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USDA California Climate Hub's Newsletter
Issue 5, 2024
In this issue: 

Feature

The Future of Winegrapes in California


Headlines

Workshop Aims to Support Technical Service Providers in Climate Adaptation

The California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Highlights the Sierra Nevada


Recent Research

How Climate Change Will Affect California’s Winegrapes


Forecasts, Opportunities, and Events

Seasonal Forecasts 
Funding Opportunities 
Employment Opportunities 
Events

The Future of Winegrapes in California

As California viticulture faces the growing threat of climate change, winegrape producers will increasingly need research and technology to aid in climate adaptation and mitigation. The USDA California Climate Hub’s continued partnership with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance seeks to generate knowledge and resources to help producers address the impacts of climate change on their operations.

The partnership has led to a publication in the International Journal of Biometeorology, and two publications resulting from last year’s Vineyard of the Future workshop are currently in review. The three research efforts  have been summarized in an educational StoryMap on the projected impacts of climate change on winegrape phenology, the adaptation and mitigation strategies currently available to producers, and the gaps in research and technology that must be addressed to protect the future of winegrape production in the state.

To read more about the Hub’s research on California winegrapes, scroll down to this newsletter’s recent research spotlight. To view the StoryMap and stay up to date about our work with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, visit our website.

An oak tree stands in the middle of a vineyard with rolling hills in the background.
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
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HEADLINES

Workshop Aims to Support Technical Service Providers in Climate Adaptation

To support technical service providers addressing climate impacts on agricultural lands in the state’s coastal region, the USDA California Climate Hub delivered a workshop in Salinas, California that aimed to increase foundational knowledge of climate change and provide hands-on experience with climate-related decision-support tools. 

UCANR Scientist Dr. Prakash Jha opened the workshop by walking participants through the basics of climate science and climate models. NRCS Area Agronomist Karen Lowell followed with a discussion about the impacts of climate change on California’s coast, like the potential for extreme heat to negatively impact the quality of the region's vegetable crops. The latter half of the workshop, led by Climate Hub Fellow Dr. Kimber Moreland, focused on familiarizing the participants with three decision-support tools: the Adaptation Workbook for California Specialty Crops, CalAdapt, and CalAgroClimate

“I have such reverence for the care that field technical service providers have for their clients and the land,” said Moreland. “It was a real treat to spend the day together connecting on how to adapt to these changes and hearing about what needs supporting.” The workshop was supported by the NIFA-funded project “Multifaceted Pathways to Climate-smart Agriculture Through Integrated Participatory Program Development and Delivery,” an ongoing partnership between the USDA California Climate Hub and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Karen Lowell stands at the front of the room, giving an interactive presentation on climate impacts.

The California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Highlights the Sierra Nevada

On October 10th, experts gathered in South Lake Tahoe, CA for the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force’s second Sierra Nevada Regional Meeting. While the Task Force’s first Sierra Nevada Regional Meeting, hosted in September 2022, focused on regional priority setting and economic resilience, this second iteration focused on highlighting successes in  cross-jurisdictional collaboration.

The day’s panels showcased the accomplishments and future plans of regional projects in forest resilience, biodiversity, and recreation. Visit our website to learn more about the day’s proceedings, or visit the Task Force website to watch webinar recordings of the full program.

California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force Logo
California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force
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RECENT RESEARCH

How Climate Change Will Affect California’s Winegrapes

Winegrapes first found their roots in California in 1769 when Spanish missionaries colonized Southern California and made their way north during the Gold Rush (1848–1855) because of increased demand for wine among miners. Since then, California’s Mediterranean climate has allowed it to become the country’s top wine producer, making up an average of 81% of U.S. wine production. However, California viticulture is threatened by climate changes like increased temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.

In order to explore the effects of climate change in California on winegrape phenology, the expected timing of developmental stages in a grapevine’s lifecycle, researchers used climate model projections of California’s future climate conditions in twelve of California’s 149 established American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). They then analyzed the impact of those projected climate changes on the phenology of six popular winegrape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc).

The study showed that California viticulture will see a large-scale pattern in phenological change of late chill completion and early maturation, meaning that winegrape development will start later in the winter and complete earlier in the summer and fall. This compressed development could affect the flavor and quality of winegrapes and the timing of harvest. When comparing the future developmental conditions of each variety, the pattern of later chill accumulation and early maturation was most apparent in Cabernet Sauvignon and least apparent in Chardonnay. Geographically, the pattern was more apparent in northern and coastal AVAs and coastal AVAs, like the West Sonoma Coast.

This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture and supported by the USDA California Climate Hub and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

Ripe winegrapes on the vine.
United States Department of Agriculture
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DROUGHT UPDATE & FORECAST
Current Status

While coastal Southern California remains largely drought free, inland regions are expected to experience abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. The majority of Northern California is expected to experience abnormal dryness, with some areas of moderate drought.
Seasonal Forecast

Drought conditions across the state are expected to remain stable, with no drought development anticipated through January.

 
TEMPERATURE & PRECIPITATION FORECAST
Temperature Forecast

With the exception of the state's far North, California is likely to see above-normal temperatures through the end of November. Warmer temperatures can increase water demand for natural and agricultural systems.
Precipitation Forecast

November precipitation has equal chances of being above- or below-normal throughout the state.
OPPORTUNITIES
Jobs

SoCal Innovation Landscapes Coordinator
San Diego State University
Location: San Diego, CA
Applications due: Open Until Filled

Partnerships and Capacity Building Coordinator
Carbon Cycle Institute
Location: Petaluma, CA
Applications due: Open Until Filled

Northern Plains Climate Hub Fellow
University of Wyoming 

Location: Laramie, WY
Applications due: Open Until Filled

Funding

Forest Health Research Program
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
The Forest Health Research Program was established as part of CAL FIRE’s plan for implementing the California Forest Carbon Plan. Visit the link above for a list of priority research topics and application guidelines.
Applications due: Nov. 14, 2024
EVENTS
Virtual

Financing Agricultural Best Practices Webinar
National Association of Conservation Districts

November 6, 2024
Learn more here

Rooted in Health Webinar
California Native Plant Society

November 7, 2024
Learn more here

In-Person

Climate-Smart Farming Demonstration
California Farm Demonstration Network

Camarillo, CA
November 6, 2024
Learn more here

Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo
Malcolm Media

Fresno, CA
November 8, 2024
Learn more here

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Want to get involved with the California Climate Hub? Have something you'd like us to include in our newsletter? Drop us a line!

Contact Hub Director Steven Ostoja (smostoja@ucdavis.edu) or Program Manager Lauren Parker (leparker@ucdavis.edu) to get started. 

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