Small and diverse farms are a vital part of California’s food system, but navigating food safety regulations can be challenging, especially for those with limited access to training and resources. To bridge this gap, UC Davis is leading an effort to establish the California Center for Food Safety, a new hub offering growers the education and support they need to meet food safety standards.

The UC Davis V & E Extension Team organized and presented a few programs in the fall. On November 20, 2024, we were in Temecula! Megan Bartlett, Dave Block, Ron Runnebaum, Akif Eskalen, Tian Tian, and Axel Herrera were the presenters. There were about 100 attendees from both Riverside and San Diego Counties!  The topics covered ranged from the latest information on grapevine trunk diseases, powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot in vineyards; to how to properly clean and sanitize and do it more sustainably; to irrigation management, vine nutrition and regenerative practices.