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California Grape & Tree Fruit League Annual Report 2010/11 FY

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David Marguleas<br />

Chairman of the Board<br />

Maria Alvarado<br />

Manectar Farms<br />

Anthony Balakian<br />

<strong>California</strong> Growers<br />

Robert O. Bianco<br />

Anthony Vineyards, Inc.<br />

Steve Biswell<br />

Mt. Campbell Development<br />

Nicholas Bozick<br />

R. Bagdasarian, Inc.<br />

Wayne Brandt<br />

Brandt Farms, Inc.<br />

Anton Caratan<br />

Blanc Vineyards<br />

Chris Caratan<br />

M. Caratan, Inc.<br />

Kirk Cerniglia<br />

Royal Madera Vineyards<br />

Carol Chandler<br />

Chandler Farms, LP<br />

David Clyde<br />

<strong>Grape</strong>man Farms dba Stevco<br />

Stan Cosart<br />

W.F. Cosart Packing Co.<br />

Barry Bedwell<br />

<strong>League</strong> President<br />

LEAGUE LEADERSHIP<br />

Chris Caratan<br />

Carol Chandler<br />

<strong>FY</strong> <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

VICE- CHAIRMAN<br />

Steve Hash<br />

Ryan Zaninovich<br />

David Jackson<br />

Louis Pandol<br />

Marko S. Zaninovich,<br />

David Marguleas<br />

Dean Thonesen<br />

Ex Officio<br />

<strong>FY</strong> <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />

Steve Hash<br />

First Vice-Chairman<br />

Verne Crookshanks<br />

Venida Packing, Inc.<br />

Tim Dayka<br />

Dayka & Hackett, LLC<br />

Jerry DiBuduo<br />

SunValley Farms<br />

Moe DiBuduo<br />

DiBuduo <strong>Fruit</strong> Co.<br />

Edge Dostal<br />

Chiquita Fresh North America<br />

Richard Elliot<br />

David J. Elliot & Son<br />

Ken Enns<br />

Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Tony Fazio<br />

Tri-Boro <strong>Fruit</strong> Co., Inc.<br />

Ron Frauenheim<br />

Ron Frauenheim<br />

Randy Giumarra<br />

Giumarra Vineyards Corp.<br />

Doug Hemly<br />

Greene and Hemly, Inc.<br />

Robert Ikemiya<br />

Ito Packing Company, Inc.<br />

Gabrielle Kirkland<br />

Membership<br />

Marcy Martin<br />

Trade<br />

Ryan Zaninovich<br />

Second Vice-Chairman<br />

David Jackson<br />

Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms<br />

Casey Jones<br />

Sun Valley Packing<br />

Herbert Kaprielian<br />

CRJ Farming Co. LP<br />

Harold McClarty<br />

HMC Farms<br />

George Nikolich<br />

Gerawan Farming, Inc.<br />

Justin Parnagian<br />

Fowler Packing Company, Inc.<br />

Pat Ricchiuti<br />

P-R Farms, Inc.<br />

Cliff Rolland<br />

Abe-El Produce<br />

Tom Schultz<br />

Chase National Kiwi Farms<br />

Toni Scully<br />

Scully Packing Co.<br />

Jim Simonian<br />

Simonian <strong>Fruit</strong> Company<br />

Brent Smittcamp<br />

Wawona Packing Co., LLC<br />

league staff<br />

Christopher Valadez<br />

Environmental & Regulatory Affairs<br />

Jaclyn Pack<br />

Office Coordinator<br />

Louis Pandol<br />

Secretary/Treasurer<br />

Kent Stephens<br />

Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

Dean Thonesen<br />

Sunwest <strong>Fruit</strong> Company, Inc.<br />

Vicky Jones<br />

Bookkeeper<br />

Jon Tos<br />

Tos Farms, Inc.<br />

Stan Tufts<br />

Tufts Ranch LLC<br />

Scott Wallace<br />

<strong>Fruit</strong> Patch Sales, LLC<br />

Chiles Wilson<br />

All State Packers, Inc.<br />

John D. Zaninovich<br />

Merritt Farms<br />

Jon P. Zaninovich<br />

Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

Marko S. Zaninovich<br />

Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

Ex Officios:<br />

Micky George<br />

Cliff Sadoian<br />

Erin Ragnetti<br />

Administrative Assistant


Table of contents<br />

TOP TEN ISSUES<br />

1<br />

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT<br />

David O. Marguleas, Chairman<br />

2<br />

PRESIDENT’S REPORT<br />

Barry J. Bedwell, President<br />

3<br />

LEAGUE FINANCIAL SUMMARY<br />

4<br />

AGRICULTURE ISSUES<br />

5<br />

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE<br />

Paul Giboney, Chairman<br />

7<br />

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE<br />

Carol Chandler, Chairman<br />

8<br />

INSURANCE & FINANCIAL BENEFITS COMMITTEE<br />

Ken Enns, Chairman<br />

9<br />

LABOR COMMITTEE<br />

Ryan Zaninovich, Chairman<br />

10<br />

MARKETING COMMITTEE<br />

John Pandol, Chairman<br />

<strong>11</strong><br />

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE<br />

Ryan Zaninovich, Chairman<br />

12<br />

STANDARDIZATION & PACKAGING COMMITTEE<br />

Louis Pandol, Chairman<br />

13<br />

TRAFFIC COMMITTEE<br />

John Rast, Chairman<br />

14<br />

FRUITPAC BOARD<br />

Stan Tufts, Chairman<br />

15<br />

HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST<br />

George Caratan, Chairman<br />

16<br />

LEAGUE COMMITTEE MEMBERS<br />

17<br />

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE REVIEW<br />

19<br />

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE REVIEW<br />

20<br />

YEAR IN PICTURES<br />

21<br />

LEAGUE’S AG NETWORK<br />

23<br />

PAST CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD<br />

24<br />

To fulfill The needs of The membership while serving as The primary public<br />

policy organizaTion advocaTing on behalf of The fresh grape, berry and<br />

<strong>Tree</strong> fruiT growers and shippers in california.


Page 1<br />

TOP TEN ISSUES<br />

Labor Laws/Card Check<br />

After failed attempts to circumvent the secret ballot process, card check was re-invented to make union representation a remedy for ‘egregious’<br />

employer conduct affecting a secret ballot election. Under a new Administration, the potential for passage of card check legislation<br />

through the Legislature remains high.<br />

Immigration Reform/AgJOBS<br />

The latest attempt to move immigration policy without addressing economic questions related to securing an agricultural labor force<br />

proved ill-fated, ultimately leading to the defeat of the piecemeal attempt. The <strong>League</strong> advocated in favor of a solution which addresses<br />

agricultural labor in the context of both comprehensive and a more focused legislative package in recognition of the need for a stable and<br />

reliable workforce.<br />

Water Supply Issues<br />

In a state divided over questions of water conveyance, available supply, and ecosystem protection, the effort to promote a state water bond<br />

package on the 2012 ballot will begin anew, with messaging focused on providing certainty in future years. The demand on <strong>California</strong>’s<br />

water supply and infrastructure will continue to grow as demand increases in the future.<br />

Labor Costs/Minimum Wage<br />

The costs associated with a dependable workforce for cultural, harvest, and packaging continues to range from 50-70 percent of total production<br />

costs. Because labor costs significantly affect the continued economic viability of <strong>League</strong> members, the potential for government<br />

mandated increases in the minimum wage adds to the challenge of producing the highest quality fruit in the State of <strong>California</strong>.<br />

Invasive Pest Issues<br />

The <strong>League</strong> continued to work on the frontlines with top regulatory agencies to combat the devastating effect of invasive pests, such as the<br />

European <strong>Grape</strong>vine Moth, on the growing and shipping of fresh fruit, while simultaneously working with international trading partners<br />

to avoid unnecessary phytosanitary restrictions.<br />

Health Care Mandates<br />

In the wake of the passage of a massive federal health care proposal, much of the burden of providing health care for the uninsured population<br />

will likely result in added costs for businesses.<br />

Food Safety Regulations<br />

The passage of controversial food safety legislation established a framework for federal agencies to more rapidly respond to instances of<br />

foodborne illness outbreaks in what is an overall safe US food system. The <strong>League</strong> is positioned to work with key regulatory agencies to<br />

shape the implementing language of the nation’s new food safety policy, while maintaining that requirements must be commodity specific,<br />

risk-based, and supported by sound science.<br />

Workers’ Comp Costs<br />

The potential for an increase in the rise of workers’ compensation costs was recognized by <strong>League</strong> members as an important concern, as<br />

carriers have repeatedly sought rate adjustments to cover cost increases associated with rising medical costs.<br />

Energy Costs<br />

The concern over increasing energy costs in the face of climate change policy mandates will force the energy production sector to purchase<br />

new technologies and replace production from fossil fuel sources, which will likely result in higher energy prices passed along to consumers.


It<br />

was a pleasure to serve as Chairman for the <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong>, and now<br />

to share some of my impressions of the <strong>League</strong> and its accomplishments<br />

during the past twelve months. It is especially rewarding to<br />

look back on an exceptionally busy year – filled with ample and equal parts of<br />

challenge and success – as we commemorate the 75 year milestone of the <strong>California</strong><br />

<strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong>.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> is viewed as being reliable<br />

and respected, effective and efficient,<br />

dynamic and determined. Each of you<br />

should be proud of our organization . . .<br />

The predecessor to the current day <strong>League</strong> – The <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong><br />

<strong>Fruit</strong> Shippers – was formed in 1936 and the original structure of our organization<br />

remains fundamentally unaltered, although the overall political, economic,<br />

and social environment has obviously changed dramatically.<br />

The driving force behind the <strong>League</strong> today is the same as in its early years;<br />

being responsive to its grower members and fervently advocating and protecting the <strong>California</strong> fruit industry’s needs and interests<br />

with regulators, legislators, international trading partners, and others. These same needs led 49 producers to band together<br />

in 1936 to leverage their collective interests to negotiate fair railroad rates, and it is these same needs that make the <strong>League</strong> a<br />

compelling organization for the 300 growers and shippers who, today, rely on this organization to represent their interests in<br />

Sacramento and Washington, DC.<br />

The <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> is known for its pragmatic approach to working with policy makers in Sacramento<br />

and Washington, DC. The organization reflects the collective interest of the industry, where leaders set aside personal convictions<br />

in a bi-partisan political environment. As the primary public policy organization for the fruit industry, the <strong>League</strong> has<br />

adopted a realistic and sensible approach to building bridges with elected and appointed leaders.<br />

