The California state board of food and agriculture will begin discussions on the 2018 farm bill at its upcoming meeting on July 5th in Sacramento.
The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento.
“Developing California’s priorities for the 2018 farm bill allows us to help frame the discussion as preparations begin at the federal level,” said CDFA secretary Karen Ross.
“This meeting is the beginning of our outreach efforts to stakeholders to gather input and help shape California’s recommendations concerning national farm programs and policy.”
The Farm Bill is omnibus multi-year legislation for major food and farm programs, covering such issues as research, conservation, nutrition, commodities and rural development.
The current farm bill will expire in 2018, necessitating action by congress.
“The Farm Bill provides us the opportunity to expand national programs important to California agriculture and to further develop programs benefiting conservation, healthy soils and renewable energy that are consistent with our state’s climate change reduction goals, ” said Craig McNamara, president of the California state board of Food and Agriculture.
All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.
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.
