Friday, January 9, 2009

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held March 2-4, 2009 at the Carmel Valley Ranch. Please go to our website to for registration and other information. The Annual Meeting information can be found at: http://www.agcouncil.org/annualmeeting.html

The following deadlines are of particular importance:

• Early registration with Ag Council is due by close of business (COB), January 16, 2009
• Co-op Leader Award nominations due by COB January 16, 2009
• Ag Council hotel rates at the Carmel Valley Ranch expire January 30, 2009
• Registration deadline for the golf tournament is February 6, 2009

New NCFC Leader Announced

Charles (Chuck) F. Conner has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). Conner brings more than 25 years of national and state government, agricultural and trade association experience to his new position. Conner has served as Deputy Secretary for the US Department of Agriculture since May 2005.

“We were extremely impressed with Mr. Conner’s career accomplishments, the depth and breadth of his governmental and industry experience, as well as his keen understanding of agricultural policy, trade issues and the business challenges facing U.S. agriculture in general and agricultural cooperatives in particular,” noted Bill Davisson, NCFC’s chairman the chief executive officer of GROWMARK, who lead the search committee. “He is uniquely qualified to lead NCFC at a critical time when the needs of NCFC members are changing in a highly competitive global business environment.”

As Deputy Secretary for the USDA, Conner served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) overseeing day-to-day operations including development of a $95 billion budget for the 26 USDA agencies representing 300 programs and more than 100,000 employees. He represented the USDA on the President’s Management Council providing executive expertise to proposed government-wide policy direction on key management initiatives, and effectively communicating all aspects of the USDA mission to internal and external audiences through speeches, presentations and forums. Chuck interacted directly with President Bush and his senior staff to formulate domestic and international food, trade, security and energy policy. He led development of the Bush Administration’s $300 billion Farm Bill proposal and the strategy to educate and inform industry, constituents and Congress.

Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary, Conner’s was Special Assistant to the President, Executive Office of the President, from October 2001 to May 2005. In this role, he worked directly with President Bush and his senior staff on the 2001/02 Farm Bill to develop the strategy behind the transfer of several USDA agency functions to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. He also served as President of the Corn Refiners Association. Chuck is a graduate of Purdue University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree and is the recipient of Purdue’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He will assume his duties at NCFC on February 1.

Charles (Chuck) F. Conner has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). Conner brings more than 25 years of national and state government, agricultural and trade association experience to his new position. Conner has served as Deputy Secretary for the US Department of Agriculture since May 2005.

“We were extremely impressed with Mr. Conner’s career accomplishments, the depth and breadth of his governmental and industry experience, as well as his keen understanding of agricultural policy, trade issues and the business challenges facing U.S. agriculture in general and agricultural cooperatives in particular,” noted Bill Davisson, NCFC’s chairman the chief executive officer of GROWMARK, who lead the search committee. “He is uniquely qualified to lead NCFC at a critical time when the needs of NCFC members are changing in a highly competitive global business environment.”

As Deputy Secretary for the USDA, Conner served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) overseeing day-to-day operations including development of a $95 billion budget for the 26 USDA agencies representing 300 programs and more than 100,000 employees. He represented the USDA on the President’s Management Council providing executive expertise to proposed government-wide policy direction on key management initiatives, and effectively communicating all aspects of the USDA mission to internal and external audiences through speeches, presentations and forums. Chuck interacted directly with President Bush and his senior staff to formulate domestic and international food, trade, security and energy policy. He led development of the Bush Administration’s $300 billion Farm Bill proposal and the strategy to educate and inform industry, constituents and Congress.

Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary, Conner’s was Special Assistant to the President, Executive Office of the President, from October 2001 to May 2005. In this role, he worked directly with President Bush and his senior staff on the 2001/02 Farm Bill to develop the strategy behind the transfer of several USDA agency functions to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. He also served as President of the Corn Refiners Association. Chuck is a graduate of Purdue University, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree and is the recipient of Purdue’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He will assume his duties at NCFC on February 1.

CDFA Ag Vision

Emily Robidart testified before the CDFA board on its 2030 Ag Vision, in December. The purpose of the Ag Vision is to set strategic goals for CA agriculture and what its future will look like in 2030. CDFA is attempting to ask (and answer) where do we want to go, and how do we get there, and what resources (human and other) do we need to achieve these goals? Ag Council is supportive of this process as an attempt to try to clearly define some goals and objectives to move our industry forward. The current document is a “work in progress,” so we plan on remaining committed throughout the process to further shape the outlook for CA agriculture. CDFA aims to launch the 2030 Ag Vision in conjunction with California Ag Day on March 24, 2009.

There is a working document available on the CDFA website for the public to review and to submit comments. It can be accessed at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/.

We encourage you to weigh-in on California agriculture’s priorities, either by accessing the website directly on the CDFA Ag Vision page, or by e-mailing your comments to AgVision@cdfa.ca.gov. Written comments can be sent to: California Ag Vision, 1220 N Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments are due on February 20, 2009.

Salinity Study

Ag Council staff met with Karl Longley, chair of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) and Pamela Creedon, the board’s executive officer. They are trying to generate stakeholder interest, involvement and financial support for the Central Valley Salinity Coalition (CVSC), a non-profit association of public and private sector organizations that is intended to facilitate and fund efforts for the efficient management of salinity in the Central Valley. The objective of the CVSC is to assist the CVRWQCB developing a cooperative, large-scale, multi-solution salt management plan for the Central Valley, which will maximize the use of its water resource, continue to grow smartly and maintain the business and agricultural economy. Most importantly, if this effort is successful, more draconian measures such as costly regulations and permit moratoriums can be avoided. We assured Longley and Creedon that the Ag Council is committed to supporting the CVSV and is working with other agricultural stakeholder groups to provide financial and technical assistance.

Ag Leadership

The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) has announced that applications for Class 40 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program are now available.

“We are excited about moving toward a huge milestone with our 40th class,” says CALF President Mike Barr. “If our past is any indication, Class 40 may produce a future member of Congress, the state Legislature, county Board of Supervisors or local school board. Our board of directors, alumni, partner universities and friends recognize that the continuing success of California depends on new leaders emerging.”

Since its founding in 1970, the California Agricultural Leadership Program has graduated more than 1,100 Californians. The program is designed to enable class members to reach beyond perceived limitations and boundaries in order to find common ground with others and to bring about transformational change. Through seminars and experiential learning, participants deepen their understanding of leadership theory and develop skills through hands-on activities. Seminars take place in urban and rural California, Sacramento, Washington, D.C., and foreign countries. At the conclusion of the two-year program participants are directly challenged to positively enhance society, as well as to serve as leaders in the agricultural industry.

Applications must be received by May 15, 2009 and are available on-line at www.agleaders.org or by calling 916-928-2202.

Growing Green Awards

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announced its first annual Growing Green Awards to recognize individuals who’ve demonstrated original leadership in the field of sustainable food. The award is intended to highlight extraordinary contributions that advance ecologically integrated farming practices, climate stewardship, water stewardship, farmland preservation and social responsibility from farm to fork. There are three categories of awards: Food Producer, Business Leader and Thought Leader. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded in the Food Producer category and all winners will be widely celebrated through media outreach and environmental networks. Recipients may represent a variety of fields including food production, food service, retail or restaurants, academia, journalists, policy advocacy and government. If you desire more detailed information regarding the application process, contact me at gordon@agcouncil.org. Nominations are due by February 6, 2009.