In Your Corner Magazine | Winter 2024/25

ISSUE 18 | 2024

Farming the Future California is reinventing agriculture

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In this issue ISSUE 18 | 2024 BREADBASKET OF THE NATION How California’s agricultural power feeds America CULTIVATING FUTURES Golden State leverages tech to reshape farming

SOWING SEEDS California Bank & Trust empowers farmers with tailored financial solutions

TRACING THE ROOTS Sacramento museum celebrates state’s farming heritage

GROW YOUR OWN WAY Home gardening trends keep on growing CALIFORNIA’S VINEYARDS A tradition transformed into global triumph GOLDEN STATE TREASURES Gifts straight from the heart of California

MERIDIAN GROWERS Madera company cracks the next phase of its operation ASHES & DIAMONDS Napa Valley winery becomes a showcase for perfected wine CALI DUMPLING Orange County food entrepreneur crafts certified organic delights

ITO BROS. Four generations leave a legacy of farming

TAKE 5 Q&A with Brendan Feder, Vice President and Business Development Officer at Zions Ag Finance

PUBLISHER California Bank & Trust (CB&T) EVP | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Jathan Segur

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | MANAGING EDITOR Tom Stacey

MAGAZINE CONSULTANT Michelle Jacoby CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Abelar, Aaron Berman, Julia De Simone, Bruce Farr, Debra Gelbart, Jake Poinier

VP | FEATURES EDITOR Kathryn Guinn

VP | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ron Gligic

SENIOR DESIGNERS Nathan Joseph and Diana Ramos

In Your Corner magazine may contain trademarks or trade names owned by parties who are not affiliated with California Bank & Trust, Zions Bancorporation, N.A. or its affiliates. Use of such marks does not imply any sponsorship by or affiliation with third parties, and California Bank & Trust does not claim any ownership of or make representations about products and services offered under or associated with such marks. Articles are offered for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial or business advice. Please contact a professional about your specific needs and advice.

Breadbasket How California’s agricultural power feeds America

BY BRUCE FARR

THE THREE FOLLOWING facts about California’s agricultural profile may surprise you: California grows upwards of 400 specialty crops; The Golden State grows more than half the nation’s fresh produce; The state grows more than two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, California is the top agricultural state in the U.S. and one of the world’s largest producers of food and fiber. The state’s fertile soils and dry Mediterranean climate, along with its long growing season, enable farmers to grow high-value crops that, in many cases, can’t be grown elsewhere. 1 2 3

In fact, there are 19 different fruit, vegetable and nut crops that only grow here. Those “California- only” comestibles include everything from almonds, pistachios, pomegranates and walnuts on the nut spectrum, to artichokes, celery and garlic on the vegetable side of the equation. Increasingly, year after year, California’s agricultural output is nothing short of phenomenal. According to the State of California, for the 2023 crop year, the state produced nearly $8.13 billion worth of dairy products and milk; $6.52 billion in grapes; $4.76 billion in cattle and calves; $3.88 billion in almonds; $3.93 billion in lettuce; $2.97 billion in strawberries; $2.98 billion in pistachios; $1.24 billion in [chicken] broilers; $2.01 billion in tomatoes; and $1.67 billion in carrots.

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

nation

OF THE

Add it all up and the state’s agricultural exports— the aggregate share of fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats and dairy—totaled an impressive $38.09 billion in 2023. Crises looming? But the rosy picture of agricultural progress that California’s dominant food-growing statistics offers obscures an alarming trend occurring in the U.S. as a whole and, even more direly, on a global scale. A recent New York Times article about the transformative nature of our food sources and supplies points to climate change and other looming global disruptions as potentially causing major challenges in the food chain that the U.S. has come

to rely on and mostly take for granted. “In the United States,” the article says, “investment in agricultural research and development has fallen by almost a third in this young century, and the failure to invest in improving agricultural productivity, especially of healthier foods, basically traces to complacency.” All told, the article’s author believes that agricultural research and development spending needs to at least triple to keep pace with booming demand. Food prices, too, have shot up meteorically over the past several years. With the recent global pandemic and its impact on food supplies and costs aside, adjusted for inflation, the wholesale cost of worldwide food has grown by 50% since 1999.

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Jonas Jägermeyr, a climate change scientist and crop modeler who works for the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, calls the prolific food and farming issues facing the country and the world “the challenge of our generation.” He says that among several factors threatening to disrupt and in some cases completely stall food cycles, climate is “driving a fundamental change across most breadbaskets on the planet.” Creating sustainable food sources So what can be done? With its dominance in food production and shipping at hand, California is wasting no time addressing the increasing challenges to food sustainability and delivery. The state is a proven leader in the fight against food shortages and is waging a war against soil and climate change, and shortages on several fronts. Many of the agencies and organizations that operate throughout the state are grassroots efforts that, in sum, are helping California reach its ambitious farming and agriculture goals. Some of the most significant endeavors include:

and energy use, and other environmental impacts. Although the project has

recently been suspended, it operated for 30

years, garnering a long generation’s worth of research and data that are proving vital to the state’s overall farm management goals.

