As growers explore regenerative agriculture, the conversation often centers on soil management, cover crops, reduced disturbance and more diversified production systems. But there is another practical challenge that remains constant: weeds still need to be managed. (photo by Foreverlasting Films LLC) That reality is prompting an important shift in thinking. Rather than searching for a single product to replace a conventional herbicide in every situation, growers can look at weed management as a system, using different tools where they make the most agronomic sense. Recent research illustrates why this integrated approach matters. A study published in Weed Science evaluated alternative weed-control methods over two growing seasons in citrus, olive and vineyard systems. Researchers examined several approaches, including contact herbicides, selective herbicides, mowing and cover-crop residues, and found that performance varied by crop, weed species and management practice. The research re

Fundraising milestone comes as the company gears up for rapid expansion Contact BioSolutions, the maker of FireHawk® Bioherbicide, has completed a $5.6 million USD capital raise through the conversion of options, with participation exceeding 98%. This exceptional rate reflects strong confidence in the company's Board of Directors. This capital will enable the fast-acting, non-selective contact herbicide, which is already gaining traction across the United States, to speed up growth and make significant advances towards profitability. This announcement comes on the heels of a number of other significant milestones for the company. FireHawk’s RTU product has been EPA-registered in all 50 states. Its Super Concentrate product has been registered in 48 states and is expected to gain CDPR approval to register in California this fall. Its Super Concentrate product will soon be available for order through Amazon, enabling broader commercialization across the States. “We are thrilled about thi

How Bioherbicides Fit Into Modern Vineyard Weed Management Programs For decades, California's wine grape industry has been recognized as a global leader in sustainable agriculture. Programs such as the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, Napa Green, SIP Certified, and numerous regional stewardship initiatives have encouraged vineyard managers to continually improve environmental performance while producing some of the world's highest-quality wines. Long before regenerative agriculture became a widely recognized movement, California winegrowers were investing in practices that conserved water, protected watersheds, and increased biodiversity. As consumer expectations evolved and wineries placed greater emphasis on sustainability, growers continued searching for practices that could reduce inputs while improving the long-term health of their vineyards. One of the greatest areas of innovation has been vineyard floor management. From Bare Ground to Living Soil For many years, the a

From the Vineyard to the Future of Organic Farming to include three “Organic Field Days” during the month of July Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) will host the 2026 Organic Winegrowing Conference on July 29th, and has introduced a new educational format that takes growers directly into the vineyard to explore the future of organic farming and sustainable winegrowing practices. Titled From the Vineyard to the Future of Organic Farming, the month-long program will feature a series of Organic Field Days on three consecutive Wednesdays throughout the Napa Valley, culminating in the Organic Winegrowing Conference on Wednesday, July 29 at The Culinary Institute of America at Copia in downtown Napa. The Organic Field Days will occur on July 8 at Baldacci Family Vineyards focusing on soil fertility, July 15 at Quintessa covering beneficial insects and pest management, and July 22 at an Opus One trial vineyard discussing ground cover. Design

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. 2026 brings about more pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations, but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on in 2026: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practi

Representing Contact BioSolutions, maker of FireHawk® Bioherbicide, Managing Director Dr. Frank Glatz participated in roundtable discussions centered on regenerative agriculture, operational challenges, and the growing interest in additional weed management tools.

Across agriculture, regenerative practices continue gaining momentum as growers, land managers, researchers, and policymakers look for ways to improve soil stewardship, reduce operational pressures, and build long-term resilience. But as adoption increases, many conversations are beginning to focus less on theory and more on implementation, especially when it comes to weed management. That topic emerged repeatedly during the recent American Regeneration Conference held at Sovereignty Ranch in Bandera, Texas. The two-day event brought together leaders across agriculture, science, policy, and land management to discuss the future of regenerative systems and the practical realities surrounding adoption at scale. Representing Contact BioSolutions, maker of FireHawk® Bioherbicide, Managing Director Dr. Frank Glatz participated in roundtable discussions centered on regenerative agriculture, operational challenges, and the growing interest in additional weed management tools. While regenerat

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. More pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practices which are respons

The California Department of Food & Agriculture has announced it has certified the votes on the referendum to continue the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, also known as the Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW), for another five years.  Garnering 85.77% percent of the vote, winegrape growers strongly supported continuation of the organization.  The Commission was established in 2006 and is required by California law to conduct a grower vote every five years to determine if they want to continue to be assessed to fund the organization.    “It is very gratifying to see the efforts of the Commission recognized and supported by the very people who fund it and make all the great work possible,” said Bret Munselle, chairman of the SCW board of directors and owner of Munselle Vineyards.  He added, “Through the assessment, the growers have been personally investing in promoting Sonoma County for nearly 20 years and with this vote, SCW will continue

Better Together: Scout + Monarch Partner to Power a New Era of Sustainable Vineyard Management Scout, the leader in AI-supported precision viticulture data platform, and Monarch Tractor, the pioneer of the fully electric, driver-optional tractor, and smart MK-V tractor, have announced a strategic partnership to provide vine-level mapping and analysis during standard MK-V operations; maximizing the value of each tractor pass and further reducing a vineyard’s carbon footprint. The collaboration pairs Scout’s AI-supported actionable plant insights with Monarch’s zero-emissions operations, enabling more regenerative, biodynamic, and organic practices in modern viticulture that also unlocks significant savings for a farm. A Shared Vision for the Future of Farming “Practices like organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming demand greater surveillance and precision at the vine level– that’s why Scout exists,” says Kia Behnia, CEO of Scout. &ldq