The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently announced that a majority of the qualified producers of the state’s cut flowers and greens have voted in favor of the continuation of the California Cut Flower Commission for another five years, according to a news release.

Signed into law by Governor George Deukmejian in 1990, CCFC is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2015. The commission’s mission is to “provide a unified effort by farmers to enhance the performance of the California cut flower and foliage industry.” California’s flower farms contribute $620 million to the economy and employ 4,500 Californians.

“The continuation of the California Cut Flower Commission is a testament to the value and vision that was behind the creation of the organization a quarter century ago,” said Mike Anthony

Mellano, CCFC chair and chairman of Mellano & Co., in the release. “The commission continues to accomplish for all what no single farmer could accomplish alone.”

In addition to uniting farmers to advance the state’s flower industry, over the past seven years the commission has helped position the California Grown flower brand and is active in a national coalition of flower farmers who are dedicated to educating consumers and improving awareness of flowers grown in the United States. In July 2014, the coalition of farms launched the Certified American Grown campaign and also recently launched a nationwide tour of farm-to-fork style dinners called “The American Grown Field to Vase Dinner Tour.”

“For the next five years, California’s flower farms can be assured that they have a resource dedicated to advancing their interests and opportunities in a business environment that remains highly competitive,” said CCFC chief executive officer and ambassador Kasey Cronquist in the release.

Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture added, “The reauthorization of the California Cut Flower Commission is a testament to the commitment of flower farmers, and to the leadership the organization continues to provide its farms and the state.”