MEETINGS OF STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SET FOR JANUARY 24-25

SACRAMENTO, January 20, 2006 – California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary A.G. Kawamura has announced that the next meetings for the California State Board of Food and Agriculture are scheduled for January 24th and 25th, 2006. 

The board will hold a strategic planning meeting for the year on January 24th at California Farm Bureau Federation headquarters in Sacramento.  The board’s regular monthly meeting is scheduled for January 25, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., at the CDFA auditorium, 1220 N Street, Suite 131, Sacramento, California. The scheduled topics before the board include departmental updates and various presentations focusing on keeping California competitive through research, knowledge and technology.  Guest speakers include faculty from the University of California and California State University systems and the California Agricultural Teachers Association.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the secretary of food and agriculture 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 California State Board of Food and Agriculture at (916) 657-3231.

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The California Department of Food and Agriculture protects and promotes California’s $31.8 billion agricultural industry. California’s farmers and ranchers produce a safe, secure supply of food, fiber and shelter; marketed fairly for all Californians; and produced with responsible environmental stewardship.