In-Person

DAY 1 | TUES, NOV 11

Soil Carbon in Practice: Monitor, Test, & Improve

Speaker: Chris Chen, Ph.D., UC ANR/UC Davis

This session will cover key principles of soil carbon management in vineyards, including how to measure soil carbon, the different forms it takes, and management practices that can enhance soil carbon levels.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Grower-Led Soil Health: What Works Where

Speaker(s): Chris Chen, Ph.D., UC ANR/UC Davis; Taylor Jones, Star Lane and Dierberg Vineyards; David Langone, Nestor Enterprises; Glenn McGourty, Spirit Canyon Vineyards; Hilary Graves, Booker Wines

Agricultural best practices vary by region, influenced by factors like resource availability, temperature, and site conditions. In this panel, experienced grape growers from across California will share the soil health practices that work best in their unique environments.

Sulfur Application Frequency Effects on Yield and Anthocyanins

Speaker: Alberto Ramirez, Fresno State University

Discover how different frequencies of dusting, flowable and wettable sulfur applications influence yield and anthocyanin development in bilateral cordon-trained Cabernet Sauvignon. This research compares outcomes between conventional and organic vineyard systems on California’s Central Coast. The findings offer valuable insights into pre-harvest sulfur strategies to improve fruit quality.

Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship recipient - supporting California's vineyard & winery workers.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Whole Farm Profitability

Speaker: Stephanie Bolton, Ph.D., Lodi Winegrape Commission

How can we reinvigorate the family farm, so it is fun, thriving, exciting and profitable for the long run? Gain new ideas for creating whole farm income from real world examples.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Develop an Integrated Approach to Manage Burrowing Rodents

Speaker: Dr. Roger Baldwin, UC Davis

Learn how to identify and assess damage from ground squirrels, pocket gophers, and voles. The session emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive IPM strategy for managing burrowing rodents. Tools covered include habitat modification, biocontrol, exclusion, trapping, burrow fumigation, and rodenticides.

^*CCA 1 - IPM
^*DPR 1 - O

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

What’s Happening in Biologicals for Pest Management and Plant Health?

Speaker: Dr. Pam Marrone, Invasive Species Corporation

The biologicals industry is dynamic and continues its double-digit annual growth. This talk provides an update on the latest for the market, new technologies and products for biologicals for pest management and plant health.

^*CCA 1 - IPM
^*DPR 1 -O

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

So Many Ways to Measure Crop Water Use - ETcetera

Speaker: Dr. Mark Greenspan, Advanced Viticulture

Learn how to measure evapotranspiration (ET) to better determine irrigation needs. This session will compare different methods, highlighting their accuracy, cost, and practicality.

Make Vineyard Mechanization Work for You

Speaker: Jeff Lehar, Monterey Pacific

Learn how to successfully integrate mechanization into your vineyard. This session explores cultural practices, economic benefits, real-world challenges, and practical solutions to enhance sustainability.

Sustainable Gear & Beer

Sponsor: ProFarm Group

Enjoy local beer as you explore cutting-edge equipment demonstrated by our outdoor exhibitors.

DAY 2 | WED, NOV 12

Donut Social

Sponsor: Valent Bio Sciences

Enjoy coffee, donuts, and networking ahead of the seminars and trade show for the day.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Dry Farmed Vineyards: The Science, Economics and Practices

Speaker(s): 

Dry Farm Project Overview - Lauren Pesch, Chavez & Leeds Family Vineyard

Soil Moisture in a Dry Farm Vineyard - Delfina Grinspan, University of Caliifornia at Berkeley

Cost Analysis of Establishing and Managing a Dry Farm Vineyard - Dr. Michael McCulloughn, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

With increased concerns on water availability, there is more interest in coastal California on dry farming wine grapes. This DWR grant funded project brings together multiple partners and experts to examine soils, mapping, economics, and case studies of dry farmed vineyards.

Grower Panel: Experiences with Dry Farming in Coastal California

Speaker(s): Steve Gleissman, Ph.D., Condors Hope Vineyard; Riggs Lokka, Emeritus Vineyards; Lauren Pesch, Chavez & Leeds Family Vineyard; Chad Taber, Adelaida Cellars

Research on dry farming followed by a grower panel discussing dry farming experiences.

Collaborating with Owls and Songbirds to Help Manage Pests in Winegrape Vineyards

Speaker: Dr. Matthew Johnson, Cal Poly Humboldt

Learn how farmers can use nest boxes and natural habitats to support barn owls and insect-eating songbirds as allies in controlling rodent and insect pests in winegrape vineyards. This research project shares practical recommendations based on studies in Napa Valley, Lodi, and Edna Valley by scientists from Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly SLO, UC Davis, and UC Riverside.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Poster Session: Grad Student Research Highlights

Speaker(s): Graduate Students

Meet the next generation of ag researchers as they present their cutting-edge work in quick, engaging lightning talks. Stick around during lunch to meet the students and view their posters up close.

Lunch (provided) & Trade Show

Poster Session

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Biological and Sustainable Strategies for Grapevine Disease Control: Insights from Field Trials and Endophyte Research 

Speaker: Dr. Akif Eskalen, UC Cooperative Extension

Explore sustainable strategies for managing major fungal diseases in grapevines—powdery mildew, Botrytis bunch rot, sour rot, and trunk diseases. Learn from recent field trials that integrate cultural practices with biologicals, sulfur, and plant extracts. The presentation also highlights the role of endophytic microbes in combating trunk diseases and identifies optimal treatment timings in commercial vineyards.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Vineyard Weed Control Update and Endangered Species Act Impacts on Herbicide Labels

Speaker: Dr. Brad Hanson, UC Davis

Dr. Hanson is the statewide UC Cooperative Extension Weed Science Specialist for orchard and vineyard crops. His presentation will focus on the current status of herbicide resistant weeds in vineyards, herbicide performance and crop safety evaluations in grapevines, and herbicide registration updates related to the Endangered Species Act.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Proactive Steps for Complying with CA Pesticide Laws and Regulations

Speaker: Melody Graham, County of San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture 

Practical guidance on how to stay in compliance with California’s pesticide use requirements. This presentation will highlight the most common agricultural pesticide violations identified by the Department of Pesticide Regulation and offer clear, actionable steps to avoid them and protect both workers and operations. It will also cover a few regulatory updates for 2025 and what we might expect to see in 2026.