Application Renewal Reminder
Application Renewals will be available on the first Monday in December. Login to your portal to review and submit application renewals by the February 15, 2027 deadline.
Important Dates
November 11, 2026- Office Closed for Veterans Day
November 26-27, 2026 - Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
December 21-January 1st - Office Closed for Winter Break
January 14, 2027- Seed Sampler Training-Davis
January 28, 2027 - Seed Sampler Training-Imperial Valley
February 4, 2027 - Seed Sampler Training- San Joaquin Valley
CCIA Welcomes New Staff and Leadership Changes in 2026
2026 has been a year of significant growth and transition for CCIA, with several staff changes strengthening our team and expanding our field and certification services.
After 20 years of service to CCIA, Timothy Blank retired in 2026. We are grateful for Timothy’s many years of commitment, knowledge, and service to the seed industry and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Following Timothy’s retirement, Emily Richter joined CCIA in April and quickly became an important part of our certification team. Emily has taken on responsibility for alfalfa and rice certification and has been a wonderful addition to the team.
In May, Tyler Trueblood joined the CCIA team, primarily working with sunflowers and small-acre crops. Tyler has become an important addition to our field and certification operations and has helped support growers and conditioners throughout the 2026 season.
Katy Soden has stepped into the role of Executive Director, bringing 15 years of experience with CCIA to the position. Katy’s extensive knowledge of CCIA’s programs, operations, and customers provides valuable continuity as the organization moves forward.
Ashley Koala assumed the role as Field Services Manager, taking on an expanded role in overseeing field services and supporting the day-to-day needs of our field inspection program. Ashley’s experience with CCIA and commitment to our customers make her a valuable part of the organization’s continued growth.
Most recently, in October, Bryce Murphy joined CCIA full-time after serving as a field inspector for the past four summers. Bryce’s field experience and knowledge of CCIA’s certification programs have helped him transition into a full-time position.
With new team members, internal promotions, and experienced staff stepping into new roles, CCIA is excited about the future. These changes allow us to build on our strong foundation while continuing to provide dependable seed certification and field services to California’s seed industry.
2026 Rice Report by Emily Richter
Seed Production Update:
During the 2026 crop year, the California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA) inspected 24,907 acres under the Certified Rice Seed Program and 1,235 acres under the Rice Quality Assurance Program, for a combined total of 26,142 inspected acres.
Total inspected rice acreage decreased in 2026 compared to approximately 28,500 acres in 2025.
Variety Summary:
In 2026, a total of 33 rice varieties were produced through the certification program, including 12 short-grain, 16 medium-grain, and 5 long-grain varieties.
Among the Calrose varieties, M-210 had the largest acreage, with 4,918 acres, followed by M-105 at 4,798 acres, M-209 at 4,194 acres, M-206 at 3,853 acres, and M-211 at 3,101 acres. Acreage for M-206 and M-211 continues to decline, and both varieties are scheduled to be retired by 2029.
Other varieties with notable acreage in 2026 included Calmochi-203, with 1,252 acres; Koshihikari, with 1,019 acres; and M-401, with 854 acres.
Seed Field Inspections:
Field inspections conducted by CCIA began during the second week of August and concluded during the third week of September. CCIA field inspectors walked a total of 368 fields during the 2026 crop year.
Foundation, Registered, QA1, and QA2 fields each received two inspections, while Certified and QA3 fields received one inspection.
A few fields in the Certified Rice Seed Program were rejected due to the presence of Type 1 weedy rice. Additional issues in the fields included weed pressure and the presence of off-types throughout the fields.
Overall, the 2026 crop year saw a decrease in inspected rice acreage compared to 2025, while production continued across 33 rice varieties. Calrose varieties remained a significant portion of certified rice seed production, with M-210, M-105, and M-209 accounting for the largest acreages. Field inspections conducted by CCIA helped ensure compliance with certification and quality assurance standards, while identifying issues related to Type 1 weedy rice, weed pressure, and off-types. Continued monitoring and adherence to program standards will remain important in maintaining the quality and varietal purity of California rice seed production in future crop years.
2026 Field Inspection Update by Ashley Koala
The 2026 field inspection season was another busy year for CCIA inspectors, with 1,469 applications covering more than 84,000 acres of certified and inspection-only/no seed crop production throughout California. Of the 15 crops certified in 2026, rice, alfalfa, sunflower, small grains, bermudagrass, cotton, and turfgrass comprised 97% of the total acres applied statewide.
Rice remained California's largest certified seed crop, with more than 26,000 acres inspected across the Sacramento Valley. Colusa County led the state in rice production acreage, followed by Butte, Sutter, and Glenn counties.
Overall field conditions were favorable, and certified rice seed continues to play a critical role in supporting California's commercial rice industry.
