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SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will focus on drought impacts to the agricultural sector at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, March 4, in Merced.
This meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of California, Merced, 5200 Lake Road – Terrace Center (California Room), Merced, CA 95343
“It is important for the State Board and the Governor's Drought Task Force to hear from local leaders on current drought impacts,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “This drought is going to have significant statewide impacts on many sectors of California's economy – we are engaging with local communities and with farmers and farm workers to help advise on potential future actions that can be taken at the state level.”
The Governor's Drought Task Force leaders are traveling throughout the state to meet with local officials to hear how communities are coping with drought impacts.
The board meeting at UC Merced provides an opportunity for the Drought Task Force to update the public and agricultural stakeholders on current actions, including the Emergency Drought Legislation announced on Feb. 19 by Gov. Brown and legislative leaders.
The Drought Task Force leaders expected to attend are of California Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci; California Natural Resources Agency Secretary John Laird; State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus; and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.
Invited speakers to the State Board meeting include: Jean Okuye, president of the Merced County Farm Bureau; Tim Koopmann, president of the California Cattlemen's Association; Bill Harp, chairman of the Almond Board of California; Marco Lizarraga, La Cooperative Campesina de California; Ilene Jacobs, California Rural Legal Assistance; Diana Tellefson Torres, United Farm Workers Foundation; Lupe Sandoval, California Farm Labor Contractors; Grant Davis, Sonoma County Water Agency; and Dan Nelson, San-Luis Delta Mendota Water Agency.
Other invited speakers include representatives from the California Tomato Growers Association, and other local water agencies and grower associations.
“We are pleased to be assisting the Governor's Drought Task Force in engaging with local communities and stakeholders,” said Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “It is critically important for the task force and the public to learn about the on-farm realities that California growers and farm workers are facing.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representative and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
This meeting will be streamed online at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/LiveMediaStream.html .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The job fair conducted by WorkforceLake Partners on February 21, 2014 at Mendocino College in Lakeport was a huge success. More than 230 jobseekers in attendance were able to speak directly with 28 local employers about current and planned job openings.
“There was a strong turnout of eager candidates arriving by 10:00 a.m. Dressed for success, prepared with resumes, these applicants were able to meet face-to-face with prospective employers,”said Shannon Harris.
Harris, business services representative for MPIC Inc., coordinated the job fair with the help of the partners of WorkforceLake.
These partners include MPIC, Mendocino College, California Human Development, California Conservation Corps., Department of Rehabilitation, Employment Development Department, Goodwill Industries, Lake County Department of Social Services and Lake County Office of Education-CTE/ROP, and the Clearlake and Lakeport Chambers of Commerce.
This partnership joins efforts in providing job training and workforce opportunities to job seekers in Lake County.
This was the first job fair of 2014 with a second one scheduled for March 7 at the Yuba College Clear Lake Campus, located at 15880 Dam Road, Clearlake.
Members of the Job Fair Committee are optimistic and plan to conduct at least two job fairs per year in their continuing mission to connect job seekers with potential employers.
Businesses interested in participating in the March 7 job fair or any future job fair should contact Shannon Harris at 707-263-0630.
WorkforceLake, located at 55 First St. in Lakeport and 14092 Lakeshore Blvd. in Clearlake, provides assistance to job seekers with resumes, interview skills, career exploration occupational training, on-the-job training and much more to better serve job seekers and businesses around Lake County.
For more information about job fairs and other events hosted by WorkforceLake visit www.workforcelake.org .
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BROOKINGS, Ore. – Karl V. Wissmann has joined C&K Market Inc. as its chief operating officer on Feb. 24.
C&K Market owns two grocery stores – Ray's Food Place in Clearlake and Bruno's Shop Smart in Lakeport – in Lake County.
“I'm excited about the opportunity to grow this independent chain. We have a lot of room to increase what we offer our customers,” Wissmann said. “I've learned a lot in my 40 years in this industry, and I've spent some time getting to know C&K Market, its stores, its communities and its strengths and weaknesses. I'm confident that we can create real value that our customers will appreciate. Big box competition is something independents have dealt with for years, and I look forward to leading the company in this effort.”
Edward Hostmann, C&K's chief restructuring officer, said store operations are meeting expectations, and he expects to emerge from the bankruptcy proceedings this May. “Our employees have responded to the challenge to make our stores the best they can be, and our customers are shopping our stores,” he said. “Karl brings an outside perspective, and his small-chain experience will help us become a stronger company.”
Wissmann most recently was president and CEO of Star Markets on the Hawaiian Islands, and he also has worked for Kroger and some of its subsidiaries during his career.
“The grocery marketplace has changed substantially over the past decade,” Wissmann said. “It may seem that bigger competitors will prevail, yet the new economy offers many opportunities for smaller, independent chains. We recognize that customers may now shop at both a big box and a local grocer. Our challenge is to listen to our customers and give them choices that will encourage them to shop more in our stores.”
Hostmann said C&K employees have worked hard through the transition. “We appreciate the dedication of all of our employees,” he said. “They have elevated our customer service, and I want to express our gratitude to them for their hard work and loyalty.”
C&K filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene (Case No. 13-64561-fra11) in late 2013.
“Entering Chapter 11 was a difficult decision for our family,” said Doug Nidiffer, chairman of the board. “We're confident that we made the right decision, and are pleased that Karl is joining us. Current operations are meeting expectations, which gives us confidence that C&K will emerge as a stronger, leaner company that will serve local community needs for many years to come.”
C&K Market Inc., a family-owned company based in Brookings, Ore., operates more than 40 grocery stores under the banners of Ray's Food Place, Shop Smart, and C&K Market.
More information can be found at www.ckmarket.com .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County recently added to its ranks of Realtors when Hannah Wright of Upper Lake became one of the youngest persons ever to join the Lake County Association of Realtors
Wright, who graduated from Upper Lake High School in 2011, has been working for CPS Country Air Properties in its property management department for most of 2013. She passed her real estate exam this year.
“My goal from the outset was to get into real estate sales,” Wright said. “I have some friends who sell real estate locally who do very well, and they inspired me to go in this direction.”
Wright was born and raised in Upper Lake; her parents are Aaron and Wendy Wright. Growing up, she loved the outdoors, rode dirt bikes and learned to shoot a gun better than most men.
“Don't let her young age fool you,” CPS Country Air broker Phil Smoley said. “Hannah is ready to show Lake County what she has to offer. She is a hard worker and makes a point of getting things done and done right. Professionally she is more mature than many in business twice her age and combined with her youthful energy and enthusiasm, she should be a top producer quickly.”
Wright is off to a good start. In her first two weeks, she has gone on five listing appointments, taken four listings and has one home in escrow.
“I think I found my career,” Wright said. “Real estate is fun.”
Wright acknowledges that she has been helped along the way. “I wouldn't have able to have gotten this far this fast if it wasn't for the support of my family, boyfriend and friends. I really appreciate the opportunity that CPS Country Air Properties has given me and am really looking forward to start this rewarding and exciting career."
Wright can be contacted by cell phone at 707-671-3604 or through email at