California Fruit and Vegetable

Category: Ag Legislation

  • Untimely, New Law in California that Farm Employers Need to be Aware of

    California laws and regulations continue changing, often causing unnecessary hardships on businesses in the state. A new law has passed in California, effective January 1, 2025 (often referred to as the “Captive Audience Meetings” law) that farm employers need to be aware of. Ron Barsamian, legal advisor to the California Fresh Fruit Association, shared the details of this new law, The California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act, with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and how to safely navigate the changes. Watch this brief interview to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • New Marketing Assistance Now Available for Specialty Crop Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, aimed at helping specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs, is now accepting applications from Dec. 10, 2024 through Jan. 8, 2025. Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation, MASC was announced in November alongside the $140 million Commodity Storage Assistance Program for facilities impacted by 2024 natural disasters.

    “Specialty crop growers have typically faced higher marketing and handling costs relative to non-specialty crop producers due to the perishability of fruits, (nuts), vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Through this marketing assistance program, we can expand U.S. specialty crop consumption and markets by providing specialty crop producers the financial support needed to help them engage in activities that broaden and enhance strategies and opportunities for marketing their commodities.”

    MASC helps specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:

    • Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursey crops and herbs;
    • Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;
    • Packaging to prevent damage;
    • Moving perishables to market quickly; and
    • Higher labor costs.

    MASC Eligibility

    To be eligible for MASC, a producer must be in business at the time of application, maintain an ownership share and share in the risk of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in calendar year 2025.

    MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops:

    • Fruits (fresh, dried);
    • Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);
    • Tree nuts;
    • Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;
    • Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and
    • Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.

    Applying for MASC

    Eligible established specialty crop producers can apply for MASC benefits by completing the FSA-1140, Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program Application, and submitting the form to any FSA county office by Jan. 8, 2025. When applying, eligible specialty crop producers must certify their specialty crop sales for calendar year 2023 or 2024.

    New specialty crop producers are required to certify 2025 expected sales, submit an FSA-1141 application and provide certain documentation to support reported sales i.e., receipts, contracts, acreage reports, input receipts, etc. New producers are those who began producing specialty crops in 2023 or 2024 but did not have sales due to the immaturity of the crop, began producing specialty crops in 2024 but did not have a complete year of sales or will begin growing specialty crops in 2025.

    MASC applicants, established and new, must also submit the following information to FSA if not already on file at the time of application:

    • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
    • Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
    • Form CCC-941, Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information.  
    • Form FSA-942, Certification of Income from Farming, Ranching and Forestry Operations, if applicable, for the producer and members of entities.
    • A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.
    • Other Documentation if requested by FSA to support reported specialty crop sales.

    Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms or producers who may be new to conducting business with FSA, can contact their local FSA county office.

    For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing, or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales. Further explanation of what is considered by FSA for specialty crop sales as well as an online MASC decision tool and applicable program forms, are available on the MASC program webpage.

    MASC Payments

    For established specialty crop growers, those who certify crop sales in 2023 or 2024, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales. Payment calculation details and examples are available on the MASC webpage or related questions can be directed to local FSA county office staff.

    FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered.  If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.

    Specialty crop producers interested in applying for MASC benefits, are encouraged to review the program fact sheet for detailed information on program eligibility, required documentation, payment calculations and more.

    More Information

    Additional information on MASC is available in the Notice of Funding Availability, which went on public inspection in the Federal Register on Dec. 9, 2024.

    FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

  • Congressman Duarte Addresses Water Issues & Solutions for California Ag

    Despite the great rainfall and snowpack California has experienced in the last couple years, little of this abundance has been shared with agriculture or even saved for the inevitable times of drought that lay ahead.  Farmers are fed up with the state’s many years of mismanagement of our water resources and lack of practical investment in our water future.  This led a farmer to run for congress and bring some new, realistic solutions to the table.  Watch this brief interview with Representative John Duarte from the 13th Congressional District of California as he shares some of these priorities that offer relatively quick and longterm water availability benefits for farmers and all Californians.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Congressman John Duarte Shares Legislative Priorities for California Ag in Crisis

    In November 2022, the newly realigned 13th Congressional District of California elected to send a farmer to represent them in congress. Representative John Duarte has been at the job for about a year in a half and has been working on a number of bills to support California’s specialty crop industries, which are in desperate need of recovery from many challenges brought on by the pandemic and drought, among other global trade, inflation, and invasive pest pressures. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.