California Farm Bureau. The bureau and its 29,000 members—all of them active

farmers throughout the state—have allied themselves to become a major political force in support of a wide array of farming and food production issues. Their actions have produced significant results. Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed three Farm Bureau-sponsored bills that addressed a variety of farming-related issues, including: expanded insurance coverage for farmers and their property; legislation to allow drones to deliver farm crop-enhancing pesticides; and a bill to extend the sunset on accidental take provisions (when a protected species is unintentionally taken during the course of a lawful activity) of the California Endangered Species Act (without this extension, many agricultural operations would grind to a halt).

Century Experiment. Started in 1993, this initiative was created to study how farm

management practices impact the ecology of farms over the seasons, years and decades. The goal was to help agricultural scientists figure out how to make farming and food production more sustainable. For the experiment, 72 one-acre farm plots were arranged throughout the state with tight controls to measure key agricultural measures, including crop yield, soil quality and biodiversity, profitability, water

No state in the country has a more organic focus or crop output than California.

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What’s more, for the past 13 years, the California Farm Bureau has been pushing the State Water Resources Control Board to allow farmers to use their land to recharge aquifers. Last year, their efforts finally bore fruit as Newsom signed executive orders easing permit requirements to allow farmers to use floodwater diversions to recharge groundwater, resulting in significantly greater farm-targeted water resources in the San Joaquin Valley during the spring and summer. California Climate & Agricultural Network (CalCAN). No state in the country has a more organic focus or crop output than California. CalCAN is a statewide coalition that advances state and federal policy to optimize climate solutions offered by sustainable and organic agriculture practices. The network uses governmental policy to help move California agriculture towards a system that it calls “increasingly resilient and just.” In addition to its governmental focus, CalCAN actively promotes healthy soils, water stewardship, farmland conservation, livestock (manure) methane mitigation, renewable energy, on-farm resilience, climate equity, wildfire mitigation practices, and research and planning. American Farmland Trust (AFT). Another important farming innovator, AFT was chartered in the early 1980s, when it pioneered the use of various land conservation tools that previously were used to preserve wilderness or create parks. Today, those same tools are being enlisted in the fight to protect working farmland. In that effort, AFT has brought together two divergent communities—farmers and environmentalists—to, as their website describes, “catalyze transformational public policy that has dramatically reduced soil erosion and improved water quality and soil health.” Doing so has, in turn, laid the groundwork for farming to play its most important environmental role yet, helping combat climate change. Ironclad commitment Because California is home to the largest and most diverse agricultural industry in the country, comprising more than 76,000 farms and ranches, there’s no question that the state is critically reliant on the weather and water availability, and has much to lose if the worst impacts of climate

A focus on climate P erhaps more than any other threat, changes in our worldwide climate are already having a notable impact on California’s farming and crop outputs. That’s why climate scientists, water conservationists and other professionals throughout the state are allying themselves with farmers to develop and employ increasingly inventive measures to diminish the impact of climate on farms. California Climate & Agricultural Network (CalCAN) is a coalition of sustainable and organic farming organizations that advocate for state and federal policies to help ensure the resilience of California farms and ranches in the face of climate change. It has marshaled significant statewide resources to combat the climatological crises increasingly threatening California’s steady food supplies. In several categories—flood, heat, wildfire preparedness and wildfire recovery—CalCAN offers a network of resources and referrals to address the threats. Likewise, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has a wide network of active groups dedicated to fighting climate change and helping to ensure the sustainability of farms. The agency is engaged in everything from building climate resilience and adaptation to prioritizing zero-emission vehicles. It has also built in an active response to wildfires, drought and other conditions of weather and climate, and developed a comprehensive California “climate dashboard” to keep track of state climate action and gauge its progress toward key targets.

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change on agriculture are not avoided. A recent University of California assessment found that by the end of the century, rising temperatures and related reduced winter chill hours will significantly impact key crops. By 2050, for example, crop yields are projected to decline by 40% for avocados and 20% for almonds, table grapes, oranges and walnuts. Likewise, in the state’s Central Valley, land acreage suitable for walnut, apricot, peach and nectarine crops will be cut by half, while acreage suitable for pecans, quinces and chestnuts will be cut by 22%. “In the coming years,” a spokesperson for CalCAN predicts, “the increase in variable precipitation—from drought to floods—puts California’s agricultural industry at great risk.”

California is home to the largest and most diverse agricultural industry in the country, comprising more than 76,000 farms and ranches.

But the aforementioned measures, and a phalanx of new and innovative farming and crop preservation techniques, will hopefully help the state preserve its status as the “U.S.A.’s breadbasket.” Importantly, agriculture itself can be part of the climate solution. California farmers and ranchers are the nation’s leading producers of on-farm renewable energy. They are also among the first in the country to embrace what’s called Climate Smart Agriculture, a system of farming that is helping ranchers and Native American tribal councils reduce greenhouse gas emissions and store carbon in soils and trees, while providing multiple benefits to agriculture and the environment. “California agriculture makes our state a better place to live because of what we grow and how we grow it,” says Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “Our state has a very strong environmental ethic…and I’m really proud of the innovation that our farmers have engaged. All farmers have to be innovative, of course, but to do it on the scale that we’re doing it, with the resource challenges that we’re faced with, is just remarkable.”

