The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has announced the results of the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) elections for commissioner in Districts 2, 3 and 4.
Janet Louie of Green Valley Flowers was elected commissioner for District 2, located south of San Francisco to the northern Santa Barbara County line. The position is currently represented by Chad Nelson of Eufloria who will term out at the end of 2016.
David VanWingerden of Westland Orchids and June VanWingerden of Ocean Breeze Farms were both re-elected as commissioners to their current positions in District 3 which covers Santa Barbara County.
Tony Ortiz of Joseph & Sons was elected commissioner for District 4 which runs from the southern end of Santa Barbara County south to Mexico. The position is currently represented by Mike A. Mellano, Ph.D., of Mellano & Co. who will term out at the end of 2016.
Louie said she’s thrilled to have been elected to represent the Central Coast flower-growing region and looks forward to working collaboratively with the other commissioners on issues of importance to flower farmers. “I’m happy to be the voice of our unique region,” Louie added.
David VanWingerden said he’s honored and excited to continue his work with CCFC and looks forward to communicating the importance of the cut flower industry to the public, policymakers, stakeholders and employees. “We’ve come a long way in expanding the voices of flower farmers and I’m pleased to continue that work,” VanWingerden said.
June VanWingerden, who has previously served as a commissioner, said she was pleased to be elected again and to work with CCFC staff and flower farmers who bring amazing energy to their work in supporting the cut flower industry. She believes a key initiative will be working with the Trump administration on an immigration bill.
Ortiz sees his role as a commissioner as a way to give back to the industry. He said his recent experiences as a California Ag Leadership Program fellow “highlighted the importance of service and opened my eyes to the importance of paying it forward.”