  • Compost Tax Credit Bill for California Farmers Progresses Through Legislature

    California growers investing in compost to boost soil fertility on the farm may soon reap additional benefits in the form of a tax credit. Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) joined Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share how this promising CAWG-sponsored bill is currently making its way through legislature. Watch this brief video to learn more.

  • CAWG Pushes Legislation to Streamline Ag Employee Housing

    California ranks last in both housing affordability and availability, compared to the rest of the United States. This is having a major impact on California farm workers who are having to commute long distances to get to work or are otherwise struggling to get by. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as they push for legislative support to streamline the permitting process for on-farm ag employee housing. Read more about it in the May issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • California Growers Celebrate Legislative Win Supporting Groundwater Recharge

    Last Fall, Governor Newsom signed SB 659, The California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023, sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Regional Water Authority in Sacramento.  But what does this mean for California farmers implementing groundwater recharge practices in the coming months?  Watch this video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers to find out.

  • Growing Chinese Market Demand for Nuts and Dried Fruit

    USDA Foreign Ag Service — Thanks to consumers’ growing preference for healthy food and earlier successful marketing of nuts and dried fruit products across the country, China’s consumption and demand for nuts and dried fruit has exploded over the past few years. To continue this growth, new product innovations, packaging, and flavor concepts for nuts and dried fruit are needed.

    In China, popular nuts and dried fruit include, but are not limited to, almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, raisins, and dried blueberries. Recently, consumers have sought dried fruit and nuts because of their perceived health benefits, their versatile applications in food manufacturing, and their rich texture and appearance. In China, the “nuts market” segment includes tree nuts and dried fruit.

    Statistics from different sources indicate that the nuts industry has grown robustly over the past decade. Along with strong consumption and sales between 2012 and 2022, imports of nuts expanded substantially from $0.5 billion in 2012 to $3.3 billion in 2022, with record imports in 2021 of $3.5 billion.

    TREE NUTS & DRIED FRUITS MARKET SNAPSHOT

    •   The nuts market reached $40 billion in 2022, accounting for about 20 percent of the total snack food market, competing with candy/chocolate and biscuits/pastry for the number one sector.
    •   The compound annual growth rate for the nuts market was above 10 percent between 2011- 2022, making it a leading manufacturing industry in China.
    •   The tree nut market size reached $8 billion in 2022, remaining far behind seed nuts at $32 billion.
    •   Imports of tree nuts reached $3.28 billion in 2022.

    Imports of dried fruit also increased substantially over the past ten years, increasing from an initial $215 million in 2012 to $946 million in 2022, a 340 percent increase.

    The Popularization of Daily Nuts

    The concept of Daily Nuts originated from a product that was initially launched in 2016 by Wolong, a snack food manufacturer based in Qingdao. Although it is called Daily Nuts, it is a mixture of nuts and dried fruit, such as almonds, pistachios, dried blueberries, and dried cranberries. It is usually in small packs of 15-20 grams, perfect for nutrition supplements and at-work snacks.

    Unlike traditional roasted nuts, Daily Nuts target younger and higher-end consumers. Almost all the nuts and dried fruit used in daily nuts are imported to meet consumers’ high-quality expectations. While the raw ingredients are imported, the roasting, processing, and packaging occur domestically.