“Within the borders of this state, you can easily take a culinary tour around the entire world. When you think about it, that’s not true of very many agricultural regions in our nation or, truly, on our planet. This is a very special place, and a very special industry.”

Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

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Cultivating futures BY JAKE POINIER Golden State leverages tech to reshape farming WHEN THE CONCEPT of precision agriculture took off in the mid-1990s, there was literal rocket science involved: a partnership between John Deere and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) made it possible to incorporate GPS in yield mapping and tractor guidance. Later advances were developed by John Deere in conjunction with Stanford University, using real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS to increase accuracy down to centimeters.

Today, those technologies are used far beyond monitoring yields and self-steering tractors, for tasks from soil mapping and variable-rate input applications to scouting fields and monitoring livestock. Increased geographical accuracy offers the promise of saving on labor, fuel and water usage; reducing soil compaction; and improving profits—while making agriculture more sustainable and mitigating its carbon footprint. California’s leadership in both the agriculture and high-tech sectors offers fertile ground for advancing the future of ag-tech—not to mention $5.3 billion in venture capital poured into the state’s AgriFoodTech startups in 2021. According to the 2023 USDA Technology Use report, however, adoption of high-tech practices has a way to go. A survey of 14,000 U.S. agricultural operations found that only 27% used precision

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

agriculture practices in the previous 12 months. California farmers came in at 40%. One size doesn’t fit all Conventional farming uses uniform management, with a whole field receiving the same amount of nitrogen and water, while precision farming is designed to manage a farm in a non-uniform way. That means considering spatial variability (such as land features, crop yields and soil properties) and temporal variability (tracking changes over time in nutrient levels, soil erosion and soil moisture). As a result, how precision agriculture is deployed differs depending on location, climate and other challenges that farmers must manage. “In an area where there’s an abundance of water, say a vineyard in New York, they’ll put plastic sheeting on the ground to run the water out of the farm,” says Alireza Pourreza, associate professor of cooperative extension with the UC Davis Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. “Having that problem would be a dream for a California farmer.” Not surprisingly, precision agriculture has been simpler to deploy for field crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat, and in states where farmers are growing similar crops in similar environments. “There’s a lot of research on that, and a lot of

machinery technology is available for those types of farms,” Pourreza notes. “California is more challenging since we grow more than 100 different crops with many different varieties and farming styles.” Harnessing high tech As the director of the Digital Agriculture Laboratory at UC Davis, Pourreza and his colleagues are focused on the first part of the precision ag cycle: crop monitoring and decision support. The ultimate future of digital agriculture will incorporate sensors, drones, GPS and other digital tools, all connected to a network aggregating real-time data on crops, soil, weather and other factors that impact agricultural productivity. “In essence, we’re combining a physical-based approach with AI to understand the patterns that we observe, and provide evidence how they can be used,” he says. “Once we prove that, we can convert it into a tool that growers can use.” For example, Pourreza’s research in drone technology deals with aspects of field variability that can’t be observed by even the keenest farmer’s eye. “Humans can only see in the electromagnetic spectrum between 400 and 700 nanometers, but

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Field innovations Advances also continue to be made in field operations. Most recently, John Deere and GUSS Automation introduced the autonomous GUSS herbicide sprayer in 2023, with a fully electric version that debuted this summer. Such technologies can help farmers who are limited by environmental regulations on when they can spray, such as midnight to 6 a.m. Some innovators are focusing on robotics, such as the Tortuga AgTech strawberry and table grape harvesting robot—which can also collect data, treat plants with UV-C light and perform trimming—while others are leading the charge with machines that identify weeds and zap them with lasers or herbicide. “Until you see something working in your neighbor’s farm, you may not be willing to buy it,” Pourreza says. “Yes, cleaner, more sustainable farming will benefit farmers and everyone else, but another part is to make the technology affordable. Growers need to see a tangible return on investment to change their management systems and make decisions based on data rather than subjective factors.” For now, the human factor remains king of the fields. “You have to remember, AI is not actually an intelligence. It’s really just hard-working tools that can do a lot of fast calculations,” Pourreza says. Farmers need to make the final call, he notes, but AI can help them avoid bad decisions and implement informed recommendations in an efficient way that makes economic sense.

there’s a lot of other information about plant health outside the visible band,” he says. “Using drones or UAVs and a validated model can generate valuable analytics and provide them to farmers.” Pourreza cites one of the new initiatives that offers promise in the AI realm, the Artificial Intelligence Institute for Next Generation Food Systems (AIFS), which was formed in 2020. More than 40 researchers from six institutions, including UC Davis and UC Berkeley, are working together to bring AI technology to bear throughout the food and agriculture industries. Balancing sustainability and affordability

“Cleaner, more sustainable farming will benefit farmers and everyone else, but another part is to make the technology affordable. Growers need to see a tangible return on investment.” Alireza Pourreza UC Davis Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

In the near term, Pourreza sees precision irrigation systems as primary opportunity for California farms and farmers. “The main things we want to manage in a precise manner are fertilizer, which is now being highly regulated, and water, because obviously we don’t have a lot of it,” he says. “We need to find a solution and, right now, that is to implement precision irrigation systems that irrigate and fertigate with variable rates depending on the plant needs.”

