Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $1 billion of aid for specialty crop growers through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program. These one-time payments are designed to help producers address market disruptions, elevated input costs, inflation and market losses due to unfair trade practices.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is conducting a referendum vote among eligible avocado producers to determine whether the operation of the California Avocado Commission shall be reapproved and continue for another five-year period. Ballots must be postmarked or otherwise received by the CDFA no later than March 18, 2026.

The California Avocado Commission has one District 5 producer member seat, one District 4 producer alternate member seat, and one handler alternate member seat available on the CAC Board of Directors. The deadline to submit nominations is February 25.

UCR researchers seek California avocado growers using fungicides to control Phytophthora root rot as part of a study they are conducting to help mitigate further development of potassium phosphite insensitivity and to reduce the risk of emergence of resistant isolates to Ridomil Gold and Orondis® thereby enhancing the durability of these chemicals for PRR control in California.

The California Small Farm Conference will take place February 22 – 27 with more than 50 online workshops and a selection of in-person events around the state. Admission for the event is on a sliding scale — with registrants choosing the amount they are able to pay upon registration.

“English for Agriculture” is an English language program for farmworkers that provides agriculture operations with onsite or virtual English training sessions specifically designed for agriculture settings. Students learn English skills related to farm operations, employee safety, hygiene and food safety, team leadership and communication.

The California Avocado Commission’s 2026 Pre-Season Crop estimate and Harvest Projections is now available online. The report is based on survey responses submitted in late-December/early-January from eight AMRIC handlers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has launched the 2025 Organic Survey to collect relevant nationwide data concerning organic acreage, production, sales, income, expenses and marketing practices.

California avocado growers in San Diego County are encouraged to complete the 2025 Crop Report Questionnaire that will be mailed in January 2026. Data from the questionnaire is used for the county’s Crop Statistics and Annual Report.