During Yolo County nut buying period, persons in possession of unprocessed "nuts" (almond, walnut, or pistachio" shall be required to show proof of ownership. Photo by Fernando Espí from Pixabay

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner Humberto Izquierdo announced on July 26 that the nut buying period will begin Aug. 1 and run through April 1, 2025, in accordance with the county’s nut theft ordinance.

On May 13, 2014, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted a nut theft ordinance to address the issue of nuts being stolen from orchards and sold illegally. The declaration of the nut buying period, and related Proof of Ownership requirements, assists the department in enforcing the ordinance through compliance checks at places where nuts are sold.

During this period, persons in possession of unprocessed “nuts” (almond, walnut, or pistachio) shall be required to show proof of ownership. Under probable cause, the Agricultural Commissioner or any peace officer may inspect the commodity and request proof of ownership. Proof of ownership shall contain the following information:

Name, address, telephone number and signature of the seller

Name, address, telephone number and signature of the buyer

The vehicle license plate number of the seller

The driver’s license number of the seller

The weight of the “nut” commodity purchased

The date and time of the transaction

The variety and condition of the “nut” commodity

Specific identification of the source of the commodity being sold. If the seller is the commodity’s grower, this shall mean the address at which the commodity was grown. If the seller is not the commodity’s grower, this shall mean the name, address and phone number of the person from whom that seller obtained the “nut” commodity, and if known, the address where the commodity was grown.

The proof of ownership shall be retained with the nut commodity to which it pertains while the commodity is in any person’s possession. Proof of ownership forms can be obtained from the Yolo County Agriculture Department, located at 70 Cottonwood St. in Woodland, or at the Yolo County Farm Bureau, located at 69 W. Kentucky Ave. in Woodland. Additionally, the proof of ownership form is available online at www.YoloCounty.org/NutTheft.