Kawamura speaks at Grower-Shipper annual meeting
Kawamura speaks at Grower-Shipper annual meeting
MONTEREY, CA -- Agriculture needs to fully recognize its vital role - and be recognized - as part of the solution for food, fiber, fuel and more, California Secretary of Agriculture A.G. Kawamura told an audience assembled May 11 at the 76th annual meeting of the Salinas, CA-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
Mr. Kawamura said that there is "amazing technology taking place around the planet," and added that if Salinas and Monterey County could become energy-independent that it would "increase tremendously the economy in your areas."
Mr. Kawamura and Grower-Shipper President-Secretary Jim Bogart acknowledged that immigration reform is front and center of its issues.
John Baillie of Tri-Counties Packing/Baillie Family Farms and Grower-Shipper chairman for 2005-2006 pointed to Grower- Shipper's role in conjunction with other trade associations in the creation of a guide for lettuce and leafy green food safety as one of Grower-Shipper's main accomplishments in the past year.
Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations at Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, is Grower-Shipper's incoming chairman for 2006-07, replacing Mr. Baillie.
Grower-Shipper's board of directors for 2006-07 are: Nick Azcona of Azcona Harvesting LLC; Mr. Baillie of Tri-Counties Packing/ Baillie Family Farms; Richard Bascou of Dole Fresh Vegetables; Bardin Bengard of Tom Bengard Ranch; Rodney Braga of Braga Ranch; Sig Christierson of Major Farms; Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialities; Sammy Duda of Duda California; Kay Filice of Filice Farms; Ken Higashi of Easton Enterprises Inc.; David Martella of Martella Farming Co.; Bill Moncovich of California Giant; and Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms.
Grower-Shipper officers for 2006-07 are Mr. Donohue, treasurer; Ms. Filice, vice chairman; Mr. Pezzini, chairman; and Mr. Bogart, president-secretary.
Mr. Kawamura said that there is "amazing technology taking place around the planet," and added that if Salinas and Monterey County could become energy-independent that it would "increase tremendously the economy in your areas."
Mr. Kawamura and Grower-Shipper President-Secretary Jim Bogart acknowledged that immigration reform is front and center of its issues.
John Baillie of Tri-Counties Packing/Baillie Family Farms and Grower-Shipper chairman for 2005-2006 pointed to Grower- Shipper's role in conjunction with other trade associations in the creation of a guide for lettuce and leafy green food safety as one of Grower-Shipper's main accomplishments in the past year.
Joe Pezzini, vice president of operations at Castroville, CA-based Ocean Mist Farms, is Grower-Shipper's incoming chairman for 2006-07, replacing Mr. Baillie.
Grower-Shipper's board of directors for 2006-07 are: Nick Azcona of Azcona Harvesting LLC; Mr. Baillie of Tri-Counties Packing/ Baillie Family Farms; Richard Bascou of Dole Fresh Vegetables; Bardin Bengard of Tom Bengard Ranch; Rodney Braga of Braga Ranch; Sig Christierson of Major Farms; Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialities; Sammy Duda of Duda California; Kay Filice of Filice Farms; Ken Higashi of Easton Enterprises Inc.; David Martella of Martella Farming Co.; Bill Moncovich of California Giant; and Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist Farms.
Grower-Shipper officers for 2006-07 are Mr. Donohue, treasurer; Ms. Filice, vice chairman; Mr. Pezzini, chairman; and Mr. Bogart, president-secretary.