He has until October 15 to take action and sign or veto bills. Governor Jerry Brown continues to work his way through the stack of hundreds of bills awaiting their fate on his desk.
Brown Nears Deadline to Decide the Fate of Hundreds of Bills We also appreciate Land O’Lakes–including Pete Garbani, Joey Fernandes, and Cornell Kasbergen and others–for their participation and assistance with the meeting and tour. Thanks to Blue Diamond Growers for coordinating the visit with Ray Van Beek. We appreciate Assemblyman Grayson for meeting with Ag Council members and engaging in an open dialogue with the farming and food processing community on issues of critical importance. Grayson (3rd from L) visits Land O’Lakes and connects with Ag Council board member Pete Garbani (2nd from L) and others. They also had a frank conversation about the unique labor challenges facing dairy farmers and spoke about water-related issues.Īsm. The group discussed the history of Land O’Lakes in Tulare and talked about the cap and trade extension measure that passed this year and funding for agriculture in the cap and trade expenditure plan. Assemblyman Grayson discussed recent legislative activity that took place prior to the adjournment of the Legislature, including water, climate change and other issues.Īssemblyman Grayson then connected with dairymen and others at Land O’Lakes to learn more about the cooperative and tour the processing facility. They discussed various challenges facing farming in the Southern San Joaquin Valley and had an engaging conversation about water supply, quality and storage. On September 25, Assemblyman Tim Grayson (D-Concord) met with Ray Van Beek, who is a Blue Diamond almond grower, on his farm in Porterville. Special thanks to Frank Muller with Muller Ranch, Mona Shulman and the team at Pacific Coast Producers, as well as the California Food Producers who collaborated on the tour.Īssemblyman Grayson Visits Almond and Dairy Members Grayson with Blue Diamond almond grower Ray Van Beek.Īg Council thanks Assemblywoman Aguiar-Curry and Assemblywoman Rubio for their enthusiasm to learn more about our members and California agriculture. The tour concluded with a tasting of Pacific Coast Producers’ delicious tomato products, including salsa.Īsm. Afterward, Assemblywoman Aguiar-Curry and Assemblywoman Rubio visited Pacific Coast Producers’ tomato processing facility in Woodland where an in-depth tour highlighted the cooperative’s work to improve water and energy efficiency, as well as investments made to meet state climate change regulations through the cap and trade program. In addition, Muller discussed issues with labor availability, noting that his operation offers, to the extent possible, year-round work and above minimum wage rates. Muller discussed on-farm sustainability efforts with the legislators, such as soil health and water use, and they watched the harvesting of tomatoes firsthand. The Muller family has farmed in the Yolo County region for more than 40 years and is one of the 150 family farms that own Pacific Coast Producers. Just a few days after the Legislature’s adjournment, on September 18, Ag Council member Pacific Coast Producers hosted Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) and Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-West Covina) on a tour to experience the harvesting of processing tomatoes with the help of Frank Muller of Muller Ranch in Yolo County, who serves as chairman of the board for Pacific Coast Producers. The positive relationships fostered during such tours are invaluable and result in lasting connections for years to come. The site visits ensure that legislators hear firsthand from our members about the crucial policy issues facing agriculture. With the California State Legislature in adjournment, it is an excellent time of year to host legislators for farm and food processing tours. Rubio with Frank Muller who is Chairman of the Board for Pacific Coast Producers.Īssemblywoman Aguiar-Curry & Assemblywoman Rubio Visit a Farm During Harvest & Tour Pacific Coast Producers’ Woodland Facility