In addition to the research taking place at ag departments in universities, Pourreza believes that government incentives are needed to facilitate a further move from conventional uniform farming to site-specific practices. Greater adoption also requires increasing trust between farmers and ag- tech companies. Pourreza cites industry research from earlier this year that concluded many on-farm ag-tech software products have a reputation for overpromising and underdelivering—a problem that may be mitigated by advances in AI.

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

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California Bank & Trust empowers farmers with tailored financial solutions

Sowing seeds

BY DEBRA GELBART

T HE STATISTICS CONNECTED to California’s agriculture industry are astonishing. “California agriculture has grown to a $59 billion industry, up $13.8 billion since 2017,” says Brendan Feder, vice president and business development officer for Zions Ag Finance (part of California Bank & Trust’s parent corporation). “The state produces close to 400 different commodities, and more crops and farm-based goods than any other U.S. state.” With Tulare, Fresno, and Kern counties as the top three agricultural counties in the nation, California’s top five agricultural commodities are dairy products and milk ($10.4 billion annually), grapes ($5.54 billion), cattle and calves ($3.63 billion), almonds ($3.52 billion), and lettuce ($3.15 billion). “California would be approximately fifth in the world in terms of the value of products and services produced if it were a nation,” Feder says. Despite declining acreage dedicated to agriculture, California has 24 million acres of farmland. But perhaps the most impressive fact is that although the area of the top agricultural counties covers less than 1% of the total land mass of the U.S., it produces

nearly one-half of its fresh fruits and nuts and one- third of its vegetables. “The closest competition is the entire state of Iowa,” Feder says. Custom fit solutions Loan and line of credit products can be tailored to individual needs, but the most popular agricultural finance products offered by CB&T through Zions Ag Finance are: Ag Express Score Card. Intended for agriculturally focused borrowers in need of $3 million or less in funding, there are three requirements to qualify for the loan: 1) a FICO score of 720 or better; 2) an application that includes a simple balance statement where asset and liability verification are not mandatory; and 3) one or two years of the latest tax returns. “Approval typically happens within 24 hours,” Feder says. “Sometimes, it can happen in as little as 30 minutes.” Real estate-secured line of credit. “This is much different from a similar product that you might get from a commercial bank or an insurance

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

company,” Feder says. It has a five- to 10-year draw, no unused commitment fee, no annual renewal and no annual out-of-debt requirement. This line of credit, which can remain unused until it’s needed, is intended for capital or operating expenses or purchase of property. “This is meant to replace a more traditional line of credit from another ag commercial bank that might require annual renewal of the line of credit.” Traditional agricultural real estate term lending. These loans are offered with up to a 30-year term and 30-year amortization. They can be arranged for up to $50 million for qualified borrowers, Feder says. Rooted in agriculture Feder has been close to the agriculture industry in California his entire life. He was raised in Chico, where his father was president of an almond, pistachio and walnut processing company. “I admired his passion for his growers, clients and the agricultural community,” he says proudly. “My father instilled in me the desire to be a part of an industry vital to the health and well-being of not only local and state consumers, but those nationally and internationally.” After graduating from UC Davis, he worked for a bank in Visalia in their ag lending group. But before that, he worked in production agriculture for companies that grew, packed and shipped peaches, plums, nectarines, table grapes, citrus and other tree crops. “Being on the production side of the agricultural business equation gave me tremendous insight on what happens on the farm, the hurdles and adversity they deal with from weather, regulations, markets and public perception,” Feder says. “When I got back to banking, I was able to have discussions with farmers that most bankers who haven’t gotten their boots dirty might miss. Clients appreciate my knowledge and understanding of what happens on their side of the farm gate, having been there myself. I understand the cycles they go through, the timing of their business, the particulars of their balance sheets and income statements.” After working in the agricultural investments sector of two insurance companies, Feder went to work for Zions Ag Finance in 2017. At that time, he says, the department relied mostly on loan brokers and community banks to do loan originations. But in 2017,