It is the <strong>League</strong>’s singular focus on preserving and enhancing growers’ livelihoods that has aided the organization’s survival for<br />

three-quarters of a century. It also ensures that this organization will continue to play a vital role in maintaining a healthy fruit<br />

industry for decades to come.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> is viewed as being reliable and respected, effective and efficient, dynamic and determined. Each of you should be<br />

proud of our organization and equally proud of the exceptional staff that helps to shape it – represented by the three directors<br />

Marcy Martin, Chris Valadez and Gabrielle Kirkland as well as the organization’s President Barry Bedwell.<br />

It has been an honor to chair the Board of Directors and to contribute in some small measure to our growth and success this<br />

past year.<br />

David O. Marguleas<br />

Chairman <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong><br />

Chairman’s <strong>Report</strong><br />

Page 2


Page 3<br />

President’s <strong>Report</strong><br />

The past year for the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> was<br />

one of transition and helping manage change on behalf of our<br />

membership. The change in Sacramento was primarily brought<br />

on by the conversion of leadership in state government. After<br />

seven years of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, voters in <strong>California</strong><br />

decisively selected Jerry Brown over challenger Meg Whitman to be their<br />

next chief executive, almost three decades after he first served in the office.<br />

The role of the <strong>League</strong> this past year especially focused on making the<br />

organization and our members relevant during this transition period. The<br />

importance of working with other like-minded organizations and finding<br />

common ground on public policy issues became increasingly important.<br />

In addition, the other areas of member service related to the non-public<br />

policy arenas of trade, standardization, packaging, and transportation were<br />

maintained at their historically high levels.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> is also celebrating a significant milestone in 20<strong>11</strong>, with its 75th<br />

anniversary. Accolades go out to the forward-thinking individuals from<br />

the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> and <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> Association and the <strong>California</strong> Growers<br />

and Shippers Protective <strong>League</strong>, who brought together growers and<br />

shippers from all over <strong>California</strong> to address issues of common concern. Every time I look at the names and faces of those<br />

members, both past and present, I feel pride in working for such individuals and being part of this organization.<br />

In accordance with the past practice, the <strong>League</strong>’s Board of Directors was polled on the issues most impacting their sustainability<br />

with the results varying only slightly from the past year. Labor, immigration reform, water, invasive species, health<br />

care, food safety, workers’ compensation, energy costs, and air quality regulations were once again emphasized. While the<br />

education process related to such public policy issues can be frustrating, the <strong>League</strong> made substantive progress in many areas.<br />

We know that we cannot demand respect or recognition of our members’ true value, but we can certainly do our best to<br />

communicate why maintaining the production of our members’ crops is so important to the citizens of this state and nation.<br />

In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all volunteer members of the <strong>League</strong> who serve in leadership<br />

positions, whether it is on the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, or on our many committees. Your efforts<br />

do make a difference. And finally, thanks to the staff for their continued hard work and commitment. Best of luck to all for<br />

a successful and prosperous 20<strong>11</strong> crop year.<br />

Barry J. Bedwell<br />

President<br />

Every time I look at the names and faces of those members, both<br />

past and present, I feel pride in working for such individuals and<br />

being part of this organization.


<strong>League</strong> Financial Summary<br />

Under the supervision of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, <strong>League</strong> staff maintains tight fiscal control over<br />

expenditures, while maximizing opportunities for increased revenues, which are so vital to the fulfillment of <strong>League</strong> matters.<br />

The following represents the <strong>League</strong>’s revenue and expenditures for the fiscal year ending February 28, 20<strong>11</strong> audited financials.<br />

Page 4


Page 5<br />

Agriculture issues<br />

Serving our Membership...<br />

FIRST QUARTER<br />

MARCH/APRIL/MAY<br />

Taiwan Transit Requirements:<br />

Three Mediterranean fruit fly quarantines in <strong>California</strong> impacted<br />

the transit requirements for exports to Taiwan.<br />

Gubernatorial Race:<br />

<strong>League</strong> President and several Board members met with gubernatorial<br />

candidate Jerry Brown in April to discuss important issues.<br />

Diesel Truck Rule:<br />

Under the <strong>California</strong> Air Resource Board Truck Rule, diesel<br />

trucks that were recognized as agricultural trucks were required<br />

to display proper identification by April 30.<br />

2012 Farm Bill:<br />

Starting in May, Farm Bill hearings<br />

were held across the nation to discuss<br />

the direction of agriculture policy<br />

in advance of the 2012 Farm Bill.<br />

Immigration Reform Proposal:<br />

On April 29, key Senate Democrats unveiled a framework for a<br />

comprehensive immigration proposal, but did not set a deadline<br />

for accomplishing reform.<br />

HIRE Act:<br />

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) proposal<br />

was established to exempt employers from paying social security<br />

payroll tax in <strong>2010</strong> and offered a tax credit to employers.<br />

European <strong>Grape</strong>vine Moth Quarantine:<br />

In May, a regulated area of approximately<br />

five miles in radius around each<br />

site was created and encompassed two<br />

Fresno County detections.<br />

Section 18 Issued for Mentor:<br />

At the request of the <strong>League</strong>, Department of Pesticide Regulation<br />

granted an emergency exemption order for the post-harvest<br />

use of Mentor on nectarines and peaches.<br />

Export Database: The <strong>League</strong> secured a grant through<br />

the <strong>California</strong> Department of Food<br />

and Agriculture to expand the tree<br />

fruit export database.<br />

Ag Burn Phase-Out Delayed:<br />

The San Joaquin Air Quality Control District Board voted to delay<br />

a complete phase-out of open burning.<br />

SECOND QUARTER<br />

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST<br />

New Zealand Import Requirements:<br />

Biosecurity New Zealand implemented new import requirements<br />

to mitigate Spotted Wing Drosophila for a number of commodities<br />

from <strong>California</strong>.<br />

Melon <strong>Fruit</strong> Fly Detection:<br />

In August, Melon <strong>Fruit</strong> Flies were discovered<br />

in agricultural production areas in the southern<br />

San Joaquin Valley and resulted in a quarantine<br />

of host commodities.<br />

CGTFL Board Votes to Support Water Bond:<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s Board of Directors voted to support the Safe,<br />

Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of <strong>2010</strong>.<br />

EGVM Federal Order for <strong>Grape</strong>s:<br />

USDA issued a formal Federal Order, effective June 22, which<br />

established a quarantine area for portions of several ag-producing<br />

counties due to European <strong>Grape</strong>vine Moth (EGVM) detections.<br />

Cal/OSHA Revised Heat Illness<br />

Prevention Standard:<br />

Cal/OSHA adopted revisions to the<br />

standard, which required specific provisions,<br />

such as “shade up,” when certain<br />

trigger temperatures are reached.<br />

Export <strong>Grape</strong> and Plum Act:<br />

The Board recommended that the <strong>League</strong> seek an amendment to<br />

the Export <strong>Grape</strong> and Plum Act to allow for quarter-pound minimum<br />

bunch weight in containers less than two pounds.<br />

Ag Overtime:<br />

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB <strong>11</strong>21 (Florez) known as the<br />

“ag overtime bill” on July 28. The proposed bill would have required<br />

overtime for agricultural workers after 8 hours daily and<br />

40 hours weekly, rather than the current 10 hours daily and 60<br />

hours weekly.<br />

Cargo Screening<br />

Requirements:<br />

Cargo that was transported on passenger<br />

aircraft had to be screened<br />

at 100 percent, effective August 1,<br />

<strong>2010</strong>.<br />

Family Farm Estate Tax<br />

Legislation:<br />

Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation that deferred the<br />

payment of estate taxes for small family farms.


Agriculture issues<br />

One issue at a time<br />

THIRD QUARTER<br />

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER<br />

Card Check Vetoed:<br />

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 1474 (Steinberg), also known<br />

as the “back door” version of card check, because it represented<br />

the same type of assault on the democratic process as previous versions<br />

of card check legislation.<br />

NAPPO <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting:<br />

The <strong>League</strong> was represented as a<br />

participant in the North American<br />

Plant Protection Organization<br />

(NAPPO) annual meeting, which is<br />

a regional organization established by the governments of the US,<br />

Canada, and Mexico.<br />

Senate Food Safety Bill Postponed:<br />

Food safety legislation was postponed until after the November 2<br />

elections.<br />

Williamson Act Legislation Signed:<br />

Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 2530, under which, counties<br />

will be allowed to implement new Williamson Act contracts,<br />

reduced by 10 percent in both duration and tax relief, for the property<br />

holder.<br />

Japan Proposes Scholar Registration on Stone <strong>Fruit</strong>s:<br />

The <strong>League</strong> worked with Scholar’s registrant, Syngenta Crop Protection,<br />

USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, and Japan’s ministries<br />

to facilitate acceptance of the US maximum residue level for Scholar.<br />

New <strong>California</strong> Governor:<br />

Governor Jerry Brown was elected<br />

as <strong>California</strong>’s new Governor on<br />

November 2, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />

FDA and USDA Form Produce Safety Program:<br />

The US Department of Food and Agricultural and the Food and<br />

Drug Administration (FDA) announced a three-year partnership to<br />

provide produce growers and packers with food safety resources.<br />

Canadian Import Requirements:<br />

The Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) issued a notice that,<br />

effective December <strong>2010</strong>, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency<br />

required shipments of fresh fruit and vegetables coming into<br />

Canada, labeled with a federal produce number or Canadian DRC<br />

Membership number, to be part of the submission of import documentation.<br />

Southern <strong>California</strong> Assemblyman-Elect<br />

Visits Valley:<br />

Assemblyman-elect Ricardo Lara flew<br />

into Fresno in November to meet with<br />

<strong>League</strong> staff and tour member operations.<br />

FOURTH QUARTER<br />

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY<br />

DPR Announced Decision to Register Methyl Iodide:<br />

December <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>California</strong> Department of Pesticide<br />

Regulation announced the registration of<br />

methyl iodide under emergency regulations.<br />

Congress Completes Food Safety Bill:<br />

Late December, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid worked with<br />

Senate Republicans to pass a standalone food safety bill by voice<br />

vote, sending it to the house.<br />

Federal Estate Tax Update:<br />

President Obama signed into law an $858 billion tax package that<br />

included estate tax language which will allow a married couple to<br />

jointly protect up to $10 million of assets from federal estate tax.<br />

CARB Approves Truck Amendments:<br />

The <strong>California</strong> Air Resources Board passed the on-road truck rule<br />

proposed amendments on December 17 by a unanimous vote,<br />

which delayed implementation dates of the compliance schedule.<br />

Schwarzenegger, Brown Administrations Make<br />

Appointments:<br />

Outgoing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed former<br />

State Senator Carole Migden to the Agricultural Labor Relations<br />

Board. Governor Jerry Brown announced an early key appointment<br />

of Assemblyman John Laird.<br />

CA Requirements for Refrigerant Management:<br />

On January 1, 20<strong>11</strong>, operators of refrigeration systems that use<br />

more than 50 pounds of high global warming potential refrigerants<br />

were required to comply with the new <strong>California</strong> Air Resources<br />

