral program in 2020, is completing her dissertation on “Trade-Offs Between Virulence and Evading Resistance in Root-Knot Nematodes.” She investigates how root-knot nematodes overcome Mi-1 in tomatoes and is testing for susceptibility associated with resistance breaking. Mi-1 is a crucial gene in tomato plants that confers resistance against root-knot nematodes, which are parasitic nematodes that can and do severely damage crops.

Blundell has collected root-knot nematodes (RKN) isolates from affected fields across the state, developed single egg mass cultures, and is now applying whole-genome sequencing to identify genetic signatures associated with resistance and its breakdown. Simultaneously, she is investigating whether resistance-breaking RKNs suffer fitness costs when rotated with non-host crops—an approach that could directly inform nematode management strategies for growers.

In addition to her scientific contributions, Blundell is involved in professional services with SON, including oral and poster presentations and as vice chair of the SON Graduate Student Committee. She engages in teaching, mentoring, and public outreach on the UC Davis campus. She promotes science education and agricultural awareness by volunteering at the annual UC Davis Picnic Day and the UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day.

Active in SON, Blundell won first place in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition at the 2022 SON meeting. At the 2024 SON meeting, judges awarded her second place in the 12-Minute Best Student Paper Award Competition.

Blundell, formerly Alison Coomer, holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts in chemistry (2020) from Concordia University, Seward, Neb., where she received the Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology Award.

In the Webster Award application form, Blundell explained that “California’s processing tomato industry is responsible for one-third of all processing tomato production worldwide. The success of this industry depends on the growers’ abilities to implement management strategies such as integrated host resistance, effective pesticides, and non-host rotation crops to eliminate or control pathogens. Despite these efforts, root-knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne spp., cause an estimated 5% yield loss in processing tomatoes by suppressing the plant immune system, damaging root tissues, and creating entry points for secondary pathogens such as Fusarium species. These pathogen complexes result in a severe yield loss seen by growers each year.”

“For decades, the resistance gene Mi-1 has retained its ability to detect and inhibit RKNs in tomatoes, but the underlying mechanisms by which it recognizes these pathogens remains largely unknown. However, resistance-breaking RKN populations have been increasingly found in both greenhouse and field settings, threatening the effectiveness of the Mi-1 gene and consequently the tomato industry.”

“With this research we aim to improve our understanding of how RKNs evade Mi-1 resistance, increase grower and public awareness about plant parasitic nematodes, and develop management strategies to combat resistance-breaking populations, ultimately supporting California’s tomato growers.”

UC Davis doctoral candidate Alison Blundell, shown here holding a root knot nematode-infested tomato plant, is the winner of the 2025 John M. Webster Outstanding Student Award from the Society of Nematologists.

California Ag Today2025-05-05T08:28:06-07:00May 5th, 2025|

Hilmar™ Cheese and Whey Protein Awarded Medals

2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest

Hilmar, CA. April 25, 2025. Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. was awarded top honors at the CheeseCon banquet celebrating the United States Championship Cheese Contest® on April 17, 2025.

The contest is hosted biennially by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. More than 2,400 samples of cheese, butter, cultured products and dry dairy ingredients were evaluated this year with first, second and third awards presented in each category.

“Hilmar is honored to have received four awards in three categories,” shared Kyle Jensen, vice president global sales and marketing. “We are especially excited to share the acceptance of our first cheese award. This is a true testament to the dedication and commitment of our teams across the organization to produce high quality, innovative products.”

Hilmar TruSmoke® Hickory Smoked Cheddar took third place in the Open Class: Smoked Hard Cheeses category. Hilmar TruSmoke natural cheeses are slowly smoked utilizing Hilmar’s patented technology that integrates the smoke into the curd during the manufacturing process, unlike other smoked cheeses. Cheddar is one of four flavors available in the TruSmoke product line.

Hilmar PROfraction™ Beta received second place in the Whey Protein Isolate 90, Instantized category. PROfraction Beta is a lactose-free, instantized WPI that is rich in amino acids and aids in muscle synthesis. It is readily dispersible and has a neutral flavor profile, making it an ideal ingredient for powdered beverages and mixes.

