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5915 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California, United States of America, 93422
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You’re Changing Lives—Read the 2025 Impact Report
July 30, 2025
We’re proud to share the third annual Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Impact Report!
Since 2015, your support has helped us invest over $436,000 in college scholarships for the children of California’s vineyard and winery workers. These students are breaking new ground—98% are the first in their families to attend college.
The road isn’t easy. Three out of four first-generation college students don’t graduate. Many face challenges like limited guidance, financial pressure, and the emotional weight of leaving family behind.
That’s why this scholarship does more than cover tuition—it also provides mentorship, helping students stay on track and build a future rooted in service and leadership.
Take a look at what we accomplished together last year!
Thank you for your continued support.
Vineyard Team Scholarship Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship higher education college first generation mentorship vineyard winery California wine
The In-Person Schedule for the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo Is Live!
July 28, 2025
Kick things off Monday, November 10 with an exclusive welcome event at Center of Effort Winery, then join us for two full days of seminar, and networking on November 11–12 at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo.
What to expect:
• Expert-led sessions & cutting-edge research on soil health, climate-smart farming, ag-technology, and more
• Practical, field-tested strategies you can implement immediately
• Earn continuing education hours as you learn
• Networking opportunities with fellow growers, researchers and sustainable ag businesses
Whether you’re looking to deepen your technical know-how, explore new innovations, or forge partnerships across the industry, the Sustainable Ag Expo delivers practical value for every ag professional.
🔗 View the full in-person schedule and secure your spot.
Vineyard Team Sustainable Ag Expo Sustainable Agriculture Expo 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo Soil health Ag-tech Continuing education Smart farming strategies Integrated pest management Wine industry sustainable Ag-industry First-generation scholarship program Climate adaptive viticulture
Get DPR Hours Online
July 03, 2025
We’ve got great news for growers and ag professionals looking to knock out some continuing education—11 of Vineyard Team’s most popular online courses are now re-released and approved for DPR and CCA hours!
Each course has been updated with new codes and fresh certificates, so even if you’ve taken them before, you can enroll again and earn credit.
Whether you need to maintain your license or just want to stay sharp on sustainable farming practices, these courses offer valuable, accessible education at just $10 each.
Enroll today and start learning at your own pace!
GO TO COURSES
*Don't forget to revisit CE requirements and make sure your license number is attached to your account.
Vineyard Team online courses on demand DPR Department of Pesticide Regulation continuing education sustainable winegrowing sustainable viticulture pest management sustainable pest management
Spanish Pre-Harvest Safety: Train-the-Trainer
July 03, 2025
Event Type: Seminar
Event Date: 07/18/2025
Location: Vineyard Industry Products,2110 Wisteria Ln., Paso Robles, CA 93446
Equip yourself for a successful, hazard-free harvest with our comprehensive safety training! From machine and hand harvesting to tool and tractor safety, along with recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), we've got everything you need for a smooth and secure operation.
Coffee & food provided
Hosted by Vineyard Industry Products in Paso Robles
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Título del evento: Seguridad precosecha: Capacitación de capacitadores
Fecha/Hora: Viernes, 18 de julio, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
¡Prepárese para una cosecha exitosa y sin riesgos con nuestra capacitación integral en seguridad! Desde la cosecha manual y con máquinas hasta la seguridad de las herramientas y los tractores, junto con el equipo de protección personal (EPP) recomendado, tenemos todo lo necesario para una operación fluida y segura.
Se proporcionará café y comida.
Organizado por Vineyard Industry Products en Paso Robles.
Speakers:
- Manuel Jimenez, DLL Insurance Agency
Vineyard Team Harvest safety sustainable sustainable winegrowing train-the-trainer Vineyard Industry Products California wine industry
Meet the Headliner of the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo
June 18, 2025
Big Ideas. Bold Solutions.
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Chris Chen as the headliner for the Sustainable Ag Expo!
Known for turning research into action, Dr. Chen will share practical, climate-smart solutions to help growers adapt, innovate, and lead in a changing environment.
This is a must-attend for anyone ready to future-proof their vineyard.
About Dr. Chen:
Dr. Chris Chen is a trailblazer in climate-adaptive viticulture, serving California’s North Coast through the UC Cooperative Extension.
With a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Agronomy from UC Davis, he empowers vineyards to thrive amid climate change with cutting-edge, science-driven strategies that champion both resilience and sustainability.
