Meet Rose Tyron, New CWA President

California Women for Agriculture Welcomes 2020 with New President and Platform

Del Norte County native, Rose Tryon is a passionate advocate for agriculture and has officially stepped into her new role as president of the California Women for Agriculture (CWA). This step up in leadership comes after a decade of involvement with both CWA and its parent organization American Agri-Women (AAW).

“As a young girl, I watched my father struggle to keep our family farm and could never understand why a profession so noble was so difficult to maintain,” stated CWA State President Rose Tryon. “Even as a child, I knew that something had to be done to help farmers, and that eventually led me to join CWA.”

A retired District Attorney Investigator, Tryon specialized in sexual assault and child abuse investigations. She currently resides in Paradise, California with her husband and two dogs and is working to rebuild her home after she lost it to the 2018 Camp Fire. Tryon eventually plans to reopen her business that assists farmers, ranchers and small businesses with business management and regulatory affairs. In addition, she also has her eyes set on executing several goals as CWA’s newest president.

“Rose is a visionary and is totally committed to the mission of the CWA,” stated Past CWA State President and current Federal Legislation Director Carol Chandler. “We are so fortunate to have such an outstanding leader for our all-volunteer advocacy organization.”

When asked about her plans for the CWA, Tryon noted that she’d like to connect members with the California State Women’s legislative caucus to help bridge the gap between the agriculture industry and our state legislators. She also plans to help educate urban neighbors about issues affecting agriculture, as well as continue to help CWA’s mission to uplift women in agriculture.

Over the last ten years, Tryon has served on the AAW Foundation Board for American Agri-Women, has served as a member of the CWA North Valley Chapter, and has taken on several roles within CWA’s State Executive Board. She credits the women she has met through the organization as the reason why she remains so passionate about agriculture and plans to continue to build her relationship with the members throughout her term as president.

“There’s a phrase that our members like to use whenever they describe their involvement with the CWA: we join for the cause, but stay for the friendships,” Tryon noted. “CWA is more than just an organization, we are a family that will fight tooth and nail for the industry we love, but even more so for the relationships we create.”

Tryon joins 12 other women as part of the 2020 CWA Executive Team and has already begun to lay the foundation for some of the change she wishes to implement throughout the next few months. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the CWA’s website at www.cawomen4ag.com to learn more about membership opportunities and community events.

California Ag Today2020-02-05T08:58:35-08:00February 5th, 2020|

UFW ACCUSED OF WAGE THEFT….AGAIN

UFW Employee Claims Union is Keeping Phony Records To Cover Tracks

After having been found guilty of wage theft at trial once, the UFW has been accused once again of wage theft by one of its employees in a class action lawsuit. The UFW’s web site claims that the union is “Doing the right thing, even when no one is looking,” but the union apparently feels that doing the right thing does not include complying with their obligations to comply with California law.

UFW employee Gustavo Diaz claims that, even following the resolution of the first wage theft case against the UFW, the farm worker union continued to violate its employees’ rights by systematically underpaying their wages. Mr. Diaz alleges that the union created phony records to cover its tracks and create the appearance of compliance while continuing to steal from its employees.

Mr. Diaz also claims to be the victim of a retaliatory termination, having been fired for blowing the whistle on the UFW keeping Dole Berry workers in the dark regarding impending layoffs that resulted from the closure of the Dole Berry farming operation. Mr. Diaz insisted that union leadership keep the workers informed, and when they silenced him and refused to do so, they fired him retaliation for objecting to the UFW’s illegal behavior.

For more information, please contact Mr. Diaz’s attorney, Gerardo Hernandez of Raimondo & Associates, ALC.

P: (559) 432-3000

California Ag Today2020-02-01T07:37:28-08:00February 4th, 2020|

Almond Board Announces 2020 Almond Leadership Program

17 Industry Professionals will Embark on a Year-Long Experience to Further Their Leadership Skills and Involvement in the California Almond Industry

The Almond Board of California (ABC) is proud to announce the Almond Leadership Program Class of 2020. These 17 promising leaders represent diverse backgrounds across multiple industries, from almond growers to processors, sales representatives to regulatory consultants, researchers to pest control advisors, and more.

