California's citrus industry gathers for annual meeting
California's citrus industry gathers for annual meeting
VISALIA, CA — California Citrus Mutual held it's 36th annual meeting Nov. 7 at the Visalia Convention Center, here. CCM is the industry trade association, representing over 70 percent of the tree crop tonnage on a voluntary basis.
Newly elected Board Chairman Kevin Severns spoke passionately about the many benefits that CCM has offered California citrus growers. Most urgent has been the organized effort to stop the Asian citrus psyllid in California that is responsible for the spread of the devastating citrus greening disease.
Severns also installed the 2013-14 board of directors, including Curt Holmes, Al Bates and Andrew Brown, who will serve as the executive board along with Severns.
CCM incoming Chairman Kevin Severns, new Vice Chair Curt Holmes, Al Bates and Andrew Brown. (Photo by Ed Boling)At the meeting, CCM honored four retiring directors who gave 10 years of service to the organization: John Demshki, John Gless, David Tomlinson and retiring board Chairman Tom Wollenman.
Speaking of Wollenman, Severns said, "He was among the best in the history of CCM. He was just what the industry needed at just the right time."
California Rep. David Valadao, who represents the Central Valley, served as keynote speaker at the annual meeting. The first-term Congressman shared his perspective on the inner-workings of the U.S. House of Representatives and how gridlock in Washington, DC, has unquestionably affected agriculture policy.
A Hanford native, Valadao has strong ties to San Joaquin Valley agriculture. The Congressman serves on the House Appropriations Committee, specifically the Agriculture, Interior and Legislative Branch subcommittees.
CCM President Joel Nelson was absent from the annual meeting due to a trip to China, where he was negotiating requirements for export.