Don't miss Dr. Chen's sessions:
Mon., Nov. 10 | 5:00-6:00 pm | Farming for the Future: Climate-Resilient Vineyard Practices*
Tues., Nov 11 | 8:00-9:00 am | Soil Carbon in Practice: Monitor, Test, & Improve
Tues., Nov 11 | 9:00-10:00 am | Grower-Led Soil Health: What Works Where
*Monday night’s presentation takes place during our Kickoff Event at Center of Effort Winery.
This special evening is included with all Expo tickets — while space lasts!
Free registration is required, and additional guest tickets are available for $50 each.
Vineyard Team Sustainable Ag Expo sustainable sustainable winegrowing sustainable viticulture climate change Dr. Chris Chen Sustainable Ag Expo 2025 climate-adaptive viticulture vineyard resilience soil health carbon sequestration cultivar selection UCCE Integrated Vineyard Systems UC Davis horticulture Center of Effort Winery SIP Certified wines trade show sessions Madonna Expo Center
Softer Ways to Fight Fungus | Sustainable Story
June 12, 2025
Fungal pressures are complex in Michigan State’s humid continental climate. Andy Fles, Vineyard Manager at Shady Lane Cellars, uses a fungicide program that's about 50% organic, but he wondered if even softer products could keep diseases at bay.
Andy got a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant and set up an experiment to test his usual program and softer products against four common fungal diseases:
- Powdery Mildew
- Downy Mildew
- Sour Rot
- Botrytis
His conventional method included bacterium-based products and neonicotinoids, while his soft program leaned more on oils like
stylet, neem, thyme, and orange; and a Lupin seed extract product.
Andy counted infected leaves to assess mildew pressure. To assess botrytis and sour rot, teams from Michigan State University, Rufus Isaacs Lab, and Tim Miles Lab ran tests on clusters from each treatment.
The project is ongoing, but results so far show that the soft products are keeping pace with his standard program.
Andy is grateful for the SARE funding that helped him achieve this project. He looks forward to raising awareness of how soft products can be effective for wet-climate vineyards.
Vineyard Team SIP Certified Certified Sustainable Shady Lane Cellars Michigan Wine Powdery Mildew sustainable pest management sustainable winegrowing
From Surplus to Strategy: Managing the Grape Market’s Challenges
June 12, 2025
Amid news of oversupply and decreased demand, the wine industry has an opportunity to adapt to the changing market. Audra Cooper, Director of Grape Brokerage, and Eddie Urman, Central Coast Grape Broker at Turrentine Brokerage, discuss key grape and wine industry trends, from oversupply and vineyard removals to the growing necessity of sustainable certification. They explore regional dynamics, bulk wine market shifts, and future trends, emphasizing innovation, industry collaboration, and better marketing to stay competitive.
Resources:
- 258: 5 Ways Certification Makes Brands the SIP | Marketing Tip Monday
- 259: Winegrape Market Trends of 2024
- 265: How to Stand Out on Social Media in 2025
- 268: How to Tackle Leadership Transitions Successfully
- Turrentine Brokerage
- Turrentine Brokerage - Newsletter
Vineyard Team Programs:
- Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Donate
- SIP Certified – Show your care for the people and planet
- Sustainable Ag Expo – The premiere winegrowing event of the year
- Vineyard Team – Become a Member
Get More
Subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode on the latest science and research with the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast. Since 1994, Vineyard Team has been your resource for workshops and field demonstrations, research, and events dedicated to the stewardship of our natural resources.
Learn more at www.vineyardteam.org.
Vineyard Team sustainable sustainable winegrowing grape market market trends wine industry marketing tips certified sustainable
Supporting Vineyard Biodiversity with Native Plants & Pollinators
June 05, 2025
Event Type: Seminar
Event Date: 06/27/2025
Location: McIntyre Vineyards, 31901 Sanchez Rd., Soledad, CA 93960
Join us to explore how pollinator conservation, hedgerows, and innovative technology can enhance vineyard health and productivity. Learn practical strategies to protect beneficial species, reduce pesticide impacts, and attract birds that support your vines.
Experience a guided hedgerow walk at McIntyre Vineyard, gain insights from an expert panel discussion, and witness a demonstration of beneficial insect release.
