California Almonds Get Bank Borrowing Boost in Marketing Order Vote
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
California almond growers and handlers are getting a new power to borrow money from banks to help run their marketing order smoothly. This change aims to keep things running without hiccups and will be voted on between November 2 and 20, 2026. If approved, it could make managing almond marketing more flexible and financially stable.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Board can use seasonal line of credit
The Almond Board of California would be allowed to borrow money from commercial banks through a seasonal line of credit to cover short-term cashflow gaps tied to the timing of program expenses and assessment revenue. Any borrowed funds must be repaid within a maximum of 12 months, and this authority is intended to keep Board operations running (for example, during the first months of the marketing year before assessment revenue is received).
Borrowing limited by budget and oversight
Borrowing would be structured with parameters the Board identified: short-term loan duration, maximum borrowing limits not to exceed approved crop year budget ceilings, allowing the lender to set the maximum available line, making credit amounts proportional to the Board's net position, and finance-department monitoring of interest rates and debt levels. The Board will revise internal control policies and the finance and audit committee will set preferred timelines.
Growers will vote on the amendment in November
California almond growers eligible under the representative period (August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026) will vote in a referendum conducted from November 2 through November 20, 2026, to decide whether the borrowing authority is adopted. To enact an amendment, at least two-thirds of growers voting or two-thirds of the volume represented by those growers must vote in favor.
No new reporting or paperwork required
The proposed amendment would not impose any additional reporting or recordkeeping requirements on almond growers or handlers; existing information collection is covered under OMB No. 0581-0178 and would remain unchanged.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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