FOLSOM, CA – The California Walnut Board (CWB) will be conducting its biennial election of walnut growers and handlers statewide to serve as members and alternates for the next two-year term beginning on September 1, 2019 and ending on August 31, 2021. Walnut growers are eligible to petition the California Walnut Board to have the name of their candidate included on the 2019 nomination ballot.
The California Walnut Board is the official body that administers the Federal Marketing Order for walnuts. The CWB encourages eligible candidates to consider serving as Board members or alternates. “The diversity of our growing and evolving membership brings valuable perspective to industry. The CWB in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomes participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities,” said Michelle McNeil Connelly, Executive Director of the California Walnut Board.
Petitions are open for two members and alternates from each of the two districts in California, divided along the southern boundaries of San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Calaveras and Alpine counties and one member and alternate at-large to represent the entire state of California.
It takes 10 or more walnut growers who marketed an aggregate of 500 tons or more of walnuts in the 2017/18 marketing year to petition for a grower’s name to be placed on the nomination ballot. Separate petitions are required for member and alternate positions. Petition forms were mailed to all walnut growers in late February and are to be filed and received by the California Walnut Board no later than April 1, 2019.
In mid-April, ballots will be mailed to all growers. Growers will nominate two members and alternates to represent their district as well as one member and alternate for the statewide position. The Secretary of Agriculture will select the nominees receiving the most votes in each district and at-large for representatives on the California Walnut Board.
Petition forms are available at the California Walnut Board office at 101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 250, Folsom, CA 95630, telephone (916) 932-7070.
The California walnut industry is made up of over 4,800 growers and over 90 handlers (processors). The growers and handlers are represented by two entities, the California Walnut Board (CWB) and the California Walnut Commission (CWC).
About the California Walnut Board
The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The CWB is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The CWB promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The CWB also provides funding for walnut production, food safety and post-harvest research.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) prohibit discrimination in all programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital/familial/parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs.
Persons with limited English proficiency or disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (translated materials, braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the CWB / CWC offices at (916) 932-7070.
To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or write a letter with all information requested in the form and either send to USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, fax to (202) 690-7442, or email to program.intake@usda.gov. CWB/CWC is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