    Due to the strong marketing behind Daily Nuts, focusing on the nutritional benefits and portability of the product, the market exploded. Due to the quick expansion of Daily Nuts across China, Alibaba’s Tmall Research Institute created a new sub-sector called mixed nuts (which includes nuts and dried fruit) in 2017, and daily nuts were regarded as a representative of the sub-sector.

    Following the launch of Daily Nuts in 2016, the market size of mixed nuts and dried fruit grew from $1.4 billion in 2016 to $15.8 billion in 2021, a 1,029 percent growth.

    Consolidation of the Mixed Nuts Sub-Sector

    The booming sub-sector has led to market consolidation. Initially, more than 300 brands began selling daily nuts products in China. Big retailers such as Fresh Hippo, an affiliate of Alibaba, and Bian Li Feng, a nationwide franchised convenience store, even created their own daily nuts style private label products. However, recently smaller processors have begun manufacturing for bigger ones. In 2022, the combined market share of the top five brands, Three Squirrels, Haomusi, Wolong, Chacha, and Bestore, amounted to 38 percent; it is estimated that by 2028, the top five brands will expand their combined market share to 54 percent.

    Growing Online Sales

    The main category of consumers of mixed nuts and dried fruit are those aged 20 to 45, which directly corresponds to those consumers who most often utilize e-commerce channels. As a result, most of the sales for mixed nuts occur online. In 2022, 47 percent of all snack food sales occurred online. According to CFNA, in the first half of 2023, online sales of food products increased by 8.9 percent year-on-year. Additionally, new online livestreaming retailers, such as Douyin (Tiktok) and Kuaishou, are taking increasing market share from traditional offline retailers.

    Applications of Mixed Nuts in Food Manufacturing

    Tree nuts and dried fruits are typically used for three purposes: snack food, baking ingredients, and food/beverage ingredients. Although the applications of baking ingredients and food/beverage ingredients have been developing in recent years, the snack food sector has achieved impressive growth.

    The snack food sector includes three sub-sectors, namely single nuts, mixed nuts, and flavored nuts. The single nut sub-sector hosts traditional sunflower seeds, peanuts, hazelnuts, and imported tree nuts, which have become increasingly popular over the last two decades. Mixed nuts, as described in the daily nuts section above, are comprised of products with both nuts and dried fruit. Flavored nuts refer to nut products that are typically roasted, shelled, and then flavored to meet consumers’ personal flavor preferences. Typical flavors include but are not limited to salty, spicy, coconut, mustard and others.

    Sluggish Economic Recovery

    In 2022, strict COVID-19 zero-tolerance regulations impacted China’s economy. According to Tmall statistics, online sales of mixed nuts and dried fruit were nearly zero due to reduced logistics capacity. Offline, traditional sales fared even worse due to the same reduction in logistics capacity and frequent store closures. The economy was expected to rebound after lifting all COVID restrictions, but growth has remained sluggish.

    The overall reduction in spending means consumers are reducing purchases of non-essentials such as snack foods. In recent conversations with retail contacts, we learned that local consumers spending on snack food is only around 60 percent of pre-COVID levels. Although online food purchases increased by 8.9 percent in the first half of 2023, this is thought to be due to the increased sales of lower-cost products. The purchases of nuts and dried fruits, which consist of primarily imported raw ingredients and are more expensive, will continue to be impacted by China’s sluggish economic recovery.

    Declining Growth of Daily Nuts

    In the past few years, tree nuts and dried fruit sales were largely equal to sales of daily nuts products. While Daily Nuts initially led to an explosion in the market, the market is largely saturated. Thus, the market is calling for innovations in the nuts and dried fruit sector to spur growth.

    Booming international and domestic supplies

    China relies on imports of a range of nuts to meet its strong domestic demand. International supplies impact import volumes considerably. For example, with the production of U.S. almonds reaching a historic high in 2020/2021, the price fell substantially, which in turn led to increased exports to China. Increased international production may continue to lower global tree nut prices, making exports competitive.

    However, due to growing domestic supplies, imports of certain nuts and dried fruit are expected to decline. China is the largest producer of walnuts and peanuts globally and has a growing production of macadamia nuts, raisins, and blueberries.

