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"AFT believes that the long term sustainability of California agriculture depends on conserving farmland by encouraging more efficient urban development of attractive, closely-knit communities."
 
 
 
 
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California Agricultural Vision

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California Agricultural vision: an important public opportunity

rainbowThe State Board of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are launching a series of listening sessions that will provide a forum for the agriculture industry and public to give their input into a California strategic agricultural vision. This vision will be used to guide public policy and investment priorities at the state and national level for the next 20 years. It will be a vision that affects everyone who produces, ships, processes, markets, eats, drinks or wears California agricultural products.

The California Agricultural Vision will consist of strategic goals that the agricultural industry wants to achieve by the year 2030. Public input is essential for the agricultural vision to fully represent California, including perspectives from farmers, ranchers and processors as well as hunger, nutrition, conservation and rural development groups.

According to Board of Food and Agriculture president, Al Montna, “The Ag Vision will give California agriculture the opportunity to design its own future through 2030 – this will not be a document to gather dust, but an action plan to secure the viability of this industry for today and years to come."

AFT applauds the Board and CDFA for this bold initiative and encourages you to participate.

How to Participate

› Attend a public listening session in your area.  The schedule is:

  • Redding – Wednesday, May 28 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Sacramento – Thursday, May 29 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m
  • San Luis Obispo – Tuesday, July 1 from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Tulare – Wednesday, July 2 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Oxnard – Monday, July 7 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Escondido – Tuesday, July 8 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

     Click here for meeting locations.

     To speak at a session, RSVP to AgVision@cdfa.ca.gov at least three days prior to the session you want to attend.  Each speaker will be given 5 minutes.

› Submit your comments by e-mail to AgVision@cdfa.ca.gov by July 18, 2008.

For more information on the visioning process please visit the CDFA website at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/.

What to Say

You’re going to express your own opinions, of course, but here are some things to consider.

CDFA is asking for input on four questions:

  • What is your vision for California agriculture by 2030?
  • What will be the biggest challenge in achieving that vision?
  • In 2030, how will the public perception of agriculture have changed?
  • What is a “must have” in an Ag Vision for California?

AFT believes that the long-term sustainability of California agriculture depends on:

  • Conserving farmland by encouraging more efficient urban development of attractive, closely-knit communities
  • Providing incentives to encourage farmers and ranchers to adopt agricultural practices that improve environmental quality and mitigate climate change
  • Promoting local as well as national and international markets for California-grown products to improve nutrition and reduce energy consumption.

 

 

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