STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SETS SESSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Panelists to include agriculture industry representatives, government and UC experts

SACRAMENTO – Agriculture is a key sector that must prepare for and adapt to climate change in the coming years.  To take stock of efforts to keep the agricultural community ahead of the curve on global warming, the California’s State Board of Food and Agriculture will host a number of distinguished panelists to provide updates on current legislation and regulations, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, carbon sequestration and farm-based renewable energy. The board will also host a panel to discuss the current decline in honey and native pollinator populations.

The event will take place on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s headquarters auditorium, located at 1220 N Street in Sacramento.

“Farmers have always been innovators by necessity,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “We in the agricultural community will need every ounce of our ingenuity to stay a step ahead of climate change, and this session is an excellent opportunity to see where we stand and where we must go to meet the coming demands.”

State Board President Al Montna added, “Growers in California are used to adapting, whether that means choosing the right crop for the conditions, or finding a more efficient way to do business. We will address climate change the same way we face our daily challenges in farming—directly, together, with all of the information and experience we can gather.”

The first panel discussing “Legislative and Regulatory Overview” will include presentations by Eileen Tutt, Deputy Secretary of External Affairs for the California Environmental Protection Agency; Paul Martin, Director of Environmental Services for Western United Dairymen; John White, Executive Director for the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies; and Cynthia Cory with the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The second panel discussing “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation” will include presentations by Dr. Amy Luers, California Climate Manager for the Union of Concerned Scientists; Dr. Dennis Baldocchi, Professor of Biometeorology at U.C. Berkeley; and Dr. Thomas Tomich, Director for the University of California’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP).

The third panel discussing “Carbon Sequestration and Farm Source Renewable Energy” will include presentations by Dr. Will Horwath, Professor for Land Air Water Resources at U.C. Davis; Guy Phillips, President of Intellergy Corp.; and Lee Ruth with the Synergetic Enterprise Development Group.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and secretary of food and agriculture of findings as they impact agriculture and consumer needs.  The board conducts forums that bring together local, state, and federal government officials, agricultural representatives, and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All California State Board of Food and Agriculture meetings are open to the media and general public.