Board regulation.<br />

Mexican Tariff Update:<br />

January 20<strong>11</strong>, US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray La-<br />

Hood shared with Congress and the government of Mexico an<br />

initial concept document for a long-haul cross-border Mexican<br />

trucking program.<br />

Extreme Card Check Bill Introduced:<br />

SB 104 was introduced on January 12 by Senate President Pro Tem<br />

Darrel Steinberg. This proposal differed from previous versions of<br />

card check in that the Agricultural Labor Relations Board would be<br />

required to make a non-appealable administrative decision.<br />

USDA Secretary Chief of<br />

Staff Karen Ross Named<br />

CDFA Secretary:<br />

Governor Brown announced the appointment<br />

of Karen Ross to Secretary<br />

of the <strong>California</strong> Department of<br />

Food & Agriculture.<br />

Page 6


Page 7<br />

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE<br />

POLICY WORK<br />

The Committee reviewed the Safe, Clean and Reliable Water Supply<br />

Act of <strong>2010</strong>, which was designed to provide funding for water<br />

infrastructure. The Act drew broad support from agriculture and<br />

was regarded as a key policy priority area for the Schwarzenegger<br />

Administration. The Board voted to support the Act during its<br />

June <strong>2010</strong> meeting.<br />

The Federal Endangered Species Act maintained its status as a<br />

prime focus in the environmental policy arena because of court<br />

cases requiring biological opinions for mitigation measures to<br />

protect endangered or threatened species or habitats as part of<br />

a consultation requirement. The US Environmental Protection<br />

Agency (EPA), the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the National<br />

Marine Fisheries Service were charged with reviewing more than<br />

three dozen active ingredients. The Committee worked to assess<br />

impact from the resulting biological opinion decisions and potential<br />

chemical use restrictions on agricultural production.<br />

The Committee worked to provide comment to state and regional<br />

air regulators regarding the need to maintain agricultural burning.<br />

Due to data received from Committee members on production<br />

costs, frequency of burn disposal practice and comparative<br />

analysis of cost differences between continuing the burn disposal<br />

practice, versus alternatives, the <strong>League</strong> was instrumental in earning<br />

support from the district to extend the limited practice for<br />

segments in agriculture beyond the June <strong>2010</strong> deadline for the ag<br />

burn rule.<br />

The Committee analyzed the debate at the Federal level on food<br />

safety legislation. The back and forth maneuvering in both the<br />

US House and Senate set up a pathway to moving what became<br />

known as the Food Safety Modernization Act. The Committee<br />

guided staff on legislative proposals, which included rejecting the<br />

proposal to provide the US Food and Drug Administration with<br />

the broad authority to institute a quarantine of a food based on a<br />

broad geographic area. The <strong>League</strong> was able to work as part of a<br />

coalition to communicate disapproval and terminate the effort to<br />

extend broad quarantine authority.<br />

December <strong>2010</strong>, the <strong>League</strong> learned of an effort by Costco that<br />

would require its suppliers to participate in a social compliance<br />

audit program. The <strong>League</strong> worked with other agricultural organizations<br />

to address the shared concerns from membership. A joint<br />

letter from agricultural organizations (including the <strong>League</strong>) was<br />

sent to Costco regarding initiatives mandated for its vendor base.<br />

Costco management and representatives from a handful of ag organizations,<br />

including the <strong>League</strong>, met to discuss potential alternative<br />

approaches for verification.<br />

Overseen by Chairman<br />

Paul Giboney (M. Caratan, Inc.)<br />

The Environmental Resources Committee is the most active<br />

committees, due to the tremendous regulatory oversight<br />

that exists in <strong>California</strong>.<br />

INVASIVES<br />

The <strong>League</strong> represented grapes and “fruits other than grapes” during<br />

the <strong>2010</strong> and 20<strong>11</strong> seasons during the European <strong>Grape</strong>vine<br />

Moth (EGVM) quarantine. After EGVM detections in Fresno<br />

County, a regulated area of approximately five miles in radius was<br />

established. About six weeks later, US Department of Agriculture<br />

(USDA) issued a formal Federal Order which established a quarantine<br />

area for portions of several ag-producing counties.<br />

August <strong>2010</strong>, Melon <strong>Fruit</strong> Fly was discovered in agricultural production<br />

areas in the southern San Joaquin Valley and resulted in a<br />

quarantine of host commodities. The <strong>League</strong> worked with regulatory<br />

agency officials and trading partners to mitigate the impact of<br />

the quarantine.<br />

The presence of the Spotted Wing Drosophila in 23 <strong>California</strong><br />

counties caused some trading partners to implement mitigation<br />

requirements for the movement of several host commodities. The<br />

<strong>League</strong> worked with the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> Agreement to address<br />

stone fruit phytosanitary issues.<br />

A single Light Brown Apple Moth detection was made in August<br />

<strong>2010</strong> in Fresno County. The single find did not trigger a quarantine,<br />

although delimitation activities were started immediately by<br />

CDFA and were monitored throughout the season.<br />

PLANT HEALTH MATERIALS<br />

At the request of the <strong>League</strong>, Department of Pesticide Regulation<br />

granted a Section 18 (emergency exemption) order for the postharvest<br />

use of Mentor on nectarines and peaches.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> worked with Scholar’s registrant, Syngenta Crop Protection,<br />

USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, and Japan’s ministries<br />

to facilitate the acceptance of the US maximum residue level for<br />

Scholar.<br />

December <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>California</strong> Department of Pesticide Regulation<br />

announced the registration of methyl iodide under emergency<br />

regulations.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> continued to work with DuPont since 2007, following<br />

a request that the manufacturer withdraw the cancellation of<br />

Lannate (Methomyl) usage on table grapes until the industry could<br />

respond to the EPA’s risk assessment. The <strong>League</strong> provided technical<br />

comments which permitted the use on grapes to continue.<br />

Subsequently, EPA published a cancellation notice on all grape<br />

crops in early 20<strong>11</strong>. DuPont was allowed to continue to sell and<br />

distribute all existing stock through June 2012.<br />

PLANT HEALTH IRRIGATED LANDS INVASIVE SPECIES AIR QUALITY


GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE<br />

Overseen by Chairman<br />

Carol Chandler (Chandler Farms, LP)<br />

Committee members meet with legislative and regulatory officials<br />

to discuss top issues on an annual trip to Sacramento, handles tax<br />

issues, and interfaces with <strong>Fruit</strong>PAC.<br />

The Government Relations Committee was responsible for coordinating<br />

an annual trip to Sacramento, analyzing issues pertaining<br />

to taxation and increasing the <strong>League</strong>’s visibility in both Washington,<br />

DC and Sacramento.<br />

Under direction from the Government Relations Committee, the<br />

<strong>League</strong> coordinated its <strong>Annual</strong> Sacramento <strong>Fruit</strong> Delivery Trip<br />

on August 25, <strong>2010</strong>. This trip was an opportunity to increase visibility<br />

by providing legislators, regulators, and legislative staff with<br />

a reminder of the value of our fresh grape, berry, and deciduous<br />

tree fruit communities. For <strong>2010</strong>, State leaders were presented<br />

with a uniquely designed <strong>League</strong> container packed delicately with<br />

delicious fruit. More than <strong>11</strong>5 <strong>League</strong> fruit deliveries were made.<br />

A key priority for the<br />

Committee was a review<br />

of the impact of<br />

the <strong>California</strong> state budget<br />

on agriculture. The<br />

Committee identified<br />

key concerns, which<br />

included the proposed<br />

elimination of general<br />

fund dollars for the <strong>California</strong><br />

Fair Network, a<br />

significant $15 million<br />

cut proposed for the<br />

Department of Food<br />

and Agriculture, as well<br />

as an additional $12.8<br />

million general fund reduction<br />

for the State Water Resources Control Board; the impact<br />

of which could lead to significant fee increases.<br />

Fifteen <strong>League</strong> members participated in the 20<strong>11</strong> Government<br />

Relations trip to Sacramento. On March 1, <strong>California</strong> Natural Resources<br />

Agency Secretary, John Laird, provided a briefing, which<br />

reflected on his past engagement on invasive species issues and<br />

current efforts, through the Department of Water Resources, on<br />

the Bay/Delta Conservation program, to make water availability<br />

and environmental restoration equal goals.<br />

Labor & Workforce Development Agency Undersecretary, Doug<br />

Hoffner, met with the <strong>League</strong> group and offered caution on the<br />

challenges ahead with managing the State’s unemployment insurance<br />

program (through the Employment Development Department),<br />

recognizing that the program was insolvent. <strong>California</strong><br />

Environmental Protection Agency Undersecretary, Cindy Tuck,<br />

provided an overview of agency initiatives, which included an<br />

overview on the Department of Toxic Substances Control Green<br />

Chemistry Initiative. The initiative affects companies and chemical<br />

manufacturers in their design and creation of products and<br />

processes with the goal of reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous<br />

substances.<br />

Newly-appointed <strong>California</strong> Department of Food and Agriculture<br />

Secretary, Karen Ross, also met with trip participants and<br />

shared that, given challenges with resources and funding, the Department<br />

was tasked with placing a high priority on protecting<br />

<strong>California</strong> agriculture from invasive pest threats.<br />

<strong>League</strong> members were<br />

joined by various<br />

members of the Legislature<br />

and key figures<br />

from regulatory agencies<br />

during its evening<br />

reception event. A<br />

highlight of the evening<br />

was a special visit<br />

made by Governor<br />

Jerry Brown during<br />

the <strong>League</strong>’s dinner<br />

event on the evening<br />

of March 1. On<br />

March 2, trip participants<br />

were joined by<br />

Assemblyman Henry<br />

T. Perea (D-Fresno) for breakfast and met with Senator Anthony<br />

Cannella (R-Ceres), Assemblywoman Linda Halderman (R-Clovis),<br />

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), and Senator<br />

Michael Rubio (D-Bakersfield) at the State Capitol.<br />

Participants included: David Marguleas, Sun World International,<br />

LLC; Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms, LP; Jerry DiBuduo, Sun<br />