a new position was created “for a dedicated employee on the ground in California to develop a portfolio of long-term agricultural real estate loans,” he says. “I was fortunate to be selected to fulfill that role.” Zions Ag Finance has been and continues to be a leading originator of agricultural real estate loans funded by Farmer Mac (similar to Fannie or Freddie Mac, but for agricultural landowners). A changing industry Feder says farming has changed a lot since the 1980s, when a farmer could survive financially on as few as 60 acres. But due to economies of scale and general economics over the years, the size of a self-sufficient farming operation has changed. Farms have gotten bigger with fewer farmers. As of 2022, the average California farm is 383 acres. The USDA reported that the U.S. lost 1.9 million acres of farmland in 2022 and over the last 10 years, the total U.S. farmland acreage has decreased by more than 18 million acres. The farm base has declined in California, too, Feder points out, because of conversion of farmland into new housing and commercial developments. “Smaller farms are not economical for large farming operations to run,” he says, “because they would spend time and capital moving equipment and personnel around from small parcel to small parcel. It’s more economical for larger farming entities to dedicate their resources to one large block of land.” Instead, smaller farms are owned and operated by individuals who have off-farm income to help sustain an agricultural lifestyle, Feder explains, adding that for these individuals, farming is something they weren’t raised in or desire to experience. In fact, a 2024 survey of California agriculture found that 50% of farmers have an occupation other than farmer. Whether a borrower is a full-time or part-time farmer, they can benefit from a dedicated Zions Ag Finance division. “Because I focus only on agricultural clients, it frees up our other bankers to focus on traditional commercial lending,” Feder says. “And I have more capacity to handle agricultural loans than traditional bankers. It’s a win-win for all of us.”

For more on Brendan Feder’s journey as an agriculture finance specialist, read his Take 5 Q&A on page 30.

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BY LISA ABELAR

Tracing the roots Sacramento museum celebrates California’s farming heritage

I N THE SACRAMENTO area, farming isn’t just a tradition or a way of life. It’s the vital backbone of the area’s history and continues to be a reliable foundation for the region moving forward. The California Agriculture Museum, just 15 miles outside of downtown Sacramento, celebrates its importance while enlightening visitors about the region’s farming heritage. Home to a robust collection of antique tractors that tells the story of crucial agricultural progress, the museum serves as an interactive history lesson that dates back to the Gold Rush era.

Cultivating connections Cecilia Gonzalez, the museum’s executive director, explained in a Visit Sacramento podcast that early settlers in the region realized that the nutrient-rich, well-irrigated soil in the area was ripe for farming. So they put the land to work to sustain the lives they were building. “The settlers who came over here for the Gold Rush, they still had to eat and survive. So they settled here and made lives and grew what is now Sacramento,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a dying breed of people who are interested in agriculture. So we try

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to be an inspiration for agriculture.” The museum is home to the Heidrick Tractor Collection, a celebrated assemblage of more than 60 machines that Fred and Joe Heidrick began curating in the early 1900s. The brothers would invent and restore tractors and farming equipment, from the 1890 Deering Reaper—one of the first mechanical pieces of equipment used in grain harvest—to dozens of Holts, John Deeres, Caterpillars, Allis Chalmers and beyond. Heidrick’s granddaughter, remembering her childhood playing among those tractors, said she never realized the machines were rare or special. To her, they were just the rustic playground she was able to climb on and over as a kid. “Grandpa never told us to get off the machines, or to stay out of the barns,” she recalled, in a quote on the museum’s website. “We climbed all over, breathing in the greasy smell of the barns and shop as if it were a fine floral bouquet.” From plows to progress That collection of tractors became the marquee attraction of the Heidrick Ag History Center, which opened in the late ’90s and was run by the Heidrick Museum Foundation. In 2015, the Heidrick Ag History Center expanded to become the California Agriculture Museum, which recently became a nonprofit organization and began offering free admission to everyone. The equipment in the museum follows the progression of farming, from hand plowing to horse- drawn to diesel-powered to ethanol-infused. Beyond tractors, the museum is committed to telling the story of the water cycle and soil as well as the entire farming process, from planting to harvesting to distribution. “One of our big things is restoration. We like to not only look at history, but restore it and preserve it and continue it on,” Gonzalez said. “We have a group of volunteers who are retired and they’re all mechanics and engineers or farmers and they will restore the tractors and bring them to new.” From a historical perspective, the equipment offers a valuable window into the hard work undertaken and the progress that was made by previous generations of farmers. However, agriculture is not purely history in the Sacramento area. Sacramento and Woodland, the town where the museum is located, remain leaders in agricultural production. Woodland was founded with a vision

that the town would become a bustling agricultural trade center as one of the most nutrient-rich areas in the country. And farms in the greater Sacramento area—producing rice, tomatoes, grapes, olives, peaches, pears, almonds, walnuts and more—have placed the region among the top 20 areas in the country for commodity production. And it is within the walls of the 45,000-square- foot museum, in between combines and crawlers and wheels that once helped cultivate soils, that visitors are reminded of its importance.

