CAIA Summer Meeting
The California Agricultural Irrigation Association (CAIA) will be holding their Summer Meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at the Visalia Marriott, 300 South Court Street in Visalia. This will be a luncheon meeting that will begin at 12:00 noon in the Sierra Nevada room at the Marriott. This year we are offering our attending members the Market Deli buffet.
Member cost will be $25.00 per person with a non-member price of $35.00 per person. For accommodations contact Marriott at (559) 636-1111. To receive the group rate let them know that you are with CAIA.
To RSVP for lunch and/or the meeting, contact Debbi at A&E Associates, (530) 438-2026. Deadline for meeting reservations is June 1, 2007. See you there!
CAIA Spring Meeting Report
CAIA’s spring meeting held at the Southern Edison AgTac on February 13, 2007, was again a great success with over 120 members and guests in attendance. The evening started with a hosted cocktail reception followed by a general member meeting.
This year CAIA was very pleased and excited to welcome the following special guests: A. G. Kawamura, California Dept. of Food and Ag (CDFA) Secretary; Nancy Lungren, CDFA Deputy of Public Affairs; and David Pegos, CDFA Assistant Secretary  of Policy & Legislation; Alan Forkey, USDA NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs; Deborah Hamlin, Irrigation Association (IA) Executive Director; John Roberts, IA President; Andy Smith, IA State & Affiliate Relations Director; and Thomas Kimmell, IA Senior Projects Director; Erin Field, Western Growers Association (WGA) Calif. Government Affairs Manager; Shelly Albjian, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s Regional Director Central California; Dr. Stuart Styles, Cal Poly ITRC; Dr. Dave Zoldoske, CSU Fresno CIT; Dean Charles Boyer, CSU Fresno College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; and 2006 CAIA Scholarship Recipient William Pruitt.
The newly elected CAIA Board and Officers were introduced and are as follows: Paul McFadden, President; Ron Nydam, Vice President and Legislative Chairman; Jeff Rianda, Secretary-Treasurer; Darren Aldaco; Dave Berry; Bill Loflin; Walt Chrupalo; Lee Gipson; and Gene Martinez.
The general member meeting was then held updating the membership on the new CAIA website that is currently in the works, scholarships, membership drive, legislative updates, etc. CAIA announced to the attendees that applications were now being accepted for two CAIA $1000 scholarships to be given out in 2007 and women’s golf shirts have been added to the CAIA Logo Wear line. Special thanks to all those who contributed to the scholarship fund with special recognition to S. Kundu, Valplastics USA, for their $1000 contribution. Without continued support from our members, these scholarships would not be available.
William Pruitt, 2006 CAIA Scholarship recipient, was introduced  and presented a certificate recognizing his scholastic accomplishments and career goals.
Deborah Hamlin, Irrigation Association’s new Executive Director, informed the group of IA’s direction for the upcoming year and how they can work together with CAIA to accomplish mutual goals. Alan Forkey, USDA NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, reviewed key elements of the 2007 Farm Bill.
A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, spoke briefly on issues related to California agriculture. He recognized the importance of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and their role in agriculture. He reiterated previous comments regarding the importance of agriculture in California and its role in providing food, fuel and fiber.
Secretary Kawamura specifically spoke to issues surrounding the impact of curtailing invasive species in our water and food systems. One of his highest priorities is to eradicate the invasive species and he requested our help in system protections and surveillance. If you have anything regarding this matter, please contact his office.
Secretary Kawamura has prepared an excellent Executive Summary on the 2007 Farm Bill and encouraged everyone to visit his website to read his California Perspective. To read the four-page summary click on California Farm Bill Executive Summary.
CAIA would like to express our sincere appreciation to this year’s event sponsors: Cocktails were sponsored by Hendrickson Bros., Hydratec, and Alsco-Geyer Irrigation; Meeting hall sponsors: Hydratec and Alsco-Geyer Irrigation; and Table wine sponsor: Buckner Irrigation.
CAIA Welcomes New Members
in Tulare
The CAIA Board of Directors would like to welcome the following new member companies which were approved by the Board at the Spring Meeting held in February in Tulare:
FULL MEMBERS
Dave Kimbrough - Ewing Irrigation
Claude Corcos - Toro Micro-Irrigation
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Inge Bisconer - Self
CAIA’s Website
CAIA has been working with our web site company over the last few months to finalize designs and get the new site on the web. We are hoping to have it published as soon as possible.
We currently do not have a working web site, but during the web site transition please do not hesitate to contact CAIA should you have any questions or concerns at (530) 438-2026.
CAIA Fall Meeting Highlights
Fall meeting plans are currently in the works, so please set aside the following dates: September 11, 12, and 13, 2007. We will keep you posted! |
