Local Opportunities

Check this page for local educational opportunities hosted by the Lodi Winegrape Commission, universities, ag associations, and more. *ALWAYS* confirm event details with hosts!

To get your event posted, email the details in the format below to Dr. Stephanie Bolton, stephanie@lodiwine.com, with the subject line “New LodiGrowers.com Event.”

NATURAL ENEMIES OF SPIDER MITES & WAYS TO ENHANCE THEM IN VINEYARDS.

Date:  Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time:  9:00am – 12:00pm

Venue:  Reamer Farms, 33939 Jefferson Blvd, Clarksburg CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Topics & Speakers:  

  • Live Drone release of beneficial insects — Jaclyn Bennett (PCA, General Manager, Parabug)
  • Use of food sprays to attract natural enemies — Hanna Kahl, PhD (Ecological Pest Management, Specialist, CAFF)
  • Impacts of miticides on beneficial insect populations — Moet Takata (Ecological Pest Management, Program Manager, CAFF)
  • Digital ag tech to detect nutrient deficiencies, virus symptoms & pest damage — Chris Storm (PCA, Starr & Storm Corp Solutions)

Description:  See how drones are used for beneficial insect release! A demonstration on how a release of these natural enemies, including predatory mites, green lacewings and how food sprays can be used to encourage natural enemy activity. This event will take place in the field, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and a hat! Coffee, water and snacks will be provided.

RSVP:  To CAFF Ecological Farming by clicking HERE.


UC DAVIS: WOMEN IN WINE SYMPOSIUM.

Date:  Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time:  10:30am – 5:30pm

Venue:  Sensory Theater, Robert Mondavi Institute, 392 Old Davis Rd, Davis CA

Cost:  $40

Speakers:  

  • Brenae Royal, Panelist (Winemaker & Viticulturist, Violet’s Paradise Wines)
  • Rebekah Wineburg, Panelist (Winemaker, Quintessa)
  • Laura Gabriel, Panelist (Brand Strategist, Co-Founder of Paper Planes Wine & The River Club)
  • Bukola Ekundayo (General Manager & VP, The Prisoner Wine Co.)
  • Anna Brittain (Executive Director, Napa Green)
  • Carole Meredith (Winemaker & Professor Emerita, Lagier Meredith)

Description:  This event features three speakers from different backgrounds in the industry and a moderated panel all addressing areas for growth in the wine industry—how defying convention and questioning norms leads to impactful change. Includes lunch, small group discussions and a wine reception.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE. For questions, contact rmievents@ucdavis.edu.


5th ANNUAL EASTERN VITICULTURE & ENOLOGY WEBINAR SERIES.

Date:  Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Time:  10:00 – 11:00am

Venue:  Online via Zoom

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Topic:  Managing low vs high pH; A Northern vs Southern US perspective

Description:  This webinar series for growers and winemakers is a collaborative effort between the Penn State Extension Grape and Wine Team and viticulture and enology Extension programs from several U.S. land grant institutions. To view the entire series, click HERE.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


SAN JOAQUIN AG COMMISSIONER SPRING CE MEETING.

Date:  Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Time:  8:30 – 11:00am

Venue:  Assembly Rm 1, 2 & 3, 2101 E Earhart Ave, Stockton CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credit:  1.5 hr DPR CE (LAWS & REGS) & 0.5 hr DPR CE (OTHER)

Topic & Speakers:

  • Water coalition news — Mike Wackman (SJC & Delta Water Quality Coalition)
  • Drift prevention for airblast applications — Amarjit Nijjar (SJC Agricultural Biologist)
  • Spray days & NOI submittal — SJC Agricultural Biologist

Description:  Join this event for important updates on the water coalition and training. For more information click HERE.

Registration:  Held on site at time of event.


LDGGA: BUSINESS & ECONOMIC FORUM.

Date:  Thursday, May 1, 2025

Time:  9:00 — 11:30am

Venue:  Jackson Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Topics: 

  • Updates on the state of the winegrape market — Jeff Bitter (President, Allied Grape Growers) & Kyle Collins (Manager NV Operations, Allied Grape Growers)
  • Update & outlook on economy & wine sales — Chris Bitter, PhD (Senior Wine & Grape Analyst, Terrain)
  • Crop protection & nutrition supply chains — Robbie Malm (Director of Procurement & Supplier Relations, Grow West)
  • Agricultural land & real estate discussion — Tyler Bragg (Agent, Peterson & Company), Trent Diehl (Attorney & Founder, Diehl Law Firm) & Janie Gatzman, ARA (Owner, Gatzman Appraisal)

Description:  This seminar focuses on the business of winegrape growing and the economic factors impacting the industry. Complimentary lunch to follow.

RSVP:  To LDGGA at info@ldgga.org or 209.339.8246.


