California Ag Network

Tag: CCM

  • Jacob Villagomez Hired as CA Citrus Mutual Director of State Governmental Affairs

    California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is proud to announce we have hired Jacob Villagomez as the new Director of State Governmental Affairs. He comes to us from the State Senate, where he previously served as the District Director for Senator Melissa Hurtado.

    In his new role, Jacob will advocate on behalf of California’s citrus growers in the State legislature and within administrative and regulatory agencies.

    “I am extremely excited to add another talented member to the CCM team,” stated President/CEO Casey Creamer. “Jacob’s time as a legislative staffer will add valuable experience and perspective to the organization as we deal with significant concerns related to water, pest management, labor, and the overall cost of doing business in California. As a son of citrus farmers in the Sanger area, he has a vested interest in our success and a strong passion to bring positive change for the industry.”

    Jacob attended California State University, Fresno where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is also an alumnus of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute’s Legislative Scholars program and a graduate of the Fresno County Farm Bureau’s Future Advocates Concerned About Tomorrow (FAACT) program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • California Fresh Produce Industry Decries Assembly Action on SB 559

    In response to California State Senator Melissa Hurtado being forced to pull SB 559 after the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee removed all funding provisions, a coalition of leading California fresh produce organizations issued the following statement:

    “With nearly 90 percent of the state in extreme or exceptional drought, including virtually all the 3.25 million acres of farmland dependent on irrigation from the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, the move to strip SB 559 of its funding demonstrates the clear intent of the Assembly to drive food production out of California,” said California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay. “In light of the staggering state budget surplus, the decision to defund the repair of our critical conveyance systems is not financial, but ideological, and will harm thousands of multi-generational family farms and countless disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley.”

    “Water supply reliability is central to the production of food in California, and vital to the rural communities and statewide economy that is supported by the agriculture industry,” said California Citrus Mutual President and CEO Casey Creamer. “SB 559 would have funded long overdue repairs to canals and other conveyance infrastructure that have been damaged by subsidence. California cannot afford to waste even a single drop of its limited water resources in the face of changing hydrological conditions and recurring drought. In addition to the need to build more above and below ground storage, our state must also invest in fixing our broken water delivery systems.”

    “Farms that cannot irrigate crops to grow food will inevitably reduce operations or cease farming altogether. When enough of them do, farmworkers lose the most,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “In once again eviscerating Senator Hurtado’s legislation to repair critical water infrastructure, the Assembly’s leaders leave no uncertainty as to the future they want for the farms, farmers, farmworkers and communities of the San Joaquin Valley. They will do whatever it takes to keep taxpayer money flowing to a high-speed rail project we can do without and do whatever it takes to deny funds to help repair water infrastructure we cannot do without. We are enormously grateful to Senator Hurtado for her tenacity and to those who stood with her even as their leaders gave them, and all of us, the middle finger.”

    About California Citrus Mutual:

    California Citrus Mutual was founded by growers in 1977 as a non-profit trade association and is headquartered in Exeter, California. Our members are citrus growers that collectively grow oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit across roughly 250,000 acres in California. They provide Californian’s and the world with the highest quality fresh citrus, are a critical economic sector for our rural communities, and provide ladders of opportunities for their hardworking employees and their families.

    About California Fresh Fruit Association:

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members.

    About Western Growers:

    Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.

  • CA Citrus Mutual Commends Actions Regarding Seasonal & Perishable Products

    California Citrus Mutual commends the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) for the actions they recently announced to address the injury caused by increased imports of seasonal and perishable products. Low-priced imports have previously caused a substantial market disruption for the California citrus industry during its marketing season. We are encouraged by both the Administration’s plan and its determination to bring relief to fruit and vegetable growers who are suffering from similar import issues.

    The trade remedy steps announced include the self-initiation of Section 201 global safeguard action on certain imports, USTR’s coordination with specific sectors to monitor and investigate imports under the Section 201 provisions covering perishable agricultural products and citrus products, DOC’s coordination with effected sectors on possible self-initiated antidumping and countervailing duty actions, and the Administration’s indication that still other actions and investigations may be taken. These steps are essential safeguarding and supporting all U.S. fruit and vegetable growers harmed by this problem.

