A Climate Resilient Crop for California

A Climate Resilient Crop for California

A Climate Resilient Crop for California

“In all likelihood, I’m going to end up with more and more of my land being unable to farm because I just don’t have enough water. Agaves offer a promising solution.”

— Stuart Woolf, Grower, Woolf Farming

Why Join?

The work we do to grow this industry requires funding from our members. New growers are popping up all over.  Our biggest current challenge is finding enough agaves to meet the demand, but we’re making good progress on multiple fronts.

Supporting the Council offers a chance to better understand the impact of location on the growth of the plant, which can be a source of fiber and alternative sweetener as well as the distilled spirits it can produce.

Membership options

Full Member
$1,000/year

Full Members must be either a California agave grower or California licensed distiller. Full members have voting rights and may serve as members of the Board of Directors and as Officers.

Associate Member
$250/year

Associate Members are generally in related trades, such as retailers, restaurants, bars, cooperages, bottlers, agave media, etc. It’s a broad category that covers any business related interest. Associate Members do not have voting rights but can serve on the Board and be an Officer.

Associate to Full Membership Upgrade ($750)

“What gets us excited is doing something that is fundamentally or inherently of this place,” explains Henry, “and hopefully at the same time actually adds value, adds something new to the great wide world of spirits rather than being derivative.”

— Henry Tarmy, Co-founder of Ventura Spirits

Accomplishments

Sponsored & supported legislation

AB 2303 was sponsored by the California Agave Council and requires any agave spirits labeled with the words “California Agave Spirits,” in any combination, to be made from 100% California grown agave, with no flavoring or coloring additives.

Annual Agave Symposium

Once a year, members meet at UC Davis to discuss agave grower and distiller issues, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing. The California Agave Symposium is a key platform for professionals to engage in dialogue about challenges and advancements in agave cultivation and production. Participants explore best practices, innovative techniques, and recent research, strengthening the community’s commitment to sustainable agave practices. This event offers valuable networking and learning opportunities for enhancing California’s agave industry.

Established the UC Davis Agave Research Center

The University of California, Davis, has established the Stuart & Lisa Woolf Fund for Agave Research to focus on outreach and research into the plants and their viability as a low-water crop in the state.