California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • Two Student Ambassadors To Share California Dairy Messages With International Audience

    Lauren Dutra of Hanford and Siena Rollin of Riverdale have been selected to represent the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in Mexico during the 2022 CMAB International Internship Program.

    The interns, selected from students coming from a California dairy background enrolled in agriculture-related programs at colleges and universities, were chosen based on academic achievement, their connection to the California dairy industry and a willingness to travel abroad and learn more about international dairy sales and marketing. The goal of the International Internship Program is to provide young agriculture and dairy college students an opportunity to learn about dairy foods and marketing in the international marketplace, with a focus on developing leaders who will serve on dairy industry boards, work in dairy foods processing, or in sales or marketing.

    Over the six week period, the interns will spend time with in-country CMAB marketing organization, Imalinx, to gain a better understanding of these markets, consumer buying habits, and promotional efforts on behalf of California’s dairy industry. “California currently accounts for around 33 percent of all U.S. dairy exports so international trade is essential for our continued growth. Over the last decade, the CMAB has worked closely with partners in Mexico to develop markets for California dairy products. This program is focused on providing insight into international dairy marketing for future leaders,” said Glenn Millar, Director of International Business Development for the CMAB.

    Dutra, 21, of Hanford, is currently working towards her B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, where she serves as a representative of the Dairy Club, as well as a Committee Member of the Cal Poly Western Bonanza Management Team.

    Dutra was also an active member of 4-H and FFA, and showed dairy cattle in both organizations. She served as District 7 Dairy Princess from 2019 to 2020. Upon completion of the internship program, she will continue to advocate for the dairy industry, and hopes to incorporate this passion into a career.

    Rollin, 20, of Riverdale, is currently working towards her B.S. in Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University, where she founded and organizes the Dairy Club. She is a member of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow group at Texas Tech, where she also served as an Intern for the Spring 2021 Dairy Challenge. Rollin showed dairy cattle in both 4-H and FFA, and was an active member in both organizations. She earned a spot on the State winning 4-H Dairy Judging Team, which allowed her to compete nationally at the World Dairy Expo. She also served as District 8 Dairy Princess from 2019 to 2020. Upon completion of the internship program, Rollin hopes to advocate and help create policy on behalf of American farmers as Secretary of Agriculture.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagramand Pinterest.

  • Blueberry Industry’s Kasey Cronquist Named NAMA Ag Association Leader of the Year

    Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), has been named the National Agri-Marketing Association’s (NAMA) Ag Association Leader of the Year for 2022. Cronquist was recognized at an awards ceremony April 7 at the 2022 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City.

    The award, one of NAMA’s highest honors, recognizes outstanding leadership, achievement and excellence among senior executives who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry in their roles with associations or commodity organizations.

    “With more than 15 years’ experience with government, association, and non-profits, Kasey was named president of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council in 2019. It was the perfect place and time,” said Jenny Pickett, NAMA CEO. “Long-term, strategic vision is Kasey’s strength. And while the industry was riding high, new challenges demanded a bold, new vision to ensure continued growth.”

    Soon after taking the helm in 2019, Cronquist led the organization through a strategic refresh, followed by development of a new strategic plan, with a refined vision, mission and plan to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit. Cronquist recognized the importance of fostering greater collaboration among all industry stakeholders and the need to unite to address challenges and opportunities that will take USHBC programs to the next level. The industry’s support of the changes and vision for the future were reflected in the results of the 2021 referendum. Of those who voted, 84% of producers and importers, who also represent 93% of the volume of highbush blueberries grown, were in favor of continuing the program. This represents a 10% increase in producers and importers (and 13% more volume), of those who voted in favor of USHBC in 2016.

    In 2020, USHBC launched a new overarching brand theme of Inspiring Possibilities for the industry, as well as Grab a Boost of Blue as a motivating call-to-action for consumers. Additionally, the USA Blueberriesexport brand was created to raise awareness of the quality and food safety assurance of U.S. grown blueberries. In June 2020, Cronquist initiated “The Business of Blueberries,” an industry podcast currently surpassing 35,000 downloads.

    In his short time with the organization, Cronquist has built a staff of longtime ag experts to execute the organization’s strategic plan; expanded the NABC and USHBC’s programs through voluntary funding; and led the USHBC through pandemic challenges, including labor and supply chain issues.

    “Kasey has made a tremendous impact helping the blueberry industry thrive and leading the USHBC into an exciting and successful future,” said USHBC Chair Shelly Hartmann. “His efforts have impressed blueberry growers, marketers, exporters and industry allies alike, and have become the guiding force in making blueberries the world’s favorite fruit.”