In this year-long program, participants will grow in their roles as the future generation of California almond industry leaders, learning from volunteer mentors who will help equip them with the knowledge and experience necessary to improve their leadership skills, the industry and their communities. The class will also complete specialized training in a wide variety of topic areas, many of which are tied to ABC activities in global marketing, production and nutrition research, food safety and more. Through monthly seminars spanning topics across all aspects of the industry, participants will sharpen their communication skills while building lasting relationships with each other, ABC staff and others through networking opportunities.

“It is an honor to go through this program with so many intelligent and like-minded people who all have the same goal: to better the California almond industry and give back to our communities. I love that the main thing connecting all the participants is our drive to make an impact on this industry,” said participant Michelle Brasil of Olam Farming.

As a kickoff to the program, the Leadership class participated in a two-day orientation that included an address from ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott and Chair of ABC’s Board of Directors Holly A. King. Waycott and King highlighted the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals and the almond community’s roadmap to achieving them, two cornerstones of this year’s Almond Leadership Program.

As they progress through the program, Leadership participants will gain a stronger understanding of how social, economic and environmental issues — combined with the current political climate — affect the industry. They’ll also learn how all sectors in the almond supply chain work together to provide a safe, sustainable product to consumers worldwide.

“It’s important now more than ever before to help pay-it-forward by empowering the next generation of talented leaders to sustain and propel the tremendous benefits of modern agriculture, making a positive contribution toward feeding and nourishing our growing and connected world,” said program mentor Nassar Dean of Bayer Crop Science, the official sponsor of the 2020 Almond Leadership Program.

Participants are also required to pursue an area of interest as part of a yearlong self-directed project that they will present to fellow classmates, mentors and the ABC Board of Directors at the end of the program. The purpose of the project is to challenge participants to take a deep dive into a topic that interests them, try a new technology or innovative practice on their operation or explore a new or novel idea that advances the industry in some capacity.

These projects will all focus on ways to improve the California almond community, and some past projects have even led to important breakthroughs for the industry. At the end of the year, one participant will be selected to present their project at The Almond Conference 2020 in Sacramento.

“This program helps mold great people into even greater leaders — the leaders we will one day look toward to shape the future of the almond industry,” said Jenny Nicolau, senior manager, Industry Relations and Communications, ABC. “Each graduate from the Almond Leadership Program has gone on to be a leader of change in the industry or their community in some capacity, and this group will be no different. They are bright and talented, and obviously problem-solvers, and we are honored to be partners on this yearlong journey.”

Over the past eleven years, the Almond Leadership Program has graduated more than 160 participants and supported many key initiatives benefiting the industry. This year’s class will continue the tradition of raising funds for California Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has pledged to raise more than $25,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college.

Members of this year’s class include: Nicole Assali, California Grown Nut Company; Jason Bayer, Exact Corporation; Michelle Brasil, Olam Farming; Steve Dail, T.A.D. Farming, Inc.; Jason DeGraff, Mid Valley Ag Services; Angad Dhadda, Dhadda Farms; Stephen Dotta, Poythress Farms; Eric Lahargou, Campos Brothers Farms; Daniel Lawson, Treehouse Almonds; Kyle McClintock, IB Farming/San Joaquin Fertilizer; Chris McGlothlin, Western Agricultural Processors Association; Michael Navarrete, Protect Your Nuts; Nathaniel Roberts, Wonderful Orchards; Justin Rose, Redox Chemicals, LLC; Raj Samran, Samran Sons & Farming Co. Inc.; Haley Seeger, Blue Diamond Growers; Matthew Wilson, Bayer Crop Science.

California Ag Today2020-02-03T11:08:34-08:00February 3rd, 2020|

Produce Safety: Three Ways to Reassure Consumers

Facts Over Fear

Encouraging Consumers to Consumer more Fruit and Vegetables

By Elizabeth Shaw, MS, RDN, CPT, Nutrition Expert

We’re constantly bombarded with messages about what we shouldn’t be eating on a daily basis. Whether it’s avoiding gluten or nixing dairy from one’s diet, research is often cherry picked via the media to elicit fears in consumers to eat a certain way.

What’s disturbing as a healthcare practitioner is knowing individuals will receive these conflicting messages and not have the full story to make the best decision on how to feed themselves and their family. Case and point: the organic versus conventional produce discussion.

