Achievements

Agricultural Export Achievements

• When state budget deficits caused the closure of CDFA’s Ag Export Program in 2003, the Undersecretary of Agriculture asked the Fresno CITD to coordinate a pilot program designated to represent the CDFA in coordinating inbound buying missions from the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) on a statewide level, and the United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS). Because of the success of this pilot program, the Fresno CITD was designated the lead for the Memorandum of Agreement with CFDA, and has maintained it ever since.
• The Fresno CITD has administered the statewide Ag HUB since 2007 and serves as the lead CITD in coordinating, facilitating and reporting program activities between WUSATA, CDFA, other California CITDs, agricultural associations and California commodity groups.
• At the request of state and federal partners, each year the Fresno CITD receives ten incoming buying missions which services 20-25 California companies per mission, and develops over 150 new overseas client contacts. Additionally, the Fresno CITD hosts two outbound buying missions to emerging international markets each year, servicing 7-10 California companies per mission, and develops over 30 new overseas client contacts.
• The Fresno CITD’s vast experience and expertise, unduplicated by any other center, includes coordinating and leading over 150 agricultural trade missions to and from California and training over 5,000 companies over the years. This success is documented by more than $45 million in direct sales from trades missions, another $600 million in export sales, and numerous awards, e.g. President “E Award” for Export Excellence in 2003.
• In 2009, the Fresno CITD served over 400 companies, generated $2.6 million in new exports sales (with $12 million in projected sales over following 12 months), and provided incumbent job training to 75 individuals.
• State and Federal investment in our program has led to job creation and retention of 10,800 jobs.
• Co-hosted the California Agricultural Trade Roundtable 2010 with California Agricultural Export Council (CAEC) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to assist lawmakers in the development of California agricultural trade policy; the Fresno CITD facilitated a high-level delegation from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in March 2010; signing of MOA between Japan & U.S.; hosted FAS Deputy Administrator Christian Foster’s visit to California.
• The Fresno CITD is the leading provider of export trade research, education, and training in Central California for over 20 years.

What Does The Fresno CITD Bring to SCCCD?

• Fresno CITD has generated over $7 million in State and Federal grant funds and $1 million in private funds over the past 20 years.
• Since 2003, Fresno CITD has provide over $109,000 in funding to 58 faculty for projects and continuing education to enrich SCCCD’s curriculum with international content as well as the development of student cultural awareness in preparation for a global economy.
• Over past 2 years, CITD has sponsored Global Entrepreneurship projects to 12 students on a China Study Abroad, 56 students to attend the Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization conference, and over 760 college and high school students with events such as the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, Fresno Entrepreneur Unplugged, Million Dollar Cup of Tea, and Annual Gas Company Student Entrepreneurship Challenge. Our center has also helped 10 students start their own business and developed a mentorship program that has already helped over 100 high school students.
• Through its award winning internship program, the Fresno CITD has provided opportunities for 170 students and enabled 150 job placements all over the globe with companies such as CitiCorp London, Dole Japan, Sunmaid and Duncan Enterprises, Starbucks, PeopleSoft, and Citicorp.
• The Fresno CITD has developed local, state, national and international relationships and contacts to secure job placements for interns and clients in need of a job or change.
• The Fresno CITD identifies and fills gaps in services to education and training providers including coordination between secondary school, college and university faculty in international education, professional development for instructors who are internationalizing curricula, and research on appropriate internationally-themed course materials.
• Established over 100 partnerships with local, state, federal businesses and government agencies.
• The Fresno CITD has in place an elaborate network of international service and educational organization partners, including other statewide EWDP initiatives, to assess the needs of businesses in the region and support for the economic development activities within the California Community Colleges.
• Facilitates regional and state-wide Focus Groups with industry and business leaders to ascertain international “needs” that is shared with local and state agencies as well as SCCCD.
• The Fresno CITD is the co-founder of the San Joaquin Valley International Trade Association and the San Joaquin Valley Hispanic Serving Institution group, both of which provide scholarships and apprenticeships for students. Through these scholarships, students have attended national conferences make industry contacts which in most cases lead to employment with state and federal agencies and private domestic and international corporations.
• Opportunities to participate on trade missions and high-level meetings (e.g. Dr. Azari travelled on Secretary of Ag’s mission to CUBA as well as Governor’s luncheon).