FEBRUARY MEETING SCHEDULED FOR CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

SACRAMENTO, February 7, 2002-California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. has announced the next meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.

The meeting will take place on February 20, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture Auditorium, Room 127, 1220 N Street, Sacramento. The topics before the board include updates from several CDFA divisions as well as reports on current efforts on several department projects.

The State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the Secretary of Food and Agriculture on agricultural issues and consumer needs. In the past, the board has hosted forums that brought together local, state, and federal 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 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 State Board of Food and Agriculture, at (916) 654-0433.

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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.