With less than one in 10 Americans eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables a day, it’s no surprise that some of that gap is related to concerns over the safety of produce and pesticide residues. Research conducted in both 2014 and 2016 found that low income consumers were often so confused about the safety of produce based on messaging they heard surrounding pesticides that they would refrain from purchasing any produce at all – organic or conventionally grown.

As a result of these findings, the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) surveyed registered dietitian nutritionists to better understand the barriers faced in encouraging clients to feel confident about incorporating more produce into their diet.

After interpreting the results, the AFF then invited a group of dietitians (known as the RDN Action Committee) from various avenues of dietetics to come together to discuss these challenges faced within the profession. The goal of this committee was to identify a set of action steps to help other professionals feel confident about encouraging their clients to consume more produce regularly.

Given the challenges of reaching dietitians who practice in multiple areas of dietetics across the United States, the committee chose to focus on three ways dietitians could assure consumers about the safety of eating more produce that would apply to all.

Below you’ll find the three ways outlined, with not only a sample social media message to share, but also further research to support the tip and reinforce the safety of produce.

Advocate for consumers to focus on a plant forward lifestyle using “food as medicine”.

No, we aren’t saying push vegetarianism or veganism on consumers. But rather moving the produce to the center of the plate and focusing on encouraging eating more plants from both the fruit and vegetable groups for the long-standing benefits for total health. From fighting off free radicals in the body to aiding recovery from a tough workout, we know very well fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients that promote optimal health.

Research Support:

Rest assured, peer-reviewed science continues to back up this message. Click here to review the two Tufts studies that support the concept of using “food as medicine” with the produce patch front and center!

Social Media Message: #FoodisMedicine Move produce to the center of your plate to improve health and prevent disease. Think #BlendedBurgers, #AvocadoToast, #VeggieChili & More! Checkout these 12 produce picks to incorporate today! (include infographic below) #AddOneMore

Encourage washing of produce before consumption to minimize pesticide residues.

First off, washing produce doesn’t require any expensive sprays or washes. Just as the FDA says, all you need to do is rinse your fruits and vegetables (even those with skins) under cool, running water. Check out the infographic here for more information.

Now, if you are getting questions about the amount of pesticide residue that remains on produce, rest assured you aren’t alone. The AFF heard these queries and responded by creating the Pesticide Residue Calculator, a state of the art tool that helps identify the amount of produce a man, woman, teenager or child could eat in a day without experiencing any adverse effects from pesticide residue.

Research Support:

Not only did the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) 2018 report indicate the safety of produce stating that “95% of all samples tested had no detectable pesticide residues or were actually below levels allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency”, but similar findings were also made public in the USDA Pesticide Data 2018 Report as well as the FDA sampling data report as well. Bottom line: organizations across the board continually find both conventional and organic produce safe for consumption.

Social Media Message: #JustWashIt Research proves you can reduce pesticide levels on produce by just washing it! Plus, both the USDA and FDA agree both organic and conventional produce is SAFE! #AddOneMore

Add one more fruit or vegetable to your daily diet. #AddOneMore

Seriously, this tip is that simple: ADD ONE MORE! Yes, informing consumers on the short and long term benefits of adding one more piece of produce to their diets is crucial to help increasing produce consumption overall and dispelling the fears around their safety. The committee encourages RDNs on social media to partake and show their followers how simple it is to #AddOneMore to their plates. Be it a serving of mushrooms blended into a burger or a side of carrots to go with dip, it’s all about moving the needle toward eating more produce through small changes.

Research Support:

It’s well known that adding more produce to one’s daily diet can help prevent diseases. Using the research on reducing premature death or the literature that supports 20,000 annual cancer cases could be prevented with the addition of one or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, RDNs can show consumers the promise produce has in their lifelong health.

Social Media Message: DYK 20,000 cases of cancer could be prevented if we just #AddOneMore fruit or vegetable to our plates! Show us how you #AddOneMore by tagging us in your fruit and veggie centered meals!

Remember, the AFF is a non-profit organization, with the purpose of educating consumers using sound science and encouraging more produce consumption; something many (if not all) healthcare professionals can support as well! To help further explain the research and guide RDNs in educating consumers, the AFF launched a new section of their website “For Dietitians” to provide an easy to navigate space for professionals to access.