Certified sunflower seed production exceeded 16,000 applied acres all within the Sacramento Valley. New this year was the addition of Field Inspection Only acreage to monitor the presence of Egyptian and branched broomrape in sunflower seed production. There were no reported observations of broomrape in any seed fields inspected by CCIA.
Imperial County led the state in total acres applied for, driven primarily by alfalfa and bermudagrass production. While acreage applied for was substantial, 39.73% was certified as no seed crop in 2026. This is driven by market demand and prices for hay.
We appreciate the cooperation of growers, conditioners, agricultural commissioners, UC Farm Advisors, and industry partners throughout the inspection season. Their commitment to maintaining genetic purity and seed quality continues to uphold California's reputation as a producer of high-quality certified seeds.
2026 Season Highlights
- 1,469 field applications inspected
- 84,939 acres applied
- 65,425 acres approved
- 15 certified crops
- Rice remained the largest certified crop
Seed Sampler Training 2027
The purpose of the seed sampler training workshops conducted by the California Crop Improvement Association (CCIA) is to ensure that representative seed samples are collected consistently and properly for seed testing.
Seed sampling is the first and one of the most important steps in obtaining an accurate seed test. A representative sample provides the critical connection between the seed lot awaiting sale or distribution at the warehouse and the sample submitted to the seed laboratory. Proper sampling helps ensure that laboratory test results accurately reflect the quality of the entire seed lot.
The principles, methods, and equipment used to obtain representative seed samples have been developed by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) and the Association of American Seed Control Officials (AASCO) and are incorporated into the requirements of the Federal Seed Act. These standards form the foundation of CCIA's Certified Seed Sampler Training Program.
Through these workshops, participants learn the proper procedures and techniques for collecting, handling, and submitting seed samples, helping maintain the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of seed testing.
Registration cost is $125 per person, this includes the Seed Sampler handbook, AASCO online test for first time samplers, and lunch. The CCIA will issue an invoice for payment after the course. There are no refunds for cancellations after registration has closed within ten days of the scheduled course date. No shows will be charged full fees.
For additional questions contact Larry Frame (530) 219-1953 or [email protected]
Upcoming Classes:
- Sacramento Valley- January 14, 2027- Parsons Seed Certification Center, Davis CA 95616
- Imperial Valley- January 28, 2027- Desert Research and Extension Center 1004 E Holton Road Holtiville CA 92250
- San Joaquin Valley-February 4, 2027- UC ANR West Side Research and Extension Center 17353 W Oakland Ave, Five Points, CA 93624
CCIA Announcements for Conditioners
Lab Requirement for Blends
CCIA would like to remind all accredited and approved seed conditioners that, under CCIA General Standards, Section 22, a Report of Analysis (ROA) must be on file for all certified seed blends.
A representative seed analysis documenting purity, germination, and component percentages is required to support certified blend labeling and distribution. This requirement applies to all certified seed blends, regardless of crop or market destination.
CCIA will consistently enforce this existing requirement. Blends submitted for certification or review without the required ROA may experience delays or be deemed noncompliant. CCIA staff will verify ROA documentation during routine certification, labeling, and audit activities.
This requirement supports the integrity of the CCIA certification program and helps ensure compliance with applicable state and federal seed laws. Maintaining an ROA for each blend is essential for verifying accurate labeling and supporting certification claims.
We appreciate your cooperation and continued commitment to maintaining the quality and integrity of the CCIA seed certification program. If you have questions regarding acceptable analyses or documentation requirements, please contact the CCIA office.
Certifying Lots in Their Entirety
CCIA would like to clarify existing certification requirements regarding certified seed lot weights and the use of weight adjustments.
Under CCIA certification standards, the entire seed lot submitted for certification must consist of certified seed and be supported by an approved Field Inspection Report and Seed Laboratory Report of Analysis. Certification applies to the actual physical seed lot, not a portion or calculated representation of the lot.
While CCIA standards allow for weight adjustments in limited, documented circumstances, such as processing losses or conditioning discrepancies, these adjustments are not intended to serve as a routine method of certifying seed lots.
To maintain certification integrity, all seed lots must be clearly identified and traceable, with inspection and testing records that accurately support the lot's identity, size, and certification status. Certified seed claims must reflect the seed lot as produced, processed, and labeled, with consistent documentation throughout the certification process.
Routine reliance on weight adjustments is inconsistent with these expectations and may create concerns regarding certification integrity, traceability, and compliance with applicable state and federal seed labeling requirements.
This clarification does not represent a change to CCIA standards. Rather, it reaffirms existing certification requirements and expectations to ensure consistent application of the program across all participants.
If you have questions about how these requirements apply to a specific seed lot or certification scenario, please contact the CCIA office before conditioning, labeling, or marketing the seed.