In this issue:
Feature
Sustainable Winegrowing Summit Features Keynote from Dr. Steven Ostoja
Headlines
USDA California Climate Hub Workshops Respond to Stakeholder Needs
Recent Research
Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Winegrape Development Across California
Forecasts, Opportunities, and Events
Seasonal Forecasts
Funding Opportunities
Employment Opportunities
Events
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Sustainable Winegrowing Summit Features Keynote from Dr. Steven Ostoja
California is one of the world’s top wine producers, with 615,000 acres and over 110 winegrape varieties in production per year. However, climate change is projected to make California hotter, drier, and more likely to experience extreme weather, threatening the yield and quality of California winegrapes.
At their two-day 2024 U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) featured a keynote presentation from USDA California Climate Hub Director Dr. Steven Ostoja. Dr. Ostoja discussed general climate trends, Hub-led research on the impacts of climate change on winegrape development, and research led by Hub collaborators on climate change effects on pest pressure. Dr. Ostoja also facilitated a panel discussion with industry leaders in sustainability focused on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
To access recordings of the summit’s presentations, click the link below. To learn more about the USDA California Climate Hub’s research on the projected impacts of climate change on winegrapes, funded in part by CSWA, scroll down!
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USDA California Climate Hub Workshops Respond to Stakeholder Needs
The USDA California Climate Hub had a lively May and June, facilitating three workshops:
- Technical service providers are an essential resource for agricultural producers, connecting them to knowledge, tools, and funding. To support technical service providers addressing climate impacts, the California Climate Hub designed a workshop, led by Climate Hub Fellow Dr. Kimber Moreland, that aimed to give technical service providers from across the state a foundational knowledge of climate change and hands-on experience with climate-related decision-support tools.
- Dr. Moreland also facilitated the first in a series of workshops titled “Climate Conversations,” which provides climate literacy training to USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) field staff. The workshop took place in Santa Cruz and gathered field staff from across NRCS California Service Area 2.
- Led by UC Davis Professor Dr. Isaya Kisekka and supported by Hub staff including Drs. Moreland and Ostoja and Climate Hub Science Applications Specialist Jess DellaRossa, the “Implementing Groundwater Demand Management in Agricultural Regions” workshop brought together a community of stakeholders to develop a common understanding of Groundwater Demand Management (GDM). The workshop preceded the international conference Toward Sustainable Groundwater in Agriculture.
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Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Winegrape Development Across California
Viticulture is one of California’s most economically and culturally significant agricultural industries. The state produces more than 80% of U.S. wine, is the fourth largest global producer of wine, and the viticulture industry as a whole contributes over $70 billion to the state’s economy. Facing the mounting pressures of climate change, many winegrowers have questions about what they can do to prepare their operations for the future.
To better understand the impact of climate change on California winegrapes, the USDA California Climate Hub led a study that explores the effects of winegrape variety, growing location, and future climate conditions on winegrape development. The study uses climate model projections to analyze the impacts of 14 climate metrics on six winegrape varieties across 12 winegrowing regions.
Overall, winegrape development is projected to quicken as winegrapes as warmer spring and summer temperatures will hasten the maturation process. However, the degree to which development advances is dependent on winegrape variety and growing location. Faster development was most apparent in Cabernet Sauvignon and least apparent in Chardonnay. Geographically, bigger changes were shown in northern and coastal winegrowing regions, like the West Sonoma Coast, as compared to more southern and inland regions, like Lodi and Madera.
While many questions remain unanswered about the future of California viticulture, this study can help winegrowers make more informed management decisions and variety choices. This research was funded by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture and supported by Hub collaborators Drs. John Abatzoglou, Isaya Kisekka, and Andrew McElrone.
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United States Department of Agriculture
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DROUGHT UPDATE & FORECAST
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Current Status
The state remains largely drought free with the exception of far inland Southern California, which
is expected to experience abnormal dryness.
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Seasonal Forecast
Drought conditions across the state are expected to remain stable, with virtually no drought anticipated through the summer.
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TEMPERATURE & PRECIPITATION FORECAST
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Temperature Forecast
With the exception of far Northern California and the California coast, the state is likely to see above-normal temperatures through the end of July. Warmer temperatures can increase water demand for natural and agricultural systems.
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Precipitation Forecast
July precipitation is likely to be below-normal in far Northern and inland California. Precipitation in the central coast has equal chances of being above- or below-normal. With its Mediterranean climate, summer precipitation patterns play only a minor role in California's water balance.
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Jobs
Assistant Project Scientist
University of California, Davis
Location: Davis, CA
Applications due: Jun. 28, 2024
Indigenous Food Systems and Foods Sovereignty Advisor
University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Location: Multiple
Applications due: Aug. 15, 2024
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Funding
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grants (RCPP)
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.
Applications due: Jul. 2, 2024
Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Fellowship
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained on applying genome editing technology to knock out target genes to generate novel mutant lines with enhanced agronomic traits in wheat.
Applications due: Jul. 12, 2024
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Indigenous Voices and Stewardship in Urban Landscapes
USDA Forest Service Research & Development
Virtual
July 10, 2024
Learn more here
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Creating Your RCPP Proposal Webinar
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
Virtual
June 27, 2024
Learn more here
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