California Agave Wins Nearly $1 Million in State Grants
Funds support CA agave industry and UC Davis efforts to advance new climate-resilient crop alternative
“USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is investing $23.1 million to support 44 projects across California this year,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As we look to expand the competitiveness of the specialty crop sector, we also see the value of funding research for potential new crops to help growers adapt to climate change and develop successful marketing strategies. The California Agave Council is well positioned with research partners and innovative growers to bring a new high-value specialty crop to market and I wish them well.”
The California Agave Council has secured a nearly $500,000 grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to support the growth of the agave industry in California. UC Davis also received nearly $500,000 for agave research, marking a significant investment in the future of this climate-smart crop.
This achievement was made possible thanks to the voluntary dues from our members, allowing us to hire the right team and dedicate substantial resources to writing, creating and now administering this grant. This is a testament to the power of collective action and demonstrates the value of membership in our council. We thank our members for their support, and if you're not yet part of our community, consider joining us here.
The CDFA's investment underscores California's commitment to innovative and sustainable agriculture. Agave is increasingly being recognized as a valuable crop, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and drought. This funding will help farmers more easily start agave cultivation by providing resources such as:
A comprehensive report on current agave research
Bilingual training materials
An online toolkit with instructional videos
Enhanced educational events, including our annual Symposium
These initiatives will equip farmers with the knowledge and tools to adopt best practices quickly, minimizing the typical trial-and-error associated with new crops and helping them achieve success sooner.
The grant also allows us to organize both large-scale events and regional gatherings across the state, fostering community, sharing knowledge, and connecting with experts in the field.
Summary of the Grants Awarded:
California Agave Council: Pioneering Drought and Climate Resiliency Through Education and Training for the Emerging California Agave Industry
Due to climate change and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), water availability in California has decreased, leading to increased production costs, lower yields, fallow fields, and job losses in rural areas, particularly affecting historically underrepresented farmers and farmworkers. To address this, the California Agave Council, a non-profit organization, will provide technical assistance and training to agave farmers on drought-resistant practices. The project aims to support California's agave industry by reducing water use, improving efficiency, and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. Key deliverables include a report on current agave research, bilingual training materials, a web-based toolkit with instructional videos, and educational events for growers.
UC Davis Receives Grant: California Agave: Foundational Agronomy, Viral-load, Genetic Diversity, and Metabolites Characterization for a Drought-tolerant Specialty Crop
The University of California, Davis, has been awarded a grant to conduct foundational research on agave, a promising drought-tolerant crop for California. The project, titled "California Agave: Foundational Agronomy, Viral-load, Genetic Diversity, and Metabolites Characterization for a Drought-tolerant Specialty Crop," aims to address the challenges of low water availability and extended droughts facing California's farming communities. By collecting and analyzing data on agronomy, viral load, genetic diversity, and metabolites, UC Davis will provide critical insights that help farmers make informed decisions about incorporating agave into their crop portfolios. The project will also focus on outreach, engaging with growers and distillers through events to share research findings and promote agave as a climate-smart agricultural solution.
Stay tuned for updates on regional events this fall, our next annual Symposium, and more!