Valley Farms; John Tos, Tos Farms, Inc.; Ken Enns, Enns Packing<br />

Co., Inc.; Maria Alvarado, Manectar Farms; Micky George; Monte<br />

Peckinpah, Valent USA Corporation; Nick Bozick, R. Bagdasarian,<br />

Inc.; Pat Ricchiuti, P-R Farms, Inc.; Peter Baldwin, AON Risk<br />

Services; Randy Giumarra, Giumarra Vineyards Corporation;<br />

Stan Tufts, Tufts Ranch LLC; Virginia Hemly Chhabra, Greene<br />

and Hemly, Inc.; and Wayne Brandt, Brandt Farms, Inc.<br />

SACRAMENTO WASHINGTON, DC TAX<br />

Page 8


Page 9<br />

INSURANCE & FINANCIAL BENEFITS COMMITTEE<br />

Under the leadership of Committee Chairman Ken Enns<br />

(Enns Packing Co., Inc.), this Committee worked through numerous<br />

meetings, as directed by the Executive Committee, beginning<br />

in the spring of <strong>2010</strong>, to review the <strong>League</strong>’s workers’<br />

compensation program.<br />

The review process began with the formation of an Ad Hoc<br />

Committee, and included: Ken Enns (Chair), Steve Biswell (Mt.<br />

Campbell Development), Tony Fazio (Tri-Boro <strong>Fruit</strong> Company),<br />

and Doug Reader (<strong>Fruit</strong> Patch Sales, LLC). The purpose<br />

of the Ad Hoc Committee was to establish a workers’ compensation<br />

program that provides a discount and high quality<br />

service to individual <strong>League</strong> members, while providing an incremental<br />

revenue stream back to the <strong>League</strong>.<br />

Together, the Committee created a list of the most important<br />

elements to <strong>League</strong> grower-shipper members to include/offer<br />

via a workers’ compensation group program:<br />

» Provide Risk Management Assessment<br />

» On-Site Inspections<br />

» Ability to offer tailored safety program(s) applicable<br />

to packing and growing operations<br />

» Group rate pricing<br />

» Loss prevention<br />

» Flexibility related to renewal dates<br />

» Discount available, based on reduction of loss class<br />

» Provide updates to <strong>League</strong> members about industry<br />

safety success stories<br />

» Offer coverage for both packinghouse and field<br />

operations<br />

» Access to legal department related to loss time<br />

After the priorities were created, a memo was distributed to<br />

the <strong>League</strong>’s Associate broker members to request assistance to<br />

obtain the names of workers’ compensation insurance carriers<br />

as candidates for an endorsement program. Of those brokers<br />

recommended, a letter of request for proposal was submitted<br />

to each carrier. There were four carriers who responded and a<br />

meeting was held with each “carrier”. The Insurance & Financial<br />

Benefit Committee heard from leading carriers during a<br />

meeting and planned to offer a recommendation to the Board<br />

of Directors for consideration prior to 2012.<br />

Overseen by Chairman<br />

Ken Enns (Enns Packing Co., Inc)<br />

This committee oversees the group property insurance<br />

program, crop insurance endorsements, workers’ compensation<br />

insurance group program, and group retirement program.<br />

GROUP PROPERTY INSURANCE<br />

Through the Group Property Insurance Program, <strong>League</strong><br />

members realize considerable cost savings and enhanced coverages<br />

when compared with existing insurance policies; in<br />

some cases offsetting the cost of annual <strong>League</strong> membership.<br />

The program is marketed by Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. The underwriter<br />

of the program, Farmland Insurance/Nationwide<br />

Agribusiness, is an A+15 rated agribusiness insurance specialist.<br />

Group participants are eligible to receive dividends based<br />

on overall group performance results.<br />

RETIREMENT PROGRAM<br />

<strong>League</strong> members are eligible to participate in a full-service retirement<br />

program with Alerus Retirement Solutions. This specialized<br />

program offers tremendous value to participants because<br />

members receive additional services without the added<br />

charges and fees.<br />

WORKERS’ COMP<br />

<strong>League</strong> members are eligible to receive a six percent discount<br />

on their workers’ compensation coverage through State Compensation<br />

Insurance Fund.<br />

CROP INSURANCE<br />

The <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> has endorsed Rain<br />

and Hail Insurance Service, L.L.C. for 14 consecutive years and<br />

bases the value of the partnership on the top quality service<br />

and their solid dedication to <strong>California</strong> specialty crops. There<br />

are plenty of crop insurance providers to choose from, although<br />

all insurance rates and procedures are the same. Rain<br />

and Hail works with numerous agencies throughout <strong>California</strong><br />

to provide this coverage.<br />

From left: David Zanoni (USDA Risk Management<br />

Agency) took a field tour and is shown talking with<br />

<strong>League</strong> Director Ken Enns, Enns Packing Co., Inc. in<br />

August <strong>2010</strong>. The <strong>League</strong> arranged the tour to provide<br />

the Kansas City-based representatives with an understanding<br />

of fresh fruit production.<br />

Quality Group Program Discount Added benefit


Overseen by Chairman<br />

Ryan Zaninovich (V.B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.)<br />

This committee monitors the complex set of agricultural labor<br />

regulations on state and federal levels.<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s Labor Committee was strongly engaged in efforts<br />

ranging from opposition to card check legislation at the State<br />

level to grassroots campaign efforts to secure agricultural labor<br />

through Federal legislation.<br />

In <strong>2010</strong>, the Committee worked to improve heat illness regulatory<br />

compliance throughout the industry by emphasizing participation<br />

in heat stress prevention workshops. The Committee,<br />

through <strong>League</strong> staff, provided strong endorsement of a series<br />

of workshops held statewide, in conjunction with the <strong>California</strong><br />

Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), to<br />

educate growers, field supervisors, and farm labor contractors on<br />

the regulations and proper training. Additionally, the Committee<br />

worked to review and assess proposed modifications to the<br />

heat stress regulations which clarified natural means of shade,<br />

access to water, and shade requirements, as well as new requirements<br />

for high-heat procedures. The <strong>League</strong> was able to provide<br />

comment to the Cal/OSHA Board, endorsing the interpretation<br />

respecting trees and vines as quality shade, in addition to added<br />

flexibility for employees for whom providing a shade structure<br />

may be infeasible.<br />

The Committee recommended swift action against Senate Bill<br />

<strong>11</strong>21, which would require overtime for agricultural workers after<br />

8 hours daily and 40 hours weekly, rather than the current<br />

10 hours daily and 60 hours weekly. Similarly, the Committee<br />

strongly moved to recommend opposition to Senate Bill 1474,<br />

the <strong>2010</strong> version of card check. In September, the <strong>League</strong>, together<br />

with a coalition of agricultural and business organizations,<br />

worked to secure a veto of the card check legislation.<br />

In 20<strong>11</strong>, the Committee assessed new challenges at the State level<br />

as a result of a new gubernatorial administration. The <strong>League</strong>,<br />

with direction from the Labor Committee, worked to quickly is-<br />

LABOR COMMITTEE<br />

sue opposition to legislative proposals designed to increase the<br />

minimum wage on <strong>California</strong>’s employers. They also worked to<br />

build new relationships with key Brown Administration appointees,<br />

including Labor Secretary Marty Morgenstern, a longtime<br />

confidant of Governor Brown on labor-related issues. Not surprisingly,<br />

the <strong>League</strong> prepared for the introduction of another<br />

card check proposal from the Legislature. On January 12, the<br />

most insidious version of card check legislation was introduced,<br />

SB 104, which jeopardized the ability of farm employees to utilize<br />

the secret ballot election process. With support from the Committee,<br />

the <strong>League</strong> embarked on an aggressive plan to develop a<br />

relationship with Governor Brown to impress upon him the importance<br />

of maintaining the secret ballot election and willingness<br />

to work with the Administration to review and discuss concerns<br />

related to the Agricultural Labor Relations Act and its protection<br />

of the farm<br />

employee, while<br />

Despite the bill’s creative language, the Governor understood<br />

that at its core, the proposal represented the same<br />

type of assault on democracy, business and workers as in<br />

previous legislative proposals.<br />

-Barry Bedwell, <strong>League</strong> President<br />

maintaining balance<br />

in application<br />

to both the<br />

employer and<br />

union organizations.<br />

<strong>California</strong> Farmers & Businesses Applaud Governor’s Veto of Card Check<br />

Legislation<br />

Governor Protects Jobs and Farm Worker Rights By Rejecting Senate Bill 1474<br />

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) October 1, <strong>2010</strong> -- A coalition of business and agricultural organizations today<br />

praised Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto of Senate Bill 1474 (Steinberg), which they said would have imposed<br />

a backdoor method for unionizing workers through an undemocratic card check program.<br />

“Despite the bill’s creative language, the Governor understood that at its core, the proposal represented the<br />

same type of assault on democracy, business and workers as in previous legislative proposals,” said Barry<br />

Bedwell, president of the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong>, a coalition member.<br />

“Every <strong>California</strong> farmer and farm employee should be grateful to Governor Schwarzenegger for standing up<br />

for the right to a secret ballot,” said Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers.<br />

In his veto message, the Governor echoed the concerns of farmers and the business community, saying that the<br />

“provisions of SB 1474 represent a serious departure from existing law . . . Overturning and reversing secret<br />

ballot election results should not be taken lightly and may be appropriate in only the most egregious cases. For<br />

these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.”<br />

The <strong>California</strong> Farm Bureau Federation said the Governor’s veto also sends a strong signal about getting the<br />

state’s economy back on track.<br />

“The Governor understood that signing a bill like SB 1474 into law would have sent the wrong message to all<br />

businesses – not just those of us in agriculture,” said Rich Matteis, the Administrator for the Farm Bureau. “His<br />

action protects our fragile economy and makes a strong statement about his concern for business and jobs.”<br />

Coalition Against SB 1474: Agricultural Council of <strong>California</strong>, Alliance of Western Milk Producers, Allied<br />

<strong>Grape</strong> Growers, <strong>California</strong> Association of Wheat Growers, <strong>California</strong> Association of Winegrape Growers,<br />

<strong>California</strong> Bean Shippers Association, <strong>California</strong> Chamber of Commerce, <strong>California</strong> Citrus Mutual, <strong>California</strong><br />

Farm Bureau Federation, <strong>California</strong> Grain and Feed Association, <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> and <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong>,<br />

<strong>California</strong> Pear Growers Association, <strong>California</strong> Seed Association, <strong>California</strong> State Floral Association,<br />

<strong>California</strong> Warehouse Association, <strong>California</strong> Women for Agriculture, Grower Shipper Association of Central<br />

<strong>California</strong>, Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, Family Winemakers<br />

of <strong>California</strong>, Nisei Farmers <strong>League</strong>, Pacific Coast Renderers Association, Pacific Egg & Poultry Association,<br />

Ventura County Agricultural Association, Western Growers, Western United Dairymen, Wine Institute.<br />

