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Membership
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CCM membership is voluntary. Farmers choose to belong and enroll their acreage in the program. The
annual assessment is only 3 cents per carton. "We prosper when citrus
growers do," notes CCM President Joel Nelsen. By basing our income on
production, growers are assured that we are in touch with reality out in the grove.
Associate Membership
Non-citrus growers who wish to stay abreast of the issues and support the organization may apply
for an associate membership for just $500 per year.
CCM Membership
It pays to be a member of California Citrus Mutual!
No, we don't write checks to the members but we do impact the checks you do write. Our efforts at the local, state and federal level do reduce your cost of doing business in this state and industry. We work on a cross section of issues that directly affect your bottom line. We constantly remind policy makers that while your costs are fixed locally your prices are determined globally and the margin between the two is shrinking. Our role hasn't changed in 30 years; it remains information, education and advocacy.
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We acknowledge that many of our activities are subjective in terms of value. We occupy a position of leadership in determining policy for California agriculture, our industry and the producer. But we have never lost sight in that, our activities have to positively effect your per acre revenue. Thus while some activities are less tangible there are many achievements that can be quantified to dollars and cents. There is a return on your investment.
We urge our members to challenge us on the value of membership. We're confident that our answer will always be positive.
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Here’s why:
Argentine Citrus
The importation of lemons from a known pest and disease infected area was a highly contentious issue at the beginning of this decade. Citrus Mutual helped lead an industry coalition that fought to protect growers from the ravages of devastating diseases, particularly to our lemon industry. Citrus Mutual serves as co-chair of the U. S. Citrus Science Council which has enabled growers from Texas to California to direct USDA policy in determining when and how fresh product can be shipped from these known areas.
Florida Canker - HLB and Fresh Citrus Movement
The foundation of knowledge and leadership laid above served our industry well as CCM is at the forefront of directing policy as Florida attempts to survive and ship product from areas of the state devastated by canker and citrus greening. In 2006 CCM traveled to Florida and met directly with industry leaders as they challenged our right to protect California production areas. We mobilized industry leaders and departments of agriculture in Texas, Arizona and California to thwart a faulty rule thus exposing the respective industries to the same challenges being faced in Florida. No doubt a similar effort will be mounted in early summer, 2007.
Disaster Funds
The 2007 freeze once again saw Citrus Mutual taking the lead in mounting relief efforts for the industry. Whether it be growers, allied businesses or employees; all looked to Citrus Mutual for guidance and direction. The crises begat a crises and when growers reported a lack of fuel to run propane driven wind machines in the middle of the freeze event it was Citrus Mutual working in close contact with the Governor’s office that resolved this issue. Once again the Farm Services Agency is looking to Citrus Mutual for educational opportunities and as a facilitator to disseminate disaster information.
AIR QUALITY REGULATIONS & FEES
Ever since the passage of the 700 series re: air quality legislation Citrus Mutual has been at the forefront of directing regulations. This activity has saved the industry almost $119 million or $85,000 for every 100 acre grower. Packing Houses have also been the recipient of CCM activities inasmuch activity on forklifts alone has saved the industry over $6 million.
WATER QUALITY FEES
California State government continues to impose or increases fees on all aspects of a grower’s operation. Water quality fees are just one example of Citrus Mutual’s impact in stopping expense government policy. An effort was made to increase an existing 12 cent per fee to 30 cents. CCM led a coalition to defeat that effort. This saved the industry another $45,000.
PROP 65
Passed over 20 years this legislation creates opportunities for policy makers with agendas to deny producers access to crop protection materials used around the world and across the nation. The most recent example was an effort by OEHHA to place 2,4-D “on the list” thereby requiring all product using the material to be listed as a containing a reproductive toxicant no matter the residue level or the minimal amount of product used. This would have impacted 100% of our fresh lemon shipments and a majority of navel orange production. CCM was at the forefront in denying adulterated science to determine this outcome.
WEATHER WATCH
Through the Central California Weather Watch system growers are able to access real time data to evaluate weather conditions thus minimizing frost defense expenses. Over the years Citrus Mutual has been responsible for the managing, modernizing and expanding the system to service growers and local government.
Section 18
In 1998, CCM in conjunction with the California Citrus Quality Council secured a
Section 18 for new materials in the treatment of scale. This effort resulted in
cost savings to many growers in comparison to the scale control efforts of
previous years which required extra applications and additional expenses. This
effort continued in 1999 and culminated in the granting of another Section 18
for these materials.
Citrus Showcase
The Showcase is the largest citrus oriented event in the industry and offers
workshops, seminars and trade show. The Citrus Showcase is held in March of each year and
provides the latest information on a multitude of subjects to help the grower
maximize profits.
Continuing Education Credits
Keeping informed of the latest cultural practices, as well as maintaining proper
certification for various applications, requires growers and PCAs to attend
continuing education workshops. CCM coordinates free educational sessions on an
ongoing basis to assist producers in achieving this objective.
Timely Information
Information is power and information leads to sound economic decisions. CCM’s
Navel and Valencia Perspectives, revenue & costs per acre charts, weekly
shipping stats, weekly Market Memo, the annual Packing House
Directory, and other similar data
help make CCM members the best informed and no doubt some of the most profitable
growers in the industry.
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