Speakers:
- Madeline Kangas, Xerces Society
- Sara Frazer, Monterey Pacific
- Jazmin Lopez, Pisoni Vineyards
- Jaclyn Bennett, Parabug
- Sam Earnshaw, Hedgerows Unlimited
- JoAnn Baumgartner, Wild Farm Alliance
CE Approved: DPR 1.5 - O; CA 2 - S
Vineyard Team sustainable sustainable winegrowing sustainable pest management pest management hedgerows conservation beneficial insects live demo
Bird Abatement and Managing Wildlife in the Vineyard
May 29, 2025
Event Type: Seminar
Event Date: 06/13/2025
Location: Bar-M Vineyard (Jackson Family Wines),10750 HWY 101, Los Alamos, CA 93117
Learn innovative methods for managing bird and vertebrate pests in vineyards. Bart Haycraft (Jackson Family Wines) and falconer Pogerof Scott discuss using falconry to deter birds.
Chad Foster (Maverick Farming) shares his use of an autonomous bird laser deterrent. Kevin Garcia Lopez and Sarah Lord (Cal Poly) will present their barn owl research, focusing on nest box occupancy and how changes in vineyard habitat affect foraging behavior.
The event will feature a live falconry demonstration and give attendees the opportunity to view a bird laser, including the autonomous bird laser deterrent system.
Speakers:
Bart Haycraft, Jackson Family Wines
Pogerof Scott, Falconer
Chad Foster, Maverick Farming
Joseph Traut, Cypress Agritech
Graham Evans, Cypress Agritech
Riley Boylan, Cypress Agritech
Kevin Garcia Lopez, Cal Poly
Sarah Lord, Cal Poly
CE Approved: DPR 2 - O; CCA 2 - IPM
Vineyard Team bird abatement pest control wildlife sustainable sustainable winegrowing regenerative habitat sustainable wine vineyard management sustainable pest management
Weed Whackers with Hooves: Goats, Sheep, and One Famous Pig
May 19, 2025
Sustainable Story | Happy, Helping Hooves
Weeds challenge farms of all sizes. When Melani Harding, Owner and Winemaker at Bon Niche Cellars, decided to stop using herbicides, weeds got out of hand and she looked for more sustainable control methods.
She adopted Nigerian dwarf goats, who promptly began cleaning up the property. But since they’ll gladly eat budding and maturing grapes, they can only free-roam the vineyard between harvest and bud break.
Babydoll sheep joined the crew next. They are the perfect height for removing excess vine leaves… which also means they can reach the fruit! They also must leave the vineyard at bud break and are welcome back with the goats after harvest.
Melani wanted to achieve year-round weed control. After some research, she found the perfect solution: Kunekune pigs with short stature and a natural inclination for grazing. In 2021, Gilbert the Pig joined the farm and quickly became a local celebrity.
Over the years, Melani has established a grazing schedule that keeps her animals happy and her vineyard healthy.
Between the animals, going no-till, and using vermicompost tea, she has nearly eradicated the need for mowing or spraying at Bon Niche Cellars: “I love sipping on a glass of wine, watching my cute animals do all the work for me!”
Read more Sustainable Stories here & learn how to share yours!
SIP Certified Sustainable energy efficiency Vineyard Team weed management sustainable winegrowing sustainable farming regenerative compost
About
Keeping up-to-date with the latest sustainable winegrowing practices can be hard...but it doesn't have to be.
What started as a small grower group’s desire to educate and guide themselves towards sustainable winegrowing practices has become Vineyard Team, an internationally recognized leader in the sustainability movement.
Since 1994, the 501(c)-3 non-profit has served its membership of farmers, winemakers, and industry partners by creating an educational network with the leadership of its staff and board of directors to help growers save resources and money, all while cultivating valuable relationships.
Who Are We: Read about our 5 programs
Mission
Vineyard Team will identify and promote the most environmentally safe, viticulturally and economically sustainable farming methods while maintaining or improving the quality and flavor of wine grapes.
The Team will be a model for wine grape growers and will promote the public trust of stewardship for natural resources.
Demonstration Projects
Demonstration projects help growers learn about new management techniques, successfully adopt new practices, and minimize risk.
Staff, technical advisors (University of California Cooperative Extension/university professors), and growers collaborate to implement specific practices and share the results with the winegrowing community.
Click here to read more about the Demonstration Projects Vineyard Team has been involved with.
Contact
Contact List
| Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Director | Beth Vukmanic | beth@vineyardteam.org | 805-464-4851 | |
| Outreach & Education Coordinator | Hayli Macober | hayli@vineyardteam.org | 805-464-4849 | |
| SIP Certified Coordinator | Whitney Brownie | whitney@vineyardteam.org | 805-464-4850 |
Location List
| Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vineyard Team | 5915 El Camino Real, Atascadero | California | United States of America | 93422 |
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