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David Shabazian was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. Rick Alcocer, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, is retiring after more than 40 years working in the produce industry. Genevieve O’Sullivan departed as vice president of communications at CropLife America after eight years. 

Luke Tomanelli joined UPL as head of U.S. government and industry affairs. Berries Paradise elected César Ortiz as CEO. He succeeds Roberto Samano who is departing after a decade leading the group. 

The California Air Resources Board’s proposed restrictions on biofuel feedstocks, including a limit on soybean oil usage and new sustainability certification requirements, will ultimately backfire on the state’s consumers, according to industry groups.

The Legislature has passed a measure to exempt wetlands and disadvantaged communities from groundwater regulations.

State lawmakers are casting the final votes on contentious pesticide bills.

Agricultural lobbyists are expressing frustration over an apparent lack of understanding among leaders at the California Air Resources Board over industry emissions in the San Joaquin Valley.

The agency has slowly announced grant recipients since January, with the fourth and final announcement including 13 projects nationwide.

Cal/OSHA Bureau of Investigations is adding eight investigative staffers and one chief investigator, and also seeking a northern California supervising special investigator.

California’s 44 projects are receiving awards ranging from roughly $200,000 to $2 million.

The California Chamber of Commerce added Kristopher Anderson to staff as a water issues policy advocate. Anderson was most recently with the Association of California Water Agencies. The Napa County Farm Bureau hired Peter Rumble as CEO.

McHutchison and Vaughan’s Horticulture recently added three members to the sales team: Michelle Roman,Bob Steinlage, Angie Munroe. Wish Farms promoted James Peterson to chief operating officer. Russell Stokes joined Casper’s Ice Cream, a subsidiary of MidOcean Partners, as CEO.