More than a museum Of course, the folks at the California Agriculture Museum value play as

“One of our big things is restoration. We like to not only look at history, but restore it and preserve it and continue it on.” Cecilia Gonzalez Executive Director, California Agriculture Museum

much as hard work, which is why they invite the public to utilize the space for

special occasions. From quinceanera celebrations to youth birthday parties to wedding receptions and ceremonies, the space offers a fun backdrop for special, celebratory moments. In addition to offering space for special events, the museum hosts its

own. During the Christmas holiday season, tractors are decorated with festive lights and Santa makes a visit. And in the fall, the museum hosts a family- friendly fundraiser complete with bounce houses, face painting, brews and, of course, tractors. For those everyday visits, when locals plan to explore the area’s past or visitors exit Interstate 5 for a pit stop, the museum offers memorabilia, light snacks and drinks in its gift shop. And on weekends, it pops up complimentary popcorn for visitors. “That’s a hit with parents and kids,” Gonzalez said.

Learn more about the California Agriculture Museum, including hours

and location, at californiaagmuseum.org .

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Golden State

treasures

BY MICHELLE JACOBY

DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON and beyond, there are some unique gifts that truly capture the spirit of California. Whether it’s artisanal treats, fine spirits, or skincare that feels like a little bit of luxury, these picks are bound to bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces, all with a touch of Golden State flair. And if you don’t find a gift idea here that will tickle the fancy of those on your shopping list, we encourage you to explore your community— California small businesses offer so much to choose from!

Wooden Cork If you want to up your

gift-giving game, Wooden Cork is the place to go. This top-notch liquor company offers a personalized touch with their fine spirits. Imagine putting together a sophisticated whiskey set or a fun collection of craft cocktails, all in a custom gift crate. They’ve got everything you need—ice cube molds, glassware, even cigars. This is the kind of gift that’s sure to impress both serious connoisseurs and those who just enjoy a good drink. woodencork.com

Maud’s Coffee & Tea Nothing warms up the holidays quite like a thoughtful gift from Maud’s Coffee & Tea. Known for their rich blends and eco-friendly, single-serve coffee and tea pods, this San Diego brand has something for everyone. Consider putting together a gift basket with their specialty flavors, like chocolate mocha cappuccino or vanilla caramel cold brew. For truly specialized coffee, you can also choose their “Tall, Dark & Handsome” instant dark roast coffee as well as their five-star rated organic, fair trade coffee pods. A gift from Maud’s is sure to warm both hearts and cups this season. shopblends.com

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

Aloisia Beauty For the friend or family member who loves a bit of pampering (and really, who doesn’t?), Aloisia Beauty has just the thing. Their skincare collections are all about luxury, drawing inspiration from Korean beauty routines. They use natural ingredients, such as fermented plant extracts, to keep skin looking its best. From rejuvenating serums to hydrating masks and soothing toners, these products will give your loved one a spa-like experience at home. aloisiabeauty.com

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

CCD Mushroom Tucked away in the

If you’re looking for something sweet, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates is where culinary skill meets classic comfort. This boutique bakery serves up a delightful range of specialty chocolates, decadent macarons and other unique treats. Can’t decide what to get? Opt for a deluxe gift box—it’s a wonderful

lush scenery of Fallbrook, CCD

Mushroom specializes in growing gourmet

mushrooms that add an earthy elegance

to any meal. Their organic mushroom growing kits are perfect for the foodie in your life, offering a variety of fresh mushrooms, from shiitake to oyster. It’s a gift that’s both unique and delicious. ccdmushroom.com

way to give someone a taste of everything. gingerelizabeth.com

Woodmax Looking to add a little extra flair to your corporate gifting? Woodmax has you covered. Specializing in bespoke, business-related gifts, they offer everything from sleek wooden desk accessories to executive pen sets. Each item is crafted with care and attention to detail, that will leave a lasting impression. woodmax.com

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Scentco For a bit of fun and fragrance, check out Scentco. Their products, designed for creative young minds, add a twist to everyday items. Think fruit- scented markers, holiday- themed stationery, and even plush toys that smell amazing. These gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile. scentcoinc.com

Belmont Park Gift the gift of thrills, spills and excitement with tickets to Belmont Park, an iconic amusement park that’s been a Mission Beach staple since 1925. With a historic rollercoaster, thrilling rides, an antique carousel and arcade games, there’s something for everyone. A park pass makes for a memorable gift, offering unlimited access to all the fun. belmontpark.com Lucky You! Celebrate the season with a gift from Lucky You!, a local gem that offers custom gift baskets filled with sweet treats. Deborah Roberts, a graduate of Ecole Chocolat, has crafted a signature line of cookies, chocolates and snacks available in a variety of lovely gift boxes. For anyone who appreciates thoughtful, locally sourced gifts, Lucky You! will bring joy this holiday season. luckyyougifts.com

Kristen Vincent Photography If you’re looking for a gift that lasts, Kristen Vincent Photography offers sessions that capture life’s special moments. Whether it’s family portraits, engagements or other significant events, a photo session is a thoughtful gift that keeps on giving. Kristen’s attention to detail and storytelling through images turns everyday moments into beautiful memories. kristenvincentphotography.com

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

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See page 33 for important details and disclosures

