Nor Cal wildfires threaten wine grape crop. Covid-related ag machinery parts shortage.

Once again, Northern and Central California wildfires plague the entire region, with thick smoke blanketing populous urban areas, while flames are whipping up throughout farm and ranch land here. And once again, wine grape growers in the Napa Sonoma area who are about to begin harvesting are worried about smoke taint to their grapes, a minor concern next to staving off possible fire damage to their properties. The ongoing heat wave also is widespread. The latest concern: fruit and vegetable crops in coastal areas where triple digit temperatures are very unusual. The latest Covid-19 induced farm dilemma: a shortage of replacement parts for agricultural machinery. And ag teachers throughout northern and central california’s colleges and high schools are scrambling, trying to figure out how to teach hands on classes such as welding and crop production…via the computer. We have all that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.