PRWeb ebooks - Another online visibility tool from PRWeb<br />

card check heat illness prevention “no-match” regulation<br />

###<br />

Page 10


Page <strong>11</strong><br />

Marketing Committee<br />

As of August 1, <strong>2010</strong>, all cargo transported on passenger aircraft<br />

would be screened at 100 percent. <strong>League</strong> provided information<br />

to members about the change in protocol and anticipated implementation<br />

date.<br />

<strong>League</strong> staff worked with US Department of Agriculture (USDA)<br />

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to resolve industry<br />

concerns in a review of the current work plan requirements<br />

and restrictions for <strong>California</strong> stone fruit to Chile, as the<br />

trading partner continued to monitor imports of US stone fruits<br />

for the presence of Brown Rot during the <strong>2010</strong> season.<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s Board of Directors voted, during its March 22,<br />

<strong>2010</strong> meeting, to support the date (April 10) that Chilean table<br />

grapes would have to meet US No. 1 grade standards.<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s export database provides current information for<br />

25 key international markets for <strong>California</strong> stone fruit, which provided<br />

shippers/marketers with the market intelligence necessary<br />

for meeting import requirements.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> worked with Scholar registrant, Syngenta Crop Protection,<br />

along with USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, and Japan’s<br />

Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs to facilitate acceptance<br />

of the US maximum residue level for scholar. Scholar (Fludioxonil)<br />

is a post-harvest fungicide used on a number of agricultural<br />

commodities including: apricots, peaches, plums, and nectarines.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> worked with the <strong>California</strong> Table <strong>Grape</strong> Commission<br />

to advocate for resolve from the current administration to end<br />

Mexican Retaliatory tariffs, which were instituted on American<br />

products in March 2009, in response to the elimination of the<br />

cross-border trucking program agreed to under the North American<br />

Free Trade Agreement.<br />

There were 20 participants in the <strong>2010</strong> Stone <strong>Fruit</strong> Mexico Export<br />

Program and the total volume of stone fruit exported into<br />

Mexico was more than 2.8 million cartons. Exports by commodity:<br />

apricots 98,034 cartons; peaches 1,640,000 cartons; plums<br />

669,699 cartons; and nectarines 478,538 cartons.<br />

Biosecurity New Zealand issued an amendment to the US in May<br />

<strong>2010</strong>, as emergency mitigation to the risks posed by Spotted Wing<br />

Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii. The <strong>League</strong> worked to provide<br />

USDA APHIS with additional data to support the uncertain<br />

host status of stone fruits and provided pest detection data to<br />

Overseen by Chairman<br />

John Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.)<br />

Committee Focus is on market access at domestic and<br />

international levels, along with other issues such as<br />

the Mexico Stone <strong>Fruit</strong> Export Program, proposed<br />

phytosanitary measures, and foreign trade issues.<br />

support the absence of detections of SWD from within commercially<br />

produced apricots, peaches, plums, and nectarines from<br />

<strong>California</strong>.<br />

USDA published a proposed rule to establish, under the Perishable<br />

Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), that a supplier forfeits<br />

its trust rights if it enters into a post-default payment agreement,<br />

unless the agreement was in writing and less than 180 days<br />

from the date due. The <strong>League</strong> submitted comments to USDA<br />

that emphasized that PACA trust protections were created to assure<br />

that the proceeds from produce are used to pay produce<br />

suppliers.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> represented members with the Produce Traceability<br />

Initiative by providing input via the Association Interest Group,<br />

of which the <strong>League</strong> was a member.<br />

The Specialty Crop Farms Bill Alliance (SCFBA) was reactivated<br />

in preparation for the 2012 Farm Bill. The <strong>League</strong> was an active<br />

participant in the Trade, Research, and Conservation groups as<br />

well as a member of the SCFBA steering committee.<br />

<strong>California</strong> exports to Taiwan were restricted through the Los Angeles<br />

and Long Beach ports of exit, due to the Mediterranean<br />

fruit fly quarantine. The restrictions were rescinded on September<br />

20, following <strong>California</strong>’s successful eradication of the Mediterranean<br />

<strong>Fruit</strong> Fly.<br />

Historical Stone <strong>Fruit</strong> Export<br />

Shipments - Mexico<br />

10-Year <strong>Annual</strong><br />

Average is 2.23<br />

million cartons<br />

Exports Phytosanitary Tariffs International Markets<br />

<strong>2010</strong><br />

Exports<br />

2.9 Million<br />

Cartons


Overseen by Chairman<br />

Ryan Zaninovich (V.B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.)<br />

This committee explores membership opportunities and oversees<br />

the communication to current and prospective members about the<br />

value of membership.<br />

Despite the difficult economic<br />

climate, membership in the<br />

<strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP<br />

<strong>League</strong> has remained strong and<br />

yielded a net gain of 14 mem-<br />

35<br />

bers. We believe this strength is<br />

evidence that the <strong>League</strong> demonstrates<br />

the value of being part of<br />

30<br />

an organization where the member’s<br />

resources are used in the<br />

25<br />

most efficient manner to maximize<br />

benefits.<br />

20<br />

In preparation for the 75th Anniversary<br />

of the <strong>League</strong>, the<br />

15<br />

Membership Committee created<br />

a Historical Sub-committee to<br />

10<br />

manage the creation of a presentation<br />

that reviewed the <strong>League</strong>’s<br />

5<br />

history. The information was<br />

in a format that could be easily<br />

shared with non-members to<br />

provide a communication piece<br />

which related to the history of<br />

the organization and the many<br />

0<br />

2006/07 <strong>FY</strong> 2007/08 <strong>FY</strong><br />

New Members<br />

2008/09 <strong>FY</strong> 2009/10 <strong>FY</strong><br />

Resignation/Terminations<br />

<strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong><br />

individual stories of those involved in fresh fruit production<br />

in <strong>California</strong>.<br />

The Sub-Committee Chairman Cliff Sadoian led the committee’s<br />

main projects: to create a historical video and<br />

booklet, both of which reviewed the organization’s “75<br />

Years of Achievement”. The video was first shown during<br />

the 75th <strong>Annual</strong> Membership Meeting, held on March 14.<br />

Members could also view the video on the <strong>League</strong>’s web<br />

site (www.cgtfl.com) or obtain a free copy from the office.<br />

Outreach efforts to non-members were focused on cherry<br />

operations in the north Valley, as well as fresh berry growers<br />

and shippers. Membership Committee Chairman Ryan<br />

Zaninovich focused his year as chairman on exploring a<br />

broader commodity representation, which led to a thoughtful<br />

analysis of each respective industry. As a result, the organization<br />

welcomed 30 new members to the <strong>League</strong>.<br />

Membership Committee<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s 75 Years of Achievement video presentation was shown during the<br />

75th <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting on March 14, 20<strong>11</strong> at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort.<br />

Recruitment Value Outreach Retention<br />

Page 12


Page 13<br />

STANDARDIZATION & PACKAGING COMMITTEE<br />

The <strong>League</strong>’s Board of Directors voted to take action to amend<br />

the Export <strong>Grape</strong> and Plum Act. A proposal was submitted<br />

to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to propose a reduction<br />

in the minimum bunch weight requirements for table<br />

grapes from a one-half-pound to a one-quarter-pound minimum.<br />

The proposal was approved in March 20<strong>11</strong>.<br />

The <strong>League</strong> initiated a discussion recognizing that there may be<br />

interest from within the industry to obtain separate PLU codes<br />

for table grape varieties currently under a “catch-all” code.<br />

Should the industry provide guidance on the value and need<br />

for additional codes, the <strong>League</strong> would be in a position to support<br />

a PLU code request application. Before moving forward,<br />

the <strong>League</strong> planned to provide outreach to industry in order to<br />

determine interest. Some discussion took place related to the<br />

desire among shippers to include information on the PLU that<br />

was “color” specific, not “variety” specific.<br />

The United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing<br />

Association, and Canadian Produce Marketing Association adjusted<br />

milestones for the Produce Traceability Initiative. Milestones<br />

4 and 5, which call for case labeling, were adjusted to fall<br />

in line with Milestone 6, which calls for receivers to record or<br />

capture the data from case labels. Milestones were established<br />

under the premise that different sectors of industry would be<br />

able to incorporate various practices along a timeline leading to<br />

a full supply chain implementation in 2012.<br />

<strong>League</strong> members have continued to provide valuable service<br />

to the industry as volunteers on the Shipping Point Inspec-<br />

Overseen by Chairman<br />

Louis Pandol, (Pandol Bros., Inc.)<br />

This committee oversees federal and state regulations<br />

that apply to fruit maturity, quality standards, packaging<br />

standards, container, and product handling research.<br />

tion Advisory Committee and the Standardization Advisory<br />

Committee. Both committees make recommendations to the<br />

<strong>California</strong> Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) secretary<br />

on the annual budget and necessary fees of the program<br />

it oversees. Specifically, the Standardization Advisory Committee<br />

oversees the department’s Standardization Program, which<br />

enforces laws and regulations governing minimum standards<br />

for maturity, quality, size, and packaging of more than 30 major<br />

agricultural commodities. The Shipping Point Inspection<br />

Advisory Committee supervises the Shipping Point Inspection<br />

Program, which provides third party grading and certification<br />

services to the fruit, nut, and vegetables industries. The industry-funded<br />

program supports agricultural producers, packers,<br />

shippers, and processors by providing a nationally and internationally<br />

recognized grading and certification service.<br />

<strong>League</strong> members include: Maria Alvarado (Manectar Farms),<br />

Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee, Louis Pandol<br />

(Pandol Bros., Inc.), Chairman of the Shipping Point Inspection<br />

Advisory Committee and Standardization Advisory Committee;<br />

Dennis Parnagian (Fowler Packing Company, Inc.),<br />

Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee; and Kerry<br />

Whitson (Golden Maid Packers), Standardization Advisory<br />

Committee.<br />

Labeling Supply Chain Packaging Minimum


Overseen by Chairman<br />

John Rast (Rast Produce Company, Inc.)<br />

This committee monitors the Interstate Commerce<br />

Commission regulations, railroad operating practices,<br />

loading rules, and claim procedures.<br />

The <strong>2010</strong> season served as the third successful season for a growing<br />

partnership between CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHR)<br />

and the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong>. The partnership<br />

is under the guidance of the Traffic Committee, which is responsible<br />

for transportation issues such as Interstate Commerce Commission<br />

regulations, railroad operating practices, loading rules,<br />

and claim procedures.<br />

Through the partnership with CH Robinson, a rebate is provided<br />

to CGTFL for each load moved by a shipper member that uses<br />

their service, which further strengthens the organization’s advocacy<br />

efforts. More than $125,000 in rebates has been provided<br />

to the <strong>League</strong> since the partnership was started in 2008. For the<br />

shipper, the benefit is realized in competitive pricing and access<br />

TRAFFIC COMMITTEE<br />

to the resourceful CHR representatives, who are tuned-in to the<br />

needs of the fresh grape, berry, and tree fruit industries.<br />

All members benefit from the weekly transportation reports provided<br />

by CH Robinson via email and through the <strong>League</strong>’s web<br />

site. <strong>Report</strong>s include the latest developments in the transportation<br />

market regarding factors that are influencing availability and pricing.<br />

Additionally, CH Robinson representatives keep a pulse on<br />

the transportation market, and provide quarterly reports to the<br />

Board of Directors with detailed market characteristics.<br />

Refrigerated shipments Demand Regulation Equipment shortages<br />

Page 14


Page 15<br />

<strong>Fruit</strong>PAC Board<br />

<strong>Fruit</strong>PAC is the <strong>League</strong>’s Political Action Committee, which raises funds through three annual activities – the Harvest<br />

