PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR
EXPERIENCE
March 4 | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | $175
NOTE: A boxed lunch is included in the fee.
Sign-up is open to all attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers.
Earn 4 CCA CEUs!
Sponsored by:
8:00 am
The bus will begin boarding at 7:45am
Depart Marriott Visalia
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Stop #1: Setton Pistachio
Setton Farms advocates for regenerative agriculture, a holistic approach to farming that prioritizes soil health and biodiversity to promote sustainable and resilient ecosystems. It involves implementing practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment and actively improves it. In addition, healthy soils are the foundation for healthy orchards and improving pistachio quality. Setton recycles and reuses 130 million gallons of water annually. They also capture essential rainwater, which is then put back onto pistachios trees using drip irrigation, efficiently producing an abundant crop. 100% of their post-harvest activities are solar-powered by a 1.7-megawatt solar power system, one of the largest in the Central Valley.
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Stop #2: Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension (KARE) Center
Since its official dedication in 1965, the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension has achieved international acclaim for leadership in the development of new fruit, nut, and grape varieties, innovative cultural and irrigation practices, pest and disease management techniques, and postharvest biology. In addition, KARE plays a leadership role in maintaining the quality of California’s rural environment, with programs in air and water quality, and mosquito management.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Stop #3: Terranova Ranch
Terranova Ranch began farming upland cotton, alfalfa hay, wheat, and barley in the early 1980’s, and has grown to produce over 25 different crops on 6,000 acres, 600 of which are organic.
Terranova Ranch pioneered the concept of on-farm water recharge in California, working for over 25 years toward recharging the aquifer below – their main source of irrigation water. Renewable energy provides one third of our electric needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3,700 tons CO² per year. They have been focusing on water recharge, irrigation efficiency, energy conservation, cleaner emission farm equipment, and keeping a diverse habitat as part of the farm.
Join Vice President and General Manager Don Cameron as he shares about the Ranch’s sustainable practices and how he financed them.
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Stop #4: Ramos Torres Winery
At Ramos Torres, sustainable farming and utmost care are taken when tending to the vines at their estate vineyard and at grower partners’ vineyards. Partnering only with growers that are stewards of the land and use a sustainable approach to farming, Ramos Torres believes this methodology makes the best wine. On the tour, winemaker Matt Rule will discuss how the operation works with outside growers to produce perfect fruit to preserve nuance, enhance varietal character, and create complex flavors and aromas in a balanced wine.