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Quarterly Update from Beth Vukmanic | Q2 2025

At our April Fungicide Spraying Tailgate at Cal Poly, we were joined by Daisy, a Cal Poly student and recipient of the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship.

Daisy volunteered at the event and shared how valuable it was to see sustainable practices in action:

“I recently declared my concentration in viticulture for my Wine and Viticulture major. I’m incredibly grateful for opportunities like this that directly support my future. This scholarship not only provides financial support, but it also gives me a real sense of community.”

It’s exciting to see our education and scholarship programs come together to support growers in the field today while also preparing the next generation.

Thank you for helping make this possible.

Please celebrate YOU and our new scholars on July 9 at Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles for our Member & Scholar Celebration

Pop Quiz

Since 2015, how much has our community raised to support scholarships?

A. $436,000

B. $350,000

C. $75,000

(Scroll to the bottom for the answer!)

6 New Scholars

Thanks to community support, 27 scholars—including new students Erid, Evelyn, Fabiola, Jessica, Karitina, and Martin—will receive over $86,000 in scholarships and 256+ hours of mentorship this year.

Your donations directly fund these life-changing opportunities.

Headliner Announced

Dr. Chris Chen is one of the most respected experts in climate-adaptive viticulture. He serves as the UCCE Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor for the North Coast region. 

Dr. Chen will share his cutting-edge research and practical solutions at the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo. You can hear from him at both the exclusive Monday kick-off and the main events.

 

Get DPR Hours Online

All 11 Sustainable Winegrowing On-Demand courses with DPR hours are BACK.

We reapplied for continuation education hours so each course has a new code and certificate. They are available to take now for just $10 each.

Whether you're watching the course for the first time or returning, you can learn and earn credit.

 

Get Regulatory Relief with SIP Certified

Did you know that regulatory relief is one of the benefits of being SIP Certified?

Regional Water Quality Control Board Region 3 Agricultural (Ag) Order 4.0 applies to owners and operators of irrigated lands used for commercial crop production.

The Order requires farmers to submit their annual Total Nitrogen Applied (TNA) or Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) Summary reports.

These extensive reports detail nitrogen applied to the ranch through irrigation, compost, and fertilizer applications; and nitrogen removed through harvest, sequestration, or other removal methods.

Over the past two years of providing this regulatory reliefSIP Certified has submitted 324 reports representing 60,149 acres.

 

Valuable Sponsorship Opportunities 

We’ve created fresh ways for business members to stand out!

From the Sustainable Ag Expo to our podcast and online courses, unique sponsorship opportunities are designed to boost brand visibility and connect you directly with your target audience.

Several spots have already been claimed — see how we’re helping sponsors grow their reach and impact. Explore the opportunities here.

 

What’s Up Next?

Cheers,

Beth Vukmanic | Executive Director

P.S. Pop Quiz answer is A. $436,000!

The Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship helps children of California vineyard and winery workers pay for higher education. 

Since we started the program in 2015, over 98% of recipients have been the first in their family to attend college. This isn’t designed to be a one-time award. The program:

  • Awards two- and four-year scholarships ($6k to $20k per student!).
  • Invests in a program mentor to help students solve their biggest challenges.
  • Helps more students pay for college each year.

Recipient Fabiola said, "This scholarship means more than support; it’s a vote of confidence for who I am and who I hope to become."

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