AFF Appoints Radanovich to Board, Tomlinson Secretary/Treasurer

The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) announces the appointment of George Radanovich, President, California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), to the organization’s Management Board and Rick Tomlinson, President, California Strawberry Commission (CSC), as the new Secretary/Treasurer.  Tomlinson will also now serve on the AFF’s Executive Committee.

“We are pleased to welcome George to the AFF Board.  His experience and perspectives about farming, food safety and agricultural issues will be very valuable as we continue to advance the objectives and strategies of the AFF and promote our key messages which emphasize the safety of all produce,” says AFF Chair Chris Zanobini.  “We also appreciate Rick’s acceptance of the secretary/treasurer position and know he will do an outstanding job overseeing AFF finances.” Zanobini says.  “Rick has been a strong supporter of the AFF and his input and service on the Board has been integral in advancing the goals of the organization.”

Radanovich served in Congress from 1995 to 2011 representing California’s 19th District. While in the House of Representatives, he served as Co-Chair of both the Water Caucus and the Wine Caucus and was considered an agricultural expert in areas related to water supply and immigration reform. Radanovich is also a farmer who began growing premium wine grapes in Mariposa County in 1982.  Radanovich became president of the CFFA in August.

Tomlinson has served on the AFF Management Board since 2013.  He became president of CSC that same year where he had previously served as the organization’s Vice President of Public Policy.  During his tenure at the CSC, Tomlinson was part of the leadership team that spearheaded groundbreaking efforts to protect the ozone through pesticide reduction practices that earned the CSC the U.S. EPA’s Stratospheric Ozone Award Protection Award.  Most recently, Tomlinson helped execute an agreement with Cal Poly SLO to establish the Strawberry Sustainability and Research Center.

“There are some new and exciting AFF initiatives coming in 2017,” Tomlinson says. “I look forward to my new role with the organization as we work to advance the Safe Fruits and Veggies Campaign so that food safety facts, not fears, guide consumers’ shopping choices.”

Radanovich adds, “I have known many of the AFF Board members for years so I will be at home right away.  It is a strong group that I am proud to join,” he says.  “The work of the AFF is important to counter misinformation about the healthy and safe products our farmers work hard every day to provide to consumers and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

The Board seat and secretary/treasurer position became vacant upon the departure of Barry Bedwell from the CFFA to take a new position as president of the California Ag Leadership Foundation.  “On behalf of the AFF, we thank Barry for his years of service,” Zanobini says.  “Barry was part of the AFF leadership which established the successful Safe Fruits and Veggies campaign in 2010.  The AFF also saw membership and contributions increase significantly during Barry’s tenure as secretary/treasurer.”

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The Alliance for Food and Farming is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 which represents organic and conventional farmers and farms of all sizes.  Alliance contributors are limited to farmers of fruits and vegetables, companies that sell, market or ship fruits and vegetables or organizations that represent produce farmers.  Our mission is to deliver credible information about the safety of fruits and vegetables. The AFF does not engage in any lobbying activities, nor do we accept any money or support from the pesticide industry.