Hilmar 8000 took both second and third place in the Whey Protein Concentrate 80 category. Hilmar 8000 is a highly functional 80% whey protein concentrate ideal for a variety of food and nutritional applications for basic fortification. It is a good source of high-quality protein to improve performance and overall health and well-being.

Ben Smith, cheese product manager; Lynn Ilano, cheese technologist; Muthu Ramanathan, ingredients technical manager; Chantelle Coelho, lead cheese technologist; and Ashley Cloward, associate cheese technologist proudly accepted the awards on behalf of the Hilmar team.

California Ag Today2025-04-28T08:12:25-07:00April 28th, 2025|

Small Increase in Bearing Almond Acreage Continues Trend Toward Drops in Overall Acreage

The small bearing acreage increase follows three years of drops in overall almond acreage.

California’s bearing almond acreage increased by a small amount in 2025, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC).

The Initial Estimate said bearing almond orchards at harvest will cover 1.389 million acres across California, a small increase of about 6,000 acres. That follows an increase in 2024 of just 9,000 acres, then the smallest growth in two decades.

In addition, Land IQ estimates that approximately 51,805 acres of orchards will be removed by the end of the crop year, adding to the nearly 67,000 acres removed in the 2023-24 crop year, according to the November 2024 Land IQ estimate.

“Despite a slight increase in bearing acreage, we’ve seen significant orchard removals and drops in non-bearing and overall acreage the past three years, signaling a trend toward lower overall California almond acreage,” said Clarice Turner, ABC president and CEO. “At the same time, we continue to see strong shipments of more than 200 million pounds a month. It’s clear that demand for California almonds continues to grow across the globe as California almond
farmers work hard to supply the world. We have no doubt that almonds will continue to have a very significant role in California and global agriculture for the foreseeable future.”

Land IQ’s 2025 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate issued Thursday does not include total almond acreage. It looked at bearing acreage – orchards planted before 2023 that have matured enough to produce a crop for the coming 2025 harvest. Land IQ’s report on total acreage and non-bearing acres – newer plantings not mature enough to produce almonds for commercial consumption – will come out in November.

The Land IQ report is a snapshot of the coming 2025 harvest but does not offer an estimate on the actual almond yield this 2025-26 crop year. The first look at yield will be on May 12 with USDA-NASS’ Subjective Estimate, and a fuller picture of crop size will come with USDA-NASS’ Objective Report in July.

April’s Land IQ estimate covers bearing acreage and removals from Sept. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. The almond crop year runs from Aug. 1 to July 31, so this estimate includes the harvest for the 2025-26 crop year. Land IQ’s Initial Estimate and its Final Acreage Estimate in November are commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds, with the first report issued in 2019. The map is the result of more than a decade of research.

California Ag Today2025-04-24T13:40:37-07:00April 24th, 2025|

Real California Cow’s Milk Cheeses Bring Home 57 Awards at California State Fair Cheese Competition

Cow’s milk cheese and dairy processors that use the Real California Milk seal brought home 57 awards during the 2025 annual California State Fair Cheese Competition.

Out of 113 entries Real California cow’s milk cheeses earned 57 awards – 1 Best of Show, 4 Best of California, 13 Double Gold, 12 Gold, 17 Silver, and 12 Bronze awards in this year’s judging. Highlights from these wins include:

