The California Artichoke Advisory Board (CAAB) was organized in 1960 under the California State Marketing Order Act administered by the California State Department of Food and Agriculture, after growers voted to assess themselves to pay for formation and continuing operational costs including state oversight. The Marketing Order for Artichokes is voted on every five years and the current order is in effect until 2009. A hearing will be held in January of 2009 to hear testimony for continuance or dissolution.

   The Board was organized by growers in response to three recognized needs of the industry: 1) generic promotion of artichokes; 2) research into pest problems that damage artichoke crops; 3) fostering grower unity and cooperation for the benefit of the artichoke industry as a whole.