Signing on

The California Department of Food and Agriculture explains in this release how the leafy greens marketing agreement will proceed. The next step in the process is the sign up period for leafy green handlers. If the sign up period shows sufficient participation - Feb. 5 is the apparent soft deadline - then the CDFA would certify the agreement. The marketing agreement would be the first step in the overall plan toward a marketing order, which would apply to all leafy greens growers.

I would hope that the leafy green marketing agreement would find overwhelming participation. If sign ups capture only 40% to 70% of total handlers, I would think that would be a serious setback to the process. My impression, though as a distant observer, is that it will be higher than that.

I can say that I was much impressed with California Agriculture Secretary A. G. Kawamura. He was a key contributor to the fruit and vegetable industry advisory committee Tuesday and Wednesday, offering comments and questions early and often.