California Ag Today2020-01-30T20:56:06-08:00February 3rd, 2020|

Shannon Grove In DC For USMCA Signing

Senate Republican Leader Grove Joins President Donald Trump for Signing of the USMCA

Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) was in Washington, D.C. this past week to witness the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) and issued the following statement:

“This is a historic moment for the United States. It is such an honor to join President Trump and to witness the signing of this modern trade agreement. The Central Valley is home to the top three agricultural producing counties in the nation and this 21st century agreement is our country’s commitment to these hardworking farmers, farm workers, and agribusinesses.

“I am thankful for the President’s hard work and persistence on the USMCA. I have worked with his Administration to support the movement of this deal and I am grateful that this historic agreement has been ratified by the United States,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.

In December 2019, Senator Grove was one of 26 state leaders from across the United States who signed on to a letter urging Congressional leaders to pass the USMCA.

In 2019, Senator Grove introduced Senate Joint Resolution 12 which requested the California State Legislature to support and urge Congress to approve the USMCA. SJR 12 passed out of the California State Senate with bipartisan support.

In an op-Ed published in The Fresno Bee, Senator Grove outlined the importance of the USMCA.

California Ag Today2020-02-01T07:55:20-08:00February 1st, 2020|

Naturipe Farms Produces Berries for Global Consumers

Naturipe Farms is Leading Growers of Blueberries in the World

By Tim Hammerich, with the Ag Information Network of the West

Naturipe Farms is a brand most Americans have seen in the supermarket. What many may not realize is that the company is actually owned by growers. California Ag Today’s Patrick Cavanaugh recently spoke to Jill Overdorf, who is Naturipe’s Director of Business Development for Food Service & their Corporate Chef.

“Producing fresh berries since 1917, Naturipe Farms is unique to the produce industry with a partnership between four highly esteemed berry growers: Naturipe Berry Growers, MBG Marketing(Michigan Blueberry Growers), Hortifrut, and Munger Companies,” said Orverdorf.

Overdorff said Naturipe is the leading grower of blueberries in the world, second in strawberries, and also produce raspberries, blackberries, avocados, and cranberries.

“Our strawberry growers had a very challenging year, but they developed some great crops,” noted Overdorff. “We also have a good breeding program. Our blueberry growers, the Mungers, are the largest growers of blueberries in California. They had a phenomenal year, and they are branching out and are enormously innovative. They’re leading our value added program with their proprietary wash process, which enables 21 days on a fresh blueberry shelf life for a snack product,” explained Overdorff.

“Our blackberries and raspberries, we have a number of proprietary varieties, including the Centennial Raspberry and the Madeline Blackberry, both flavorful and non traditional berries because of their load seed count and they’re delicious flavor,” she said.

California Ag Today2020-02-01T08:07:49-08:00January 31st, 2020|

Coronavirus Precautions At World Ag Exp

World Ag Expo To Guard Against Coronavirus

World Ag Expo is set to host attendees and exhibitors from across the country and around the world in just two weeks. Now they will also prepare to guard against the newest coronavirus emerging in China.

“The health and safety of everyone at our show is our top priority,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center® CEO. “We’re working with the right agencies to stay up-to-date on the status of coronavirus and how we can prevent the spread.”

Show officials are working with local, state and federal officials to monitor the situation and develop a plan on the show grounds. No government entity has suggested a change to the planned schedule.

“The HHSA Public Health branch is in close contact with the World Ag Expo in regards to health precautions all travelers and attendees need to be aware of. This includes precautions everyone should take at all times as this is also flu season. Precautions include hand washing, covering coughs, staying home if ill, and contacting a physician if symptoms arise. Travelers who become ill should contact the local health department where they are staying,” advised Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County Health Officer.

The Tulare County Health department website recommends the following precautions to guard against coronavirus:

avoid contact with sick individuals
wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
get a flu shot

Because washing hands with soap and water is one of the best defenses against illness, additional hand washing stations will be set up on World Ag Expo® grounds. For coronavirus updates, visit http://bit.ly/TCCoronaUpdate.

Show officials are also in contact with federal agencies monitoring international travelers. Show procedures will be updated as the situation dictates.

For a full schedule of events, more information about the show or to purchase tickets for the 2020 World Ag Expo®, visit www.WorldAgExpo.org.

