California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • New Directors at Almond Board of California Begin Terms

    The new Board of Directors of the Almond Board of California (ABC) took their seats this week with four voting members beginning new terms to help guide ABC’s support of one of California’s most important crops.

    Board members, whose terms officially began Aug. 1, also elected Alexi Rodriguez as chair and re-elected George Goshgarian Jr. as vice chair.

    “Our industry is facing many challenges right now,” said Rodriguez. “I’m looking forward to working with this talented and dedicated board and organization. I believe we have the resources and experience to navigate these complicated times.”

    The 10-member ABC board has five grower members – three representing independent growers and two representing cooperative growers – and five handler members, also with three independent and two co-op representatives. Some members sit in three-year seats, others in one-year positions.

    The grower representatives elected or re-elected in this year’s elections are:

    • Paul Ewing, an independent from RPAC, LLC in Los Banos. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Brandon Rebiero, an independent grower from Gold Leaf Farming in Modesto who previously served as an alternate and was elected to a three-year term.

    The handler representatives were re-elected in both positions this year. They are:

    • Darren Rigg, an independent handler from Minturn Nut Co. in Le Grand. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Mel Machado, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers from Modesto re-elected to a three-year term.

    In addition, the board has three alternates elected or re-elected this year:

    • Katie Staack-Dorsett, an independent grower with Grizzly Nut, LLC from Waterford This is her first term as an alternate.
    • Chad DeRose, an independent handler with Famoso Nut Co., LLC in McFarland, who was re-elected.
    • Mark Jansen, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers from Sacramento who was also re-elected.

    This is the full board:

    VOTING MEMBERS                                                                                      TERM

    Grower #1:            Paul Ewing, RPAC, LLC                                                 1 year

    Grower #2:            Brandon Rebiero, Gold Leaf Farming                            3 years

    Grower #3:            Joe Gardiner, Treehouse California Almonds, LLC       3 years

    Handler #1:           Alexi Rodriguez, Campos Brothers                                3 years

    Handler #2:           Bob Silveira, Vann Family Orchards                              3 years

    Handler #3:           Darren Rigg, Minturn Nut Co. Inc.                                  1 year

    Co-op Grower #1: George Goshgarian Jr., Goshgarian Farming Co.        3 years

    Co-op Grower #2: Christine Gemperle, Gemperle Orchards                      3 years

    Co-op Handler #1: Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers                          3 years

    Co-op Handler #2: Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers                       3 years

    ALTERNATES

    Grower #1:             Katie Staack-Dorsett, Grizzly Nut, LLC

    Grower #2:             Vacant

    Grower #3:             Chris Bettencourt, Suvik Farms

    Handler #1:            Ron Fisher, Fisher Nut Company

    Handler #2:            Dexter Long, Hilltop Ranch, Inc.

    Handler #3:            Chad DeRose, Famoso Nut Company, LLC

    Co-op Grower #1:  Kelli Evans, Evans Farming

    Co-op Grower #2:  Kent Stenderup, Stenderup Ag Partners

    Co-op Handler #1: Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond Growers

    Co-op Handler #2: Dean LaVallee, Blue Diamond Growers

    The ABC board sets policy and approves budgets in major areas, including production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    ABC is a Federal Marketing Order dedicated to promoting California almonds to domestic and international audiences through marketing efforts and by funding and promoting studies about almonds’ health benefits, as well as ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and food safety.

    About California Almonds

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, ABC is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.

  • Improving Dairy Animal Welfare Through Genetically Dehorning Cows

    While dehorning dairy cattle is performed for their own health and safety, it can be a painful and cumbersome process for both the animal and the dairy producer.   This practice could be a thing of the past though as researchers have been able to successful isolate and modify this gene to breed hornless cattle.  Watch this brief interview with Alison Van Eenennaam from the UC Cooperative Extension as she explains and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.

  • NRCS Incentive Funding for On-farm Groundwater Recharge Projects

    As drought conditions persist in California, farmers are making the most of every drop of water they use. However, there may be more they can do during the rainy season to put water back into the ground with assistance of the USDA-NRCS.  Watch this brief interview with California Water Quality Specialist Wendy Rash to find out.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Table Grape Varieties Taking Well to New Nematode and Salt Resistant Rootstocks

    Watch this brief interview with UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Ashraf El-kereamy as he discusses the performance of table grape varieties from trials with new nematode resistant and salt tolerant rootstocks. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • The Facts on San Joaquin Valley Water Use & Realigning Priorities Amidst Drought

    In a panel discussion titled, “Water: What Real, What’s Not, What’s Next” at the Annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California, Friant Water Authority CEO Jason Phillips shares his views on solutions to California’s water crisis based on the reality of the San Joaquin Valley’s water supply and use.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • What Ag Employers Should Know about Firing Employees

    When is it appropriate to fire an employee and how should you go about doing it properly to prevent negative repercussions? At the Annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California, Stacy Henderson, Almond Alliance’s go-to attorney for ag labor law, shared some key insights every ag employer should know. Watch this brief video with Stacy as she explains.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Replacing Corn with Drought Tolerant Sorghum Forages

    As drought conditions persist in California, dairy feed growers are taking more interest in replacing some of their corn fields with more drought-tolerant sorghum forages — however, sorghum has its own ideal growing condition growers should understand.  Watch this interview with Jeff Dahlberg, former Director of the Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center, as he explains.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.

  • 2022 California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

    For the first time in three years, educators will gather in person for the annual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. Join us in Ventura, at the Ventura Beach Marriott on September 22-24, 2022, to make agriculture come alive in classrooms throughout California.

    The goal: learn exciting ways to teach K-12 students where their food and fiber come from. The conference includes hands-on activities, farm, and ranch field trips (sneak peek – this involves citrus and school gardens), the ever-popular farmer panel, exhibits, and collaboration with other educators. Dynamic presenters and speakers enhance the experience and make the Ag in the Classroom Conference a must-attend event!

    “This has been the BEST conference I have been to. Best learning, most engaging, and welcoming!”

    – 2019 Conference Attendee

    ” Why I enjoy Ag in the Classroom: for the expansion of awareness that is generated and that in turn enables the students to learn more about their environment (earth), and their place in it. Students always gain insights and appreciation for agriculture’s role in our daily lives.”

    – 2018 Conference Attendee

    Attendees will explore California’s prolific food and fiber industry and enrich their current curriculum at the same time! Participants will receive teaching resources aligned to California Academic Standards. The annual event will energize classroom teachers, administrators, afterschool coordinators, and community volunteers to bring agriculture into their classrooms and programs.

    The California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference aims to help educators teach K-12 students about the importance of agriculture to California’s economy and environment and to their health and lifestyles. The conference is hosted by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.

    Conference registration is available online here and Registration is $275. The California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase awareness and understanding of agriculture among California’s K-12 educators and students.

  • Lodi PCA Warns Grape Growers of Danger in Not Screening Imported Plant Material

    Many insect pests currently plaguing California agriculture are not native to the state.  As grape growers continue to battle pests like vine mealybug and are threatened by other potential pests such as spotted lanternfly, watch this brief interview with Lodi PCA/CCA Larry Whitted as he reminds growers how important it is for imported grapevines to be properly quarantined and screened before being planted in the vineyard. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Adjusting Your Alfalfa Cutting Schedule for Maximum Quality & Yield

    California dairy producers want top quality hay for their cows, but they also want to maximize yields in their alfalfa fields.  Watch this interview with Dan Putnam from the UC Cooperative Extension as he shares that the key to finding a happy balance between quality and quantity is in determining the best cutting schedule.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Clean Energy for their industry support.