SECRETARY KAWAMURA TO INSPECT FREEZE DAMAGE IN CENTRAL VALLEY

Visit to citrus packing house and orchard in Lindsay, California.

WHAT: California Department of Food and Agriculture, Secretary A.G. Kawamura will be inspecting freeze damage on citrus crops in Lindsay, California on Saturday. It is anticipated that tonight will be a critical night for the agricultural industry as temperatures fall below the freezing level. The visit will include a packing house and an orchard tour. Joel Nelsen, President, California Citrus Mutual and Philip LoBue, LoBue Bros., Inc., will be accompanying the tour.

Media availability can be arranged prior to and following the event.

WHEN: Saturday, January 13, 2007, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHO:  Secretary A.G. Kawamura
  Joel Nelsen, President, California Citrus Mutual
 Philip LoBue, President, LoBue Bros., Inc.
 
WHERE:  LoBue Bros., Inc., 201 S. Sweetbriar, Lindsay, CA 93247. Phone: (559) 562-2548

WHY:  In December 1998, the California citrus industry suffered a three-day freeze in which 85 percent of the total crop was lost, valued at approximately $700 million.  The forecast for the next two days is for temperatures to reach the mid-20’s for at least nine hours. If the Central Valley suffers 25 degree temperatures or lower for five hours or more, there could be significant damage. Secretary Kawamura will tour a packing house and citrus orchard to inspect possible damage firsthand.  A hard freeze could significantly impact the citrus industry where fruit is still on the trees in the Central Valley. The estimated value of the citrus crop, still on the trees, is $960 million.

DIRECTIONS: From Sacramento:  Highway 99 south to Highway 137 east. Continue on Highway 137, which will become Highway 65.  Turn left onto Tulare Road (before Highway 65 bends), right onto Sweetbriar Avenue. Continue south on Sweetbriar until the road ends. LoBue Bros., Inc. is located at the end of Sweetbriar. From Bakersfield: Highway 99 north to Highway 65 north. Turn right (east) on Road 216. Turn left onto Lindsay Boulevard, turn right onto Lewis Street. LoBue Bros., Inc is located at the corner of Lewis Street and Sweetbriar Avenue.