    Over the past ten years, growing demand for nuts and dried fruit has pushed domestic production to record highs. According to CFNA, China’s total nut production in 2023 is 44 percent higher than five years ago.

    Growing domestic production has also decreased prices for dried fruit. For example, in August 2023, the domestic price for raisins was roughly half that of Chile and a quarter of that of the United States.

    Other Promising Products

    Aside from products used for mixed or daily nuts, other dried fruit products are seeing market growth. For instance, local consumers perceive dried prunes as a good source of dietary fiber, translating into increased sales.

    Additionally, growing consumer health consciousness and the still-to-be-explored versatility of nuts and dried fruit in the food manufacturing sector will likely spur market growth. While the previous high growth rates were not sustainable, mild but steady growth is expected.

    New Product Development

    With the saturation of the market for daily nuts, food researchers and developers are making every effort to develop a product with the market power of daily nuts. Potential new uses of nuts and dried fruit could include:

    •   In a beverage
      o Example: Six Walnuts bottled drink, a walnut milk beverage, saw high sales upon its launch due to improved taste and brand image.
    •   In the food manufacturing sector

    o New processed and value-added products such as sliced, diced, minced nuts, or sugared, pureed, marinated fruit, could be used to meet different food manufacturing requirements or demands.

    o China’s expanding food manufacturing industry is calling for more varieties of processed ingredients, offering new market opportunities.

    Identifying and capitalizing on these market opportunities will require more collaboration between suppliers and R&D departments of Chinese food manufacturers in testing and educating the market.

     In chain coffee and milk tea shops
    o Recently, nuts, and dried fruit consumption have increasingly been used for beverages at chain coffee and milk tea shops across China.

    o This demand comes from two usages: one is a small pack of nuts and dried fruit consumed alongside coffee or milk tea, and the other is used as ingredients for baking and pastries in coffee or milk tea shops.

    o Neither of these uses is new, but the demand and consumption have grown substantially in line with the rapid expansion of coffee and milk tea shops.

    For more information, please contact ATO Beijing:

    USDA Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing U.S. Embassy, Beijing, No. 55 An Jia Lou Road Chaoyang District, Beijing
    China, 100600
    Tel.: 86-10-8531-3950
    Fax: 86-10-8531-3974
    Email: atobeijing@usda.gov

  • Six New Farmers Join the San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame

    On Thursday, October 19, 2023 at a dinner at the Robert Cabral Ag Center, 6 new members were inducted into the San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame.  The 2023 San Joaquin Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees were:

    Dr. Marit Arana, A.L. Gilbert Company

    Eugene “Gene” Wallom, Lodi Farming Inc.
    Marden Wilbur, Lane Ranches
    Edward “Eddie” Alfred Zuckerman, Zuckerman Family Farms
    Marc R. Marchini (Posthumous)
    Chester “Bud” Rolland Murphy (Posthumous)

    The San Joaquin County Ag Hall of Fame honors those who have contributed so much to a great part of our heritage.  Our Agricultural Hall of Fame marks the efforts and history of those who have gone before, those who have graced our homes and enriched our hearts and those who in the days past laid the foundation upon which we build for today and tomorrow.  The agricultural community is a wonderful example of people working together and continuing a tradition that has been handed down throughout the years from people who had to sacrifice a great deal, both personally and physically, to nurture our land and our community.

    Honoree Bios:

    Dr. Marit Arana

    Dr. Marit Arana’s journey into agriculture exemplifies dedication and passion. Despite a non-agricultural background, her love for horses ignited at an early age. Determined to own a horse, she saved $200 by age 8, a promise her parents honored, marking the beginning of her lifelong agricultural involvement.

    Her academic path led her to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she ultimately, earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences. She had a short detour while at Cal Poly and earned an AA degree in Animal Health Technology from Hartnell College in Salinas.  Her educational journey continued at California State University, Fresno, where she achieved a Master of Science in Animal Sciences, specializing in equine nutrition and exercise physiology.

