Sep 26, 2018

Specialty crop block grants on agenda for California ag board meeting

Growers will have a chance to discuss policy issues with the California Board of Food and Agriculture at an upcoming meeting.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

“As we approach the end of the year, it’s appropriate to hear from some key stakeholders on issues of importance to the state’s farming and ranching community,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

Invited speakers include: Tom Nassif, Western Growers; Jamie Johansson, California Farm Bureau Federation; and Jeanne Merrill, California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN). The board will also hear from CDFA officials, including: Jenny Lester Moffitt, Undersecretary; Rachael O’Brien, Deputy Secretary for Legislation; Crystal Myers, Office of Grants Administration and Thea Rittenhouse, CDFA’s Farmer Equity Advisor.

Among the departmental updates will be an overview of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, a follow-up discussion about the recent Global Climate Action Summit, and an introduction of CDFA’s Farmer Equity Advisor.

California is the largest agricultural producer and exporter in the nation with 77,100 farmers operating on more than 25 million acres.  Last month, the United States Department of Food and Agriculture reported that California’s farmers and ranchers received more than $50.1 billion in cash receipts for 2017, representing approximately 13 percent of national production.

“Farmers are impacted by a lot of issues at the local, state and federal level,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “But I cannot think of a better place to farm – our state remains at the forefront of innovation as we face challenges related to water, immigration, trade and agricultural pests and disease. We are innovative because California’s farmers and ranchers are dedicated to doing what is right and committed to finding workable solutions.”

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.