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CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

MEMBERS SERVING ON THE BOARD

Board members are residents of California and are specially qualified for service through farm, business, agricultural economics, environmental protection, or consumer affairs experience.

Members are selected using the following guidelines:

• One member represents the agricultural sciences division of the University of California.
• One member represents the agricultural department of a state university or college offering agriculture as part of the curriculum.
• Two members are from the state at-large and represent the agricultural industry.
• Seven members represent the agricultural industry.
• Two members with knowledge of the environment represent the public.
• Two members with knowledge of consumer affairs represent the public.

Board Member Biographies

Ann Bacchetti Silva, Agricultural Industry Member
Silva is co-manager of Bacchetti and Silva Dairy in Tracy, where she has worked since 1977. She is chair of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program, a member of the California Milk Advisory Board of Directors, a member of the North Central Valley Dairywomen, and a member of the board of directors of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS). She is also a member of Western United Dairymen and the Dairy Food Security Task Force.

Ashley Boren, Public Member
Ashley Boren is the Executive Director of Sustainable Conservation (www.suscon.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to partnering with business, agriculture and government to find practical ways that the private sector can protect clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems. The organization leads powerful collaborations that produce real solutions and sustain the vitality of both California's economy and environment. Ashley previously worked at Smith & Hawken, a mail order and retail gardening company, and The Nature Conservancy. Ashley has a BA in human biology, an MA in applied economics and an MBA from Stanford University.

Tom Deardorff II
Tom Deardorff is president of Deardorff Family Farms, a fourth generation family business that grows, packs and ships fresh fruits and vegetables from Oxnard, California. Tom is a member of the board of directors of Western Growers Association and previously served as chairman of Ventura County Agriculture Association and as a board member for the California Tomato Commission and Ventura County Agricultural Association Insurance Services. Tom received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern University. He is a licensed as an attorney and real estate broker in the state of California.

Daniel M. Dooley, University of California Member
Daniel M. Dooley was recently appointed University of California (UC) Vice President - Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR). Dooley leads a statewide research and public service organization responsible for activities in agriculture, natural resources, environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences, forestry, human and community development, 4-H/youth development and related areas. ANR programs and services include nearly 1,000 faculty, specialists and advisors with Cooperative Extension offices in 50 California counties and regions, and California’s Agricultural Experiment Station, located on the UC Berkeley, Davis and Riverside campuses.

Luawanna Hallstrom, Agricultural Industry Member
Luawanna Hallstrom is chief operating officer and general manager of Harry Singh and Sons, the largest single vine-ripe tomato producer in the United States. She is a member of several agricultural organizations, including the Western Growers Association, the National Council for Agricultural Employers, the California Farm Bureau, the Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform, and the American Farm Bureau.

Craig McNamara, Public/Environment Member
Craig McNamara is president and owner of Sierra Orchards, a diversified farming operation that includes field, processing and marketing operations, producing primarily walnuts and grape rootstock. He also serves as founder and president of the Center for Land-Based Learning. McNamara is a founding trustee of UC Merced, a member of the UC Davis Dean's Advisory Council, a board member of Valley Vision, and past chairman of the Agricultural Network and the California Walnut Commission. McNamara received his bachelor's degree in plant and soil science from UC Davis.

Marvin A. Meyers, Agricultural Industry Member
Marvin Meyers has owned and operated Meyers Farming I-IV, Oxford Farms, Inc., and Meyers Farm Family Trust since 1982. Previously he owned Meyers Agricultural Chemical Company for 16 years. He is a member of the Western Growers Association, the Farm Bureau Safe Harbor Committee, and the Drought Advisory Panel. Meyers earned a bachelor of science degree from CSU Fresno.

Al Montna, Board President/ Agricultural Industry Member
Al Montna owns and operates Montna Farms, Montna Farms Dryer, American Commodity Company, Darwazeh Montna Development, LLC and the Dingville Duck and Social Club. He is a former chairman of the Farmer's Rice Cooperative, U.S. Rice Producers Group, and California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo's college of agriculture advisory council, as well as founding member of the Northern California Water Association.

Adan Ortega Jr. Public Member
Adan Ortega Jr. is senior communications management adviser with GCG Rose & Kindel. Previously, he was vice president of external affairs at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He is a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, and a board member of Heal the Bay and Audubon California.

Karen Ross, Agricultural Industry Member
Karen Ross is president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, executive director of Winegrape Growers of America, and executive director of the California Wine Grape Growers Foundation. Previously, she was vice president of government affairs for the Agricultural Council of California. She is a member of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee, the UC Davis College of Agriculture & Environmental Science Dean's Advisory Committee, the Agricultural Advisory Committee for the California Exposition and State Fair, and a board member of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.

David J. Wehner, Ph.D, State University or College Member
Dr. David Wehner was named Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University on April 15, 2002. As Dean, he is responsible for the operation of one of the largest colleges of agriculture in the United States with over 3800 students, approximately 10, 000 acres of agricultural land between the San Luis Obispo campus and Swanton Pacific Ranch, and $3 million in product sales. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he served as interim Dean for nine months. He became Associate Dean for the College in 1997 with primary responsibility for the operation of the undergraduate program, including curriculum development, student progress, advising and outreach.