Event in the fall, the <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting Raffle in the spring, and the positive check-off program, which allows <strong>League</strong><br />

members to authorize up to eight percent of their membership dues for political expenditures. For <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>Fruit</strong>PAC<br />

contributed over $47,000 combined to both State and Federal races. <strong>Fruit</strong>PAC successfully raised $18,000 from the <strong>2010</strong><br />

Harvest Event, $<strong>11</strong>,400 from the <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting Raffle, and $25,000 from the positive check-off program.<br />

Gloria and George Soares (Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP)<br />

purchased winning ticket No. 16 for the October <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong>PAC<br />

Harvest Event reverse raffle.<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Stan Tufts (Tufts Ranch LLC)<br />

VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

John D. Zaninovich (Merritt Farms)<br />

SECRETARY<br />

David Jackson (Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms)<br />

Robert Ikemiya (Ito Packing Company, Inc.)<br />

Herbert Kaprielian (CRJ Farming Co. LP)<br />

David Marguleas (Sun World International, LLC )<br />

Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.)<br />

Cliff Sadoian (Cliff Sadoian & Associates)<br />

From left: George Caratan (Blanc Vineyards), Rep. Jim Costa<br />

(D-CA), and Jon P. Zaninovich (Jasmine Vineyards) pictured at a<br />

<strong>League</strong> event March 20<strong>11</strong>.


HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST<br />

The Trustees oversee the program that provides subsidies in relation to healthcare premiums for two basic employee<br />

health plans designed for farm workers. The plans continued to be available during the <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong> and were exclusive<br />

to <strong>League</strong> members through United Agricultural Benefits Trust (UABT), a nonprofit healthcare cooperative based<br />

in Irvine that provides insurance to about 15,000 <strong>California</strong>ns and Arizonans, mostly those employed in agriculturerelated<br />

positions.<br />

The Affordable Care Act was signed by Congress in March <strong>2010</strong>, with one element of the act mandating that employers<br />

and insurance carriers transition toward coverage that sets no annual limits on essential benefits. In 20<strong>11</strong>, the<br />

annual limit on essential benefits was set at $750,000. However, the annual limit for UABT plans remained the same<br />

as currently established because UABT successfully obtained<br />

a waiver for the restricted annual limits requirements. This<br />

waiver was granted to UABT in September <strong>2010</strong> and applied<br />

to existing plans with an effective date of January 1, 20<strong>11</strong>.<br />

The current provisions under the waiver are good for one<br />

year and will require that the carrier reapply for the waiver<br />

through 2014. To qualify for the waiver, UABT demonstrated<br />

to the Department of Health and Human Services that the health plans were already in place prior to September 23,<br />

<strong>2010</strong> and that individuals on the plan would experience either a substantial increase in premiums or decrease in access<br />

to benefits as a result of the mandated annual coverage requirements (e.g. employers dropping/cancelling employee<br />

health plans).<br />

The Affordable Care Act has instituted a “phased-in” approach to increase the annual limits. Limits are set to progress<br />

to $1.25 million in 2012, $2 million in 2013 and no annual limits on essential benefits coverage by 2014.<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Chairman George Caratan (Blanc Vineyards)<br />

Jim Bates (Fowler Packing Company, Inc.)<br />

John Colbert (Green Leaf Farms, Inc.)<br />

Phil Herbig (Enns Packing Co., Inc.)<br />

Jim Simonian (Simonian <strong>Fruit</strong> Co.)<br />

Page 16


Page 17<br />

<strong>League</strong> Committee members<br />

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Paul Giboney, M. Caratan, Inc.<br />

VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Steve Hash, Steve Hash Farms<br />

Jim Bryan, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

Moe DiBuduo, DiBuduo <strong>Fruit</strong> Co.<br />

Nat DiBuduo, Allied <strong>Grape</strong> Growers<br />

Eugene Enns, Wes Pak Sales, Inc.<br />

David Fenn, Sun World International, LLC<br />

Steve Frauenheim, Scattaglia Growers & Shippers<br />

Micky George, Micky George<br />

Virginia Hemly Chhabra, Greene and Hemly, Inc.<br />

Mike Hemman, DuPont Crop Protection<br />

Cheryl Herbig, Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Cindy Ibrahim, La Vina Ranch<br />

Robert Ikemiya, Ito Packing Company, Inc.<br />

Richard Machado, Agrian Inc.<br />

Andrew J. Pandol, Pandol Bros., Inc.<br />

Cliff Rolland, Abe-El Produce<br />

Cliff Sadoian, Cliff Sadoian & Associates<br />

Judy Stewart-Leslie,<br />

CCV Table <strong>Grape</strong> Pest & Disease Control District<br />

Gary Van Sickle, <strong>California</strong> <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> Agreement<br />

John D. Zaninovich, Merritt Farms<br />

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms, LP<br />

Maria Alvarado, Manectar Farms<br />

Peter Baldwin, Aon Risk Services<br />

Moe DiBuduo, DiBuduo <strong>Fruit</strong> Co.<br />

Micky George, Micky George<br />

Randy Giumarra, Giumarra Vineyards Corp.<br />

David Jackson, Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms<br />

Herbert Kaprielian, CRJ Farming Co. LP<br />

Drake Larson, Drake Larson Ranches<br />

David Marguleas, Sun World International, LLC<br />

Pat Ricchiuti, P-R Farms, Inc.<br />

Blair Richardson, Wes Pak Sales, Inc.<br />

Cliff Rolland, Abe-El Produce<br />

Cliff Sadoian, Cliff Sadoian & Associates<br />

Todd Sanders, <strong>California</strong> Apple Commission<br />

Toni Scully, Scully Packing Co.<br />

John Tos, Tos Farms, Inc.<br />

Stan Tufts, Tufts Ranch LLC<br />

INSURANCE & FINANCIAL BENEFITS<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Ken Enns, Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Ed Bolger, Wells Fargo Insurance Services<br />

Joe Cacace, Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Tony Fazio, Tri-Boro <strong>Fruit</strong> Co., Inc.<br />

Brian Laird, Rain and Hail Insurance Service<br />

Nelda Lewis, Pan American Insurance Agency<br />

Doug Reader, <strong>Fruit</strong> Patch Sales, LLC<br />

Brent Swanson, Buckman-Mitchell, Inc.<br />

Lyle Willems, Lyle & Becky Willems<br />

LABOR<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Ryan Zaninovich, V. B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.<br />

FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Nicholas Bozick, R. Bagdasarian, Inc.<br />

SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Kerry Whitson, Golden Maid Packers<br />

Maria Alvarado, Manectar Farms<br />

Ron Barsamian, Barsamian & Moody, Attorneys at Law<br />

Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms, LP<br />

Greg Feaver, Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Dan Gallegos, Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

Joe Garcia, Jaguar Labor Contracting<br />

Micky George, Micky George<br />

Bob Greiner, HMC Farms<br />

Nelda Lewis, Pan American Insurance Agency<br />

Rick Milton, Rick Milton<br />

Cliff Rolland, Abe-El Produce<br />

David Ysusi, DiBuduo & Defendis Insurance Brokers<br />

Andy Zaninovich, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

John D. Zaninovich, Merritt Farms<br />

MARKETING<br />

David Berg, David H. Berg & Co., Inc.<br />

Chris Caratan, M. Caratan, Inc.<br />

Edge Dostal, Chiquita Fresh North America<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

John Pandol, Pandol Bros., Inc.<br />

VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Harold McClarty, HMC Farms


Tony Fazio, Tri-Boro <strong>Fruit</strong> Co., Inc.<br />

Mark Flaming, Maxco Supply Inc.<br />

Darrel Fulmer, Sun Fresh International LLC<br />

Steve Hash, Steve Hash Farms<br />

Charlene Hightower-Wylie, Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

David Jackson, Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms<br />

Michael Little, V.B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.<br />

Rodney L. Milton, Rodney L. Milton<br />

Kathleen Nave, <strong>California</strong> Table <strong>Grape</strong> Commission<br />

John Rast, Rast Produce Company, Inc.<br />

Michael Reimer, Brandt Farms, Inc.<br />

Pat Ricchiuti, P-R Farms, Inc.<br />

Michael Sarabian, Sarabian Farms<br />

David Silva, Dayka and Hackett, LLC<br />

Gordon Smith, <strong>California</strong> <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> Agreement<br />

Sam Stewart, Wes Pak Sales, Inc.<br />

David Stone, Valhalla Sales & Marketing Co.<br />

Scott Wallace, <strong>Fruit</strong> Patch Sales, LLC<br />

Kerry Whitson, Golden Maid Packers<br />

Brian Wright, Del Mar Farms<br />

Jon P. Zaninovich, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

MEMBERSHIP<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Ryan Zaninovich, V. B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.<br />

VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Ron Frauenheim, Ron Frauenheim<br />

Nicholas Bozick, R. Bagdasarian, Inc.<br />

Anton Caratan, Blanc Vineyards<br />

Chris Caratan, M. Caratan, Inc.<br />

Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms, LP<br />

Verne Crookshanks, Venida Packing, Inc.<br />

Ken Enns, Enns Packing Co., Inc.<br />

Tony Fazio, Tri-Boro <strong>Fruit</strong> Co., Inc.<br />

Luke Gowdy, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.<br />

Steve Hash, Steve Hash Farms<br />

David Jackson, Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms<br />

David Mann, Sunridge Nurseries, Inc.<br />

David Marguleas, Sun World International, LLC<br />

Louis Pandol, Pandol Bros., Inc.<br />

Cliff Sadoian, Sadoian & Associates, Inc.<br />

Jim Simonian, Simonian <strong>Fruit</strong> Company<br />

Dean Thonesen, Sunwest <strong>Fruit</strong> Company, Inc.<br />

Marko S. Zaninovich, Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

Jon P. Zaninovich, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

<strong>League</strong> Committee Members<br />

STANDARDIZATION & PACKAGING<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

