On July 3, CDFA mailed a second round of ballots to all growers and handlers who had not returned the first ballot for the CRC major amendment. Please take just a minute to vote and return your ballot by August 3, 2020. 

We need to hear from the industry regarding an increase in the assessment cap from the current 15 cents per hundredweight to 20 cents per hundredweight. The assessment will continue to be split between handlers and growers equally. 

If the minimum number of ballots are not returned, the vote is invalid and will have to be repeated. 

As discussed at grower meetings this winter, increased costs of regulation and fees associated with the Rice WDR along with normal operational costs escalation are driving the need to increase the assessment cap for the first time in nine years. Average planted acres over the last 10 years has also decreased. 

CRC leadership is committed to not immediately increasing the assessment to the full amount, but rather the assessment will be set as part of the annual budget process that looks at acreage, costs and reserve levels. 

If you have not received a ballot, contact Kacie Fritz at CDFA (916) 900-5095 or Kacie.fritz@cdfa.ca.gov