Former Republican congressman George Radanovich to head ag group

George Radanovich, a wine grape grower and former California congressman, is the new president of the Fresno-based California Fresh Fruit Association.

Radanovich, who served eight terms in Congress, is replacing Barry Bedwell, the longtime agriculture advocate who will become president of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

Bedwell has served as president of the CFFA since 2003.

“Leaving CFFA is extremely difficult, but I feel I can now take what I have learned to further enhance a premier leadership development program that I believe will be imperative to the successful future of California agriculture,” Bedwell said.

Radanovich, a wine grape grower in Mariposa, will take over Aug. 1.

“I look forward to this opportunity to become re-engaged with agriculture in the representation of our members and the chance to work in conjunction with other public policy organizations and their leadership for the benefit of production agriculture in California,” Radanovich said.

Radanovich served in Congress from 1995 to 2011 representing California’s 19th District that, at the time, covered parts of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties.

As president of the association, Radanovich will represent growers, packers and shippers of California’s table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate and other deciduous tree fruit. The association serves as a public policy representative for its voluntary members.

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Former Republican congressman George Radanovich to head ag group."