Louis Pandol, Pandol Bros., Inc.<br />

VICE CHAIRMAN<br />

Wayne Brandt, Brandt Farms, Inc.<br />

Anthony Balakian, <strong>California</strong> Growers<br />

Scott Boyajian, Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

Nicholas Bozick, R. Bagdasarian, Inc.<br />

Jim Bryan, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

Chris Caratan, M. Caratan, Inc.<br />

George Caratan, Blanc Vineyards<br />

Stan Cosart, W. F. Cosart Packing Co.<br />

Edge Dostal, Chiquita Fresh North America<br />

David Fenn, Sun World International, LLC<br />

Ron Frauenheim, Ron Frauenheim<br />

Randy Giumarra, Giumarra Vineyards Corporation<br />

Ed Johnson, Specialty Bags, Inc.<br />

Casey Jones, Sun Valley Packing<br />

Kathleen Nave, <strong>California</strong> Table <strong>Grape</strong> Commission<br />

Doug Phillips, Phillips Farms Marketing<br />

Pat Ricchiuti, P-R Farms, Inc.<br />

David Sarabian, Sarabian Farms<br />

Gary Van Sickle, <strong>California</strong> <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> Agreement<br />

Galen Van Aalsburg, PPS Packaging Company<br />

Scott Wallace, <strong>Fruit</strong> Patch Sales, LLC<br />

TRAFFIC<br />

CHAIRMAN<br />

John Rast, Rast Produce Company, Inc.<br />

David Berg, David H. Berg & Co., Inc.<br />

Jim Bryan, Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.<br />

Tyler Durant, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.<br />

Luke Gowdy, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.<br />

Drew Johns, Marko Zaninovich, Inc.<br />

William Johnson, Johnson Orchards, Inc.<br />

Chance Kirk, V. B. Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.<br />

Jaydee Martin, PCC Logistics<br />

Janice Simmons, Sensitech, Inc.<br />

Page 18


Page 19<br />

<strong>California</strong> Legislative Review<br />

The <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> has taken the following positions with the<br />

respective legislation based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors.<br />

Environmental Resources<br />

AB 634 – SUPPORT Huber (D-El Dorado Hills):<br />

Would authorize the use of carbon monoxide (CO) for the control<br />

of vertebrate pests and allow farmers and ranchers to use CO for<br />

the control of vertebrate pests such as gophers and ground squirrels,<br />

which is currently prohibited.<br />

AB 691 -- SUPPORT Perea (D-Fresno):<br />

This bill designates the Secretary of the <strong>California</strong> Department of<br />

Food and Agriculture as an ombudsman responsible for reviewing<br />

all regulations promulgated by the state and other government agencies<br />

that affect agriculture.<br />

AB <strong>11</strong>76 – OPPOSE Williams (D-Santa Barbara):<br />

Requires the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to perform<br />

complex scientific analyses and risk assessments in extremely short<br />

periods of time and would replace the interdepartmental pesticide<br />

prioritization process initiated in 2004 by DPR with the Office of<br />

Environmental Health and Hazards Assessment<br />

(OEHHA) and Air Resources Board and would<br />

require a mandatory review of every federal Hazardous<br />

Air Pollutant that is identified as a toxic air<br />

contaminant.<br />

SB 900 – SUPPORT Steinberg (D-Sacramento):<br />

This bill would address conflict of interest requirements<br />

and the 10 percent rule that governs the State<br />

Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water<br />

Quality Control Board members. Currently, Water<br />

Board members are subject to both the Political Reform Act (PRA)<br />

and Porter/Cologne conflict of interest requirement provisions. SB<br />

900 would hold the Water Board members to the same standard as<br />

other board members/appointees in the State.<br />

Government Relations<br />

AB 66 – SUPPORT Chesbro (D-Arcata):<br />

It would extend the funding (of 0.15 percent of the vehicle license<br />

fee) for local public safety programs including rural sheriff grants,<br />

rural crime prevention programs and CalMeth among others.<br />

AB 1265 – SUPPORT Nielsen (R-Gerber):<br />

This bill would add in the provisions of the Williamson Act that<br />

were inadvertently deleted in the budget bill and authorize a county<br />

to revise the term for newly renewed and new contracts and require<br />

the assessor to value the property, as specified, based on the revised<br />

contract term.<br />

SB 653 – OPPOSE Steinberg (D-Sacramento):<br />

The bill would expand the taxing authority of local governments.<br />

Specifically, this bill would grant all <strong>California</strong> counties the authority<br />

to tax personal income up to one percent, raise applicable sales and<br />

use tax rates, and impose a new ‘local’ vehicle license fee up to 1.35<br />

percent, as well as a variety of new excise taxes.<br />

Traffic<br />

AB 907 – OPPOSE Ma (D-San Francisco):<br />

This bill would impose higher pilot rates on vessels and create a new,<br />

special 50 percent charge on all larger vessels calling on the Port of<br />

Oakland. Of further concern is the bill’s recommendation that larger<br />

ships coming into the Port of Oakland start to pay a 50 percent surcharge<br />

over and above the unnecessary rate increase itself.<br />

AB 950 – OPPOSE Perez (D-Los Angeles):<br />

The bill, sponsored by the Teamsters, would require all port truck<br />

drivers to be employees rather than independent contractors, which<br />

would allow for the unionization of all drivers involved in port<br />

trucking in <strong>California</strong>.<br />

Labor<br />

AB 10 – OPPOSE Alejo (D-Salinas):<br />

This proposal would raise the state minimum wage to<br />

$8.50 per hour in January 2012, and then automatically<br />

index the wage rate upwards every year thereafter.<br />

AB 26 – OPPOSE Donnelly (R-San Bernadino):<br />

This bill would prohibit an employer from knowingly<br />

or intentionally employing an unauthorized alien. The<br />

bill would require every employer to verify the employment<br />

eligibility of employees through the federal E-<br />

Verify program and require employers to participate in the Federal<br />

E-Verify program in order to be eligible for economic development<br />

incentives.<br />

AB 130 – SUPPORT Cedillo (D-Los Angeles):<br />

The bill would provide students at the university level (CSU, UC,<br />

Community College), who are exempt from paying non-resident<br />

tuition (in-state students), eligibility to receive scholarship monies<br />

from non-state funds.<br />

AB 243 – OPPOSE Alejo (D-Salinas):<br />

Existing law requires an employer to furnish each employee with an<br />

accurate itemized statement showing, among other things, the name<br />

and address of the legal entity that is the employer. This bill would<br />

require an employer who is a farm labor contractor, to disclose in<br />

the itemized statement the name and address of the legal entity that<br />

secured the employer’s services.<br />

AB 400 – OPPOSE Ma (D-San Francisco):<br />

Mandates that all employers, except those with collective bargaining<br />

agreements, provide any employee who has worked in <strong>California</strong> for<br />

seven days with paid sick leave, at the accrual rate at one hour for<br />

every 30 hours worked.


Environmental Resources<br />

HR 872 – SUPPORT Gibbs (R-OH):<br />

Based on a court ruling in the National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th<br />

Cir. 2009), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and delegated<br />

states must now establish a program to require<br />

Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination<br />

System (NPDES) general permits for aquatic pesticide<br />

applications. For most of the past four decades,<br />

water quality concerns from pesticide applications were<br />

addressed during the registration and labeling process<br />

under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide<br />

Act (FIFRA) rather than a Clean Water Act permitting<br />

program. HR 872 would uphold FIFRA primacy<br />

and not require NPDES permitting.<br />

HR 910 – SUPPORT Upton (R-MI):<br />

This legislation, also known as the Upton bill, would prevent the<br />

Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases<br />

under the Clean Air Act.<br />

HR 1582 – SUPPORT McCarthy (R-CA):<br />

The Commonsense Ozone Regulation Act repeals a $29 million<br />

fine levied on the Central Valley for an air quality standard violation<br />

and postpones the implementation of new, stricter ozone standards<br />

until a Local Advisory Committee can study compliance feasibility.<br />

labor<br />

Federal Legislative Review<br />

AB 1236 – SUPPORT Fong (D-Sunnyvale):<br />

This bill would prevent the State of <strong>California</strong>, cities and counties<br />

from mandating employers to use the federal E-Verify system. The<br />

bill prohibits businesses from being required to use E-Verify to obtain<br />

a business license, secure a contract for goods or services, or as<br />

a penalty for violation of licensing or other related laws.<br />

AB 1398 – SUPPORT Chesbro (D-Arcata):<br />

This bill extends the sunset of SB 319, which permits 16- and<br />

17-year-old teens to work in Lake County pear sheds up to 10 hours<br />

per day for a limit of 60 hours per week when school is not in session.<br />

SB 1474– OPPOSE Steinberg (D-Sacramento):<br />

The Bill would similarly establish the card check mechanism as a<br />

means of selecting a labor representative.<br />

SB 104 – OPPOSE Steinberg (D-Sacramento):<br />

The bill would permit the circumvention of the secret ballot election<br />

process and unlike previous versions of card check legislation;<br />

the bill adds that within five days after receiving a petition, the<br />

ALRB would be required to make a non-appealable administrative<br />

decision. This version of card check is perhaps the most insidious<br />

version introduced to-date.<br />

Government Relations<br />

HR XXXX – SUPPORT Nunes (R-CA):<br />

This bill would authorize the creation of a new type of charitable,<br />

tax-exempt organization to allow private monies to fund Ag research.<br />

Each organization would work in conjunction<br />

with agricultural and land-grant colleges and<br />

universities to conduct research.<br />

Traffic<br />

HR 761 – SUPPORT Nunes (R-Tulare):<br />

This bill, also called the San Joaquin Valley Transportation<br />

Enhancement Act of 20<strong>11</strong>, would permit<br />

federal funding, made available to the State of <strong>California</strong>,<br />

to be used for any project or activity to improve<br />

or maintain <strong>California</strong> State Route 99 between<br />

the cities of Sacramento and Bakersfield.<br />

Labor<br />

HR 800 – OPPOSE Carter (R-TX):<br />

The Jobs Recovery by Ensuring a Legal American Workforce Act<br />

of 20<strong>11</strong> amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant<br />

Responsibility Act of 1996 to make use of the Federal E–Verify<br />

program mandatory.<br />

State Legislation<br />

SB 829 – OPPOSE DeSaulnier (D-Concord):<br />

This bill makes sweeping changes to the procedures of the <strong>California</strong><br />

