STATE BOARD TO DISCUSS CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL VISION WITH FOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

December 17th Meeting in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear from food associations and foundations at its December 17, 2008 meeting in Sacramento.  This meeting will focus on the recently released California Agricultural Vision framework and future steps in forming a consensus document among farmers and ranchers as well as nutrition, conservation, environmental and rural development groups.

The board will host several food industry leaders including: Matt Byrne of the California Cattlemen’s Association; Dave Puglia of Western Growers; and Emily Robidart of the Agricultural Council of California. The meeting will also include presentations by Walter Reid of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation; Susan Clark of the Columbia Foundation; and August Schumacher, Jr. of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street, Sacramento.

“Creating a vision for California’s food future is essential,” said California Secretary of Food and Agriculture A.G. Kawamura. “Agriculture is a dynamic industry that provides healthy food, mitigates climate change and is a source of renewable energy.”

"The dynamics of our food system are changing," said Al Montna, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. "We must work together to create and advocate policy to enhance the sustainability and viability of this industry – the Ag Vision is a step forward in this process.”

The Ag Vision is a culmination of seven public listening sessions and hundreds of comments by agricultural stakeholders.  It reflects the issues, policy priorities and needs of California’s food sector.  The complete Ag Vision framework is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision

Funding for the California Agricultural Vision is provided in part by the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation and the Columbia Foundation.

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.