California Ag Network

Tag: The California Walnut Commission

  • California Walnut Commission Opens Nominations for 2025 Member Seats

    The California Walnut Commission will begin accepting nominations for its 2025 election, inviting dedicated growers and handlers across the state to help shape the future of the California walnut industry.

    Members and alternates will be elected for the next two-year term beginning on September 1, 2025, and ending on August 31, 2027. Walnut producers (growers) or handlers interested in appearing on the 2025 California Walnut Commission election ballot must submit a completed nomination form. Producers must return the form with signatures from at least 15 eligible producers, and handlers must return the form with at least 5 handler signatures.

    The nomination window opens May 1 and closes June 2, 2025. In late June, election ballots will be mailed out, and producers will vote to elect four members and four alternates to represent their district. The nominees receiving the most votes in each district will be recommended for appointment by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

    “We are looking for individuals who are committed to the success of the walnut industry,” said Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Commission. “Serving on the commission isn’t just a title—it’s an opportunity to challenge norms, collaborate with peers and push forward on issues that matter to growers and handlers.”

    Elected members will help advance the strategic goals outlined in the industry’s strategic plan. These include strengthening global demand for California walnuts, investing in health and nutrition research, promoting sustainable practices and driving product and packaging innovation.

    The Commission encourages younger, next-generation growers to participate. Their perspectives are essential in helping the industry evolve to meet changing consumer preferences and market demands. Growers unable to serve on the Commission can still get involved by joining committees and working groups focused on marketing, research and other key areas.

    For more information, contact Suzanne Wuehler at the California Walnut Commission office at (916) 932-7070 or swuehler@walnuts.org.

    About the California Walnut Commission

    The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 3,600 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts.

    To explore recipes and learn more about California walnut growers, industry information and health research, visit walnuts.org.

  • California Walnut Commission Electing New Members

    This year the California Walnut Commission will be holding elections for members and alternates for the term beginning September 1, 2021 and ending August 31, 2023.

    “The diversity of our growing and evolving membership brings valuable perspective to the industry. The CWC in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomes participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities,” said Michelle McNeil Connelly, CEO of the California Walnut Commission.

    Following are the specifications for the election:

    Every two years the Commission law provides for the nomination of 13 members and 13 alternates that will be appointed by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

    The following is a list of the member and corresponding alternate positions for the Commission:

    Eight Producer Members (four from each district, see below)

    Four Handler Members

    One public member (nominated by 12 elected members)

    All producers and handlers participating in the election must complete a nomination form in order for their name to appear on the ballot. The nomination period is May 1-31. All producer candidates must return the form with at least 15 eligible grower signatures. All handler candidates must submit a petition with at least five other handler signatures.

    We anticipate that ballots will be mailed to growers and handlers in late June. The election results will most likely be announced in August.

    District 1 is comprised of counties in the state that lie north of a line drawn on the south boundaries of San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Calaveras and Alpine counties. District 2 consists of all other walnut producing counties in the state south of this boundary line.

    If you have any questions please feel free to call the CWC office at (916) 932-7070.

    About California Walnut Commission

    The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. The CWC represents over 4,800 growers and over 90 handlers (processors) of California walnuts in export market development activities and conducts health research. The CWC is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). For more industry information, health research and recipe ideas, visit www.walnuts.org.