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA)<br />

Appeals Board (Board), putting employers at a disadvantage and increasing<br />

costs to the board and to employers. Currently, employers<br />

have the right to appeal a Cal/OSHA citation and proposed penalty<br />

for any number of reasons.<br />

SB 883 – SUPPORT Correa (D-Santa Ana):<br />

This bill would permit an employer to raise, as an affirmative defense<br />

that, at the time of an alleged violation, the employer was<br />

acting in good faith and in compliance with or reliance upon an<br />

applicable employment statute or regulation. An employer would<br />

not be liable or subject to punishment for any violation this code<br />

(Labor code) or wage order of the Industrial Welfare Commission.<br />

Page 20


Page 21<br />

YEAR IN PICTURES<br />

From Left: The <strong>League</strong>’s Executive Committee <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong> - Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros. Inc.), Dean Thonesen (Sunwest <strong>Fruit</strong> Company, Inc.),<br />

Carol Chandler (Chandler Farms, LP), Chris Caratan (M. Caratan, Inc.), Steve Hash (Steve Hash Farms), David Marguleas (Sun World International,<br />

LLC), Ryan Zaninovich (VB Zaninovich & Sons, Inc.), David Jackson (Family <strong>Tree</strong> Farms) and Marko S. Zaninovich (Marko Zaninovich,<br />

Inc.).<br />

From left: Martin Zaninovich (Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.), Jon P.<br />

Zaninovich (Jasmine Vineyards, Inc.), Cliff Sadoian (Cliff Sadoian<br />

& Associates), Bruce Obbink (retired, <strong>California</strong> Table<br />

<strong>Grape</strong> Commission), Nick Buratovich (Wildwood Produce,<br />

Inc.) and Judy Obbink participated on the Membership Committee’s<br />

Historical Sub-Committee.<br />

From left: Ardith and Howard Marguleas<br />

(Juele I) with David and Robin Marguleas<br />

(Sun World International, LLC.) at the<br />

CGTFL 75th <strong>Annual</strong> Meeting, held in<br />

Rancho Mirage, CA.<br />

Bottom Left: <strong>League</strong> Staff- Chris Valadez,<br />

Gabrielle Kirkland, Barry Bedwell,<br />

Marcy Martin. Top Left: Vicky Jones,<br />

Jaclyn Pack, and Erin Ragnetti.<br />

The changing of the Chair: David Marguleas (right), Chairman<br />

<strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong> passes the gavel to Steve Hash, Chairman<br />

20<strong>11</strong>/12 <strong>FY</strong>.<br />

From left: <strong>League</strong> Director Nick<br />

Bozick (R.Bagdasarian, Inc.), Assemblymember<br />

Brian Nestande (R-Palm<br />

Desert), and Chairman David Marguleas<br />

(Sun World International, LLC)..


From left: <strong>League</strong> President Barry<br />

Bedwell poses with Brian Laird (Rain and<br />

Hail Insurance Company, LLC), who was<br />

awarded with the Ag Industry Award during<br />

the Suppliers Event on March 14 at<br />

Rancho Las Palmas Resort.<br />

YEAR IN PICTURES<br />

From left: John Tos (Tos Farms), Pat Ricchuiti (P-R Farms), Monte Peckinpah (Valent), Virginia Hemly Chhabra (Greene and Hemly, Inc.), Randy<br />

Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards), Gov. Jerry Brown, and Barry Bedwell (<strong>League</strong> President) pictured during the 20<strong>11</strong> GR Trip in Sacramento.<br />

Assemblymember Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), pictured with<br />

<strong>League</strong> Director Wayne Brandt (Brandt Farms, Inc.) when Ma<br />

visited the Reedley-based operation to learn more about the<br />

tree fruit industry.<br />

From left: Suppliers Committee Chairwoman<br />

Nelda Lewis (Pan American<br />

Insurance Agency) announced the<br />

“Supplier of the Year” award on March<br />

14, during the Suppliers Event. John<br />

Atwood (API Kirk Containers) was selected<br />

by his peers as the 20<strong>11</strong> receipent<br />

of the Supplier of the Year award.<br />

From Left: Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development<br />

Agency Victoria Bradshaw, <strong>League</strong> President Barry<br />

Bedwell, <strong>League</strong> Director Pat Ricchiuti, and <strong>League</strong> Lobbyist<br />

Louie Brown at the June <strong>2010</strong> Legislative reception.<br />

During the Sacramento Board meeting<br />

in June, fresh fruit donated by members<br />

was displayed during the legislative<br />

reception to showcase the high<br />

quality fruit produced in <strong>California</strong>.<br />

Page 22


Page 23<br />

<strong>League</strong>’s ag network<br />

The <strong>League</strong> employs a collaborative approach to maximize its effectiveness by working together with other agricultural organizations or associations on issues that<br />

affect <strong>League</strong> members. Listed below are the group efforts in which the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> participated in during the <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong>.<br />

Agribusiness President’s Council<br />

Description: To coordinate public policy issues among <strong>California</strong><br />

agricultural associations and commissions.<br />

Members: 33<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: Included in CGTFL’s regular government<br />

relations expenses.<br />

Air Coalition Team<br />

Description: Agricultural organizations that work together<br />

on issues related to air quality litigation.<br />

Members: 17<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $5,000<br />

Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF)<br />

Description: Works in the areas of public relations, messaging,<br />

and outreach related to food safety and pesticide use related<br />

issues.<br />

Members: 53<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $9,000<br />

Crop Protection Coalition (CPC)<br />

Description: Coalition of national, regional and local agricultural<br />

organizations seeking to obtain critical use exemptions<br />

for methyl bromide, as well as funding for alternatives<br />

research.<br />

Members: 14<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $3,000.<br />

Minor Crop Farmer Alliance (MCFA)<br />

Description: An alliance of agricultural organizations dedicated<br />

to addressing pesticide registrations.<br />

Members: 18<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $5,000.<br />

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance<br />

(SCFBA)<br />

Description: A broad alliance with the purpose of influencing<br />

the scope and efficiency of national agricultural policy.<br />

Members: 130<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $5,000<br />

Agricultural Coalition for Immigration<br />

Reform (ACIR)<br />

Description: To serve as a leading advocate, seeking legislative<br />

reform addressing the short and long-term labor needs<br />

of the nation’s agricultural interests.<br />

Members: 75<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $10,000.<br />

Invasive Species Coalition (ISC)<br />

Description: ISC was reformed in 2008, given the challenges<br />

with the emergence of new pests. This coalition provides a<br />

professional public relations response and outreach program<br />

in dealing with invasive plants and pests coming into <strong>California</strong>.<br />

CGTFL President served as the Co-Chair.<br />

Members: 15<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $5,000.<br />

Coalition Against Card Check<br />

Description: This coalition was formed under the leadership<br />

of the <strong>League</strong> to fight SB 104 (card check bill).<br />

Members: 29<br />

<strong>2010</strong> Contribution: $10,000<br />

The <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong> is known for its pragmatic approach to<br />

working with policy makers in Sacramento and Washington, DC. The organization<br />

reflects the collective interest of the industry, where leaders set aside personal<br />

convictions in a bi-partisan political environment. As the primary public policy organization<br />

for the fruit industry, the <strong>League</strong> has adopted a realistic and sensible<br />

approach to building bridges with elected and appointed leaders.<br />

- <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong> <strong>FY</strong> Chairman David Marguleas


Past Chairmen of the Board<br />

1936/43<br />

A. Setrakian<br />

1943/45<br />

L. R. Hamilton<br />

1945/46<br />

J. M. Prentice<br />

1946/47<br />

Robert Taylor<br />

1947/48<br />

E. L. Barr, Sr.<br />

1948/49<br />

Harold Butcher<br />

1949/50<br />

John J. Kovacevich<br />

1950/51<br />

David J. Elliot, Sr.<br />

1951/52<br />

William A. Hamilton<br />

1952/53<br />

William A. Lambert<br />

1953/54<br />

Virgil E. Rasmussen<br />

1954/55<br />

W. C. “Jerry” Day<br />

1955/56<br />

Martin Zaninovich<br />

1956/57<br />

Alfred Tisch<br />

1957/58<br />

Julio Perelli-Minetti<br />

1958/59<br />

J. A. DiGiorgio<br />

1959/60<br />

Leonard LeBlanc<br />

1960/61<br />

M. A. Nielson<br />

1961/62<br />

Franklin Gindick<br />

The past Chairmen who have directed the work of the <strong>California</strong> <strong>Grape</strong> & <strong>Tree</strong> <strong>Fruit</strong> <strong>League</strong><br />

1962/63<br />

Edward M. Zeller<br />

1963/64<br />

Jack Pandol, Sr.<br />

1964/65<br />

Grove E. Dye<br />

1965/66<br />

George Sadoian<br />

1966/67<br />

Marion P. Newton<br />

1967/68<br />

Nick Buratovich, Sr.<br />

1968/69<br />

E. L. Barr, Jr.<br />

1969/70<br />

R. K. Sanderson<br />

1970/71<br />

Robert A. Grant<br />

1971/72<br />

Howard A. Hall<br />

1972/74<br />

David J. Elliot, Jr.<br />

1974/75<br />

Allan Corrin<br />

1975/76<br />

Franklin Debuskey<br />

1976/77<br />

Dean Morrison<br />

1977/78<br />

Milan Caratan<br />

1978/79<br />

Tony Tranel<br />

1979/80<br />

Lucille Tidwell<br />

1980/81<br />

John Giumarra, Jr.<br />

1981/82<br />

James Ruby<br />

1982/83<br />

Howard Mason<br />

1983/85<br />

Jack G. Zaninovich<br />

1985/86<br />

Darrel Fulmer<br />

1986/87<br />

Verne Crookshanks<br />

1987/88<br />

Micky George<br />

1988/89<br />

Louis S. Caric<br />

1989/90<br />

Sarkis Sarabian<br />

1990/91<br />

Craig Rasmussen<br />

1991/92<br />

Doug Hemly<br />

1992/93<br />

Dennis Parnagian<br />

1993/94<br />

Kent Stephens<br />

1994/95<br />

Wayne Brandt<br />

1995/96<br />

Cliff Sadoian<br />

1996/97<br />

Steve Biswell<br />

1997/98<br />

Rick Widhalm<br />

1998/99 Ken Enns<br />

1999/00<br />

Nicholas Bozick<br />

2000/01<br />

Fred Berry<br />

2001/02<br />

Jim Simonian<br />

2002/03<br />

Jon P. Zaninovich<br />

2003/04<br />

David Elliot III<br />

2004/05<br />

Tony Fazio<br />

2005/07<br />

Louis Pandol<br />

2007/08<br />

Jerry DiBuduo<br />

2008/09<br />

John D. Zaninovich<br />

2009/10<br />

Marko S. Zaninovich<br />

<strong>2010</strong>/<strong>11</strong><br />

David O. Marguleas

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