    Marit’s educational pursuit culminated in a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from the University of Arizona. Post-graduation, she returned to California, working for the University of California Cooperative Extension as the Dairy Farm Advisor for San Joaquin, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano and Contra Costa Counties.

    Marit joined the A.L. Gilbert Company as a nutritionist, and swiftly rose to Head of the Nutrition Department. Her expertise in animal nutrition extended to serving as the National President for the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) in 2008-2009. She also has played a pivotal role as Chairman of the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Feed Inspection Advisory Board since September 2013.

    Marit’s contributions aren’t limited to agriculture. She’s been an active member of the Agricultural Awareness and Literacy Foundation (AAL), supporting consumer education through initiatives like Farmology, which educates children about the origins of their food, particularly those with little agricultural knowledge.

    Her involvement in activities such as the San Joaquin Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, participation in scholarship committees, mentoring students, and engagement with legislators, showcases her extensive impact on agricultural and non-agricultural communities. Her leadership and commitment to mentoring have inspired countless individuals, encouraging the next generation.

    Eugene “Gene” Wallom

    Eugene “Gene” Wallom, born in 1936 in New Glarus, Wisconsin, where he grew up helping his father on his farms from a very young age. Through his hard work and dedication, Gene landed a job and formed a partnership with Dino Cortopassi to from Donco Farm Equipment. This was the beginning of a fifty-five year partnership.

    In 1988, Gene and Cortopassi founded Lodi Farming Inc., a vineyard and orchard operation. They made significant innovations in agriculture, such as double cropping of wheat and kidney beans, no-till farming practices, center pivots, and the invention of a tomato vine trainer. They also built over-the-row equipment for vineyards, allowing two rows to be sprayed, dusted, or trimmed with one pass. Gene was one of the first to plant apples in San Joaquin County, planting the first orchard of Fuji in 1987.

    Soon Lodi Farming Inc. transformed into the largest apple grower in California. Gene was also one of the first to plant cover crops in orchards and vineyards, improving water penetration, soil tilth, and increasing organic matter in the soil. Gene has been a member of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau for over 60 years, serving as a volunteer project leader for the Alpine Victor 4-H Club. He has been a strong supporter of the San Joaquin County Junior Livestock Auction and has been a charter member of the Early Days Gas Engines and Tractors Association. Gene is also a member of the Mid-Valley Apple Association, the Lodi District Grape Growers Association, and the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club. Gene served in the US Army from 1956-1960 and volunteered as a Lost Wax jewelry making instructor. Gene and his late wife Karen enjoyed traveling, especially on river cruises and he enjoys spending time with family and friends. His innovation, perseverance and devotion to his work has make him an important part of the San Joaquin community.

    Marden Wilber

    Marden Wilber, a graduate of University of California, Davis, has found success by embracing new ideas, working with others, and giving back to his community. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, Marden owned and operated the El Mar Angus herd of purebred Angus cattle. In 1969, he was awarded the American Angus Association’s “Picture Bull of the Breed” and was named California’s Outstanding Young Farmer.

    In 1978, he established a partnership with his father-in-law Kenneth Lane. They started Lane Ranches, a successful cow-calf and stocker operation. In 2003, Marden was honored as the California Livestock Man of the Year at the 59th Grand National Rodeo, Horse, and Stock Show. Marden is a leader in environmental stewardship. He originated and directed flood control projects, and implemented an Agricultural Water Conservation Program.

    In 1999 he established the Fitzgerald Ranch Conservation Bank, to protect and help vulnerable animal species in the area. Throughout his lifetime, Marden served as a leader in the cattle and agriculture industry, serving multiple committees such as the Cal Expo Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, California Cattlemen’s Association, the San Joaquin County Valley Hay Growers Association and other organizations. He was an original founding member of the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the Northern California Angus Association. Marden was involved with the San Joaquin County Multi Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, the State Department of Fish and Game, and the Army Corps of Engineers on various projects to maintain a rural environment in the Clements area.

