STATE BOARD TO DISCUSS WATER SYSTEM AND DELTA VISION

September 24 Agenda Includes Water Policy Discussion

SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture – as part of its statewide listening sessions in developing its “Ag Vision 2030” report – will hear from two major water experts at its September 24, 2008 meeting in Sacramento.  Ag Vision 2030 will lay out significant resource management goals for the next 20 years.

The board will host Phil Isenberg, Chair of the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force, along with the authors of the Pacific Institute's study More with Less: Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency in California. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, from
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street, Sacramento.

"California's water future depends on policy action," said Al Montna, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. "As stewards of California’s food supply, we have the knowledge and experience to help guide that policy into action."

The Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force is an independent panel appointed by the governor and responsible for recommending future actions on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This task force, part of Delta Vision, is intended to identify a strategy for managing the Delta as a sustainable ecosystem that would support environmental and economic functions that are critical to people of California.

At this meeting the state board will also discuss California's 2030 Ag Vision and develop draft recommendations for public comment.

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.