Marin French Cheese Company, Petaluma – 12 awards, Golden Gate (Best of Show, Best of California, Double Gold), Petite Breakfast (Gold) Petite Jalapeño (Gold), Camembert (Gold), Petite Camembert (Silver), Petite Garlic & Pepper (Silver), Petite Truffle (Silver), Petite Crème (Silver), Prospector (Silver), and Triple Crème Brie (Bronze).
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Pt. Reyes – 11 awards, Point Reyes Gouda (Best of California, Double Gold), Point Reyes Quinta (Double Gold), Point Reyes Bay Blue (Double Gold), Point Reyes TomaRashi (Double Gold), Point Reyes TomaProvence (Double Gold), Point Reyes Original Blue (Gold), Point Reyes Truffle Brie (Gold), Point Reyes TomaTruffle (Silver), and Point Reyes Toma (Silver).
Nicasio Valley Cheese Co., Nicasio – 10 awards, Nicasio Reserve (Double Gold), Foggy Morning with Jalapeño (Gold), Foggy Morning with Garlic and Basil (Silver), Locarno Wheel (Silver), Tomino (Silver), Nicasio Square (Silver), Halleck Creek (Silver), Loma Alta (Silver), San Geronimo (Bronze), and Locarno Rounds (Bronze).
Joseph Gallo Farms, Atwater – 8 awards, Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar (Best of California, Double Gold), Gouda (Gold), Pepper Jack (Gold), Marbled Jack (Gold), String Cheese (Bronze), Mild Cheddar (Bronze), Sharp Cheddar (Bronze).
Cowgirl Creamery, Petaluma – 5 awards, Wagon Wheel (Double Gold), Hop Along (Double Gold), Mt Tam (Double Gold), Pierce Point (Silver), and Devil’s Gulch (Bronze).
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Willows – 5 awards, Gina Marie Farmer Cheese (Best of California, Gold), Graziers RM Medium Cheddar (Double Gold), Gina Marie Cream Cheese Spread (Gold), and Organic Jack Wedge Traditional (Bronze).
Rumiano Cheese Company, Crescent City – 4 awards, Dry Jack (Silver), Organic Monterey Jack (Bronze), Organic Sharp Cheddar (Bronze) and Organic Pepper Jack (Bronze).
Crystal Creamery, Modesto – 2 awards, Cottage Cheese (Silver) and Low-Fat Cottage Cheese with Pineapple (Bronze).

In total, 8 Real California cow’s milk cheese and dairy companies won awards for products made with Real California Milk from the state’s more than 1,000 family dairy farms using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the world.

California is the second largest cheese producing state in the nation, responsible for more than 2.4 billion pounds of cheese each year. Real California cheeses and dairy products are available at retailers throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Asia. For more information, visit: RealCaliforniaMilk.com.

California Ag Today2025-04-15T14:18:03-07:00April 15th, 2025|

USDA Announces New FPAC Leadership to Better Serve Farmers and Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced key presidential appointments to the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. These appointees will lead efforts to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and ensure that farmers, ranchers, and producers have the support they need to keep feeding, fueling, and clothing America.

“FPAC is the most farmer-facing mission area at USDA, housing the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service—agencies producers rely on every day,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Following this week’s $10 billion economic assistance announcement, these appointees will help ensure that support gets to farmers and ranchers without bureaucratic delays. Strong leadership in FPAC means real results, less red tape, and a USDA that works for those who feed, fuel, and clothe America. I’m proud to welcome these new leaders who will champion our farmers and rural communities.”

The FPAC mission area plays a vital role in delivering USDA programs directly to farmers and ranchers across the country, from disaster assistance and risk management to conservation efforts that protect and enhance working lands. These newly appointed leaders will be instrumental in executing these programs efficiently and effectively, reinforcing the Trump Administration’s commitment to rural America.

Brooke Appleton Appointed as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation

Brooke Shupe Appleton serves as the Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Most recently, Appleton served as Vice President of Public Policy for the National Corn Growers Association. In this role, Appleton led NCGA’s Washington, D.C. office, overseeing advocacy for policy effecting corn farmers across the country. Previously, Appleton served as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary at USDA during the first Trump Administration. Prior to her time at USDA, Appleton worked at the National Association and Wheat Growers and started her career on Capitol Hill working for U.S. Representative Sam Graves of Missouri. Appleton holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and was raised on her family’s row crop and cattle farm in Stanberry, Missouri.

Andrew Fisher Appointed as Chief of Staff for Farm Production and Conservation

Andrew Fisher serves as Chief of Staff for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC). Most recently, Andrew served as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and previously held the same position for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics from the University of Missouri. Andrew grew up on a farrow to wean hog operation where he also assisted his grandfather with backgrounding cattle.

