Water, education of politicians and consumers, California’s next governor and farm succession were among citrus-related topics addressed recently by Jacob Villagomez, director of governmental affairs for California Citrus Mutual.
WATER
Water remains one of the industry’s biggest concerns, according to Villagomez. He said California’s increasingly intense heat can stress citrus trees, contribute to leaf curling, cause sunburn-related scarring and sometimes contribute to fruit drop. Water stress can compound those problems and affect how much fruit ultimately gets harvested, packed and marketed.
California’s climate stands in sharp contrast to Florida, Villagomez noted. While Florida citrus growers deal with their own serious disease pressures, California growers operate in a much drier environment, making reliable water supplies critical to the industry’s long-term viability, he said.
EDUCATION
Villagomez said the best way to help legislators understand agriculture is to get them out of their offices and into the field. Farm tours, packinghouse visits and direct conversations with growers can provide a perspective that is difficult to achieve in a Sacramento or Washington meeting.
The same approach, he said, should be used with children and consumers. People need to understand that food does not simply appear at the grocery store. Villagomez noted that water, labor, technology, research and enormous effort go into producing the citrus that consumers purchase.
CALIFORNIA’S NEXT GOVERNOR
The upcoming California governor’s election could have significant implications for agriculture. Villagomez said the governor controls hundreds of appointments, including the secretary of food and agriculture, as well as appointments involving agencies such as the California Air Resources Board and State Water Resources Control Board.
Villagomez said agriculture needs a governor willing to pay attention to the industry’s concerns and work with the state’s legislature.
FARM SUCCESSION
The future of California farmland is another major concern. High land prices, rising costs and regulatory challenges can make it increasingly difficult for young people to take over family farms, Villagomez said. When agricultural land is sold for development, it is often extremely difficult to return that property to farming, he said.
OTHER TOPICS
Villagomez also discussed:
- Positive developments for California citrus, including HLB research and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent modernization of the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice.
- Trade and labor issues
Hear directly from Villagomez in Part 1 and Part 2 episodes of the AgNet News Hour podcast.
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