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News Release

California Department of Food and Agriculture

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

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Release #18-066
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CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO MEET IN KERN COUNTY ON NOVEMBER 6TH - FOOD SAFETY, WATER AND FARMING ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

SACRAMENTO, November 1, 2018 – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will gather in Kern County on November 6th to hear from local area farmers and associations on key issues impacting the agricultural community. The meeting will be held from Noon to 2:30 p.m. at Grimmway Farms, 12062 Buena Vista Blvd (Fitness/Conference Center), Arvin, CA 93203.

Prior to the afternoon meeting, the board will tour the Kern Water Bank, in coordination with the Kern Groundwater Authority, and visit field/processing facilities at Grimmway Farms.

“Kern County is one of California’s largest agricultural regions with more than $7 billion in annual value,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It is also a critically overdrafted groundwater basin, where local communities are making significant strides toward sustainable groundwater management. As we look to the future of agriculture in our state, the experiences and insight from local-area farmers and ranchers on issues related to water, food safety and production are important takeaways for our larger agricultural community.”

Invited speakers include: Teresa Siles, Nuffer, Smith, Tucker Public Relations; Scott Horsfall, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement; Rob Yraceburu, Wonderful Orchards; Edwin Camp, D.M. Camp & Sons/Arvin-Edison Water Storage District and Under Secretary Gregory Ibach, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

“Bringing the State Board to the Bakersfield area to visit agricultural production facilities, tour groundwater projects, and hear from local area farmers is essential,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “We have an amazing state and diverse agricultural industry and with that there is a variety of regional issues that impact farm production. I look forward to hearing from our stakeholders and engaging with the local community.”

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.

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

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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