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.”
5th ANNUAL EASTERN VITICULTURE & ENOLOGY WEBINAR SERIES.
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: Online
Cost: FREE, all are welcome
Topic: SO2 Management: Putting Theory into Practice
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, please click HERE.
2025 UNIFIED WINE & GRAPE SYMPOSIUM.
Dates: Tuesday, January 28 – Thursday, January 30, 2025
Venue: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento CA
Cost: Click HERE for detailed pricing
Topics & Speakers: Sneak peek to a few topics & speakers: To view the full agenda, click HERE
- Getting off the hamster wheel: whole farm profitability – Tara Beaver Coronado (Beaver Vineyards, CA) & Stephanie Bolton, PhD (Lodi Winegrape Commission)
- Exploring the regenerative ag toolbox for viticulture – Steve Diver (UC Kentucky, Horticulture Reasearch Farm), Hilary Graves (Booker Vineyard, CA) & Greg Pennyroyal (Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, CA)
- Crafting DTC success: how to connect with consumers & grow revenue – Maryam Ahmed (Maryam + Company, CA), Lois Cho (CHO Wines, OR), Dan Petroski (Massican Winery, CA) & Adam Teeter (VinePair Inc., NY)
- Protecting Vineyards: history of preventing exotic pest establishment & the threat of spotted lanternfly – Monica Cooper, PhD (UCCE), Kent Daane (UC Berkeley), Neil McRoberts, PhD (UC Davis), Julie Urban (Penn State) & Randy Heinzen (Vineyard Professional Services, Inc.)
- AI in the wine industry: do’s, don’ts, & live demo from an AI Prompt Engineer – Jacob Rangel (Modakong, CA) & Meghan Phillips (Honey, CA)
Description: Built with the joint input of growers, vintners and allied industry members, the Unified Symposium has served as a clearinghouse of information important to wine and grape industry professionals for 26 years. The Unified Symposium also hosts the industry’s largest trade show of its kind. The trade show will host several hundred vendors showcasing their products and services.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE. For questions, please call 530.753.3142.
73rd ANNUAL LODI GRAPE DAY.
Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Time: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Hutchins Street Square, 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi CA
Cost: FREE for morning sessions only | $38.10 for lunch & keynote speakers
Topics & Speakers:
- Vineyard Irrigation Management – Moneim Mohamed, PhD (Irrigation & Soils Advisor, UCCE)
- Vineyard Weed Management update & pending table changes relating to the Endangered Species Act – Brad Hanson, PhD
- Virus Testing Methods – Alan Wei, PhD (President, Agri-Analysis LLC)
- Methods of monitoring, testing, & Improving Soil Carbon – Christopher Chen, PhD (Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor, UCCE)
- Short-term climate prediction & Potential impacts to grape growing in San Joaquin County – Prakash Kumar Jha, PhD (Assistant Project Scientist, UC ANR)
- Optimizing irrigation for heatwave mitigation in Cabernet Sauvignon in Lodi – Pietro Previtali, PhD (Research Scientist, Gallo)
- How the deck got stacked against American winegrowers – Natalie Collins (CAWG) & Stuart Spencer (Lodi Winegrape Commission)
Description: The Lodi District Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness Committee and the University of California Cooperative Extension invite you to Grape Day. With the challenges facing grape growers today, the information shared at the Grape Day symposium about improving yields, fighting diseases, market trends and mechanization technologies is more critical than ever. The morning session covers relevant viticulture topics with discussions led by industry experts. Then growers, pest control advisors, winery personnel, bankers and business leaders gather together for a special luncheon featuring a keynote speaker. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Registration (required for lunch): To register, click HERE.
UC ANR: 2025 CALIFORNIA PLANT & SOIL CONFERENCE
Date: Thursday, February 6 – Friday, February 7, 2025
Venue: Wyndham Visalia, 9000 W Airport Dr, Visalia CA
Cost: Click HERE for detailed pricing
Credit: 2 – 4.5 hrs (CCA) per class approved
Topics & Speakers: To view the full agenda, click HERE
Description: The purpose of this conference is to improve human welfare by sharing scientific knowledge about plants, soil, and the environment. This conference provides an opportunity to increase knowledge of current topics of agronomic importance in California.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE.
LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING.
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:30pm
Venue: Kirst Hall, Hutchins Street Square, 125 S Hutchins St, Lodi CA
Cost: FREE, all are welcome
Description: Join your fellow winegrowers and community listen to Lodi Winegrape Commission share highlights from 2024 activities as well as initiatives for 2025. Following the presentation, we will enjoy a delicious sampling of Lodi-grown wines from various producers.
RSVP: By February 7 to the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209.367.4727 or info@lodiwine.com.
UC DAVIS: EXPLORING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF VINE HEALTH.
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 3:30pm
Venue: UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Ln, Davis CA 95616
Cost: Early Registration (until January 21) $175
Credit: 1.5 hrs (CCA) & 1.5 hrs (DPR – CA) applied for
Topics & Speakers:
- Advancing development of powdery mildew & Pierce’s Disease resistant cultivars – Luis Diaz Garcia (Assistant Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
- The next generation of grape cultivars; studying wild grapes – Dario Cantu (Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
- Interactive effects of trunk disease & water stress on grapevine physiology – Megan Bartlett (Assistant Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
- Spotted Lanternfly: the need to remain vigilant – Cindy Kron (North Coast Area IPM Advisor, UC ANR)
- Achieving sustainability & quality in a warming world – Beth Forrestel (Assistant Professor, Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis)
- How to protect pruning wounds from grapevine trunk disease – Akif Eskalen (Professor of Cooperative Extension, Plant Pathology, US Davis)
Description: The Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis will host “Exploring Different Aspects of Vine Health”.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE.
