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- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing 16 vacancies on the California Organic Products Advisory Committee.
This committee advises the CDFA secretary on current issues related to organic food production and makes recommendations on all matters pertaining to the California Organic Program.
The vacancies include: three producer representatives, two technical representatives, a processor representative, an environmental representative, and a consumer representative. Alternate member vacancies are available for each position.
The environmental, technical and consumer representatives must not have a financial interest in the direct sale and marketing of organic products. The term of office for committee members is three years.
Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.
The California Organic Program is responsible for enforcement of federal and state law governing organic production. These statutes protect consumers, producers, handlers, processors and retailers by establishing standards under which fresh agricultural products may be labeled and sold as organic.
The California Organic Program is funded entirely by industry fees and assessments.
Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should send a letter of consideration and include a letter of recommendation from the industry. Nominations will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Applications should be sent to California Organic Program, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or emailed to
For further information on the California Organic Program and committee vacancies, contact David Carlson at 916-445-2180.
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Mendo Mill President Mike Mayfield announced a hiatus in the company’s annual summer “Thank You Barbecue” events this year and will use the money saved to help local charities in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
From now through the end of July Mendo Mill will match contributions made to local charities up to an aggregate of $10,000 thereby giving those charities potentially $20,000 at a time when their budgets are drained by heavy demands.
While the free barbecues have been a popular Mendo Mill tradition for over 25 years, the decision to shift the money to local charities was easy according to Mayfield, who presides over home improvement stores in Ukiah, Clearlake, Willits and Fort Bragg.
“Every day I see the difficulties that people are facing in this economic downturn and I know firsthand how their needs are placing increased burdens upon the local charities,” Mayfield said.
“I am confident that the hundreds of people who attend the barbecues will understand and support our decision to direct the money to more critical needs in our communities,” he added.
Mayfield explained that persons may make a contribution to the local charity of their choice and Mendo Mill will match the donation.
“All they need to do is bring their donation to any Mendo Mill store, designate their favorite charity and Mendo Mill will automatically match it,” Mayfield said. “We prefer checks made out to the charity but we can deal with cash or credit cards if necessary. Persons will receive a receipt for their records.
“In the event that aggregate donations exceed $10,000, each contribution will be reduced on a pro-rata basis to keep the total Mendo Mill obligation to $10,000,” he said.
Mayfield said the contributions and matching funds will be distributed to the local charities in August.
Persons who have questions about the process may call Mayfield or his vice president, Gail Strong, at 707-462-8806, or contact the store managers in Ukiah, Clearlake, Willits and Fort Bragg.
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CLEARLAKE – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold its next dinner meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Indian Beach Resort, 9945 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.
Bring a potluck dessert or side dish to share. They will provide everything else.
The musical group Twice as Good will perform.
RSVP with the Clear Lake Chamber at 707-994-3600.
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- Written by: Monica Rosenthal
After considerable design review, LCWA has a new, contemporary and classy look which features Mt. Konocti, Clear Lake and Lake County wine. Simple yet stylish, this new logo will complement the Lake County Winegrape Commission logo and the County of Lake logo.
It will appear in full, vibrant color, two color, or black and white. Look forward to seeing the new LCWA logo on a variety of promotional materials including those in production for the upcoming LCWA Wine Adventure Weekend scheduled for July 25 and 26.
Tickets for this event may be purchased online at www.lakecountywineries.org and will include a logo wine glass, winery adventure pass and tasting brochure.
This two-day, $30 event features 20+ Lake County wineries pouring their best wines paired with tasty food samples. Barrel tastings, music, raffle prizes add to the weekend festivities.
We invite everyone to attend the fifth annual Lake County Wine Adventure weekend. We also promote responsible hospitality and encourage designated drivers.
In addition to all the fun and adventure, the LCWA and the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Department are working collaboratively to develop an in-county winery and tasting room directional signage system to promote tourism. This project is a joint effort to assist Lake County visitors with finding their way in our local wine region.
These types of winery directional signs are relatively common in other major wine regions throughout California and beyond. After consulting with several wine industry groups in other counties, we now have a project ready to implement.
Since most of these signs will be placed at intersections of key travel routes, representatives of Caltrans have been consulted. Additionally the Lake County Board of Supervisors has been informed of this project and, on Jan. 22, 2008, signed Resolution No. 2008-16 in support of the directional “way finding” signage program.
Our next steps are to construct and produce the signs and obtain authorization from property owners to install them at key locations throughout the county.
We hope that our community will support this project; it is important to the winery and tasting rooms of Lake County and the county’s tourism program.
Look forward to seeing more on the Lake County Directional "Way Finding" sign program in the near future.
Monica Rosenthal is executive director of the Lake County Wineries Association.