California Ag Headlines for October 7

Taylor Hillman General

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Today’s California ag headlines include the California Strawberry Commission praising Governor Brown, China’s impact on California’s nut industry, a free workshop for beginning farmers, and a harvest festival.
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The California Strawberry Commission is praising Governor Brown and Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watsonville for their ongoing efforts to address the needs of the state’s immigrant workforce. It comes after the governor signed Alejo’s bill to allow immigrants to get California driver’s licenses.

President of the commission, Rick Olivares Tomlinson, says quote “We stand with Governor Brown and Mr. Alejo in advocating for a huge segment of the population integral to California’s culture, economy and communities.”

The strawberry commission represents 400 strawberry farmers. It has sent several delegations of farmers to Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress about the need for immigration reform.

A new Rabobank report suggests that China could have a bigger impact on the California nut industry. China has a big demand for nuts. In fact, about 40 percent of our pistachio exports head there, along with about 20 percent of our almonds. California’s tree-nut exports have nearly doubled n the last five years

Beginning farmers are invited to a free workshop to learn more about marketing approaches for fruit, vegetable, value-added products and more. It’s in Pleasant Hill, on Thursday October 17 from 3 to 6:30 pm. But you need to reserve your spot by this Friday.

Presentations will cover how to develop a marketing plan appropriate for your farm, as well as a more in depth examination of online markets, restaurant sales and the benefits of wholesaling. A panel of farmers and buyers will share tips and experiences selling at a variety of scales and through a diversity of venues. For more information, click here.

It’s harvest festival season, and one of the lengthiest is Cambria’s scarecrow festival. Cambria is along the Central coast area. For the entire month, you can find all kinds of scarecrows around the streets of the town. More than 350 scarecrows – ranging from spooky to comical to artistic – are displayed by home and business owners as part of the town’s annual harvest celebration. This weekend is the official Harvest Scarecrows Weekend, which includes a winemaker dinner, the harvest pie baking competition and tasting, the Harvest Market featuring local farm-fresh food as well as local wines, and an all-day farm tour.
For more information, click here.