BLOCK GRANT LISTENING SESSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 IN EL CENTRO

CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. Scheduled to Attend

SACRAMENTO, October 25, 2001-Producers of California’s vast agricultural harvest are invited to participate in a hearing on Monday, October 29 at the Mid-Winter Fiesta Fairgrounds in El Centro to advise CDFA on the best uses for federal block grants to assist specialty crop growers.

This is the fourth of five sessions scheduled this month in California to provide a forum for ideas on how $64 million in federal funds should be allocated. The session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

The funds have been made available through the Emergency Agricultural Assistance Act of 2001. At the urging of California’s congressional delegation and CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr., this measure provides assistance for California specialty crops and commodities, which number more than 350.
“Despite our abundant production, California’s farmers and ranchers are facing tremendous hardships,” said Secretary Lyons. “Our hope is that these funds can help the long-term profitability of our industry.”

At the listening session, CDFA and county agricultural commissioners will describe the scope of the block grant program and receive comments and suggestions from members of the community. All ideas that assist the bottom line of specialty crop producers will be considered.

Comments on the block program will also be accepted in writing through November 1, 2001. Please submit comments to CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, 1220 N Street, Suite 428, Sacramento, CA 95814. For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (916) 654-0462.

Specialty Crop Block Grant Listening Schedule (remaining dates)

October 29, 2001 9 a.m. El Centro Mid-Winter Fiesta Fairgrounds, El Centro
October 31, 2001 9 a.m. Sacramento CDFA Auditorium, 1220 N Street, Sacramento

-30-

FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.