About the Prune Bargaining Association

In an era dominated by large scale corporate agriculture, the prune industry is still comprised largely of family enterprises

Mission Statement
The Prune Bargaining Association (PBA) is a voluntary grower organization that represents its members' interests through communication, price negotiation and industry leadership to ensure a viable prune industry.

The Association
For more than 30 years, the Prune Bargaining Association has been recognized as the price setter for the prune industry. The PBA negotiates directly with each packer who buys independent tonnage (tonnage other than that in the co-op, Sunsweet Growers Inc.).

The PBA has approximately 200 grower-members, 33% of the total number of independent growers, and represents nearly 40% of the independent grower tonnage. We are a grass roots organization - all members are prune growers, and nearly all are actively involved in the day-to-day cultural operation of their orchards. A majority produce less than 100 tons of prunes in an average year, which means most farm 40 or fewer acres of prunes. In an era dominated by large scale corporate agriculture, the prune industry is still comprised largely of family enterprises.

Districts and Directors
The PBA is a non-profit, cooperative, bargaining association and operates under the Agricultural Code of the State of California. Its governing body is composed of one to three member-elected directors from each of the State's seven geographical prune districts with additional board members elected at large.

Officers of the Board 2011

President: Ranvir Singh
Vice President: Brien Smith
Secy/Treas: Paul Hundal

Board Members by District

District 1 – Glenn & Colusa Counties
Richard Conte
Keith Larrabee
Mike Vereschagin
Vernon Vereschagin

District 2 – Sutter County North
Karm Bains
Jagpal Johl
Mohan Bains

District 3 – Yolo, Sutter County South
Paul Hundal – Secy/Treas
Rick Magenheimer
Neill Mitchell

District 4 – Tehama & Shasta Counties
Ken Lindauer
George Lindner
David Wohletz

District 5 – Butte County
Mike Bolen
Jon Lavy
Piara Gosal
Gary Jhutty

District 6 – Yuba County
Khan Khan
Ranvir Singh – President
Brien Smith – Vice President

District 7 – San Joaquin Valley
vacant

Members at Large
Al Lengtat
Steve Gruenwald

PBA Staff

General Manager: Greg Thompson
Staff Assistant: Sherry Carlson