CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO DISCUSS FARMLAND CONSERVATION AT SEPTEMBER 5th MEETING

SACRAMENTO, August 30, 2017 – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss farmland conservation issues at it upcoming meeting on September 5th in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street - Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

“California's farmland is an important resource that provides the foundation for agricultural sustainability as well as economic prosperity for our farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Our farmland is an iconic part of California and contributes to a quality of life that all Californians enjoy.”

California has approximately 31 million acres of farmland and grazing land.  From 1984-2012 more than 1.4 million acres have been removed from farmland use, 78 percent of these farmland conversions were to urban land use and 49 percent of the conversions were from prime farmland - considered the most productive land and soil in the state.

Invited speakers for the meeting include: Kathryn Lyddan, California Department of Conservation; Suzanne Hague, California Strategic Growth Council; Chris Scheuring, California Farm Bureau Federation; Tim Snellings, Butte County Department of Development Services; Ed Thompson, Jr.,  American Farmland Trust; Nita Vail, California Rangeland Trust; Jeanne Merrill, California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN); and Scott Spear, Sequoia Riverlands Trust.

“Protecting our agricultural lands for future generations is a value that we all share,” said President Craig McNamara, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. "Ensuring that we have the polices in place to achieve this is a topic we will be discussing.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state 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 meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

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