NOVEMBER MEETING SCHEDULED FOR STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura has announced that the next meeting for the California State Board of Food and Agriculture is scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Coastal Room, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, California. The topics before the board will include an overview of the Division of Animal Health and Food Safety Services, an overview of the Division of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, and a briefing on budgetary issues.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The board hosts forums that bring together government officials, agricultural representatives, and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

The board’s fifteen members are appointed by the governor, and are selected to represent a broad range of agricultural commodities, geographical regions, and both the University of California and the California State University academic systems.  Members serve four-year terms without pay. There are no term limits and appointments do not require Senate confirmation.

All California State Board of Food and Agriculture meetings are open to the media and general public. For more information on the state board or CDFA, please contact the department’s public affairs office at (916) 654-0462 or Karen Manor, executive director of the board, at (916) 654-1020.

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