GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER JOINS AG DAY CELEBRATION AT STATE CAPITOL

SACRAMENTO, March 29, 2006 – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the 2006 Ag Day celebration, “Creating Healthy Choices,” today at the State Capitol. Ag Day is an annual celebration, hosted by California Women in Agriculture and CDFA, that brings together state lawmakers, government leaders and members of California’s agriculture community for a day of appreciation and recognition at the Capitol.

More than 2,000 people browsed through booths on the Capitol’s west side, sampling California grown products and taking in educational exhibits. Special attention was given to young people at this year’s Ag Day, through an “Ag in Art” contest for school children and a demonstration of the school gardens concept taking hold at a number of schools around California.  

“Agriculture plays a vital role in California’s economy, supporting more than one million jobs and yielding $32 billion in direct farm sales. It is no wonder that California, with its vast and bountiful land, is the world’s 5th largest agricultural economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “It is inspiring to see California agriculture band together for this important event to promote California-grown products, and advocate healthy food choices for children, parents and the people of California.” 

The art contest featured a number of California school children participating in a competition sponsored by CDFA and the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom. The winner of the competition for “Best of Show” is Cassidy Foelsch, a 4th grader at Canyon Rim Elementary School in Anaheim Hills, for her piece “A Healthier Choice.”

Several resolutions were presented by legislators, including a resolution for Assembly Member Barbara Matthews, Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair, who is retiring at the end of her current term, and for Senator Jeff Denham, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, for his support of farming. Additionally, an Assembly resolution was presented to Cotton Rosser, founder of the Flying U Rodeo, one of the oldest rodeos in the state. 

Western Growers Association, which represents fruit, nut and vegetable growers in California and Arizona, developed and planted the model school garden on display on the Capitol grounds.

View CDFA Ag Day web page www.cdfa.ca.gov/exec/pa/agday06.htm

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