The successes that the walnut industry of California have enjoyed have come about in part through a commitment to industry-funded research that has led to significant improvements in the quality of the walnuts available to consumers and increasingly efficient cultural practices resulting in increased awareness of, and a more receptive environment for, the production and handling of walnuts in domestic and foreign markets. It has also led to walnuts being a better consumer value. The establishment of the commission will maintain and enhance this research effort and make it possible for the walnut industry to realize its potential, resulting in increased consumer value and enhanced producer returns.