Cheríe Watte Angulo, who has been involved in promoting California crops for more than two decades, is the new executive director of the Buy California Marketing Agreement.
The program markets the CA Grown brand and supports agriculture products through an annual budget of $2 million.
Watte has been on the Buy California Marketing Agreement (BCMA) board for 10 years and was chairwoman from 2014-18, according to a news release.
She was president and executive director of the California Asparagus Commission, director of international trade policy and manager of the agricultural export programs for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and was also the director of the National Affairs and Research for the California Farm Bureau Federation.
To say she’s qualified for her new role is an understatement, Donn Zea, chairman of the board for the BCMA.
“She is strategic, enthusiastic and absolutely passionate about California agriculture and its place as a vital part of the fabric of our state,” Zea said in the release.
State Assembly member Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, called Watte a “homegrown agricultural champion.”
“The California Grown marketing initiative has become increasingly important now when our local farmers and ranchers need our support more than ever,” Garcia said in the release.
There are 30 commodity association members at the BCMA.
“In California we grow such an abundance and diversity of delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine and floral and nursery products that are not only loved by Californians but are also enjoyed across the country and around the world,” Watte said in the release.
Watte is on the University of California’s President’s Advisory Commission on Agricultural and Natural Resources and the USDA’s Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee on Fruits and Vegetables.