Aubrey Bettencourt Appointed as Chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service

Aubrey Bettencourt will serve as Chief of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Aubrey is a prominent leader in agriculture, water, and sustainability, most recently serving as the Global Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for Netafim, an Orbia Company. Her previous roles include serving as President and CEO of the Almond Alliance and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior in the first Trump Administration. Her work reflects a strong commitment to water policy, agricultural support, and sustainable practices, supported by her family’s farming roots in Kings County, California. Aubrey holds a degree in History from Westmont College.

Bill Beam Appointed as Administrator for the Farm Service Agency

Bill Beam will serve as the Administrator for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) within Farm Production and Conservation. Bill is from Elverson, Pennsylvania where he owns and operates Beam Farms Inc. with his family. In addition to growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, Beam Farms has a sawdust and wood shavings business that serves the wood industry and agriculture throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Bill has served on various boards and committees including the Pennsylvania Soybean Board, United Soybean Board, United States Soybean Export Council, Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment and Tel Hai Board. Bill formerly served as Deputy Administrator of Farm Programs for FSA in the first Trump Administration.

Pat Swanson Appointed as Administrator for the Risk Management Agency

Pat Swanson will serve as the Administrator for the Risk Management Agency (RMA) within Farm Production and Conservation. Most recently, Pat has served as a director for the American Soybean Association (ASA) and completed her term on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board. Along with her husband, Don, Pat has experience running a crop insurance agency, helping farmers in southeastern Iowa manage risk through crop, forage, pasture and livestock insurance. Pat and her family run a seventh-generation farm near Ottumwa, Iowa. They raise soybeans, corn, and have a cow-calf operation. Pat is an alumna of Iowa State University and is passionate about advocating for farmers through her involvement with Iowa 4-H, CommonGround Iowa and her work with ASA.

Colton Buckley Appointed as Chief of Staff for Natural Resources Conservation Service

Colton Buckley serves as the Chief of Staff for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Most recently, Colton served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. Previously, Colton was appointed to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents by Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture’s Advisory Council, and the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board of Directors, representing rural economic development. He is a proud alumnus of Turning Point USA. Colton holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services and Development from Tarleton State University, a Master of Arts in Communication from Liberty University, and was raised on his grandparents’ cattle ranch in Gatesville, Texas.

California Ag Today2025-04-15T09:04:57-07:00April 15th, 2025|

Summit to Showcase California Agritourism Best Practices, May 14-15

Ag producers, other stakeholders invited to register for event in San Diego County

Given market fluctuations and climate volatility, many agricultural producers are seeking additional sources of farm-related revenue to pay their bills. Agritourism is one avenue, and it could take the form of offering event venue space, on-farm educational tours and classes, or experiences to work on a farm or ranch.

On May 14-15, 2025, the California Agritourism Summit will provide farmers, ranchers and other key stakeholders a unique opportunity to explore agritourism ventures and develop productive partnerships. Interested parties are encouraged to register by April 30 for this gathering in San Diego County.

The event will feature practical tools to start or expand an agritourism business, expert panels, roundtable discussions, presentations, networking opportunities and tours of successful agritourism operations. The summit is organized by the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) and UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County.

“This is an exciting time for agritourism in California – in 2025, California Jobs First and Visit California both released plans in which the majority of regions across the state specifically identified agritourism as a priority area for economic and tourism development,” said Rachael Callahan, statewide agritourism coordinator for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and SAREP.

“With a legacy of on-the-ground agritourism efforts and this recent recognition of agritourism’s importance at the state level, the summit is an important opportunity to bring everyone together to begin shaping a collective future of agritourism in California,” Callahan added.

She noted that representatives from producer and community-based organizations, state and local governments, and destination marketing organizations are all encouraged to attend – as well as tourism and economic development professionals.

The second day of the summit begins with a panel featuring Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California; Paul Towers, executive director of Community Alliance with Family Farmers; and leadership of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).

“The summit will not only highlight the diversity and creativity of local agritourism but also spark conversations about how tourism organizations can better support and showcase these experiences across California,” said Darlene Ruiz, one of the summit organizers at the UC Cooperative Extension office in San Diego County. “It’s an opportunity to foster partnerships that strengthen both local economies and community pride.”