    Marden has volunteered and worked tirelessly, whether lobbying in Washington D.C., locally, or at the state level, on issues that he feels are critical to the agriculture industry. Marden was a Rotary member for over 25 years and is a Past President. He has served on countless committees involving the Clements community and is a University of California, Davis Alumni Association Member. Today, at the age of 87, Marden is still serving his community for the betterment of agriculture and the environment.

    Edward “Eddie” Alfred Zuckerman

    Edward Alfred Zuckerman, known as “Eddie”, is a third-generation farmer from the San Joaquin County Delta. His journey in agriculture began after earning a bachelor’s in business, when he joined his father in cultivating potatoes on McDonald Island. In 1978, Eddie’s vision diversified the family business as he introduced turf grass, founding the Delta Bluegrass Company.

    Since then, Eddie’s farming enterprise has thrived, expanding to around 8,000 acres with diverse crops such as sod, potatoes, corn, rice, almonds, wine grapes, wheat, barley, alfalfa, and sunflowers. Zuckerman Farms is now one of California’s largest potato growers and packers, serving local, national, and international markets. Delta Bluegrass Company, which he nurtured, is the largest sod grower in Northern California, acclaimed for its premium products. Eddie employs nearly 700 people annually, primarily in San Joaquin County.

    Eddie’s agricultural innovations shine, with Delta Bluegrass Company pioneering drought tolerant Kurapia and introducing native, eco-friendly grasses. His embrace of technology is evident in modern farming practices, utilizing advanced equipment, mobile app-driven irrigation, and robotics.

    Beyond farming, Eddie’s leadership extends to co-founding Delta Growers and serving as President of Turf Producers International. Eddie has served on the board for Central Delta Water Agency for more than 20 years and is very much involved in the ag and urban water matters for the San Joaquin Delta and California. Throughout the years Eddie has also served as a board member of various agricultural organizations, making a significant impact in the ag industry.

    In non-agricultural domains, Eddie’s service is admirable. He’s a National Ski Champion and a generous supporter of charitable organizations like St. Mary’s Dining Hall, Stockton’s Gospel Center Rescue Mission, Bread of Life, Red Rhino, and Uplift Foundation, to name a few.

    Marc R. Marchini

    Marc R. Marchini was born on December 15, 1941 in San Francisco, California and passed away August 7, 2018. Marc had a lasting impact on his brother, daughter, grandchildren, countless students and the community. Throughout high school Marc was involved with FFA and later attended Modesto Junior College. After some time at Fresno State Marc returned to Union Island to work in the family farming operation headed by his father and uncle.

    In 1983, Marc, his brother Paul, and father Angelo formed A. Marchini & Sons (later becoming A.M. Farms) where they predominantly grew asparagus and wine grapes. Throughout his career he participated in numerous research initiatives with the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) helping to improve asparagus cultivation practices, varietal development, pest and disease eradication, and mechanization.

    Marc was a recognized leader in the Delta as well as at the state and national level. Locally, he was active in the San Joaquin Farm Bureau and the Robert Union Farm Center. He also found time to be a trustee on the school boards of Delta Island and Tracy Unified School District. He even played an instrumental part in the planning and building of Merrill F. West High School. Marc sat on the board for the Stockton Asparagus Festival where he took pride in the festival’s famous Asparagus Alley. On the state level, he was involved in the California Asparagus Growers Association and creation of the California Asparagus Commission where he served as Chairman. Nationally, he represented the California asparagus industry by serving as a member of the National Asparagus Council.

    Agriculture was more than a vocation for Marc, it was an advocation. The impact he has made not only on his family but the community will live on.

    Chester “Bud” Rolland Murphy

    Chester “Bud” Rolland Murphy, grew up in Telegraph City on his family cattle ranch and passed away on February 22, 1991. Growing up Bud worked on the family Cow Calf operation while attending Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp, California.

