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January 27, 2016     

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Inside This Issue.....
2016 Ginny Patin Scholarship Applications Available
76th Annual CSA Convention: March 21 - 23 in Napa
Salinas Farm Day Needs Volunteers
California Legislative Update
CDFA Drought Update
More GE Labeling Talks Set by USDA
Feds Act on New GE Potato Variety; Dow Clears EPA on Corn Herbicide
Obama Vetoes WOTUS Resolution, Battle to Continue
AFBF Elects Georgia's Zippy Duval, First New President in 16 Years
Northwest Senators Want USDA to Ensure China Buys U.S. Alfalfa
Vilsack Off to Chile, Peru on Trade Mission
Supreme Court Accepts Obama Immigration Order Case
Two Senators Threaten to Block FDA Commissioner Confirmation Vote
Accept It - It's Yours Training
Save the Date: IPBC 2016
January 2016 PBC Newsletter
Upcoming Meetings
2016 Ginny Patin Scholarship Applications Available

CSA is now accepting  applications for the  2016 Ginny Patin Scholarship with the recipients  to be announced at the CSA Annual Convention in March. Completed applications are due back to the CSA office by February 12, 2016.
 
Please feel free to share the application and/or poster in your newsletters, websites or other communications you may have available. If you know of a student who fits the criteria please encourage them to apply at  www.calseed.org/scholarships.
76th Annual CSA Convention: March 21 - 23 in Napa

The CSA Annual Convention is around the corner on March 21-23, 2016 at the Silverado Resort and Spa, Napa, CA. The theme this year is "New Growth in the Vines". The annual golf tournament will be held on Monday at the North Golf Course on property and Bocce Ball will be played on the courts next to the spa at the hotel on Tuesday, as well as the CSA Tennis Tournament which will be played on the adjacent courts. On Monday afternoon there is also the option to attend the Artesa Winery Tour & Tasting. 

This year our keynote speaker will be Bruce Scherr with the Informa Economics, the world leader in agricultural and commodity market research, analysis, evaluation and consulting.  Informa Economics focuses on supply and demand forecasts and trade flow.  Bruce will present an in-depth look at the economic climate for agriculture and food which includes a strategic look at planning and issues for agribusiness for the next five years.  He will give us a global overview of demographics and macroeconomics including the emerging and emerged economies and growth prospects.

Please make your hotel reservation using this link, before February 25. Links to registration materials below:
Salinas Farm Day Needs Volunteers


Salinas Farm Day is coming up on Thursday, February 4th at the Driscoll's Cooler (930 E Blanco Rd). This event showcases all aspects of agriculture to third graders within Monterey County. This program is made possible by volunteers. Monterey County Agricultural Education is in desperate need of more volunteers to assist in leading the children around the various displays and presentations. No experience necessary! If you can hold a clip board and say "follow me" - you qualify! 

Click here to sign up to volunteer. This is a great way to get more involved with the community! Please email Lisa Branco if you would like more information. 
California Legislative Update
By Dennis Albiani, Legislative Advocate
Governor Brown Gives State of the State

On Wednesday, January 13, Governor Brown presented his record 14th "state of the state" address.  The Governor warned of the next inevitable recession and the "zigzag of spend-cut-spend" budgeting.  Rather than talking about new programs or restating all of the administration's priorities, he laid out a focused case for his top priority - continued fiscal discipline. The Governor also vowed to "focus on how we pay for the commitments we have already made," invest in "ways that will not lock in future spending" and keep California "prepared and vigilant" for a "profoundly uncertain" future.

The speech was broken into major categories: Budget, Income Inequality, Health Care, Education, Fiscal Commitments such as Retirement Liabilities, Infrastructure, Water and Climate Change.  Much of the discussion on the issues identified what has been accomplished in his first 5 years as Governor.  

Oddly, his speech didn't explicitly mention his two key infrastructure projects, California Water Fix - twin water tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and high speed rail. Both face enormous hurdles - legal, political and financial - that must be overcome. Their omission from his speech may indicate that Brown fears that he cannot accomplish them within his remaining tenure. 

A copy of the speech can be obtained here.

