Reservoir Farms Demo Day
Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
3247 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Demo Day at Reservoir Farms is an in-field showcase of commercially ready agricultural technology designed for growers who are ready to invest in what’s next and offer a chance to meet the innovators who are ready to get to work in your vineyards.
At this event, you can see the latest technology in action, with technical and sales staff from each company available to answer questions.
Featured Companies:
Bonsai Robotics – helps vineyard operators improve productivity and reduce operating costs with autonomous equipment that performs spraying, precision herbicide application, and other critical field operations.
Scout – an AI-powered farm management company building the agronomic intelligence layer for specialty crops. It’s platform turns aerial imagery, ground imagery, and historical farm data into actionable intelligence.
Lumo – a leading precision irrigation platform with block-level visibility and end-to-end control.
Saga Robotics – a leading robotics company developing autonomous electric robots using UVC light to control diseases and minimize chemical and carbon inputs.
Learn more about Reservoir Farms
IPM Meetings
Sonoma County Winegrowers will be hosting two IPM meetings in July:
Russian River Valley Meeting
Date: July 15th
Time: 9-10:30 AM
Sonoma County Winegrowers Office: 3245 Guerneville Rd, Santa Rosa, CA
Alexander Valley Meeting
Date: July 23rd
Time: 10-11:30am
Hoot Owl Creek Vineyards: 8197 California 128, Healdsburg, CA
Discussion Topics Include:
-Focus on Bloom Issues – powdery mildew index, grape leafhopper nymph and mite observations and actions, weed ID
-Review of nitrogen and water use to grow vines with pest and disease resistance
*If you’d like to be included in future communication specific to IPM resources, please send your email address to Emersyn Klick at emersyn@sonomawinegrape.org
Sonoma County Winegrowers
Grower BBQ
Thursday, July 16, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Oak Grove
8621 Oak Grove Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Join us for an afternoon of food, wine, and community at our annual Grower BBQ. An opportunity to catch up, share stories, and celebrate the relationships that help our industry grow – families and children are welcome!
Click Here to RSVP
Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Training
Now that Summer has arrived, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau is offering July certification courses for the Ag Access Pass Program going into the wildfire and harvest seasons. Ag Access Passes are obtained from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and provide property access in an evacuation zone during a wildfire event. The Pass is valid for 42 months, and individuals or one supervisor per crew requesting access will be required to have a pass. To obtain a pass, the first step is to complete this certification course. Topics include fireline hazards, wildland personal protective equipment, entrapment avoidance, vegetation management, traffic patterns, and other essential fire topics.
Please note: Attendee’s full registration name must match personal identification card for certificate to complete the class certification process.
Date: Tuesday, July 21
Spanish language : 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
English language : 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free of charge, limit 50 attendees per course
Courses brought to you by American AgCredit and Sonoma County Farm Bureau
Click Here to Register
Applications Now Open for USDA Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the payment rates for the one-time bridge payments available through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program. The program will deliver approximately $1.6 billion in direct assistance to specialty crop producers affected by rising production costs, market disruptions, trade-related challenges, and growing competition from imports.
Winegrape Payment Rate
USDA has established the following payment rate for grapes: Processed Grapes (Winegrapes): $225 per acre. Both bearing and non-bearing acreage are eligible. USDA specifically recognized that non-bearing acreage continues to incur substantial costs despite generating little or no revenue.
How to Apply
Pre-filled ASCF applications will be available to producers who reported their 2025 crop acreage report by April 24, 2026, for eligible specialty crops. Only one application is required for all ASCF-eligible specialty crops nationwide. Producers who have a secure Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application online starting June 1, 2026.
Application timeline:
June 1, 2026: Online applications open
June 8, 2026: Applications available through local FSA offices
August 7, 2026: Application deadline
Click Here to Learn More or Apply
USDA Funding Opportunities to Support Pollinator Habitat
The Resource Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Farmer-to-Farmer Collaboration is looking for enthusiastic producers interested in receiving financial and technical support for implementing on-farm practices that support pollinators. They are offering contracts to distribute over $1,000,000 to California producers to implement pollinator habitat.
Practices include: Cover Crops, Conservation Cover, Wildlife Habitat and Range Planting, Hedgerow Planting, Prescribed Grazing, Micro-Irrigation, Integrated Pest Management, Tree-Shrub and Brush Establishment and Management.
Applications are Open Now!
Click Here to Learn More or Apply
UCCE North Coast Viticulture Resources
The UC Cooperative Extension has many upcoming events and resources beneficial to North Coast growers. Click the link below to learn more about upcoming events!
