CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO HEAR UPDATES ON WATER POLICY, INDUSTRIAL HEMP AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

SACRAMENTO, February 27, 2019 - The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear updates on key issues related to water policy, industrial hemp and climate smart agricultural programs at its upcoming meeting on March 5, 2019. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.
 
“While we have been having a successful water year, longterm water policy issues remain at the forefront for California’s farmers and ranchers,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “We continue to engage with state partners, across various agencies, to highlight issues of importance and to work collaboratively on beneficial solutions for sustainably managing California’s water resources.”
 
Among the water policy discussion topics will be updates on the Bay-Delta Program, an overview of Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation, and a report on the California Water Plan (Update 2018). The Board will also hear about CDFA’s Climate Smart Agricultural Programs,  including the Healthy Soils Program, the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP).
 
The Board will conclude the meeting with a discussion on industrial hemp and CDFA’s plans moving forward with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp production. 
 
Invited speakers include: Taryn Ravazzini, California Department of Water Resource; Erik Ekdahl, State Water Resources Control Board; Paul Massera, California Department of Water Resources; Dr. Geetika Joshi, California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Joshua Kress, California Department of Food and Agriculture.
 
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The Board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
 
All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
 
Follow the board on twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

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