Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

“Asparagus” means all types of vegetables grown from the plant family Liliaceae or Lily; Genus, Asparagus officinalis.

“Books and records” means books, records, contracts, documents, memoranda, papers, correspondence, or other written data pertaining to matters relating to the activities subject to this chapter.

“Commission” means the California Asparagus Commission.

This chapter is applicable to the Counties of Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Sutter, Yolo, the City and County of San Francisco, and all other counties north of those counties to the Oregon border; and the Counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Tulare, and Ventura.

“Handler” means any person engaged in marketing of asparagus which the person has produced, purchased, or acquired from a producer, or is marketing on behalf of a producer whether as owner, agent, employee, broker, processor, or otherwise.

“Market” or “marketing” means to sell asparagus.

“Market research” means any investigation, development, analysis, or use of information relating to the marketing, sales, or promotion of asparagus in this state and nationally and internationally, including, but not limited to, trade practices, consumer trends, promotion, sales, and advertising.

“Marketing year” means the period beginning January 1 of any year and extending through December 31 of that same year.

“Production research” means any cultural and biological research relating to field production of asparagus.

“Producer” means any person in this state who grows asparagus for market, including landlords who own a percentage of the crop, and who, upon request, provide proof of commodity sale. “Producer” does not include any person who has grown less than five acres of asparagus in the preceding marketing year.

“Processing research” means any research relating to the processing of asparagus.

“Advertising and promotion” means, in addition to its ordinarily accepted meaning, trade promotion and activities for the prevention, modification, or removal of trade barriers which affect the marketing of asparagus.