Media Contact: Steve Lyle, Office of Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, steve.lyle@cdfa.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO-The California Department of Food and Agriculture has added a San Francisco session to its upcoming statewide series of informational workshops on a $10 million grant program for international market promotion of agricultural commodities. The additional session will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 18, at the offices of the Wine Institute, 425 Market Street, Suite 1000, in San Francisco.
The California International Market Program for Agriculture (CIMPA), is a competitive grant program to assist international market promotions for agricultural commodities. These informational sessions will explain how to apply for $10 million in specialty crop block grant funds.
The CIMPA program is part of Governor Gray Davis’ Buy California Initiative, a multi-faceted effort that includes the “California Grown” advertising campaign announced in August 2002.
California is the leading agricultural state in the nation, generating nearly $28 billion in revenues. Overall, statewide economic activity related to agriculture is estimated at $100 billion. California produces more than 350 crop and livestock commodities.
“The specialized nature of California commodities means that many of our producers depend on the export market,” said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. “The CIMPA program will give us a boost in the highly competitive international marketplace.”
The competitive grants will provide resources for branded and generic marketing activities from established companies and organizations targeting international markets.
At each informational session, CDFA will briefly describe the scope of the program and respond to comments and questions from the audience.
Attendees for all sessions are asked to R.S.V.P. with Karen Zirkle at (916) 654-0433. The CIMPA informational session schedule is as follows:
November 6, 2002 1:00p.m. Imperial Valley Expo, 200 E. Second St., Imperial
November 7, 2002 1:00p.m. Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa
November 13, 2002 1:00p.m. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Performing Arts Center
November 14, 2002 1:00p.m. Fresno County Fairgrounds, 1121 Chance Ave., Fresno
November 18, 2002 1:00 p.m. Wine Institute, 425 Market Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco
November 20, 2002 1:00p.m. Shasta District Fair, 1890 Briggs St., Anderson
November 21, 2002 1:00p.m. CDFA Auditorium, 1220 N. St., Sacramento
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