    Cronquist is also the president of the North American Blueberry Council; a member of the United Fresh Governmental Affairs Council and the International Blueberry Organization (IBO); He was previously the CEO and ambassador of the California Cut Flower Commission.

    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

    Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org.

  • UnitedAg Appoints Five New Directors & First Female Board Chair

    UnitedAg, a member-owned agricultural trade association representing more than 1,000 organizations in California and Arizona, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new directors and the first female board Chair Veronica Urzua-Alvero, Vice President of HR Operations for Church Brothers/True Leaf Farms. Urzua-Alvero and the board members will serve on the UnitedAg Board of Directors for the 2022-24 term. Bringing diverse and extensive experience, the new board members share UnitedAg’s mission and vision to provide innovative benefits and solutions for the agricultural community.

    UnitedAg Board Chair Veronica Urzua-Alvero

    The Board of Directors appointed the new members last month in Santa Barbara, California.

    • Richard Plato, Christopher Ranch
    • Debbie Adam, Innovative Produce
    • Mike Heisinger, Ippolito International, LP
    • Sarah Gargan, Kaweah Pump
    • Kevin Vogt, Associated Feed & Supply

    “We are excited to have Veronica as our first female board chair. Since her inception as director in 2015, she has been a driver for change,” said Kirti Mutatkar, President, UnitedAg. Her passion, experience, and empathy for our community have been key factors for her success and together we anticipate stronger years ahead.”

    With more than 25 years of combined human resources, insurance, risk management, and safety experience, Urzua-Alvero is responsible for establishing the HR structure for Church Brothers / True Leaf. She ensures organizational effectiveness from operations to workforce planning to day-to-day management of all corporate functions while reducing risk and limiting exposure of all affiliated companies in California, Arizona, and Mexico. Outside of work, Urzua-Alvero enjoys spending time with her husband and their children, Omar, A.J., Kathy, Ariel, Dominick, Cristian, Natalie, and Brittany. Her family is her strength, support, foundation, and greatest blessing.

    “Thank you for electing me as the first woman to chair the UnitedAg Board of Directors. As a native of Salinas Valley, I pride myself on fostering the next generation of ag leaders and positively impacting the industry. As our community faces ongoing hurdles, my goal as board Chair is to deliver benefits and solutions that will help us build a more equitable, resilient, and inclusive community. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our membership as Chair for the 2022-2024 term. Lastly, I look forward to working with our members and leadership to continue building a stronger and healthier industry,” said Veronica Urzua-Alvero.

    Urzua-Alvero will serve the UnitedAg family and its mission alongside other members of the Board of Directors: Daniel Nelson, Vice President & Chief Business Officer, Plant Sciences, Inc.; Eric Bream, President, Bream Family Farms; Deborah Adam, Owner, Innovative Produce; Loretta Brown, Office Manager, Rijk Zwaan USA Inc.; Sarah Gargan, Vice President, Kaweah Pump; Michael Heisinger, CFO, Ippolito International LP; Richard Plato, HR Director, Christopher Ranch; and Kevin Vogt, Managing Director, Associated Feed & Supply Co.

    About UnitedAg

    UnitedAg represents more than 1,000 agriculture-affiliated member companies and helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interests with lawmakers, helps them comply with health legislation and regulation. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Irvine, Salinas, and wellness centers throughout the Central Valley and Northern California. UnitedAg offers benefits to over 55,000 agricultural workers in California and Arizona.

    Visit us at http://www.unitedag.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

  • Real California Milk + Latina Singer-Songwriter CRYS Partner To Launch The First-Ever Cheese Record

    California Freestyle, the first-ever music record made of California cheese launches today, along with a free consumer download of the featured track that celebrates all things California and California dairy. California Freestyle, a collaboration from Real California Milk with Latinasinger-songwriter CRYS, captures the intersection of California music and delicious, sustainable dairy in itsrarest form – a playable record made from a wheel of real cheese from the Golden State. California Freestyle is a core element of Real California Milk’s new advertising creative and is currently available to download and stream on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Pandora, and YouTube Music.

    “To Live in the Golden State is an active, cultural experience, both physical and emotional, where weembrace everything that makes this state so special and we nourish ourselves with delicious, comforting food made with Real California Milk,” said John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board. “California Freestyle is more than a song, it’s a visual celebration of diverse people, individuality, iconic destinations, and food. It’s the rich and vibrant lifestyle and mindset of living in the Golden State.”