UC ANR YOUNG ORCHARD IRRIGATION & NUTRIENT MGMT WORKSHOP.
Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time: 8:00am – 12:30pm
Venue: Cabral Ag Center, Assembly Rm 3, 2101 E Earhart Ave #200, Stockton, CA
Cost: FREE, all are welcome
Credit: 2 hrs (CEU – Nutrient Management) 2 hrs (CEU – Soil & Water Management) & 4 hrs (CDFA INMP) approved
Topics & Speakers:
- Young citrus irrigation scheduling & nutrient management – Charles Hillyar, PhD
- Principals of nutrient management in orchards – Mae Culumber, PhD
- Irrigation & fertilization for young almonds – Cameron Zuber
- Irrigation management of young pistachios – Tobias Oker, PhD
- Nutrient management for young pistachios – Phoebe Gordon, PhD
- Water & nutrient management in non-bearing walnuts – Moneim Mohamed, PhD
- Management of water & nutrients for young olive trees – Giulia Marino, PhD
- Irrigation & nutrient management for young peaches – Raymond Mireles
Description: The workshop will feature presentations by various experts and researchers focusing on best irrigation and nutrient management practices tailored specifically for young orchards in the San Joaquin Valley.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE.
LDGGA LOCAL WATER FORUM.
Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 11:30am
Venue: Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Jackson Hall, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA
Cost: FREE, all are welcome
Topics & Speakers: TBD
Description: Join LDGGA for a morning of updates on local water issues including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This is a great opportunity to hear directly from local water district and agency leaders.
RSVP: By emailing LDGGA at info@ldgga.org.
2025 INTERNATIONAL IPM SYMPOSIUM.
Dates: Monday, March 3 – Thursday, March 6, 2025
Venue: Paradise Point Resort & Spa, 1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego CA
Cost: Click HERE for detailed pricing
Credit: CEU Credits have been applied for, details to come.
Topics & Speakers: To view the tentative agenda, click HERE
Description: The premier global event for the industry, the IPM Symposium brings together the science and business communities to share the latest research, strategies, and solutions for effectively managing pests in agriculture communities, and natural areas.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE.
LODI FARM SAFETY DAY.
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Times: 8:00am – 2:00pm English | 8:00am – 1:00pm Spanish
Venue: Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E Lockeford St, Lodi CA
Cost: $30
Credits: 4 – 5 hrs (DPR CE – LAWS & REGS) applied for
Topics: WPS Fieldworker Training and Handler Topics as well as How to Read a Label.
Description: The Lodi Chamber Agribusiness Committee is co-hosting with AgSafe to provide continuing education (CE) hours for pesticide handlers and applicators required for certification. The English classes include an additional hour of label review. Lunch will be provided for both sessions.
Registration (required): To register, please click HERE For more information and questions, contact the Lodi Chamber by email frontdesk@lodichamber.com.
UC DAVIS ON THE ROAD SEMINAR.
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Times: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Venue: Cabral Ag Center, 2101 E Earhart Ave, Stockton CA
Topics: TBD
Description: On The Road programs are educational seminars that help us to communicate with the California grape and wine industries by bringing faculty to different regions of California. We present relevant topics or current research and, at the same time, listen to the issues that are important to grape-growing and winemaking professionals.
Registration (required): Check back for more information regarding how to register.
UCCE & UC IPM: AIR BLAST SPRAYER CALIBRATION.
Venue: Online
Cost: FREE (without DPR credit); fee to earn DPR credit
Credits: 2 hrs (DPR CE – OTHER) and 0.5 hr (DPR – LAWS & REGS); 2 hrs (CCA – IPM)
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.
VIRTUAL VITICULTURE ACADEMY: PROSPECTIVE WINEGRAPE GROWER COURSE.
Time: 6 video modules
Venue: Online
Cost: $289 | $200 with code NewGrower
Description: New and prospective wine-grape growers often do not have all of the information needed before deciding to start and grow a successful vineyard, and they find out the hard way that making poor decisions at the start can be costly and frustrating. To help growers avoid costly start-up mistakes, this comprehensive Online Prospective Winegrape Grower Course provides everything you need to start and grow your vineyard successfully. The course includes:
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- Over 5hrs of guided video content
- Downloadable and printable grower guides to help you keep notes along with the course
- Real-life examples, illustrations, and more of what you need to know to make good decisions from the start for growing a successful vineyard.
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For more information: Please click HERE.
WILD FARM ALLIANCE: ROLE OF BIRDS ON FARMS – CERTIFICATION.
Time: 10 virtual courses
Venue: Online
Cost: FREE
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 recordings of the lessons at your own pace and track your progress using the certificate, HERE.
For more information: Please click HERE.
WILD FARM ALLIANCE: HABITAT ON FARMS – AVIAN PEST CONTROL SERVICES.
Time: 1 course
Venue: Online
Cost: FREE
Credits: 4 hrs (DPR CE – OTHER) approved
Description: WFA is pleased to offer a free California Continuing Education Course about supporting avian pest control. 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. These two courses are approved for the “Other” category and would count towards the total “Other” hours needed for the QAL license renewal.
For more information: Please click HERE.
WILD FARM ALLIANCE: NEST BOXES & PERCHES – AVIAN PEST CONTROL SERVICES.
Time: 1 course
Venue: Online
Cost: FREE
Credits: 3 hrs (DPR CE – OTHER) approved
Description: WFA is pleased to offer a free California Continuing Education Course about supporting avian pest control. 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. These two courses are approved for the “Other” category and would count towards the total “Other” hours needed for the QAL license renewal.
For more information: Please click HERE.
Organizations Hosting Training Seminars and Educational Events
Many of these qualify for LODI RULES Standards 1.6 & 2.8
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 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
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)
Wine Industry Financial Symposium
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.