Sutter County Board Chairman Mike Ziegenmeyer, center right, speaks on behalf of the board while praising Assemblyman James Gallagher during a May 12 presentation honoring Gallagher’s efforts to secure assistance for local cling peach growers impacted by the Del Monte cannery closure. Photo by Susan Meeker

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Board of Supervisors on May 12 honored James Gallagher for helping secure federal assistance for local cling peach growers impacted by the closure of the Del Monte cannery.

Supervisors presented Gallagher, a former Sutter County supervisor, with a proclamation recognizing his work alongside local growers, county officials and federal representatives after the Modesto cannery closure created uncertainty for growers throughout the Sacramento Valley.

The Del Monte shutdown dealt a major blow to California’s cling peach industry, which has long relied on regional canneries to process fruit grown in Sutter, Yuba and surrounding counties. According to the 2024 Sutter County Crop and Livestock Report, cling peaches were the county’s fifth-leading crop with a value of more than $66.3 million. The report showed 7,140 bearing acres of cling peaches in Sutter County producing about 106,000 tons.

Growers were forced to seek alternative contracts and processing options following the closure. Many have started the process of tearing out orchards as they prepare to shift to other crops.

Gallagher said the response to the crisis required cooperation between local communities and all levels of government.

“You know, we all come together at all levels of government, our community, when we have something tough come at us,” Gallagher said. “That’s always been the strength of this community.”

According to remarks during the recognition, about $9 million in assistance was made available through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program to help affected growers.

Although Gallagher credited Congressman Mike Thompson and the Trump administration for helping secure the funding, he said agricultural communities across the region continue to face mounting pressure from water issues, regulations and rising operating costs.

“We’re in probably the toughest time I’ve ever seen,” Gallagher said. “It’s going to take this community and all of us coming together.”

Sutter County Board Chair Mike Ziegenmeyer praised Gallagher’s advocacy for rural communities and agriculture during his years representing the region.

“For seven years, (Gallagher) fought for Sutter County and moved on to the state Assembly for the last 12 years,” Ziegenmeyer said. “He fought for our families, fought for our farmers, fought for water.”

The recognition was part of a series of presentations during the May 12 board meeting.