    In addition to the cheese wheel record, an accompanying music video showcasing CRYS in a variety of locations in the Golden State debuted during the April 3rd Grammys broadcast in California.

    “Partnering with CMAB has been a dream come true. There is nothing more fulfilling than creating art thatrepresents you and the things you love, like California dairy! And who doesn’t love cheese and ice cream!? From showcasing the rich and diverse cultural landscape of California to singing all about the things that make the West Coast the best coast, it’s been so much fun to bring this campaign to life,” said CRYS. “I’m so excited for people to experience what we created, and I look forward to more collaboration with CMAB.

    The cheese record version of California Freestyle started as a 14-inch, 12-pound wheel of Californiacheese (Fiscalini Farmstead San Joaquin Gold in this case, which itself was named for the Central Valley area that houses many of the state’s family dairy farms). The existing cheese casing was removed as well as a 1” high 7” space to insert a special vinyl gold record that was carefully pressed and embedded into the cheese wheel surface. All edges were sealed with cheese wax and the limited edition California Freestyle cheese record was made playable on a regular turntable. Consumers will be able to view the cheese record in real life this summer at various California destinations throughout the state or online at realcaliforniamilk.com.

    About CRYS

    CRYS is a Cuban-American independent artist based in Los Angeles. A creative visionary whose workvaries from her own Latin-infused pop music to voice acting for a family-friendly animated Christmas series, CRYS has serious range. Not only is she an incredible singer, she’s also a ghostwriter for other artists, on a journey to inspire more young creatives to use their voices to shift culture in a positive way. Follow CRYS on Instagram.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer and produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milkthan any other state. California is also the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. Sustainable California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, identifying products that source their milk from the Golden State’s dairy farm families.

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in thestate, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visitRealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Dwayne Cardoza Steps Down as CEO of the Raisin Bargaining Association

    Attendees at the recent annual meeting of the Raisin Bargaining Association were surprised to hear Dwayne Cardoza’s announcement that he was stepping down as CEO of the association.  This announcement comes after serving several years as Chairman and then as CEO following Kalem Barserian’s retirement.  He served the raisin industry faithfully through some very tumultuous times for not only the industry — but the whole world, navigating through the pandemic and volatile economic conditions. Watch this brief interview with Dwayne Cardoza and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Considerations for Almond Varietal Selection

    Planting a new almond orchard? Watch this brief interview with UCCE Stanislaus County Director & Farm Advisor Roger Duncan as he shares some considerations for varietal selection based on his recent presentation at the Tree & Vine Expo. Read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Drought Impact on Almonds in the Sacramento Valley

    Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are not alone in dealing with the harsh impacts of drought.  The Sacramento Valley has been hit pretty hard as well, and almond growers are concerned with how this will affect the quality of their crop over the next few years. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor Luke Milliron as he shares his insights, based on his presentation at The Almond Conference, and read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Options for Raisin Growers to Navigate Labor Challenges

    While innovations in vineyard mechanization have come a long way, labor challenges still prevail in the California raisin industry — and those issues have been amplified since the pandemic.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor George Zhuang as he shares what labor-saving options growers have to stay in the game.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • April USDA Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for April 2022, which are effective April 1, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans

    FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.  For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for historically underserved producers, including veterans, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for April 2022 are as follows:

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. 
    You can find out which of these loans may be right for you by using our Farm Loan Discovery Tool (also available in Spanish).

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans

    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Pandemic and Disaster Support

    FSA broadened the use of the Disaster Set Aside (DSA), normally used in the wake of natural disasters, to allow farmers with USDA farm loans who are affected by COVID-19, and are determined eligible, to have their next payment set aside. Because of the pandemic’s continued impacts, producers can apply for a second DSA for COVID-19 or a second DSA for a natural disaster for producers with an initial DSA for COVID-19. The COVID-DSA is available for borrowers with installments due before Dec. 31, 2022, and whose installment is not more than 90 days past due when the DSA request is made. The set-aside payment’s due date is moved to the final maturity date of the loan or extended up to 12 months in the case of an annual operating loan. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. Use of the expanded DSA program can help to improve a borrower’s cashflow in the current production cycle.

    FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.

    More Information

    Producers can explore available options on all FSA loan options at fsa.usda.gov or by contacting your local USDA Service Center.

  • American Pistachio Growers Ramps Up Marketing Efforts Ahead of Industry Growth

    As the US Pistachio industry continues to ramp up in production, global marketing efforts have never been more critical to keep demand ahead of supply. Watch this brief interview with Judy Hirigoyen from American Pistachio Growers as she shares how American Pistachio Growers is leading the charge.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.