CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO RELEASE AG VISION RECOMMENDATIONS ON DECEMBER 16

Event scheduled on the West Steps of the State Capitol December 16, 2010, at 1 p.m.

SACRAMENTO, December 7, 2010 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will reach a milestone in the Ag Vision process on December 16th when it unveils the California Ag Vision 2030 recommendations on the West Steps of the State Capitol. This outdoor event, beginning at 1 p.m., will bring together a variety of stakeholders concerned about California’s agricultural future. Public attendance is encouraged.

“The Ag Vision recommendations reflect the combined needs of California’s farmers and ranchers and those stakeholders interested in our food system,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “Collaboration among these groups is key to creating a sustainable future within the agricultural sector. I congratulate everyone who has participated in this process.”

The December 16 event will feature a variety of speakers and celebrate the collaboration among various stakeholders to collectively set a policy agenda for California agriculture. The Ag Vision recommendations reflect a consensus among representatives from the environmental, labor, food access and nutrition communities as well as California’s farmers and ranchers. The policy recommendations to be unveiled address such issues as environmental regulations, invasive species, agricultural workforce, conservation, and adaptation to climate change.

“The recommendations being released reflect only the first steps of a long process that the agricultural community and stakeholders must continue to address,” said President Al Montna, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “The Ag Vision is not a report, but a policy agenda that needs action by all parties.”

The California Agricultural Vision 2030 (Ag Vision) is a process to develop a strategic plan for the state’s agriculture and food systems. Its motivation was the rapidly growing list of challenges facing agriculture, from regulations and water supply to urbanization and climate change. For more information on the Ag Vision, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision.

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