HELLA CHENIN EVENT

Date:  Saturday, May 3, 2025

Time:  11:00am — 5:00pm

Venue:  Hammerling Wines, 1350 Fifth St, Berkeley CA

Cost:  $50

Description:  A one day festival featuring 70 + Chenin Blancs from top California and South African winemakers. Panel discussion with Tegan Passalacque of Sandlands and Bernhard Bredell Scions of Sinai discussing regenerative agriculture, what makes old vines special and the future of Chenin. Trade and consumer tasting to follow. For more information, click HERE.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic & Speakers:

  • Biological control of Trunk Disease — Christopher Wallis, PhD (Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS)
  • Vineyard weed management —  Dawson Lewis (PCA & Viticulturist, Starr & Storm Corp Solutions)
  • Rodent management — Lauren Jackson (Cal Poly Humboldt)

Who Should Attend: Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies. This month, the focus is on biological control of Trunk disease, weed management and rodent control in the vineyard.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


DRY FARMING VINEYARDS WORKSHOP & WINE TASTING.

Date:  Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Time:  1:00 – 5:00pm

Venue:  Emeritus Vineyards, 3500 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Topics & Speakers:  To view the agenda, click HERE

Description:  Learn how Emeritus Vineyards transitioned to dry farming, listen to an expert panel of growers who dry farm in diverse regions and taste dry-farmed wine. This workshop is co-hosted by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Community Alliance with Family Farmers and Vineyard Team.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


HISTORIC VINEYARD SOCIETY IN THE CITY TASTING.

Date:  Saturday, May 10, 2025

Time:  1:00 – 4:00pm

Venue:  Fort Mason Gallery 308, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco CA

Cost:  $80 (plus applicable fees)

Description:  This event features 30+ Historic Vineyard wineries. Taste wines spanning from Calistoga Barbera to Santa Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon; from quintessential Alexander Valley Zin to Contra Costa Carignan and Los Olivos Syrah. For further information about the Historic Vineyard Society click HERE.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


ANITA OBERHOLSTER: CELEBRATION OF LIFE.

Date:  Monday, May 12, 2025

Time:  2:00 – 5:00pm

Venue:  UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Ln, Davis CA

Description:  A special event honoring the life of Anita Oberholster by sharing memories, stories and celebrate the impact she had on the wine and grape industry.  For more information about the event click HERE.

Registration:  To register, click HERE.


CALIFORNIA AGRITOURISM SUMMIT.

Date:  Wednesday, May 14 – Thursday, May 15, 2025

Time:  7:30am – 5:00pm

Venue:  The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (May 14); California Center for the Arts, Escondido (May 15)

Cost:  $150

Topics & Speakers:  To view the agenda, click HERE

Description:  This event brings together agritourism stakeholders to share current initiatives and industry developments, gain practical tools to start or expand an agritourism business, develop strategic partnerships and create a collective vision for the future of agritourism in California.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


DRESS UP, WINE DOWN

Date:  Saturday, May 17, 2025

Time:  5:00 – 7:30pm

Venue:  The Handle District, 1800 Capitol Ave, Sacramento CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Description:  Lodi Wine and Sacramento Fashion Week host this annual event featuring over 20 + Lodi wineries and a fashion show showcasing pieces from local designers and clothiers. Donations support the non-profit WEAVE. For more information about WEAVE click HERE. For more information about this event click HERE.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


UC OAKVILLE GRAPE DAY.

Date:  Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Time:  7:30am – 1:15pm

Venue:  Oakville Experimental Vineyard, 1380 Oakville Grade Rd, Oakville CA

Cost:  $100 includes pastries, coffee and lunch

Credit:  0.5 hr CCA CE and 1 hr DPR CE applied for

Topics & Speakers:  

  • Translating genetic discoveries into innovations in viticulture — Dario Cantu, PhD (Professor, Dept of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
  • Building resilient vineyards from the roots up — Luis Diaz Garcia, PhD (Assistant Professor, Dept of Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
  • Not just dead arms: diagnosing the real causes of vine decline — Akif Eskalen, PhD (Professor of Cooperative Extension, Dept of Plant Pathology, UC Davis)
  • Grape yield estimation: challenges & opportunities — Mason Earles, PhD (Assistant Professor, Dept of Viticulture & Enology; Biological & Agricultural Engineering, UC Davis)
  • PD vector ID & countrywide blue green sharpshooter trapping — Cindy Kron, PhD (North Coast IPM Advisor, UCCE)
  • Effects of clone & rootstock on productivity & resilience — Justin Tanner, PhD (Viticulture Advisor, UCCE)
  • Evaluating the economic viability of regenerative viticulture — Axel Herrera, PhD (Post-doctoral research, Lazcano Lab, Dept of Land, Air & Water Resource, UC Davis)
  • Fundamentals of regenerative viticulture — Chris Chen, PhD (Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor, UCCE)

Description:  Join the Department of Viticulture & Enology of UC Davis along with the UCCE for Oakville’s Grape Day event. Speakers include farm advisors, cooperative extension specialists & UC Davis faculty.

Registration (required):  More information coming soon.


2025 AGRI-PULSE FOOD & AG ISSUES SUMMIT.

Date:  Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Time:  9:00am – 6:00pm

Venue:  Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel, 1230 J St, Sacramento CA

Cost:  Click HERE for pricing; early bird rates available through May 10

Topics & Speakers:  TBD

Description:  Experience a day full of illuminating speeches and panel discussions, an immersion into California’s agriculture and food issues. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from industry experts.

