The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and the Western Tree Nut Association (WTNA), along with the Nisei Farmers League and Fresno County Farm Bureau, met with Mike Martucci, EPA Regional Administrator for Region 2 and Interim Regional Administrator for Region IX, this week. The day began with a meeting at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in Bakersfield, and then a trip to Buttonwillow. The meeting included a tour of the Cauzza Growers Farm and equipment yard, followed by a meeting with local growers in the Buttonwillow area. Topics included air quality, pesticides and water. Also participating in the meetings were Anita Lee, EPA Region IX Director of the Air and Radiation Division, as well as Samir Sheikh and Shiraz Gill with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Area growers included Association members Jake and Luc Cauzza, with Cauzza Growers; Bryan Bone, with  Bone Farms, LLC; and Greg Actis, of the Elk Grove Farming Co and CCGGA Chair Adriane Carbonel of Farmers Coop Gin. The Association was represented by President/CEO Roger A. Isom and Assistant Vice President of Technical Services Christopher McGlothlin.

CCGGA Vice Chair Jake Cauzza talking about issues impacting their farm with EPA Regional Administrator Mike Martucci.