The California Wheat Commission, Woodland has announced that Janice Cooper has become the new Executive Director of the Commission effective immediately ...
Cooper has had her own international business consulting firm for the past nine years, and has worked with many agricultural clients including the California Association of Wheat Growers, where she served as Executive Director for several years, Ag Council and the California Canning Peach Association. She has also had clients in the transportation infrastructure, renewable energy and international trade sectors.
Prior to forming her own firm, Cooper held positions in both the public and private sectors including: the California State Assembly, the California State World Trade Commission, National Semiconductor, Bank of America and the U.S. Senate.
"We are very pleased to announce Janice Cooper as the new Executive Director and welcome her back to the California wheat industry, says Larry Hunn, Chairman of the California Wheat Commission. With her broad knowledge and international experience, we are looking forward to her providing strong leadership for the wheat industry, with emphasis on market development, and research and development of new and improved varieties."
Cooper is a native Californian with a strong commitment to preserving California agriculture. She is a partner in Salisbury & Cooper, a diversified family farming company in the Sacramento Delta. She is a member of the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Council for International Trade of the California Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern California District Export Council.
"The California Wheat Commission, with its focus on variety research and market development, provides significant value to California's wheat producers," says Cooper. "I am excited to return to the wheat industry and take on the role of helping the Commission meet the many challenges facing the wheat industry, our state and our country."
The California Wheat Commission was established under the California Food and Agriculture Code in 1983. It is funded by the wheat growers and given direction by a board which includes thirteen wheat producers and two handlers – each with alternates – two at-large members, and one public member. The purpose of the Wheat Commission is to develop and maintain international and domestic markets for California grown wheat, and support research which will improve California wheat quality and its marketability.