STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SETS DISCUSSION ON FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURE AT CAL POLY POMONA

SACRAMENTO – California’s State Board of Food and Agriculture will host a number of distinguished panelists to discuss future research and technology applications for agriculture in the Golden State.  The event will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the California State Polytechnic University, College of Agriculture, located at 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768.

“Promoting research and encouraging innovation are hallmarks of California agriculture,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura.  “This session gives us an opportunity to ensure that California agriculture’s research needs are identified and addressed as we call for a significant investment increase in research funding in the 2007 Farm Bill.”

“With growing challenges of restricted land availability, limited water supply and a need to restrict chemical use, agriculture must find new, efficient and viable means to produce a safe and abundant food supply,” said Al Montna, president of the State Board of Food and Agriculture.  “We must consider the vast potential of research into areas ranging from environmentally controlled agricultural production, to enhancements in nutritional quality, to GPS/GIS technology, and even identifying and developing specific crops to meet the nutritional needs of specific segments of a population.”

The June 27 session will include presentations by Professors Mike Reibel, Dept. of Geography & Anthropology, Douglas Lewis, Human Nutrition and Food Science Department, Sowyma Mitra and David Still, Dept. of Plant Science and Technology. The session will also include presentations by Dr. Dickson Despommier from Columbia University, Dr. Gene Giacomelli from the University of Arizona, and Dr. Martin Lemon from Monsanto Corporation. Three panels will discuss GIS and GPS Technology, Environmentally Controlled Agriculture and the Regulation of Gene Expression in Agriculture and Human Health.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and secretary of food and agriculture of findings as they impact agriculture and consumer needs.  The board conducts forums that bring together local, state, and federal government officials, agricultural representatives, and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All California State Board of Food and Agriculture meetings are open to the media and general public.