The first day of the summit comprises tours of exemplary agritourism businesses in the area, and culminates in a special evening reception, hosted by California Grown, at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

“UC Cooperative Extension values the partnerships developed over the years with agritourism businesses throughout the region,” said Jan Gonzales, community education supervisor with UCCE in San Diego County. “We’re excited to coordinate with several of them and share with summit participants some of the diverse agritourism industry in our county.”

Register for the California Agritourism Summit at https://bit.ly/2025CAAgTourismSummit.

Businesses interested in supporting the summit can learn more here: https://na.eventscloud.com/website/83086/becomeasupporter/.

Funding for the California Agritourism Summit was made possible, in part, by a grant agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Services and supported by USDA/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under Award number 2023-70027-40445.

California Ag Today2025-04-11T15:19:59-07:00April 11th, 2025|

UC Davis Doctoral Candidate Wins Major Leadership Award

UC Davis doctoral candidate Mia Kanako Lippey, described as a “leader extraordinaire and an awe-inspiring entomologist who not only excels in leadership, but in research, academics, public service, science communication, computer programming, and scientific illustrations,” received the 2025 Student Leadership Award from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America (PBESA).

The award recognizes a Pacific Branch entomology student (undergraduate or graduate) “for outstanding leadership in his/her department, university, community, and professional societies, while still achieving academic excellence.” Lippey received award at the PBESA’s annual meeting, which ended April 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Lippey studies with UC Davis distinguished professor emeritus Jay Rosenheim, an insect biologist, and assistant professor Emily Meineke, an urban landscape entomologist. In her research, Lippey explores plant-insect interactions in agricultural and urban environments and the impact that global change has on these relationships. She recently received a 2024 USDA AFRI NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship of $120,000. (NIFA is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and AFRI is the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.)

At the 2024 ESA meeting in Phoenix, Lippey won a President’s Prize for her outstanding research presentation on “A Big Data Approach to Characterizing Impacts of Climate Warming on Agricultural Arthropod Populations” in the Plant-Ecosystems, Biocontrol Category.

She holds a 4.0 GPA and anticipates receiving her doctorate in June 2025. She received her bachelor’s degree in entomology at UC Davis in 2019 with high honors.

Lippey is a past president (2023-24) of the Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA). Since 2023, she has served as the student representative of the department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, creating systems to improve communication between students and faculty. She led a DEI teaching seminar focused on a holistic and inclusive approaches for mentoring underrepresented students.

Her activities include leading an Ecological and Evolutionary Response to Rapid Environmental Changes Program; and co-leading a UC Davis STEM Squad outreach program for middle and high school students in the Yolo County area. She engaged the students by creating hands-on activities, focusing on entomological research through insect collection and curation. Lippey has also led STEM projects, encouraging and guiding underrepresented students to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and assisting them with career explorations, job searches, networking, resumes and cover letters.

Lippey is active in both the Entomological Society of America and the Ecological Society of America. She organized an Ecological Society session on effectively communicating climate change and sustainable agriculture to policy makers. “This level of involvement is relatively unusual for a graduate student and is a testament to Mia’s leadership qualities outside of the lab as well,” said Sara Emery, formerly of the Emily Meineke lab and now an assistant professor at Cornell.

In other leadership and mentoring activities, Lippey led a graduate student seminar on agricultural entomology and ecology, zeroing in on traditional ecological knowledge. She created a course syllabus and led weekly discussions. Her titles also include teaching assistant and research mentor: she mentored two undergraduate researchers in the UC Davis Research Scholars Program in Insect Biology, training mentees in GIS skills, R programming and statistical methods.

As a volunteer at the California Academy of Sciences, Lippey identified and curated donated collections and built entomological displays for outreach and education. Her experience also includes work as a junior specialist and scientific illustrator for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Insect Service (APHIS); and a UX designer at Dolby Laboratories, where she developed professional audio software and designed icon libraries and high-fidelity graphics.

