Posted on 6/24/2013
Woodland, CA---In July/ August 2013, the California Wheat Commission will conduct district elections for the positions of Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner for three California grower districts. The wheat grower districts are: District 3 - Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Yuba, Nevada, Sutter, and Sierra Counties, and that portion of Sacramento County lying north of Road J-11 and east of the Sacramento River from Walnut Grove to Courtland; District 7 - Fresno County; and District 12 - that part of Imperial County lying north of Keystone Road.
A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person who is engaged within this state in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who must reside or conduct farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held.
Interested individuals are encouraged to obtain a nomination petition, accessed via the links below, or by calling the Commission at 530-661-1292. Petitions must be returned to the Commission no later than July 12, 2013.
- District 3 - Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Yuba, Nevada, Sutter, and Sierra Counties and that portion of Sacramento County lying north of Road J-11 and east of the Sacramento River from Walnut Grove to Courtland.
- District 7 - Fresno County
- District 12 - Imperial County lying north of Keystone Road
The four handler positions (two Commissioners and two Alternates) on the California Wheat Commission are also up for election this year. Handler members are elected in a statewide election in which all active wheat handlers may vote. The Commission requires a written expression of interest from potential handler nominees by July 12, 2013.
Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables producers and handlers to determine the Commission's program and budget priorities. The Commission is also active in several national organizations, giving Commissioners a direct role in major industry issues. The term of office for Commissioners and Alternates is three years.
In addition to the districts up for election, there are vacancies in District 2 (Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Lake); District 10 (Santa Barbara, SLO, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara); and District 11 (San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Ventura.) Interested growers may get more information from the Commission.
Wheat growers voted to establish the California Wheat Commission in 1983, expressly to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat and support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability. The Commission, operating under the California Food and Agriculture Code, is funded by wheat growers and is guided by a board which includes thirteen wheat producers, two handlers, two at-large members, and one public member -- each with alternates.