BY BRUCE FARR

California’s vineyards

A tradition transformed into global triumph

J UST OVER A GENERATION ago, most Americans’ appreciation of wine was, to put it mildly, unsophisticated. Even in California—where the climate and soil quality combine to make for excellent terroirs along the coastal hills and lush river valleys—wines were largely an afterthought, given far less attention than, say, beers or spirit- based alcohols. One reason for American wine’s long, static start has to do with technique and technology. Although California wine production has been around since the 17th century, the state’s white wine in particular was made from grapes without much flavor. It took roughly 300 years for wineries to begin using a process called “cold fermentation,” which deliberately controls and slows grapes’ fermentation process at low temperatures. Coming off a post-WWII generation of American cocktails, the wine industry began to boom in the late 1970s and ’80s. And now, just a few decades later, California wine rivals nearly any other of the world’s most celebrated regions—Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France, Mosel in Germany, and Rioja in Spain, among them. Viticultural haven In 1857, just a few miles northeast of the town square of Sonoma, Hungarian immigrant Count Agoston Haraszthy founded the first premium winery of Sonoma County. His Buena Vista Vineyards, remarkably, is still in operation today. In fact, Sonoma County is widely considered

the birthplace of California’s modern wine industry. And

although grapes and wine are the county’s bread and butter, so to speak, Sonoma has

a long history as one of the premier agricultural regions in the country, its rich soil and temperate, year-round weather fostering its reputation as one of the most robust food-growing regions in the world.

In addition to the centuries-old Buena Vista Winery, the town of Sonoma plays host to the Gundlach Bundschu vineyards, the longest continuously operating family winery in the U.S. What’s more, the county is home to no fewer than 19 AVAs, or American Viticultural Areas. Among them are some of the most celebrated winemaking sub-appellations in the world, including the Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, and Los Carneros. Watershed moment If any single event can be credited with elevating California wine into the pantheon of world-class vintages, it was a blind tasting held at Paris’s Intercontinental Hotel in 1976. Now dubbed the Judgment of Paris, the legendary tasting by nine French wine experts pitted some of France’s most celebrated wines against a hastily assembled set of 12 California offerings, including Ridge Vineyards, Freemark Abbey, Spring Mountain, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, and Chateau Montelena—all of which were largely unknown in Europe. As one journalist covering the event put it, “The result [of the tasting] was expected to be obvious,” with the esteemed French wines presumed to crush the upstart Napa Valley vintages that

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

Evolving opportunities Is it still possible to find entry into the wine business and make a living at it? On that point, Bockstahler is ambivalent. “When it comes to certain areas—Napa and Sonoma, for instance—you could be getting in the game a bit late in terms of things being really expensive. But there’s always opportunity,” he says. “Between weather shifts and consumer shifts, I would think growing grapes right now could be one of the most frustrating and difficult tasks around. People aren’t necessarily buying fruit the way they used to, and margins can be really slim on grapes, especially if you aren’t considered an ‘ultra-premium’ grower.” In the end, Bockstahler points out that if you don’t have money to start with, it’s all very tough. “But you find ways,” he says. “People can approach winemaking from a savvier direction nowadays, thanks to all the accumulated knowledge out there. You don’t necessarily need premium equipment to

were put up for the contest. “Instead,” the journalist continued, “the greatest

underdog tale in wine history was about to

unfold. The Californian wines scored big with the judges and won in both the red and white categories, beating legendary chateaux and domains from Bordeaux to Burgundy.” Growing pains

But that was then, and every growth-focused business is bound to

change over time. Vintners and other wine professionals who’ve toiled in the business for decades have witnessed

make the best wine and, finally, more buyers are starting to realize that.” Redefining the rules One thing Bockstahler points out is that the wine business in California used to be dominated by a handful of top

remarkable alterations in the ways that grapes are grown, and wine is produced, bottled and sold. One of them, Michael Bockstahler, was literally born into the business. Hailing from Santa

Rosa, he paid some early dues as a busboy for a wine bar, fell under wine’s intoxicating spell, and later enrolled in a harvest internship in the famed Russian River Valley, one of the Golden State’s premier growing regions. “It was a time when you could still get a free tasting in some places,” he says. “Back then, you could still drink 12% alcohol zinfandel, and a really great pinot noir was maybe $40. It was a very cool time to be learning how to make wine.” Bockstahler observes that the California wine industry today isn’t growing in the same, linear way it did from the early 2000s and through the next couple of decades. “With a large concentration of wealth and outside investors, Napa was super- hot 10 to 20 years ago,” he says. “But it was around the time we beat the French [1976], that the wine business turned a corner for us. We could then say that [nearly] every vintage was killer. Small towns flipped into ultra-premium, wine-centric tourism hubs.” That said, Bockstahler has seen a shift in the global market trends around wine, some of it the result of new buyers and new vintners in the market. “Some older-guard [wine production] models may have gone a bit stale, while others are adapting. There’s probably more diversity in the winemaking styles now than 15 to 20 years ago, and I think that’s a really good thing.”

performers the general public recognized. But now, he says, there are hundreds of small producers who’ve entered the market. “I find the occupation of making wine very attractive because it’s very physical work. It can be intellectually stimulating, as well as creative,” he says. “A lot of the old rules are being thrown out and the guard rails are successfully coming off, leading to more interesting wines. People in California are innovative, and with every stale idea that’s preserved, there are five fresh ones being tried and tested.” His advice? “I think if you’ve been in the game a while, a lot of the romance of vineyard ownership and winemaking wears off; it’s a business after all. But that romance is being replaced by really satisfying work.” Michael Bockstahler, winemaker, Guerrilla Wine Co.

