Food And Farm News
September 9, 2026
New 'smart' farm tech targets vegetable production
Agricultural technology took center stage during a field day last month as a dozen developers showed off "smart" weeders and thinners that differentiate weeds from crops, autonomous bird hazers and an autonomous lettuce harvester. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Connect event was designed to bring together stakeholders to discuss growers' pain points and how they could work together to address them. Nearly 300 growers, pest control advisers, equipment manufacturers, educators and others took in the agricultural tech demonstrations hosted at Sabór Farms' lettuce fields near San Juan Bautista. "We all have these different perspectives, different educational levels, different life experiences, and all of that input is what makes something work," said Jennifer Clarke, California Specialty Crops Council chairperson. "Otherwise, these guys spin their wheels creating technology we can't use."
Sonoma County grower says winegrape sales remain sluggish
With harvest underway, California farmers are again struggling to find buyers for their winegrapes, according to Sonoma County grower Domenic Carinalli. "I've got a lot of it for sale. It's a pretty sad story right now. We have a nice crop, but there's just no buyers," Carinalli told Ag Alert® in a field report. During the past three years, a global downturn in wine sales has left wineries with surplus inventory, and many have pulled back from purchasing grapes. "It's close to harvesting time," Carinalli said last month. "Some (vineyards) are being harvested already. We haven't harvested. Hopefully, we'll start in a week or two. But you've got to sell it first. We had just one small lot sold. If we don't get it sold, we'll probably just let it go, leave it on the vines and let the birds have it. Normally, we have it all netted. This year we haven't netted anything. It's a tough year."
Summit seeks to strengthen agritourism
The University of California will hold its agritourism summit Sept. 23-25 in Paso Rables. The event brings together leaders, experts and practitioners to connect, learn and engage. Through keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions and farm tours, participants can gain practical tools and inspiration to strengthen agritourism in California. Topics include working with influencers to increase your income for real; agritourism and the growing experiential tourism landscape; investing in agritourism strategic planning and land conservation with Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program funding; keeping visitors safe and protecting your business; and getting seen by consumers and artificial intelligence.
In case you missed it:
Paintballs among new tools allowed for hazing wolves
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved new hazing options for ranchers living in counties with gray wolves present. State officials have scheduled training sessions throughout impacted areas that, once completed, will qualify ranchers to receive permits to use paint and inert powder projectiles along with sustained pursuit to prevent wolves from attacking livestock. Last year, California confirmed 196 livestock killed by the predator. Many impacted livestock producers have long held that the noninjurious hazing options given to them to scare off wolves, including shining bright lights and making loud noises, are not effective. Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher described the new hazing options as more frustrating than encouraging because the range and impact of paint or powder projectiles make them useful in only very narrow circumstances.
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.
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