Senator Lara Announces "Short Lived Climate Pollutants Act"

Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) announced his intention to introduce legislation that will mandate reductions of Black Carbon, Methane and Fluorinated gasses. Specifically, his legislation proposes to implement a strategy to reduce emissions of Short Lived Climate Pollutants in California by setting mandates to achieve a 50% reduction in black carbon emissions, a 40% reduction in methane, and a 40% reduction in fluorinated gases by the year 2030.

Black Carbon is emitted from burning fossil fuels. Its primary sources are diesel and gas emissions from the transportation sector, emissions from the industrial and energy sector, heavy machinery, and residential fireplaces.  Methane (CH4) is a significant driver of climate change, and also the main precursor of tropospheric ozone (O3).  The most significant sources of methane in California are manure from agriculture, dairy cows, landfills, and leakage from oil and gas operation pipelines.  Fluorinated gases, including Hydrofluorocarbons, are man-made gases used primarily in air conditioning and refrigeration systems in cars, residential and commercial buildings, and also in aerosols.

This legislation could significantly impact agriculture including the livestock industry, fresh fruits and vegetable, cooping operations, wine and fermentation, and transportation.  The association is working diligently to lead a coalition to address the legislation with facts and educate members on the impacts while opposing the current direction of the proposed legislation. 

Rendon Elected Speaker of Assembly

California Assembly members formally selected Anthony Rendon on January 11 as speaker, vaulting the Lakewood Democrat to a position he could potentially hold for almost a decade.  "When the voters extended term limits in 2012, they did so because they believed they would help the Legislature be more thoughtful, more productive and more deliberative," said Rendon, who could hold his seat until 2024 under new term-limit rules. He said his role would be to help members "develop greater expertise and pursue longer-term policy strategies."

The vote cemented a decision the Democratic caucus made late last year. Rendon does not officially take over from termed-out Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, until March 7th.  That timeline will elevate Rendon to the speakership before budget negotiations begin in earnest. He spoke two weeks ago of using the budget process to focus on alleviating poverty, a point he also returns to in his emphasis on more money for early childhood education.

In a gesture of solidarity, Rendon received nominations from two rivals for the speakership post - Assembly members Autumn Burke, D-Los Angeles, and Rob Bonta, D-Alameda - and from Republican leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley. Mayes acknowledged it was unusual for a Republican to nominate a Democratic leader but heralded the move as a sign of a "new chapter" in California politics.

The new era to which Mayes alluded includes both extended term limits and an increasingly assertive caucus of business-friendly Democrats whose votes helped propel Rendon to the speakership. His election marks another milestone: with Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Le�n of Los Angeles leading Senate Democrats, both houses will have leaders who are Latino and represent Los Angeles.

DIR Announces New Law on Compensation for Piece-Rate Workers

The Department of Industrial Relations released information on compliance for a new law that went into effect January 1, addressing requirements to pay piece-rate workers for mandated rest and recovery periods and other nonproductive work time.

Assembly Bill 1513, authored by Assemblymember Das Williams, adds section 226.2 to the Labor Code and requires that piece-rate employees receive a separate hourly wage for those periods of work time when they are not generating piece-rate earnings. Piece-rate compensation refers to paying an employee a specified sum for completing a particular task or making a particular item and is generally contrasted with hourly compensation, which pays employees based on hours worked.

The piece-rate compensation law establishes pay requirements for mandated rest and recovery periods and other nonproductive time, and related requirements for employee wage statements.  The law also provides employers with a grace period to make back-wage payments to workers if they choose to participate in a program to pay for previously uncompensated time. Employers who make the back payments will have a legal defense to claims for damages.
For employers that elect to participate, the back payments are required for the time period of July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015, and must be made no later than December 15, 2016. Employers who elect to participate also must notify DIR of their decision by no later than July 1, 2016, either by filling out an online notification form, or by sending the notification via regular mail.

It is important for association members to note that the definition of who is categorized as a "piece rate employee" is much broader than many employers understand.  Here are some examples of nontraditional piece rate employee relationships:
  • Truck drivers paid by the haul
  • Mechanics paid by the car or body work repair such as "fender"
  • Janitors paid by the room cleaned
  • Warehouse workers paid by the pallet loaded or truck loaded
If you have any of these employee compensation relationships, you should consult a labor attorney and evaluate your options under the new legislation.  Click the  link to the website that has additional resources.  
CDFA Drought Update

Please find below updates related to the California drought:

State Water Board Adopts Measurement and Reporting Regulations for Water Diverters:
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted regulations Tuesday evening requiring all surface water right holders and claimants to report their diversions. Those who divert more than 10 acre-feet of water per year must also measure their diversions. The regulations, which apply to about 12,000 water right holders and claimants, require annual reporting of water diversions. The regulations cover all surface water diversions, including those under pre-1914 and riparian water rights, as well as licenses, permits, registrations for small domestic, small irrigation and livestock stockwatering and stockpond certificates. Press Release
 
21 Groundwater Basins Identified as Critically Overdrafted:
The California Department of Water Resourceshas identified 21 groundwater basins and subbasins in which excessive groundwater pumping has resulted in significant overdraft. Overdraft impacts can include seawater intrusion and land subsidence, in addition to chronically lowered groundwater levels. As a result, those basins and subbasins fall under the earliest deadlines required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Press Release
 
State Water Board Issues First Temporary Storage Permit to Capture Rain Season High Flows:
This week the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) issued its first temporary groundwater storage permit to the Scott Valley Irrigation District to capture high winter and spring flows for local groundwater storage and recharge. The permit is the first in what is expected to be a series of temporary permits issued for this type of water diversion and use. The temporary permit application was submitted Jan. 13 by the District in coordination with staff at the University of California at Davis, the California Farm Bureau Federation, Scott River Water Trust and others. Press Release
 
Governor Brown Appears at Association of California Water Agencies Event:  
Following the Administration's release of the updated California Water Action Plan, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. spoke January 14th at the "CA Water 2.0 - What's Next for the California Water Action Plan?" event organized by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), detailing the state's efforts to effectively manage water now and into the future. "Our climate is rapidly changing, our population is growing and more extreme weather looms on the horizon. Now is not the time to shirk from responsibility," said Governor Brown. "Storage or conveyance alone will not solve all of our problems. Recycling, groundwater management and conservation, individually, won't get us there either. It will take all of the above. We must think differently and act boldly -- and that's exactly what California is doing."  More Information
 
State Water Action Plan Updated to Reflect Two Years of Progress:  
The Natural Resources Agency, Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Environmental Protection Agency on January 14th announced an updated California Water Action Plan that incorporates two years of significant progress toward sustainable water management and an implementation report that tracks and details that progress. The Administration's water policy goals and priorities remain unchanged and the California Water Action Plan continues to focus on sustaining supplies of water for people and the environment and resolving the state's most critical water resource problems. The plan sets forth 10 overarching actions that guide the efforts to create more resilient, reliable water systems and to restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems.  More Information 
 
Voluntary Agreements in Major Watersheds:
Since the Water Action Plan was released in 2014, the administration through the State Water Board and the Natural Resources Agency, including its constituent Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Water Resources, have continued to analyze the many different regulatory and voluntary efforts underway in tributaries to the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. In some regions and watersheds, there are existing regulatory proceedings related to water or federal licensing of privately-owned hydroelectric dams. In other watersheds, stakeholders have begun to organize discussions about collaborative voluntary programs. The Natural Resources Agency will build on this work done to date and help develop voluntary agreements by the end of 2016 between stakeholders in the Sacramento Valley, and in the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced River watersheds (tributaries that form the Lower San Joaquin River watershed) that, when implemented, will improve instream conditions for fisheries.  More Information
 
The Department of Water Resources Announces $232 Million in Grants to Improve Water Management Across California:
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced approximately $232 million in grant funding of 26 proposals for Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) projects that will leverage hundreds of millions of additional local and federal dollars. The award of funds from a 2006 water bond passed by voters statewide will support projects and programs to meet California's long-term water management needs, including delivery of safe drinking water, enhancement of recycled water use, water conservation, flood risk reduction, watershed protection, ecosystem restoration, protection of water quality and management of groundwater.  More Information
 
New Laws Bring Changes to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act; Department of Water Resources Continues Outreach:
New amendments to the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) modify and clarify some of the rules that local agencies will need to address when forming a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA). The SGMA amendments also change the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) role in reviewing, posting, and tracking GSA formation notices. DWR is continuing its technical, financial and facilitation assistance to local agencies as they adapt to the changes.  More Information
 
Governor Proposes $955 Million for Continued Drought Response and Water Action Plan Implementation:
Since the Governor first declared a state of drought emergency in January 2014, the Administration has worked with the Legislature to appropriate $3.7 billion to assist drought-impacted communities, provide additional resources for critical water infrastructure projects and respond to drought-related wildlife emergencies.  The state has also committed an additional $292 million General Fund in the current year for emergency response activities associated with catastrophic wildfires. The Governor's proposed FY 16/17 Budget provides an additional $323.1 million ($212.1 million General Fund) on a one-time basis to continue immediate response to the drought.  Many of the emergency drought response actions executed to date further the 10 actions of the California Water Action Plan. The state's emergency drought response is strategically guided by accelerating several of the key actions in the California Water Action Plan that will provide long-term benefits for the state.The 2015/2016 State Budget committed $4.8 billion from Proposition 1 to Water Action Plan related activities and the Governor's proposed FY 16/17 State Budget includes an additional $635 million in combined funding to further implementation of the CA Water Action Plan.  Governor's Proposed Budget    Water Action Implementation Report

More GE Labeling Talks Set by USDA

More discussion by both sides of the genetically engineered (GE) labeling battle will be held last week with USDA trying to broker a deal on whether or not foods containing GE ingredients should be labeled, or whether a labeling addition by which a consumer can easily find out ingredient information is possible and acceptable to the food industry.

At the talks will be the same 10 organizations - five for, five against - who met by invitation two weeks ago with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.  Representing the food industry will be representatives of the Coalition for Safe & Affordable Food (CSAF), in which the American Feed Industry Assn. (AFIA) and National Grain & Feed Assn. (NGFA) are active.

Vilsack favors a means which a food label can be scanned to reveal whether GE ingredients were used; industry, the Grocery Manufacturers Assn. (GMA) has developed a similar voluntary approach called "Smart Labels" where QR codes scanned by smartphones reveal ingredient information.  The sticking point is whether or not such coding should be mandatory.

Sen. Pat Roberts (R, KS), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said he's aware of the second meeting, and Sen. John Hoeven (R, ND), who's trying to put together a bipartisan GE labeling bill that fundamentally preempts state labeling schemes, said he'd been briefed on the first USDA-brokered meeting, but told Politico, what he heard is "nothing I can talk about publicly."  
Feds Act on New GE Potato Variety; Dow Clears EPA on Corn Herbicide

USDA and FDA have formally blessed for commercialization a second genetically engineered potato developed by J.R. Simplot, while Dow AgroSciences received approval from EPA on the registration of Resicore weed herbicide making it available for 2016 corn crops.

On the Simplot potato, the two federal agencies extended APHIS deregulation of the company's Innate Potato to another variety with the same traits.  Both varieties are less susceptible to blackening and bruising than their conventional cousins and contain a lower amount of "reducing sugars" which make the vegetables prone to bruising.  They're also touted as having "low acrylamide potential," a chemical produced in cooking potatoes which some studies suggest may be a carcinogen.

Dow's Resicore is a premix herbicide with three active ingredients used together for the first time, and three modes of action.  The chemical is applied preplanting to post-emergence and can be used in conventional, no-till and reduced till systems.  
Obama Vetoes WOTUS Resolution, Battle to Continue

A joint congressional resolution to kill the controversial EPA "waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule expanding EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA), was vetoed last week by President Obama.  In his "statement of administration policy (SAP)," the president said, "We must protect the waters...as I have said before, too many of our waters have been left vulnerable."

Unfortunately for critics of WOTUS, neither the House nor Senate was able to muster veto-proof majorities when approving the resolution, an action available to Congress under the Congressional Review Act. The Senate approved the measure last November on a 53-44 vote; the House two weeks ago cleared the measure on a 253-166 vote.  An effort to attach language to the FY2016 omnibus spending package approved in December, 2015, failed.  The Senate tried to override the veto the day before, but that effort also failed.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R, IA), who authored the Senate resolution, said she'll pursue other means to stop the rule.  "We all want clean water - that is not disputable," Iowa's junior Senator said.  "However, this rule is not about clean water. Rather it is about how much authority the federal government and unelected bureaucrats should have to regulate what is done on private land."  She said the rule as finalized gives EPA authority over 97% of the land in Iowa. 

The WOTUS rule, considered a signature regulatory action by the White House, is in abeyance under federal court order based on suits against the rulemaking brought by over 30 states, as well as a number of industries and individuals.  At the same time, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, found EPA violated federal law when it overtly lobbied for comments on the final rule and formed alliances with environmental groups supporting the rulemaking.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Assn. (NCBA), which intends to pursue litigation and legislation, said in a statement, "We are extremely disappointed the President chose to side with EPA, which has pulled out all the stops and shown an appalling disregard for the law throughout this rulemaking process.  The President has ignored the will of Congress, including members of his own party.  Moreover, he has taken sides against 32 states and countless stakeholders who have challenged the WOTUS rule...the consequences of WOTUS implementation now rest solely with President Obama." 

Similar statements were issued by the National Corn Growers Assn. (NCGA), and newly elected American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall said, "We remain mystified as to why he continues to support this fatally flawed rule," calling Obama's action "salt in the wounds of farmers and ranchers."
AFBF Elects Georgia's Zippy Duval, First New President in 16 Years

Vincent "Zippy" Duvall, former head of the Georgia Farm Bureau, was elected president of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) two weeks ago at the group's annual convention in Orlando.  Duvall replaces Texan Bob Stallman, who retired after 16 years heading the world's largest farm organization. 

Duvall - who friends say doesn't respond to any name but "Zippy" - pledged to "fight for producer freedoms" in the U.S. and globally during his two-year term, and wants to reach out to agribusiness to ensure "agriculture speaks with a single, clear voice."  Duvall raises dairy, cattle, poultry and hay on his Green County, Georgia operation, and has been the president of the state Farm Bureau for the past nine years.

Also elected was Scott Vander Wal, a third generation South Dakota family farmer, as vice president. Vander Wal served as state Farm Bureau president since 2004. 
Northwest Senators Want USDA to Ensure China Buys U.S. Alfalfa

USDA is under pressure from four Pacific Northwest Senators who want the department to ensure China remains a strong customer for U.S.-grown alfalfa despite its mercurial policy on importing genetically engineered (GE) crops.  At question is trace amounts of GE material showing up in Chinese import tests of U.S. GE-free alfalfa, and the four lawmakers want USDA to "address this issue without delay."

Sens. Ron Wyden (D, OR), Jeff Merkley (D, OR), Patty Murray (D, WA) and Maria Cantwell (D, WA) told USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in a letter last week that the department's efforts to gain Chinese market access for previously barred products should also mean USDA is "vigilant to new barriers that may be eroding market access for products that have enjoyed export growth in recent years, particularly alfalfa hay."

"American alfalfa is among the highest quality (dairy) feeds in the world, and its acceptance into the Chinese market is a positive...for both our producers and Chinese consumers," they wrote.  The four lawmakers reminded USDA that given the Chinese ban on GE crops going back to 2001, "American alfalfa exporters have reoriented their production and methods to meet this requirement, and export the highest quality alfalfa...that is not grown from GMO seeds or in GMO-contaminated fields."

The Chinese use of "more elaborate tests" is turning up cases of trace contamination, contamination not showing up in the export tests done by shippers in the U.S.  The four Senators said shipments have been delayed and "sometimes rejected," despite the fact "these trace level may have been picked up from the ordinary shipping process and not on the farm."  
Vilsack Off to Chile, Peru on Trade Mission

Chile and Peru are Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's destinations come March 14, when he leads a four-day trade mission "to expand export opportunities" for U.S. agriculture. 

