“COW POWER” TO ENERGIZE 2007 AG DAY AT STATE CAPITOL

Secretary Kawamura to join state lawmakers, California Women for Agriculture, gold medalist Shaun White for celebration of agriculture, nutrition, art

WHAT: “Cow power” will generate the energy needed to run Ag Day 2007. California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura will join state lawmakers, the California Women for Agriculture and gold medalist Shaun White for the celebration. Included among the festivities will be a demonstration of agriculture-related renewable energy from Ag Day partner PG&E, the recognition of art contest winners and a salad-making demonstration from Ag Day partner California Grown. 

WHEN: Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
WHO: Secretary A.G. Kawamura, California Department of Food and Agriculture
 Secretary Mike Chrisman, California Resources Agency
 Mary Ann Graff, California Women for Agriculture
 Senator Abel Maldonado, (R) Santa Maria, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
Assembly Member Doug LaMalfa, (R) Richvale, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee
 Master of Ceremonies Edie Lambert, KCRA-3 television
Sande Monagan, CEO, California Grown
 Gold Medalist Shaun White, also representing California Grown
 Tracee Bentley, 25 X 25
 Musical guest The California Cowboys

WHERE:  California State Capitol, west steps

WHY:  This festive event is designed to give California’s agriculture community a day of recognition and appreciation by bringing together state legislators, government leaders and the public. 

DETAILS:  
COW POWER AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
In cooperation with Ag Day partner PG&E, the entire event will be powered by renewable energy generated by cow manure.  There will be an on-site demonstration of the process and an ethanol-powered tractor and car on-site.

25 X 25
CDFA is pleased to welcome the national organization 25 X 25 to Ag Day 2007.  Endorsed by Governor Schwarzenegger, 25 X 25 is committed to establishing 25 percent of the nation’s energy supply from renewable sources by 2025. 

GO FOR THE GOLD
Ag Day partner California Grown will announce its “Go for the Gold” curriculum, in cooperation with California Ag in the Classroom. The curriculum, featuring gold medal snowboarder Shaun White as spokesperson, has been distributed to schools and classrooms representing 300,000 K-5 students across the state.  Additionally, White will recognize a winner in the Go for the Gold art contest and join Secretary Kawamura and a group of local school students for a salad-making demonstration.

AG DAY BOOTHS
Booths positioned on the capitol’s west side will feature an array of activities, including rodeo queens from Flying U Rodeo, livestock, horses, educational exhibits and food sampling.