Like million of Californians and people around the world , I have celebrated New Year ’s Day by determine TV coverage of the Rose Parade , a time - honor custom started in 1890 by the Valley Hunt Club .
by CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt
The parade celebrates the beauty of a new class with carriage , ice-cream soda and so much more – all adorned with flower . On Tuesday , I had the perquisite of joining the California Cut Flower Commission and many efflorescence sodbuster in evidence entries as California Grown , think of they were comprise of at least 85 percent California - grow flower .
CDFA undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt , 5th from mightily , and California Cut Flower Commission chair Dan Vordale , fourth from left , taking part in this week ’s California Grown celebration at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena . The photo was taken at the Valley Hunt Club .
The Rose Parade is a custom that land people together . And that ’s what California agriculture does , as well . The farmer and ranchers in this United States Department of State take community together .
Yes , Farmer and ranchers offer the intellectual nourishment , fibre and flora we all depend on . But they provide so much more . They supply occupation and economical opportunity . They cater the foundation for so many of our biotic community . More significantly , they provide a bequest and tradition of taking forethought of the ground that sustains us . That is whatCalifornia Grownsymbolizes .
California peak ambassadors and Farmer certifying the Pasadena Police Department ’s motorcade
It was an honor to attest the Wells Fargo Stagecoach for a perambulator beautify in brilliant California Grown rosebush . It was also an honor to meet with David Eads , CEO of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses , and the Pasadena Police Department to attest its motorcade entryway as California Grown .
In a very particular celebration , we visited the Valley Hunt Club , founder of the Rose Parade , and certify its carriage as California Grown . The Valley Hunt Club pardner with the Leyendekker family , dairy farmers from Visalia who provide the baby buggy – yet another case of California agriculture partnering to bolster up time - reward tradition !
The floral company FTD has also been decorate parade cars with California - grown flower for decades , so indorse their entryway as California Grown is a natural step , and a pleasure .
We ended the day by see the judgement of the Cal Poly float , “ Aquatic Inspirations . ” The scholarly person team sit in silent anticipation as the judges noted each intricate detail of their design – from mushrooms that served as barnacle to orange slice that created part of a jellyfish hood . This incredible float showcased the bountifulness of California agriculture ! When the judging Vanessa Stephen rang , betoken the end of the competition , the students burst into cheerfulness and bust – a manifestation of their hard work and effort !
Cal Poly educatee and Tennessean with their honor - acquire masterpiece , along with Undersecretary Moffitt , State Senator Connie Levya , Cal Poly Pomona President of the United States Soraya Coley , and Cal Poly SLO Chief Executive Jeffrey Armstrong .
Students from both Cal Poly campuses ( San Luis Obispo and Pomona ) began contrive the float last February , spend the spring and summertime design , engineering and build it . They partnered with California flower farmers , who munificently donated flower . But most significantly , they process as a squad in decision - making and execution . Their talent , their loyalty , and their starring teamwork inspire me and make me aroused to have them moderate us into the future . Their strong work paid off ! They learned on Wednesday ( Jan 1 ) that they deliver the goods theDirector awardfor most outstanding aesthetic design and use of flowered and non - floral materials !
To all the California Grown entries : Thank you for showcasing California Grown flowers in such a stunning agency !
To the California Cut Flower Commission and California flower granger : give thanks you for generously donating tens for chiliad of flowers and for your partnership with the capital bequest of the Rose Parade and for your commitment to California Grown . Thank you for sharing the looker of this state with the world .
To all that made the Rose Parade possible , especially the flower growers , the florist and community member that volunteered their time and energy : Thank you for determine an object lesson of the beautiful things that happen when people issue forth together to work on something bigger than themselves .
It was an award to participate in the incredible custom that is the Rose Parade and certify so many entree California Grown – and all that California agriculture stands for .
As we celebrate the new year and the peach of a new decade , I count ahead to the hopeful future of agriculture in California .
For more information : www.cdfa.ca.gov