Registration (required):  To register, click HERE.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


CD11 LODI IPM NETWORK BREAKFAST MEETING.

Date:  Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Time:  8:00 – 9:30am

Venue:  Burgundy Hall, Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) applied for

Topic:  TBD

Who Should Attend:  Local Pest Control Advisers (PCAs), growers who manage their own pest control (Private Applicators) or who have pest control questions, anyone looking for viticulture DPR CE credits, viticulture technical advisors and winemakers/grower relations personnel interested in learning about vineyard pest management.

Description:  Our group meets monthly to discuss current vineyard pests and their management. The goal is to create a strong local network for communicating the best IPM strategies and for support in solving viticulture anomalies.

RSVP:  To the Lodi Winegrape Commission by phone 209.367.4727 or email info@lodiwine.com.


UCCE & UC IPM: AIR BLAST SPRAYER CALIBRATION.

VenueOnline

Cost:  FREE (without DPR credit) | Fee to earn DPR credit

Credits:  1.5 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) and 1 hr DPR CE (LAWS & REGS) 2 hrs CCA CE (IPM) approved

Description:  This course was developed for anyone who works with air blast sprayers or is involved with ensuring successful pesticide applications in trees and vines. This includes pesticide handlers, pest control advisors, growers and supervisors. The course contains video so it requires a computer that can play audio and video. View the full description HERE.

For more information including technical requirements please contact Cheryl Reynolds, UC ANR, at creynolds@ucanr.edu.


WILD FARM ALLIANCE: ROLE OF BIRDS ON FARMS – CERTIFICATION.

Venue:  Online

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Description:  This 10-lesson virtual course teaches agricultural professionals and farmers how to support beneficial birds and manage pest birds on farms. By learning how to assess the farm’s avian needs and opportunities, farms can be designed to provide for a diversity of beneficial birds. If pest birds are a problem, they can be discouraged with specific practices during the shorter periods when they cause damage. The sessions cover the latest research, tools, and resources, and are given by experts in avian pest control, entomology, ornithology and conservation. This course was first offered via webinar format in early 2022. View the lesson recordings at your own pace.

To view the lessons:  Click HERE.


WILD FARM ALLIANCE: HABITAT ON FARMS – AVIAN PEST CONTROL SERVICES.

Venue:  Online

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  4 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) approved

Description:  Participants will learn about research that shows the benefits of installing habitats in and around farms to attract beneficial birds that provide valuable pest control services. After completing a course, Wild Farm Alliance will email you a certificate of completion within one week. You must submit the certificate to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to receive your credits.

To view the lesson:  Click HERE.


WILD FARM ALLIANCE: NEST BOXES & PERCHES – AVIAN PEST CONTROL SERVICES.

Venue:  Online

Cost:  FREE, all are welcome

Credits:  3 hrs DPR CE (OTHER) approved

Description:  Participants will learn about the research showing the benefits to the farm of installing Western Bluebird and other songbird nest boxes, Barn Owl and American Kestrel boxes, and songbird and raptor perches to gain these birds’ valuable pest control services. After completing a course, Wild Farm Alliance will email you a certificate of completion within one week. You must submit the certificate to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to receive your credits.

To view the lesson:  Click HERE. For questions about the process or need help accessing the completion certificate email ashleyc@wildfarmalliance.org.


Organizations Hosting Training Seminars and Educational Events

Many of these qualify for LODI RULES Standards 1.6 & 2.8

Ag Safe Conference

American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) annual meeting

American Vineyard Grape Expo

Association of Applied IPM Ecologists (AAIE) annual conference

California Plant and Soil Conference (California Chapter of the ASA)

California State University-Fresno Biennial Grape Day

California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA) Meetings and Workshops

Clarksburg Grape Day

Dollars and Sense Tradeshow and Seminar

Foothill Grape Day

Lodi Farm Safety Day

Lodi Grape Day (every February)

Lodi District Grape Growers Association Seminars and Workshop 

Lodi Winegrape Commission (LWC) Seminars and Workshops

Napa Valley Viticulture Fair

Rootstock: Napa Valley Grapegrowers

San Joaquin Farm Bureau Seminars and Workshops

San Joaquin Valley Grape Symposium

San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association Annual Meeting and Industry Forum

Sonoma Grape Day

Sustainable Ag Expo (San Luis Obispo every fall)

University of California-Davis extension courses and seminars (RAVE, etc.)

Unified Wine and Grape Symposium (every January in Sacramento)

Vineyard Economics Seminar

Wine Industry Financial Symposium

WINexpo

World Ag Expo (every February)


UC IPM Online Trainings

The UC Statewide IPM Program provides online courses that reflect current advances in pest management and related topics. Selected courses are approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) for Continuing Education Units. Some are also approved for structural units from the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB).

Check out the UC Integrated Pest Management website for online pieces of training – some are free and some charge a fee: ipm.ucanr.edu/training/index.html.