CCM President Casey Creamer has been invited to join a California trade delegation that will visit South African counterparts in August. The mission is spearheaded by the State Board of Food and Agriculture and includes Secretary Karen Ross of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Don Cameron, Chair of the State Department of Food and Agriculture; Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources; Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Randy Record, Record Family Wines and Board Member of Metropolitan Water District; Abby Taylor-Silva, Vice President of Grower Shipper Association of Central California; Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, Science Advisor to the Secretary at CDFA; and Josh Eddy, Executive Director of the State Board of Food and Agriculture.
The delegation will meet with high-level government officials in South Africa from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the United States Consulate, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. The delegation will also visit with South African agricultural research institutions and South African farmers including citrus operations in Stellenbosch.
The Western Cape of South Africa has citrus import access to the United States and other areas are petitioning for access as well. South Africa has expanded citrus production significantly over the last several years. This trade mission is a unique opportunity for CCM to interact with U.S., California, and South African leaders on water and trade issues.
