[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 170 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1343-E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE 1ST ANNUAL MERCED COUNTY NUT FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 28, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the first annual 
Merced County Nut Festival, an event celebrating the agricultural past, 
present, and future of Merced County and furthermore, the nut 
industry's impact on our Valley's local economy.
  California's San Joaquin Valley is one of the world's top producers 
in almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, contributing to California's 
ranking as the sixth largest economy in the world. Together, the 
growers, hullers, and all involved in the tree to table process in 
California contribute to producing 80 percent of the world's almonds, 
which is also the state's top agricultural export.
  The Merced County Nut Festival is the vision of Necola Adams, who saw 
the need to celebrate those involved in our Valley's nut industry while 
at the same time educating the public about these crops that are 
present in all parts of Merced County. After discussing this idea for 
three years, Mrs. Adams put together a committee of community leaders 
from various backgrounds to help make this vision a reality.
  The planning committee consisting of Mrs. Adams, Gwen Hagaman, 
Cynthia Adams, Kim McMillion, and Vicki Underwood collaborated to 
ensure the success of this festival. They contacted local businesses 
and community organizations, marketed the festival to local 
stakeholders, and overcame any challenge that arose.
  The vision of the Merced County Nut Festival being an event to 
educate about the tree-to-table process and one that brings together 
members of the community to celebrate an industry uniting the county 
has been achieved by the committee. This festival will feature 
demonstrations from industry professionals, food cooked by Merced 
chefs, and live music from local bands. Any of the additional funds 
raised will benefit local youth organizations in Merced, signifying the 
vision that the festival can bridge the local community to those 
involved in the nut industry.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Merced 
County Nut Festival during their inaugural year. It is both fitting and 
appropriate that we honor them and recognize the significant impact 
they will have on the greater Merced community and nut industry this 
year and in future years.

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