California Ag Today2020-01-30T10:17:08-08:00January 31st, 2020|

Pick Justice Action Launches Sweepstakes with $5,000 Prize

Today, Pick Justice Action, an organization of concerned citizens who support the rights of farm workers, launched a sweepstakes to highlight the anti-farm worker record of Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher. Participants will have the opportunity to answer questions about how Gonzalez-Fletcher failed immigrant farm workers at truthaboutlorena.com and, if they get every question right, will be entered into the running for a chance to win $5,000.

“The people of California, particularly farm workers across the state, have a right to know about the anti-farm worker votes that Gonzalez-Fletcher has taken,” said Pick Justice Spokesperson Jesse Rojas. “Despite her rhetoric, she has constantly stood against farm workers, and instead favored big labor union bosses. This sweepstakes is another way Pick Justice Action is aggressively informing the hard-working people of our state about the real record of Gonzalez-Fletcher.”

The entry period of the sweepstakes is open until February 27th. Learn more about the sweepstakes and eligibility requirements at https://www.truthaboutlorena.com/.

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Sponsored by Pick Justice Action, a 501(c)(4) social welfare nonprofit organization with the mission of educating the public about the rights and interests of farm workers and general laborers, and to promote policies that protect these rights.

California Ag Today2020-01-30T10:57:51-08:00January 30th, 2020|

DPR’s Dolcini to Focus on Three Pillars

Leadership, Collaboration, and People are the focus of Val Docini

Second of a series from DPR’s Director Val Docini.

By Jesse Rojas, Editor

Val Dolcini, Director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, will focus on three pillars while leading DPR. The pillars represent organization and leadership principles that will allow DPR to continue to advance its mission of protecting public health and the environment through the careful and appropriate regulation of pesticides.

First Pillar: A Focus on IPM
“I’ll be using integrated pest management as a means of organizing the work of the department and as the foundation for closer collaboration with our stakeholders, such as the Almond Board. Using IPM principles, DPR can reinforce its role as a trusted leader in the regulation of pest management tools for urban and rural communities alike,” Dolcini said. “This will allow California to become significantly less reliant on chemical means as the first line of defense against agricultural and household pests.”

Dolcini stressed that the industry would continue to deploy appropriate chemical pesticides. “Chemical pesticides are an essential part of IPM, but we also need to include more biological controls, new cultural practices, softer chemistries, and safer alternatives into our arsenal,” he said. “To get there, we will continue to streamline our internal processes for approving these tools, and to create more demand for these tools in the value chain.”

“I realize that this is a tall order, but we’re at a pivotal point in the evolution of pest management in California. Changing pest pressures, increased urbanization, the desire for sustainably produced food, the need to seek and implement safer alternatives among many other issues all drive the demand to reexamined our views on pest management, Dolcini explained. “I think that we need to be in this conversation with the end in mind, and I commit to an ongoing dialogue about the future of pest management with folks from the agricultural, landscape, and structural pest community along with conservationists, worker health advocates, growers and others,”

Second Pillar: A Focus on Partnerships
“My second pillar focuses on partnerships with all stakeholder groups. DPRs work and mission must include the voices of all Californians. I want DPR to be a place where all stakeholders, ideas, and interests are welcome, not just to those who seek to register pesticides, but to those who are concerned about the impacts of those pesticides in their communities.

Dolcini is traveling to every corner of the state, to engage with Californians on pest management issues. “I’ll hold regular stakeholder meetings with anyone who seeks me out, and I look for opportunities to join my colleagues at DPR in initiatives that support our mission of protecting public health and the environment,” he said. “This is a dialogue that must be ongoing, and not just happen when a crisis occurs because trust is essential to successful engagement on pest management issues. Building trust takes time and effort. I believe that these partnerships, this engagement, this dialogue with agricultural groups will lead to stronger relationships and more creative solutions.”

Third Pillar: A Focus on the People of DPR.

“I believe that a department of government can only be successful in fulfilling its mandate when its employees are highly engaged. The leaders must be open, collaborative, and capable of articulating a vision that people can identify with; and where the workplace is known for mutually respectful and highly ethical behavior on the part of all of its employees,” explained Dolcini.

“I believe that the basis of DPR’s success is found in its employees. It’s my job to ensure that I’m responsive to their needs and concerns,” he said. “We need to provide more training opportunities for our future leaders and ensure that our internal and external recruitment efforts reflect the changing face of California.”

