California’s specialty crop farmers can benefit from an export training program designed to assist companies to expand sales overseas.

The California Agricultural Export Training Program, facilitated by the California Centers for International Trade Development, will hold six training sessions over the course of three months beginning in March 2010.

Classes will be held in Fresno, Sacramento, and San Luis Obispo. The class application deadline is Feb. 26, 2010.

“Exports are a vital component of our farm economy,” said A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “With more than $10 billion in exports, California’s international markets support jobs, farm families, and rural communities.”

The California Export Training Program is funded by the 2009 California Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

The training program benefits producers, processors, and markets of California grown specialty crop products and processed foods.

The training sessions cover a variety of topics including international marketing, logistics and documentation, negotiation and cultural aspects, financing, and foreign regulations.

The program is designed for new-to-export companies.

For more information and to register, go online to www.fresnocitd.org or call Frank Nunez at (888) 638-7888.