Trees & Vines

To avoid overcutting so that they have a crop for future years, more California choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms have closed early this year, telling customers they’re sold out.

Almond Board of California Chair Alexi Rodriguez and President Richard Waycott review a challenging year for the almond sector.

Already grappling with drought, lower commodity prices and higher production costs, more farmers are feeling the added pinch of groundwater regulations as local agencies implement plans that include pumping limits and new fees to balance long-term groundwater resources as required by the state.

​​​​​W​​​​​ill Weiss, assistant general manager of Bella Vista Farming Co. in Lake County, prepares to taste a winegrape to determine its brix and phenolic ripeness.

A flock of sheep owned by Full Circle Wool in Mendocino County manages grasses while fertilizing grapevines at a vineyard owned by Alta Orsa Winery in Hopland. Farmers are increasingly contracting with livestock owners to use the animals for vegetation management and to provide fertilizer to help the soil.

California’s almond production is expected to drop to 2.6 billion pounds this year due to drought and a bloom-time freeze in February that severely impacted almond-producing counties.