    Soon after graduation, he attended Stockton College, where he studied and obtained a degree in math and engineering. Bud was drafted into the United States Army after college, where he completed four years of service. When Bud returned home, he helped run his family’s beef cattle ranches.

    In the early 1940’s, the family expanded their cattle operation to San Joaquin County. This move gave Bud the opportunity to use his engineering degree to develop the grasslands around Farmington into irrigated farmland that is still used today. Bud also used his engineering education to build over twenty reservoirs and stock ponds with the cooperation of the California Department of Water Resources. These stock ponds were not only used on his own ranches, but also for neighboring ranchers in his community. Bud understood the importance of water storage in this state and served as a longtime, founding member of the Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District.

    At heart, Bud was a cattle rancher, and in the 1970’s-1980’s, he developed a purebred polled Hereford herd. He was one of the first breeders to improve his herd using embryo transplants which won him many champions at major shows throughout California and all over the United States.

    Through all of this he saw the benefits to raising children within the agricultural community. With his wife Erna and their four children, he was a generous supporter of both the Farmington 4-H Club and the Escalon FFA Chapter. He encouraged his own children to be active members in both organizations and he continued to support them well after his family was aged out of the programs and into his late years.
     
    About the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce     
    Founded on February 21, 1901, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce speaks for thousands of local businesspeople. For these 122 years, the Chamber has been the authoritative voice in all business matters throughout the Central Valley.  The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.    

  • Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Panetta Institute of Public Policy, Will Keynote the Salinas Biological Summit

    Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the Chairman of the Panetta Institute of Public Policy, will deliver the keynote address at the Salinas Biological Summit, speaking on the topic of food security and innovation. Registration is now open to attend the event, which will be held June 20-21, 2023 at CSU Monterey Bay’s Salinas City Center.

    Co-presented by Western Growers and New Zealand-based agrifood tech consultancy Wharf42, the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit will provide an opportunity for growers to increase their awareness of available biological solutions to address their soil and plant needs, as well as a chance for agricultural businesses to learn about the disruptive science and start-up activity led by innovators in the crop protection space.

    “We are honored and pleased that Secretary Panetta will be joining us as the keynote speaker for the Salinas Biological Summit,” said Dennis Donohue, Executive Director of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. “His focus on food security, innovation and the value of global collaboration by the ag sector underscores the importance of the WG biological initiative.”

    Unanimously confirmed in 2011 by the U.S. Senate as the 23rd Secretary of Defense,  Panetta has had a 50-year career in public service at the highest levels of government.  As Secretary of Defense, he established a new defense strategy and expanded service opportunities for women and others regardless of race, creed, color or gender.  As Director of the CIA, he successfully led the operation that brought Osama bin Laden to justice.

    Panetta began his public service career in 1964 as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, receiving the Army Commendation Medal, and then served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Kuchel.  In 1969, he was appointed Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, where he was responsible for enforcing equal education laws.

    Elected to Congress in 1976, Panetta represented the California Central Coast district for 16 years and created the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In 1993, he was sworn in as Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for the Clinton administration and later was appointed White House chief of staff, working to achieve a balanced federal budget.

    In 1997, Panetta returned to his home town of Monterey to establish and co-direct The Panetta Institute for Public Policy, a non-partisan, not-for-profit study center that seeks to inspire men and women to lives of public service.

    Additional speakers at the Salinas Biological Summit include Dave Puglia, President & CEO of Western Growers; Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Julie Henderson, Director, California Department of Pesticide Regulation; Don Cameron, Vice President and General Manager of Terranova Ranch; Pam Marrone, CEO and Founder, Chestnut Bio Advisors; and Scott Kumar, SVP of Global R&D at Driscoll’s.

    Hotel accommodations and the agenda for the Salinas Biological Summit can be found here. Accredited members of the press can register for free by clicking here.

    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. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook.