CULTIVATING Common GROUND: Almond Growers on Assessment Increase

Almond Growers Want Justification and Vote on Almond Lath's Cess Increase

Editor's annotation: We thank John Harris for his contribution to California Ag Today'due south CULTIVATING COMMON GROUND. The Almond Board's Response tin can be read at Almond Board'southward Response on Assessment Increase.

By John Harris, owner, Harris Ranch

Marketing orders requite agronomics a great tool to collect fees from producers to promote products and/or conduct research projects.  The concept is dandy, and increasing need is e'er good. To be successful, the programme needs to exist affordable and explained so information technology is understood and backed by a large bulk of the producers.  I am concerned the Almond Board's recent cess increment from 3 to four cents a pound—in the absence of an almond producer vote—is unwise.

Harris Farms Fresh LogoAt the current rate of 3 cents per pound, money raised will increase every bit production increases, which seem fairly certain.  Plus, the fund receives meaning aid from a regime program to encourage exports.  A year or so agone, almond growers were doing really well, when many sales were exceeded $iv a pound.  Only last fall prices dropped significantly, in some cases to the $2 range. This loss in revenue fabricated it tougher for almond growers to break even. A grower producing ii,500 pounds per acre is now paying $75 per acre in assessments; nether the new plan information technology would increase to $100 per acre.

To become feedback from growers, the USDA published a request for comments. The annotate period opened on July eighteen and airtight on Baronial 2. Merely the industry was non notified until July 27. I commented at the time that I was non in favor of the assessment without total cognition of the purpose of the extra money. I am sure many growers have an opinion on this, but simply five comments were submitted. I think nigh growers did non realize both the cess increment was under word and a producer vote would not exist forthcoming.

The time frame for comments was alarmingly curt; still, the USDA has decided to reopen the comment period for ten days.  The reopening of the annotate period is expected to be announced within the side by side ii weeks and volition be communicated immediately to the industry once information technology is published in the Federal Register.

I urge all producers to take a skilful look at the proposal and voice your opinions.

This link will take you to the almond cess comment page: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=AMS-SC-16-0045.

There should be more of a democratic process. I remember this proposed assessment increase needs to go to a vote amid the growers afflicted by it and should require potent approval by at least 51 percent of the growers representing 60 pct of the production. Nosotros don't want to micromanage the Board's procedure, only large changes like this cess increase should demand some form of referendum.

I as well think everyone would like to know how the millions of extra dollars collected would be used.

And, of class I think the industry deserves more awareness of this proposed increase in assessment. I do not hear people talking about it; many growers may not even larn most the actress assessment until they go their check from their handler next year. I think all almond growers demand to know this is happening now and non be surprised next yr.

If I asked my boss for a 33% raise, I believe the onus would be on me to sell the idea and win support, rather than but push it through providing little information to the guy who would be paying me.

If the Almond Board is increasing their budget by 33%, shouldn't the burden be placed on the Lath to win the back up of growers?  I would think they would communicate a clear program on how to spend the enormous increment—a strong and strategic programme—they would be eager and proud to share with growers and handlers.

To increase any tax/cess, the logical thought process should exist, "No, unless proven to be needed, supported, and affordable," instead of defaulting to, "Increase the tax unless we get stopped."

The Almond Board'due south Response can be read at Almond Board'southward Response on Assessment Increase.

Harris Ranch and Allied Companies


The Harris Family'south commitment to agriculture spans over 100 years, four generations, and four states, from Mississippi, to Texas, to Arizona, and eventually into California.

J. A. Harris and his wife, Kate, arrived in California's Imperial Valley in 1916 to start one of California's commencement cotton fiber gins and cotton fiber seed oil mills. They later moved to the San Joaquin Valley and began farming there.

In 1937, their simply son, Jack, and his married woman Teresa, began what is now known equally Harris Ranch, starting with a previously unfarmed 320 acres of desert land on the Valley's Western edge. With vision and decision, Harris Ranch has grown into the almost integrated, diversified, and one of the largest agribusinesses in the Usa.

Start with cotton and grain, Harris Ranch at present produces over thirty-iii crops annually, including lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onions, melons, oranges, lemons, almonds, pistachios, walnuts and winegrapes, all backed by their commitment to superior quality and satisfaction. Harris Farms thoroughbreds are raised and trained to compete internationally. Harris Feeding Company, California's largest cattle raising operation, and Harris Ranch Beefiness Visitor produce and market a premium line of packaged and fully-cooked beef products, including Harris Ranch Eating place Reserve™ beef. All Harris products are served and sold at the internationally acclaimed Harris Ranch Restaurant and Inn.

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