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Home gardening trends keep on growing

Grow your

own way

BY JULIA DE SIMONE

W HETHER YOU HAVE a green or brown thumb, the home gardening trend keeps growing and growing and growing…literally. According to GardenPals.com, 18.3 million new gardeners—primarily millennials—sprouted since the COVID-19 pandemic. And why not? Gardening provides therapeutic benefits, it saves money (today’s average garden yields $600 in produce annually), and recent research shows that children engaged in growing vegetables are more willing to eat them, a win-win for families of the pickiest eaters. Go grow How does a garden grow, especially with limited space and novice hands? Quite well and for centuries. Since 1792, the Old Farmers’ Almanac has been the gardening bible for both budding and expert gardeners. According to the website, “When this Almanac was

founded, we had an agrarian society; that is, everyone grew their own food (there were no groceries as well stocked as we have today). People needed and looked for advice on maintaining farms and fields, planting, tending and harvesting, as well as weather.” Location matters When determining where to set up your garden, consider the mantra real estate agents live by: Location, location, location. “Choosing the right location for your garden goes a long way to ensuring its success,” wrote Benedict “Ben” Vanheems, in an article on GrowVeg.com. Lynn Ocone, who wrote “Planning a Vegetable Garden” for the National Association of Gardening, agrees. She shares that the ideal location for a vegetable garden is one with direct sunlight, adding that most vegetables need six to eight hours of sun daily (leafy greens like spinach and lettuce can thrive with a bit less).

IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 18 | 2024

“It’s best if you can view the garden from a window. When the garden is easy to see and reach, you are more apt to notice what needs to be tended and to take full advantage of the harvest,” she suggests. Vanheems adds that it’s also worth noting where the shadows fall on a sunny day and during various seasons to accurately judge the amount of sunshine receiving. Wise to size Once you’ve determined where your garden will grow, draw up a plan or create a spreadsheet of the ideal size. Ocone recommends plotting it on graph paper with a grid of 1/4-inch squares, each representing one foot. She also suggests outlining the beds in pencil, then filling in the plant names. Ocone adds that a 20-by-20- foot garden gives you room to grow a wide range of crops while a 12-by-16-foot plot is sufficient for a garden sampler with a variety of greens, some herbs, a few tomatoes and peppers, beans, cucumbers

compost on site with such items as coffee grounds and eggshells. And when it comes to bugs and pests, Vanheems recommends including plenty of nectar-rich flowers in vegetable gardens “to attract both pollinators and pest predators like hoverflies,” she says. Companion planting, which works by pairing plants together that help each other, is another

method to deter pests. For example, carrots are helpful for leeks, while lettuce can protect radishes from earth flies, and radishes can deter cucumber beetles. Aromatic herbs such as basil, sage, rosemary and mint are also effective in keeping pests away including mosquitos. A community of gardening If space is a factor, consider a community garden. These gardens share green spaces where individuals or groups meet to grow

“It’s best if you can view the garden from a window. When the garden is easy to see and reach, you are more apt to notice what needs to be tended.” Lynn Ocone

Author, “Planning a Vegetable Garden”

fruits, vegetables, flowers and other plants. They also promote community interaction, healthy living and sustainable practices. The popularity of community gardens resulted from Victory Gardens planted across the U.S. during World Wars I and II. During the first war in 1917, the National War Garden Commission promoted home gardening to free up crops to feed soldiers fighting overseas. They inspired students—calling them “soldiers of the soil”—to do their part in the war and help plant Liberty Gardens. “When it started to look like the U.S. and its allies would win the war, the name of the gardens was changed to Victory Gardens,” as stated on Almanac.com. Victory Gardens led to larger productions of locally grown produce. This idea was eventually introduced in urban areas where residents could rent community garden plots annually. In California alone, it states that there are dozens of community gardens spanning San Francisco to Los Angeles. According to California.com “These gardens reduce the carbon footprint, support better health, and unite neighbors.”

and even edible flowers. “I always include flowers in my garden because they’re beautiful. They’re also a joy to cut and bring indoors,” she says. The real dirt When it comes to dirt, Vanheems cautions to not dismiss soil conditions. The ideal garden location has loose soil that drains well. “Your garden needs to be somewhere that doesn’t get waterlogged in wet weather or over the winter. If your garden soil tends to remain wet, raised beds are useful. By raising the planting area to above the level of the surrounding soil, water can drain away more easily,” he writes. If your soil isn’t perfect, you can improve it over time by adding organic matter such as compost. In January 2022, Senate Bill 1383 went into effect in California requiring the recycling of food scraps and other leftovers. For homeowners with yards, they can

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