Powerful Advocate for Other Graduate Students

Her professors and colleagues describe her as:

“An exceptional and beloved peer within the entomology graduate students at UC Davis”
“An advocate for her fellow students, a constant supporter of their success, and is heavily involved with the Entomology community.”
“A careful and powerful advocate for other graduate students in the group.”
“An excellent entomologist” and “an excellent communicator”
“A thoughtful, creative, and intentional leader in our community. In serving with her on the DEI committee in the department, I have been deeply impressed with the creativity and intentionality she brings to her work.”
“An outstanding scientist whose non-traditional path in academia shape her inquisitiveness in ways that clarify the complex effects of climate change on insects. Her ability to reconceptualize accepted ideas and challenge old theories based on new evidence is inspirational.”
“Highly collaborative”
“Creative, curious and ambitious entomologist”
“A kind, caring and joyous person who is beloved by the Meineke lab and her Davis community.”
“Ambitious in a way that doesn’t knock others down, but rather allows them to thrive, too.”

“Mia has vaulted off to an exceptional start to her career, having led research across diverse contexts, proven herself an outstanding mentor and teacher, and taken on far more service than would be expected for any student,” a faculty member said. “Indeed, Mia has already published 5 peer-reviewed papers and one book chapter, won prestigious fellowships (e.g., the USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship), presented her work at multiple conferences, and attained important leadership positions. This is truly amazing for a PhD student!”

PBESA encompasses 11 Western states, plus parts of Canada and Mexico, and U.S. territories.

Doctoral candidate Mia Lippey

California Ag Today2025-04-07T09:49:26-07:00April 7th, 2025|

Citrus Bloom Declared in Districts 2 and 4

… Citrus Bloom Declared in Districts 2 and 4

To comply with the public notice provisions of Section 6984 of the California Code of Regulations

pertaining to the citrus/bee protection area, Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner, Melissa Cregan, announced today that she is officially declaring the beginning of the citrus bloom period for citrus growing in Districts 2 and 4 beginning at 1:00 a.m., Monday morning, April 7, 2025.

All citrus growers, pest control operators and beekeepers must comply with the regulations covering the citrus/bee protection areas (sections 6983 and 6984, California Code of Regulations). The area within one mile of any citrus planting of one acre or more is designated as a citrus/bee protection area.

Cregan said that during the ensuing days, personnel of the Fresno County Department of Agriculture will be checking citrus groves in all Districts to determine when Petal Fall will be reached.

Anyone having questions regarding the bloom period, or the citrus/bee regulations, should phone Supervising Agricultural/Standards Specialist Sanjay Witharana (Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM) at (559)600-7319.

Citrus Bee Protection Districts

California Ag Today2025-04-04T08:08:25-07:00April 4th, 2025|

Sakata Seed America Donates and Celebrates Renovation of Howard C. Brown Horticultural Greenhouse Complex at California Polytechnic State University

Sakata Seed America, Inc. representatives proudly attended the grand opening of the newly renovated Howard C. Brown Horticultural Greenhouse Complex at California Polytechnic State University, following the company’s $50,000 pledge to help modernize the greenhouse complex.

The grand opening ceremony, held on March 21^st, 2025, unveiled enhancements and restorations of the 18,000-square-foot ornamental horticulture facility, which initially opened in 1969. Updates to the complex include the installation of new shade and thermal curtains, advanced fog, cooling and steam-sterilization systems, new concrete flooring, and more. The improved complex aims to provide hands-on learning to Cal Poly students, with an emphasis on landscape and horticulture installation and design, vegetable production, floral production and design, and disease and pest control management.

Justin Davis, Senior Sales & Marketing Director of Sakata Seed America comments, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to contribute to this exciting and impactful project. This educational greenhouse complex serves as a valuable resource for students and educators and aligns with Sakata’s commitment to promoting horticultural stewardship and mentorship for future generations of leaders in the seed industry and beyond.”

Sakata Seed America’s contribution is realized by the dedication of Greenhouse 3/ Room 108.

For more information, please contact Alicia Suits, asuits@sakata.com.

California Ag Today2025-03-24T08:36:41-07:00March 24th, 2025|