SECRETARY KAWAMURA KICKS-OFF ANNUAL WORLD AG EXPO IN TULARE

SACRAMENTO,  February 13, 2007 – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura today kicked-off the annual World Ag Expo in Tulare, sharing billing as keynote speaker with California Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman and  former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

“The World Ag Expo is a great opportunity to bring together people and innovative farming ideas from around the world,” said Secretary Kawamura. “I always look forward to my visits here, to connect with the agriculture industry and discuss issues.”

Speaking of issues, secretaries Kawamura and Chrisman also appeared together today at an open forum on Governor Schwarzenegger’s water bonds, propositions 1E and 84, which were approved last year by voters. Following that, Secretary Kawamura toured the World Ag Expo grounds, hosted a panel discussion on renewable energy, met the Croatian minister of agriculture, and concluded his day with a meeting with state officers from the Future Farmers of America.

Tomorrow and Thursday, Secretary Kawamura will continue his visit to the Central Valley with additional World Ag Expo activities and meetings with local farmers, including a tour tomorrow of freeze-damaged farms in Fresno County. The tour will begin at 2 p.m. at the Nisei Farmers league, 1775 N. Fine Avenue, Fresno.