    In 2017, low-priced citrus imports from the Southern Hemisphere increased 40% over the prior year’s shipments, causing significant price declines and harm to California growers. Consistent with last week’s announcement, California Citrus Mutual will closely monitor imports in the coming California season and continue to coordinate with the U.S. Government regarding any import surges, unfair import practices, and injury to our citrus growers.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)

    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most.

  • Joel Nelsen Reappointed to Senior Trade Policy GRP

    CCM’s Joel Nelsen was reappointed to the Administration’s Fruit & Vegetable Trade Advisory Committee this week as announced by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. These positions are highly coveted as they have direct engagement with Administration officials on trade policy. Nelsen has served since the George W. Bush Administration, and for the past fours, his colleagues have asked him to chair the Fruit & Vegetable Committee. There are several trade advisory committees all serving varied business sectors in the United States. Agriculture, because of its diversity, has over six committees representing the varied Ag commodity sectors.

    “To be able to continue serving in this role is both gratifying and humbling,” Nelsen states. “I had the support of Valley Congressmen McCarthy, Nunes, and Costa along with Congressional members Ken Calvert and Julia Brownly. Additionally, Senator Feinstein sent a letter on my behalf, all of which were gratefully appreciated.”

    There are upwards of two dozen seats available on each committee half of which expire every two years. The role is to initiate and/or advise the Administration on a myriad of policy and technical issues that can and do affect the produce industry. “The give and take are real, as is the opportunity for accountability,” Nelsen continues. “Certainly these past two years have been challenging, and most likely, these disputes will carry on as the Administration seeks to balance trade and initiate policies that correct deficiencies in existing agreements. I truly do appreciate the fact that our California Congressional members and the Administration continue to believe I bring value to the process. It is very rewarding.”

  • Central Valley Citrus Growers Manage through Mid-Season Freeze

    Exeter, CA, February 11, 2019 – Temperatures once again fell below freezing across the Central Valley citrus belt last night with overnight lows around 28 in the coldest areas. Growers report running wind machines in order to raise grove temperatures as much as 3-5 degrees to prevent freeze damage.

    Central Valley Citrus Growers Manage through Mid-Season FreezeWhile the temperatureswere within manageable ranges, there is some concern that rain on Saturday and Sunday in combination with the cold temperatures last night may impact the external quality of the fruit. However, if there is damage it will not materialize for at least a couple of weeks. Generally, afternoon sun and breezy conditions on Sunday helped to dry the fruit before temperatures dropped, which growers hope will be enough to mitigate any damage. As an added precaution some growers used wind machines to dry the fruit before temperatures started to dip into the low 30s.

    Central Valley Citrus Growers Manage through Mid-Season Freeze

    Wind machines were mostly utilized for the less cold tolerant mandarins and lemons, but the temperature did not drop low enough to cause concern. Navel orange varieties can tolerate temperatures as low as 27-28 degrees before wind machines are needed. Mandarins and lemons are less tolerant of cold temperatures due to their size, or in the case of lemons, low sugar content. For these varieties wind machines are utilized at temperatures as high as 32 degrees.

    Generally, last night’s temperatures are not a cause for concern for Valley citrus growers. In the coming weeks growers will be assessing the external quality of the fruit and implementing standard protocols to ensure blemished and damaged fruit does not enter the market.

    ***

    About CCM – CCM is the only advocacy organization representing CA citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that impact them most. We are a voluntary, non-profit trade association dedicated to enhancing the sustainability of the CA citrus industry by advocating for sound, reasonable policy that allows for fair competition in the market place. Our 2,500 members represent 75% of California’s 320,000 acre, $3.8 billion citrus industry.

  • CA Citrus Mutual Works Aggressively to Protect Growers in the Industry

    With concerns over water rights and increasing regulations, growers’ voices need to be heard in Sacramento and Washington DC, and the California Citrus Mutual has an aggressive agenda this year to support the citrus industry. Watch this brief interview with Joel Nelsen to learn more and read about it in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.

    Calagnet & YARA
    Special thanks to this video’s sponsor!