Dolcini said DPR also needs to be careful stewards of our resources, but at the same time manage the department’s affairs with an eye or the future. “We are investing in our people, our programs, and the systems that support them. Working towards these broad goals will lead to increased staff morale, bring more opportunities for professional development, and innovative, effective, and thoughtful public policy solutions,” he noted.

“In short, my vision for DPR is it a high-performing department of government that relies on a well trained and highly engaged workforce that relies on robust partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, the best available science, sound management practices, and the ability to see around the corner at the possibilities that the future holds,” he said

“I have always believed in my career that when people of goodwill come together towards a common purpose, great things can and do happen,” said Dolcini.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:01:45-07:00January 30th, 2020|

Harder Bill for Nutria Invasion Passes

Harder’s Bipartisan Bill to Fight Giant Rodent Invasion Passes Committee with Unanimous Support

Over 800 Nutria Have Been Removed from California Since Being Spotted in 2017

Representative Josh Harder’s (CA-10) bill to combat the invasion of nutria, an invasive species of giant rodent, has passed the House Natural Resources Committee with unanimous support.

Congressman Harder

The bill as amended would provide $12 million to nutria-impacted states, including California. Since the animal first reappeared in California in 2017, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has removed over 800 animals from the Central Valley. Rep. Harder is joined on the bill by Republican Garrett Graves of Louisiana as well as fellow California Representatives Jim Costa, TJ Cox, John Garamendi, Barbara Lee, and Jimmy Panetta.

“I had a chance to see the great work California Fish and Wildlife is doing for myself, but it’s clear that we need some backup,” said Rep. Harder. “Our bipartisan bill would bring the federal support we need to states like California to end this invasion and send the swamp rats packing.”

“Nutria are an invasive species that have contributed to the 2800 square miles of the coastal wetlands loss in Louisiana,” said Rep. Graves. “Since our efforts to teach nutria abstinence have failed and they apparently taste like a car tire, we must expand our bounty program to eradicate these pests. The bill we passed today provides millions of dollars in funding to Louisiana and other states while allowing for the restoration of impacted lands. I appreciate Cong. Harder and our other partners working with us to pass this important legislation”.

“Nutria are wreaking havoc on our water infrastructure in the Valley, destroying canals, levees, wetlands, and crops,” said Rep. Costa. “I’m pleased Chairman Grijalva and the Natural Resources Committee voted to advance this legislation today and I am hopeful it will continue to move through the legislative process so we can deliver results for the Valley.”

“The Central Valley needs resources to fight this invasive species, so I’m proud to join my Valley colleagues in supporting bipartisan legislation that brings resources to California to help us turn the tables on the Nutria, protecting our crops and waterways,” said Rep. Cox.

“These invasive rodents are incredibly destabilizing for the local levees and flood control infrastructure that keeps our communities safe. Sacramento and the Central Valley are already flood prone regions, and we must do everything in our power to ensure nutria don’t exacerbate that risk,” said Rep. Garamendi. “We already know there’s a program with a proven track record of eradicating these pests, and our legislation would bring that program to the region and rid our communities of these rodents at a minimal cost. I’m pleased that this legislation has passed the Natural Resources Committee unanimously, and I applaud Congressman Harder’s leadership on this issue.”

In June of 2019, Rep. Harder along with his fellow Central Valley representatives introduced a bill to reauthorize the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003 and direct $12 million to programs in nutria-impacted states. The programs supported by the bill encourage habitat protection, education, research, monitoring, and capacity building to provide for the long-term protection of wetlands from destruction caused by nutria. Following today’s committee vote, the bill will next be considered on the House Floor.

Nutria were originally introduced to the United States as part of the fur trade in the late 1800s but were eradicated from California in the 1970s. They can devour up to 25 percent of their body weight daily and one female can lead to 200 offspring per year. These invaders threaten water infrastructure, certain crops, and indigenous wildlife.

Representative Harder has repeatedly pushed to pass the bill. In September, he brought a life-size taxidermy nutria to a Congressional hearing to illustrate the threat posed by the invader for his colleagues. In a separate hearing, he brought a graphic example of the invasion curve (colloquially referred to as a “#RatChart”) to demonstrate the need to act urgently.

California Ag Today2020-01-29T14:43:21-08:00January 29th, 2020|