NOMINEES NEEDED FOR VACANCIES ON THE CITRUS AND FERTILIZER COMMITTEES

SACRAMENTO, October 15, 2008 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing vacancies on the Citrus Advisory Committee and the Fertilizer Inspection Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee.

The Citrus Advisory Committee oversees the department’s citrus program, which ensures that consumers can purchase and enjoy nutritious California citrus by maintaining minimum maturity and quality standards in terms of size, color, and sugar content. Six member vacancies are available. The committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the program it oversees.  Individuals interested in a committee appointment should contact Dr. Amadou Ba at aba@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 415-2180.

The California Fertilizer Technical Advisory Subcommittee advises the department’s fertilizer board on activities related to Fertilizer Research and Education Program. This program funds research to advance the environmentally safe and sound use of fertilizer materials, as well as proper handling.  Two vacancies are available on the subcommittee. Individuals interested in a subcommittee appointment should contact Dr. Amrith Gunasekara at agunasekara@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 445-0444.

For additional information on the above committees and the programs that they oversee, please contact CDFA’s Inspection and Compliance Branch at (916) 445-2180.