As CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and the entire California delegation return from the China Trade and Investment Mission, we thought we’d take a look back at the stops they made along the way to promote trade and forge new relationships. California’s agricultural exports to China are on the increase – up 25 percent last year alone – and this trip has given our growers an important opportunity to continue that trend.
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- Following a meeting in Beijing with China’s Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products (CNFA). Back Row: Michael Gallo, Joseph Gallo Farms and member of California State Board of Food and Agriculture; Sean Martin, Driscoll’s; Chris Rosander, California Raisin Administrative Committee; Jay Behmke, Yao Family Wines. Front Row: Cathy Calfo, California Certified Organic Farmers; Michael Rue, California Rice Commission; CDFA Secretary Karen Ross; Melissa Poole, Paramount Farms; Julie Adams, California Almond Board.
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- Governor Brown signs an agreement on trade with Chinese government officials. California witnesses included Caroline Beteta, Visit California; CDFA Secretary Karen Ross; Michael Rossi; Nancy McFadden; and, Anne Gust Brown.
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- Secretary Ross (speaking) and representatives of several California agricultural companies attended the California-China Agriculture & Export Forum in Shanghai. seated beside the secretary are Julie Adams and John Harris. Back row: Michael Rue, Chris Rossander, Don Parrachie and John Weisz.
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- Governor Brown offers comments at the Shanghai forum. In the background is Peter Huo, in-country representative for Wine Institute.
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- Governor Brown speaks at the opening ceremony of the California-China Office of Trade and Investment in Shanghai.
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- On the Shanghai River: Secretary Ross and California High Speed Rail Authority Chairman Dan Richard.
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- On the Shanghai River: Secretary Ross and Michael Gallo of Joseph Gallo Farms and a member of California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
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- CDFA Secretary Karen Ross searches for California exports at the Jiangnan Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market in Guangzhou.
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- CDFA Secretary Karen Ross with Chris Rosander of the California Raisin Administrative Committee, and US Agricultural Trade Office Director Jorge Sanchez.
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- CDFA Secretary Karen Ross at the Taste of California event.
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- California agricultural delegates at the Taste of California event (from left): John Harris, Harris Farms; Sean Martin, Driscoll’s; Melissa Poole, Paramount Farming Company (front); Cathy Calfo, CCOF; Michael Rue, Rue & Forsman Ranch; David Ahlem, Hilmar Cheese.
The agricultural delegation joining Governor Brown and Secretary Ross were as follows:
– Julie Adams, Vice President, Global Technical and Regualtory Affairs, Almond Board of California
– David Ahlem, Vice President, General Manager, Hilmar Cheese
-Jay Behmke, Managing Director, Yao Family Wines
-Cathy Calfo, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, California Certified Organic Farmers
-Michael Gallo, Co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Gallo Farms and Joseph Farms Cheese
-John Harris, President, Harris Farms
-Robert Koch, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Wine Institute
-Sean Martin, Chief Financial officer, Driscoll’s
-Don Peracchi, Owner, DJ farms
-Melissa Poole, Director of Government Affairs, Paramount Farming Company; Counsel, Roll Law Group
-Mack Ramsey, California Strawberry Commission
-Chris Rosander, International Program Coordinator, Raisin Administrative Committee
-Michael Rue, General Partner, Rue and Forsman Ranch
-Pete Weber, Co-Chair, California Friends of the San Joaquin Valley
-John Weisz, Farming Organizer, Driscoll’s