STATE BOARD TO FOCUS ON AG VISION AT NOVEMBER 18, 2009 MEETING

Meeting to be held in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, November 12, 2009 — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will focus on the Ag Vision program at its upcoming meeting on November 18, 2009.  The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814. The board also will hear feedback from agricultural and environmental representatives on a “regulatory ombudsman concept” which would address regulatory burdens facing California’s farmers and ranchers.

The California Ag Vision has been a priority of the board for more than year – bringing together diverse stakeholders interested in California’s food system to develop actionable policy recommendations. Early in 2008, the state board conducted seven public listening sessions across the state to gain insight on the policy priorities for California agriculture. These listening sessions resulted in the release of California Ag Vision framework which identified three policy areas for the state: Better Health and Well-being; A Healthier Planet; and Thriving Communities.

Funding for the California Agricultural Vision is provided in part by the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, the Columbia Foundation, the California Agricultural Technology Institute, the California State University Agricultural Research Initiative and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. 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.

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