Vilsack acknowledged the U.S. already has "strong trading relationships" with both South American nations, and both are part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  He said if TPP is approved by Congress, it "will boost the Chilean and Peruvian economies and tighten integration with U.S. economy, helping further expand demand for U.S. agricultural products.

The 2009 U.S.-Peru trade pact tripled U.S. exports, and now accounts for about $1.25 billion per year.  In the Chilean market, all U.S. products move duty free as of 2015, and the 2004 deal with Chile now represents a 500% growth and $813 million in trade. 
Supreme Court Accepts Obama Immigration Order Case

A federal case brought against President Obama for using his executive authority to exempt certain classes of undocumented immigrants from deportation will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, the high court announced last week.  Arguments will be heard in April, with a decision expected by the July 4 recess.

The case involves actions brought by 26 states, led by Texas, arguing Obama's executive order establishing the "Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) failed to follow the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), federal law requiring public notice and comment rulemaking.  At the same time, a similar program aimed at the children of illegal immigrants set up earlier is in question, but is not part of the Supreme Court action.  Together, the two programs represent deferred deportation for about 5 million undocumented residents.

The court agreed to hear three issues, including the fundamental question of whether the president can unilaterally act to defer deportation and allow affected illegals to legally hold jobs.  Also under consideration is whether the states have standing to sue to stop an executive action - the states contend they do have standing because they will bear the cost of public services for the newly legal workers - along with what's known as the "take care" clause of the Constitution which limits presidential authority.
 
The White House tried and failed last November to get the 5th District Court of Appeals to remove an earlier federal stay by a Texas judge of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implementation of the orders. 

Republicans in Congress say the Obama orders go against constitutional separation of powers because the president ignored Congress.  The administration argues the president is granted broad leeway in implementing federal immigration law.  Legal scholars contend the high court review could impact all executive orders issued by this White House. 
Two Senators Threaten to Block FDA Commissioner Confirmation Vote

Dr. Robert Califf, President Obama's nominee to be the new FDA commissioner, was approved two weeks ago by the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee, but within hours of the panel vote, two Senators said they may block Califf's confirmation vote for decidedly different reasons.

Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I, VT) said he may block the floor vote on the Califf nomination because of concerns about the North Carolina cardiologist's past consulting for pharmaceutical companies.  Sanders wants to lower drug prices and implement rules that would guarantee the safety of imported drugs, particularly from Canada, and in a statement two weeks ago, Sanders said, "His extensive ties to the pharmaceutical industry give me no reason to believe he would make FDA work for ordinary Americans rather than pharmaceutical industry CEOs."

The other possible procedural hold on the nomination may come from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R, AK).  Murkowski, who represents Alaska's "wild caught" Pacific salmon industry and fears market competition from a genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon recently approved by FDA. She's upset with Califf for not telling her in advance the fish would be approved.  She wants FDA to mandate labeling for the GE salmon, not allow for voluntary labeling as the agency has recommended. 
Accept It - It's Yours Training

Discusses the basics of taking responsibility for safety on the job.
Accept It - It's Yours - English

Accept It - It's Yours - Spanish


Mike Taylor, CPCU
Vice President
InterWest Insurance Services, Inc.
100 Pringle Avenue, North Tower, Suite 550
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 977-4104 Office
(800) 464-0077 Toll Free
(925) 977-4150 Fax
(510) 206-5505 Mobile
CA Lic #0B01094
Save the Date: IPBC 2016

The Independent Plant Breeders Conference will be held in Lisle, IL, October 7th - October 9th, 2016. More details regarding hotels, tours and programs will be available starting March 1st.
January 2016 PBC Newsletter 

The first newsletter of 2016 includes a summary of the previous year and our plans and goals for the upcoming one, including the start of a new seminar series on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Drs. Kent Bradford and Gurdev Khush are named in Seed World's Top 100 Seed Industry Founders, and Paul Gepts receives the Frank N. Meyer Medal for Plant Genetic Resources. Finally, the PBC's Second Annual Community Film Screening on January 28, 2016 will be presenting The Mesoamerican Diet: Origins, and is open to all community members. 

Click here to view online version.
 

Upcoming Meetings

      

2016

  • Annual Convention March 21-23, 2016 Silverado Resort and Spa, Napa, CA