MEETING OF STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SET FOR DECEMBER 14

SACRAMENTO - California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary A.G. Kawamura has announced that the next meeting for the California State Board of Food and Agriculture is scheduled for December 14, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held in Sacramento, California, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medal of Honor Auditorium, 1227 O Street. The scheduled topics before the board include departmental updates and panel updates on agriculture policy, water policy, the food processing industry and biofuels.

The State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The board has forums that bring 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 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 Helen Lopez, Executive Director of the State Board of Food and Agriculture at (916) 657-3231.

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Media Contact: Steve Lyle, Office of Public Affairs (916) 654-0462 slyle@cdfa.ca.gov