Commission

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $1 billion of aid for specialty crop growers through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program. These one-time payments are designed to help producers address market disruptions, elevated input costs, inflation and market losses due to unfair trade practices.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is conducting a referendum vote among eligible avocado producers to determine whether the operation of the California Avocado Commission shall be reapproved and continue for another five-year period. Ballots must be postmarked or otherwise received by the CDFA no later than March 18, 2026.

The California Avocado Commission has one District 5 producer member seat, one District 4 producer alternate member seat, and one handler alternate member seat available on the CAC Board of Directors. The deadline to submit nominations is February 25.

The California Avocado Commission’s 2026 Pre-Season Crop estimate and Harvest Projections is now available online. The report is based on survey responses submitted in late-December/early-January from eight AMRIC handlers.

The Fall 2025 issue of the California Avocado Commission’s From the Grove publication is now available online.

Review highlights of media coverage following California Avocado Commission President Ken Melban's testimony before the USMCA panel last week. The Commission will continue to advocate on behalf of growers on this issue and provide updates as new information becomes available.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has released the results of the California Avocado Commission’s 2025 General Election. The new board will be seated on Thursday, December 11, 2025, and officers for the new fiscal year will be elected at that time.

A recording of the California Avocado Commission’s recent Irrigation, Nutrient Management, Leaf Tissue Tests webinar is now available online.