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News Release

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Media Contacts: Steve Lyle, CDFA Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, steve.lyle@cdfa.ca.gov,

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Release #11-062
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STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO DISCUSS EXTREME CLIMATE RISKS ON NOVEMBER 16 IN SACRAMENTO EVENT ASSOCIATED WITH GOVERNOR BROWN’S EXTREME EVENTS CONFERENCE IN DECEMBER

SACRAMENTO, November 10, 2011 – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture, in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is hosting a forum on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future – Agriculture and the Food System on November 16, 2011 in Sacramento.  The forum will provide an overview of the potential impact of climate change on California’s food and farming sector.


“Worldwide we have seen an increase in volatile weather events that have had significant impact on global food supplies,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “As one of the key growing regions in the United States, California must be prepared for effects of a changing climate and what this means for food production.”


The forum will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. A variety of speakers representing academia and federal, state and local government will address adaptation to climate change, economic impact and extreme event planning. Keynote presentations will be provided by Lucinda Roth, State Climate Change Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Daniel Sumner, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.


“California’s spirit of innovation continues to create great advancements for agricultural production, land conservation and integrated pest management,” said President Craig McNamara, California State Board of Food and Agriculture.  “Planning and adaptation to climate change is another area in where California’s farmers and ranchers can lead the nation.”


This forum is the first in a series of events focusing on climate change that the State of California will be undertaking over the next several months. The Governor’s Conference of Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future, to be held on December 15, 2011 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, will bring together leaders on environmental issues, business, public health and public safety to focus on the risks of unpredictable and extreme weather events caused by climate change.


The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural and consumer issues. 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 of the state board are open to the public and interested individuals are encouraged to attend.


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California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs
1220 N St., Ste. 214, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-654-0462, www.cdfa.ca.gov