Butterhead
Romaine Iceberg Greenleaf Redleaf
California Lettuce Research Board
About the Board Introduction

The California Lettuce Research Board (Board) was originally formed as the Iceberg Lettuce Advisory Board in 1973. The Board name was changed in 1998 with the addition of research on leaf lettuce (i.e., romaine, butterhead, red and green leaf).

The primary function of the Board is to fund research on iceberg and leaf lettuce. This is accomplished under the authority of the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture under the California Marketing Act of 1937.

California’s position as a leader in the production and distribution of lettuce can be attributed, to a large degree, to the public and private research that has been funded by the Board. This research is conducted by personnel from the University of California, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and independent researchers, all of whom have the best technical and practical expertise in the production and distribution of iceberg and leaf lettuce.

California is the leading producer of lettuce with an estimated 70-75% of the total U.S. production of iceberg lettuce and 80-85% of the leaf lettuce. The research programs funded by the Board have allowed the lettuce industry to continue to provide a constant supply of high quality lettuce to the consumer

The board is particularly proud of the relationships that have developed as a result of Board activities.  The Board is a partner in the federal Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), and Board strategies, as related to the PESP program, may be found on their web site at www.pesp.org.  The Board has also worked very closely with various state agencies and in 1998 was recognized by the California Environmental Protection Agency as an “IPM Innovator” for its leadership in advancing the use of reduced-risk programs for pest management in the lettuce industry.


Board members feel that the long term viability of the California lettuce industry requires a continued commitment to fund non-proprietary research that will benefit all California lettuce growers, and have worked together to insure that the problems of the lettuce industry are being met through strong, scientifically based, research programs.

We hope that the information provided on this web site will provide you an indication of the commitment of the Board, the accomplishments of the researchers, and the value of the lettuce industries contributions to the California lettuce industry.

If you have any questions about the activities of the Board please send your requests to:

California Lettuce Research Board
512 Pajaro Street
Salinas, CA 93901

TEL: 831-424-3782
FAX: 831-424-3785

Email -
calettuceresearch@yahoo.com

Last Updated  January 3, 2008                  
Webmaster: David Cramer
                                                                                 envirodave@yahoo.com
Origin and History
Production Statistics
Activities, Issues and Accomplishments
History of Research Funding
1973-74  -  2003-04
Abstracts of Research
1999 - 2000
2000 - 2001
2001 -2002
2002 -2003
2003 -2004
2004 -2005
2006 -2007
Research Project Reports
April 1, 2006 through
March 31, 2007
Research Priorities
Sample Production Costs
Wrapped Iceberg and Romaine Lettuce
2000 - 2001
Crop Profile - Iceberg Lettuce In California 2001
Crop Profile - Leaf Lettuce in California 2001
Pest Management Strategic Plan For California and Arizona Lettuce Production - 2003
Food Safety Links
Websites , Links and References
Misc. Publications