The Minor Crop Farmer Alliance advocates for use of sound science in government minor-use pesticide policies, so that growers have access to safe, effective, affordable crop protection tools. Founded in 1991, we are funded and led by fruit, vegetable, nut, ornamental plant and other specialty crop producer organizations from across the United States. Join MCFA or renew your membership today.
Contacts
Chair: Jim Cranney, California Citrus Quality Council
Vice Chair: Gabriele Ludwig, Almond Board of California
Treasurer: Mike Wenkel, National Potato Council
Secretary: Caroline Stringer, California Fresh Fruit Association
Technical Committee Chair: Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Legal Counsel: Ed Ruckert
Communications: Julia Stewart, Clarity Communications LLC
Future Meeting Dates
Feb. 22, 2024: MCFA Technical Committee, Washington, D.C. For meeting details, contact Technical Committee Chair Mike Aerts.
Member Communications
Resources
12/13/2023: MCFA comments to EPA re: “Concept for a Framework to Assess the Risk to the Effectiveness of Human and Animal Drugs Posed by Certain Antibacterial or Antifungal Pesticides”
11/6/2023: MCFA editorial in The Packer, “EPA on path to reduce fresh produce consumption, says MCFA chair”. Copyright The Packer, 2023
10/21/2023: MCFA comments to EPA re: Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework to Reduce Exposure of Federally-Listed Endangered and Threatened Species and Designated Critical Habitats from the Use of Conventional Agricultural Pesticides
8/6/2023: MCFA comments to EPA re: Draft White Paper on the Vulnerable Species Pilot Project, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0327
2/21/2023: 2023 MCFA Work Plan
2/16/2023: MCFA news release: EPA’s Endangered Species Act proposals are a big challenge for specialty crops, says MCFA
2/14/2023: MCFA comments to EPA re: Appendix to the ESA Workplan Update: Proposed Label Language for Public Comment”, Docket Identification Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0908
2/2/2023: MCFA editorial in The Packer, “Endangered Species Act poses a serious and expensive complication for specialty crop production”. Copyright The Packer, 2023
9/23/2022: MCFA comments to EPA re: Petition to Revoke Tolerances and Cancel Registrations for Certain Organophosphate Uses, Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0490
5/2/2022: MCFA comments to EPA re: “NMFS Draft Revised Biological Opinion on Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, and Malathion, EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0172-0001”
8/26/2021: MCFA news release: Grower groups: Neonicotinoid draft Biological Evaluation does not reflect actual product use; “Likely to adversely affect” species list inflated as a result
1/29/2020: MCFA request for extension of public comment period re: “EPA Requests Comments on New Methodologies to Estimate Pesticide Concentrations in Surface Waters”
1/14/2020: MCFA news release: Humfeld, Korson honored by MCFA
3/4/2019: MCFA news release: Korson bids farewell as MCFA chair, 2019 officers named
2/22/2019: MCFA co-signs letter to USDA, EPA, Interior, Commerce and CEQ, refining and prioritizing recommendations to improve the Endangered Species Act pesticide registration consultation process (see also 4/10/2018 letter, below)
12/18/2018: MCFA co-signs letter to Congress urging reauthorization of Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA)
12/3/2018: MCFA news release: Dan Botts lauded for his service to MCFA, U.S. specialty crop producers
1/9/2015: MCFA comments to EPA re: “Tolerance Crop Grouping Program IV”, Docket ID NO. EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0766