Valley agribusinesses invited to explore global exporting opportunities

Agribusinesses in the San Joaquin Valley are invited to attend a free seminar to learn how to export to foreign markets. The Exporting in a Global Market seminar will be offered in four locations: Kerman on June 17, Livingston on June 18, Delano on June 20 and Oakdale on June 21. Each seminar will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch will be provided.

Organized by the California Centers for International Trade Development (CITD) at State Center Community College District, these one-day training seminars will cover all aspects of the export cycle. The purpose of the workshops is to enhance the competitive strength of rural California businesses in the metropolitan and international marketplaces, as well as improve the economic condition of the rural communities within specified project areas.

Seminar registrants must be rural agribusinesses that have been in operation for at least one year. They must have an employer identification number (EIN) and have a product to export.

Agribusinesses selling new and used agricultural equipment and technology, irrigation equipment, “green” environmental technology and agricultural food products would benefit from attending the seminar and expanding into the global marketplace. Companies must register in advance however, there is no fee to participate.

The seminar will be led by Dennis Lynch, a 32-year veteran of international trade and a consultant and trainer for the Centers for International Trade Development.

He will explain the benefits of exporting products overseas and how to develop “export readiness” skills in order to succeed in a global marketplace. The seminar will also provide a look at California’s top exports and markets, as well as where to find sources of marketing research to develop knowledge of business practices and opportunities.

Summit planned to help brand and promote San Joaquin Valley for tourism

The Great Valley Center is pleased to present the first San Joaquin River Valley Travel and Tourism San Joaquin River Valley Travel and Tourism Economic Summit on Wednesday, May 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock. 

The one day session, themed “Let’s Build Something Together,” will include a series of speakers and presentations on how the region can come together as a whole to brand and market the San Joaquin Valley and its abundance of resources to capture more visitor spending.

Local government officials, business leaders, and area representatives of the travel and tourism industry are encouraged to attend the Summit. The first 150 registrations are free, and registration after that will be $25. Click here to register online. 

The San Joaquin Valley, crisscrossed with rivers, delta waterways, lakes and reservoirs, offers a vast array of outdoor recreational activities, including rafting, fishing, house boating, water skiing, and bird watching. The Valley, often referred to as the “bread basket of the world,” is a leader in agricultural commodities, and the many farming and ag-related operations offer a growing opportunity for agricultural tourism. 

Additionally, the Valley offers a plethora of festivals, rodeos, car shows, concerts and other visitor entertainment opportunities.

The Summit program will include a panel discussion on agricultural tourism. There will also be several presentations emphasizing the economic impact of travel and importance of pursuing tourism for regional economic development. Active interaction between event attendees and presenters will be encouraged, with an opportunity at the end of the program for an open discussion on how to move forward.
 
Summit sponsors to date include Imagen Public Relations, Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, Condor Earth Technologies, Inc. and Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau, and additional sponsors are invited!  

Click here to download a sponsorship form. Businesses and organizations providing sponsorship support and will be rewarded with visibility on the Summit program and web page.

For more information on sponsorships or the Summit, contact Linda Hoile, Great Valley Center, linda@greatvalley.org or (209) 522-5103.

Tour offers overview of Central Valley water issues

Of the many challenges facing the Central Valley, water issues are perhaps the most pressing.  Water has helped transform the Valley into one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.  However, issues with water supply, water quality, farmland conversion for urban growth, and environmental restoration are creating big challenges that affect the economy and quality of life in the region. 

The Water Education Foundation's 2013 Central Valley Water Tour, scheduled for April 17-19, provides a comprehensive overview of these challenges and the efforts to deal with them.  This 3-day, 2-night excursion travels the length of the San Joaquin Valley, giving participants a clear understanding of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project.

The field trip offers participants a firsthand look at the water facilities, rivers and regions critical in the debate about the future of water resources.  Issues of water supply, water quality, environmental restoration, flood management, groundwater and water conservation are addressed by a wide-range of speakers representing different viewpoints.  

Tour stops will include the Kern County Water Bank, the San Joaquin River, Terminus Dam, Mendota Pool, Friant Dam, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and San Luis Reservoir. Issues of growth, water supply, flood management, groundwater banking, wetlands, salmon restoration and agricultural supply and drainage are discussed on this tour, which begins and ends at the Sacramento International Airport. 

The tour is a great opportunity for water policy makers, water board managers and directors, locally elected officials attorneys, consultants, and anyone interested in Central Valley issues. 

The tour costs $695 per person for a single occupancy room, $625 if four or more are registering, and $595 each for two people sharing a room.  Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis.  The tour is sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region; California Department of Water Resources and Bowles Farming Company.

More information and tour registration is available online.