“The exhibitor handbook is currently online or can be picked up at the fair office and also available at your local library,” said Adrenna Alkhas, spokesperson for the Stanislaus County Fair. “Exhibitors can enter their creative and innovative projects, horticulture, floriculture, photography, LEGOS and more online.”
The deadlines are:
May 14: 4-H and FFA exhibitors for Horse, Junior Livestock and Still Exhibits
May 21: 4-H and FFA exhibitors for Ag Mechanics, Junior Industrial Arts, Ag Horticulture and Ornamental Horticulture; Open Junior and Senior exhibitors for Home Arts, Fine Arts and Crafts, Photography and Open Horse
May 28: 4-H and FFA exhibitors for Rabbits, Poultry, Cavies and Dogs; Open Junior and Senior exhibitors for Ag Horticulture, Floriculture and Homemade Wine and Beer
The 2015 Stanislaus County Fair opens July 10 for a 10-day run.
CALIFORNIA DRIED PLUM BOARD CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR TERM
The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced it continued the California Dried Plum Board for another five years. The Department’s determination was based on its analysis of testimony and evidence presented at a March 10 public hearing held in Sacramento.
The Marketing Order for Dried Plums which established the Dried Plum Board requires that at least once every five years, a public hearing must be held to consider whether the Board should be continued. California dried plum growers and processors fund the Board’s activities through an industry assessment set this year at $50 per ton of dried plums delivered by a grower to a processor. The assessment is split with growers paying $30 and processors paying $20 per ton. Testimony received at the hearing is generally presented by those paying assessments to fund the Board.
The Dried Plum Board engages in:
• Promotion: To communicate benefits of consuming dried plums and to encourage acceptance of California dried plums. This includes both U.S. and international programs that encompass advertising, sales promotion, public relations and education.
• Research: This includes market research, production and processing research to improve grower efficiency and product quality, and nutrition research to identify positioning opportunities and value messages.
• Trade Policy: To protect the interests of the California dried plum industry globally through coordination with the trade, consumers and governmental agencies.
• Issues Management: To keep the dried plum industry apprised of issues that could impact it and being prepared for crisis management in an emergency.
The Dried Plum Board has operated since 1980 and is composed of 21 directors, 14 directors represent growers and 7 represent processors. The Board’s annual budget is just under $7 million per year.
